2009 Honda Civic Hybrid problems

VISIBILITY/WIPER

DRIVER SIDE SUN VISOR IS DEFECTIVE. A COMPONENT INSIDE THE VISOR IS BROKEN. THE VISOR WILL NOT STAY LOCKED IN PLACE AND DROPS DOWN WHICH BLOCKS THE DRIVER'S VIEW OF THE ROAD. IT IS ESPECIALLY DANGEROUS WHEN DRIVING AT NIGHT AND IN POORLY VISIBILITY CONDITIONS. THIS IS AN IN MOTION SAFETY HAZARD.

NHTSA complaint #11092123 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

VISIBILITY/WIPER

DRIVER SIDE SUN VISOR IS DEFECTIVE. A COMPONENT INSIDE THE VISOR IS BROKEN. THE VISOR WILL NOT STAY LOCKED IN PLACE AND DROPS DOWN WHICH BLOCKS THE DRIVER'S VIEW OF THE ROAD. IT IS ESPECIALLY DANGEROUS WHEN DRIVING AT NIGHT AND IN POORLY VISIBILITY CONDITIONS. THIS IS AN IN MOTION SAFETY HAZARD.

NHTSA complaint #11092121 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

AIR BAGS

"TAKATA RECALL" WHILE DEALER HAS TOLD ME AIR BAG WAS COMPLETED, IT WAS SOLD TO ME WITH AN OPEN ENTRY OR QUESTIONABLE COMPLETION. UPON DRIVING THE CAR I FOUND IT FELT SHAKY & WAS TOLD THEY WOULD FIX ANY PROBLEMS HOWEVER NOW THAT I HAVE TAKEN IT IN TWICE AND IT HAS STAYED THERE OVER A WEEK, AND THEN TAKEN HOME (WITHOUT MY APPROVAL) BY SERVICE MANAGER, WHEN I STILL COMPLAINED THAT IT DOESN'T FEEL SO STABLE AND MAYBE WE SHOULD CALL OFF THE DEAL OR TRADE FOR ANOTHER CAR, I WAS TOLD.."DEAL IS DONE, THE CAR IS YOURS, WE'VE SPENT $$ TO FIX THINGS". MY RESPONSE WAS "WHATEVER ITEMS DONE WERE ITEMS THAT SHOULD HAVE BEEN DONE PRE-SALE AND WERE AGREED TO BE DONE". THE AXLE ENDED UP BEING BAD AND SOMETHING STILL FEELS LIKE THE CAR STAGGERS HOWEVER I GOT TIRED OF COMPLAINING. I'M NOT ENTIRELY SURE THAT I'M DRIVING A SAFE CAR AND THAT IT WAS NOT IN AN ACCIDENT. NOT SURE WHAT TO DO AS NOW I OWE A LOAN & HAVE BEEN DRIVING CAR. MY MAIN CONCERN HAS ALWAYS BEEN SAFETY. I BROUGHT ALL THIS TO THE TABLE PRE PURCHASE. I BROUGHT CAR IN AGAIN BECAUSE IT WAS SHAKY, STRUGGLING & STAGGERING TO GO UP HILL, WOULD NOT PROPERLY ACCELERATE, AND WAS HAVING A BURNT SMELL. WHAT THEY FOUND WAS BAD AXLE AND SOMETHING WITH ROTOR (WHICH WAS NOT CAUGHT ON FIRST TIME I BROUGHT IN THAT IT SPENT A WEEK THERE). CAR FAX DID NOT INDICATE ACCIDENT BUT DRIVABILITY SEEMS QUESTIONABLE. I BOUGHT CAR 12/31/17, BROUGHT BACK IN FIRST WEEK TO COMPLETE THE OPEN ITEMS (ONE BEING THE AIR BAG ISSUE) I BROUGHT ALL CONCERNS UP PRE-PURCHASE W/AGREEMENT THEY WOULD TAKE CARE OF ALL. I BROUGHT IT IN & IT REMAINED ABOUT A WEEK. PICKED UP 01/13/18. HAD TO BRING IN AGAIN 01/30/18 DUE TO STAGGERING & BURNT SMELL. PICKED UP 2/02/18 & WHEN I BROUGHT UP THAT I THINK WE SHOULD JUST TRADE CAR AS I FELT MAYBE I GOT BURNED, THEY SAID: CAR IS YOURS, YOU BOUGHT IT (IN A NUTSHELL). I HAVE ALL EMAILS OF CONCERNS BROUGHT UP. JUST WANT TO BE SURE.

