Alternator/generator/regulator Problems of Honda Civic - part 1

Re. 2015 Honda Civic-ex (VIN #: 19xfb2f85fe251724) dear sir, our referenced car has had numerous defects and deficiencies and is currently inoperable. While we've had to repair the car on numerous occasions within the past couple of years, what has occurred within the past 6 months has been nothing short of a nightmare experience; starting in February and continuing to the present day. There is something structurally wrong with the Honda Civic as there appears to be oem systems and components related defects and malfunctions that are unusual, anomalous and totally abnormal. In one instance, the car became very erratic and was shaking and aerodynamically unstable and it almost lost control, as the steering column became very rigid/stiff and was not able to initially rotate/torque the steering wheel to negotiate certain corner turns. Numerous dashboard lights flashed simultaneously including, but not limited to, check engine sign, vsa, tpms, hsas, power steering malfunction, exclamation sign, etc. We've replaced the alternator ii) replaced the battery five times; and iii) conducted the requisite alignment adjustments and tire pressure and rotation applications and other related repairs, etc. None of the above repairs fixed the root causes of the problem. We're not able to open the car doors at the present time as the vehicle is not in an operational mode. This car is potentially a "lemon" and frankly whatever turns-out to be the root cause of the problem(s), this model vehicle should be a candidate for a recall. Please do the right thing and take the necessary corrective actions to have Honda satisfactorily resolve this matter ASAP and we request NHTSA to report this incident so that it doesn't happen to another driver as this is a safety issue. Thank you for your prompt and professional cooperation. Sincerely, john daiza.

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My elderly mother has had multiple issues with the electrical system on her 2012 Honda Civic 4-door lx sedan. She keeps getting the �check charging system� warning lamp on dash. In the past few months two new start batteries have had to be replaced, and a check of the alternator charging system last time indicated the alternator was good. Here's the underlying issue. . . The cabling from battery to multiple locations throughout the vehicle has been non-stopped chewed on by rodents! has Honda produced these model cars with some sort of electrical cable insulation material that rodents are attracted too? Honda should replace any and or all damaged electrical cables! this is terrible what my mom is going through and the dealer (waldorf maryland Honda) just wants to stall and try to �patch� up some of the chewed cables, all while doing a horrific job with some sort of electrical tape!!!! come on now Honda is this how you treat customers???? elderly customers that don't know anything about cars? shame on you!.

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Car would not be able to start without a jump for months. Got 2 new batteries. 3 new alternators. Kept happening. Now I must keep headlights on at all times, even in the brightest daylight, or else battery will begin to lose charge again.

Car just randomly died while traveling on the road. Happened few times within the last four months- this is totally unwnated and painful ordeal. No issue with battery nothing wrong with alternator and everything just as good for a 2014 Civic but wtf moment did take place and I am so helpless about what to do with it, dealers are also speechless as I did two diagnosis . . . . Dont.

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An electrical burning smell while driving approx 45 mph turned out to be the master power window regulator and the fuse. I have read several forums online stating the same issues, but no one knows the cause. Very scary.

See all problems of the 2001 Honda Civic 🔎.

Rodents ate through wiring between alternator and battery. Determined that Honda changed to soy based material to coat wiring on all 2012-2015 Civic models. The soy based formula becomes heated and attracts the rodents when parked. The problem is pervasive and dangerous since electrical wiring and harnesses to all major engine components are affected.

See all problems of the 2013 Honda Civic 🔎.

The vechile will randomly not start everything would have power and the lights will turn on but the car will start the lights on the dashboard will flicker and make weird noises. Also would get abs vsa tpms and brake light warning while trying to start and then when you jump start it, it would work again. Dealer checked the car and said everything is fine battery checks good and alternator as well but the car keeps doing it and has left me down on the road 4 times in I last 3 months I need Honda to fix this !!!!!!!!!.

