RECALL ALERT: Loose Bolts

Honda is recalling 200 000 cars around the world, NOT IN NORTH AMERICA, to replace water pump pulleys that may become loose and stall the engine. In Africa, this includes 1638 Civics and 283 FRVs. 4 200 vehicles in Singapore are affected. 7 000 UAE Honda Civics are affected by this recall. 50 000 vehicles are recalled in Japan with a total of 150 000 vehicles recalled in Latin America, Europe and parts of Asia. There have been 63 reports of engine malfunctions due to this problem in Japan alone. Globally, they include the Stream, Crossroad and Civic. These models were built at Honda's Japanese plant between July 2008-2010. Warning signs of problems include bolts becoming loose, a dislodged water pump, warning lights on the dashboard and lost power steering.

Feature - 2009 Japanese Honda Stream

The current Stream was introduced way back in 2006, and Honda gave the Stream a mid-life refresh just 2 months ago. The Stream now has a more corporate family look, following the FCX Clarity style, which was then used on the Insight and the Japanese Odyssey. Along with the refresh, Honda has given a modified suspension and different various trim choices for the interior. As well as exterior color changes, also come a new RST model, helping the compact MPV to achieve an R-type character. This does not include powerplant upgrades but only exterior styling that consists of a new rear bumper with integrated air diffuser and special taillights, fresh 17-inch alloy wheels, ergonomic seats, sportier interior trim that comes with aluminum embellishments and contrasting red stitching on the leather steering wheel and gear knob together with a sportier suspension arrangement. Honda removed the third row seating from the compact MPV in keeping with its sporty character and for weight reduction purposes.

Honda Japan Recall

Honda announced it will recall 63,000 cars in Japan for faulty brake switches and speedometers. The recall involves 22,881 Civic and Civic Hybrid produced between September 2005 and December 2006 as well as 40,218 Stream manufactured between July 2006 and January 2007. Honda reported a total 155 incidents stemming from the faulty brake switch problem caused by excessive amount of lubricating oil applied and the inappropriate programming of a computer program which controls the speedmeters. There were no accidents.
Honda recalled a total 20,000 Civic and Civic Hybrid in the U.S. and Australia for the same problems on August 30.

BREAKING! Honda Stream may appear in North America in 2009!

There are sources that are reporting that the next-generation Honda Stream may be sold in the U.S. Having just been redesigned last year, the next Stream won't arrive until 2009, and even then we doubt it will receive anything more than a refreshening. Nevertheless, Honda appears intent to make some money off of this MPV that's based on the same platform as the Civic and CR-V. It's been a big hit in Japan since it debuted in 2000, though the recent redesign has met with mixed reviews. Though the JDM version can seat up to seven or eight people, sources reports the U.S. version will probably get only two rows of seats. In Japan, the Stream is available with either a 1.8L i-VTEC engine and five-speed auto or a 2.0L i-VTEC engine mated to a CVT transmission. Whether those engines will be offered in the U.S. in unknown, though we would expect at least the larger of the two motors to make the journey to our shores. Considering Honda's success with the Odyssey in the minivan segment, the Stream may do very well in the U.S. It appears smaller than a minivan, but larger than a Mazda5. The current trend of segment-bending tall wagons and CUVs could carry the Stream right along.

Honda Stream spied in California!

This Honda Stream RS-Z, which features a 150hp SOHC R20 - the R20 is a 2.0L version of the Civic's R18 motor was spied recently in So Cal. Though, it remains to be seen whether or not this is a real spy test version or just a from-Japan test version as we've seen for a long time.