2007 HONDA CIVIC HYBRID Electrical System Problems

The contact owns a 2007 Honda Civic Hybrid. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the steering wheel seized with several unknown warning lights illuminated. The contact stated that the steering wheel was difficult to turn. The contact also stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle lost motive power with several unknown warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was able to restart. The contact stated that the battery was replaced; however, the failure recurred. The dealer was contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.

The contact owns a 2007 Honda Civic Hybrid. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the vehicle failed to accelerate while the accelerator pedal was depressed. The contact stated that several unknown warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed with the battery needing to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired however, the failure recurred. The contact took the vehicle to another independent mechanic and the battery terminals were replaced. The vehicle was repaired however, the failure persisted. The contact related the failure to an unknown recall. The manufacturer was informed of the failure. The manufacturer declined to offer any further assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 15,000.

Mileage: 15,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 HONDA CIVIC HYBRID. THE CONTACT STATED THAT "INTEGRATED MOTOR ASSIST SYSTEM COMPROMISE" DISPLAYED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO HONDA MOTORWERKS (500 4TH ST S, LA CROSSE, WI 54601, (888) 434-6632) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED WITH AN INTERNAL BATTERY FAILURE THAT NEEDED REPLACEMENT. THE BATTERY WAS NOT REPLACED DUE TO COST, BUT THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS STILL ABLE TO OPERATE USING THE HYBRID SYSTEM OR FUEL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT USING THE HYBRID SYSTEM WAS FINE DURING THE SUMMER, BUT DURING THE WINTER MONTHS, DUE TO COLDER TEMPERATURES AND SHORTER DAYLIGHT HOURS, THE VEHICLE WOULD LOSE POWER WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT IT WAS A KNOWN ISSUE THAT THE INTERNAL BATTERY DEGRADES OVER TIME AND FAILED TO KEEP A LONGER CHARGE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND PROVIDED CASE NUMBER: 06581479. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 125,000.

Mileage: 125,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 HONDA CIVIC HYBRID. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE EL-1 IAM BATTERY WAS NOT WORKING AND THE SERVICE ENGINE AND SEVERAL UNKNOWN WARNING INDICATORS WERE ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO PRESCOTT HONDA (3291 WILLOW CREEK RD, PRESCOTT AZ, 86301) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE BATTERY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 76,081.

Mileage: 76,081

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 HONDA CIVIC HYBRID. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE ABS, POWER STEERING, AND INTEGRATED MOTOR ASSIST WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. IN ADDITION, THE RADIO LIGHTS BLINKED, THE AIR CONDITIONER TURNED OFF, THE POWER STEERING BECAME LOOSE, AND THE ENGINE STALLED. THE CONTACT PULLED THE VEHICLE OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND HAD IT TOWED HOME. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AT 800-999-1009 AND STATED THAT THE VEHICLE HAD TOO MANY MILES AND THE CONTACT WAS NOT THE ORIGINAL OWNER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 169,000.

Mileage: 169,000

MY CARS STEERING WHEEL LOCKS UP AND CAR STALLS WHEN THE 12 VOLT BATTERY CONSTANTLY DIES AT RED LIGHTS AND ON THE HIGHWAY

Mileage: 169,000

IN THE LAST TWO WEEKS I'VE HAD TWO INSTANCES WHERE I WAS ATTEMPTING TO MAKE A LEFT TURN AT A GREEN LIGHT AND HAD TO YIELD TO ONCOMING TRAFFIC. HOWEVER, WHEN THE NEXT ONCOMING VEHICLE APPEARED TO BE FAR ENOUGH AWAY AND AT A SAFE DISTANCE, I ATTEMPTED TO ACCELERATE AND MAKE THE TURN AND MY HYBRID SYSTEM A.K.A. HONDA'S IMA (INTEGRATED MOTOR ASSIST) WOULD RANDOMLY FAIL TO ENGAGE, LEAVING ME WITH ALMOST NO ACCELERATION POWER. IT FELT LIKE I WAS DRIVING A LAWNMOWER. THE ENGINE WOULD REV UP, BUT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT PROPORTIONATELY ACCELERATE. THE VEHICLE IS ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE TO DRIVE UPHILL IN DOWNTOWN TACOMA, WA AS IT STARTS ROLLING BACK EVEN WITH ACCELERATOR PEDAL DEPRESSED ALL THE WAY DOWN. I CONTACTED THE DEALERSHIP AND WAS TOLD THAT ALTHOUGH THERE WAS A SB-10051509-6014 ISSUED FOR MY SPECIFIC MODEL, WHICH IN EFFECT EXTENDED THE WARRANTY AND MY VIN FELL UNDER THE SPECIFIED CRITERIA, IT WAS CANCELLED DUE TO A SALVAGE BRANDED TITLE (A FACT I DIDN'T NOT NOTICE UNTIL AFTER I HAD PURCHASED THE VEHICLE FROM A PRIVATE PARTY). THIS ISN'T SIMPLY A WARRANTY ISSUE. THIS IS IN EFFECT A SAFETY ISSUE AS THE DRIVER IS UNABLE TO REMEDY THE SITUATION IN AN EMERGENCY. THE RISK IS SIGNIFICANTLY INCREASED BY THE FACT THAT THE DRIVER MAKING THE LEFT TURN IS FACING ONCOMING TRAFFIC WHICH IS COMING TOWARDS THE VEHICLE IN FULL SPEED. SHOULD A CHILD BE PRESENT IN THE REAR SEAT, IF THE DRIVER IS UNABLE TO COMPLETE THE LEFT TURN AND VACATE THE INTERSECTION IN TIME, THE COLLISION COULD PROVE FATAL, ESPECIALLY SINCE THE HYBRID BATTERY PACK AND THE HIGH VOLTAGE WIRES ARE ALL CONNECTED RIGHT BEHIND THE REAR SEAT.

Mileage: 76,285

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 HONDA CIVIC HYBRID. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BATTERY AND CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WERE ALSO CODES FOR LOSS OF POWER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE VOLTAGE CONVERTER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 11V106000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 107,191.

