[Handbrake] handbrake self release (inc recall letter)

[Cad]

What Honda have done is send details of a workaround to a real problem. They have covered their backs against future claims by sending the details by recorded delivery. So, if your car rolls away before the 'real' recall, then Honda will have wriggled their way out of responsibility (or at least tried to).

As most on here have noted, it's a laughable piece of 'advice'.

[mrh339]

Originally Posted by Cad

What Honda have done is send details of a workaround to a real problem. They have covered their backs against future claims by sending the details by recorded delivery. So, if your car rolls away before the 'real' recall, then Honda will have wriggled their way out of responsibility (or at least tried to).

As most on here have noted, it's a laughable piece of 'advice'.

What about the people it has happened to before this advice??

[Cad]

I'd imagine that Honda will intimate that people have been operating their handbrakes incorrectly.

They've reacted faster than Renault (with the bonnet opening fault on the Clio, and who suggested the fault was with the driver), but are still using weasel tactics to avoid responsibility as far as I can see.

With Renault, they seriously suggested that drivers, who can apparently operate every other make/model, were suddenly incapable of closing a bonnet correctly on a Clio. Honda seem to be using the same tactic.

[Doubtingthomas]

Originally Posted by Cad

What Honda have done is send details of a workaround to a real problem. They have covered their backs against future claims by sending the details by recorded delivery. So, if your car rolls away before the 'real' recall, then Honda will have wriggled their way out of responsibility (or at least tried to).

As most on here have noted, it's a laughable piece of 'advice'.

Yes, quite agree, but I am still intrigued as to why Honda has now issued this letter after problems by some from when this model was first introduced. There is a missing piece of the jigsaw somewhere.........

[Jools100]

Originally Posted by Doubtingthomas

Yes, quite agree, but I am still intrigued as to why Honda has now issued this letter after problems by some from when this model was first introduced. There is a missing piece of the jigsaw somewhere.........

Maybe they have just started reading threads on this forum and are getting worried.

[Topcat]

Here is a question for those of you who are convinced that failing handbrakes are down to human error and that they do not have an arguement with Honda.

Forget hills and slopes as we all know that handbrakes have been failing whilst stationary on flat surfaces too so answer this;

When you visit a Honda showroom (or any other car showroom for that matter) why are none of the cars inside the showroom or on display on the forecourt in gear or if on an incline with their wheels turned inwards?

[Doubtingthomas]

Originally Posted by Jools100

Maybe they have just started reading threads on this forum and are getting worried.

I am quite confident Honda UK keep a close eye on this website. It will be someone's responsibility to monitor what is going on and if need be report back. Basic house management I would have thought. In my book, something more serious has happened of late, to prompt Honda UK to react as they have done. They have known about this 'problem' for some time. I suggest we forum members are a minority of new Civic owners out there and as such do not know or are not aware of the full picture.

[Topcat]

Originally Posted by Jools100

Maybe they have just started reading threads on this forum and are getting worried.

I dont think so - my dealership know I am a regular on this site an they still tried to tell me that it has only happened to one or two people something has happened that we are not aware of an Honda have to do a recall because this is a serious situation.

Anyway why has no one answered my question yet?

[Charley Farley]

Hi Doubting Thomas

I am very confident that something has happened from them to react so quickly. Remember think how long it took them to sort out the filler cap. I even when they did my garage was still denying that there was a problem.

[Doubtingthomas]

Originally Posted by Topcat

Anyway why has no one answered my question yet?

"Because all the cars in the showroom or forecourt have no faults whatsoever" or so the salesmen would have you believe.

Prior to collecting my new Civic, the salesman claimed ignorance over many of the well known hitherto reported bugs, faults etc.

They are in sales!

[eyemdee]

Originally Posted by Charley Farley

Hi Doubting Thomas

I am very confident that something has happened from them to react so quickly. Remember think how long it took them to sort out the filler cap. I even when they did my garage was still denying that there was a problem.

My 2 pence worth is that at least Honda are doing something about it.

Watchdog have been featuring Vauxhall Vectra and Signum models with the same or a similar handbrake problem since 2002!

However feeble the workaround may be at least they are making owners concious of it.

[Topcat]

Originally Posted by Doubtingthomas

"Because all the cars in the showroom or forecourt have no faults whatsoever" or so the salesmen would have you believe.

But if the correct way to park a car is in gear then why is this not done at every car showroom in the world?

The point I am making to those people who keep saying that those who have had their car roll down a hill etc but have no claim to Honda is that they are totally wrong. Pop down to your local dealership and check out the cars, if they are not in gear then why should those people not have a claim now Honda are doing a recall!

[Topcat]

Originally Posted by eyemdee

My 2 pence worth is that at least Honda are doing something about it.

Watchdog have been featuring Vauxhall Vectra and Signum models with the same or a similar handbrake problem since 2002!

However feeble the workaround may be at least they are making owners concious of it.

They are doing something now after denying that there was a problem for months.

If as some members keep saying it down to driver error or because they didnt park in the correct way, why would Watchdog have got involved with the previous makes of car, surely they should have said no case go away you didnt park in the correct way !!

[Skippy]

Having read the letter, I'm concluding the following:

Honda have now managed to reliably reproduce the effect (which I can't).
Honda have noted the steps needed to do this (holding the release button down during engagement, which I do).
Honda are engineering a fixed part which will need testing and certification, hence March/April.

They're not going to notify customers until they know exactly what's wrong, how it happens, and what can be done to prevent it.

[Cad]

I just picked my car up from my local dealer, and they have, taped to the service desk, instructions on how to 'properly' engage the handbrake on 3 and 5 door civics... complete with photos of what is the right and what is the wrong way to do it!

My car, parked on a slight slope in the car park, had it's handbrake very tight (methinks they must employ a professional wrestler for such tasks) and first gear engaged.

[mrh339]

Join Date: 3rd December 2007
Last Online: Yesterday
Location: Cornwall
Posts: 6

By TruckerEm

I have received my letter today and have rung the helpline where
I have been told by TINA at the helpline that my car will be fixed by Honda at there expense. I am suppose to be hearing from then within 48 hours (I am clock watching as i will be back on the phone if they dont call back) I will give he benifit of the doubt at the moment but if they back track on what i have been told. I wont be walking away quietly!!!!

Last edited by TruckerEm : Yesterday at 20:32



And so the precedent has been set, of course it will be without prejudice. Glad to see that Honda are doing the decent thing. Lets hope that they do it for the rest of the poor customers who have suffered loss or damage due to this.

[Kremmen]

Watchdog have been featuring Vauxhall Vectra and Signum models with the same or a similar handbrake problem since 2002!

I think if I owned a Vectra I would also be tempted to park it on a hill with the handbrake off

[cnicolini]

The bad news is that a replacement handbrake wont be available till March/April 2008, so we need to becareful when we park, and remember not to use the button when applying it!

[PWOOD]

Well at least Honda acknowleged the problem and sent out recorded delivery letters to ensure we received them. Look at how Vauxhall reacted to their issue in comparisson.

[Scorcher]

If Honda do have a fix then wouldn't it be nice to know how it will be applied? Will there be mechanics climbing inside the car doing untold unnecessary damage to the plastic trim or will it be fixed from underneath? Anyone got any ideas?