[Terry Wright]

We purchased a 2006 Honda Civic, the redesigned model this year. At 700 miles, a rattle began in the engine area. I took it into the dealership in late May. It is late July and still no car. First it was in and out of the dealership as they worked with Honda to correct the problem. Honda thinks it is a motor mount after replacing the struts and testing the steering tolerances. They have tried three motor mounts and still the Civic rattles. Our concern is a rattle will get worse, could cause secondary failures, and devalues the vehicle. A dealership told me I would have to act like it wasn't there to get the typical trade-in value. Today we continue to wait with a rental Accord supplied by Honda. I have reached Consumer Reports about the problem, talked to Honda extensively, and the dealership. The process has stalled with Honda experimenting on a motor mount. It does not make much sense a new car should rattle and the customer be expected to live with it open ended this way; was the vehicle not ready for release? The customer service agent said a solution could be in a couple of days or in a year.

So I have reached BBB Auto Line to file a complaint much as I did not want to do it. BBB says they will contact Honda and Honda will most likely contact me to settle. A like model has a chance of getting the same problem though. One only has to check around on the web. We will see where this process goes. Fortunately, Lemon Laws exist but hopefully Honda will not let it get that far.

The bottom line is we are making regular payments but we do not have the vehicle. The rental vehicle was provided in early July but we have worked the problem since late May.

Caveat Imptor - EX or better for this car seems safe.

Terry

[bigman32hockey]

Sorry to hear you are having such issues. It sounds like you may have got a lemon. I hope you get a new car or your money back. Keep us posted as to what happens.

[civic_dx-g]

where exactly does it rattle?what is the rattle like?

[Terry Wright]

If you look at auto.yahoo.com under Honda Civic you will find at least five such complaints. I enjoy this car - I do. But this rattle leaves me with the concern the vehicle will not last let alone depress the value of the car.

one day at a time,

Terry

[Terry Wright]

Originally Posted by civic_dx-g

where exactly does it rattle?what is the rattle like?

You can hear it in the front of the car outside of the interior compartment. Ripples in the road will cause it. The test is this:

Go to a residential area where there are no cars. Start off and get up to 18 mph, cut the rpm and with the drivers window down stick your ear out the window. If it is there, you will hear it.

Terry

[Terry Wright]

Originally Posted by civic_dx-g

where exactly does it rattle?what is the rattle like?

should answer the other half of the question. It sounds metalic and like thin metal rattle against some structure. It can be heard in the car with windows up but the drive window down technique is helpful. The location is just to the left of center for me but that is inexact at best. It is definitely outside of the interior and in the front of the car.

HTH,

Terry

[civic_dx-g]

i will check if mine rattles

[Terry Wright]

My customer service called early this morning and was responsive. He wants to check with the dealership before sorting out what to do on this case. Fair. I believe Honda wants to make it right. What is frustrating is the less than stellar communication between manufacturer and dealer.

So... I wait some more...

[kero]

Terry, I hope it all gets sorted. I will have to do more listening as I do have an odd metally sound that happens every day, on many surfaces, mine though, sounds like front right.

It's hard to hear it with all the other noises my car makes over bumps, divents and everything else.

Even my wife is starting to get annoyed with all the music my car makes when the radio is off, hahaha.

I know have a rear noise that sound maybe like the deck where the speakers go??

[Terry Wright]

kero,

Here is how you test for it:

Find a residential road where few cars or people are around with a nice stretch of road; i.e. 1 to 2 blocks. Roll the drivers window down and ask your wife to roll down the passenger window or vice versa depending on who is driving. Turn off the radio and A/C. Accelerate the Civic up to 18 mph, drop the engine rpm, put your ear out the window and just listen. If you hear a metallic tapping or rattle, you have the problem. It helps if the road is not perfectly smooth but few are. Honda says it is the motor mount and they have no cure for it. Imagine the resale value with such a problem? One dealer said it impacts it.

good luck - hope all is well with yours. It's a great car otherwise.

Terry

Originally Posted by kero

Terry, I hope it all gets sorted. I will have to do more listening as I do have an odd metally sound that happens every day, on many surfaces, mine though, sounds like front right.

It's hard to hear it with all the other noises my car makes over bumps, divents and everything else.

Even my wife is starting to get annoyed with all the music my car makes when the radio is off, hahaha.

I know have a rear noise that sound maybe like the deck where the speakers go??

[Terry Wright]

I should point out the motor mount is on the front right in the engine compartment.

Terry

[kero]

Terry, read my post, about TSB!!

[Terry Wright]

Honda says they will confer with the dealership after this third try now has failed and then "offer up" something. I am requesting repair or replace and hope we don't have to make the BBB Auto Line complaint final. Since Honda is fielding many customer service calls, I simply wait and hope it is not too much longer. Patience is important but so is using your Civic.

[Terry Wright]

I guess I should mention here if the rattle were the occasional clank or clunk, I could tolerate it. It is not. This rattle follows the slightest variation in the road. It is more like a drummer under the hood.

hopefully more clear...

Terry

[kero]

Terry, clear as a nice sunny day!