Mileage: 107,191

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 HONDA CIVIC HYBRID. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE IMA BATTERY FAILED, THE VEHICLE WAS SLOW TO ACCELERATE, AND THE LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS FAILED TO ILLUMINATE. IN ADDITION, THE IMA WARNING LIGHT FLASHED AND THE SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT DIMMED. ONE MECHANIC PROVIDED TESTING AND A SECOND MECHANIC ALSO INSPECTED AND DIAGNOSED THE FAILURES, BUT WAS UNABLE TO PROVIDE A REPAIR SOLUTION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR FURTHER DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 140,000.

Mileage: 140,000

ON 8-14-15 NOTICED RIGHT HEADLIGHT OUT; MAY HAVE BEEN OUT BEFORE THAT. SHOP REPLACED IT ON 8-14-15. IT WENT OUT AGAIN WITHIN A FEW DAYS. NOTICED IT ONLY LATER AGAIN. WAS ABLE TO RETURN TO SHOP 3/14/16; NO TICKET WAS DONE. HONDA GUY PUT HAND BEHIND LIGHT AND SAID "THE CONNECTOR WASN'T TURNED ALL THE WAY." LIGHT WENT OUT AGAIN WITHIN A FEW DAYS. AFTER TALKING TO MANAGER, DROPPED IT OFF 5/23/16, MANAGER ARRIVED LATER; HE AND OTHER STAFF DENIED LIGHT WAS OUT WHEN THEY TOOK THE CAR. THE LIGHT WAS BACK ON (THEY MUST HAVE DONE SOMETHING.) THE LIGHT STAYED ON ONLY FOR ONE DAY. NEXT DAY LIGHT WAS OUT AGAIN. ONCE IT'S OUT, IT STAYS OUT UNTIL A WORKMAN DOES SOMETHING TO BRING IT BACK ON. WITHOUT THIS LIGHT, I CAN'T PASS STATE INSPECTION; MOREOVER, IT IS DANGEROUS TO DRIVE ON RAINY DAYS OR AT NIGHT BECAUSE CARS DON'T SEE THE PASSENGER SIDE OF MY CAR. HONDA PUT THE LIGHT ON AND MADE ME PASS THE INSPECTION, BUT THEIR REMEDY IS ONLY TEMPORARY.WHY DOESN'T HONDA FIX THIS PROBLEM? WHY DO THEY TELL ME IT'S BEEN ON WHEN THEY GOT THE CAR, WHEN I KNOW IT'S BEEN OUT? I DO NOT WANT TO RETURN TO THE SHOP IF ALL THEY DO IS LIE AND NOT FIX THE PROBLEM. I NEED TO SEE IF THIS PROBLEM IS RELATED TO THE 2007 RECALL ON CIVIC HYBRIDS FOR "DC-DC CONVERTER DIODE". THIS FAILURE WILL CAUSE THE HEADLIGHTS TO TURN OFF, AMONG OTHER MORE RISKY THINGS, AS THE PROBLEM DEVELOPS. I DID NOT ASK THEM ABOUT THIS SPECIFIC RECALL, BUT HONDA DENIED THAT THERE IS ANY RECALL FOR THIS SITUATION. PERHAPS THEY DO NOT WANT TO GO THROUGH THE TROUBLE OF REPLACING THE VOLTAGE CONVERTER FREE OF CHARGE. OTHER LIGHTS HAVE BEEN GOING OUT AND BEEN REPLACED REPEATEDLY SINCE AUG. 2015, AS MY RECEIPTS SHOW. BUT THIS HEADLIGHT IS NOT STAYING ON WHEN THEY PUT IT ON. ON 5-23-16 WHEN THEY LAST TURNED THE HEADLIGHT BACK ON, I DROVE IT ALL DAY AND IT WAS ON. BUT ON ANOTHER DAY, NOT SURE WHEN, IT WAS OUT AND HAS STAYED OUT.

Mileage: 100,423

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 HONDA CIVIC HYBRID. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE RESTARTED AND RESUMED NORMALLY. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WHENEVER THE VEHICLE WAS BEING DRIVEN. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 11V106000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 104,000.

Mileage: 104,000

I WAS IN THE FIFTH HOUR OF A SIX HOUR LONG ROAD TRIP (WARM DAY, A/C ON, IPHONE PLUGGED INTO CONSOLE FOR AN AUDIO BOOK), WHEN I HIT STOP AND GO TRAFFIC. SHORTLY AFTER THE STOP AND GO TRAFFIC BEGAN, MY 2007 HONDA CIVIC HYBRID STOPPED BEING ABLE TO ACCELERATE. TRAFFIC AHEAD OF ME WOULD MOVE, MY CAR WOULD NOT RESPOND NORMALLY, BUT ONLY VERY, VERY SLOWLY GATHER SPEED -- VERY TRICKY AND DANGEROUS WHEN THE TRAFFIC IS STOP AND GO. THIS IS THE THIRD TIME THIS CAR HAS DONE THIS, TWICE IN THE SAME SITUATION (LONG CAR DRIVE, WARM/HOT DAY, VERY BAD STOP AND GO TRAFFIC, ADDITIONAL ELECTRICAL USE, A/C ON AND DVD'S OR SOMETHING PLUGGED IN.) WHEN YOU ARE ON THE FREEWAY, CROSSING A BRIDGE -- AS I WAS IN BOTH CASES (GOLDEN GATE BRIDGE ON MEMORIAL DAY AND BAY BRIDGE YESTERDAY, START OF SPRING BREAK) -- IT IS SCARY AND DANGEROUS TO NOT HAVE YOUR CAR RESPOND OR BE ABLE TO MOVE / ACCELERATE. YESTERDAY, TO SEE IF IT WOULD HELP, I TOOK A CHANCE AND TURNED THE ENGINE ON AND OFF AGAIN, IN THE MIDDLE OF 7 LANES OF STOPPED BRIDGE TRAFFIC, AND THE CAR BEGAN ACCELERATING FAIRLY NORMALLY, WELL ENOUGH TO GET OVER THE BRIDGE. SECOND TIME, A FEW MONTHS AGO, MY CAR SIMPLY WOULDN'T BUDGE ON THE STEEP HILL I DRIVE UP EVERY DAY AFTER A CAR CAME TO A FULL STOP IN FRONT OF US, MY HONDA COULD BARELY GET UP THE HILL, THEN WOULDN'T ACCELERATE NORMALLY ON THE FLAT BLOCK TO MY HOUSE, WHEN I HAD MY CAR TOWED TO HONDA NEXT DAY, THEY SAID THERE WAS NO PROBLEM. AFTER THE FIRST MEMORIAL DAY BRIDGE INCIDENT THEY SAID MY CAR NEEDED A SOFTWARE UPDATE, WHICH THEY SAID THEY PROVIDED, AND THAT THE PROBLEM WOULD NEVER HAPPEN AGAIN, BUT IT HAS HAPPENED TWICE SINCE NOW. I ONLY HAVE 42,000 MILES ON MY 2007 HONDA CIVIC HYBRID. WHEN I TALK TO THE HONDA DEALER/MECHANIC THEY SAY THEY HAVE NEVER HEARD OF A SIMILAR CASE TO THIS. *TR

