2023 Honda Civic Type R Seat Recall (23V229)

Recall 23V229 at a glance

What is wrong with the 2023 Honda Civic Type R in recall 23V229?

The driver's seat frame may not have been welded properly, which can cause the seat cushion frame to break.

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2023 Civic Type R vehicles. The driver's seat frame may not have been welded properly, which can cause the seat cushion frame to break. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 207, "Seating Systems."

Is it safe to drive a 2023 Civic Type R with recall 23V229?

NHTSA has not told owners to stop driving, but the risk is real: A broken seat cushion frame may not adequately restrain the driver during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.

NHTSA describes the risk this way: A broken seat cushion frame may not adequately restrain the driver during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.

NHTSA has not issued a do-not-drive or park-outside warning for this recall. Still, get the repair done as soon as it is available, and stop driving if you notice symptoms related to the seats.

Which vehicles are included in recall 23V229?

Recall 23V229 covers 640 vehicles: 2023 Honda Civic Type R.

NHTSA lists 640 vehicles in this campaign. Not every vehicle of these models and years is included, so check your VIN.

What is the fix for the Civic Type R seat recall?

Yes. Dealers will replace the front driver seat cushion frame assembly, free of charge.

Dealers will replace the front driver seat cushion frame assembly, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 10, 2023. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's number for this recall is TDY.

When was recall 23V229 announced?

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) reported recall 23V229 to NHTSA on March 30, 2023. NHTSA lists the owner letter date as May 10, 2023.

This recall was filed 42 months ago. If your Civic Type R was built in that window, the VIN check below is the way to confirm it is included.

How do I check if my Civic Type R is part of recall 23V229?

Enter your 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. If recall 23V229 is open on your Civic Type R, it will be listed there.

Enter your 17-character VIN at NHTSA’s recall lookup. It shows any open safety recall on your vehicle, including 23V229000. Your VIN is on the registration card, the insurance card, and the driver side of the dashboard where it meets the windshield. Recent recalls can take a few days to appear in the lookup.

What should Civic Type R owners do about recall 23V229?

Check your VIN, schedule the free recall repair, and keep a repair order for every dealer visit.

1. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm recall 23V229000 applies to your Civic Type R.
2. Call a Honda dealer and schedule the recall repair. Ask how long the repair takes and whether parts are in stock.
3. Get a repair order for every visit, even if the dealer only inspects the vehicle. Read it before you leave and make sure your complaint is written the way you described it.
4. Keep a simple log of any seats symptoms with dates and mileage. Video of a warning light or the problem happening is strong evidence.
5. Count the days the vehicle is at the dealer. Days out of service add up toward California's 30-day presumption.
6. If the problem comes back after the repair, return to the dealer and contact a lemon law attorney.

What are Civic Type R owners reporting to NHTSA?

Owners have filed 9 complaints with NHTSA about these vehicles since 2020, 0 of them about the body, doors and seats.

Too few NHTSA complaints about the body, doors and seats have been filed since recall 23V229 was reported (0) to say whether the fix is holding.

NHTSA’s public complaint database lists 9 owner complaints filed since 2020 for the vehicles in this recall, and 0 of them involve the body, doors and seats. Complaints are reports from owners and have not been verified by NHTSA, but a high count for the same component is a sign the problem is widespread.

• 2023 Honda Civic Type R: 9 complaints in total, 0 about the body, doors and seats

Can recall 23V229 make my Civic Type R a lemon in California?

Not by itself. A recall repair that fails, or repeat dealer visits for the same defect, can support a California lemon law claim.

A recall by itself does not make a car a lemon. Under California's Song-Beverly Consumer Warranty Act, what matters is whether a defect covered by the warranty substantially impairs the vehicle's use, value or safety, and whether the manufacturer or its dealers fixed it within a reasonable number of attempts (Civ. Code 1793.2(d)).

Door latch, seat and body structure defects can affect safety in a crash and everyday use. If the recall repair does not solve the problem, the repeat visit is part of your record.

The recall repair is available at dealers. If it works, great. If the same symptom comes back, the recall visit is one repair attempt and the next visit is another.

Civil Code 1793.22(b) sets out a presumption that applies in the first 18 months or 18,000 miles: two or more repair attempts for a defect likely to cause death or serious bodily injury, four or more attempts for the same defect, or more than 30 total days out of service for repairs. Written notice to the manufacturer is required in some cases. Owners outside that window can still have a claim.

An owner who prevails in a lemon law case can recover reasonable attorney fees and costs from the manufacturer (Civ. Code 1794(d)). You pay nothing, win or lose. We are paid only if you win, and the manufacturer pays our fees, including in settlements. If a case is lost, our firm covers the costs.

Frequently asked questions about recall 23V229