Handbrake handbrake self release (inc recall letter)

[NH Dan]

Originally Posted by Topcat

That to me says that Honda are not 100% certain that there new handbrake works correctly.

It would do.

for clarity, what I am saying is (and not what Honda are saying, as they haven't said anything yet):

If you haven't had the handbrake mod done yet, DONT use the button.

If you have had it done, use/don't use the button - it'll work fine.

If you are unsure if your car has had the mod done or not (just bought a used car, privately/delaership etc etc - then DON'T use the button.

Option 3 would be purely to cover themselves just in case someone 'thinks' its been done but it hasn't.

This is just my assesment of what they might say, not Hondas view.

[Topcat]

Originally Posted by NH Dan

for clarity, what I am saying is (and not what Honda are saying, as they haven't said anything yet):

If you haven't had the handbrake mod done yet, DONT use the button.

If you have had it done, use/don't use the button - it'll work fine.

If you are unsure if your car has had the mod done or not (just bought a used car, privately/delaership etc etc - then DON'T use the button.

Option 3 would be purely to cover themselves just in case someone 'thinks' its been done but it hasn't.

This is just my assesment of what they might say, not Hondas view.

So you are saying to everyone who has had the handbrake mod done that they are now perfectly safe to apply their handbrake WITHOUT using the button? As HUK have not actually said anything about this and you are working on assumption, you sure your qualified to say such things?

Of course if Honda issued paperwork to confirm that this mod had been carried out that would clear up a lot of confusion for anyone buying a used car.

[Doubtingthomas]

Originally Posted by frankenstein

Advice please.

Thank you frankenstein. Once Honda UK became aware that there was a safety issue with the parking brake on certain Civics, I say that kindly, they sent out letters per recorded delivery to the owners of all the affected Civics. In doing so, as some forum members commented at the time, Honda UK were covering their backs from future claims, (as well as offering suitable safety advice).

The shoe is now on the other foot. It is reasonable for owners of Civics which have had the parking brake modification done, to receive definitive advice on how to apply it and in writing if asked to do so. Failure to do so displays cageyness and lack of conviction in the product.

I am writing to Honda UK over the weekend regarding the modification to my Civic and asking them to advise me on how to apply the modified parking brake, once it is fitted. Affected Civic owners need answers now. You can either wait until I publish the reply from Honda UK, (hopefully) or perhaps better still, write to Honda UK yourself and obtain a written response. I think this is the only way you will receive written guidance. I shall despair if Honda say what NH Dan thinks they may say. Good luck.

[NH Dan]

Originally Posted by Topcat

So you are saying to everyone who has had the handbrake mod done that they are now perfectly safe to apply their handbrake WITHOUT using the button? As HUK have not actually said anything about this and you are working on assumption, you sure your qualified to say such things?

Of course if Honda issued paperwork to confirm that this mod had been carried out that would clear up a lot of confusion for anyone buying a used car.

okay. I'll repeat a couple of lines one more time for clarity and to cover my 'qualifications' in the matter.

for clarity, what I am saying is (and not what Honda are saying, as they haven't said anything yet):

This is just my assesment of what they might say, not Hondas view.

I sell Hondas day in day out so would like to think that I should know about the operations of any amendments that have been performed on a car, not only if they have been done but what has been done and why so that when i'm asked, I can, with clarity and if needs be in laymans terms, explain to a customer or potential customer.

Someone kindly posted the recall memo on this thread : Official bulletin from HUK regarding Handbrake recall!!! which i thought was fairly clear in explanation.

"Symptom If the handbrake is applied with the release button intentionally or unintentionally pressed there is a small risk that the handbrake may not latch sufficiently to hold the vehicle securely on a gradient.
If the handbrake is applied without touching the release button, the handbrake latching mechanism is unaffected.

Cause Due to ratchet and pawl dimensions, the handbrake latching mechanism may partially engage depending upon customers' operating method.

Countermeasure The handbrake latching mechanism has been modified to eliminate any risk of partial engagement."

[chrisv]

Please see my post re honda uk and the handbrake on my brand new civic from yesterday.