Mileage: 42,000

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 HONDA CIVIC HYBRID. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VOLTAGE CONVERTER THAT RELAYS POWER FROM THE INTEGRATED MOTOR ASSIST (IMA) SYSTEM TO THE VEHICLE'S ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS FAILED. IN ADDITION, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 11V106000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE VEHICLE WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FUSE BETWEEN THE IMA BATTERY AND THE 12 VOLT BATTERY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT DID NOT DISCLOSE WHERE THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 105,000.

Mileage: 105,000

MY HONDA CIVIC HYBRID 2007 HAS A RECALL AND HONDA WILL NOT HONOR THE RECALL AND KEEPS TELLING ME THAT NO IT DOES NOT HAVE A RECALL ON IT, I AM MISUNDERSTANDING WHAT I AM READING. THIS PARTICULAR PERSON KEEPS TELLING ME HE CANNOT DO ANYTHING UNTIL HONDA SAYS TO DO IT AND THEY ARE NOT TELLING HIM TO DO THIS.MY IMA LIGHT CAME ON AND I NEED THIS FIXED. I DON'T HAVE THE 5-6 THOUSAND TO FIX IT MYSELF. THANK YOU. *TR

Mileage: 146,000

AFTER HAVING THE IMA BATTERY REPLACED ON MY 2007 CIVIC HYBRID AND GETTING THE SOFTWARE UPDATED, MY CAR HAS NO ACCELERATION AND IS DANGEROUS TO DRIVE. I HAVE DRIVEN THE CAR FOR ALMOST 6 YEARS WITH NO ACCELERATION ISSUES AND NOW THE ENGINE REVS VERY HIGH IN ORDER TO PROVIDE EVEN LIMITED ACCELERATION POWER. I HAVE BEEN TOLD BY MY DEALER THAT THE CAR CHECKS OUT FINE AND AFTER CALLING HONDA WAS TOLD THEY DID NOT KNOW ANYTHING ABOUT THIS, WHEN THERE ARE THOUSANDS OF POSTS ONLINE ABOUT PEOPLE HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE IMA BATTERIES AFTER THE SOFTWARE UPDATE. OTHERS HAVE MENTIONED THEY RECEIVED SIMILAR RESPONSES FROM HONDA WHEN REPORTING SUCH ISSUES, SO SOMETHING IS CLEARLY NOT RIGHT HERE. *TR

ON SEPT 15, '12, I WAS TAKING MY SON AND HIS FRIEND OVER TO HIS COACH'S HOUSE FOR A FOOTBALL PARTY. I ATTEMPTED TO DRIVE UP THE COACH'S DRIVEWAY BUT AT APPROXIMATELY THE HALFWAY POINT, MY HONDA CIVIC HYBRID STOPPED MOVING FORWARD ALTHOUGH THE ACCELERATOR WAS PUSHED TO THE FLOOR. I HAD THE TWO NINE YEAR OLD KIDS EXIT THE VEHICLE BUT IT STILL DID NOT MOVE FORWARD. I SLOWLY BACKED DOWN THE DRIVEWAY AND ATTEMPTED TO ACCELERATE UP THE DRIVEWAY AGAIN, THIS TIME WITH A RUNNING START. AGAIN, MY HONDA CIVIC HYBRID DID NOT MAKE IT UP THE DRIVEWAY. I ESTIMATE THE DRIVEWAY TO BE AT A 30% ANGLE, NOT STEEP BUT DEFINITELY NOT FLAT. AGAIN I SLOWLY BACKED DOWN THE DRIVEWAY AFTER HAVING THE CARS BEHIND ME MOVE OUT OF MY WAY. I PARKED AT THE BOTTOM OF THE DRIVEWAY AND WALKED UP THE HILL, NOT SOMETHING YOU EXPECT TO DO WHEN YOU SPEND A LOT OF MONEY FOR A VEHICLE. ON OCTOBER 3, 2012, I HAD A CERTIFIED HONDA DEALERSHIP EXAMINE THE CAR AS I SUSPECTED THE IMA BATTERY WAS FAULTY. THE DEALER STATED I DID NEED A NEW 12 VOLT BATTERY AND I HAD THE BATTERY REPLACED. THE DEALER STATED THAT WHILE THE IMA BATTERY IS NOT GIVING OUT FULL POWER IT IS AT AN ACCEPTABLE LEVEL. THE DEALER STATED THAT HONDA REFUSES TO REPLACE ANY IMA BATTERY UNLESS IT COMPLETELY FAILS AND THEY HAVE SEEN SEVERAL CIVIC HYBRIDS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. MY CONCERN IS THE ACCELERATION AND LOSS OF POWER BECOMES A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE ON THE HIGHWAYS AND HILLS. I HAVE THREE YOUNG KIDS AND DO NOT FEEL SAFE WITH THEM IN THE CAR. I HAVE ALL SERVICE DOCUMENTATION AND AM WILLING TO LET INVESTIGATORS EXAMINE AND DRIVE MY VEHICLE. ALSO, I CAN PROVIDE THE ADDRESS OF THE DRIVEWAY, THE VEHICLE WAS UNABLE TO MAKE IT UP. PLEASE LOOK INTO THIS ISSUE AS THIS LOSS OF POWER CREATES A SAFETY ISSUE FOR MY FAMILY. *TR

