1996 Honda Accord Complaint Log

WHILE DRIVING BALANCE SHAFT SEAL BROKE OFF, AND THE ENIGNE LEAKED OIL. OIL LEAKED OUT AND ENGINE BLEW. PLEASE PROVIDE MORE INFORMATION.*AK

I TOOK IT TO THE HONDA PLACE 3 TIMES TO BE REPAIRED. AFTER THEY DYE TESTED IT WAS FOUND THAT THERE IS A LEAK IN THE EVAPORATOR. I WAS TOLD THAT THIS OFTEN HAPPENS WITH THIS YEAR VEHICLE*AK

DRIVING DOWN STREET AND OIL LIGHT CAME ON..PROCEEDED TO STORE AND PUT OIL IN CAR, DROVE APPROXIMATELY 10 MILES AND OIL LIGHT CAME ON AGAIN. THEN I DETERMINED THAT ALL THE OIL HAD DRAINED OUT. OIL IS POURING OUT OF MY CAR FASTER THAN I CAN PUT IT IN. SEARCHING ON THE INTERNET I'VE FOUND THAT OTHER HONDA ACCORD OWNERS OF THE 1996 MODEL HAD THE SAME PROBLEMS. I EVEN NOTICED THAT ONE HAD A RECALL FOR THE DAMAGED PART. I HAVE NO RECALL AND HAVE LIVED IN THE SAME LOCATION..JUST 5 MINUTES FROM THE HONDA DEALER WHERE THE CAR WAS PURCHASED. MY CAR IS SOAKED IN OIL FROM THE FRONT TO THE BACK..TIRES INCLUDED. I'M SURPRISED IT DIDN'T CATCH FIRE. PEOPLE NEED TO BE AWARE OF THESE DEFECTS AND SHOULDN'T HAVE TO PAY.*AK

CONSUMER STATES THE AIRBAG LIGHT STARTED TO BLINK ON AND OFF, THEN IT STAYED ON. TOOK TO DEALER AND STATED THE SRS SYSTEM NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. NLM *TT

STARTING IN SEPT. OF 2001 MY VEHICLE WOULD NOT CHANGE FROM 3RD TO 4TH GEAR. THE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON, TOOK IT TO A LOCAL MECHANIC. AFTER CHECKING IT WITH HIS COMPUTER HE FOUND NO PROBLEM, RESET THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT. HE RESEARCHED THE VEHICLE AND TOLD ME THAT HONDA WAS HAVING PROBLEMS WITH TRANSMISSIONS WHEN IT WAS HUMID!?!?! SO I THOUGHT THAT I WOULD SEE IF IT CONTINUED TO DO THIS WHEN IT COOLED OFF. IT HAS AND IT HAS GOTTEN TO THE POINT THAT EVERY MORNING IT WILL NOT CHANGE GEARS UNTIL I HAVE DRIVEN APPROXIMATELY 1/2 MILE, STOP AND GO AGAIN. EVEN THEN SOMETIMES IT DOESN'T CHANGE.*AK

ABS SYSTEM LEAKING FLUID, SYSTEM INOPEARBLE . *AK

GAS GAUGE, AND SENDING UNIT DID NOT WORK PROPERLY. THIS CAUSED GAS GAUGE NOT TO GIVE AN ACCURATE READING. *AK *ET

NO ASUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOV EVEHICLE. *AK

SRS LIGHT CAME ON WHILE DRIVING. TOOK TO DEALER THEY COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG, RESET THE SYSTEM. WHILE STILL AT DEALER START THE CAR, AND THE SRS LIGHT STAYS ON. THEY TELL ME IT'S A POSSIBLE CABLE REEL PROBLEM, WHEN THEY TAKE A LOOK AT IT THERE ISN'T ANYTHING WRONG. THEY RESET THE SYSTEM, AND MADE MULTIPLE TEST DRIVES WITHOUT THE LIGHT COMING ON. NEXT TIME I START THE CAR THE LIGHT COMES ON. THEY HAVE NO IDEA WHAT IS WRONG, BUT I CAN PAY TO HAVE THE AIRBAG REPLACED, AND THE INTERNAL COMPUTER OF THE CAR REPLACED. I HAVE YET TO TAKE IT BACK SINCE THEY DON'T KNOW WHAT IS WRONG.*AK

