Honda Reliability

[NewCar]

Hmmm, I am having some doubt about Honda's reliability now, now that I heard stories of people's engine dying, all the other rattling sound, and water leak in the trunk. The reason why my family and I bought a Honda CR-V last year was because of the reliability.

[DownTheHatch]

My car has been fine, absolutely no problems. You have to understand that some people are picky and some people drive their cars rougher, or have bad roads. These cars are built in England, shipped over on a boat, unloaded onto semis, and brought to dealerships. Alot can happen during that process. Then there are always things that are just wrong with the car from the factory, but can definately be fixed under warranty.

[chet]

I definitely agree with you, DTH. I haven't had even a small problem yet. Many things can happen from assembly line to showroom floor. And most of the guys here don't pussyfoot around. THEY DRIVE HARD. So don't sell Honda short because of a select few with probs. I am driving my first Honda and don't know if I will ever buy domestic again. COmeplete turn around when it comes to the full quality of my Honda.

[Peking]

My 2002 Si is my first Honda (first in my family as well). I have always been aware of Honda's reliabilty and workmanship through out its line of automobiles, but I feel that since 1998 domestic cars have been getting better along with other imports so it's safe to say that if you treat the car good you can't go wrong. The truth is that all cars are going to have their problems, and history is key. Key to understanding what you car represents. Years of evolution. I am happy with my car, just not with the abuse of daily driving that I do to it.

[NemesisITR]

They only problems I have had with Honda are:

1. Defective throw out bearing on my 2001 Type R

2. Bad rear glass runner in driver side door on my 2001 Type R

3. Dumbass tech who changed my oil causing my 2002 Si engine to blow!

That's it.

Nothing compared to the problems I had with my American cars.

Honda is still the most reliable car out there. Even GM is now buying motors built by Honda for the new Saturns cause they cant build that great of a motor without going bankrupt!!!

[dc5-K20A3]

No problems here...

[Gasp23]

No problems here either.

[siver-SI]

Ok I bought a new honda do to racing one. At my local track they have a cheap form or racing called BICS this is the link to the track http://www.lakegenevaraceway.com and I race in it. My first car was and I still have it a 1986 Accord with around 250,000 miles on it. The odomerter broke around 180,000 and that was over 5 years ago when I found some papper work under in the car when I striped out the interior. Well anyways I pulled it out of a towing year because it was abandend and bought it for $125 bucks and it ran just needed a muffler and a lot of carb cleaner and latter I found out a fuel pump but it ran with out one till I hit the track.

Anyways so I did a few races on it till the calapers went and the water pump but for all the races I did it would hit 6500 to 7000 RPMs twice every lap and did not do bad when I was getting down driving it. The water pump belive it or not was orginal and the reason the brakes went out was because the moron who did the brake job before but a right side calaper on the left side of the car so needless to say the left side brakes did not work at all and caused my right side calaper to seize. Well I found out that it had two right side calpers when I went to do the brack job and I bought the new calpers since there were a horrble $25 bucks a peice. Yea belive it or not the two new calapers, pads, rotors, all other hardware and the new calaper mount out of the junk yard cost me $125 all together. I still have to get the water pump in but I hope to get working on it soon so I have a back up car if needed.

Since I know no US make could hold up to this and Hondas are the number one cars on the track I could not belive there are ones on the track with even more millage then me it showed how relialbe they were.

So I wanted a Honda for my next car. If this 02 SI lasts as long as this Accord did I will be one very happy camper.

Neal

[IceD out N CALI]

no complaints here

[HgSi]

I think the reason it might seem like everyone's engine is blowing up, and that everyone is having problems, is because people tend to post about their problems, and not that they have no problems. So maybe there are 10 people who are like "man, my engine blew, or my trunk is full of water" or whatever, but the 990 people who don't have problems aren't going to post "btw, my engine didn't blow up today. Just wanted to let you guys know." :)

[Makross]

mines running fine :)

[snubnose]

Although I've had no problems with mine, that may be because I have only a little over 3,000 miles on it.

I agree that the posts about rattles and leaks and gear grinds are a cause for concern. I'd be worried too if I was thinking about an Si and came to this forum.

I don't know what to tell you.

My car seems to be an example of great fit and finish and quality so far.

[SiR Medic]

I think many people are spoiled by Honda.