THE HYBRID BATTERY AND CHARGING SYSTEM IS NOT WORKING PROPERLY. IT IS CONSTANTLY FLUCTUATING. THIS IS AFTER THE VARIOUS SOFTWARE UPDATES. I HAVE ALSO SEEN A SIGNIFICANT DROP IN MPG BY MORE THAN 20% THIS IS SINCE THE SOFTWARE UPDATES AND THE IMA SYSTEM NOT WORKING CORRECTLY. I HAVE REVIEWED THE 49 OTHER COMPLAINTS SHOWING IN THE NHTSA SYSTEM AND ALL BUT 3 REFER TO THE SAME OR SIMILAR PROBLEMS WHICH I'M ENCOUNTERING. THE OTHER INTERESTING FACT IS THAT UNLESS THE IMA LIGHT COMES ON HONDA APPEARS TO BE REFUSING TO TAKE ACTION. IT IS CURIOUS THAT IN A NUMBER OF THE CASES THE LIGHT CAME ON HONDA DID THEIR SOFTWARE UPDATE AND THEN THE LIGHT DOESN'T SEEM TO COME ON ANY LONGER EVEN THOUGH INDIVIDUALS CONTINUE TO REPORT THE SAME ISSUES, JUST NO LIGHT, COINCIDENCE I THINK NOT, ITS AMAZING WHAT A FEW TWEAKS IN SOFTWARE CODE CAN ACCOMPLISH TO REDUCE HONDA'S LIABILITY AN KEEP THE IMA SYSTEM LIGHT FROM COMING ON. IT IS MY HOPE THAT SOMEONE AT NHTSA WILL ACTUALLY READ THESE COMPLAINTS AND FOLLOW UP. IT IS ALSO MY HOPE THAT SOMETHING WILL GET DONE BY NHTSA BEFORE ALL OF OUR WARRANTIES OF 8 YEARS OR 80,000 MILES EXPIRE AND HONDA SAYS THAT A REPLACE BATTERY IS OUR COST NOT THEIRS BECAUSE THEY WERE ABLE TO DRAG THIS OUT. THEY HAVE DESIGNED A BAD SYSTEM AND THEY ARE TAKING ACTIONS TO AVOID HAVING TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT!!!!!!!!! *TR

Mileage: 60,000

I PURCHASED THE CAR NEW IN DECEMBER 2007 AND WAS INITIALLY PLEASED. UNFORTUNATELY, THE PERFORMANCE OF THE VEHICLE HAS DECREASED SIGNIFICANTLY, APPARENTLY DUE TO A SOFTWARE UPDATE INSTALLED BY HONDA ON AUGUST 2010 (SEE SERVICE BULLETIN 10-034). HONDA STATES THAT THE SOFTWARE UPDATE WAS INTENDED TO EXTEND THE LIFE OF THE HYBRID BATTERY BUT IS SILENT ABOUT THE OBVIOUS ADVERSE IMPACT ON GAS MILEAGE, POWER, AND EMISSIONS. THE HYBRID INTEGRATED MOTOR ASSIST (IMA) ASSIST IS OPERATING ERRATICALLY SUCH THAT WHEN TRYING TO ACCELERATE (E.G., WHEN MERGING ONTO AN INTERSTATE OR PASSING ON A HIGHWAY) THE CAR MAY HAVE THE EXPECTED RESPONSE OR A VERY LIMITED RESPONSE FROM THE UNASSISTED 1.3 LITER ENGINE. JUST LAST WEEK WHEN I WAS MERGING ONTO AN INTERSTATE ONE TIME THE IMA DID NOT PROVIDE ANY ASSIST AND I WAS CONCERNED DUE TO THE FAST APPROACHING TRAFFIC. I NEVER KNOW WHETHER THE CAR WILL HAVE THE EXPECTED ACCELERATION. THE IMA BEHAVIOR CAN VARY FROM MINUTE TO MINUTE WHILE DRIVING EVEN UNDER THE SAME CONDITIONS. HAS DOT AND NHTSA STUDIED A 2007 CIVIC HYBRID AFTER THE SOFTWARE UPDATE WAS APPLIED? *TR .. UPDATED 08-27-12 *BF UPDATED 08/27/12 UPDATED 10/02/12

THE HONDA CIVIC HYBRID 2007 IS SUDDENLY UNABLE TO ACCELERATE APPROPRIATELY. THIS FAULT IS MOST DANGEROUS WHEN ACCELERATING TO START GOING AFTER RED LIGHTS AND STOP SIGNS, ESPECIALLY ON HILLS. IT IS ALSO NOTICEABLE WHEN ACCELERATING TO MERGE INTO TRAFFIC, THE ACCELERATION PERFORMANCE OF THE HONDA CIVIC HYBRID DECLINED PRECIPITOUSLY AND DANGEROUSLY IMMEDIATELY AFTER HONDA REQUIRED REPLACEMENT OF THE IMA BATTERY AND CONCURRENT NEW SOFTWARE (AT THE HONDA DEALER) IN MARCH. *TR

I BOUGHT MY HONDA CIVIC HYBRID IN MARCH OF 2007. THE CAR WORKED FINE FOR SEVERAL YEARS UNTIL ABOUT 30,000 MILES IN, MY HYBRID BATTERY STARTED TO RANDOMLY DRAIN AND RECHARGE. THE FREQUENCY OF OCCURANCES HAS INCREASED SIGNIFICANTLY TO THE POINT THAT I CAN EXPECT IT TO DRAIN AND RECHARGE ABOUT 1 TO 2 TIMES A DAY. THE WHOLE DRAIN/RECHARGE PROCESS TAKES ABOUT 7 TO 10 MINUTES, AND WITH A 20 MINUTE COMMUTE EACH WAY, I AM SPENDING ABOUT HALF OF THE TIME DRIVING WITHOUT THE ASSIST OF THE BATTERY. THE IMPACT IS AS FOLLOWS: 1) LOWER MPG 2) SIGNIFICANTLY IMPACTED PERFORMANCE TO THE POIN THAT THE CAR IS UNSAFE TO ACCELERATE. THIS CAR WAS NEVER DESIGNED TO BE DRIVEN WITHOUT THE ASSIST OF THE BATTERY. IT IS TOO SLOW. EVEN WITH THE BATTERY ASSIST, IT IS ALREADY ONE OF THE SLOWEST CARS ON THE ROAD, WITHOUT IT IT BECOMES DANGEROUS. THERE HAS BEEN A COUPLE OF TIMES WHERE I HAD TO MERGE AND ACCELERATE HARD, AND THE CAR WOULD BARELY MOVE. THE GUY BEHIND ME HAD TO SLAM ON THE BRAKES IN ORDER NOT TO CRASH INTO MY CAR. I NOW HAVE 55,000 MILES ON THE CAR AND HAVE BEEN TO THE DEALERSHIP SEVERAL TIMES. THEY RECOGNIZED THE ISSUE, BUT SAID THAT UNLESS SOMETHING COMES UP ON THE DISPLAY (WARNINGS, ERRORS, ALERTS), THEY CANNOT DO ANYTHING TO FIX THE PROBLEM. I AM REPORTING THIS PROBLEM BECAUSE I WANT HONDA TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR A DESIGN DEFECT THAT IS A MAJOR SAFETY CONCERN. *TR

