2022-2023 Honda Civic Hatchback Water Leak Investigation

Background: Honda Civic Water Leak Investigation (NHTSA ID 10241465)

American Honda Motor Co., Inc. (AHM) has initiated a data collection effort focused on certain 2022-2023 Honda Civic Hatchbacks. The company is investigating customer complaints related to a Honda Civic water leak originating from the rear hatch area. The primary goal of this initiative is to gain a deeper understanding of the root cause of this condition before any repair procedures are widely implemented.

This investigation, identified by NHTSA ID 10241465, specifically targets vehicles where owners report water ingress into the cargo area or observe an excessive amount of water pouring out from the sides when the rear hatch is opened. Honda is requesting that dealerships identify and report such vehicles to assist in their diagnostic efforts.

Symptoms of the Honda Civic Water Leak

Owners of affected 2022-2023 Honda Civic Hatchbacks may notice distinct signs of a water leak. The most common symptoms include a visible "water leak from the rear hatch" or the presence of "water leak in the cargo area." Additionally, some owners might observe an "excessive amount of water pouring out from the sides when opening the rear hatch."

These specific observations are crucial for Honda's investigation, as they help pinpoint the exact nature and location of the water intrusion. If your vehicle exhibits any of these symptoms, it may qualify for Honda's data collection program.

Qualifying Your Vehicle for Inspection

For a 2022-2023 Honda Civic Hatchback to be considered for this special investigation, it must meet several strict criteria. Honda is interested ONLY if the vehicle fulfills the following requirements:

• Manufactured Date: The vehicle's manufactured date, found on the driver's door jamb, must be December 2021 (12/21) or later.
• Verifiable Issue: The water leak issue must be duplicable, meaning it can be reproduced, or water must be clearly verifiable within the cargo area.
• No Collision History: The vehicle must not have been involved in a collision.
• No Prior Repair Attempts: No repair attempts should have been made for this specific water leak issue.

These qualifiers ensure that Honda collects data from vehicles with unadulterated symptoms, allowing them to accurately diagnose the underlying problem of the Honda Civic water leak.

Important Warnings for Owners

Owners of 2022-2023 Honda Civic Hatchbacks experiencing a water leak should be aware of specific guidelines from Honda. It is critical to note that "AHM would like to inspect the vehicle prior to you attempting a repair of any kind." This means that if you wish for your vehicle to be considered part of this investigation, you should not attempt to repair the leak yourself or have an independent shop perform any repairs. Doing so could disqualify your vehicle from the program.

This communication, titled "Request for Visit: 2022-2023 Civic 5 Dr Hatch Water Leak (ACTION REQUIRED)", is primarily directed to Honda dealership personnel. However, the information is vital for owners to understand how to proceed if they encounter this issue. Honda is seeking untouched examples of the problem to ensure accurate diagnosis.

What to Do if Your 2022-2023 Honda Civic Hatchback Qualifies

If your 2022-2023 Honda Civic Hatchback meets the specified qualifiers for the Honda Civic water leak investigation, you should contact your local authorized Honda dealership. The dealership's service manager or advisor will then need to communicate with Honda's Technical Information & Support (TIS) group.

When contacting your dealership, be prepared to provide the following information, as the dealership will relay this to TIS:

• For the Email Title:
  • Model Year (e.g., 2023)
  • Model Name (e.g., Civic Hatchback)
  • Issue (e.g., Water Leak)
  • VIN
• For the Email Body:
  • Dealer Number
  • Your Name
  • Best Phone Number to be Reached
  • Current Mileage
  • DPTS#

Dealerships can reach TIS via email at [email protected] or by phone at 800-880-1072 (Monday-Friday, 7am-5pm PST). TIS will provide further instructions once the vehicle information is recorded.

Why Participating in This Investigation Matters

Participating in this investigation is crucial for both individual owners and the broader Honda community. By allowing Honda to inspect qualifying vehicles, owners contribute directly to the manufacturer's efforts to identify the precise cause of the Honda Civic water leak. This data collection is a critical step toward developing an effective and permanent solution for all affected 2022-2023 Honda Civic Hatchbacks.

As a gesture of appreciation for their efforts in identifying and reporting qualifying vehicles, Honda offers a Visa gift card to the referring technician. This incentive encourages dealership personnel to actively participate, ultimately benefiting owners by ensuring that more data is collected and analyzed.

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Source: NHTSA ID 10241465