2016 Civic engine recall - piston pin snap ring issue affecting some VINs

excavi · Feb 1, 2016

My2016Civic said:
No need to get too concerned at this point, even if I were to call and find out mine was included in the recall, there is nothing that can be done at this time to resolve it. I admit that I'm a bit disappointed being that this is my first Honda, and I expected quality than my past GM vehicles, but no use getting worked up over it.

This is the second time in a row that I've bought the first model year/redesign (Both different GM brands) and having had similar experiences I'm not TOO surprised. You'd think I would have learned by now, but being an 'early adopter' does have its merits. It is nice not only because you are one of the first to have something not many others have, but you also get to drive a vehicle that looks like the newest model for much longer. Our current 2016 Civics will look like the 2017, 2018 giving the appearance that you're driving one of those newer ones, while if I had bought the 2015 early to mid year last year and suddenly this beautifully redesigned model comes out in late 2015, I'd be kicking myself for having a brand new outdated looking model. Silly, right?

Anyway, buying the latest and 'greatest' of anything is always a bit of a gamble no matter what it is, or who the manufacturer is. Perhaps on my next purchase I will wait 6 months to a year after release before diving in, just to allow them to iron out the kinks and bugs (or maybe not).

You wrote this with a lot of heart, I made the same mistake on my 2016 ex, you made me feel much less foolish. Thank you !

bobman · Feb 1, 2016

excavi said:
You wrote this with a lot of heart, I made the same mistake on my 2016 ex, you made me feel much less foolish. Thank you !

This is the first civic I look at and think "man. That thing is badda$$".

My 98 has been good to me but i have never seen it as cool. My mother's 07 is nice but not cool.

Right now I am choosing between a 2016 mustang and an 2016 civic ex and I think the civic looks better. I drove both and I think even 150hp civic has plenty of getup and go for a car. After spending tens of thousands of miles on a motorcycle there is no car that really feels fast anymore... This is going to mostly be my winter vehicle.

I never have really thought about buying the first of a new model so it stays "fresh" longer. I guess that is true but in 5 years the 2015 is still going to look like an econo egg, and the 2016 is going to look awesome.

Recalls and all I think I'm still going civic. I had faith in honda.

lowandslow24 · Feb 1, 2016

+1 for 1.5T ;-)

Mannyp93 · Feb 1, 2016

bobman said:
This is the first civic I look at and think "man. That thing is badda$$".

My 98 has been good to me but i have never seen it as cool. My mother's 07 is nice but not cool.

Right now I am choosing between a 2016 mustang and an 2016 civic ex and I think the civic looks better. I drove both and I think even 150hp civic has plenty of getup and go for a car. After spending tens of thousands of miles on a motorcycle there is no car that really feels fast anymore... This is going to mostly be my winter vehicle.

I never have really thought about buying the first of a new model so it stays "fresh" longer. I guess that is true but in 5 years the 2015 is still going to look like an econo egg, and the 2016 is going to look awesome.

Recalls and all I think I'm still going civic. I had faith in honda.

When the green coupe was first unveiled i fell in love with the tailights and instantly knew this was the car for me. I knew and had heard that 1st gens are usually troublesome but i went with my gut and bought mine friday night. I was at the dealership longer than the cleaning crew. Only to find out saturday my engine may be screwed. Tough to swallow to say the least. But i trust Honda i believe in them and know they will make things right. Glad i got the 10 year 120k warranty too.

Mocha90210 · Feb 1, 2016

My2016Civic said:
No need to get too concerned at this point, even if I were to call and find out mine was included in the recall, there is nothing that can be done at this time to resolve it. I admit that I'm a bit disappointed being that this is my first Honda, and I expected quality than my past GM vehicles, but no use getting worked up over it.

This is the second time in a row that I've bought the first model year/redesign (Both different GM brands) and having had similar experiences I'm not TOO surprised. You'd think I would have learned by now, but being an 'early adopter' does have its merits. It is nice not only because you are one of the first to have something not many others have, but you also get to drive a vehicle that looks like the newest model for much longer. Our current 2016 Civics will look like the 2017, 2018 giving the appearance that you're driving one of those newer ones, while if I had bought the 2015 early to mid year last year and suddenly this beautifully redesigned model comes out in late 2015, I'd be kicking myself for having a brand new outdated looking model. Silly, right?

Anyway, buying the latest and 'greatest' of anything is always a bit of a gamble no matter what it is, or who the manufacturer is. Perhaps on my next purchase I will wait 6 months to a year after release before diving in, just to allow them to iron out the kinks and bugs (or maybe not).

Agree with all your points. I think 6 months is the sweet spot.

dick w · Feb 1, 2016

Mocha90210 said:
I think 6 months is the sweet spot.

