Electric sistem fail

- Frederick, MD, USA

My son purchased this vehicle from an individual at a dealership. Drove the car home with no problems, the check engine light was on and the seller did tell him there was an issue with the ima battery, but that it didn't keep from driving it. Didn't crank the car for 2 days. When we put the 10 day tag to get inspection done it wouldn't start. Took the 12 V battery out got it tested and showed bad battery. Replaced the battery, drove around and it died the steering stopped, the lights started flickering and it wouldn't restart. We took the new battery out got it recharged but are unable to drive it more than 10 miles without it flooding power and finally leaving stranded. If it was a standard vehicle I would say it was the alternate but this car doesn't have that. The ima battery needs to be replaced and without it the car is trash. What can we do with this car? I can't sell it, that wouldn't be right. The man who sold this car to my son was wrong in doing so.

- Ayden, NC, USA

While driving the power steering disengages leaving me without any power steering making it extremely difficult to turn my steering wheel in either direction. There seems to be no rhyme or reason as to when this will occur. Only that it will usually happen after about 20 minutes of steady driving. Sometimes it happens when I'm going straight and other times when I'm going around a bend. It has shut off on me while traveling at speeds of 65, 55, 40, 30, 20, all the way down to 5 mph right as I'm preparing to park my vehicle. Fortunately, the first time it happened about a month ago I happened to be going straight. I don't know what would have happened had it occurred 20 seconds earlier when I was going around a bend. Ever since then I stay hyper vigilant w/ 2 hands on the wheel, so if it does happen while turning I'll be able to muscle my way through the turn. Sure enough, yesterday evening I got the opportunity to test my reflexes. While traveling 35 mph on a backroad highway I began to turn into the sharp bend in the road when suddenly the steering warning light illuminated, and the power steering simultaneously disengaged. As I began to drift over into the yellow line w/ on-coming cars whizzing past, I decisively put every ounce of might I had into turning the wheel as fast and as far right as I could until I could get my car safely to the shoulder. I narrowly escaped a head-on collision. With a sigh of relief, I put the vehicle in park, activated my hazards and shut off my car for about 2 minutes. That usually does the trick. When I restart my car, I can usually expect the power steering to return. As I continue to drive the issue almost always seems to resurface within 10 minutes or so. The fact that the power steering just randomly disengages for apparently no reason whatsoever is obviously a serious safety concern. This really needs to be investigated.

- Cohoes, NY, USA

I just bought a car from a small used car dealer last Nov.9, 2015. I can save money for my gasoline expenses because the car I bought is a hybrid. I drove home this car with my son with 1/4 tank (25%) gasoline in the tank. But, after 3-days since the gasoline was below 1/4 of the tank, I full tank my car with gasoline (full tank). The next day when I open my garage from inside the house, I smell very strong gasoline vapor. I thought it's only some container of chemical in the garage that I smell that really smell terrible. I checked the bottom of the ground and I saw gas spilling onto the ground underneath the gasoline tank. By checking a lot of reviews from consumers/ automobile owner of 2006 Honda Civic hybrid. There's a lot of issue of crack gasoline tank of this particular car, leaking from the rubber gasket between the gas tank and the fuel filler neck also. When the gasoline is leaking on the ground that goes all the way to the bottom of the gasoline tank, while running the friction of the running metal wheels can start a fire. It's very dangerous also in the public. My VIN# [xxx]. I checked the online report that the american Honda are extending 2006 Honda Civic hybrid from 80,000 to 120,000 miles for the manufacturer's warranty. Because, of the consumer's/ automobile owner's complaints about leaking gasoline tank. It is the faulty of engineering design. But, we cannot just let this past by. It's very risky of the life of many people with the same issue or problem. Some 2006 Honda Civic hybrid owners might not even noticed the leaking problem that can put their own family in great danger.. please, do something to avoid many life of other people in great danger and causing life to death. I don't want to spend money in this factory inefficient design and defective parts of the car. This supposed to be an urgent recall for american Honda. Please help. Information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

- Las Vegas, NV, USA

The contact owns a 2006 Honda Civic hybrid. While driving at an unknown rate of speed, the low beam head lamps shorted and the vehicle stalled without warning. The contact was able to coast the vehicle into a parking lot. The vehicle stalled again and was unable to be restarted. The contact was unable to determine if the VIN was included in NHTSA campaign number: 11V106000 (electrical system). The vehicle was towed to an authorized dealer who replaced the DC/DC converter, but the failure recurred. The ima warning light and the service engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle restarted with hesitation and stalled again. The vehicle was towed to the dealer who replaced the ima battery module and updated the PCM with new software. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure several times and provided no remedy. The approximate failure mileage was 58,028.