A squeak or a rattle in a Honda would drive someone nuts, while the same squeak or rattle will go completely unnoticed in a GM car.

Yeah there is going to be the occasional lemon, no matter what car company makes it. My car had a very minor electrical problem (door switch), but I am willing to forgive Honda for that if I can get 400,000kms out of the car.

I used to have a Ford Taurus, and the thing cost me about $300/month just to keep it going. My Mazda RX-7 needed an engine rebuild at 135,000kms. It also had a ton of electrical problems. My Pontiac Grand Prix would go through brakes like it was washer fluid. It also blew a head gasket at 140,000kms. Not to mention the squeaks and rattles it had when I bought it.

If you think Honda reliability is going down the tubes, feel free to buy another brand of car and see how reliable it is.

[BlairSpeed]

I love my Honda. I paid $15k for my SI and I know there isnt another car better for the price. Especially, if you look at domestics. I think the materials and manufacturing of domestic cars are all terrible. I think of them as "throw away cars." My dad's girlfriend has a Saturn and its a 2000. She drives it very easy and soft, like an older lady would and it just feels like a cheap car. The sterring has an odd feel, the door panels feel flimsy, and the over all fit and finish of the car is cheap. I wouldnt plan on that car lasting more than 120,000mi tops and thats pushing it. Even if it did, your still riding around in cheap plastic.

My point is that American cars under $25k are crap. Every one. Think of it this way, if you took an SI and a Cavalier, drove them both for 1 year and then evaluated the overall condition of the car. I guarantee that the SI would be in better condition. I have never been impressed by domestics. :rolleyes:

[SiRRider]

Have people on this site had water problems with the SI???? I had problems with water in my last car which was a Honda.... That is a problem I wouldnt wish on anybody. SiR Medic explain your problem with the door switch. I have a problem with the same thing I think. when i leave my lights on and open the door I get no bells to tell me the lights are on and same with the keys. I that what your problem was?????
Thanks

[SiR Medic]

Sounds like Honda needs to fire one of their assembly workers!

The problem I had was with the driver's side door only. When I opened the door, the dome light would not come on, also the key-minder and headlight buzzers would not come on.

After one short trip and one long visit with the dealer, they traced the problem to a connection by the shifter. Once they did find the problem, it only took a few minutes to fix. It did take them a couple of hours to take apart the dash, then put it back together.

Take the car to you're dealer and tell them the problem. Or you could take the car to King's Honda in Coldbrook (Just past Kentville). they should be familiar with the problem!

[SiRRider]

Thanks a lot SiR Medic, I was just getting ready to act on this prob and I am sure it will be easier to find now. I have the exact problem as you I also have no dome light. Weird!!!! It is not a huge deal but I have the habit of putting my lights on in the day time and when you are busy it is easy to leave them on. Good info for sure Thanks again

Matt

[ADAMnQuickCIVIC]

You're right...
Honda's are crap...
I mean, a stitch came out of my seat!
What kinda P.O.S. car has seats that fall apart!
I'm gonna trade this in on a Cavalier or Focus next week.
I've had enough!
[/sarcasm]

[Accordexcpe95]

never had "major" problems with Honda

here's the list of Honda we have:

92 Accord EX: only small problems (radiator changed, rougher shift, batter replaced, radio antenna replaced, brake pads...etc.) it's expected because it's 11yrs old car.

95 Accord EX: this car didn't pass emission the first time i got it cuz the previous owner didn't take care of it, fixed everything. (timing belft, fuel pump, injectors, exhaust, brake pads, brake rotors, shit loads more) after that, the car runs fine 'til it got stolen not long ago. :(

01 Accord EX: no problem wut-so-ever. fill gas and go :cool:

03 Civic SI: fast, smooth shifts. love it

[SiRRider]

So what about the water problems???? Anyone have any with the new SI (SIR) are heard of any???

[2k2SiAutoXer]

I htink the water problem people are talking about is finding water in the spare tire compartment. I took my si in yesterday and it turns out to be a leak from the sunroof drain. The dran for the sunroof drains in the quaterpanel an i guess the water was finding its way in from there. Itsall fixed now.

--Tom

[NemesisITR]

my drains worked fine, never had water in the car.

