Honda in alert over brake defect in Civic car

HONDA IS to write to about 3,000 Civic drivers in Ireland to notify them of a problem with the car's handbrake.

It is offering a handbrake upgrade to all owners of 2006 and 2007 Civic three- and five-door models.

The move follows a number of customer complaints that the handbrake did not operate properly if applied while the release button was pressed. Honda said it is investigating one complaint from an Irish resident.

Drivers who have purchased their Civic through a private sale, rather than from a dealer, are also entitled to the upgrade and are advised to contact their local Honda garage.

The upgrade process will begin in mid-April once the necessary parts become available. An upgrade takes about 45 minutes and is free.

A Honda Ireland spokeswoman stressed that if the handbrake was used correctly and the car parked in gear in accordance with the operating instructions, there was "no possibility of any problem occurring".

However, if the handbrake was applied while the release button was being pressed, there was a "remote possibility" the handbrake lever could drop a notch, allowing the vehicle to roll.

The company was acting to remove this possibility, she said, and would issue letters in the coming weeks to offer the upgrade.

The new handbrake was added to Honda's manufacturing lines at its Swindon plant, which manufactures the Civic model, last October and the company said vehicles built since then were not affected.

A similar operation is under way in Britain, where more than 60,000 Civic drivers are being contacted.