My car was working just fine. One morning I went outside to start my car, next thing I know it wouldn't turn over. My dashboard worked, but the car wouldn't start. My car was parked overnight. I called my roadside assistance and they came out and gave me a jump. As soon as the car was turned off it would not cut back on. He jumped it again and told me that my alternator and battery were both bad, and that my car would not start back up on its on. Sure enough it did not. My car has been down for almost a week now. I purchased it may 2012, and I have never had any problems with it until now. I looked online and I saw that there were several other people that were having the same problem.

Battery will not charge, alternator and battery issues. Does not want to charge the battery most of the times. This ecco mode and charging system, must be the issue. I am a mechanical engineer, licensed.

While driving my battery light came on the dashboard. I took it to the nearest autozone to get the battery checked. They checked the battery and the manager of autozone told me it was not the battery but the alternator not giving the car enough power. He told me not to drive it to long or I could get stranded. I was near a relatives house, while driving to my relatives house my a/c and radio which were on at the time turned off, and several lights of the dashboard came on. I was panicked but made it safely to my relatives house. A mechanic came to my relatives house, and discovered that there was a short-circuit, the wires were burnt and caused the alternator to crack. The mechanic said to me in shock that my vehicle could have exploded. The wires which are 'the engine wiring harness' had caught fire at the tip which connects to the alternator. The car could have caught fire.

See all problems of the 2006 Honda Civic 🔎.

The contact owns a 2004 Honda Civic. The contact stated that the passenger's side front window, rear passenger's side window, and rear driver's side window seized in the open and closed positions on several occasions. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the passenger's side front window regulator needed to be replaced however, the cause of the failure on the rear windows was inconclusive. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 130,000.

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Back in November 2014, I changed out my headlights. They seemed to be working fine until recent. Last week my srs and my battery light would flicker on and off. My headlights then blew out. I replaced the bulbs and checked the fuses. Less than one day later, my lights blew out again. I changed my battery and the alternator out within the last year. I am thinking that there must be a short in the wires somewhere, but not sure. I am sure this problem is going to cost several hundreds of dollars. There have been other issues in the past such as the radio having to be reset even though the battery was never disconnected. Power locks are erratic as sometimes they work and sometimes they don't. The last couple of points are further examples of potential wiring issues. This writing is as of 02/16/2015.

See all problems of the 1999 Honda Civic 🔎.

When I go out to start my vehicle it will not turn over. I have had the battery tested, alternator, harness but have been assured that these test out positive. I went online and read that a lot of people with 2012 Honda Civics are having the same experience and go through the same process as I with no relief. Some describe situations that are more frightening than mine such as driving along and all the panel lights come on and then die and the car quits.

Ever since I bought the Honda Civic 2012, I've had problems. The first problem is the air bags turning on and off. Apparently, the air bags turn off if a child/someone is under 100 pounds. However, all my previous ex's were around 110 pounds, so the airbags turn off or on. I would hate to have one of my girlfriends die because of a crash where the airbag did not go off. Second problem: the car will not start multiple of times! I had my battery checked multiple times and it is not the alternator, either! apparently the steering wheel problem or the security system drains the battery. I had to buy a rechargeable battery and jumper cables which I carrry in my trunk because I am tired of calling my insurance company or security at that location to jump start my car.

I got a recall notice (Nov. 2012) about 2003 Honda Civic's headlights failing. About a week later in the early morning as I was going to work, my car headlights failed as I left my driveway. I left the car at home and took another. On return from work I found both headlights out, no blown fuses, heater fan not working, both abs and brake panel lights on. I scheduled repair at o'hare Honda, des plaines, IL. I arrived at the service dept. With recall notice and also to have additional maintenance services. I left the car for them to work on it. Repair work done on invoice #410741 dated Nov. 19, 2012. The service writer called me the next day and told me the brake light repair required the master cylinder to be replaced. I ok'd major work. Service writer called back to say the abs module needed to be replaced too. I ok'd that repair at large cost also. When I picked up my car the service writer told me they "put in a free alternator as that too was bad". The headlight repair cost $1,877. 77 ($1,326. 17 for parts + $551. 60 labor). I have been thinking about this repair and have come to the conclusion that the voltage regulator on the alternator failed and put a large surge on the electrical system of the car. This surge "fried" the electrics on the two brake parts and burned out the headlights. The "free" alternator should have been the clue to the cause of the problem. I don't understand why some device can not be installed into the electrical wiring system of the car to prevent this expensive and potentially dangerous failure. The final problem with this repair was that I had to immediately return to the dealer to have them install new headlight bulbs as they must not have checked them and they were still burned out. So much for quality control.

