We logged 12 months and 14,200 miles in a 2024 Civic Type R to evaluate not just its performance, but how Honda supports owners in the first year. Here’s how routine service, campaign handling, parts availability, and overall customer care stacked up.
Our FL5 test car pairs a 2.0-liter turbo four (315 hp, 310 lb-ft) with a six-speed manual, Brembo front brakes, and 19-inch Michelin Pilot Sport 4S tires. Honda’s Maintenance Minder dictates service intervals rather than fixed mileage, calling for 0W-20 full-synthetic oil and standard fluid checks. We tracked every visit, cost, and turnaround time through the first 12 months. Testing took place in the Northeast, with mixed commuting, winter weather, and two track days.
We used two franchised Honda dealers to gauge consistency. Appointments were booked via Honda’s online portal and the HondaLink app, with average lead times of 5–10 days during peak seasons and next-day availability midweek. First-year service visits: At 7,300 miles the Minder flagged an A1 service (oil and filter, tire rotation). Total out-the-door was $102, including a multi-point inspection and brake pad measurement (9 mm front, 8 mm rear).
The car was in the bay 45 minutes, and the dealer honored the factory oil spec without upsell. At 12,100 miles, after track use, we performed a precautionary oil change, brake fluid flush, and alignment check. The flush (to DOT 4 track-capable fluid) cost $159; alignment was $139 with a slight toe correction. No B-service items were triggered in year one.
Both dealers offered a shuttle; loaners were limited to warranty work and had to be reserved a week ahead. Recall and campaign handling: Our VIN had no safety recalls during the test period. We did receive a product update to improve infotainment stability and Bluetooth reliability; it was applied proactively during the 12k service, adding 40 minutes to the visit at no charge. Honda’s VIN lookup and HondaLink notifications were clear and timely, and both dealers printed campaign summaries on the RO without prompting.
Parts availability: Consumables (oil filters, cabin filters, wipers) were consistently in stock. Michelin 265/30R19 PS4S tires were not stocked but available next-day; pricing was competitive with national chains. Front brake pads were available in 2–3 business days; rotors in about a week. A cracked front undertray (road debris) was replaced under warranty approval; the part arrived in five business days, and installation took 0.6 labor hours.
No backorders were encountered, though staff warned that cosmetic trim and wheels can see longer lead times after seasonal spikes. Customer care: Both dealers communicated well, sent photo/video inspections, and matched quoted times. Service advisors understood Type R-specific needs (heat-cycling brakes, alignment targets) and didn’t push unnecessary work. Downsides were seasonal booking delays and limited loaners for maintenance.
Overall, Honda’s first-year ownership experience proved orderly and transparent. Our advice: book early for spring/fall, note part numbers when ordering, and bundle software updates with routine visits to minimize downtime.
