Honda2006–2012

Civic 1.6 i-VTEC: Common faults & known problems

Common faults & known problems

28 known faults documented in workshop bulletins. Of these, eight concern the engine and fuel system and five the electrical and ignition. Symptoms, causes, repair steps and part numbers are shown where supplied.

Technical specifications

Engine & fuel system

8 documented faults — symptoms, causes and workshop fixes.

Engine malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) illuminated

Overview

Affects
Civic (5-door), 2006: VIN →SHHFK2***6U******.
Fault codes
P0135P1172
Remedy
Software update
Parts
3 parts

Symptoms

Possible trouble codes stored: P2A00, P0135, P1172.

Cause

Faulty heated oxygen sensor (HO2S).

Repair

  1. Renew heated oxygen sensor (HO2S).
  2. Re-program ECM with upgraded software.
Parts3 parts
Parts listed in the bulletin
PartPart numberQty
Heated oxygen sensor (HO2S) - Accord36531-RBB-0031
Heated oxygen sensor (HO2S) - S200006180-PZX-3051
Heated oxygen sensor (HO2S) - Civic/CR-VRefer to manufacturer1

Data: Motorwise Workshop. Bulletin 7.

Battery discharging

Affects All models, 2006-07: VIN →SHHFK1***7U018227. VIN →SHHFK2***7U053255. VIN →SHHFN1***7U009553. VIN →SHHFN2***7U007250. VIN →SHHFK3***7U033515. VIN →SHHFN3***7U006521.Software update

Symptoms

Engine oil level warning lamp illuminated even though engine oil level correct. Trouble code stored: P250B.

Cause

Engine control module (ECM) software fault.

Repair

  1. Re-program ECM with upgraded software.

Data: Motorwise Workshop. Bulletin 9.

Metallic clicking noise from RH front of vehicle when braking sharply or accelerating abruptly

Affects All models, 2006-08.Adjust & tighten

Cause

Build up of debris between front subframe sections.

Repair

  1. Clean and grease area between front subframe sections. Remove subframe mounting bolts Slacken subframe mounting bolt Apply grease to contact surfaces between front subframe sections Tighten subframe mounting bolt Tightening torque: 106 Nm. Refit subframe mounting bolts Tightening torque: 60 Nm.

Data: Motorwise Workshop. Bulletin 15.

Engine difficult to start after re-fuelling when tank has run dry

Affects All models, 2006-07.

Cause

Insufficient fuel added to empty fuel tank.

Repair

  1. A minimum of 7 litres of fuel must be added to an empty fuel tank.

Data: Motorwise Workshop. Bulletin 16.

Splashing noise heard from under front seats when accelerating and braking

Affects All models.

Symptoms

Splashing noise heard from instrument panel when accelerating and braking.

Cause

Fuel movement in fuel tank. More pronounced due to fuel tank positioned under front seats.

Repair

  1. No action required. Normal operational characteristic.

Data: Motorwise Workshop. Bulletin 19.

Engine malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) illuminates immediately after starting engine

Overview

Affects
All models with LDA2/R16A2/R18A1/R18A2 engine codes, →2007.
Fault codes
P1683P1684
Remedy
Software update

Symptoms

Trouble codes stored in engine control module (ECM) fault memory: P1683, P1684.

Cause

Engine control module (ECM) software fault.

Repair

  1. Carry out electrical, mechanical and component tests (as applicable) to eliminate any other possible cause(s).
  2. If no fault(s) found: Re-program ECM with upgraded software.

Data: Motorwise Workshop. Bulletin 22.

Immobilizer permanently active after attempting to jump starting vehicle

Affects All models, →2007.Software update

Cause

Transponder key was inserted in ignition switch when connecting jump start battery, which erases transponder key coding.

Repair

  1. Re-program transponder key.

Data: Motorwise Workshop. Bulletin 27.

Fuel filler flap will not open

Affects All models.

Cause

Insufficient spring tension on fuel filler flap.

Repair

  1. Fit additional spring to fuel filler flap.
Parts1 part
Parts listed in the bulletin
PartPart numberQty
Spring74480-SMG-ZS101

Data: Motorwise Workshop. Bulletin 28.

