Engine Belts And Pulleys problems of the 2008 Honda Civic

The bracket the holds the alternator and is connected to the engine block snapped while I was driving on a city street. I lost power steering and the belt came off. The alternator was just dangling. From what I understand, this is a known problem with this model vehicle and it seems to be a serious design flaw.

Head of the tension bolt for the idler pulley broke while driving the car. Took it into the dealer and was told that this was a common issue, and that they could either drill it out, or it was stuck and a new engine block was needed. In this case a new block was needed. Doing some research on this issue revealed that there was a recall for this bolt breaking on the 2006 Civic, which is of the same generation and has the same engine as my 2008 Civic. My car only has approximately 86,000 miles on it. Had the idler pulley come off after the bold head had broke, this could have caused a serious accident. The fact that this issue has been recalled in a previous model year, and persists through a future model year makes me worry about others. The bolt is also not something that is called for to be regularly replaced. Calling Honda yielded no assistance or concern in this matter.

Upon leaving my place of employment, I had driven approx 1 mile to a traffic signal and noticed a slight vapor plume at the front of the car. Noted a slightly elevated coolant temp (3 leds above normal) and pulled over. Opening the hood revealed a cracked engine block on the exhaust side of the engine block behind and to the right of the exhaust collector. No kind of abuse or overheating has ever occurred with this engine since purchased new. No indication of a coolant leak was apparent upon parking at work before this discovery (no odor, or vapor present). A high mileage engine yes. Expected issues would be worn belts, piston rings, seals etc. . . A cracked engine block is not normal wear and tear.

2008 Honda Civic. Consumer writes in regards to engine block failure . The consumer stated the engine block problem should be treated as a recall due to the severity of the problem. When the engine overheated and stalled, he lost power steering and brakes. At that point, the steering and brakes became very difficult. The consumer stopped to the dealer, where they showed him the 4 problem areas of the engine where the leakage occurred. Also, the bearing on the air conditioning compressor pulley started making a noise. The entire compressor had to be replaced. The consumer also had difficulty starting the vehicle and after 10 seconds, the vehicle would start. On occasion, he had trouble shifting from first to second gear. It would not shift, and he had to come to a complete stop and start in first gear. Updated 04/10/14.

Water pump pulley/tensioner quit at 70 mph. Pump and tensioner were replaced. Six months later, car quit again, same thing. Only this time the bolt that mounts the tensioner sheared off in the engine block. Honda has recalled this vehicle in 2006 and 2007 for this same issue. (service bulletin 248422 and 248421) and action number NHTSA 10026791. No recalls for 2008 yet. They have replaced (under some kind of warranty) the engine block and the water pump/pulley/tensioner caused by the second break down. There needs to be a recall for 2008, as well. Honda needs to pay for my first repair, as well.

On January 23, 2010, I was involved in a single automobile accident, on highway 111, in indian wells, CA. Roads were wet that day. I recall my vehicle hydro-planing and spinning out of control. That is the last I recall, as I believe I was knocked unconscious, I awoke minutes later to find myself still in the drivers seat, to find my back seat engulfed in flames. I managed to free myself from my seat belt and get out through the drivers side window. As managed to get on my feet I walked away from the vehicle just in time for it to explode. . O my next concern is as doing some research after the accident, I came across some interesting information regarding a recall on that type of vehicle. I purchased my vehicle in June 2008, and recall letters were sent out on October 2008. I never received such a letter. I am concerned to what caused my vehicle to catch fire and explode. I contacted a Honda mtg. Company, and spoke to a case manager and opened a claim. On March 31, 2010, I received a phone call from him, and he said that there was no recall on such vehicle. My personal opinion, he came to that conclusion based on a list of VIN numbers. , no investigation was done as far as checking the vehicle or taking the time to find out if my vehicle was just one that was bypassed and not put on the VIN list. I personally do not feel that they put much effort in finding out why my vehicle exploded. I am now stuck with a balance, medical bills, and no vehicle. Please help me in this matter, for I feel this matter was not taken seriously.