Battery Propulsion System problems of the 2006 Honda Civic Hybrid

Honda's software reflash of the ima system in 2010 has caused my car to operate erratically. The hybrid battery is often completely unavailable to assist the regular motor when needed to accelerate to merge into high speed traffic, to pass other vehicles, or to avoid collisions. Additionally, when taking off from a stop the car sometimes hesitates to start moving, stutters, jerks or lurches. I have not been able to achieve more than 29 mpg since the software update, approximately 10 mpg less than I was getting before the update. California small claims court awarded me $9,867. . Read more...

I would very much like to share my concerns over the safety of the 2006 Honda Civic Hybrid that we purchased new from a dealer. The car performed well for a few years, until Honda decided to tell me to go to the dealer and "upgrade" the software controlling the hybrid motor-battery system. Immediately following the software update, the car was utterly devoid of power, and dangerous to drive when merging on the freeway, even when driving alone without other weight in the car. If I drive my two young children with me, it's very scary as the car must be absolutely floored the entire time while merging. No doubt this is strongly affecting the fuel economy of the car as well, as it gets only in the mid 30s, when originally advertised much higher. Also, I can't imagine anyone ever buying this car with the pathetic level of power it exhibits, therefore the resale value is now next to nothing. I would be happy to have a software downgrade and get back to original performance, but Honda tells me this is not possible for whatever reason. I urge you to begin or continue an investigation concerning the detrimental safety impacts of the 2006 Honda Civic Hybrid software update. */01/2012 updated bf updated 03/16/12.