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Honda S2000, Acura RSX recalled over brake boosters

Filed under: Convertible, Coupe, Performance, Recalls, Acura, Honda

2006 Honda S2000

Honda has announced a recall that affects two of our favorite, dearly departed cars from the brand’s portfolio: the S2000 roadster and Acura RSX coupe. A total of 5,239 S2000 models from the 2006 and 2007 model years are affected by this problem, as are 13,113 2006 Acura RSX models.

“A production error may have allowed brake booster components to be produced outside of the original specifications, potentially causing decreased brake assistance over time, which could increase the risk of a crash,” American Honda said in a press release. Thus, dealerships will inspect and, if necessary, replace the brake booster setups in these vehicles, free of charge.

No crashes or injuries have been reported in relation to this brake problem. Honda says the problem was discovered during warranty claim analysis.

The recall will officially kick of in July, and owners will be notified by mail of this problem. Scroll down to read Honda’s official statement.

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Honda S2000, Acura RSX recalled over brake boosters originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 14 Jun 2013 17:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Report: Honda Canada owner database hacked, 283,000 customers at risk

Filed under: Technology, Honda, Canada

Reuters is reporting that personal information from more than 283,000 Honda Canada customers has been stolen by cyber criminals. The data includes names, addresses, vehicle identification numbers and, most importantly, some financing account information.

Still, Honda maintains that the profiles don’t contain the goods necessary for identity theft. Crooks typically need bank account numbers, email addresses and birth dates to pull off a successful cyber heist. Honda Canada had collected the consumer information back in 2009 when it urged its customers to register for on MyAcura and MyHonda sites.

The automaker first became aware that something was awry when traffic to both sites shot through the roof. Shortly thereafter, an inordinate number of unauthorized attempts to access member accounts hit the radar as well. On May 13th, a letter was sent out to owners who potentially had their personal data compromised.

This isn’t the first time that Honda has been the victim of an online attack. Just last year, 2.2 million vehicle owners had their personal information stolen from the Japanese automaker’s databases.

Honda Canada owner database hacked, 283,000 customers at risk originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 31 May 2011 18:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Report: 2012 Honda Civic output at half capacity until fall *UPDATE

Filed under: Coupe, Budget, Sedan, Japan, Plants/Manufacturing, Honda

2012 Honda Civic Si

2012 Honda Civic Si – Click above for high-res image gallery

The devastating earthquake in Japan couldn’t have come at a worse time for Honda. The Japanese automaker was just starting to launch its new Civic for 2012, and the compact car is a major part of the company’s portfolio. Any delays or hiccups in the Civic’s launch will surely send shockwaves reverberating through Honda’s balance sheets.

Sadly, supplies of electronics parts and raw materials from Japan are still hampering automobile production for Honda, even in plants outside its home market. That includes the new 2012 Civic, which is assembled in Greensburg, Indiana and Alliston, Ontario.

Speaking to Reuters, Honda spokesman Ed Miller admitted that Civic production will likely be stuck at around 50-percent capacity until the fall of 2011. Industry analysts predict that the Ford Focus, Chevrolet Cruze and Hyundai Elantra will likely fill in any sales void left by a lack of available Civics.

*UPDATE: Honda has confirmed that Civic production will run at 50-percent capacity for the time being, likely until fall. The automaker expects all other models to be back up to normal production levels by August. See the official release after the break.

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2012 Honda Civic output at half capacity until fall *UPDATE originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 26 May 2011 16:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Report: Mugen itching to build hot Honda Fit

Filed under: Aftermarket, Performance, Europe, Hatchback, Honda, UK

Mugen Fit

Mugen Honda Fit/Jazz – Click above for high-res image gallery

As the pseudo-works Honda tuner of choice, Mugen has tricked out Civic models for decades. They’ve also dabbled in the occasional Accord, are preparing to debut their supercharged CR-Z and have even had their way with the Ariel Atom – powered as it is by Honda engines. So what’s next for Mugen? It could be the Fit.

The five-door hatchback, known in other markets as the Jazz, has received some attention from Mugen in the form of aftermarket body kits and such, but the tuning house’s British garage could be looking at something a little more comprehensive, according to a fresh report from Autocar.