[SiRRider]

I will have to keep my eye on that because I had bad probs with my last car. The computer got fried and everything from the water. Thanks for the info

[I SELL HONDAS]

1) 89 civic lx 152000 miles , one gasket because i let my son drive . 2) 89 acura 159000 clutch at 126000........... 3) 94 civic ex supercharged , alternator 94000 miles, bearing at 110000 after being driven hard for 45000 plus miles. 4) 2003 ep3 1400 miles.......:D

[I SELL HONDAS]

nothing is perfect!

[SinisterCivicSi]

i disagree with your opinion........hondas are one of the most reliable cars on the road. if you go to consumer compaints for your local district attory's site.......go look at the honda complaints. a lot of little petty shit. now......go to ford focus, neon, cavalier.......you will see so many pages of compaints of MAJOR stuff, they had to relocate them to another page. i am talkin about engines lockin up, dying while driving, major electrical probs, etc. honda has stuff like a rattle in the air vent, a squeeking around the wheel...petty shit.
my car is at the dealer now, i am getting a new lower block. i have heard isolated cases like mine where the car uses alot of oil. i had a scored cylinder and everything is covered under warranty. the dealer is doing everything they can to make me comfortable. i have a decent rental, nothing is coming out of my pocket. all vehicles have their issues. your on a specific site and like someone else said, when you hear 10 people complain of different things, yeah it sounds like alot......but lets put it into proportion, how many ephatches have been on the road around the world? now that 10 seems quite insignificant.
even though i have had probs with my car, and the scored cylinder, she still ran like a champ, never had a prob with her and i love hondas. i had a 93 before her w/ 197K miles, and purred like a kitten. i sold her to my neighbor for 2300 stripped down.....he got one hell of a car.
i will always be a honda/acura owner....i am truely a honda snob! lol
here is my ol baby right before i sold her...

[I SELL HONDAS]

i disagree with your opinion........

who's opinion do you disagree with?

[SinisterCivicSi]

:*

ummm...the person that started this thread? that who's opinion i disagreed with...but again, thats just my opinion , and his opinion.....and you know everyone has one.l

[I SELL HONDAS]

THERE IS NO BETTER VALUE FOR YOUR HARD EARNED CASH!!!!!

:)

[02SiBlk]

My mother owned a Ford. The engine had to be replaced. My brother owned two Fords. Both had their engines replaced along with tons of other problems. My friend owns a Mitsubishi. It's basically a new car because every damn thing in it has failed and continues to. Everyone I know that bought something other than Honda has had serious problems, including me. For some dumbass reason I got a Dodge. It was in the shop twice the first year I had it. After that, the head and valve cover gaskets had to be replaced just a few months after the warranty ran out. Dodge told me that almost all the Dodge/Chrysler cars from that generation did it and tough shit. The stories could go on forever.

The first car I had was a 1983 Civic 1500 S hatch, and it had no problems while I owned it, and I swear I saw it on the road the other day. I'm sure there aren't many of those so it had to be the one I had since I sold it here. My 1992 Civic LX is on the original clutch. It's had one tire change and recently had the muffler replaced. The only real problem it had was minor electrical trouble and happened this year. Considering its reliability and that it gets insanely good gas mileage with around 180,000 miles on it, I would say it was worth way more than I paid for it. I also have a 1999 Accord LX that is one hell of a sexy ride imo. I will never buy anything that isn't Honda/Acura. ;)

[Jodster]

I love my honda. Its the best cars I've ever owned. This is my second honda. Before I had a 01 EX coupe. Great car. I bought it new and owned it for a 1 and a half before deciding to trade it in for my EP. I put 32,000 miles on my EX. And from day one I beat the crap out of that car. I even wrecked it 6 months before I traded it in. Did $9700 worth of damage. And after it was fixed it was just like it was before. Never had a problem out of it. My EP, 2600 miles on it and no problems. Before I owned my first honda I owned a 1999 Ford Escort ZX2. It was a fun little car. And the same thing from day one I beat the crap out of it. 2 years later and 16 service trip due to everything breaking, I decided to look for a new car. I put 40,000 miles on that car. And it was about to die. Had no power left and the value dropped like a rock. I wasn't very happy with it. Now sence owning 2 honda, and looking at getting a 3rd(S2000) wouldn't go back.