Mileage: 32,000

THIS VEHICLE IS NOT SAFE FOR HIGHWAY OR CITY DRIVING. IT DECELERATES WHEN YOU NEED POWER, MAKING IT VERY DANGEROUS TO MERGE IN HIGH SPEED OR HEAVY TRAFFIC CONDITIONS. IN THE SUMMER WHEN THE A/C IS RUNNING, ACCELERATION IS EXTREMELY UNRELIABLE. THE DRIVER'S SIDE HAS SEVERE BLIND SPOTS. I HAVE ALSO EXPERIENCED LONG DELAYS IN THE ENGINE RESTARTING AFTER PULLING OUT INTO TRAFFIC FROM A DEAD STOP AT LIGHTS OR STOP SIGNS. I HAVE NEARLY BEEN HIT BY ONCOMING TRAFFIC -- PLANNING FOR ADEQUATE GAPS IN TRAFFIC IS A CHALLENGE AND VERY DIFFERENT FROM THE OTHER VEHICLES I DRIVE. I AM AN EXPERIENCED DRIVER WITH OVER 37 YEARS BEHIND THE WHEEL AND AN EXCELLENT DRIVING RECORD. I HAVE OWNED 4 HONDAS AND THIS SO-CALLED HYBRID HAS BEEN AN ENGINEERING DISASTER. *TR

Mileage: 33,282

HONDA ASKED ME TO APPLY THE CIVIC HYBRID BATTERY PACK SOFTWARE UPGRADE PATCH SOMETIME END OF 2010.AFTER APPLYING THE PATCH THE MILEAGE ON THE CAR WENT DOWN FROM 45-49MPG TO 35-40MPG AND ALSO REDUCED ACCELERATION FROM A RED LIGHT OR STOP SIGN - CAR JUST DRAGS TO GET ACCELERATED. COMPLAINED TO HONDA DEALER MANY TIMES AND THEY KEEP TELLING ME ITS THE WAY IM DRIVING AND NOTHING WRONG WITH THE CAR. I HAVE ALSO JOINED THE HONDA CIVIC HYBRID CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT. THIS IS ABSOLUTELY UN-ACCEPTABLE TO GIVE FALSE INFORMATION TO THE CUSTOMER WHILE SELLING THE PRODUCT AND I FEEL CHEATED. *TR

HAD IMA FAILURE (2009) WHERE VEHICLE WOULDN'T EXCEED 20 MPH. PARKED VEHICLE, REQUIRED JUMPSTART & BUT WAS TOWED HOME ~25 MILES. JUMPED CAR AGAIN W/ NO IMA; DROVE 2 LOS GATOS HONDA. IMA TROUBLE FIXED; EXPLANATION NOT SPECIFIC. UNBEKNOWNST 2 ME, OTHER DRIVERS HAD SAME TROUBLE & HONDA WAS (HEARSAY) AWARE OF IT. NEVER RECEIVED RECALL NOTICE 4 DRIVER WINDOW (FIXED SAME VISIT) OR RECALL 4 REAR SUSP. (FOUND OUT ABOUT 3-YR OLD RECALL BY A BLOG BACK IN FEBRUARY 2012). HONDA PERFORMED BATTERY "FIX" THAT WAS 2 MAKE CAR BETTER, IT HASN'T. CAR HAS REFUSED 2 AUTO-STOP & HAS GAS ENGINE POWER (SIGNIFICANTLY < THE GAS ONLY HC) ONLY 4 MANY MONTHS AS CHARGING/DISCHARGING OF IMA BATTERY HAS BEEN ERRATIC. EVERY DAY STATE-OF-CHARGE (SOC) GOES 2 TWO BARS W/IN A 1/2MILE = NO AUTO-STOP OR IMA ASSIST GETTING ON2 FREEWAY. AFTER 3-4MILES, IMA BACK 2 7-8 BARS & WILL BE BACK DOWN 2 < 4 BARS & NO IMA ASSIST AGAIN ONCE OR TWICE MORE ON REMAINDER OF DRIVE HOME. THIS NEVER HAPPENED PRE "FIX", NEVER! HAVE 2 TEENAGERS WHO DRIVE CAR ON OCCASION & ALSO MY WIFE & 8 & 3 YEAR OLD CHILDREN WHO RIDE IN CAR ALSO. W/O AMPLE POWER, CAN B HAZRDOUS 4 THESE DRIVERS & PASSENGERS. CAR ISN'T AS RELIABLE & EFFICIENT AS PRIOR 2 "FIX". I'M WORRIED I HAVE 2 WAIT 4 A TOTAL FAILURE 2 HAVE IT REPLACED. THAT'S THE ULTIMATE DANGER! HONDA WON'T RETURN CAR 2 PRE "FIX" CONDITION, SAID A PERMANENT SOFTWARE FIX. NO PASSING POWER IN MIDDLE OF COMMUTE (30 MILES EACH WAY) CAN B DISCONCERTING. "FIX" MADE CAR UNSAFE DEPENDING ON BATTERY SOC & SHOULD HAVE R2'D BATTERY PACK NOT DO WORKAROUND LEAVING POTENTIAL 4 MISHAP OR WORSE. READING ABOUT CLASS ACTION THAT HONDA MADE ME AWARE OF, I'M NOT ALONE IN THIS CONCERN & HONDA SHOULDN'T B ALLOWED 2 STATE CAR IS SAFE BCUZ THEY'RE AWARE THEIR "FIX" WAS A BAND-AID 2 GET OWNER OUT OF WARRANTY PERIOD. HONDA IS REFUSING 2 REPLACE BATTERY UNTIL THERE IS A COMPLETE, ABSOLUTE FAILURE. THAT'S NOT SAFE! *TR

