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Honda Civic Hybrid IMA Problems

1484 messages,  Last post on Apr 02, 2013 at 6:27 PM

You are in the Honda Civic Hybrid Forum.

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

Messages Page 145 of 149

#1436 of 1484 Engine light on - Diagnosis need new Hybrid battery by whitemthiker

Oct 14, 2012 (3:14 pm)

have a 2005 Civic hybrid with over 180,000 mi. - Engine light on - told indicates hybrid battery should be replaced - cost $2,400. Car seems to be performing normally if anything gas mileage better than before 45-50 mph for mostly highway driving. Want car to last at least 2 more years (about 60,000 miles).
What is likely to happen if i do not replace battery? Maintenance advisor couldn't or wouldn't tell what would happen. Should i replace it?

#1437 of 1484 Re: The update that broke my car [vidar] by thereigo2

Oct 14, 2012 (5:41 pm)

Replying to: vidar (Oct 07, 2012 5:07 pm)
The issue that started this thread has to do with 2009's and it seems to be a common occurrence with 2009 AFTER the upgrade. My car used to avg. 40 to 40.5 mpg easy, now it consistently averages 36 to 37. Honda first said I needed to change the Air filter and the tires, did all that, did not change the mileage. The power issue and the mileage changed AFTER the update. So that is why this is called "The update that broke my car." Honda refuses to take responsibility for something they have messed up and hopefully it doesn't take someone dying because they have to pull out into freeway traffic and the car will only go 20 miles an hour with it floored. My car had great pick up and great mileage, I loved the car I bought. Now I have a car that is NOT THE CAR I PURCHASED, and Honda won't do anything. They are the ones that ruined it. People ask me all the time how I like my Hybrid, I tell them I used to love it, Honda ruined it, would never by one again. Thought about putting a sign in the window to warn people about buying a Honda Hybrid, or even a Honda at all from a company that treats its customers like this. You want a Hybrid, buy a Toyota. Note too that my 2003 gets better mileage than the 2009, esp. now.

#1438 of 1484 Re: Too hot for IMA to work [larsb] by turleygirly

Oct 16, 2012 (12:48 pm)

Replying to: larsb (Jul 16, 2007 7:01 am)
That does not sound "BUNK" to me. I live in Dallas Tx. My 07 Hybrid has completely shut down 4 times. Usually in rush hour traffic. I have barely missed 3 fatal accidents from this car and countless fender benders. I have taken the car to the dealership 5 times and every time they say they just need to reprogram something. Then 2 times apparently 2 different sensor needed to be replaced, and my car still runs crap, gets 29 MPG sometimes and has no acceleration. I want to sue Honda. I have 2 small children and this is a safety issue. I don't want to have to wait for a fatal car accident before something is done. Has anyone else had similar issues?
 
Obviously there are plenty of who completely unhappy with our Hybrids. Why don't we do something about it!

#1439 of 1484 Re: Still not happy, but... [slider162] by slider162

Oct 16, 2012 (1:23 pm)

Replying to: slider162 (Oct 27, 2011 6:44 am)
A year after I was able to convince Honda that my IMA battery was bad and had it replaced, I am satisfied once again with my 2007 HCH. I am convinced that if you lost gas mileage or are unhappy after the software update, that you have a bad/weak IMA battery. There is nothing wrong with the software update other than it does use the IMA less. I am getting just as good gas mileage after the update as I did when the car was new (before the battery took a crap).

#1440 of 1484 Re: Too hot for IMA to work [turleygirly] by hondaladyontv

Oct 16, 2012 (1:30 pm)

Replying to: turleygirly (Oct 16, 2012 12:48 pm)
Please report all safety issue to NHTSA at https://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/VehicleComplaint/index.xhtml

#1441 of 1484 Re: Still not happy, but... [slider162] by nyhonda

Oct 16, 2012 (2:06 pm)

Replying to: slider162 (Oct 16, 2012 1:23 pm)
I had a 2006 HCH and was vey happy with it the first 2 years..Then the IMA began failing and my milage slowly dropped. The dealership told me of a software update but warned my milage would go down..so I never allowed them to put the software flash in....until at 60,000 miles my ima failed completely. The dealership told me I was screwed because Honda would replace the battery only if the software flash was done. I called honda of america and was never treated so bad..it was all or nothing. I did finally get them to state 'honda will replace the battery but would void any further warranty". I had no choice then.. My car only had 60000 miles on it. My milage dropped to 37 from 43 on my yearly trip to Indianapolis. I traded it in in Feb for a 2011 Prius only after talking to many prius owners. I was giving 0% financing and ave 52.5 mpg. Honda owners only recourse is to get the word out. 60 minutes or dateline, etc...or as one fellow mentioned a sign on his car or even picket honda dealerships or honda of america.

#1442 of 1484 Re: Still not happy, but... [slider162] by bossless

Oct 17, 2012 (8:15 am)

Replying to: slider162 (Oct 16, 2012 1:23 pm)
My experience is similar to yours. The update tries to preserve the battery by more aggressive charging especially when below four bars charge. If you have a weak battery that requires more charging you will get poor mileage. If your battery is strong you should not notice any difference in mileage with the update. Also, you need to drive more cautiously when the battery is below four bars to maintain good mileage. This should not happen often if your battery is good.

#1443 of 1484 Re: The update that broke my car [vidar] by Ogre_GEV

Oct 17, 2012 (10:39 am)

Replying to: vidar (Oct 07, 2012 5:07 pm)
"I have read on this forum that the software upgrade doesn't exist for my car (2005), but know that I received at least 4 notices from Honda for the upgrade, and just found one of them when cleaning out my desk."
 
Yes, but they are not for the "Upgrade 2006-2008 MDM to 2009-2011 software". They are for a different update, and you will not experience the problems that the 2006+ Civics do. Your car is totally different than the 2006+ and actually is closer to the 2000-2006 Insight in design than to the 2006+ Civic. The name is the main thing they have in common. The earlier notices you got probably relate to your catalytic converter.

#1444 of 1484 Re: Engine light on - Diagnosis need new Hybrid battery [whitemthiker] by Ogre_GEV

Oct 17, 2012 (10:44 am)

Replying to: whitemthiker (Oct 14, 2012 3:14 pm)
Eventually, it will die. Driving the car DAILY will extend the life of your battery. Also, if your state has inspections, it will fail.
 
There are at least two companies selling new battery packs for less than the refurbished (used) pack that the dealer quoted you.

#1445 of 1484 Re: Hybrid Battery Replacement Alternatives [bossless] by Ogre_GEV

Oct 17, 2012 (10:50 am)

Replying to: bossless (Oct 06, 2012 6:48 pm)
"I believe all the battery replacements are reconditioned, not new. They have a lot of failed ones to recondition."
 
There is evidence to show that they started putting refurbs in in 2008. warranty batteries arter 2008 seem to last about 2 years.
 
The warranty and the $2400 battery are refurbished, the $3000 battery is new old stock.

Messages Page 145 of 149

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