[Al_G]

Only cars within a certain VIN range are having their belts changed FOC. Vehicles outside of that range that have the recall flag for Product update - 1.0l fk6 & fc9 misfire and piston” just get a software update.

The current cost of a wet belt replacement is £1095. With the extra servicing costs (fluids, filters, plugs etc) you’re looking at roughly 2k. Before the wet belt price reduction it was closer to 3k.

 

[Al_G]

I’ve had the timing belt recall letter on a five year old 1.0 Civic. Does this mean I’ll definitely get it replaced at the Honda dealer or mean that they will inspect the belt first to see if it needs replacing? This is obviously important as I’m currently expecting a big bill to replace it at six years old.

What was the exact recall detail?

“Product update - 1.0l fk6 and fc9 misfire and piston” is just a software update.

 

[Al_G]

I’ve had two letters. Timing belt Pud (6NK) and Engine misfire Pud (6NE). The timing belt letter states ‘they will replace the timing belt and pulley with counter measures parts to eliminate the risk of future failure’.

In that case get it booked in and allow them to change the belt FOC.

 

[Al_G]

It’s booked in for service and mot next week. I have an extended Honda warranty as well. The receptionist said they would do the recall work at the same time but I doubt very much whether they’ll do all that work in one day. I suspect I’ll have to take it back some time in the future, assuming it’s done foc.

yes, I’d expect so.

contact the dealership to ask the question.

 

[Al_G]

After just having the car in for the misfire and piston software update I've just received a recall letter for the 6NK (timing belt) recall.

I've spoken with Honda and my car is showing 0 recalls on the system. Honda Stoke have received comms from Honda that the 6NK notice has been sent out to customers incorrectly and a number of customers outside of the "impacted" VIN range have incorrectly received the recall notification.

Apparently Honda are working with their mailing partner to understand what went wrong. I've been told to standby for further details (probably via letter).

I'm still interested to understand what, if anything, Honda changed on the later cars to fix the wet belt issue...I'm pretty confident there is little to no differences across all years.

 

[Al_G]

If there is no difference, then given the volume and resource requirement to fulfil the timing belt change, I wonder if they're just planning to stagger it based on when the car was manufactured to target those most likely to experience a failure first, or taking into account services conducted + mileage of the vehicles (but that seems like too much effort).

Originally I assumed that this might be the case. Now their telling people that they've received a recall letter in error I can't imagine they'll backtrack in 6 months as that will look pretty poor (recall, no recall, recall)...I'm only 12 months from my 6 year anniversary.

 

[Al_G]

Based on that yours is only about 6 months newer than mine - I agree that issuing a recall notice, revoking it and then reissuing would be a poor show.

What does it say @ Recalls and Updates for your VIN?

I have:
There is an outstanding recall/update on your vehicle:

• 1.0l timing belt teeth missing
• 1.0l timing belt teeth missing
• Product update - 1.0l fk6 & fc9 misfire and piston

Unless there was a particularly bad batch of belts and have confidence that other batches will hold up to the regular service interval.

I'm half expecting to take into into the dealership and for them to u-turn and say it's not impacted now even though they've already confirmed it is...
I also have in writing that they will replace it free of charge regardless of its current condition.

Only the last one in your list (product update). The update was done on the 29th and has since cleared from the Honda site. When was your car registered? Mine was registered Dec 2018 and collected 2nd Jan 2019.

From what I've seen reported the failure the belt seems to be impacting all cars of all ages rather than just the early ones.

 

[Al_G]

August 2018 for mine, so only 5-6 months prior.

I'd bet a heft some of cash that your engine is no different to mine.

 

[Al_G]

Hi,

I've got a 67 plate civic which has only done about 23000 miles. Just dropped it off for a service and MOT and was warned that next year I would have a bill for £1600 on top of the service to replace the timing belt. Looking online I see some places that say the belt should last the lifetime of the engine. Am I being had? If it really does need doing, am I better to trust a main dealer or find somewhere less than £1600?

Thanks in advance for any advice.

Si

Go main dealer. At least then if they mess it up you can hold them/honda accountable. Holdcroft Honda charge £1095 for the belt change.

Main dealer servicing only (IMO) for the 1L. There’s too many risks of getting it done at an independent. The engines fragile so you need all the ammunition you can get in the event of a belt failure. I’m far more nervous about my 1L civic going pop than my 2006 S2000 or 2012 C63 (6.2 V8).

 

[Al_G]

Just drove my 67 plate Honda civic into the dealership for service and was told £16000 (£16k) for a new engine as mine is unrepairable because of debris from degeneration of cam belt @ 40 thousand miles! Honda have said belt "was of sufficient quality and fit for purpose" so not interested in offering assistance / replacement. Total disgrace!!💩🏠. has anyone been successful in having replacements?

Do you have FHSH and have all services been carried out on time without delay?