2023 Honda Civic 2.0L Head Cover Oil Leak Investigation

Important Warnings for Owners

American Honda Motor Co., Inc. (AHM) has issued a communication regarding a Honda Civic head cover leak on certain 2023 Civic 2.0L models. It's crucial for owners to be aware of specific conditions and actions:

• Do not proceed with repairs without consulting your dealer first. AHM is interested in collecting specific parts from affected vehicles prior to any repair attempts to better understand the cause of the oil leak. Replacing the cylinder head cover or gasket prematurely may disqualify your vehicle from this investigation.
• Manufacturing Date Matters: Only vehicles with a manufactured date on the driver's door jamb after 06/2023 qualify for this program. Vehicles manufactured before June 2023 do not qualify.
• Collision Status: Your vehicle must not have been involved in a collision to be considered for this investigation.

Understanding the 2023 Honda Civic Head Cover Leak Investigation

American Honda Motor Co., Inc. (AHM) is actively searching for specific 2023 Honda Civic 2.0L vehicles that exhibit an oil leak from the head cover gasket. This initiative, identified by NHTSA ID 11013123, is part of an effort to collect parts and gather data to better understand the underlying cause of this condition. This is not a recall but an internal manufacturer communication aimed at improving future vehicle quality and addressing potential issues proactively.

Symptoms of a Head Cover Oil Leak

Owners of affected 2023 Honda Civic 2.0L models may notice an oil leak from the head cover gasket area. This could manifest as visible oil stains on engine components or on the ground beneath the vehicle. Dealers might also observe this oil leak during routine maintenance inspections.

Qualifying Conditions for Honda's Parts Collection

For a 2023 Honda Civic 2.0L to be considered for this parts collection program, it must meet several specific criteria:

• Model and Trim: The vehicle must be a 2023 Honda Civic 2.0L, specifically the LX or Sport trim.
• Manufacturing Date: The vehicle's manufactured date, found on the driver's door jamb, must be after June 2023. Vehicles produced before this date are not eligible.
• Confirmed Leak: There must be a confirmed oil leak originating from the head cover area. Visual confirmation is required.
• Repair History: Any previous repair attempts are acceptable only if the cylinder head cover or its gasket have not been replaced. If these components have already been swapped out, the vehicle will not qualify.
• No Collision Damage: The vehicle must not have been involved in any collision.

What Owners Should Do

If you own a 2023 Honda Civic 2.0L (LX or Sport) and suspect an oil leak from the head cover, especially if your vehicle was manufactured after June 2023, it is important to contact your Honda dealership. Inform them about the Honda Civic head cover leak and mention that American Honda is conducting a parts collection program (NHTSA ID 11013123) for this issue. Your dealer will then be able to assess if your vehicle meets the specific qualifying conditions and can contact Honda's Technical Information & Support (TIS) group for further instructions.

Instructions for Dealerships

This communication, titled "Request for Parts: 2023 Civic 2.0L Head Cover Leak (ACTION REQUIRED)", is directed to Honda dealership personnel. If a qualifying 2023 Honda Civic 2.0L vehicle comes into your dealership with a Honda Civic head cover leak, technicians are instructed to email Technical Information & Support (TIS) at [email protected] or call 800-880-1072 (Monday-Friday, 7am-5pm PST) before attempting any repairs. TIS will provide further instructions and record necessary vehicle information. The email to TIS should include:

• Email Title: Model Year (e.g., 2024), Model Name (e.g., Accord), Issue (e.g., Brake Judder), and VIN.
• Email Body: Dealer Number, Your Name, Best Phone Number, Current Mileage, confirmation that the vehicle meets all four qualifiers, one wide-angle and one close-up photo of the leaking area, and the DPTS#.

As a gesture of appreciation, dealer personnel who identify and report a qualifying vehicle that is accepted for the program will receive a VISA gift card from AHM.

Source: NHTSA ID 11013123