Electrical & ignition

5 documented faults — symptoms, causes and workshop fixes.

Battery discharging

Affects All models.

Cause

Electric window wiring harness (pink wire) trapped by overhead console.

Electric window wiring harness incorrectly routed.

Repair

  1. Repair and re-route wiring harness.

Data: Motorwise Workshop. Bulletin 10.

Interior lamp permanently illuminated

Overview

Affects
All models.

Symptoms

Battery discharging.

Cause

Retaining clip not securing interior lamp wiring harness sufficiently.

Interior lamp wiring harness trapped by lamp assembly retaining screw.

Repair

  1. Repair interior lamp wiring harness.
  2. Ensure interior lamp wiring harness held in retaining clip.

Data: Motorwise Workshop. Bulletin 11.

Battery discharging

Overview

Affects
All models with electric sun blind, 2006-07: VIN →SHHFK1***7U018227. VIN →SHHFK2***7U053255. VIN →SHHFN1***7U009553. VIN →SHHFN2***7U007250. VIN →SHHFK3***7U033515. VIN →SHHFN3***7U006521.

Cause

Low resistance in electric sun blind motor.

Repair

  1. Check resistance of electric sun blind motor. Specified resistance: 3 MΩ.
  2. Renew electric sun blind motor if necessary.

Data: Motorwise Workshop. Bulletin 14.

Retractable door mirrors inoperative or slow to fold in

Affects All models with retractable door mirrors.Fit modified part

Cause

Electric mirror thermal cut-off switch faulty.

Repair

  1. Fit modified electric mirror thermal cut-off switch to door mirror.
Parts1 part
Parts listed in the bulletin
PartPart numberQty
Electric mirror thermal cut-off switch76209-SMG-E01As required

Data: Motorwise Workshop. Bulletin 21.

Instrument panel illumination illuminates when ignition switched OFF

Affects All models.U0155Fit new part

Symptoms

Instrument panel not working. Trouble code stored: U0155.

Cause

Instrument panel faulty.

Repair

  1. Fit new instrument panel.

Data: Motorwise Workshop. Bulletin 25.

Brakes

3 documented faults — symptoms, causes and workshop fixes.

Front brake judder

Overview

Affects
All models, 2005-08.

Cause

Excessive front brake disc runout.

Repair

  1. Check front brake disc runout is less than 0.04 mm. Reface or replace front brake discs as necessary.
  2. Check front brake disc thickness variation is less than 0.015 mm. Reface or replace front brake discs as necessary.

Data: Motorwise Workshop. Bulletin 3.

ABS warning lamp, brake system warning lamp and handbrake ON warning lamp illuminate when starting engine

Overview

Affects
All models.

Cause

Possible trouble codes stored.

Battery voltage low when starting engine.

Repair

  1. Check for trouble codes. Rectify faults as necessary.
  2. Charge or replace battery.

Data: Motorwise Workshop. Bulletin 4.

Trouble code stored: U0122

Poor earth connection for ABS control module. Fix: adjust and tighten.

Overview

Affects
Civic, MY 2006-07.
Fault codes
U0122
Remedy
Adjust & tighten

Symptoms

Possible CAN data bus trouble codes stored.

Repair steps

  1. Locate and check condition of earth point: Civic - behind front bumper. CR-V - under ABS control module.
  2. If required: Clean/tighten earth point.
  3. Check for trouble codes. Rectify faults as necessary.

Data: Motorwise Workshop. Bulletin 6.

Suspension & drivetrain

2 documented faults — symptoms, causes and workshop fixes.

Noise from rear suspension over uneven surfaces or speed humps

Affects All models.

Cause

Rear suspension spring not located correctly against end stop.

Repair

  1. Check rear suspension spring positioned correctly. Adjust if necessary.

Data: Motorwise Workshop. Bulletin 20.

Knocking/squeaking noise from rear suspension when moving from stationary following overnight standing

Affects All models, →12/10.Clean & lubricate

Cause

Excessive friction between rear shock absorber damper rod and shock absorber damper rod seal.

