Not long after announcing the release of its newly-redesigned 2016 Civic compact vehicle, automaker Honda is recalling the cars because the engines may stall while the vehicle is being driven, placing the driver at risk for a serious accident.
According to an article in the Chicago Sun-Times, the recall affects about 45,000 Honda Civic vehicles – about 34,000 in the United States and 11,000 in Canada. It covers the Civics built with two-liter, four-cylinder engines.
Documents filed by safety regulators in Canada say that the defect affects the pistons in the vehicle. A circular clip that surrounds the piston may have been installed incorrectly or may be missing altogether. If the clip is not correctly installed, a pin on the piston can rub against the engine block, which can cause the engine to stall or even to catch on fire.
Investigators have not yet determined whether the defect has caused any crashes, injuries, or vehicle fires. A stall or vehicle fire in traffic can cause injuries to drivers and passengers, or it may even cause an accident if other drivers are not prepared to slow down or move out of the way of the stopped vehicle.
In the United States, drivers can contact Honda or visit the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)’s vehicle website, safercar.gov, to learn more about the recall. Defective vehicles can be taken to any Honda dealership to have the defect repaired free of charge.
The Civic recall is the latest in a string of recalls by Honda for defective vehicle parts that can cause severe injuries. Learn more: Honda Expands Recalls After Authorities Confirm a Ninth Takata Air Bag Death.
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