Mileage: 92,000

I PURCHASED A NEW 07 HONDA CIV HYBRID AND FROM THE START NEVER GOT CLOSE TO THE MPG AS ADVERTISED.I HAD THE CAR LOOKED AT BY HONDA DEALER MULTIPLE TIMES AND THEY VERY FOUND ANYTHING WRONG AND WOULD COMMENT THAT CAR WAS WITHIN SPEC. 21/2 YEARS LATER AND IN THE SUMMER I EXPERIENCED WHEN THE I WAS IN HEAVY TRAFFIC AND HIGH TEMPERATURE WITH ALL ELECTRICAL OPTIONS ON AC,NAV,RADIO, ETC. THE HYBRID BATTERY WOULD DRAIN AND NOT KEEP CHARGE AND THE CAR WOULD OPERATE SLUGGISH, NO POWER, NO ACCELERATION AND BASICALLY UNSAFE TO DRIVE. TH CAR DROVE THAT IT HAD RUN OUT OF GAS.I EXPERIENCED THIS 3X IN 2 WEEKS AS I WAS EXPLORING AND DOCUMENTING THE SYMPTOMS.I TOOK IT BACK TO THE DEALER AND IT WAS THE TIME OF THE SOFTWARE UPDATE.THEY UPDATED THE SOFTWARE AND THEY WOULD NOT REPLACE THE BATTERIES EVEN THOUGH WE INDIRECTLY AGREED (DEALER MECHANIC DID BUT NOT HONDA CORPORATE..SINCE THEY DECLINED TO REPLACE BATTERY) OVER TIME THAT THE BATTERY HAD DEGRADED DUE TO DESIGN FLAW.AFTER THE SOFTWARE UPDATE THE CAR DRIVING CHARACTERISTICS CHANGES.ENGINE IDLES AT HIGHER RMP (HIGHER KEEPS THE BATTERY BETTER CHARGED), THE POWER TO PASS A VEHICLE ON THE HIGHWAY (MY WIFE WOULD PRESS ON THE ACCELERATOR TO PASS A CAR ON THE HIGHWAY AND THE CAR DID NOT RESPOND ALMOST CAUSING ACCIDENTS). CONSIDERS IT UNSAFE AND REFUSES TO DRIVE IT AND PUT KIDS IN IT.I HAD DE ALER LOOK A IT FOR A FEW DAYS WORKING WITH THE HONDA TECHNICAL TEAM. FINAL ASSESSMENT WAS DID NOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG AND IT IS DRIVING WITHIN SPEC.HOW CAN THAT BE?THE CAR NO LONGER HAS POWER, CANNOT DEPENDENTLY PASS OR OVERCOME A CAR ON THE HIGHWAY IN NORMAL DRIVING SPEEDS AND WHEN YOU STRESS IT TRAFFIC ON A HOT DAY AND RUN THE NORMAL EQUIPMENT AC THE CAR FEELS LIKE IT IS RUNNING OUT OF GAS AND THE HYBRID BATTERIES ARE NOT CHARGING AND ARE NOT OPERATING THE CAR AS YOU WOULD EXPECT A CAR TO OPERATE.THE SOFTWARE UPDATE MADE THE CAR WORST.THE CAR IS UNSAFE! *TR

THE HONDA CIVIC HYBRID IMA SYSTEM HAS BEEN INCONSISTENT AND A WORRY SINCE I BOUGHT THE CAR. THE CHARGE LEVEL VARIES WILDLY WITHIN MINUTES, RELEASING THE BRAKING CHARGE MODE UNEXPECTEDLY WHILE TRAVELING DOWNHILL, RESULTING IN RAPID ACCELERATION. WHILE GOING UPHILL THE IMA SYSTEM SUDDENLY SHOWS NO CHARGE AND THE ENGINE IS UNABLE TO KEEP THE CAR'S SPEED CONSTANT, RESULTING IN RAPID DECELERATION. THE SOFTWARE UPDATE THAT WAS SAID TO FIX THESE PROBLEMS RESULTING IN NO CHANGE TO THE PROBLEMS BUT A CONSIDERABLE REDUCTION IN MPG. THE ENGINE REFUSES TO STOP AT RED LIGHTS AND INSTEAD REMAINS AT IDLE - WASTING GAS. I HAVE SERVICE RECORDS COVERING THE ENTIRE HISTORY OF THIS CAR WHICH DOCUMENTS MY CONCERNS AND COMPLAINTS. THE HONDA SERVICE DEPARTMENT WAS NEVER ABLE TO FIND ANY PROBLEMS WITH THE IMA. I CONTINUE TO DRIVE THIS CAR BUT AM CONCERNED FOR MY SAFETY AND THE CAR'S RELIABILITY. ANYTHING YOU CAN DO TO HELP IDENTIFY AND REMEDY THE IMA PROBLEM WILL BE GREATLY APPRECIATED. *TR

Mileage: 7,539

MY WIFE OWNS A 2007 HONDA CIVIC HYBRID. I HAD THE SOFTWARE UPDATE DONE ON MY CAR IN 2010. SINCE THE UPDATE, THE CAR HAS NOT IDLED WHEN I BRING THE CAR TO A STOP, INSTEAD IT MOVES LITTLE FURTHER, AND THERE IS THAT DANGER OF HITTING THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME. ALSO, ONCE THE VEHICLE COMES TO A STOP, AND I START MOVING AGAIN, THE CAR GOES BACKWARDS A LITTLE. IF THE CAR BEHIND ME IS VERY CLOSE TO MY REAR BUMPER, THIS HONDA CIVIC HYBRID CAR WOULD ACTUALLY HIT THE CAR IN THE BACK. *TR

