What to do when you have widespread issues with a blown head gasket

[BroMike2025]

I was panicking because my CRV Gen 5 was smoking while I was driving. It's actually a blown head gasket! One thing I learned when we have widespread issues with a blown head gasket is that we should report to Honda. Just call the customer service at 888-234-2138. Share the details, including the car's VIN, model year, and the mechanic's diagnosis. But if your car is out of warranty, Honda can help you with repairs or discounts as a goodwill gesture.

You can also file a complaint with government agencies. If you're in the US like me, you can file a complaint to NHTSA, or Transport Canada if you're in Canada. In another country, you can look for your local consumer safety board.

Other options are to check for Honda recalls or TSBs, join or start a class action lawsuit, document and share your experience on social media, or contact local media. You'll definitely get Honda attention if you do that.
If you want Honda to honor a goodwill request for your issue, it depends on these factors:
1. Vehicle age and mileage
2. Maintenance history
3. Extent of the issue
4. Customer loyalty
5. Politeness and persistence
To improve your chances, here are some tips for you: you should follow up regularly, show how much you value honda products, point to the widespread issues, and show how reasonable you are.

 

[FlameGhost777]

my CRV Gen 5 had smoke too and it was a blown head gasket! I called honda with my VIN and mechanic's report. mine's out of warranty but they offered a discount on repairs after i explained everything calmly. i also filed with the NHTSA since it seems common.

 

[FandomWanderer42]

@BroMike2025 it sounds like this blown head gasket issue on the CRV Gen 5 is turning into a bit of an ongoing drama but Mike your advice about reaching out to Honda and documenting everything is solid especially since it seems like they're at least offering discounts in some cases as @FlameGhost777 pointed out. Honestly, though, does anyone else feel like automakers should just own up to widespread problems like these instead of making owners jump through hoops and filing complaints to agencies just to get results? Keep us updated if Honda actually steps up.

 

[Pinklemonade]

I was panicking because my CRV Gen 5 was smoking while I was driving. It's actually a blown head gasket! One thing I learned when we have widespread issues with a blown head gasket is that we should report to Honda. Just call the customer service at 888-234-2138. Share the details, including the car's VIN, model year, and the mechanic's diagnosis. But if your car is out of warranty, Honda can help you with repairs or discounts as a goodwill gesture.

You can also file a complaint with government agencies. If you're in the US like me, you can file a complaint to NHTSA, or Transport Canada if you're in Canada. In another country, you can look for your local consumer safety board.

Other options are to check for Honda recalls or TSBs, join or start a class action lawsuit, document and share your experience on social media, or contact local media. You'll definitely get Honda attention if you do that.
If you want Honda to honor a goodwill request for your issue, it depends on these factors:
1. Vehicle age and mileage
2. Maintenance history
3. Extent of the issue
4. Customer loyalty
5. Politeness and persistence
To improve your chances, here are some tips for you: you should follow up regularly, show how much you value honda products, point to the widespread issues, and show how reasonable you are.

I've actually been through something similar with a blown head gasket before, and honda was pretty helpful even with my car out of warranty, definitely worth calling their customer service and filing a report, especially if you've been loyal to the brand.

 

[blurb]

I was panicking because my CRV Gen 5 was smoking while I was driving. It's actually a blown head gasket! One thing I learned when we have widespread issues with a blown head gasket is that we should report to Honda. Just call the customer service at 888-234-2138. Share the details, including the car's VIN, model year, and the mechanic's diagnosis. But if your car is out of warranty, Honda can help you with repairs or discounts as a goodwill gesture.

You can also file a complaint with government agencies. If you're in the US like me, you can file a complaint to NHTSA, or Transport Canada if you're in Canada. In another country, you can look for your local consumer safety board.

Other options are to check for Honda recalls or TSBs, join or start a class action lawsuit, document and share your experience on social media, or contact local media. You'll definitely get Honda attention if you do that.
If you want Honda to honor a goodwill request for your issue, it depends on these factors:
1. Vehicle age and mileage
2. Maintenance history
3. Extent of the issue
4. Customer loyalty
5. Politeness and persistence
To improve your chances, here are some tips for you: you should follow up regularly, show how much you value honda products, point to the widespread issues, and show how reasonable you are.

I would panic too! SMOKING WHILE DRIVING? That's just heavy. Thanks for sharing info here. If I could pin this on this forum it would be super helpful for others to see.

 

[rubberduckies]

I was panicking because my CRV Gen 5 was smoking while I was driving. It's actually a blown head gasket! One thing I learned when we have widespread issues with a blown head gasket is that we should report to Honda. Just call the customer service at 888-234-2138. Share the details, including the car's VIN, model year, and the mechanic's diagnosis. But if your car is out of warranty, Honda can help you with repairs or discounts as a goodwill gesture.

You can also file a complaint with government agencies. If you're in the US like me, you can file a complaint to NHTSA, or Transport Canada if you're in Canada. In another country, you can look for your local consumer safety board.

Other options are to check for Honda recalls or TSBs, join or start a class action lawsuit, document and share your experience on social media, or contact local media. You'll definitely get Honda attention if you do that.
If you want Honda to honor a goodwill request for your issue, it depends on these factors:
1. Vehicle age and mileage
2. Maintenance history
3. Extent of the issue
4. Customer loyalty
5. Politeness and persistence
To improve your chances, here are some tips for you: you should follow up regularly, show how much you value honda products, point to the widespread issues, and show how reasonable you are.

That smoke coming out of the car was wild. I would've parked it and ran away from it

 

[VtecScout]

I was panicking because my CRV Gen 5 was smoking while I was driving. It's actually a blown head gasket! One thing I learned when we have widespread issues with a blown head gasket is that we should report to Honda. Just call the customer service at 888-234-2138. Share the details, including the car's VIN, model year, and the mechanic's diagnosis. But if your car is out of warranty, Honda can help you with repairs or discounts as a goodwill gesture.

You can also file a complaint with government agencies. If you're in the US like me, you can file a complaint to NHTSA, or Transport Canada if you're in Canada. In another country, you can look for your local consumer safety board.

Other options are to check for Honda recalls or TSBs, join or start a class action lawsuit, document and share your experience on social media, or contact local media. You'll definitely get Honda attention if you do that.
If you want Honda to honor a goodwill request for your issue, it depends on these factors:
1. Vehicle age and mileage
2. Maintenance history
3. Extent of the issue
4. Customer loyalty
5. Politeness and persistence
To improve your chances, here are some tips for you: you should follow up regularly, show how much you value honda products, point to the widespread issues, and show how reasonable you are.

I'm really sorry to hear that. That's great advice you've got there. It was a smart move to report it and ask for goodwill, especialy since it's a common problem. I hope they get it sorted out for you