Repair

  1. Lubricate shock absorber damper rod with grease. Use special tool: Grease application tool 52610-SMG-ZS00.
Parts1 part
Parts listed in the bulletin
PartPart numberQty
Grease52611-SMG-ZS001

Data: Motorwise Workshop. Bulletin 23.

Steering

2 documented faults — symptoms, causes and workshop fixes.

Electronic stability program (ESP) warning lamp flashes during normal driving

Overview

Affects
All models, 2006-07.
Remedy
Software update

Cause

Steering column shaft splined joint misaligned.

Yaw rate sensor incorrectly positioned.

Repair steps

  1. Electronic stability program (ESP) warning lamp flashes during normal driving.
  2. Check steering column shaft splined joint for correct alignment. Ensure alignment of reference marks Realign if necessary.
  3. Check yaw rate sensor is positioned correctly. Ensure terminal side of yaw rate sensor faces rear of vehicle.

Data: Motorwise Workshop. Bulletin 5.

Electric power steering (EPS) warning lamp illuminated

Affects All models.

Symptoms

Electric power steering (EPS) inoperative.

Cause

Poor connection between EPS pump motor and harness multi-plug.

Poor connection between engine control module (ECM) and harness multi-plug.

Repair

  1. Check harness multi-plugs to EPS pump motor and ECM. Ensure positive connection.

Data: Motorwise Workshop. Bulletin 12.

Clutch & gearbox

4 documented faults — symptoms, causes and workshop fixes.

Gears difficult to engage

Affects All 5-door models with 1.4/1.8 engines and manual transmission, 2006. All 5-door models with 1.4/1.8 engines and auto shift manual (ASM) transmission, 2006.P0909P0919

Symptoms

Poor gear selection. Possible auto shift manual (ASM) transmission trouble codes stored: P0909, P0919.

Cause

Foreign objects and/or debris in gear selection mechanism.

Repair

  1. Remove any foreign objects and/or debris from gear selection mechanism.

Data: Motorwise Workshop. Bulletin 1.

Squeaking/creaking noise when clutch pedal depressed or released

Affects All models.Clean & lubricate

Cause

Cruise control clutch pedal switch contaminated with dirt.

Repair

  1. Clean and lubricate contact point between cruise control clutch pedal switch and clutch pedal.

Data: Motorwise Workshop. Bulletin 8.

Squeaking/creaking noise when clutch pedal depressed or released

Clutch master cylinder and clutch pedal misaligned. Fix: adjust and tighten.

Overview

Affects
All models.
Remedy
Adjust & tighten

Repair steps

  1. Slacken clutch master cylinder retaining bolts.
  2. Fully depress clutch pedal and hold down.
  3. Tighten clutch master cylinder retaining bolts. Tightening torque: 22 Nm.
  4. Release clutch pedal.

Data: Motorwise Workshop. Bulletin 13.

Battery discharged

Affects All models with air conditioning (AC).

Symptoms

Irregular operation of AC compressor clutch.

Cause

AC compressor clutch relay faulty. Note: This fault is only associated with relays made by Omron.

Repair

  1. Replace AC compressor clutch relay.
Parts1 part
Parts listed in the bulletin
PartPart numberQty
AC compressor clutch relay39794-SDA-A051

Data: Motorwise Workshop. Bulletin 26.

Body & trim

2 documented faults — symptoms, causes and workshop fixes.

Retractable door mirror not working correctly

Overview

Affects
All models, 2006-07.

Cause

Incorrect synchronization of retractable door mirror motor mechanism.

Repair

  1. Re-synchronize retractable door mirror by operating 3-4 times.
  2. If synchronization unsuccessful, renew door mirror.

Data: Motorwise Workshop. Bulletin 17.

Front doors difficult to open from outside

Overview

Affects
All models.

Symptoms

Front doors will not open from outside.

Cause

Front door misaligned.

Front door handle release cable incorrectly adjusted.

Front door lock mechanism faulty.