[siver-SI]

I have to agree these cars are great. I went out racing yesterday with my 88 Preliude and going into turn 3 someone got onto my right rear quarter pannel hard and cut my right rear tire and I pulled off their bummper. Well when my tire went down I went around and up the track. Well now my left side were I am sitting is facing right twards trafic and I got broadsided right on my drivers door at around 20-30 MPH. Well after I stoped seing stars in the literal sence I went back and started my car since it stalled and drove away. This car has 12700 miles on it so about 1/3 of a honda life spand of a engine but the body is shot.

It looks like I have a tie rod that is all most broken because of the crash on the right hand side, but I am wondering if I dammaged it when two weeks ago I hit the right front on my car into a wall at around 30 MPH coming out of turn 4, but I could not see the dammage to it and that last good hit to the car is what did it. Right now my left tire turns fine but I have to have my wheel about half way turned before the right wheel turns.

The eninge is strong as hell and runs great and since my other race car is a 86 accord and that has over 200000 miles on it and that car can take a good beating too. As long as long as honda builds a car like these I am always going to own one. In one year I went from owning 0 and never thinking of owning a Honda too owning 3 and wanting more.

[TravisEP3]

Originally posted by SinisterCivicSi
i will always be a honda/acura owner....i am truely a honda snob!

I definitely agree with that. Me too. Buy one Honda and you are stuck buying another and another... :D

[SinisterCivicSi]

ok, i found the site i was referring to......its a good read for sure. go to any of them, ford focus (hilarous), neon (wow), etc etc.
here you go.......

http://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/cars/problems/complain/complaintsearch.cfm

[siver-SI]

I have to say I am looking through the Honda ones and they mosly seem to be bad dealer problems. I did get a kick out of this one.

WHILE DRIVING AT 30-35 MPH CONSUMER WAS TRYING TO SLOWDOWN AND WITHOUT ANY NOTICE TWO FRONT AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. CONSUMER THEN RAN INTO A TREE. CONTACTED DEALER, AND DEALER WAS NOT WILLING TO DO ANYTHING. THERE WAS SOME INJURIES TO THE CONSUMER'S HANDS AND BACK. *AK

This is the thing how do you know if he hit the tree and then the air bags went off, he might have said this because of his insurnace he does want to crash to count against him.

[I SELL HONDAS]

ddddddddddddddduh

[I SELL HONDAS]

I have some real nice swapland I can sell you cheap.

[SinisterCivicSi]

haaa haaa! some of them are really funny........go to the ford focus and check out all the engine failures they have and the dealer does NOTHING! blames it on the consumer.....now thats quality! the dealer wont even stand by the product.....what jerks

[Tekdemon]

The thing I like about the Civic complaints is that the injury counts are so low...and when there are some it's some idiotic complaint about some airbag not deploying in some specific scenario...since airbags aren't perfect, and since the sensors try to deploy only when it's beneficial, I don't think it's a big deal...

On the other hand on the Neon page it's injury land =P

[HondaMan]

Nothing like a Honda...the best value on the road. I've had several Hondas between me and my wife (see my Honda web page link in my sig for more). There's a reason why I have 2 Hondas sitting in my garage. :)

BTW, 02SiBlk nice avatar! ;)

[AznPower]

no problems on my 02, and if it matters my 89 si got 235k miles and running strong.

[MINIVANKILLER]

Hondas that I have owned:

87 Honda Prelude
89 Honda Prelude, spoke wheels, nice stereo (Ghetto fab)
89 Honda Accord Se
90 Honda Accord Ex
95 Honda Civic Ex
02 Honda Civic Si

Due to the last problem that I had with the dealership in Montgomery, AL. I am finished with HONDA...I was just about to buy the 03 Honda Accord Ex six speed and then it happened. Bent the #3 exhaust valve, and put a lobe on one of the cams in the Si. The dealership pretty much wrote me off, mainly because of the mods (they didn't say this, but it was noticable). I spoke with Honda Warr. in Cal. for about week and a half. They finally decided to pay half of the fix. So nice of them to look out for their customers (sarcasm). I went out and bought a Jetta 1.8t the next week. I will be in the 20th anniversary Golf in a few months. It has been fun, but all good things come to an end. The 1.8t has a better fell to it anyway. I cannot wait to get one. I still love my ep and truly hate to get rid of it over this kind of crap. Being a performance shop owner I have put Honda in their on class many times, but this will not happen anymore.

Just my two cents: