I just bought a 2007 Civic LX with only 10,775 miles on it. The previous owner was an elderly lady who leased it new and drove it minimally. It is a Honda Pre-owned certified car and has been independently inspected by another Honda Dealer when I test drove it.

I saw that Honda issued a recall for a wheel bearing related issue and this issue was fixed on my car back in Sept 2007. However, when driving I can hear what sounds like a bearing going out (though it sounds like it is coming from all 4 wheels vs one specific one). The noise is quieter on smoother pavement. Normally when a bearing goes out it seems loud regardless of pavement type, at least that has been the case on my previous Subarus.

The question is: even though the recall has been taken care of would it be possible for a bearing to go out on these cars even with less than 11,000 miles? I know it still has the original tires from the factory, Goodyear Eagle RSA, I've never had them on any vehicle before so I'm not sure how noisy of a tire they normally are.

Part of me feels that since it only has 11,000 miles, was a lease vehicle, is a Honda Certified Pre-Owned vehicle, and all recalls were taken care of, that it isn't a wheel bearing but just loud tires.

Ideas?

 

Ya, sounds like cupped tires from what you are saying.

Run your hands around the tires. If they feel smooth in one direction and rough in the other direction, that is cupping. Look at the tread blocks. If they are uneven, the tires are cupped. You probably need the updated rear upper control arms. I suggest taking it back to the dealer.

Your certified warranty will pay for the arms, but you will have to pay for tires unless the dealer is willing to absorb the cost.

If it turns out to be a bearing, you are still covered, so just take it in.

 

The tires are not cupping (fortunately) and I did contact Honda of America to be sure all recalls and service bulletins have been addressed, which according to Honda they have.

After reading reviews about the tires on other sites including Tire Rack a large amount of people mention that these tires are abnormally loud. That combined with the fact there is less sound deadening materials in a Civic than most other cars would explain the noise.

I'll be buying a new set of tires soon anyways so we'll see if that makes a difference.

 

Contacting Honda will do nothing. The only way to know if a car has the updated arms is to get under the car and look. Since thay didn't start installing the updated arms in new Civics until 08, I'm 99% sure you have the old style arms, which cause alignment/tire issues.

You just bought the car and have warranty. I'm not sure why you wouldn't take it in to the dealer. One way or the other, you have a problem that needs addressed. But, hey, it's your car. Do what you will.

If the tires are causing the noise, buying new ones will do nothing in the long run. 10,000 miles later, the new tires will have the same problem and you will be back to square one.

New Civics are not "naturally noisy" in my experience. Every noisy one I run across has a problem.


Also, the recall you mentioned is simply visually inspecting an o-ring. No bearings get replaced. You could still have a bad bearing regardless of having the recall completed.

 

perhaps tyre pressure to high see if its better with lower ammount in
just a thought these hondas very thin metal!!and not much sound proof, my continental sport tyres were very noisy,<changed them back> and run flat tyres are the worst thing !!if thinking of these!!!
Tyres are a nightmere!!!!if wrong ones fitted and an expensive mistake.
also spring isolators on suspension may give problems.honda rubber suspension parts are not the best!!

 

Going off of the Service Bulletin (https://honda-tech.com/forums/honda-civic-2006-2015-79/factory-service-bulletin-rear-control-arms-2225229/) I'll give a local dealership a call on Monday and ask them about this. Would I still be reimbursed even though I am not the original owner of the car nor do the tires show any sort of signs of 'uneven/unusual' wear? Based off of other before and after pictures it looks like I still have the original control arms on there.