Do you own a 2006 to 2009 Honda Civic with a coolant leak? You could be in luck. Honda is offering a new engine block or completely new engine, free, to owners of 2006 through 2008 and some early 2009 Civics that have developed a coolant leak coming from the engine block. The free service applies to all Civics except the Hybrid and the Civic Si, and it effectively extends the original warranty to 10 years, regardless of mileage.

Why this matters: The leak can allow coolant to drain away, leading to overheating or a total engine failure. Honda alerted known owners back in 2010, but a lot of people probably didn’t get the message, especially second or third owners of the cars.

The program: For Civics that have developed one or more cracks in the engine block and started leaking coolant, Honda dealers will replace the engine block, or the entire engine if the head has warped too, at no charge. The offer applies to affected Civics that have been on the road eight years or less, regardless of mileage.

What to do: If your Civic is seeping coolant from the engine (not the radiator or hoses), or overheating, take it to a Honda dealer and mention technical service bulletin 10-048. If you already had the engine replaced at your own expense, you can apply for a refund from Honda Customer Service (800-999-1009) as long as the work was done at a Honda dealer or if you can prove that the repair was done with genuine Honda parts.

—Gordon Hard