Official Honda Reflash Information

[TheDarkKnight]

Originally Posted by sizroch

Ok guys, I've just spent the past hour reading all 30 pages of complaints here referencing the issue that most of us are complaining about, the Drive-by-Wire system in our 2006 and 2007 Honda Civic Si.

Although I am scheduled to get an ECU reflash, after reading everyone who has had it done, I'm convinced it is a hit-or-miss matter. This tells me Honda has not done an effective job of informing its dealerships of a solution (if a complete solution does indeed exist).

There is little excuse that up to this point, Honda has not sent each of us a letter owning up to the issue and resolving this issue. It is time that we as consumers take action.

What will get Honda's legal department's attention is the fact that this is a SAFETY ISSUE. From this point forward, we have to point out the SAFETY aspects of a system that simulates leaving your foot on the accelerator. We have to point out the SAFETY aspects of a first gear that bucks and potentially stalls causing a condition where a non-alert driver could plow in from behind causing unnecessary injury.

We paid for a product and had an expectation of reasonable driveability of a vehicle with a manual transmission. We did not receive that and Honda has had ample time to review the complaints, develop a solution, and implement a solution. I understand that the volume of Si's are as such that this is likely a blip on Honda's radar screen. But, we're not taking it. We're tired of Honda dealerships looking at us like aliens when we raise the issues. We're tired of the stories regarding VIN#s that are impacted and the year the TSB applies to. Every 06 & 07 Honda Civic Si from the factory appears to have a variation of the Drive-by-Wire throttle system defect. It may not seem macho, but, if we're going to get Honda's attention - from this point forward guys, point out the SAFETY issues associated with the car's Drive-by-Wire defect.

I will do my part by contacting Honda's legal department and asking if they are aware of the issues associated with the 06 & 07 Honda Civic Si.

If you want to start a petition, I'm in! I've called numerous Honda dealerships and they all give me the same answer.

[sizroch]

Ok, well I spent a half day at the Honda dealership that said they could fix my hanging RPMs on my 07 Civic Si. Their master mechanic who was very knowledgeable and appeared genuinely eager to resolve this was unsuccessful in getting the reflash to work. After contacting Honda's Technical staff in California, they explained the reflash failed because my car already has had the reflash applied from the factory.

Not the dealership's fault; they did everything they could. The mechanic who test drove my car admitted the hangs are still an issue. However, he also said that according to Honda's Technical gurus in California, the hanging RPMs are a designed trait in this generation of Civics. Honda is apparently not pursing any further updates to correct this condition.

As I've said before, I describe this trait as simulating leaving your foot on the gas (even though the pedal has been depressed) whether you're shifting or attempting to gear down. In the 06-07 Civic Si, you're forced to use your brake in situations where under normal conditions of driving a manual transmission the car would gear down on its own. This would explain why the 06-07 Civic Si wears brakes out unusually quick (this according to the Honda mechanic who worked on my car).

So, what's next. If you haven't already:

1. Contact Honda Customer Service (800-999-1009) and register a complaint. You'll need your VIN#. There is an individual Honda Customer Service named Chris that was identified earlier on this forum that is aware of this issue. You may want to contact him directly at extension ext.118092.

2. Complete Honda's online survey (you'll need to provide your VIN# on their website).

3. File a complaint with the NHTSA (you'll need to provide your VIN# on their website). Here's the complaint that I submitted:

"The 2007 Honda Civic Si (manual transmission) includes a "drive-by-wire" fuel throttle system that simulates leaving your foot on the accelerator even when your foot has been removed from the pedal when attempting to shift gears or attempting to decelerate. This condition presents a safety threat as well as necessitating excessive braking force causing unnecessary premature wearing of the brake lining and rotors.

A TSB was released for the 2006 Honda Civic Si that attempts to address this same issue. However, this correction is either not addressed on the 2007 model or not sufficiently addressed to correct the safety threat caused by this condition."

3. Contact Honda's Corporate Headquarters (310-783-2000) and sound-off on the hanging RPM condition as a safety issue.

4. There is a petition on another forum that has over 350 names on it that you can sign on-line.

5. Send a fax to American Honda at 310-783-3023.

6. Mail American Honda Motor Co., Inc. at:

Honda Automobile Customer Service
Mail Stop 500-2N-7A
1919 Torrance Blvd.
Torrance, CA 90501-2746

If anyone else has ideas, please post them.

