2008 Honda Civic: fire, smoke or burning smell

Filed Jul 10, 2023 · Engine · 150,000 miles · NV

The contact owns a 2008 Honda Civic. The contact stated while driving 30 MPH, there was smoke coming from underneath the hood, and the vehicle was overheating. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact pulled into a gas station, where her son added coolant to the vehicle. The contact was able to drive to her destination. Additionally, the contact stated that upon parking the vehicle, she noticed a trail of coolant in the driveway and there was no coolant in the reservoir. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed that the engine block was cracked, and coolant was leaking through the crack. The mechanic determined that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was then towed to another independent mechanic, for second opinion, and the same determination was provided. The vehicle was not repaired. An unknown dealer was notified of the failure. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the vehicle could not be repaired under Honda Campaign Number: 10-048 because the campaign had expired. The failure mileage was approximately 150,000.

Filed Jul 7, 2022 · Engine · CA

While driving to work, the owner noticed a smoke coming out of the hood. The owner also noticed that engine temperature shot all the way up indicating that the engine might be overheating. Upon taking to a nearest auto shop, the owner was told that the engine block has a crack which is causing leak. Honda is aware of this issue and has provided extended warranty for 10 more years from the date of purchase. Unfortunately, the owner experienced cracked engine block issue 14 years after the date of purchase - 4 years after the extended warranty had expired. Upon calling the dealership, the owner was informed to file a claim with North America Honda. If Honda was aware of cracked engine block, why did it not replace engines in all affected models and trim levels?

Filed Nov 30, 2020 · Engine · 150,000 miles · KY

I just bought this car 7 month ago and replaced brakes, rotors, a tire, repaired a broken lugnut, and now the engine has overheated and blown and is evidently not covered under the previous warranty because it is past expiration (year and mileage). Putting a used engine into the vehicle is not going to solve the problem, and my dealership is not willing to put a new one in. When it began overheating, I had just pulled onto the highway (average speed of about 50) and noticed that my heat wasn't working (which was weird since I had replaced the thermostat already a few weeks prior) and then the car read as hot as possible. When I safely pulled over, there was smoke coming from under the hood and it was towed to a reliable mechanic who said it was the coolant leaking from the engine block, but was not part of the warranty anymore.

Filed Jan 30, 2020 · Engine · 127,000 miles · FL

2008 honda civic got a cracked engine block 2 weeks after purchasing. Found out this was a defect that affected 2006-2009 honda civics. There needs to be a recall on this and not an extended warranty. Being that a cracked engine block is a safety issue and this almost caused an accident as there was so much smoke pouring out I could not see in front of me there needs to be an investigation on these engines. I was on a city street when this happened and it is happening over 100000 miles to most people. Being that most people drive 8000-10000 miles a year it is happening right after the warranty ends for most. This is not fair to the safety of us all. Please recall !!

Filed Mar 17, 2018 · Engine · VA

My car is a 2008 honda civic lx model. On march, 15 2018 while I was driving on the highway, the car stopped running and smoke came out of the hood suddenly. No warning lights came on the dashboard till the last moment. Fortunately I managed to pull over the car to a safe place immediately beside the highway otherwise I would have been in a fatal situation. I had the car towed to my mechanic where they performed the diagnosis to find the root cause of the problem. They identified that there was crack in the engine block which has caused the coolant to leak from the engine and hence overheating of the engine has happened and made it to malfunction. They told me that the whole engine has to be replaced (used one) and few other parts as well (like spark plug etc.) to make the car running again which would cost me around $2500. It was devastating to hear this. My mechanic told me that most of the 2006 to 2009 civics had this engine crack issue and honda is also aware of this. Despite this honda has not called for the recall of such those engines and just did a warranty extension. Tsb 10-048 was issued for this. But still a lot of 2006-2009 honda civics are facing this issue even at very low miles like mine. Mine has 166,000 miles. I checked with the service consultant if this would be covered under the extended warranty. She did a VIN inquiry and said that may car is still in warranty (the original purchase date of the car was 20-april- 2008 and this incident happened to me on -15 march-2018). This is a big blow to me. I raised this concern with honda corporate and they filed a case.with number 07506763 with couple of days later (on 09/07/2017) the case manager probably will call me on monday march 18, 2018.

Filed Aug 7, 2014 · Engine · 101,000 miles · TX

Houston, tx. 2008 honda civic ex sedan. At red light, noticed engine smoke coming up from under hood. Engine temp indicator was maxed. Drove slowly to service station 1 mile away coolant reservoir was empty. Added coolant, and drove to mechanic. Replaced water pump and t-stat and flushed and filled coolant then diagnosed cracked engine block (total of $690 for service). Drove to dealer who replaced engine block on extended warranty. Engine head was not warped and was not replaced. Car is driving very well since engine replacement.

Filed Mar 31, 2010 · Acceleration, Engine · CA · crash · fire · 1 injury

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.