See all problems of the 2003 Honda Civic 🔎.

Battery drains off after car sets for a few days. Will start up normally but the battery looses charge as you drive even though the alternator is putting out charge. After you stop the car and turn it off it will not start again. Car stutters at stops due to low battery. Risk that the battery can fail and the car can lose power while being driven.

My 2006 Honda Civic lx clock light and heater keeps going out then the speedometer lights go off and it completely dies on me. I had the battery and alternator checked at 4 different places and they all said it powers up good. I was told it was my ignition switch.

We were driving around running errands on a 75 degree weather. We were on the road when the car just all of a sudden downshifted. The engine light came on. So, we went to mcdonalds to let the car cool down, lifting the hood. An advanced auto zone was right across the street. After a bit, we took it over, therer. They tested it and said it wasn't the engine at all; battery, alternator, etc. They then told us to take it the auto parts store and have them test it with their tools because they didn't have the correct tool needed to do the particular test needed done. So, we limped the car down the road. We explained the problem, they got their computer tester out and came up with several different codes. The funny thing is, after about 1/2 an hour, after the codes were tested, the engine light went off. We called our mechanic and got an appointment for him to test it and see what was going on. He found a used emc computer chip/component and replaced the old one. When we got the car back, we heard this awful noise that we hadn't heard. We were told it was the exhaust manifold, that it would be noisy and would get worse over time. Now, we can't drive it too far without it downshifting. The hot air just gets to it. We are on a very fixed income. This is my husband's car. He is disabled. All we have is his disability. We also have 3 1/2 year old son. I don't feel safe driving it with my son in the car because it has been hot over the summer we can't run the a/c because that just exacerbates the situation. I think there should be a recall because my husband bought this car because he thought it was a reliable car. We have spoken to the Honda dealer about it. They don't seem to care. We have had to use my '97 pontiac grand am. It has had issues too. Our mechanic said there has been no recall as of yet. We have called junk yards and looked on line. Who can afford something like this? well, his sister had the same issue with hers.

Alternator and battery failed simultaneously - while driving car to garage for repair, engine cut out completely and I was unable to use hazard flashers to signal danger (and could not open electric windows to use hand signals). I don't think this is specific to the Honda Civic but this seems like a real safety hazard. Emergency battery backup for hazard flashers might be a good idea for future designs.

Windows regulator burnt out while driving car. No sign of moisture or anything. Low quality switch.

While drving the vehicle, the engine just quits. There is no stuttering, stalling, or engine misfires, it quietly just quits. The radio, heater fan, brake lights still work but not the signal lights. This has happened many times, including while driving on the highway and busy state roads, creating havoc and extremely dangerous stituations as other cars swerve and angrily honk horns to avoid a collision. When I finally come a stop and try to re-start, it immediately re-starts and runs okay. It is impossible to predict when it will quit - weather and road conditions are not consistent when it fails each time. My mechanic first replaced the alternator but the problem continues. I did a web search and saw that there is a Honda recall for this exact same problem and other worktwo Honda dealers had no idea what to do other than to with Honda Civics and other models, including 1998. Unfortunately, my Honda dealer said that my VIN number is not included in the recall, even though the potentially fatal defect my car has with the ignition switch is the same basis for the Honda ignition switch recall issued in 2002.

See all problems of the 1998 Honda Civic 🔎.