[TheDarkKnight]

Originally Posted by sizroch

Ok, well I spent a half day at the Honda dealership that said they could fix my hanging RPMs on my 07 Civic Si. Their master mechanic who was very knowledgeable and appeared genuinely eager to resolve this was unsuccessful in getting the reflash to work. After contacting Honda's Technical staff in California, they explained the reflash failed because my car already has had the reflash applied from the factory.

Not the dealership's fault; they did everything they could. The mechanic who test drove my car admitted the hangs are still an issue. However, he also said that according to Honda's Technical gurus in California, the hanging RPMs are a designed trait in this generation of Civics. Honda is apparently not pursing any further updates to correct this condition.

As I've said before, I describe this trait as simulating leaving your foot on the gas (even though the pedal has been depressed) whether you're shifting or attempting to gear down. In the 06-07 Civic Si, you're forced to use your brake in situations where under normal conditions of driving a manual transmission the car would gear down on its own. This would explain why the 06-07 Civic Si wears brakes out unusually quick (this according to the Honda mechanic who worked on my car).

So, what's next.

1. Well, if you haven't already, contact Honda Customer Service (800-999-1009) and register a complaint. You'll need your VIN#.

2. File a complaint with the NHTSA (you'll need to provide your VIN# on their website). Here's the complaint that I submitted:

"The 2007 Honda Civic Si (manual transmission) includes a "drive-by-wire" fuel throttle system that simulates leaving your foot on the accelerator even when your foot has been removed from the pedal when attempting to shift gears or attempting to decelerate. This condition presents a safety threat as well as necessitating excessive braking force causing unnecessary premature wearing of the brake lining and rotors.

A TSB was released for the 2006 Honda Civic Si that attempts to address this same issue. However, this correction is either not addressed on the 2007 model or not sufficiently addressed to correct the safety threat caused by this condition."

3. Contact Honda's Corporate Headquarters (310-783-2000) and sound-off on the hanging RPM condition as a safety issue.

If anyone else has ideas, please post them.

I wrote my letter to them (American Honda) and faxed it last night. I haven't heard anything from them as of yet. I'll let you know if and when I get a response.

[07 NBP Si sedan]

YAH, I have a new 07 Si sedan and the hanging R's SUCKS.

[sizroch]

There is a petition on another forum that has over 350 names on it that you can sign on-line; it's easy and quick. I suggest contacting NHTSA and Honda as well (you'll need your VIN# as indicated in the earlier post).

[TheDarkKnight]

Originally Posted by sizroch

There is a petition on another forum that has over 350 names on it that you can sign on-line; it's easy and quick. I suggest contacting NHTSA and Honda as well (you'll need your VIN# as indicated in the earlier post).

Thanks for the info. I read and signed it immediately. It's pretty funny, because a representative from American Honda called and left a message on my home phone after they received a scalding fax from me that was cc'd to my attorney. I'll let them sweat before I return their call. This problem is no joke.

[Grimey]

Signed the petition... what the hell is it going to take for them to fix this?

[sizroch]

Nice strategy, DarkKnight. If and when you talk to their rep, you may want to provide them with the link to the petition. In either case, please keep us posted on your interaction with them. Thanks.

[TheDarkKnight]

Originally Posted by sizroch

Nice strategy, DarkKnight. If and when you talk to their rep, you may want to provide them with the link to the petition. In either case, please keep us posted on your interaction with them. Thanks.

