Vehicle Recalls

[Bob906]

My Son-in-Law bought a Honda Civic and he has had endless trouble with it not starting due to a flat battery he has changed the battery and it still happens, someone told him that it is the computer needs updating and there was a recall for it to be done. He bought it second hand how can he find out if the recall work has been done I am not sure of the year the car was built.

Any help would be thankfully received.

[Baldric]

Go to a Honda Dealer with the Chassis Number and ask?

[gingejbee]

It's quite common for modern cars to need "software updates" to rectify minor problems/quirks...but because they are not safety related, often they are not recalled but the work is done when the car is serviced. But often only the manufacturers' franchised dealer is aware of the required work...so a visit to a Honda dealer might be the place to start.

[Bob906]

But if it turns out that the fault has not been done will it cost him or will it be covered regardless of how old/many miles the car has done or how many owners it has had.

[TWR]

Go onto the Honda Recall site Re/ Google, you can find out all about your cars recalls, Do you have a very Faint Red Light on your Dash, more visable at night, if so, alternator, is the Fan Belt Tight? does the car squeal on start up? If the car is giving that much trouble to me It's not fit for purpose, where did he buy the car? Dealer or Side of the road seller, you have more chance of getting things sorted with the dealer if the car has just been bought Bob.

[gingejbee]

If a software update is required on that car, and it hasn't yet been done - for whatever reason- it should be done with no charge to the customer. After all, it's the manufacturer putting right something that wasn't performing correctly from the start.
However, these updates are normally done early in the life of the car...perhaps at the first scheduled service.

[Baldric]

Recall work is usually F.O.C.

[Bob906]

Thank you for all your answers

TWR:- I will tell him to look at your suggestions.

gingejbee:- That should please him if it has not been done.

[vulcan42]

Retired now but when I was involved with recalls it was as Baldric said FOC but there was a time limit.

[TWR]

http://www.honda.co.uk/cars/owners/you-and-your-car/updates-and-recalls/