I own a 2001 Honda Civic lx. I purchased the vehicle overseas from a civilian employee of the united states army. This person had purchased the vehicle from the original owner. On or about 12 July 2009 my wife and I were in the vehicle when I noticed the distinct odor of an electrical short coming from the steering column. The next day, my wife saw puffs of smoke coming from the steering column and a much stronger odor associated with an electrical short. The problem was diagnosed by a local garage in schertz, TX and exactly matches the symptoms of the following recall Feb 24, 2004 | recall id# 75776. The complaint goes beyond the initial electrical problem as my wife attempted to bring this to the attention of both a local Honda dealer, gilman Honda in selma, TX and to Honda. Com via their customer service hotline. Both entities stated words to the affect of "that VIN doesn't exist. " through investigation, we discovered that Honda dropped the VIN once the vehicle shipped overseas as part of the military new car sales program. Neither entity, either the local dealer or Honda USA made any attempt to resolve this very serious safety matter. This is a potential problem for any military service member that purchases an american car while stationed overseas and needs some regulatory agency to mandate a fix.

Owner of a 2005 Honda Civic lx four-door. Having 62,000 miles on it, the car would not start. After bringing the car into the union park dealership here in wilmington, delaware, they told me that my alternator needed to be replaced. Total cost for replacement was $448. 00. I believe it is totally unreasonable that the alternator should have to be replaced at 62,000 miles, was very costly to have the repair done, and as a result has left me out of funds to have routine preventive maintenance of transmission fluid and radiator coolant flushed/replaced before this coming winter. I believe that this is proof that Honda is using inferior products in their Honda Civic vehicles, as evidenced by alternator replacement in less than three years, and the rear control rod defect related to the 2007 Civic ex. This is one of many recent defects/recalls I have experienced related to Honda's Civic '07 and '05 automobiles. Also having a 2007 Honda Civic ex, with only 22,000 miles on the vehicle, I had the wheels rotated by union park dealership. After getting vehicle back and experiencing a howling noise while driving, I brought the vehicle in. After doing my own investigation, and never being informed of a recall issue related to the rear control arms/rods being defective by Honda, I had to pay $337. 00 out of pocket to have all four tires replaced. It is from this point forward that I pray nothing else goes wrong with these vehicles, and that looking into the future, after being a four-time Honda vehicle owner, I will not be considering the purchase of another Honda vehicle.

See all problems of the 2005 Honda Civic 🔎.

The alternator gave out with only 46,800 miles on my '05 Civic. When I called american Honda about this - since this is unacceptable - the rep told me to take the car to a Honda dealership for evaluation. I explained to her that you don't simply take a car with a dead alternator from place to place - towing would have to be arranged and I wasn't paying for another tow job. $520 later and had to have the battery replaced too.

The car flipped.

1999 Honda Civic ex yesterday, my car died on me three times while I was driving on the road. It just stopped as I was driving. My car made it to my mechanic this morning, but it was scary not knowing when the car would suddenly died. The oil, battery, fuel pump, and alternator were all working properly at the time of the incidents. What I just learned from your site was that my car had an ignition switch recall, which Honda failed to notify me about such danger. Had I been on the freeway, I could have been in a serious accident. I wished someone would contact Honda immediately and have them sent out notices to those who still have not had their ignition switch changed because like your site indicated, it could cause a sudden crash. Thank you.

My complaint is with a 2002 Honda Civic ex model. I have taken my car into the dealership on 2 separate occasions to have an oil change and to have my car detailed within the past 2 months. On both occasions I asked them to check out my car because I smelled a burning plastic smell. On both occasions they said they found nothing. Well 2 weeks later I need a new alternator which surprised me considering the newness of the car. What I'm more surprised at is that the alternator is giving out too much power and is slowly melting out my battery, the burning plastic smell. I am filing a complaint because I believe an alternator should last more that 3 years on a new vehicle. I am very disappointed in this last Honda that I have leased, being my third Honda that I have had, and don't believe I will release a Honda. I feel the makers are using cheaper parts on theses cars and this 2002 doesn't have the stability and longevity of the ones I have owned and leased in the past. Consumers want a great product for the money that they spend and although I have been a big believer in Honda's , this occurrence, along with others that I have had with this car, have changed my mind about owning or leasing another Honda product.

