NHTSA Complaint #11120689 — 2008 HONDA CIVIC

THE CAR HAS A PROBLEM WITH THE SRS WIRING HARNESS THAT CONTROLS AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT AND DRIVER AND PASSENGER SAFETY. THIS CAUSES THE AIRBAG LIGHT TO COME ON AND PREVENTS PROPER DEPLOYMENT. THE PROBLEM IS EXTREMELY COMMON IN HONDAS, SPECIFICALLY 8TH GENERATION CARS. THE CAUSE IS A POORLY MADE WIRE THAT GETS CAUGHT IN THE PASSENGER SEAT TRACK, CAUSING A SHORT IN THE WIRE. IT CAN ONLY BE REPAIRED PROPERLY AND SAFELY BY REMOVING THE ENTIRE WIRING HARNESS AND REPLACING IT. THIS REQUIRES THAT THE CARPETING AND THE DASHBOARD BE REMOVED AND TAKES 6-8 HOURS WORTH OF WORK, AND IS REPLACED WITH A $200-400 PART DEPENDING ON WHERE YOU TAKE IT. IT CANNOT BE FIXED EASILY OR AFFORDABLY BY THE CONSUMER, AND PREVENTS THE CAR FROM BEING SAFE TO DRIVE OR PASSING INSPECTIONS IN THE STATE OF VIRGINIA. THE PROBLEM MAY HAVE OCCURRED SOONER, AS THE VEHICLE WAS ONLY PURCHASED USED A FEW MONTHS AGO. IT HAPPENS IN MOST HONDAS AND IS NOT COVERED BY THE MANUFACTURER'S 150,000 MILE WARRANTY ON OTHER PARTS DESPITE HAVING RELEASED A TSB TO ALL DEALERSHIPS BECAUSE THE PROBLEM IS SO COMMON. IT PRESENTS A DANGER TO DRIVERS AND DESERVES TO HAVE A RECALL ISSUED.