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Honda Civic Hybrid IMA Problems

1509 messages,  Last post on Jun 14, 2013 at 4:00 PM

You are in the Honda Civic Hybrid Forum.

What is this discussion about? Honda Civic, Hybrid Cars, Coupe, Sedan

Messages Page 129 of 152

#1272 of 1509 Honda Civic Hybrid 2009 IMA PROBLEM by papaobewan

Dec 28, 2011 (5:52 pm)

Purchased new in 2009 March,
December 2011 IMA & CEL check engine light come on
Highway mileage drops from 47-45 highway down to 33 mpg
AutoStop randomly works! IMA & CEL RANDOMLY OFF & on
Software update completed during warranty work in 2010
Called Honda dealership ASM AUTO SERVICE MANAGER STATES PARTS/LABOR COVERED UNDER 8 yr /80,000 mile warranty IMA HYBRID BATTERIES
 
Deliver to Colorado Springs Dealership - confirm my findings hybrid/IMA BATTERIES DEAD
TSB TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN ON LEAKING FILLER PIPE ON GAS TANK AND VISOR ISSUE WERE TO BE CHECKED OUT AND REPAIRED IF NEEDED
SO FAR FRONT RANGE HAS BEEN AN EXEMPLARY DEALERSHIP
POST LATER AFTER PICK UP OF CAR EITHER ON 12-29 or 30th
 
REQUESTED ALL COMMUNICATION IN WRITING
ALL PRINTOUTS DIAGNOSES IN WRITING
INFORMED THEM I WAS AWARE OF CLASS ACTION IN PROGRESS
REQUESTED A LOANER VEHICLE - Enterprise rental was provided
So far no major issues handling this

#1273 of 1509 Front Range Dealership - Service on IMA battery by papaobewan

Dec 30, 2011 (3:37 pm)

Front Range Honda Dealership of Colorado Springs has made my experience quite remarkable! Went in on Monday 12-26-2011, today 12-30-2011 received my Honda Civic Hybrid (HCH) back new batteries installed, they provided me with a rental car during my wait! So overall I have to give Scott the ASM Auto service Manage and Clayton Davis (the auto representative in shop) two thumbs up! They discovered my claim to be true (the IMA Integrated Motor Assist Batteries were dead) and they checked the fuel neck and visor from other TSB recalls. Here is what I did :
A. Called the Service Dept. and asked to talk to the Manager of the Auto Service Dept.
1. Asked for all communication be in writing (stipulated it on the work order in long hand)
2. Asked for the loaner vehicle, made note of the fact that problem is all over the Internet
3. Made mention of the fact that a class action lawsuit is in progress (www.hchsettlement.com)
4. Asked over the phone to elaborate on the warranty of the IMA batteries - which was parts and labor.
5. Indicated other symptoms, drop in gas mileage 10-12 miles, autostop randomly operable, informed them that batteries were designed to assist gasoline engine obtain higher mpg, IMA and CEL check engine light were on and off, this is typical of any electronic device! Code that was sent to scanner, I had a buddy check it before going in.
6. Ask that all communication pertaining to problem or diagnostic be provided in hardcopy which included monitor printouts of screen if hardcopy not available due to software limitation.
7. Checked 12 Volt battery to determine that it was not the culprit, faulty or bad battery will send false positives to the system.(12 volt battery was not at fault)
8. Made sure that the Hybrid SYSTEM was checked FIRST! to keep it under warranty.
Indicated that a telephone call to me indicating problem(s) would not be accepted. When asked why I calmly stated in case we need to go to court. (others mentioned having to go to small claims court to get reimbursed for a diagnostic check charge)
Above all else staying calm, being objective, and working with rather than against the representatives goes a long way, after all they are people who constantly are berated for issues they have no control over. I am very impressed with the final outcome. I am hoping that this posting brings a more optimistic outlook for everyone ! I do recall from my statistics course in college that batteries do die at a rate of 3% for whatever reason. For those of us in that 3% window I wish you as much success with your dealership as I had with mine! I read somewhere that 70% of Honda owners would not purchase another vehicle from Honda. As dealerships go this one is excellent. Furthermore, I am a retired computer teacher and in no way am I affiliated with Honda. I hope by providing some insight others will gain the knowledge and the patience to come toward a positive outcome! Kudos to Front Range Honda for standing behind their product!! Thank You Scott and Clayton!

#1274 of 1509 Re: Front Range Dealership - Service on IMA battery [papaobewan] by dowjd

Dec 30, 2011 (5:03 pm)

Replying to: papaobewan (Dec 30, 2011 3:37 pm)
Great to hear your dealer did an excellent job. My only question is did they install the new Lithium battery pack or is it the nickel-metal?
 
I would hate to see you have a repeat like I am having.
 
I bought my HCH in Feb 09 and battery had to be replaced in Dec 09. Dec 2010 battery problem again. Software after software updates, still get poor mpg's. When I first got the car it averaged 46-47mpg, now 38-37mpg. Honda says won't replace until IMA light comes on again. Here it is Dec 2011 still at 38-37 mpg.
 
I'm paying for a hybrid, but getting the performance of a Civic Sedan LX.
 
Thanks Honda.

#1275 of 1509 Re: Front Range Dealership - Service on IMA battery [dowjd] by dontsettle

Dec 30, 2011 (6:27 pm)

Replying to: dowjd (Dec 30, 2011 5:03 pm)
Fantastic! That is the first good outcome I have heard of so far. Anyone in your area who wants a Honda should buy from this dealership because they should be rewarded for being responsive to their customers. I think you hit the nail on the head when you urge people to stay calm and treat the dealership employees with respect. It is not their fault - Honda built a lousy car. Unhappy Civic Hybrid owners should visit dont settle with honda dot org for more information.

