NHTSA Complaint #11190175 — 2018 HONDA CIVIC

WE PURCHASED A 2018 HONDA CIVIC SPORT HATCHBACK IN LATE SPRING OF LAST YEAR. WHILE DRIVING IT IN SNOWY CONDITIONS, IT CONSISTENTLY COLLECTS SNOW AND ICE IN THE WHEEL WELLS TO THE POINT WHERE IT HAS ACTUALLY CAUSES DAMAGE TO THE INNER WHEEL WELL AND CAUSES CONSISTENT RUBBING AND BURNING SMELLS DUE TO THE ICE RUBBING AGAINST THE TIRE. THE RESPONSE FROM THE DEALERSHIP (GARBER HONDA IN ROCHESTER) AND THE AUTO MANUFACTURER (AMERICAN HONDA FINANCE COMPANY) IS THAT THIS IS DUE TO 'OUTSIDE INFLUENCES' AND IS THEREFORE NOT COVERED BY THEM. THE ISSUE IN QUESTION IS REGARDING THE MATERIAL DESIGN AND THE INABILITY TO ACTUALLY DRIVE THIS VEHICLE IN INCLEMENT WEATHER CONDITIONS IN WESTERN NEW YORK. THE INNER WHEEL WELL IS MADE OF SOME TEXTURED, ALMOST 'CLOTH LIKE' MATERIAL THAT ALLOWS FOR SNOW AND ICE TO STICK AND BUILD UP VERY QUICKLY. AFTER DRIVING JUST A FEW MILES IN SNOWY CONDITION, WE NEED TO PULL OVER TO TRY AND KNOCK SOME OF THE SNOW OFF SO THAT IT DOESN'T RUB AGAINST THE TIRE. THE COLLECTION OF ICE AND NOW HAS ACTUALLY RIPPED OFF THE INNER WHEEL WELL ON ONE SIDE AND IS STARTING TO AFFECT THE OTHER SIDE. I FEEL THAT THIS COULD BE A POTENTIAL ISSUE TO ANYONE DRIVING IN SNOW. WHILE DRIVING UNDER THESE CONDITION, MY CONCERN IS FOR THE DRIVERS OF THIS VEHICLE AND OTHERS ON THE ROAD BECAUSE OF THE NEGATIVE WAY THAT IT AFFECTS THE HANDLING OF THE VEHICLE. I HAVE SOUGHT OUT ADVICE FROM BOTH THE DEALERSHIP AND HONDA REGARDING ADDING DIFFERENT RIMS AND TIRES, BUT THEY HAVE COME BACK AND SAID THAT IT WOULD NOT AFFECT IT MUCH AND THAT IT WAS AN ENVIRONMENT ISSUE. THE DEALERSHIP MENTIONED THAT THEY HAVE MANY PEOPLE COMING IN WITH THE SAME ISSUE AND CHARGES THEM EACH AND EVERY TIME TO HAVE THIS RESOLVED. I DO HAVE A SMALL VIDEO THAT SHOWS EXACTLY WHAT THIS IS DOING TO THE VEHICLE. IS THERE A LOCATION WHERE I CAN UPLOAD THIS? I HAVE UPLOADED A PICTURE.