Honda Civic Type R FN2

This is the most well-known FN2 issue. The rubber weather strip above the windscreen was too hard and abraded the paint during normal use, exposing bare metal to moisture. Over time this causes rust bubbles along the entire roof edge above the windscreen. Honda acknowledged the problem and issued a recall with a revised softer rubber strip plus roof respray, but only for cars up to 10 years old. Repair involves removing the windscreen, treating rust, repainting the roof section, and fitting the revised seal. Honda dealer quotes typically exceed €1,000 for the full repair. Pre-facelift cars (2006-2008) are most severely affected as they also had poor door seals at the B-pillar that allowed water pooling. Post-2009 facelift cars had revised door seals but the roof issue persists across all years.

A bad batch of 3rd and 5th gear synchromesh rings affected primarily 2007 production cars. Symptoms include 3rd gear jumping out under load, grinding when shifting into 3rd, or a notchy feel. Some 2008 cars were also affected, but 2009 onwards had the revised part fitted as standard. The repair requires removing and opening the gearbox. Specialists like Grinspeed quote around €800-900 for replacing synchros 1 through 6 (recommended to do all at once since the box is already open). Honda dealer quotes can reach €1,500. This was covered under warranty when the cars were new, but all FN2s are now well outside warranty. If you are buying a 2007 model, test 3rd gear extensively during the test drive.

The rear torsion beam on the FN2 is prone to surface corrosion, particularly on cars used in regions with road salt. In severe cases the rust can weaken the beam to the point of cracking, which is an MOT/TUV failure and a safety issue. Genuine Honda replacement beams are expensive. Aftermarket Euro Subframe replacements are available for around €500-700, and these maintain the correct 20-21mm anti-roll bar diameter specific to the Type R (non-Type R beams use a thinner 11mm bar and will ruin handling). The replacement job is labour-intensive, typically 4-6 hours. Many owners treat and protect the beam with rust prevention products as a preventive measure.

Front shock absorbers on the FN2 are known to start leaking or losing damping effectiveness from around 70,000 miles. This is partly due to the firm Type R setup working the dampers harder than a standard Civic. Leaking shocks will cause an MOT/TUV failure. OEM Honda shocks are around €150-180 each. Aftermarket alternatives from Sachs or KYB are available for €80-120 each. Labour for front shock replacement is typically 2-3 hours. Always replace in pairs. When replacing, also inspect the top mount and spring bearing, as these often need replacing at the same time.

A well-documented annoyance on the FN2. The clutch pedal develops a loud squeak that worsens over time. Honda dealers confirm the clutch master cylinder as the cause. The squeak can sometimes be temporarily resolved with lubrication, but replacement of the master cylinder is the proper fix. Parts cost around €100-150 for the master cylinder. Labour is approximately 1-2 hours. Some owners report the squeak returning after the master cylinder replacement, suggesting the pedal box pivot may also need attention. Honda quoted around €400 including parts and labour at dealer rates.

Honda does not include the timing chain in the scheduled service interval, considering it a lifetime component. However, K20Z4 engines at higher mileages (beyond 100,000 miles / 160,000 km) can develop chain stretch. Symptoms include a brief rattle on cold start from the left side of the engine and eventually a check engine light. One owner reported a stretched chain at just 65,000 km, though this is rare. Preventive replacement including chain, guides, and tensioner costs around €400-500 at a specialist. If the chain has been neglected and guides are damaged, costs can rise to €800. Many owners proactively replace the chain and guides around 160,000 km for peace of mind.

The electric folding mirrors on GT models are prone to failure of the internal Shut Off Device (SOD). Previously, Honda only sold the complete mirror assembly as a replacement, making this an expensive repair. Honda now sells the SOD as a separate part for around €30 per mirror. The repair is straightforward and can be done as a DIY job in about 30 minutes per mirror. If both mirrors fail and you need a workshop to do it, expect around €100-150 total. Base Type R models without electric folding mirrors are not affected.