Mileage: 75,000

WE OWN A 2007 HONDA CIVIC HYBRID. WE STRONGLY BELIEVE THIS CAR IS UNSAFE. IN 2010 WE BROUGHT THE CAR INTO A HONDA DEALER AFTER THE IMA LIGHT CAME ON. INSTEAD OF REPLACING A BAD HYBRID BATTERY, THE DEALER INSTEAD "UPGRADED" THE IMA SOFTWARE. AS A RESULT, THE CAR HAS LOST MILEAGE. BUT FAR MORE IMPORTANTLY, IT HAS LOST ANY ACCELERATION. THE SOFTWARE DOESN'T USE THE IMA (ELECTRIC BOOSTER MOTOR) IN A MANNER THAT PROVIDES ANY ACCELERATION TO THE CAR. IN FACT, AS BEST AS WE CAN TELL, THE IMA (INTEGRATED MOTOR ASSIST) IS MOSTLY TURNED OFF. SO WE HAVE A SMALLER COMBUSTION ENGINE THAN THE CONVENTIONAL HONDA CIVIC DOING THE WORK OF WHAT SHOULD BE TWO ENGINES. THE PRIMARY AND BOOSTER. WE CONSTANTLY HAVE A DIFFICULT TIME IN GAINING FREEWAY SPEED TO PROPERLY MERGE ONTO THE HIGHWAY. THIS IS IMPOSSIBLE IF THE ON RAMP IS ON A HILL OR INCLINE. WE HAVE HAD SEVERAL CLOSE CALLS AND NEAR ACCIDENTS. AS A RESULT WE FIRMLY BELIEVE THIS CAR IS UN-SAFE. WE URGE YOU TO OPEN UP A SAFETY INVESTIGATION INTO THE 2007 HONDA CIVIC HYBRID. IF THESE HYBRID BATTERIES WERE REPLACED, AS THEY SHOULD HAVE BEEN UNDER WARRANTY, THIS CAR WOULD NOT HAVE A SAFETY ACCELERATION PROBLEM. HONDA REFUSES TO DO SO. WE NEED YOUR HELP. SINCERELY, *TR

Mileage: 52,000

THERE IS A POTENTIAL FOR THE VOLTAGE CONVERTER THAT RELAYS POWER FROM THE INTEGRATED MOTOR ASSIST (IMA) SYSTEM TO THE VEHICLE'S ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS TO FAIL. .A CVT DOESN'T ACTUALLY HAVE GEARS, SO THE SYSTEM USES ELECTRONICS TO DIRECT THE TRANSMISSION TO UP- OR DOWNSHIFT IN SPECIFIC WAYS WHEN A DRIVER HITS A PADDLE.BATTERY LOSES CHARGE SUDDENLY AND POWER IS SIGNIFICANTLY LOST TO THE POINT WHERE ACCELERATION IS NOT POSSIBLE. THIS HAS CREATED SEVERAL UNSAFE DRIVING CONDITION IN HIGHWAY AND EXPRESSWAY ENTRANCES, AS I CAN NOT GET IN SAFELY OR MAINTAIN SAFE SPEED DURING DRIVING. THIS INCIDENT HAS REPEATED MANY TIMES IN THE PAST THREE YEARS. BATTERY INDICATOR DROPS TO ZERO BAR OR ONE BAR AND POWER IS LOST SIGNIFICANTLY. SLUGGISH TO POOR ACCELERATION, ESPECIALLY IN HIGHWAY MERGE SITUATIONS PLACING OWNER IS DANGEROUS SITUATIONS. WHEN BATTERY CHARGED AT LEAST 50%, ACCELERATION IS ACCEPTABLE AS THE IMA ASSIST IN ACCELERATION.THE VEHICLE'S HYBRID IMA SYSTEM (INTEGRATED MOTOR ASSIST) HAS BEEN STEADILY DETERIORATING THE HYBRID BATTERY SYSTEM MUST RECHARGE SO FREQUENTLY THAT BATTERY ASSIST IS AVAILABLE LESS THAN HALF THE TIME. WHEN ASSIST IS UNAVAILABLE, ACCELERATION IS DANGEROUSLY LOW, MAKING COMMON DRIVING SITUATIONS SUCH AS LEFT TURNS, FREEWAY ONRAMPS, AND MERGING INTO TRAFFIC UNPREDICTABLE AND QUITE HAZARDOUS. HONDA'S ONLY RESPONSE HAS BEEN A SERIES OF INEFFECTIVE SOFTWARE UPDATES. HONDA WILL NOT REPLACE THE BATTERY UNDER WARRANTY UNLESS A WARNING LIGHT APPEARS. YET EVEN THE CURRENT SEVERELY DEGRADED PERFORMANCE OF THE BATTERY DOES NOT TRIGGER THAT WARNING LIGHT. I HAVE BEEN IN SEVERAL NEAR MISS SITUATIONS WHEN ACCELERATION WAS SO SLUGGISH THAT I WAS NEARLY UNABLE TO EVADE A DANGEROUS TRAFFIC SITUATION. *TR

WHEN PULLING OUT ONTO A BUSY 55 MPH HIGHWAY FROM A SIDE STREET, MY CAR UNEXPECTEDLY WAS UNABLE TO PROVIDE ANY ELECTRICAL PROPULSION FROM THE HYBRID MOTOR. THE HYBRID BATTERY STATE OF CHARGE INDICATOR WAS AT 6 OUT OF 8 BARS OF BATTERY LEVEL WHILE WAITING AT THE STOP SIGN, BUT WHEN THE DEMAND FOR ELECTRICAL ASSIST WAS GIVEN, THE BATTERY LEVEL IMMEDIATELY DROPPED TO 2 OUT OF 8 BARS AND PROVIDED LITTLE OR NO HYBRID MOTOR ASSIST. MY VEHICLE STRUGGLED TO ACCELERATE UP TO SPEED OF ONCOMING TRAFFIC, EVEN WITH THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL DEPRESSED ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR (WIDE OPEN THROTTLE). LUCKILY, THE ONCOMING TRAFFIC WAS ABLE TO REACT QUICKLY ENOUGH TO AVOID A COLLISION, BUT I DO NOT FEEL SAFE PUTTING MYSELF AND OTHER MOTORISTS AT RISK LIKE THIS. THIS VEHICLE WAS NEVER DESIGNED TO OPERATE SOLELY ON THE GASOLINE ENGINE, AS IT IS UNDER-POWERED BY DESIGN AND DEPENDENT ON ASSISTANCE FROM THE ELECTRIC MOTOR. THE CAR HAS SINCE HAD SEVERAL OCCASIONS WHERE THE BATTERY LEVEL HAS UNPREDICTABLY DROPPED AND LACKED HYBRID ELECTRIC ASSIST. MY MAIN SAFETY CONCERN ARISES NOT ONLY FROM THIS LACK OF PROPULSION FROM THE DESIGNED MANUFACTURER'S SPECIFICATIONS, BUT IN THE UNPREDICTABILITY OF TO WHAT MAGNITUDE THE ACCELERATION IS AFFECTED. USUALLY THE VEHICLE OPERATES CORRECTLY AND IS ABLE TO PROVIDE AT LEAST SOME ELECTRIC ASSIST, AS PREDICTED AND INTENDED. HOWEVER, IT IS THE RARE AND UNPREDICTABLE OCCASION THAT IT DOES NOT THAT COULD LEAD TO A SERIOUS ACCIDENT. *TR