Repair steps

  1. Ensure front door is correctly aligned.
  2. Ensure front door handle release cable is correctly adjusted.
  3. If front door handle release cable is correctly adjusted: Renew front door lock mechanism.

Data: Motorwise Workshop. Bulletin 18.

Wipers & visibility

2 documented faults — symptoms, causes and workshop fixes.

Creaking noise from windscreen wipers

Overview

Affects
All 3-door models, 2007-08: VIN →SHHFN1***8U003250. VIN →SHHFN2***8U002626. VIN →SHHFN3***8U001630.All 5-door models, 2006-08: VIN →SHHFK1***8U005560. VIN →SHHFK2***8U013393. VIN →SHHFK3***8U008410.
Remedy
Fit new part

Cause

Windscreen wiper mechanism spindles corroded because of insufficient lubrication included at manufacture.

Worn windscreen wiper mechanism spindle seals because of insufficient lubrication included at manufacture.

Repair steps

  1. Clean corrosion from windscreen wiper mechanism spindles.
  2. Grease windscreen wiper mechanism spindles.
  3. Fit new windscreen wiper mechanism spindle seals.

Parts

Parts listed in the bulletin
PartPart numberQty
Windscreen wiper mechanism spindle seal76561-SNA-A012

Data: Motorwise Workshop. Bulletin 2.

Pop-up headlamp washers not retracting

Affects All models with pop-up headlamp washers, →2008.Fit modified part

Cause

Dirt ingress to pop-up headlamp washers.

Repair

  1. Fit modified pop-up headlamp washers.
Parts6 parts
Parts listed in the bulletin
PartPart numberQty
Headlamp washer (LH) - Accord76885-SEA-S031
Headlamp washer (RH) - Accord76880-SEA-S031
Headlamp washer (LH) - Civic76885-SNB-S021
Headlamp washer (RH) - Civic76880-SNB-S021
Headlamp washer (LH) - Legend76885-SJA-S021
Headlamp washer (RH) - Legend76880-SJA-S021

Data: Motorwise Workshop. Bulletin 24.

Glossary

Technical terms used in this guide.

ECM
Engine control module — the electronic unit that manages the engine
VIN
Vehicle identification number — 17 characters, found at the base of the windscreen and on the V5C logbook
Nm
Newton-metres — the standard unit for how tightly a bolt is done up
ABS
Anti-lock braking system — stops the wheels locking under hard braking
Trouble Codes
Standardised fault codes stored by the engine control module, read with a diagnostic tool
AC
Air conditioning — the system that cools the cabin
ESP
Electronic stability programme — brakes individual wheels to stop a skid
CAN Data Bus
The car's internal network that lets control modules talk to each other
Control Module
A control unit for one of the vehicle's systems (engine, gearbox, brakes, body, and so on)
Disc Runout
How much a brake disc wobbles; too much causes vibration or squeal
Fault Memory
The list of stored trouble codes in a control module
Instrument Panel
The dashboard display that shows warning lights and messages
Multi-Plug
A multi-pin electrical connector on a wiring harness
Multi-Plugs
Multi-pin electrical connectors on a wiring harness
Re-Program
Update the software on a control module using the manufacturer's diagnostic tool
Relay
An electrically operated switch
Trouble Code
A standardised fault code stored by a control module, read with a diagnostic tool
Wiring Harness
The bundled cables that carry power and signals around the vehicle
Earth
An electrical ground connection back to the battery or body

Frequently asked questions

What are the common faults with the Honda Civic 1.6 i-VTEC?

This guide contains 28 workshop bulletins for the Honda Civic 1.6 i-VTEC. Of these, eight concern the engine and fuel system and five the electrical and ignition. Symptoms, causes, repair steps and part numbers are shown where supplied.

Does every Honda Civic 1.6 i-VTEC have these faults?

No. These are patterns documented across the model by workshops, not predictions for an individual vehicle. Where a fault applies only to certain vehicles or VIN ranges, that is listed with the fault.

Can I check for Honda Civic 1.6 i-VTEC faults myself?

Many of them. The documented symptoms can be seen, heard or felt during a test drive.

Related guides

Glossary term

See in the glossary →