NHTSA Complaint #10816165 — 1996 HONDA CIVIC

PASSENGER SIDE SUB-FRAME IS HEAVILY RUSTED AND BROKEN AT THE BOTTOM. PASSENGER SIDE WHEEL MOVES SIDE TO SIDE WITH EASE. THE CAR HAS BEEN OWNED BY ME FOR TWO YEARS WITH NO ISSUE. I DO NOT AND HAVE NOT USED THE A/C, BUT LIKELY RELATED TO THE A/C DRIP TUBE POINTING DIRECTLY ON THE SUB-FRAME AND RUSTING IT THROUGH. IT'S NOT WORTH REPAIRING BUT COULD POSSIBLE BE REINFORCED WITH A WELD. SELLING DEALER DENIES ANY DEFECT UPON ORIGINAL SALE. EVEN THOUGH THE CAR WAS MAINLY RUST FREE, WHAT WAS LURKING UNDERNEATH WAS DEFINITELY NOT SAFETY INSPECTED BEFORE PUTTING ON THE LOT FOR SALE. AT THE TIME I INSPECTED THE VEHICLE, I SAW NO OBVIOUS DAMAGE TO THE PASSENGER SIDE LOWER CONTROL ARM AND SUB-FRAME AREA. I LATER FOUND OUT THE DAMAGE TO BE CONCEALED BY SANDING AND DARK COLORED UNDERCOATING. PRESUMABLY BY THE SCAM DEALER. EVEN THOUGH THE CAR IS AND HAS BEEN DRIVEN IN THE NE, HONDA SHOULD ASSURE THAT CRITICAL PARTS LIKE THIS WILL STAND UP. I CAN'T SAY WHAT WORK HAD BEEN DONE TO THE VEHICLE BEFORE I OWNED IT, OR IF THE VEHICLE WAS GARAGED OR NOT. FROM WHAT I AM READING, THAT DOES NOT MAKE A DIFFERENCE THOUGH. HONDA OWNERS, CHECK THIS ITEM. I COULDN'T SEE PUTTING A NEW SUB-FRAME, ALONG WITH STEEP DEALER LABOR PRICES TO CORRECT THIS ISSUE. HONDA AMERICA NEEDS TO STEP UP WITH AN ADMISSION OF FAULT AND A RECALL, IF NOT ONLY TO REINFORCE THOSE FRAMES THAT ARE STRESSED.