Battery Propulsion System Problems of Honda Civic Hybrid

2010 Honda civic. Consumer writes in regards to ima power assist system failure. The consumer stated the vehicle was showing only 75 % of the ima was being charged. In the first few minutes of operation, the ima functioned properly. However, after that amount of time with the a/c turned on the ima battery dropped fairly rapidly even if speed was maintained and the vehicle was being driven on flat terrain. Also, when the charged reached 50%, the charging light illuminated and there was no acceleration drag on the engine. One charging light remained on as the battery tried to not deplete. Another 5-10 minutes of consistent driving either in town or on back roads, the battery would charge at 25%. The battery did continue to re-charge as the he continued to drive along, but at 25% there was no ima assist, which mad acceleration in traffic or gaining speed to merge onto the interstate traffic hazardous. With no ima assist, the vehicle took far too long to reach speed necessary to merge safely. The process from discharge to re-charge for ima usage could take up to 45 minutes. When the a/c was not on, the ima battery did not deplete and the consumer was able to start the vehicle and drive without incident. It appeared that was a drag coming from the a/c that caused the ima to discharge quickly. Furthermore, there were issues when the battery showed itself re-charging. On several occasions, when the battery was at 75% charge, the indicator would show the system, re-charging without changing speed or grade and the green bar would go out and the gray bar would come on, and go off.

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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?.

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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.

Ima battery is defective, wears out earlier than designed, causes dangerously slow episodes of being able to accelerate from a stand still and accelerate to merge with highway speed traffic. Gets horrible fuel mileage, no where as advertised, especially in very hot weather. */01/2012 updated bf the consumer stated the ima battery light illuminated. The dealer suggested a software upgrade update. When the consumer turned the vehicle off, and back on again, the light did not illuminate. Updated 03/16/12.

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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...

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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.