50,000 copies of the 2012 Honda Civic recalled over driveshaft issue

About 50,000 copies of the 2012 Honda Civic are being recalled because of a potential issue with the left driveshaft. The automaker claims that the driveshaft “may not have been properly assembled, potentially allowing it to separate from the outer CV joint while in operation.”

While such a separation could result in total loss of power to the wheels and the inability to securely park the vehicle without the use of the parking brake, Honda claims that no incidents related to the issue have been reported.

Earlier this year, Honda recalled about 45,800 Honda Odyssey minivans for faulty tailgate struts, 8,700 Honda Pilot and Acura MDX SUVs to fix a problem in the fuel tank, and 1,300 copies of the Honda CR-V to correct a control-arm problem.

Roughly 1,100 copies of the 2012 Honda Civic were recalled in May over a potential fuel-leak issue.

Read the full release below:

Statement by American Honda Regarding Left Driveshaft Recall: 2012 Honda Civic

TORRANCE, Calif. - June 12, 2012 - Honda will voluntarily recall approximately 50,000 model-year 2012 Civic vehicles in the United States to inspect and, if necessary, replace the left driveshaft. The left (driver's side) driveshaft in certain vehicles may not have been properly assembled, potentially allowing it to separate from the outer CV joint while in operation. If separation occurs, the engine will no longer propel the vehicle in any gear, and the vehicle may roll away if the parking brake has not been set when the gear selector has been placed in the Park position, increasing the risk of a crash or personal injury. No crashes or injuries have been reported related to this issue.

Honda is announcing this recall to encourage owners of all affected vehicles to take their vehicles to an authorized dealer as soon as they receive notification of this recall from Honda. Mailed notification to customers will begin in late-June 2012. In addition to contacting customers by mail, in late-June, owners of these vehicles will be able to determine if their vehicles require repair by going on-line to www.recalls.honda.com or by calling (800) 999-1009, and selecting option 4.

By Graham Kozak