They say that the handbook does not tell you to use the button unless releasing the handbrake. and the aftersales manager at the dealership told me I shouldn't use the button either to engage handbrake after the "roll away" incident had occurred!!

[Doubtingthomas]

Originally Posted by chrisv

Please see my post re honda uk and the handbrake on my brand new civic from yesterday.

They say that the handbook does not tell you to use the button unless releasing the handbrake.

Yes, that's perfectly correct. It also omits to say that one should not depress the button when applying the handbrake. On such an important issue, one would have thought this would have been included.

I think this is why in "the letter" Honda went to great lengths to stress the importance of not depressing the button, which after all, I suggest the majority of drivers, of whatever marque, do.

As previously stated, I have always maintained the instruction manual is worded ambiguously on this point.

[NH Dan]

Originally Posted by Doubtingthomas

Yes, that's perfectly correct. It also omits to say that one should not depress the button when applying the handbrake. On such an important issue, one would have thought this would have been included.

I think this is why in "the letter" Honda went to great lengths to stress the importance of not depressing the button, which after all, I suggest the majority of drivers, of whatever marque, do.

As previously stated, I have always maintained the instruction manual is worded ambiguously on this point.

On a highly sarcastic note, it also doesnt say "please do not jump out of the car whilst in motion" but you know not to do it don't you?

Not being argumentative but i'd totally disagree with your comment regarding teh application of the handbrake/button. In my experience, most people yank the handbrake up and subconciously hear the clicking as it is locked into place, the button is specifically there to disengage the locking part of the ratchet.

You are obviously concerned about whether or not the handbrake works correctly so why not just set it without the button being used, that way you know it will be secure. (the cooling and contracting of the discs/pads is another issue)

[Doubtingthomas]

Originally Posted by NH Dan

Not being argumentative but i'd totally disagree with your comment regarding teh application of the handbrake/button. In my experience, most people yank the handbrake up and subconciously hear the clicking as it is locked into place, the button is specifically there to disengage the locking part of the ratchet.

You are obviously concerned about whether or not the handbrake works correctly so why not just set it without the button being used, that way you know it will be secure. (the cooling and contracting of the discs/pads is another issue)

Thank you. If you care to go back towards the beginning of this thread I think you will find many other forum members who by habit or guidance from learning to drive, always applied the handbrake with the button depressed. I was taught that way, many, many years ago and my wife also. All my relations and friends do likewise. May be it is my generation of drivers, I don't know.

My Civic has yet to have the modified parking brake fitted. I am religiously complying with "the letter", and becoming used to doing so.

I am awaiting a response from Honda UK regarding advice on applying the modified handbrake when fitted. I have owned Hondas now for over thirty years. This Civic is the first I have had with an issue with the parking brake. I activated the parking brake on all my previous Hondas while depressing the button and there was no problem whatsoever.

[NH Dan]

"I am awaiting a response from Honda UK regarding advice on applying the modified handbrake when fitted. I have owned Hondas now for over thirty years. This Civic is the first I have had with an issue with the parking brake. I activated the parking brake on all my previous Hondas while depressing the button and there was no problem whatsoever." - thats because there wasnt an issue with the previous models handbrake system.


Anyway, this thread seems to be repeating itself endlessly (sp?) !! so i'll try one last time to break it down as plainly as I can.

The fault has been identified as a potential issue when the handbrake is applied using the button - the ratchet may not lock. Short term fix, dont use the button when applying, Long term fix, contact your dealer, dont wait for the letter and get the mod done at your convenience, at which point following the wording of the service bulletin, "Countermeasure The handbrake latching mechanism has been modified to eliminate any risk of partial engagement." which I take to mean, apply it however you wish and it will work.

If you feel that more explicit wording is required then you are following the only course you can by contacting Honda UK.

[Doubtingthomas]

NH Dan,

Thank you for your further post. I know you are trying to be helpful and I appreciate that.

I also know I am being rather pedantic but I am complying with a letter that was sent out by Recorded Delivery from Honda UK. The letter states Honda UK will contact me again March/April and request I visit my local Honda Dealer to have the improved handbrake fitted. Honda UK has failed to do so.