- Philomath, OR, USA

The contact owns a 2006 Honda Civic hybrid. While driving approximately 60 mph, the power steering failed, the headlights turned off, and the engine stalled. A warning illuminated after the failures occurred. The vehicle had to be towed to the dealer. The vehicle had previously been repaired by a dealer under a recall; however, the failure recurred. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The VIN, NHTSA campaign number, and failure mileage were unavailable.

- Seattle, WA, USA

My daughter, [xxx] was entering on freeway from ramp and the car suddenly lost acceleration, she had to stop on right side of emergency lane. Fortunately the time was not rush hour and no vehicles behind her hit her car. We took to a Honda dealer they diagnosed ima battery is no good and need to replace. Information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

- Northville, MI, USA

Due to poor performance after a recent Honda ima hybrid battery software update, the electronic battery had turned itself off in order to extend its life. When the battery turned off, the primary electronic brakes were also turned off. When an accident happened on the opposing direction of traffic, it sent debris across the freeway barrier into my lane. I attempted to decrease my speed in order to maneuver around the debris, but I did not have sufficient braking power. If the brakes were not disabled in order to extend the battery life and decrease Honda of America's financial responsibility to replace batteries under warranty, I would not have ran over the debris that almost sent me straight into the median wall. I had seen the accident with plenty of time to slow down and I would have made it safely around the debris if I had proper working brakes. The brakes remain intermittent sometimes working as they should, other times not at all as stated above.

- Mesa, AZ, USA

Flashing ignition "immobilizer" light - system code "C-1": with low battery voltage, or a disconnected or "dead" battery, vehicle cannot be started, either by "jump starting" or replacing the 12V car battery. This is due to a defect, in all "J VIN" Civic hybrids, on the micu board located in the under-dash fuse relay box. Defect results in the electronic key codes being lost with low or no 12V ignition system voltage. The only remedy is to have the car towed to an authorized Honda dealer to have all keys (car comes with 3 sets of keys) reprogrammed to the ignition immobilizer system. Only a Honda dealer can perform this operation. Because of this defect, vehicle operator and any passengers can be left stranded and in an unsafe position. The only remedy is to have the car towed to a dealer, if available, to have the immobilizer system reprogrammed. Honda will not allow any other service provider to perform this operation because of security and vehicle theft concerns. Depending on the circumstances of the immobilizer failure, this can be a life threatening safety issue for the vehicle operator, depending on where and when the failure occurs. In addition, routine maintenance or repairs requiring the vehicle battery to be disconnected, will result in an inoperable vehicle and require that the vehicle car keys be reprogrammed, something that would be totally unrelated to the planned maintenance or repair and the key reprogramming would have to be done at only a Honda dealer.

- Carlsbad, CA, USA

The contact owns a 2006 Honda Civic hybrid. The contact stated that while driving 10 mph, the vehicle stalled with the illumination of the integrated motor assist and the check engine warning lights. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic for diagnosis where it was advised to the contact that the electrical integrated motor assist converter needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired but the failure persisted. The vehicle was towed to the dealer for a second diagnosis. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 180,000.

- New Castle, CA, USA

The ima (hybrid battery) system in my 2006 Honda Civic hybrid has recently suffered several failures resulting in near loss of power and control. In the most serious instances, the "charge" indicated for the ima battery will suddenly drop (from a three-quarters or half-charge to no charge) in a few seconds while accelerating intro traffic (from auto stop) resulting in an marked, sudden decrease in acceleration. It is impossible to predict when this will happen -- and it has already resulting in 2 near accidents. I have reported this issue to my local Honda dealer. The have reprogrammed the ima system (pursuant to several service bulletins) to no avail. They have also noted that the ima system currently indicates code P047F (high voltage battery deterioration), but they refuse to replace the ima battery even though it is clearly defective and covered under the 9-year, 92000 mile warranty extension agreed to by Honda in the recent john true et al. V. american Honda class action settlement. It is only a matter of time before the defects in the ima system in the 2006 (and other) Honda Civic hybrid models cause a serious crash due to unanticipated loss of power and/or control.

