NHTSA Complaint #11510669 — 2019 HONDA CIVIC

On 01/15/2023 my son was driving on a highway in our 2019 Honda Civic LX when he heard a scary grinding sound under the car. He was forced to stop on the side of the highway only to discover that the splash shield at the bottom of the car was almost disconnected from the car itself. Upon closer inspection at home, we discovered that splash shield is only held in place by 3 fasteners instead of 8 that is needed. Quick internet search shows numerous cases when the splash shield is not installed correctly after the oil change causing it to disconnect eventually. The oil change on the was performed on 08/01/2022 at HONDA CITY dealership. No one touched the bottom of the car afterwards. We contacted the dealership and on 01/16 I had a conversation with a manager who advised to visit it. On 01/17 my son went there and was told that it disconnected for unknown reasons and dealership is not responsible. The dealership manager stated, engine splash cover disconnected by “natural causes”. An unexpected loud grinding noise while driving on a highway almost caused an accident (he almost lost control of the car). If it is a design issue (as stated there are numerous cases of engine splash guard disconnecting documented online) I believe Honda must issue a recall to replace it / address the issue.