NHTSA complaint #11073127 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

"TAKATA RECALL" WHILE DEALER HAS TOLD ME AIR BAG WAS COMPLETED, IT WAS SOLD TO ME WITH AN OPEN ENTRY OR QUESTIONABLE COMPLETION. UPON DRIVING THE CAR I FOUND IT FELT SHAKY & WAS TOLD THEY WOULD FIX ANY PROBLEMS HOWEVER NOW THAT I HAVE TAKEN IT IN TWICE AND IT HAS STAYED THERE OVER A WEEK, AND THEN TAKEN HOME (WITHOUT MY APPROVAL) BY SERVICE MANAGER, WHEN I STILL COMPLAINED THAT IT DOESN'T FEEL SO STABLE AND MAYBE WE SHOULD CALL OFF THE DEAL OR TRADE FOR ANOTHER CAR, I WAS TOLD.."DEAL IS DONE, THE CAR IS YOURS, WE'VE SPENT $$ TO FIX THINGS". MY RESPONSE WAS "WHATEVER ITEMS DONE WERE ITEMS THAT SHOULD HAVE BEEN DONE PRE-SALE AND WERE AGREED TO BE DONE". THE AXLE ENDED UP BEING BAD AND SOMETHING STILL FEELS LIKE THE CAR STAGGERS HOWEVER I GOT TIRED OF COMPLAINING. I'M NOT ENTIRELY SURE THAT I'M DRIVING A SAFE CAR AND THAT IT WAS NOT IN AN ACCIDENT. NOT SURE WHAT TO DO AS NOW I OWE A LOAN & HAVE BEEN DRIVING CAR. MY MAIN CONCERN HAS ALWAYS BEEN SAFETY. I BROUGHT ALL THIS TO THE TABLE PRE PURCHASE. I BROUGHT CAR IN AGAIN BECAUSE IT WAS SHAKY, STRUGGLING & STAGGERING TO GO UP HILL, WOULD NOT PROPERLY ACCELERATE, AND WAS HAVING A BURNT SMELL. WHAT THEY FOUND WAS BAD AXLE AND SOMETHING WITH ROTOR (WHICH WAS NOT CAUGHT ON FIRST TIME I BROUGHT IN THAT IT SPENT A WEEK THERE). CAR FAX DID NOT INDICATE ACCIDENT BUT DRIVABILITY SEEMS QUESTIONABLE. I BOUGHT CAR 12/31/17, BROUGHT BACK IN FIRST WEEK TO COMPLETE THE OPEN ITEMS (ONE BEING THE AIR BAG ISSUE) I BROUGHT ALL CONCERNS UP PRE-PURCHASE W/AGREEMENT THEY WOULD TAKE CARE OF ALL. I BROUGHT IT IN & IT REMAINED ABOUT A WEEK. PICKED UP 01/13/18. HAD TO BRING IN AGAIN 01/30/18 DUE TO STAGGERING & BURNT SMELL. PICKED UP 2/02/18 & WHEN I BROUGHT UP THAT I THINK WE SHOULD JUST TRADE CAR AS I FELT MAYBE I GOT BURNED, THEY SAID: CAR IS YOURS, YOU BOUGHT IT (IN A NUTSHELL). I HAVE ALL EMAILS OF CONCERNS BROUGHT UP. JUST WANT TO BE SURE.

NHTSA complaint #11073127 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SUSPENSION