I know I could ring my local dealer but rightly or wrongly I am going to refer the matter back to Honda UK. If it is now the accepted practice that owners should independently contact their local dealers then Honda UK should have mentioned it.

And, for what it is worth, I think Honda UK should have taken the opportunity of including in "the letter" advice on how to apply the modified handbrake when fitted. It is so basic and common sense I cannot comprehend why this was not done. It is obvious from this thread other forum members sought the same advice.

Anyway, as you say perhaps it is time to draw a line under this thread for the time being, but I will publish, as promised, Honda UK's response to my letter.

Thank you once again.

[mikefennelly]

Hi Guys I hope that all of the problems highlighted over the last few months are sorted out for you all, I am glad that this thread has been of use to so many Civic owners.
I for one am still waitng for the promised payment to be made to my Insurance Co. and the return of my policy Excess.

[civicfan]

Got my handbrake replaced today and well, I'm not that happy, it feels a bit firmer, yes, but the lever is loose sideways by approx. 1 cm - is this normal with the new design?

[Jack The Lad.]

I havn't had the fix yet, but mine has been loose to that extent since new.

[psykik]

i had a letter about this in January. I've not heard anything since. Is it up to me to arrange an appointment at the dealers to get this fix?

[Doubtingthomas]

Originally Posted by psykik

i had a letter about this in January. I've not heard anything since. Is it up to me to arrange an appointment at the dealers to get this fix?

If you have received the same letter as I, and probably the rest of us affected, the letter says Honda UK will contact you again to advise you to visit your local dealer to have the job done. The time limit in my letter has now expired.
It appears some forum members are contacting their dealers on their own initiative. Other members are having the handbrake done when their Civic is in for other jobs. It is a mishmash arrangement.
For what it is worth I have written back to Honda UK seeking clarification and also advice on how to apply the modified handbrake once fitted. Please see my post above.
As a matter of interest the 'defective' parking brake on my ES i-Shift feels firm and has never self released.

[frankenstein]

I'm still smouldering over the fact that I've had the handbrake refitted and have not been given any new written guidance whatsoever. You would have thought with all the angst (and Honda UK must be aware of this thread) they would be issuing standard paperwork with the new handbrake stating how we can and can't apply it.
Have been told to write to Honda UK, but I suspect all they'll do with single mail replies is point me again to the rather ambiguous section in the booklet (where as doubtingthomas points out, they don't actually tell you NOT to use the button on applying it). So that will solve nothing.
The first time my car rolled back it hit a lorry and the claim went against me - that's why I want it in black and white this time.

Has anyone who has had the refit received any such guidance?

[Doubtingthomas]

Originally Posted by frankenstein

Has anyone who has had the refit received any such guidance?

At the risk of repeating myself, I think Honda UK missed a golden opportunity in not disclosing in "the letter" how to operate the modified handbrake, once fitted. It would have cleared up any further ambiguity or doubts once and for all. One sentence would have done it. I know NH Dan has been very helpful on this issue, but many Civic owners, having received specific advice in writing on how not to apply the parking brake, are now quite naturally seeking further written advice on how to apply the modified one. [we are all mindful of the reported incidents involving damage to Civics and liability issues].
As I have stated previously, I have written to Honda UK on this point as I believe it is only Honda UK that will give you a written response. I hope to publish the response once I have received it. Thank you.

[britsbest]

Just checked my updated handbrake.
It solid sideways and there is no movement

[gmp]

I got my letter late last year (I complained in july)refering me to march/april 08 when a new design would be available.Have had words with dealer several times, he just tells me I will get another letter. Incidently- they did have a batch delivered but had to return them - a problem with handgrip or something! CAN'T HUK GET ANYTHING RIGHT??? oh' to buy a car from Japan.

[Earlybird]

When I picked my Civic up last week (57plate) in with the handbook & service book wallet was a one page separate warning not to push the release button in when applying the handbrake but to just pull it up on the rachet . So Honda must be aware of this problem