While driving, the oil light started flashing. I checked the oil level and found that it took almost 4 quarts of oil to fill it back up. I then started the car to see why and where the oil was coming from and it was gushing out of the timing belt cover. I had the car towed to my dealer and they told me it was a blown balancer shaft seal. After everything was added up, it cost $653.80 to repair. We complained about it to the dealer when the car was being repaired, but were told it was a wearable part that we were unlucky enough to have go. My father recently told me he read in a local newspaper automotive column that a woman had the same problem. I looked up the federal safety agency website to see if there were any others who may have had the same complaint, and was very surprised to find out there were quite a few. Had my wife been driving the car on the highway with my 15 month old son, and the engine failed due to loss of oil, it could have been a very dangerous situation. If enough people complain of this problem hopefully honda will issue a recall; however, we are still out $653.80.
1996 Honda Accord engine complaints
Page 3 of 4: complaints 41 to 70 of 97, newest first, as owners wrote them.
I was just recently made aware that the problem I experienced with the oil seal failure was not unique. I purchased the vehicle used out of a lease with only 18,000 miles. All service has been done at hidy honda beavercreek, ohio since I've acquired the vehicle.
Balncer oil shaft gave out and car leaked all oil out immediately and engine seized and we had to replce engine at the cost of $2,860 (used engine) - honda has been extremely uncooperative - received recall notice and have tried to work with them to obtain reimbursement and have been waiting since november.
Oil seal failed with no warning while dirving at low speed in parking lot. Oil loss estimated at 1 quart per 3 minutes at engine idle RPM. When driven (after oil refill) oil soaks l. Ft. Brake caliper and all engine belts. Immediate response to oil pressure warning light prevented driving to engine seizure.
No summary listed for above vehicle.
Was traveling 70mph when suddenly engine seized up, vehicle had stopped, lost all power, and oil was shooting out every where. Had vehicle towed to garage. Mechanic indicated that engine had blewn up, and that was reason for oil leaking. Would replace blown engine with a used engine. Received a product recall letter in mail regarding engine recall. Do not have old engine.
Front balancer shaft seal blow ,oil gushed out of engine in less then 10 mins est.was told by dealer that happens to a lot of this model that the seal is defective but honda does'nt have a full recall,will only fix when seal blows which causes permanent engine damage if vechicle is running.after I got my car back the engine light stays on and the dealer says I have to pay to find out why,should'nt honda of america pay since the light never came on before this problem and start immediatly after they repaired the bad seals.I've done research on your site and others and this seems to be a comman problem in cold regions in the united states it seems the seal is most definetly defective but honda wont repair until the problem happens. Please respond thank you, james g nascimento [email protected],159 jordan ave cranston ri 02910,401‑942‑3265.
The oil seal failed causing damage to other components, the consumer no longer owns the car, however read where there was a a manufacturer's recall regarding a defective oil seal and would like to be reimbursed.
The balancer shaft seal failed,causing all of the engine's oil to pump out.
While driving about 50 MPH oil light came on, engine started losing power. Consumer pulled to side where engine check light came on. Vehicle had to be towed. Then, technician told consumer about a recall concerning blowen engine.
No summary listed for above vehicle.
While parking vehicle noticed oil leaking from under vehicle. Vehicle towed to dealer, and informed consumer that balancing shaft seal was cause of oil leakage. Repairs done at no cost to consumer. Please feel free to provide any further deatils.
While driving, oil indicatior light started to falshing. Lost all oil in engine. Balance shaft seal burst. Timing belt and other belts replaced. Cost $700. Also, passenger's side door (front & back) power locks are inop.
While traveling at approximately 40 MPH, my oil light came on. Thankfully I was just reaching my destination. I got out of the car and saw that oil was pouring out of it! Had I driven this way, according to my mechanic, my engine would have been destroyed. I had to replace all of the oil-soaked belts, etc due to this part failure. I have seen spoken to several people who have had the same problem (one of whose car's engine did "blow up"). The local honda dealership told me that this was a commonly known defect in the seal. This particular seal is generally changed at around 90,000 miles when the timing belt is replaced. Unfortunately, the dealership says, many seals break 15-20 thousand miles prematurely causing major damage to the vehicle. I have been told this particular part may be recalled in the near future; I feel this would be an appropriate action for this situation.
Engine started leaking oil at an alarming rate, took to dealer, they said it was a balancer shaft seal and would require repairs est to be $620.
Balance shaft oil seal failed resulting in rapid loss of engine oil.
Oil hose broke, causing an oil leakage into engine compartment, soaking the timming belt with oil which could cause a possible fire. Consumer has contacted dealer. Please provide any further details.
Engine seal went bad and leaked out oil. Srs airbag light came on and mechanic told SRS control unit went bad with a repair of $600. Contacted honda and there was no recall for either part.
Same exact incident happened to another car I owned, honda accord lx 97, at the same mileage range (59k-60k). Only with accord 1996, I was fortunate enough to stop on time, and was able to save the engine. Whereas, in the accord 97 situation, I was too late, all of the oil came out, and engine was irreparably damaged. The cost of repairs for accord 97 was $2,000, it required a whole new engine + oil pump, change of seals and belts. According to the honda accord manuals, maintenance (change of timing belts, etc.) on the car should be done at around 90k miles, excluding the regular oil changes. Therefore, both incidents were not related to a delayed maintenance, but to an irregular failure of the oil pump and the oil seal. Both cases are identical on similar cars and deserve to be investigated.