"TAKATA RECALL" WHILE DEALER HAS TOLD ME AIR BAG WAS COMPLETED, IT WAS SOLD TO ME WITH AN OPEN ENTRY OR QUESTIONABLE COMPLETION. UPON DRIVING THE CAR I FOUND IT FELT SHAKY & WAS TOLD THEY WOULD FIX ANY PROBLEMS HOWEVER NOW THAT I HAVE TAKEN IT IN TWICE AND IT HAS STAYED THERE OVER A WEEK, AND THEN TAKEN HOME (WITHOUT MY APPROVAL) BY SERVICE MANAGER, WHEN I STILL COMPLAINED THAT IT DOESN'T FEEL SO STABLE AND MAYBE WE SHOULD CALL OFF THE DEAL OR TRADE FOR ANOTHER CAR, I WAS TOLD.."DEAL IS DONE, THE CAR IS YOURS, WE'VE SPENT $$ TO FIX THINGS". MY RESPONSE WAS "WHATEVER ITEMS DONE WERE ITEMS THAT SHOULD HAVE BEEN DONE PRE-SALE AND WERE AGREED TO BE DONE". THE AXLE ENDED UP BEING BAD AND SOMETHING STILL FEELS LIKE THE CAR STAGGERS HOWEVER I GOT TIRED OF COMPLAINING. I'M NOT ENTIRELY SURE THAT I'M DRIVING A SAFE CAR AND THAT IT WAS NOT IN AN ACCIDENT. NOT SURE WHAT TO DO AS NOW I OWE A LOAN & HAVE BEEN DRIVING CAR. MY MAIN CONCERN HAS ALWAYS BEEN SAFETY. I BROUGHT ALL THIS TO THE TABLE PRE PURCHASE. I BROUGHT CAR IN AGAIN BECAUSE IT WAS SHAKY, STRUGGLING & STAGGERING TO GO UP HILL, WOULD NOT PROPERLY ACCELERATE, AND WAS HAVING A BURNT SMELL. WHAT THEY FOUND WAS BAD AXLE AND SOMETHING WITH ROTOR (WHICH WAS NOT CAUGHT ON FIRST TIME I BROUGHT IN THAT IT SPENT A WEEK THERE). CAR FAX DID NOT INDICATE ACCIDENT BUT DRIVABILITY SEEMS QUESTIONABLE. I BOUGHT CAR 12/31/17, BROUGHT BACK IN FIRST WEEK TO COMPLETE THE OPEN ITEMS (ONE BEING THE AIR BAG ISSUE) I BROUGHT ALL CONCERNS UP PRE-PURCHASE W/AGREEMENT THEY WOULD TAKE CARE OF ALL. I BROUGHT IT IN & IT REMAINED ABOUT A WEEK. PICKED UP 01/13/18. HAD TO BRING IN AGAIN 01/30/18 DUE TO STAGGERING & BURNT SMELL. PICKED UP 2/02/18 & WHEN I BROUGHT UP THAT I THINK WE SHOULD JUST TRADE CAR AS I FELT MAYBE I GOT BURNED, THEY SAID: CAR IS YOURS, YOU BOUGHT IT (IN A NUTSHELL). I HAVE ALL EMAILS OF CONCERNS BROUGHT UP. JUST WANT TO BE SURE.

NHTSA complaint #11073127 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

WHEELS

THREE OF TPMS SENSORS WERE REPLACED IN 2015 FOR MALFUNCTIONING BY HONDA SERVICE. TWO TPMS SENSORS MALFUNCTIONING IN 2017 ACCORDING TO HONDA SERVICE INSPECTION. ONE TPMS SEAL WAS REPLACED IN 2017 BY THE HONDA SERVICE. LOW TIRE PRESSURE WARNING REGULARLY COMING UP, ONCE PER MONTH IN AVERAGE, SOMETIMES TWO OR THREE TIMES A MONTH.

NHTSA complaint #11046430 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

FUEL TANK LEAKING AT THE FILL NECK BASE, VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN A GARAGE AND LEFT A SMALL PUDDLE OF FUEL AND GAS FUMES INFILTRATED THE HOME. THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY AT THE TIME OF THE INCIDENT. HONDA ISSUED AND EXTENDED WARRANTY ON "SOME" 2006-2011 HONDA CIVIC HYBRIDS BUT MY VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE WARRANTY EXTENSION.

NHTSA complaint #11021130 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

AIR BAGS

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 HONDA CIVIC HYBRID. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V346000 (AIR BAGS). THE PARTS TO DO THE REPAIR WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE CONTACT CALLED THE DEALER (BOB HOWARD HONDA AT 13201 N KELLEY AVE, OKLAHOMA CITY, OK 73131, (405) 753-8700) WHERE IT WAS CONFIRMED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE FOR THE RECALL REMEDY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

NHTSA complaint #11006450 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

AIR BAGS

TAKATA RECALL? AIRBAG LIGHT ON, TOOK TO HONDA DEALER. DIAGNOSTIC FOUND MULTIPLE STORED FAULT CODES: 32-10 FRONT PASSENGER; 11-10 DRIVERS AIRBAG, INFLATOR SAVED AND CLEARED CODES. FAULT STILL IN 31-10. SYSTEM WORKED WHEN SIMULATOR USED, WHEN SIMULATOR WAS REMOVED FAULT RETURNED IN PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG. RECOMMENDED TO REPLACE PASSENGER SIDE SEAT AIRBAG. PART $597; LABOR $140. REALLY? CUSTOMER DECLINED. HONDA DEALER SAYS NO THAT IF CAR IN COLLISION, NO AIRBAGS WILL DEPLOY. IS THIS TRUE? IS THIS THE SUBJECT OF THE RECALL? PLEASE ADVISE.