Our '12 Ford Focus was built nine months in. Not sure even a year more would have helped all that ailed it. Our 10th gen Civic is supposed to be built late this week or early next. We'll see.

NathanDrake · Feb 1, 2016

34,000 Civics? Wouldn't that mean every 2016 Civic sold before mid January would need to be recalled?

And they'll have to open up the engine? Ugh...Wish this would somehow lead to an automatic lifetime warranty.

Mocha90210 · Feb 1, 2016

dick w said:
Our '12 Ford Focus was built nine months in. Not sure even a year more would have helped all that ailed it. Our 10th gen Civic is supposed to be built late this week or early next. We'll see.

Lol! Point taken. Let me clarify and say 6 months into a new Honda generation.

Mannyp93 · Feb 1, 2016

NathanDrake said:
34,000 Civics? Wouldn't that mean every 2016 Civic sold before mid January would need to be recalled?

And they'll have to open up the engine? Ugh...Wish this would somehow lead to an automatic lifetime warranty.

Depends how far into production they discovered the issue. Could be all 2.0 civics from a November- Mid December build period. We just dont know the exact pin point specs of this. Atleast we are aware there is an issue and Honda is addressing it rather quickly considering they just found out Saturday. My question is how many miles did the engine have in post test tear when they discovered this. Did the engine fail at 25k 50k?

camhabib · Feb 1, 2016

Mannyp93 said:
Depends how far into production they discovered the issue. Could be all 2.0 civics from a November- Mid December build period. We just dont know the exact pin point specs of this. Atleast we are aware there is an issue and Honda is addressing it rather quickly considering they just found out Saturday. My question is how many miles did the engine have in post test tear when they discovered this. Did the engine fail at 25k 50k?

It was very likely a manufacturing line issue, aka someone just forgot to put it in or installed it improperly. Considering the 1.5T supposedly uses the same part, I think the design is sound. It's just a simple retaining clip, there's nothing to really fail on it unless it was improperly installed.

anthonyc · Feb 1, 2016

I assume they will drop the oil pan to do the inspection, not a difficult job on FWD cars. Replacing the retaining clips is certainly a much more involved, and may or may not require pulling the motor depending on how they decide to do it. Only the most experienced technicians will be allowed to do a job like this, so at least the work should be done right. I just don't know how they screwed it up in the first place, it's not like using retaining clips to hold the pin in place is a new design.

Either way, I'm still happy with my LX, minus the steelies. If the motor needs to be torn down so be it, nothing I can do about it.

Anekin007 · Feb 1, 2016

camhabib said:
It was very likely a manufacturing line issue, aka someone just forgot to put it in or installed it improperly. Considering the 1.5T supposedly uses the same part, I think the design is sound. It's just a simple retaining clip, there's nothing to really fail on it unless it was improperly installed.

My guess is the same. It's human error, someone must have installed the part incorrectly or not to spec. If it's a part defect it would have affected every single vehicle since they all use the same part.

Mannyp93 · Feb 1, 2016

Anekin007 said:
My guess is the same. It's human error, someone must have installed the part incorrectly or not to spec. If it's a part defect it would have affected every single vehicle since they all use the same part.

Wonder if he/she is now looking for a new job.

CE1_nobling · Feb 1, 2016

I'd like to see at least an affected Vin# spread. Either way... if my LX is affected or not, like anthonyrc stated - nothing I can do about it.
I still love my car and don't regret buying it.

eighty(one) · Feb 1, 2016

CE1_nobling said:
I'd like to see at least an affected Vin# spread. Either way... if my LX is affected or not, like anthonyrc stated - nothing I can do about it.
I still love my car and don't regret buying it.

I adore this car, other than being new and otherwise fantastic, it's the adoration that makes this hard. I had hopes that this car would be the perfected Civic and rock solid - after 9 major iterations, they'd have it down for no. 10.

To have a car a week old; more so this platform model has been on sale for only less than 3 months, a major engine reassembly is not something taken lightly. Will the techs know how to put this car back together adequately? What long term harm does a problem like this cause to other components, the more it is driven before a fix? Does tampering with the engine, reduce its shelf life? Could this be why the CVT can lurch aggressively into gear?

I feel a lack of confidence in the longer term - I wish I could just exchange it for a Turbo and call it square...

2016 Civic engine recall - piston pin snap ring issue affecting some VINs

excavi

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bobman

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lowandslow24

EJ6<FC1

Mannyp93

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Mocha90210

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dick w

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NathanDrake

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Mocha90210

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Mannyp93

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camhabib

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anthonyc

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Anekin007

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Mannyp93

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CE1_nobling

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eighty(one)

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