According to the British mag, the hot Fit’s engine program could incorporate either the 2.0-liter VTEC four from the Civic Type R or the supercharged hybrid 1.5 developed for the Mugen CR-Z. Tempting options, both, but whichever way the Honda tuner goes, the likelihood is that the result won’t make the trip over to these shores, anyway.

Mugen itching to build hot Honda Fit originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 26 May 2011 13:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Honda hopes Civic will inspire you to write a song

Filed under: Etc., Marketing/Advertising, Honda

Sound of Civic logo
Honda is casting the Sounds of Civic social media-based contest as a fun way for you to whip up a little song and possibly win a 2012 Honda Civic of your own. You might accept it at face value, or you may see it as a contrived and cynical attempt at being current and/or relevant. If the ninth-generation Honda Civic excites you into musical rapture, great, submit your song on the Honda Civic Facebook page before June 5th.

Honda has faith in your song-writing abilities. “We know our talented fans will show off their skills and submit some great Civic-inspired tunes,” says Steve Center, American Honda Motor Company’s Vice President of National marketing Operations.

Once the submission window closes, voting begins and runs through July 17th. Eight finalists will be chosen to receive $2,500 in music gear from Sam Ash music stores. The single finalist that receives the most votes will get the car, which could be a handy way to get to Los Angeles to perform as part of the 2011 Honda Civic Tour.

Honda has solicited songs from several artists already, and you can find them on the Honda Civic Facebook page and the Honda YouTube channel. Pointing Twitter at the #soundsofcivic hashtag can also help keep you updated. Check it out, brush up on your scales and arpeggios and have at it with your own composition. Check out the press release after the jump.

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Honda hopes Civic will inspire you to write a song originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 20 May 2011 16:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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2012 Honda Civic recalled already over potential fuel leak

Filed under: Coupe, Sedan, Recalls, Safety, Honda

2012 Honda Civic

2012 Honda Civic – Click above for high-res image gallery

Honda is recalling 1,156 of its recently introduced 2012 Civic sedans and coupes over faulty O-rings that could result in a fuel leak. In the affected cars, a misaligned O-ring that seals a connection in the fuel feed line could result in fuel leaking from the engine.

If any sort of ignition source is present, a fuel leak could obviously result in something quite tragic.

To remedy this problem, Honda dealers will replace the fuel feed line assembly free of charge. The recall is expected to begin before the end of the month; follow the jump for the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s official statement.

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2012 Honda Civic recalled already over potential fuel leak originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 20 May 2011 10:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Report: Chrysler developing TR Ram Life Style Truck to compete with Honda Ridgeline

Filed under: Truck, Plants/Manufacturing, Crossover, Chrysler, Dodge, Canada

2006 Dodge Rampage concept

2006 Dodge Rampage Concept – Click above for high-res image gallery

Does the world need a competitor to the Honda Ridgeline? While sales figures of Honda’s half-truck would lead us to believe consumers aren’t clamoring for such a vehicle (Honda only sold 16,142 Ridgelines in 2010, barely more than the 13,047 Dakota’s Dodge moved), recent reports indicate that Chrysler seems to think otherwise.

We’ve known for some time that Dodge was considering a small urban-style pickup – ever since it showed off the Rampage Concept (shown above) at the 2006 Chicago Auto Show and then mentioned it again in Chrysler’s rambling five-year plan announced in 2009 – but talk of the so-called Lifestyle Pickup had cooled off… until now.

According to wheels.ca, Chrysler suppliers were recently briefed on the automaker’s future product plans, and a replacement for the unloved Dakota is on the docket. It’s thought that Chrysler may build the vehicle in Windsor, Ontario atop its minivan platform, which lends credence to the Ridgeline comparison.

We have to wonder if the crossover platform employed by the latest (and very well-received) Durango might be a better bet, but we’ll surely reserve judgement until something more concrete than these rumors begin to surface. We’re also curious as to whether the small pickup would wear a Dodge or Ram badge. Stay tuned for more…

Chrysler developing TR Ram Life Style Truck to compete with Honda Ridgeline originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 18 May 2011 14:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Spy Shots: Is this 2012 Honda CR-V test mule packing a third row of seats?

Filed under: Spy Photos, Crossover, Honda

2012 Honda CR-V spy shot

2012 Honda CR-V spy shot – Click above for high-res image

While Honda may have to delay rolling out the successor to the current CR-V crossover, a shortage of parts resulting from the crisis in Japan doesn’t mean it isn’t still working on the project. And while we hadn’t seen any prototypes running before, we’ve now received our first glimpse.