#1276 of 1509 Re: Front Range Dealership - Service on IMA battery [papaobewan] by missdismayed

Dec 30, 2011 (10:43 pm)

Replying to: papaobewan (Dec 30, 2011 3:37 pm)
I am happy for you and your successful experience. It seems as if you not only reported your success, but admonished others to stay calm, remain objective, and work with not against the Honda representatives...I don't recall any of us that have had troubles with the IMA battery stating we approached the Honda representatives in any way but as one would who expects someone trained and employed by a company to provide service to the company's products. In fact, your post seems to report you taking a rather intimidating, manipulative, and threatening stance right from the get go. I am happy that our reporting of our experiences - the positive and the negative - provided you with the leverage and knowledge that may have tipped the scales in your favor. If you care to re-read my post, you will note that up to the ride back to the dealer after receiving a quote over the phone, I sang the praises loud and long of my HCH. We are not talking about a bunch of troublemakers who have got it out for Honda dealers because we've got nothing better to do with our time and brain power. In fact, we are HCH owners/consumers who would likely be even more justified than you are, my kind sir, to have threatened lawsuits, demanded everything in writing, etc. given our previous experience with our particular vehicle problems. None of us reported berating the service manager, etc. In my particular case, the service manager was the one doing the berating and it wasn't one of his staff he was berating, it was me. Please count your blessings and keep your fingers crossed. My hope is that all is well for you. My wish is that your case was the norm and mine the exception; sadly, quite the opposite is true. Happy new year to you.

#1279 of 1509 Let's try this again by PFFlyer@Edmunds HOST

Jan 02, 2012 (10:55 am)

While it can be frustrating dealing with an automotive issue, the Edmunds forums cannot be used to organize legal actions. This includes linking to sites that are organizing such actions. Those posts will be removed. This is a non-negotiable rule of the road in the forums. Thanks in advance for your cooperation on this.

#1280 of 1509 Re: Settlement [dontsettle] by missdismayed

Jan 02, 2012 (11:16 am)

THIS IS PURE INSANITY. THE SETTLEMENT CLEARLY ADMITS DEFECTIVE PARTS, PROBLEMS WITH HONORING WARRANTIES, OUTRAGEOUS EXPENSES INCURRED BY OWNERS, POOR VEHICLE PERFORMANCE AND FUEL ECONOMY, AND A BLATANT DISREGARD BY AMH TOWARDS RECTIFYING THE SITUATION SATISFACTORILY FOR HCH OWNERS FOR 2003 - 2009. tHE SOLUTION IS A $100-$300 REBATE TOWARDS THE PURCHASE OF A NEW HONDA AND A VIDEO TO TEACH US HOW TO DRIVE THE DEFECTIVE VEHICLE!
 
1-THE VEHICLE HAS DEFECTIVE PART.
2-DEFECTIVE PART IS REPLACEABLE WITH COST BETWEEN $2000-$4000.
3-DEFECTIVE PART HAS BEEN KNOWN TO BE DEFECTIVE BY MANUFACTURER FROM FIRST YEAR OF MANUFACTURE THROUGH FINAL YEAR VEHICLE WAS BUILT - APPROXIMATELY 10 YEARS!
4-MANUFACTURER HAS BEEN UNABLE TO CORRECTLY AND COMPLETELY ELIMINATE DEFECTIVE PART AND THE EFFECT THE DEFECTIVE PART OR ITS REPLACEMENT PART HAS ON THE PERFORMANCE OF THE VEHICLE.
5-CONSUMERS HAVE PAID FOR REPAIRS OF DEFECTIVE PART AND BEEN LEFT UNSATISFIED BUT ALSO WITH A VEHICLE THAT DOES NOT PERFORM AS ADVERTISED AND, IN FACT, LOSES PERFORMANCE QUALITY AFTER REPAIR HAS BEEN COMPLETED AT THEIR EXPENSE.
6-VEHICLES WERE SOLD WITHOUT NEW OWNERS BEING ADVISED OF PROBLEMS WITH NOR WITHOUT BEING SHOWN 'PROPER' WAY TO OPERATE VEHICLE.
7-WARRANTIES WERE NOT HONORED. AMH HAS BEEN ALL OVER THE MAP WITH THEIR EXTENSIONS, EXCEPTIONS, ADDITIONAL QUALIFIERS, DEALER ARRANGEMENTS.
AND THE LIST GOES ON, AD NAUSEUM . . .

#1281 of 1509 Re: Settlement [missdismayed] by Kirstie@Edmunds HOST

Jan 02, 2012 (11:37 am)

Replying to: missdismayed (Jan 02, 2012 11:16 am)
Consumer class-action lawsuits continue to thrive largely due to consumers' misguided notion that the resolution will be of real benefit to their situation and that they will, individually, receive adequate compensation if the manufacturer gets a judgment against them. This is rarely the case, and sadly, the proposed settlement in this particular case is pretty typical.
 
In many life situations, working together against a common "enemy" is more effective than working alone, but this has not been my observation with consumer class-action lawsuits, particularly against automotive manufacturers. A few bucks thrown toward the consumer, and a $-off coupon toward the purchase of a vehicle made by the SAME manufacturer with whom the consumer is dissatisfied. That seems to benefit the manufacturer! I've seen more effective resolutions reached by consumers who pursue an individual case on their own, whether through extensive complaining & reporting (and working with a good dealership) or by hiring their own legal counsel.

Messages Page 129 of 152

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