2023 Honda Civic 2.0L Head Cover Oil Leak Investigation

Why This Matters

American Honda Motor Co., Inc. (AHM) has initiated a data collection effort concerning oil leaks from the head cover gasket on certain 2023 Honda Civic 2.0L vehicles. This proactive measure, identified by NHTSA ID 11013101, aims to understand the underlying cause of this condition before any repairs are attempted.

By collecting specific parts from affected vehicles, AHM seeks to gain insights into the issue. This process helps ensure that future repair strategies are based on a thorough understanding of the problem.

Symptoms of a Head Cover Oil Leak

Owners of affected vehicles may notice an oil leak from the engine's head cover area. This leak might be observed during routine maintenance or become apparent as a visible drip or stain under the vehicle.

If you observe an oil leak, particularly from the top of the engine near the cylinder head, it is important to have it inspected by a Honda service center. Early detection can help in addressing the issue efficiently.

Qualifying Conditions for Investigation

AHM is specifically interested in 2023 Honda Civic 2.0L models that meet the following strict criteria for the Honda Civic head cover leak investigation:

• Model and Trim: The vehicle must be a Civic 2.0L (LX or Sport).
• Manufacturing Date: The vehicle's manufacturing date, found on the driver's door jamb, must be AFTER June 2023. Vehicles manufactured before this date do not qualify.
• Confirmed Leak: There must be a confirmed oil leak specifically from the head cover area.
• Previous Repairs: Vehicles with previous repair attempts are accepted, provided the cylinder head cover or gasket itself has not been replaced.
• No Collision History: The vehicle must not have been involved in a collision.

What Owners Should Know

If your 2023 Honda Civic 2.0L meets the specific qualifiers for the Honda Civic head cover leak, your dealership will follow a special procedure. This involves contacting Honda's Technical Information & Support (TIS) team before performing any repairs.

Important Warning: Dealerships are instructed not to attempt any repairs on qualifying vehicles until they have received further instructions from AHM. This ensures that the necessary parts can be collected for analysis to better understand the Honda Civic head cover leak.

Reporting Procedure for Dealerships

If a dealership encounters a vehicle that matches the above qualifiers, they are required to email TIS at [email protected] or call 800-880-1072 (Monday-Friday, 7am-5pm PST). The email to TIS must include specific information:

E-mail Title:

1. Model Year (e.g., 2024)
2. Model Name (e.g., Accord)
3. Issue (e.g., Brake Judder)
4. VIN

E-mail Body:

1. Dealer Number
2. Your Name
3. Best Phone Number to be reached
4. Current Mileage
5. Confirmation that the vehicle meets qualifiers #1-#4 listed above
6. One wide-angle and one close-up photo of the leaking area.
7. DPTS#

As an appreciation for their cooperation, dealership personnel who identify and report a qualifying vehicle that is accepted for parts collection will receive a VISA gift card. This incentive encourages accurate and timely reporting to support AHM's investigation into the Honda Civic head cover leak.

NHTSA ID 11013101

This manufacturer communication is identified by NHTSA ID 11013101. It serves as a directive to Honda dealership personnel, ensuring they handle qualifying vehicles according to AHM's data collection protocol.

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Source: NHTSA ID 11013101