Okay guys,

Here are two things about the 07 Si I got fixed and I'm still working on the third. First, the "pop" that comes from the front end is a quick and easy fix. I just picked up my car and they changed out the dampers on the top of the front shocks. The second is more involved. It was the shifting of my brake pedal whenever I ran over a bump with my foot on the brake. At first, I thought it was some strange ABS thing but when they replaced one of the motor mounts without me asking for them to look into it, I knew it was a TSB. Now that they fixed the two dampers and the mount, the ride of the car has taken on a different dynamic. Now, it feels intense and rigid the way a sports car should. The third. I finally spoke with the lady at AHMC and she told me flat out that someone has been monitoring the "forums" and the "issue" is being addressed. That must have been because I told her that I belong to a rather large consortium of Si owners and we have had enough. The guys at my dealership told me as I was leaving that they had been in touch with her and they will have an answer soon. That's funny, I never mentioned the fact that I was talking to Honda. She must have looked up my history by VIN and started asking questions. At any event, it looks as though Honda is seriously reevaluating the whole DBW issue and we will be getting help soon. I hope so, it's not nice feeling as though no-one(Honda) cares after we made our purchases. I think I definately got her attention with my last letter. I'll keep you posted.

[socalsedan]

Thanks a lot bro!!!!

[sizroch]

DarkKnight, thanks for taking charge! It's reassuring that Honda is taking notice. There's a reason they have a loyal following and if they get this fixed, I'll be the first to step up and applaud their attention to customer service and continue to buy their cars. The CR-Z may be my next, but, my level of confidence has to be restored. If they can fix the DBW issue, my loyalty will continue.

[sizroch]

DarkKnight, do you by chance have the contact info for the lady at American Honda that indicated that they are on top of this issue? It may help if others contact her as well since she seems to be the first person at Honda that is acknowledging the problem exists.

[TheDarkKnight]

I am terribly sorry I don't have her name with me right now. She is due to call again this week. I was visiting my brother in the hospital in VA so I wasn't here to get her last call. I know that the is the North East customer service manager and I'm sure if you call the number on the American Honda Website you'll probably get her on the line or she'll return your call. I'll forward the info as soon as she calls the next time. Once again, I'm sorry. There were more pressing matters at hand.

[sizroch]

Originally Posted by TheDarkKnight

I am terribly sorry I don't have her name with me right now. She is due to call again this week. I was visiting my brother in the hospital in VA so I wasn't here to get her last call. I know that the is the North East customer service manager and I'm sure if you call the number on the American Honda Website you'll probably get her on the line or she'll return your call. I'll forward the info as soon as she calls the next time. Once again, I'm sorry. There were more pressing matters at hand.

Thanks for the update; hope your brother is doing Ok (puts things into perspective).

[TheDarkKnight]

Okay guys, I got my call from AHMC and I spoke to Betty MacDonald. I believe she is the national customer service rep. I told her about the problem in depth and I went further and told her, once again, about the petition and she told me this: "I guess you and the others are going to have to do what you think is right to resolve this issue". In a nutshell, we need to send the petition or start a class action against AHMC.
Listen to what happened to me this weekend when I went to see my brother. I was driving normally. I went to shift from 5th to 6th and as soon as I put it into 6th, the car started speeding up by itself! This isn't the first time it happened. I took it to my local dealer the first time and when they inspected it, they could not find anything wrong. I am taking it to them on Wednesday to see what they say this time. I'll let you know.

[TheDarkKnight]

Can someone please send me the TSB 06-052 in PDF format. I need it right away.

[F-1 Si]

[sizroch]

Originally Posted by TheDarkKnight

Okay guys, I got my call from AHMC and I spoke to Betty MacDonald. I believe she is the national customer service rep. I told her about the problem in depth and I went further and told her, once again, about the petition and she told me this: "I guess you and the others are going to have to do what you think is right to resolve this issue". In a nutshell, we need to send the petition or start a class action against AHMC.
Listen to what happened to me this weekend when I went to see my brother. I was driving normally. I went to shift from 5th to 6th and as soon as I put it into 6th, the car started speeding up by itself! This isn't the first time it happened. I took it to my local dealer the first time and when they inspected it, they could not find anything wrong. I am taking it to them on Wednesday to see what they say this time. I'll let you know.

Unbelieveable. AHMC starting to show their true colors. This is what happens when companies begin to get fat and happy...

[sizroch]

I just found Honda's online survey (you'll need to provide your VIN# on their website). A convenient way to communicate your dissatisfaction to Honda. Now if they listen, that's another story...

[StinkyTofu]

I haven't had the time to read through the 30+ pages yet, but +1 for '07 FA5 experiencing rev hang. DBW is very annoying, argh.