ABS SYSTEM LIGHT CAME ON. CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER, AND THEY STATED THAT ACCUMULATOR MODULE AND MODULATOR WAS LEAKING. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK HONDA ISSUED A BULLETIN ON THIS ISSUE IN 1996. NLM

ABS SYSTEM FAILED AT 67,548 MILES. ABS LIGHT CAME ON. HONDA SERVICE DEPARTMENT REPLACED ACCUMULATOR AND REBUILT MODULATOR FOR $590. 14 MONTHS LATER DURING STATE INSPECTION SAME HONDA SERVICE DEPARTMENT SAID ABS SYSTEM FAILED AGAIN LATER AT 84,300 MILES. ABS LIGHT DID NOT COME ON THIS TIME. ESTIMATED COST TO REPLACE MODULATOR IS $1,270. CAR CANNOT PASS INSPECTION WITHOUT THAT REPLACED.

THE MECHANIC FOUND OIL LEAK AT THE FRONT OF THE ENGINE CAUSED BY A DISLODGED SEAL ON THE FRONT BALANCER SHAFT.

SEAL BELT RETAINER "POPPED OUT" RESULTING IN TIMING, COMBO, & P.S BELT BEING REPLACED ALONG WITH THE OIL SEALS AT A COST OF $354. *AK

BALANCER SHAFT SEAL COVER, LOWER AREA OF MOTOR WAS BEING SCRAPED BY TIMING BELT, CAUSING CHIRPING NOISE AT LOW MPH, I.E. 5 MPH. *AK

TRANSMISSION HAD DEVELOPED A GRINDING NOISE. CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER, AND THEY SAID COULD NOT FIND WHERE THE NOISE WAS COMING FROM. DEALER STATED THAT IT HAD BEEN A MANUFACTURER'S DEFECT. *AK DEALERSHIP STATED TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED, HOWEVER HONDA IS NOT WILLING TO COVER ANY OF THE COST TO REPLACE IT, VEHICLE HAS LOW MILEAGE TO BE EXPERIENCING TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS. *SLC

CONSUMER STATES THE SUPPLEMENTAL RESTRAINT WARNING LIGHT FLASHED ON THE DASHBOARD, THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN INTO THE DEALERSHIP WHICH RESULTED IN THE CESSATION OF THE FLASHING WARNING LIGHT, HOWEVER CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THAT THE PROBLEM WAS NOT FIXED AND THE CONSUMER WOULD BE RESPONSIBILE FOR ADDITIONAL REPAIRS.*JB JG

THE SRS LIGHT ILLUMINATED. CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A PERSONAL MECHANIC WHO INFORMED CONSUMER THAT THERE WAS A COMPUTER GLITCH WHICH NEEDED TO BE DEALT WITH BY HONDA'S SERVICE DEPARTMENT. CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT AND THE GLITCH WAS CORRECTED. THE LIGHT ILLUMINATED AGAIN AND CONSUMER WAS INFORMED BY A HONDA REP. THAT THEY DID NOT CORRECT THE PROBLEM, THEY ONLY RESET THE COMPUTER. *JG *DT

WAS MAKING A TURN AND HEARD A LOUD NOISE. PULLED OVER AND NOTICED ENTIRE LEFT FRONT WHEEL HAD SEPARATED. CONTACTED A TOW COMPANY, AND WAS INFORMED AFTER ARRIVAL THAT THE CV JOINT HAD BROKEN. *AK *SLC

