NHTSA Complaint #10543126 — 2006 HONDA CIVIC

HONDA CIVIC 2006 EX MODEL: WHEN THE TINY PIECE OF PLASTIC INSIDE THE TRUNK RELEASE SOLENOID SNAPS, THE EX MODEL HAS NO ALTERNATIVE METHOD TO OPEN THE TRUNK FROM OUTSIDE THE TRUNK. SINCE THE EX MODEL LACKS AN OUTSIDE KEY HOLE AND THE SEAT BACK RELEASES ARE INSIDE THE TRUNK AND THE SEATS ARE BOLTED IN FROM THE TRUNK SIDE WITHOUT A METHOD OF REMOVING THEM WITHOUT DAMAGING THE CAR, THE SEATS OF THE CAR OR THE TRUNK LID MUST BE BROKEN (LITERALLY CUT THROUGH THE METAL) IN ORDER TO OPEN THE TRUNK FROM OUTSIDE THE TRUNK AFTER THE SOLENOID PLASTIC BREAKS. SINCE THE EMERGENCY RELEASE MECHANISM IS ATTACHED TO THE SOLENOID, THIS FLAW COULD COST THE LIFE OF A CHILD TRAPPED INSIDE THE TRUNK IN THE DARK. ALTHOUGH THIS DESIGN FLAW IS NOW WELL KNOWN WITH THIS EX MODEL, HONDA REFUSES TO REIMBURSE OWNERS OVER THIS PROBLEM OR RECALL THE PART. THEIR CUSTOMER SERVICE LINE REFUSES TO HANDLE THE PROBLEM EFFECTIVELY AND REFUSES TO PASS ON THE PROBLEM TO THEIR ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT, REFERRING CUSTOMERS ONLY TO LOCAL DEANSHIPS WITHOUT OFFERING ANY COMPENSATION FOR THEIR FAULTY PRODUCT. *TR