Mileage: 44,067

CONTACT OWNS A 2007 HONDA CIVIC HYBRID. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING UP A HILL, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO HESITATE AND THE RPMS INCREASED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 60,000. THE CONSUMER STATED THE ISSUE INVOLVES LACK OF POWER AND ACCELERATION. WHICH WAS CAUSED BY A SOFTWARE UPDATE ISSUED BY HONDA. HONDA IS HAVING AN ISSUE WITH THE BATTERIES DYING PREMATURELY. THE UPDATE THAT WAS INSTALLED TURNED OFF THE ASSISTING ELECTRIC MOTOR TO SAVE THE BATTERY. THUS, RESULTING IN LOWER MILES PER GALLON AND THE LACK OF POWER AND ACCELERATION. *TR

THE CAR BECAME UNSAFE TO DRIVE FOLLOWING HONDA'S SOFTWARE UPDATE 10-034. ALL OWNERS WERE ASKED TO HAVE THE UPDATE PERFORMED TO PREVENT HYBRID PACK DETERIORATION. THE LETTER LISTED MULTIPLE SITUATIONS IN WHICH HYBRID ASSIST AND BRAKING WILL BE REDUCED. AS A RESULT OF THE UPDATE THE CAR HAS MARKEDLY REDUCED ASSIST, AND AT UNPREDICTABLE TIMES NO ASSIST WHATSOEVER. AT LEAST ONCE A DAY, AT A RANDOM TIME, BATTERY SOC DROPS TO 2 BARS, ALL ASSIST IS DISABLED AND THEN THE SO-CALLED RECALIBRATION IS PERFORMED WHERE THE CAR FULLY CHARGES THE BATTERY TO 5 BARS, THEN JUMPS TO FULL 8 . ON AVERAGE THAT LAST ABOUT 8-10 MINUTES AS DOCUMENTED IN MULTIPLE YOUTUBE VIDEOS ON THE SUBJECT. DURING ALL THAT TIME NO ASSIST IS AVAILABLE, AND ADDITIONAL GAS ENGINE POWER IS BEING USED TO CHARGE THE PACK. THE GAS MILEAGE SUFFERS AS WELL AS I AM DRIVING AT 3-4K RPM INSTEAD OF THE USUAL 1-2K.. I'VE EXPERIENCED MULTIPLE SITUATIONS WHERE SUCH A DROP HAPPENS WHEN TRYING TO MERGE ON AN UPHILL HIGHWAY WITH VEHICLES BEHIND ME ALMOST REAR-ENDING ME WHILE I AM FLOORING THE GAS PEDAL. I'VE HAD THAT HAPPEN BEFORE LEFT TURN WHEN AFTER A QUICK GLANCE ON THE GAUGE AND SEEING IT FULL, I'D START TURNING ONLY TO SEE THE PACK DROP AND THE CAR SLOW DOWN SIGNIFICANTLY. A RELATED PROBLEM IS REDUCED/UNPREDICTABLE BRAKING. WHEN THE BATTERY IS COLD AND THE CAR IDLES HIGHER THAN USUALLY, ALL REGENERATIVE BRAKING IS DISABLED AND IT TAKES A SIGNIFICANT EFFORT FROM THE DRIVER TO STOP THE CAR. MULTIPLE COMPLAINTS TO THE DEALER WERE MET WITH "OPERATING AS DESIGNED" AND "THE UPDATE DOES REDUCE THE POWER". LATELY, I'VE BEEN SIMPLY REFERRED TO BECOME A PARTY OF CLASS ACTION SUIT AGAINST HONDA, AS THE DEALERSHIP IS UNABLE TO HELP WITH ANYTHING LISTED IN THAT SUIT. AS A SUMMARY, THE CAR HAS UNPREDICTABLE LOSSES OF BRAKING AND ACCELERATION AND A MARKEDLY REDUCED MILEAGE WHICH UNDOUBTEDLY VIOLATES EPA RULES. *TR

Mileage: 45,845

BOUGHT 2007 CIVIC HONDA HYBRID ON FEB2,2007. I WAS TOLD 50 MILES/GALLON,BUT IT AVERAGES ONLY 34 MILES/GALLON. A SIGN SHOWED UP 'IMR' ON THE PANEL,TOOK THE VEHICLE TO DEALER. HE TOLD IMR BATTERY NEEDS TO BE REPLACED AND WILL COST ME $2800.00. CAR IS ONLY 5 YEARS OLD. I FEEL IT`S A RIP OFF BY HONDA. THEY SHOULD COMPENSATE. *TR

Mileage: 88,000

BATTERY LOSES CHARGE SUDDENLY AND POWER IS SIGNIFICANTLY LOST TO THE POINT WHERE ACCELERATION IS NOT POSSIBLE. THIS HAS CREATED SEVERAL UNSAFE DRIVING CONDITION IN HIGHWAY AND EXPRESSWAY ENTRANCES, AS I CAN NOT GET IN SAFELY OR MAINTAIN SAFE SPEED DURING DRIVING. THIS INCIDENT HAS REPEATED MANY TIMES IN THE PAST THREE YEARS. BATTERY INDICATOR DROPS TO ZERO BAR OR ONE BAR AND POWER IS LOST SIGNIFICANTLY. *TR

Mileage: 22,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 HONDA CIVIC HYBRID. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING UP A HILL, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO HESITATE AND THE RPMS INCREASED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 60,000. THE CONSUMER STATED THE ISSUE INVOLVES LACK OF POWER AND ACCELERATION. WHICH WAS CAUSED BY A SOFTWARE UPDATE ISSUED BY HONDA. HONDA IS HAVING AN ISSUE WITH THE BATTERIES DYING PREMATURELY. THE UPDATE THAT WAS INSTALLED TURNED OFF THE ASSISTING ELECTRIC MOTOR TO SAVE THE BATTERY. THUS, RESULTING IN LOWER MILES PER GALLON AND THE LACK OF POWER AND ACCELERATION. UPDATED 10/03/11

Mileage: 60,000