See all problems of the 2002 Honda Civic 🔎.

Dealer replaced the ignition switch under recall. Also the alternator replaced . But the intermittent problem to start the vehicle continued. There was intermittent grinding noise when the vehicle was started. Since the noise didn't occur when the consumer bought it to the dealer, they refused to do anything about it. Also the oxygen sensor was replaced.

I notice the passenger right front window was not functioning properly. The window would go up and down slowly. The Honda mechanic diagnosis reported the window regulator needed replacing. Two months later the driver left front window would go up and down slowly. Last week the window would not go up on its own and I had someone help pull the window up. I know its the regulator. I want to know if any car owners who own a 1999 4 sedan Honda Civic are experiencing the same problem. I've own two cars previously and never experience the regulator shortning out after 4 years. I don't know if anything can be done at this stage since the car is no longer under warranty but I want a record of this particular problem I've experienced with my car.

I also have problems with my window regulator on my 1999 Honda Civic ex sedan. My car was only 4 years old when the driver side window went out while rolling it down and stuck halfway. After taking the door panel off and looking at it, the plastic holding the wires in it had split and the wires were rubbing causing them to fray. My husband switched that regulator over to the passenger side door and the passenger over to the driver so that I could at least use my driver side window. About a year later that window did the same thing. Now I am stuck with two front windows that will not roll down. I called the dealer to see how much it would cost to fix them and they said you have to replace the motor and everything even though there is nothing wrong with the motor. It will cost $265 to replace when you include labor.

I received a recall notice on my 1999 Honda Civic for the ignition switch in September 2002. I took the car to get a new switch installed. After that I did not see a positive change or faster start up of the car . In fact, it seemed to start slower and slower. When I would press the accelerator I felt a grinding sensation under my foot from the gas pedal, which sounded like the car was struggling to speed up. Also, when I would turn the key in the ignition the car would not start right away, it stalled for about (7) seven seconds or so. I believe this car is a lemon. When I bought it, the gears wouldn't change properly. I would press the accelerator to go up to spped on the highway and it would take a long time for the car to change gears, it sounded very loud because of this. I don't know why it did this, I am concerned and it became very annoying. I had an accident while driving this car on oct. 16, 2002. As I was driving I heard something crack under the car and the car started to spin to the other side of the road causing me to lose control of the car. I believe the car had a safety defect that caused the wheels to break, resulting in loss of control of the vehicle. The insurance adjuster told me these are some of the damages to the car: the bottom of the floor shifted, the axle broke, the tires and wheels broke, they declared the car a total loss. I believe the wheels/tires broke first, which is probably what the cracking sound was that I heard which caused the car swerve. My insurance company paid the car off so fast which leads me to believe they are hiding something. Aslo, I think the steering of the car was out of line, because sometimes the car would veer to the right when I would be driving straight it would be difficult to stay in the lane I would appreciate all the information you can give to help me find out what else is wrong with this car as I already said a recall for the ignition was issued more defects may be found. Dt.

Consumer states that the alternator light illuminated. Dealer stated motor needs replacing. Mr radiator leaked out coolant and engine locked up due to short block and head failure. Thermostat failed and was replaced. Check the engine light came on and dealer replaced converter as a cause.

When driving headlights and insturment panal get really bright and go back to normal like they flicker bright have changed both alternator and battery and still does it.

See all problems of the 1997 Honda Civic 🔎.

Regulator on the alternator is charging up, then going down then up. Lights are affected.

See all problems of the 1996 Honda Civic 🔎.

Vehicle would not start in November of 2000. Dealership tested battery to see if this was cause. Mechanic replaced battery, and vehicle still would not start. Mechanics then replaced entire alternator, and this corrected defect. There was approximately 28,000 miles on alternator when this occurred. Run channel and regulator for the power window was replaced. Hood release snapped off when consumer pulled it. Consumer is requesting partial reimbursement for the repairment of the alternator.