- Arlington, VA, USA

The contact owns a 2006 Honda Civic hybrid. The contact stated that water was sipping into the vehicle causing the battery to short. The vehicle was taken to a dealer but the failure was not diagnosed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted about the issue. The failure mileage was 120,000 and the current mileage was unavailable. The VIN was unavailable.

- Edmonds, WA, USA

The ima battery has failed. The ima battery was given a computer "patch" last year to help the ima perform better than it had. The performance after a stop was very poor and the pick up lagging seriously behind the engine. The "patch" did not work, it made matters worse. I am now faced with the large expense of having to replace this battery. Beyond the expense is the safety issue of not having the power to accelerate because the "patch" adjusted the ima system poorly..

- Seattle, WA, USA

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

- San Rafael, CA, USA

On at least four occasions, once while moving at about 30 mph, the entire car shut down. The gas engine shut off, power steering and brakes went dead, and the dash went blank. I had to place the car in park, and then remove and reinsert the key in order to restart. This has happened once, though not while moving, since the ima software update.

- Fullerton, CA, USA

Honda performed an ima software update on 12/22/2010. Since that time the availability of electrical assist has been greatly reduced. Even when the battery reads full, I cannot be sure that electrical assist will be available, or, if it is available, how long it will last. Several times it has suddenly failed in the middle of a merge or lane change.

- Fullerton, CA, USA

The vehicles battery has failed and the car does not have enough power to safely pull into intersections or incoming traffic. There have been several near misses due to this issue. We are terrified when driving the vehicle.

- Rossville, GA, USA

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 $9,867.19 against Honda - see www.dontsettlewithhonda.org for 26 page judgment of the court. */01/2012

- Los Angeles, CA, USA

The integrated motor assist (ima) battery is failing prematurely on my car, the assist works sporadically. When passing traffic on the highway I have to really mash the gas pedal to the floor, because the assist is absent for lack of power. Honda installed a software fix(bulletin 10-034) that greatly reduces the battery ability to function at full capacity, so they could make the battery last longer and not have to replace them under warranty. I get the code P0A7F (one of the blocks in the battery pack has deteriorated: Its dynamic resistance is too high) on my car computer. Honda erased it manually and sent me home without replacing my ima battery. When coming to a stop the car surges as I make a complete stop, because the car is regenerating power to replenish the spent battery. The so called patch 10-034 is really making the car unstable to drive, the engine reeves very high without much power produced in passing or entering highways situations. When the car was working fine, a little touch of the gas would have been enough to pass traffic or climb steep hills. Now the assist only works sometimes and keeps me guessing if I will have enough power to pass or not. The ima battery is definitely not up to the job.

- Seymour, CT, USA

The integrated motor assist (ima) hybrid system loses power with no known precipitating factors or advance indication of failure. The vehicle will immediately reduce power train output prior to the dash gauges indicating a near-complete loss of ima battery charge and function moments later, with only the internal combustion engine providing motive power. Within 3-4 miles of driving, the ima battery charge, as indicated by the dash meter, will then immediately jump to a completely full level in a similarly unexplained fashion. Independent of these transient but regular failures of the high-voltage hybrid system, the vehicle functions as expected. Currently, I have documented over 160 instances since 4/22/11, occurring an average of once every day the vehicle is driven, increasing to 2-3 times daily since mid-November, 2011 (data available on request). Symptoms occur independent of ambient temperature, nature of drive (high/low speed) and despite changing the 12 volt battery and disconnecting or turning off all power accessories possible. Following a satisfaction campaign by Honda in late summer/fall, 2010 that involved a software update installed at a Honda dealership and replacement of the DC-DC converter portion of the hybrid system under recall shortly after, the episodes of loss of power impairing vehicle operation have increased in frequency. An additional software update by Honda completed on 11/10/11 has further exacerbated the rate of transient failures of the ima system and impacted vehicle driveability. Multiple software updates pertaining the the ima hybrid system have also been installed on the vehicle by Honda dealer technicians over the previous 3 years.

- Lake Zurich, IL, USA