I’m sharing my experience with a frustrating engine failure in my brand new 2024 Civic Type R. Based in Virginia, I purchased my dream car on February 17, 2024, directly from the dealership. However, the honeymoon period was incredibly short-lived. Just three days later, my commute to work took an unexpected and alarming turn.
Midway through my drive, the check engine light illuminated, quickly followed by a cascade of error messages flashing across my dashboard. Moments after these warnings, a faint rattling sound emerged from the front of the car. This rattle rapidly escalated, growing louder and more pronounced with each passing second. Looking in my rearview mirror, I was shocked to see white smoke billowing from the exhaust. Reacting instantly, I pulled over to the side of the freeway as quickly and safely as possible and immediately shut off the engine. My immediate thought was devastating: I had blown the engine of my brand new 2024 Civic Type R. I had the vehicle towed directly to the nearest Honda dealership for diagnosis.
The following day, I received a call from my service advisor at the dealership. The news was grim. They confirmed a “catastrophic engine failure” had occurred and that a master technician would need to investigate further. After a few days of assessment, the diagnosis pinpointed a valve keeper that had inexplicably come loose within the engine. This seemingly small component failure had severe consequences, throwing off the engine timing and ultimately leading to the engine’s destruction. Currently, my 2024 Civic Type R is at the dealership awaiting a complete engine replacement. It has been there since the initial tow on February 20, 2024. I was recently informed that the necessary parts for the replacement have finally arrived and the repair should be completed by the end of next week. I anticipate receiving a detailed report of the damage, hopefully accompanied by photographs, once the full repair write-up is available.
This entire situation is incredibly disheartening, especially considering the circumstances. I had owned the 2024 Civic Type R for a mere three days, and the odometer reading was only around 185 miles at the time of the engine failure. The car was, and remains, completely stock. The majority of those initial miles were accumulated during highway driving. Furthermore, I was meticulously following the recommended break-in procedures. I consciously kept the RPMs under 4000 and avoided flooring the accelerator at all times. This leads me to wonder if I am the only owner to have experienced such a significant engine failure in a FL5 Civic Type R so early in its life.
Adding to my frustration is the ongoing repair timeline. My car has now been out of service at the dealership for over a month, which, according to Virginia’s lemon law, is a significant criterion. I initially contacted the dealership where I purchased the 2024 Civic Type R to request a vehicle replacement, but they offered no assistance. Shortly before reaching the 30-day mark of vehicle unavailability, I escalated the issue to Honda America, requesting the same vehicle replacement. Unfortunately, progress with them has also been minimal. At this point, I am seriously considering consulting with an attorney to explore my legal options and potentially pursue a replacement for my defective 2024 Civic Type R.
Finally, I am reaching out to the Civic Type R community. Has anyone else encountered engine problems with their FL5 models, particularly so early in ownership? Any advice or insights regarding my situation would be greatly appreciated as I navigate this unexpected and stressful ordeal with my new 2024 Civic Type R.
