2012 Honda Civic: fire, smoke or burning smell

Filed Apr 11, 2017 · 45,000 miles · IL · fire

I was driving home from work on a highway (though slowly, as there was traffic), when I noticed smoke from under the hood on the driver's side. I pulled over, got out of the car, and went to open the hood to see what was going on. As I went to open it, I saw flames, so I left it down, grabbed some belongings, got far away, and called 911. Within seconds, the flames engulfed the entire front end of the car. My car was well-maintained with regular service. There were no lights on the dashboard indicating that anything was amiss. I did not hear any unusual sounds preceding the flames, and the car had been handling the same as it always did.

Filed Feb 16, 2015 · Electrical, Lights · 36,866 miles · MN · fire

While car was parked and idling, I noticed flames coming from backseat ceiling light. Plastic and flames dripped onto the upholstery catching it on fire as well as the ceiling area. I was able to extinguish the flames with a snow brush. I immediately called the honda dealership in town and am waiting for a tow truck to take it to the dealership so they can diagnose the issue.

Filed Dec 30, 2014 · Body, Electrical · 53,000 miles · CA · crash · fire

I was driving a 2012 honda civic when the car in front of me slammed on their brakes and came to a complete stop due to something in the road. I slammed on my brakes and tried to avoid the car in front of me by swerving to the right. The driver side of the front of my car hit the back of the car in front of me. My car was completely smashed in the front. Air bags did not deploy. After I came to a complete stop, my car lit on fire. The car was burned and completely destroyed.

Filed Jun 1, 2014 · Fuel system · 2,730 miles · NJ · fire

Car was driven approx 3 miles then was parked for approx. 10 minutes. When returning to the car fire trucks were at the car putting out the fire. The entire engine compartment caught on fire. Car was destroyed. Kearny, nj police report #[xxx] stated that they (tow truck operator and the police officer) observed a broken fuel line. I found out about the recall for fuel delivery system after the fire. My friend and I went to the dealer, garden state honda on river road in passaic and saw the manager. He stated that he would not talk to us if either one of us was an attorney. We gave him a binder with a series of 8.5 x 11 photos of the car and copies of the recall found on the internet. A rep called to tell me that the matter was between the insurance company (allstate) and honda USA. My friend called the manager who when asked about the situation got angry and refused to talk anymore about it. Information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6).

Filed May 27, 2014 · Brakes, Engine · 19,822 miles · MI

I was driving on an exit ramp from a highway, car was coasting, and as I was approaching the stop sign, I applied the brakes softly, the car started slowing down further due to braking and then suddenly came to a brutal stop with tires screeching. Engine was stalled, automatic gear had shifted in neutral by itself, and there was a burning smell in the car. Fortunately there was no car behind me, otherwise it would have not been possible to prevent being rear-ended. The 25 MPH speed is approximate as I was decelerating. A similar situation on a highway when traffic slows down could have dramatic consequences, causing a pile-up and possibly multiple deaths and injuries. I will drive the car very carefully to the dealership today. The car was purchased certified pre-owned yesterday.

Filed Mar 24, 2014 · Acceleration · 2,363 miles · CA · crash · 2 injuries

Contact owned a 2012 honda civic with 2363 miles at time of incident. Before reaching a downtown intersection in the early evening one day last month, contact was going to turn right southbound towards home nearby. The car suddenly made a loud revving noise and shot straight forward at terrifying speed. Contact stepped on the brake and steered to the right. The car did not stop and seemed to have a mind of its own. Contact could not see where it went but heard it hitting hard at objects until it finally stopped. Contact did not know how long had elapsed before she saw through a haze wisps of smoke coming out in front of the car and noticed the airbag was deployed. Fearing the car might catch fire, contact pushed open the door and found the car had stopped in the southbound lane right next to the raised concrete medium that separated north and southbound lanes. Contact saw a black car on the northbound lane next to the raised medium with white side airbags deployed. Police officers and paramedics were at the scene. Contact and the other driver both sustained injuries. Contact's car was later declared "a total loss" by the insurance company. Contact was physically and mentally sound before and at the time of the incident and had a totally unblemished driving record in over 50 years. Contact is unwavering in the belief that the incident was due to the vehicle's sudden unintended acceleration. Contact had stressed this malfunction to the insurance company and also reported the incident to the american honda motors. Which contact believed had sent representatives to inspect the vehicle at the collision shop.. *tr

Filed Nov 6, 2013 · Brakes · 12,400 miles · OH

I was driving through an urban area in the morning on my way to work. The brake peddle got spongy and about 60 seconds later, while trying to stop at a red light, the brake peddle went to the floor and I had absolutely no stopping power. At no point, prior to the incident or after the incident did any kind of warning light appear. I was able to stop with the emergency brake. There was also a strong burning smell in the car at the time. Gradually the braking power came back to about 50% and I was able to drive the car to the dealership some 20 miles away. Still - no brake warning light. The dealership blames the problem on the car being driven with the emergency brake on (which it was not except for the initial emergency stop). They don't seem bothered that all braking power was lost on the vehicle without any warning lights displayed. The car requires new rear brakes to make it drive-able again. The manufacturer is refusing to cover the repair under their manufacturer warranty.