The test mule in this solitary spy shot is wearing a bra over the front end and some taping around the hind quarters, but is otherwise fairly naked for all to see. So what are we looking at? Heavily revised styling for a start, with tail-lights that extend up the D-pillar like the current model but with a rather Volvo-like shape to them. Our intrepid auto spies also suggest the extended rear end could be making room for a third row of seats (wonder what that D-pillar tape job is hiding?), but from where we sit, it looks mighty cramped.

Beyond the design, we can expect a slightly more powerful and more efficient version of the current model’s 2.4-liter VTEC four. Expect production to begin in Ohio and Ontario before winter rolls back around.

Is this 2012 Honda CR-V test mule packing a third row of seats? originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 18 May 2011 13:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Honda to shift production schedules in North America

Filed under: Japan, Plants/Manufacturing, Acura, Honda

2011 honda accord

2011 Honda Accord – Click above for high-res image gallery

Honda is continuing to adjust its production schedules in the wake of the March 11 earthquake in Japan, and the shuffling will reportedly continue at U.S. plants as well.

The plan is to run full production shifts at U.S. facilities on Tuesdays and Wednesdays from May 9 through July 1, with a single eight-hour shift added for Thursdays. With the exception of Honda’s Greensburg, Indiana plant, all U.S. facilities were running two shifts prior to parts shortages. Workers at these facilities reportedly won’t feel the pinch of the abbreviated production schedules either, as they will have the choice of staying home or completing training without a pay penalty.

Honda spokesperson Ed Miller reportedly told Automotive News the reason for the shift is that it’s more efficient to run operations that way. The automaker likely won’t make any decisions about U.S. production beyond July 1 until the situation is more clear.

On Monday, Honda announced it was suspending June and July dealer orders for the CR-Z, Civic Hybrid, Fit, Acura TSX and Acura RL. Those vehicles are built in Japan, where shortages are still severe. At this point, the Japanese automaker is expecting operations to return to normal production before the end of the year.

This is all very bad news for Honda, and it’s bad for consumers as well. It appears that Honda showrooms are likely to be very short on product for an extended period of time.

Honda to shift production schedules in North America originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 04 May 2011 16:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Honda CR-Z Mugen show car to pack 197 horsepower for Goodwood debut

Filed under: Concept Cars, Hybrid, Performance, Hatchback, Honda, Misc. Auto Shows, UK

Mugen Honda CR-Z sketch

Honda CR-Z Mugen – Click above for high-res image gallery

Call it anticipation or call it wishful thinking, but reports of a hotter version of the Honda CR-Z have been circulating pretty much ever since the hybrid hatchback hit the market. The CR-Z may be sportier than most hybrids, but when the faithful were expecting a spiritual successor to the iconic CRX with an added jolt of electricity, many were left disappointed.

Along those lines, we have good news, and we have bad news. The good news is that some new details on the hotly anticipated Mugen version of the CR-Z have dropped. The bad news is that it’s still strictly a one-off show car, at least for the time being.

Honda CR-Z Mugen engine The concept car will be revealed in July at the Goodwood Festival of Speed. And when it is, it won’t be turbocharged as earlier speculated, but it will be supercharged. With the added benefit of forced induction, the output from the 1.5-liter i-VTEC four that forms the internal combustion part of Honda’s Integrated Motor Assist (IMA) system will be increased by 50 percent, and when coupled with the electric component will serve up 200 metric horsepower (197 on our scale) and 181 pound-feet of torque.

To go with the added power, the pseudo-works Honda tuner is also fitting adjustable dampers, a wider track, upgraded brakes and rolling stock, an enhanced aero kit and a weight-reduction regimen. Although Mugen insists it holds no plans for producing its breathed-on hybrid, there’s no telling what sufficient demand might yield. Follow the jump for the press release and check out the two engine shots released to join the renderings released previously in the gallery below.

Gallery: Mugen Honda CR-Z Sketches

Mugen Honda CR-Z Sketch

Continue reading Honda CR-Z Mugen show car to pack 197 horsepower for Goodwood debut

Honda CR-Z Mugen show car to pack 197 horsepower for Goodwood debut originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 02 May 2011 19:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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