The balancer shaft seal on the car has blown. Causing the oil to drain out at an alarming rate. To fix the problem the engine must be pulled out take apart then replaced. All of this for a seal that costs no more than 20 dollars.

- Vestal, NY, USA

Came out of church and noticed a line of fluid going to car. Then discovered that it was draining oil like crazy. I had it towed and found that it was a balancer seal that went bad. When I left church I followed the line of oil all the way home where it started leaking when I was idling while waiting for my family to get into the car. There was no warnings or lights. The oil all gone when I discovered the problem. And now I am stuck with $608 bill. But most of all how do I know that my engine has not been damamged" what kind of problems will this cause me to have in the future"

- Collegedale, TN, USA

Driving down street and oil light came on..proceeded to store and put oil in car, drove approximately 10 miles and oil light came on again. Then I determined that all the oil had drained out. Oil is pouring out of my car faster than I can put it in. Searching on the internet I've found that other Honda Accord owners of the 1996 model had the same problems. I even noticed that one had a recall for the damaged part. I have no recall and have lived in the same location..just 5 minutes from the Honda dealer where the car was purchased. My car is soaked in oil from the front to the back..tires included. I'm surprised it didn't catch fire. People need to be aware of these defects and shouldn't have to pay.

- Indianapolis, IN, USA

The mechanic found oil leak at the front of the engine caused by a dislodged seal on the front balancer shaft.

- Fremont, CA, USA

I had to have the balancer shaft seals replaced on my 96 Accord after their complete failure at a cost of $700. In October I received word that the car was being recalled for he problem and that I could submit for reimbursement. Was told to expect payment in 8 weeks. That was 8 months ago. Honda is not processing these reimbursements in even a remotely timely manner. They clai they underestimated the time involed, but even if they process 5 a day they should be mailing out checks. They are stonewalling, and refuse to communicate with the consumer over the mater.

- Grand Prairie, TX, USA

The vehicle experienced a severe engine oil leak and the vehicle was taken to the mechanic for repairs, the manufacturer had sent a product update campaign stating there was a design problem with the balance seal oil shaft, the consumer requests reimbursement. Nlm

- Staten Isl, NY, USA

No summary listed for above vehicle.

- Tucson, AZ, USA

An oil seal failed and caused the engine oil to drain out rapidly and caused the engine to seize up, a product update campaign was sent regarding the same type of failure, however consumer had to pay for repairs and is requesting reimbursement.

- Damascus, MD, USA

I was just recently made aware that the problem I experienced with the oil seal failure was not unique. I purchased the vehicle used out of a lease with only 18,000 miles. All service has been done at hidy Honda beavercreek, Ohio since I've acquired the vehicle.

- Enon, OH, USA

The oil seal failed causing damage to other components, the consumer no longer owns the car, however read where there was a a manufacturer's recall regarding a defective oil seal and would like to be reimbursed.

- Kansas City, MO, USA

No summary listed for above vehicle.

- Gainesville, FL, USA

Oil seal failed with no warning while dirving at low speed in parking lot. Oil loss estimated at 1 quart per 3 minutes at engine idle RPM. When driven (after oil refill) oil soaks L. ft. Brake caliper and all engine belts. Immediate response to oil pressure warning light prevented driving to engine seizure.

- Chino, CA, USA

No summary listed for above vehicle.

- San Jose, CA, USA

While driving, oil indicatior light started to falshing. Lost all oil in engine. Balance shaft seal burst. Timing belt and other belts replaced. Cost $700. Also, passenger's side door (front & back) power locks are inop.

- Panorama City, CA, USA

Same exact incident happened to another car I owned, Honda Accord LX 97, at the same mileage range (59K-60K). Only with Accord 1996, I was fortunate enough to stop on time, and was able to save the engine. Whereas, in the Accord 97 situation, I was too late, all of the oil came out, and engine was irreparably damaged. The cost of repairs for Accord 97 was $2,000, it required a whole new engine + oil pump, change of seals and belts. According to the Honda Accord manuals, maintenance (change of timing belts, etc.) on the car should be done at around 90K miles, excluding the regular oil changes. Therefore, both incidents were not related to a delayed maintenance, but to an irregular failure of the oil pump and the oil seal. Both cases are identical on similar cars and deserve to be investigated.

- College Park, MD, USA

While driving, oil light indicator suddenly started flashing. Pulled off highway and proceeded to nearest gas station. I told the gas station mechanic that my oil light indicator had suddenly started flashing. Gas station mechanic opened up the hood and checked the oil. Dipstick came up dry. All oil had been lost. Gas station mechanic proceeded to put two quarts of oil in vehicle. While doing this gas station mechanic noticed that there was a major oil leak. He informed me that there had been reports of a defective oil seal in 1996 Honda Accord and he advised me to take the vehicle to the nearest Honda dealership. At that time, I contacted my insurance company who provided towing services. Vehicle was towed to ed morse Honda on US1 in fort lauderdale, Florida. I advised mark greene, service attendant at ed morse, of what had happened. I also told him that the gas station mechanic had mentioned a defective oil seal. I left vehicle at dealership and they promised to call with an estimate. When Mr. Green called back with the estimate, he informed me that the oil seal would not be covered by Honda. The cost to fix the oil seal was $510. Mr. Greene also recommended replacing timing belt and water pump for an additional $170.

- Pembroke Pines, FL, USA

Oil leak at the front of the engine caused by a dislodged seal on the front balancer shaft

- Elgin, IL, USA

Oil indicator light came on while driving. Lost all oil in engine.balance shaft seal leak. Timing belt, other belts replaced. $400 repair

- Atlanta, GA, USA

Oil leak at the front of the engine caused by a dislodged seal on the front balancer shaft

- Elgin, IL, USA

Oil indicator light came on while driving. Lost all oil in engine.balance shaft seal leak. Timing belt, other belts replaced. $400 repair

- Atlanta, GA, USA