ABS LIGHT CAME ON ACCOMPANIED BY BUZZER. CHECKED BRAKE FLUID AND FOUND THAT I WAS ALMOST EMPTY IN ABS RESERVOIR. ADDED FLUID AND HAD ABS MODULATOR CHECKED. MODULATOR WAS FOUND TO BE LEAKING BRAKE FLUID FROM FITTING ON UNDERSIDE. I CONTACTED DEALER TO EFFECT REPAIR,AND WAS TOLD A NEW ABS MODULATOR WOULD BE ABOUT $1500-$1600 DOLLARS. SINCE VEHICLE WAS JUST PAST WARRANTY LIMITS, I INQUIRED IF SOME CONSIDERATION MIGHT BE MADE SINCE IT WAS CONSIDERED A NON-WEAR ITEM. DEALER DENIED ANY CONSIDERATIONS. UPON FURTHER RESEARCH INTO THE MATTER, I DISCOVERED A HONDA SERVICE BULLETIN HAD BEEN RELEASED TO DEALERS PRIOR TO MY COMPLAINT THAT ACKNOWLEDGES A PROBLEM WITH "LEAKING ABS MODULATORS" HONDA SERVICE BULLETIN # 960-50 JUNE 30,1998. IT STATES THAT THE PLUGS IN THE ABS MODULATOR MAY NOT BE PROPERLY TIGHTENED,AND GOES ON TO DESCRIBE A SIMPLE INEXPENSIVE FIX FOR THIS SYMPTOM. WHEN I AGAIN CONTACTED THE DEALER AND MADE THEM AWARE OF THIS,THEY AGAIN SAID THEY WOULD FIX IT BY REPLACING THE UNIT FOR $1500-$1600-NO WARRANTY-NO EXCEPTIONS. I INQUIRED ABOUT THE REGIONAL WARRANTY REPRESENTATIVE,GOT HIS PHONE NUMBER,AND CALLED HIM. AGAIN I DESCRIBED THE PROBLEM,MY CONCERNS,AND THE HONDA ISSUED SERVICE BULLETIN. HE SAID THAT WHILE THE BULLETIN DOES DESCRIBE ONE POSSIBLE FIX FOR THE PROBLEM,THE HONDA DEALERS WERE NOT BOUND TO FOLLOW THAT RECOMMENDED AVENUE OF REPAIR. IN OTHER WORDS,"SPEND 1/2 HR. FIXING SOMETHING FOR $100, OR SPEND 1/2 HR FIXING IT FOR $1500". I WOULD LIKE TO STRESS THAT,SINCE I WORK IN A CONSUMER RELATED FIELD, AT NO TIME DID I PRESENT MYSELF UNPROFESSIONALLY,OR FAIL TO SHOW RESPECT TO THE PERSON TO WHOM I WAS SPEAKING,AS I BELIEVED THAT ULTIMATELY,"REASON" WOULD WIN OUT. *NM

ACTUATOR IN ABS IS LEAKING FLUID WHICH IS NOT ALLOWING ABS TO ENGAGE. DEALERSHIP IS IN POSSESSION OF VEHICLE, AND WILL REPAIR THE UNIT FOR $430.00. .*AK *JB

ABS LIGHT STAYS ON. DEALER SAYS CONSUMER NEEDS A NEW CONTROL SWITCH THAT WILL COST CONSUMER $700.00 . COSUMER HAS BEEN TRYING TO CONTACT MANUFACTURER, BUT HAS GOTTEN NO RESPONSE.*AK

WHILE STOPPED THEN STARTED UP A SLIGHT HILL DEPRESSED ACCELERATOR PEDAL WHICH STUCK, CAUSING VEHICLE TO RUN INTO A HOUSE. *AK

REPORTING OIL SEAL CAME LOOSE AND CAUSED LOSS OF OIL / LEAKAGE WHILE DRIVING AT 65 MPH. DEALER NOTIFIED, AND UNWILLING TO ASSIST IN THIS MATTER. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS ON THIS MATTER. *AK

AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON, NOT TO DEALER YET.*AK

I HAVE HAD TWO FIRESTONE TIRES TO BLOW OUT. THE FIRST ONE CAUSED AN ACCIDENT. I WOULD LIKE TO GET BACK THE MONEY I SPENT HAVING THE OTHER PERSON'S CAR REPAIRED, AND ALSO GET OWN REPAIRED. THE SECOND BLOW OUT LEFT ME STRANDED ON THE FREEWAY. I SUBMITTED A CLAIM TO FIRESTONE AND THEY ARE REFUSING TO HONOR MY CLAIM. THANK YOU IN ADVANCE FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION.*AK

COMPLETE DRAINAGE OF OIL FROM ENGINE DUE TO BALANCER SHAFT OIL SEAL FAILURE. OIL BLOWN ONTO ENGINE, UNDERCARRAIGE AND TIMING BELT.

AIR BAG SENSOR LIGHT(SRS) REMAINS ON. THERE IS NO APPARENT REASON FOR THIS DEFECT. *AK

WHEN SEAT BELT IS BEING USED BUCKLE RELEASES FROM LOCKING MECHANISM. *AK

THE ABS SYSTEM FAILED PREMATURELY AT 47000 MILES, PRIOR SERVICE OF THE ABS SYSTEM WAS COMPLETED AT THE DEALERSHIP. *MJS

THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED A SEVERE ENGINE OIL LEAK AND THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE MECHANIC FOR REPAIRS, THE MANUFACTURER HAD SENT A PRODUCT UPDATE CAMPAIGN STATING THERE WAS A DESIGN PROBLEM WITH THE BALANCE SEAL OIL SHAFT, THE CONSUMER REQUESTS REIMBURSEMENT. NLM

ON 1/4/01 I WAS IN A CAR ACCIDENT THAT TOTALLED MY 1996 HONDA ACCORD. THE OTHER VEHICLE RAN A RED LIGHT AND I HIT HIM BROADSIDE GOING ABOUT 30 M.P.H. THE WHOLE FRONT END CRUNCHED LIKE A CAN AND MY AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. I NEED TO KNOW WHY THEY DI NOT DEPLOY. WHEN I PURCHASED THE CAR IT WAS ONE OF THE SAFETY FEATURES I THOUGHT I WOULD HAVE. MY INSURANCE PREMIUMS ARE LOWER DUE TO THIS SAFETY FEATURE, BUT WHAT GOOD ARE THEY IF THEY DO NOT WORK, I FEEL I WAS LEAD INTO A FALSE SENSE OF SECURITY. I WOULD APPRECIATE ANY ASSISTANCE YOU MAY BE ABLE TO PROVIDE.*AK

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. *AK

NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK

REAR HATCH STRUTS FAILED WITHOUT WARNING. IN COLD WEATHER HATCH FELL DOWN. DEALER CLAIMED STRUTS USUALLY FAILED WITHIN A 2 YEAR PERIOD, NO PARTS AVAILABLE. *AK *SLC

THE CAR IS ONLY 5 YEARS OLD AND ABS MODULATOR LEAKS. DEALER SUGGESTED TO RESEAL IT, AND DEALER SAID THEY'VE SEEN THE SAME PROBLEMS BEFORE BUT CANNOT PROVIDE INFORMATION WHAT CAUSES THE LEAK. *AK

CONSUMER WAS TRAVELING ABOUT SEVEN MPH ON A SIDE STREET AND CAME TO A YIELD SIGN, AND THERE WAS ANOTHER VEHICLE IN FRONT OF HIM. TRUCK STOPPED SUDDENLY AND RAN IN BACK OF HIM. BOTH AIRBAGS DEPLOYED, AND BROKE THE WINDSHIELD. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. *AK

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 JNASC770@HOME.COM,159 JORDAN AVE CRANSTON RI 02910,401-942-3265. *AK

NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK

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.*AK

THE SEAT BELT RETAINER LATCH (THAT RECEIVES THE TIP OF THE SEAT BELT) DOES NOT RETAIN THE SEAT BELT. THE SEAT BELT LOOKS AS THOUGH IT IS PROPERLY INSTALLED BUT IT CAN BE PULLED LOOSE WITH MODERATE EFFORT. IT IS QUITE POSSIBLE FOR SOMEONE TO THINK THAT THE SEAT BELT IS WORKING OK WHEN ITS NOT. IT MAY BE THAT THIS CONDITION IS COMMON ENOUGH FOR YOU TO BE KEEPING A FILE ON IT. IF YOU WANT MORE INFORMATION I WILL SEND IT TO YOU. I AM A RETIRED ENGINEER WITH AUTOMOTICE EXPERIENCE SO YOU CAN GET ACCURATE INFORMATION FROM ME IF YOU WANT IT. THE DEALER HAS OFFERED TO REPLACE THE SEAT BELT LATCH AT NO COST. HONDA HAS A LIFETIME GUARANTEE. I CAN SUPPOSE THAT MANY FAILURES OF THIS TYPE COULD OCCUR IN ACCIDENTS BUT BE ATTRIBUTED TO IMPROPPER SEAT BELT USE. THIS COULD HIDE A CONDITION THAT COULD HAVE KILLED MANY PEOPLE. YOU MIGHT WANT TO CHECK THE NATIONAL ACCIDENT FILES. I CAN DELAY HAVING THE BELT FIXED FOR A FEW DAYS IF YOU WANT TO CONFIRM THAT IT IS INDEED DEFECTIVE.*AK

VEHICLE EXPERIENCEED A FRONTAL COLLISION OF A IMPACT OF 25 MPH, AND BOTH AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. DEALER / MANUFACTURER WERE NOT NOTIFIED AT THIS TIME. PLEASE FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY ANY DETAILS. *AK

AN OIL SEAL FAILED AND CAUSED THE ENGINE OIL TO DRAIN OUT RAPIDLY AND CAUSED THE ENGINE TO SEIZE UP, A PRODUCT UPDATE CAMPAIGN WAS SENT REGARDING THE SAME TYPE OF FAILURE, HOWEVER CONSUMER HAD TO PAY FOR REPAIRS AND IS REQUESTING REIMBURSEMENT. *SLC

TREAD ON THE LEFT FRONT TIRE IS BEGINNING TO SEPARATE. TIRE SIZE P20560R15. ORIGINAL TIRE EQUIPMENT ON A 1996, HONDA, ACCORD. TIRE MILEAGE ABOUT 40,000. TIRE DEALERSHIP IS NOT AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. *AK THE VEHICLE DOES NOT VIBRATE AND HAS NO ALIGNMENT PROBLEM. IT IS SIMPLY A TIRE PROBLEM. *YH

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. *AK

WHILE DRVING VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED. DRIVER HAD FOOT ON THE BRAKE BUT WOULD NOT SLOW DOWN VEHICLE AND IT CRASHED. THERE WAS AN IMPROVEMENT CAMPAIGN 99I002000 FOR THROTTLE WHICH MAY CAUSE SUDDEN ACCLERATION. INSURANCE COMPANY AND HONDA NOT WILLING TO ASSIST THE CONSUMER. *AK

THE BALANCER SHAFT SEAL FAILED,CAUSING ALL OF THE ENGINE'S OIL TO PUMP OUT. *AK

BALANCER SHAFT SEAL BURST DAY AFTER OIL CHANGE, ALL OIL HAD LEAKED OUT DUE TO BALANCER SHAFT SEAL BURSTING. DAMAGED ENGINE, $510.00+ REPAIR COSTCOULD HAVE CAUSED SERIOUS INJURY IF WE HAD BEEN ON THE HIGHWAY. LUCKILY WE HAD STOPPED PRIOR TO OIL LIGHT GOING

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. *AK

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.*AK

NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOV EVEHICLE. *AK