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Honda Civic Hybrid Catalytic Converter Failures

116 messages,  Last post on Jan 10, 2013 at 8:20 AM

You are in the Honda Civic Hybrid Maintenance & Repair Forum.

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Messages Page 10 of 12

#87 of 116 Re: very relevant reading [hchybrid] by hchybrid

Mar 29, 2010 (8:13 am)

Replying to: hchybrid (Feb 15, 2010 12:46 pm)
Just an update on the TerraClean - codes went away - but my mileage was still under normal. Then I had 110,000 service done and replaced spark plugs and tune up. That's seems to have done the trick - plus warmer spring weather - mileage back up to what I usual expect - 42 to 45mpg.

#88 of 116 Third CC replacement for 2003 HCH by pkikel

Jun 15, 2010 (7:54 pm)

I've been told I need to replace the catalytic converter for my 2003 Civic Hybrid for the THIRD time at a cost of $1,800. I had it replaced the first time in November, 2006 at 67,178 miles. The cost for this replacement was covered by the original vehicle warranty. In January, 2009 at 109,580 miles it needed to be replace again. A little over two years and only 42,402 miles had passed since the last time it was replaced. I've been told this catalytic converter has an 8 year, 80,000 mile warranty and yet it had to be replaced TWICE in the span of only 6 years and 109,580 miles. Now I'm faced with replacement of this catalytic converter yet again after only 17 months and 28,102 miles have passed since the last repair. You'll notice the frequency of this repair is INCREASING. As noted above I've been informed this latest repair will cost $1,800 and that I am responsible for this cost. This repair would also replace the O2 sensor. At the request of the dealer service manager I have made my case to America Honda, but my frustration and concern is falling on deaf ears. There is obviously something seriously wrong here and Honda isn't owning up to it!

#89 of 116 Re: Third CC replacement for 2003 HCH [pkikel] by hchybrid

Jun 15, 2010 (8:09 pm)

Replying to: pkikel (Jun 15, 2010 7:54 pm)
This is mind boggling. If you were in California - Honda would have to replace it.
 
I assume they only are giving you 1 year warranty on that second catalytic converter?
 
If their warranty is that worthless - go with the OEM kit - assuming you are not in California! If you look back in the threads here - you will see $500 kit mentioned.
 
Good luck.

#90 of 116 Re: Third CC replacement for 2003 HCH [hchybrid] by pkikel

Jun 16, 2010 (3:42 pm)

Replying to: hchybrid (Jun 15, 2010 8:09 pm)
I bought the car in California in 2003, but have resided in Illinois since 2005. You are correct on the 1 year warranty, which of course, I am now beyond as I've had the new CC for 17 months.
 
Thanks for the advise...

#91 of 116 Re: Third CC replacement for 2003 HCH [pkikel] by hchybrid

Jun 16, 2010 (7:21 pm)

Replying to: pkikel (Jun 16, 2010 3:42 pm)
You may want to check back with the dealership in CA. I believe CA has a mandatory 8 year warranty on cat' converter on any car sold in State, Good luck.

#92 of 116 To skylennard: Please give us all an update! by housewrens

Jul 10, 2010 (7:53 am)

I and I suspect quite a few others are waiting to hear about the Davico cat converter you purchased? How much to install? How has it worked? After you installed it did the code disappear?
 
I am due for emissions inspection in a few weeks. So frustrating.

#93 of 116 5th Rear Converter!!! by mr_op_lies

Aug 03, 2010 (12:10 pm)

It's a sad, sad day in Hondaville. I have never been so disgusted with an automobile maker in my life and we've had a few doozies along the way. Here's our 2003 Honda Hybrid converter saga in a nushell:
85,079 (Nov 07)-first rear converter replaced at non-Honda $685
114,622 (Jan 09)-second rear converter replacement at Honda Dealer $1230
128,455 (July 09)-third rear converter replacement and first front converter replacement at Honda Dealer (they covered rear) we paid for front $1410
153,042 (July 10)- fourth replacement of rear converter. Honda Dealer covering 50%, but that is the DEALER as AMERICAN HONDA offered no help at all.
 
Oh, and BTW, we replaced the hybrid battery last month for $2840!!! Totally regretting that choice, but at the time we had so much invested in converters that we felt we had to keep the car going and we are in a state where it will not pass inspection if Check Engine light is on.
 
We don't have anything positive to bring to this forum, but I wanted to add our case to all the others here.
 
We hope someone will form a class action suit. HONDA knows this is a problem and we're convinced that's why they won't help since that would be a form of taking responsibility and admitting there is a problem. We've suspected the ECM recall all along as that happened just prior to our saga beginning.
 
 

#94 of 116 Re: 5th Rear Converter!!! [mr_op_lies] by hchybrid

Aug 03, 2010 (12:39 pm)

Replying to: mr_op_lies (Aug 03, 2010 12:10 pm)
Add to that oxygen sensors. I have 120k miles now, and these things just keep failing. I've replaced all of them, and last month, had to replace one of the new ones again - another $600 up in smoke. I'm keeping the ones now that they replace - looked nothing wrong with it to me, hardly worn. Plain old regular engine 30mpg and no issues suddenly starting to look good compared to 40+mpg and these bills to pay.

#95 of 116 3rd Cat Failure in less than 3 years by babyjsmama

Sep 29, 2010 (3:43 pm)

I have had my car since 11/07 and have about 97000 miles, since then I have replaced the CAT 2x the light came on again about a month ago with the same code. I took to the dealer and they want to charge me 1000 to replace. There is no point on replacing the thing since there is obviously another underlying problem that will continue to make the CAT fail. I asked what would happen if they just reset the light and they said that I will see a decrease in power (which I already do) and worse gas mileage which I can handle. I have until June before I need to go in for emissions testing hopefully I can figure something out by then.
I am not even going to try to contact Honda because it seems that they could care less about this ongoing problem.

#96 of 116 Re: 3rd Cat Failure in less than 3 years [babyjsmama] by eb240b

Oct 19, 2010 (4:32 am)

Replying to: babyjsmama (Sep 29, 2010 3:43 pm)
My wife has the same car 03 Hybrid 147,000 miles with same issues. Pennsylvania, according to which County you live, does not have stringent emmission laws. My question to all of you is why spend $1000's of dollars on a converter when all it's doing is causing a check engine light to come on? If the converter is not physically leaking exhaust and causing a loud noise who cares?? Yes sure you might lose some MPG's but to me I'm not spending that kind of money on something thats not making the car undriveable. I would rather junk her car and spend 1000's of dollars on a new car prefferably not a civic hybrid. But thats just me.

Messages Page 10 of 12

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