Engine head get so hot that it melts the spark plug to the head, even melting the hex nut on the spark plug.

- Chino Hills, CA, USA

I drive a 2004 manual Honda Civic. I was driving down the freeway with cruise control set at about 70 mph. Suddenly, I felt my car speed up substantially and when I look at the speedometer I was traveling over 85 mph. I immediately canceled cruise control but my car continued to gain speed. I hit my brakes which caused my car to shudder violently. When my foot wasn't on the brakes, my car continued to quickly gain speed. I attempted to move the car into neutral and coast to a stop, but when I put the clutch in my RPM's rose to about 8,000 and didn't go down even when the car was in neutral. The car also continued to increase in speed even when it was in neutral. I moved back into 5th gear and continued down the highway going between 85-95 mph. I was able to maintain that speed only with my foot on the brakes. I placed a call to 911 and informed them that I couldn't stop my car. The 911 dispatcher contacted highway patrol who set out to catch me. Once a highway patrolman was behind me, I was instructed to shift into neutral, even though the RPM's would shoot up, and coast to a stop. The car shook almost uncontrollably while I was slowing down and even at a complete stop in neutral on the side of the road the RPM's were at about 8,000. We had the car towed to the Honda dealership where they turned the car on and witnessed the RPM's immediately shoot up to 8,000 again. After looking under the hood they could not determine a cause for the incident. When they turned the car on again it started and ran normally. No significant damage to the car was done, and luckily the freeway was uncrowded so an accident was avoided.

- San Luis Obispo, CA, USA

1. no prior warning, other than a slight lurch while accelerating while merging onto the freeway earlier the same day. 2.&3. transmission failure/ P0370 incorrect gear ratio resulting in a pulling lurching sensation while attempting to accelerate. Was unable to accelerate past 10mph without avoiding the lurching, had to pull off the road and be towed to the nearest residential area then get it towed in the morning to a mechanic within 3-4 miles of where I was parked. The check engine light was indeed on and was turned off once the error code was retrieved by the triple a mechanic, who recorded it as a P0370 incorrect gear ratio issue. As it is a transmission problem, Honda's policy is to replace the transmission entirely. At this point, I had the vehicle towed to the nearest Honda dealership, because it was a far more serious problem than I had anticipated. However, since the check engine light is off now and with it, the error code, Honda's service center has stated that nothing can be done by them until the check engine light reappears and the lurching occurs again. I was told that whether that happened on a side street or freeway, it was of no concern to them and that the situation was out of their hands. The situation I have with my car mirrors the experience of the many 2001 Honda Civic owners, hence my concern and frustration with the airport marina Honda dealership. My major concern is that I will have to force a lurching, jerking car safely off the freeway before Honda wishes to deal with my vehicle again.

- North Hills, CA, USA

I recently had a problem with my Honda Pilot. We took it to auto zone and had them hook it up to their diagnostics machine. The code "P1399" resulted. However, we were told that we had to contact Honda to find out what the code meant because it was a generic code that Honda puts out. I contacted the dealer and asked what the code meant, and I was told that I had to bring my vehicle down to them to put it on their machine: For $95. Honda has created their codes so that auto zone and other reasonably priced places can not assist Honda owners. We are forced to pay this outrageous amount because only Honda can tell us what is wrong with our vehicles. I did many hours of research on the internet and have found that this "P1399" code is quite common, as well as this kind of problem with the vehicle. The Honda Pilot has an ongoing problem with the engine light and vtm light coming on around 30-40 thousand miles. The engine misfires, and the vehicle feels like it is "chugging". it seems the timing of this problem is consistent with the warranty expiring. I have read that many people have had this same problem, and that Honda is aware of the problem, yet have failed to address it. If you look at www.Honda.org you will see the many complaints about this mechanic failure. I would like this problem to be investigated, and have Honda be accountable for the faulty parts.

- Fort Gratiot, MI, USA

Info copy to NHTSA owner of 2004 Honda Civic engine compartment caught fire vehicle destroyed. The consumer noticed a smell coming through the air vents of the vehicle. Seconds later smoke started coming through the vents as well as rising from under the hood. Flames came from under the hood and the entire front end was engulfed in flames. The vehicle was only 3 months old at the time of the incident.

- Arlington, TX, USA

Problems with main rear crank shaft seal on 2004 Honda Civic.

- Cary, NC, USA