Honda Civic Hybrid owners have reported 10 hybrid propulsion system related problems since 1996. Table 1 shows the 1 most common hybrid propulsion system problems. The number one most common problem is related to the vehicle's hybrid propulsion system inverter (10 problems). For details of each of the problem category, use the links in the table.
| Problem Category | Number of Problems |
|---|---|
| Hybrid Propulsion System Inverter problems |
The contact's stepdaughter owns a 2012 Honda Civic Hybrid. The contact stated that while his stepdaughter was driving at approximately 40 mph, the check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who informed the contact about service bulletin 20-030 warranty extension related to the ima motor power inverter (mpi) and was referred to the dealer. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, who diagnosed that the failure was due to the ima motor power inverter (mpi). The dealer informed him there was no recall or warranty coverage. The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and referred the contact to the NHTSA hotline. The failure mileage was approximately 90,000.
The contact owns a 2015 Honda Civic Hybrid. The contact stated while driving 40 mph, the vehicle stalled with unknown warning lights illuminated. The contact was able to pull over and jump start the vehicle and the vehicle restarted. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and the contact was informed that the motor power inverter needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and stated that the contact would receive a callback. The failure mileage was 126,000.
The contact owns a 2006 Honda Civic Hybrid. The contact stated that while driving uphill at 5 mph, the vehicle started losing power slowly and eventually became resistant to acceleration attempts. The engine remained on but there was no power. The contact was still able to drive the vehicle but she had to avoid inclines. The dealer was notified but offered no assistance. The vehicle had not been repaired. The failure and current mileages were 85,000.
The contact owns a 2007 Honda Civic Hybrid. While driving 20 mph, the contact noticed that the engine, battery, and ima lights illuminated on the instrument panel. Moments later, the vehicle lost all hybrid power but did not stall. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where the hybrid system was updated. The failure continued. The current and failure mileages were 20,000.
Honda civic ima system not functioning properly while driving, leading to loss of power when critically needed, possibly causing an accident. The car completely stalled in traffic, ima light, check engine light, brake system light were all on, car would restart, but would not let take out of park to get out of traffic! very very dangerous. I have complained about this hybrid battery giving me problems before-- not holding a charge, almost every time I start the car, the ima battery shows depleted, even though it was charged when I left the car the night before, and often it will go from fully charged to dead in a matter of 1 mile of driving on flat roadway, causing the engine to be very sluggish and not have power when needed. Honda would not do anything, they just kept making excuses. There are many many people complaining about the same thing. I'm taking it in tomorrow morning to have it looked at, but I am not confident they will properly address the issue, because they have dismissed me in the past.
On may 31, 2011 I nearly died while traveling on interstate 95 because all electric/battery power in my Honda Civic Hybrid ceased. The car went from traveling at 70 mph to 0 mhp, with scant time for me to safely retreat to an emergency highway shoulder. This situation was extremely life threatening for me and all persons traveling near me on interstate 95. To avoid a highway collision maryland state troopers assisted with flares and lights to warn and redirect traffic. I have never been in an accident and my 2003(2004?) Honda Civic Hybrid is in otherwise good condition. A diagnostic test performed at o’donnell Honda service center in catonsville maryland (o’donnell Honda) revealed the following fault codes: 1435-charge/discharge balance and 1570- battery module individual voltage input. To repair my Civic Hybrid, o’donnell Honda service center completely replaced the integrated motor assist battery assembly and motor control module. A substantial number of Civic Hybrid owners have complained to american Honda motor corporation about ima battery pack replacements, mcm replacements and exorbitant replacement costs with a trend of replacements becoming necessary after reaching 100,000 miles traveled on the car. . Read more...
'08 Honda Civic Hybrid experiencing a dramatic decrease in fuel economy. Ima battery suspected. Dealership upgraded software (as per Honda recall) and told me that to get better mpg's I should shut off my heater (we live in wisconsin!) and recommended an air filter change. I stated that an air filter and shutting off the heat would not increase my mpg's from 28-31 back up to it's prior performance range of 40-50. Vehicle is still dramatically underperforming. Note: service advisor @ bergstrom Honda admitted that in his 4 years there that he has seen many Civic Hybrids with severe tire cupping (I previously filed complaints on this issue also, vehicle is going on it's 3rd set of tires within 57,927 miles!) and also mentioned the poor performance after the Honda software upgrades to fix the ima issues. It is my belief that Honda is well aware of the ima issues and is trying to hide them under the software update (to save replacing "x" number of expensive hybrid batterys). I believe that as owners we have lost valuable lifespan on these batterys and that we have lost out on a good portion of our hybrid battery warranty coverage due to Honda's design.
Vehicle is lossing power on acceleration at random moments.
Had a software upgrade in 2009 on my 2006 Honda Civic Hybrid, designed to increase battery life. My gas mileage dropped by 12 mpg, and the performance of the car, accelerating into traffic, going up a hill, etc, has degraded significantly.
The ima system on my 2007 Honda Civic Hybrid goes throught what I call a disscharge cycle mostly in warmer weather. This culminates in lose of all ima functions. I my case this lose is brief. It however make the opperation of the vehicle erratic. Honda has made no real attempt to get to the bottom. Of this problem. Honda should buy this vehicle back at full retail value since it will be difficult to sell. I my state if I pursued this in small claims court I could be intitled to three times the damge.