Engine oil seal blow-which resulted in the loss of oil.
While driving, oil light indicator suddenly started flashing. Pulled off highway and proceeded to nearest gas station. I told the gas station mechanic that my oil light indicator had suddenly started flashing. Gas station mechanic opened up the hood and checked the oil. Dipstick came up dry. All oil had been lost. Gas station mechanic proceeded to put two quarts of oil in vehicle. While doing this gas station mechanic noticed that there was a major oil leak. He informed me that there had been reports of a defective oil seal in 1996 honda accords and he advised me to take the vehicle to the nearest honda dealership. At that time, I contacted my insurance company who provided towing services. Vehicle was towed to ed morse honda on us1 in fort lauderdale, florida. I advised mark greene, service attendant at ed morse, of what had happened. I also told him that the gas station mechanic had mentioned a defective oil seal. I left vehicle at dealership and they promised to call with an estimate. When mr. Green called back with the estimate, he informed me that the oil seal would not be covered by honda. The cost to fix the oil seal was $510. Mr. Greene also recommended replacing timing belt and water pump for an additional $170.
Oil leak at the front of the engine caused by a dislodged seal on the front balancer shaft
Oil indicator light came on while driving. Lost all oil in engine.balance shaft seal leak. Timing belt, other belts replaced. $400 repair
Vehicle will not hold oil. When starting car and putting oil in, it will leak right out.
Intermittently while driving engine just died. Vehicle has been to three different dealers in the last six months.dealerships was not able to correct this problem. *ak discovered loose igniter connection and the ignition system was replaced.
While driving-oil indicator light flashing. Indication of loss of all oil. Able to make it to dealership where they had no knowledge of why this would happen. Discovered that balance shaft seal & cam shaft had popped out. Resulting in loss of all oil in engine> this is front balance shaft. All belts and fluids needed to be replaced at a cost of $483.22. Which has not been paid. Questioned the service manager regarding this as a factory problem. Told no. Even though service bulletins have been issued regarding this problem for the past 5 years. A clip in needed to be placed on these shaft seals to prevent the problem from continuing to occurr again. Unfortunately when reviewing the work order there is no indication that the clip was applied. Contacted manufacturer said they knew a problem exists but would not accept responsibility for cost and possible permanent damage to engine vehicle. They refused to supply me with the complete bulletin regarding the problem.one service mgr at anotherdealership said this problem is been going on for years and honda will not acknowledge factory defect.
Vehicle was leaking oil due to the balance shaft seal and the camshaft seal coming out. Dealer has repaired vehicle. *ak while driving oil indicator light came on indicating loss of oil from engine. All allegedly had to be replaced including placing bracket at seal location to prevent reocurrance. Coolant also replaced.
Re-submit//state reported incorrectly. While driving oil light indicator came on/lost all oil in engine. No prior warning. Able to make it to dealer told that balance shaft seal popped out and also cam shaft seal popped out at same time. Required to replace both seals and all fluids/all belts replaced -cost - $483.22. Dealer claimed no knowledge of prior notification from manufacturer of problem or offer to contact manufacturer for payment and cost responsibility. Able to obtain information from this site that service bulletins issued on both 1995/1996 honda accords with this problem. Dislodged seal on the front balancer shaft. Dated 10/96. Bill not paid. Contacted manufacturer at first acknowledged defect and remedy but refuses to confirm in writing. Clip is needed to be installed on vehicle which will enable problem from occurring again. Clips are being installed now as part of maintenance when belts are changed at 90,000 and above but manufactuer will not install clips on cars without customer taking financial responsibility. One dealer whom I contacted indicated that I should have been aware of the problem and brought car in before warranty expired. This problem exists on both 1995 and 1996 accords but the manufacturer refuses to supply me with complete service bulletin and has told me that they are unaware of such a bulletin in existence. I hope that this information in able to be posted in it's entirety so that others who have been or will experience this problem know of the condition and the manfacturer's position.I
While driving oil indicator light came on -lost all oil in engine. Balance shaft seal popped out along with cam shaft seal resulted in loss of all oil no prior warning. Cost 483.22 repaired at dealership. All belts required to be changed. Manufacturer refuses to accept resp for cost. Dealership did not inform of service bulliten notification dtd 10/96. Clip needed to be installed to avoid re-ocurrance.the federal safety agency should be made aware that these clips are being installed on cars when belts are changed for masintenance at 90,000. But what of the owners where their engines are destroyed because honda refuses to make the necessary repair before problem occurrs. They refuse to supply me with complete copy of service bulletin. I have not paid the bill and will not because this is a defective part and manufacturer has been aware of this even on 1995 models. I hope that you consider posting this entire message for other owners.
When accelerating, the exhaust system makes a loud vibrating noise, which honda service attributes to a problem with "torque". Service rep. Claims it happens over time, and honda makes a "buzz kit" for the problem. If it is already a known problem by the manufacturer, then replacement or repair should be at no cost to the owner.
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