NHTSA complaint #11000653 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

AIR BAGS

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 HONDA CIVIC HYBRID. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V346000 (AIR BAGS). HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE RECALL REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE. UPDATED 01/25/2017

NHTSA complaint #10926155 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE

HONDA ACKNOWLEDGES THAT THERE ARE BATTERY ISSUES WITH THE 2009 CIVIC HYBRID BATTERIES AND HAS ISSUED A REPLACEMENT ORDER FOR THEM. THEY ALSO ACKNOWLEDGE THAT SOME OF THE BATTERY ISSUES ARE CAUSED BY THE BATTERY CONTROL MODULE BUT REFUSE TO INCLUDE THAT IN THE COVERED REPAIR. IN THIS CASE, THE BATTERY IS OVERHEATING. THIS IS THE SECOND BATTERY IN A CAR THAT IS JUST OVER 5 YEARS OLD.

NHTSA complaint #10794316 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS PROVIDE LIGHT ONLY OUT TO FIFTY OR SIXTY FEET. THIS REQUIRES ME TO DRIVE WITH THE HIGH BEAMS ALMOST CONTINUALLY. THE LACK OF NIGHT TIME VISIBILITY IS A MAJOR SAFETY PROBLEM.

NHTSA complaint #10787267 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SUSPENSION

LIKE OTHERS WITH THIS PROBLEM WE NOTICED A NOISE FROM THE TIRES WHEN WE WERE ON A NEWLY PAVED ROAD ON AN EXTENDED TRIP. WHEN WE RETURNED HOME, I WAS TOLD BY THE DEALER THAT THE REAR TIRES WERE CUPPED AND THE CAR WOULD NEED AN ALIGNMENT. WE ENDED UP REPLACING ALL 4 TIRES WITH 20000 MILES ON THEM...A LOT SOONER THAN ANTICIPATED. RESEARCHING THE PROBLEM I SAW THERE WAS A CORRECTION FOR 2008 CIVICS, BUT NOT FOR 2009. EITHER THE PROBLEM WAS NOT CORRECTED, OR WE WERE UNFORTUNATE TO PURCHASE A 2009 EARLY IN THE PRODUCTION RUN THAT WAS NOT CORRECTED. HONDA ASSUMES NO RESPONSIBILITY FOR THIS PROBLEM THAT MANY HAVE EXPERIENCED....UPDATED 09/22/15

NHTSA complaint #10732301 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

POWER TRAIN

VEHICLE FAILS TO ACCELERATE AND SHUTS DOWN AS MOVING THROUGH INTERSECTIONS. THIS HAS NEARLY CAUSED A CRASH. THIS HAS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES BELIEVE IT HAS SOMETHING TO DO WITH THE BATTERIES, ENGINE AND TRANSMISSION. THE BATTERIES FAIL TO DRIVE THE ELECTRIC MOTORS, THE GAS ENGINE DOES NOT ENGAGE AND FOR SOME REASON IT WILL SHUT COMPLETELY OFF. TOOK IT TO THE DEALER THEY SAID THEY COULD NOT DETECT A CODE OR DUPLICATE THE ISSUE. THIS ISSUE HAS BEEN WELL DOCUMENTED ON MANY SITES (INCLUDING THIS ONE). THERE IS A RECALL ON THE BATTERIES BUT HONDA DOES NOT WANT TO CHANGE OUT THE BATTERIES. THIS NEEDS TO BE A FORCED RECALL BEFORE PEOPLE GET HURT OR KILLED.

NHTSA complaint #10725498 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

AIR BAGS

ENTERED THE VEHICLE, CLOSED THE DOOR, TURNED ON THE IGNITION, STARTED CONNECTING MY PHONE TO THE PHONE CHARGER AND THE SIDE AIRBAGS (CURTAIN AIRBAGS) DEPLOYED WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN PARK. VEHICLE WAS NOT INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT NOR HAD ANY DAMAGE ON THE BODY. I HAVE FILED A CLAIM WITH THE INSURANCE COMPANY, GEICO AND THE VEHICLE IS BEING TOWED TO THE CLOSEST HONDA DEALER TO EXAMINE THE DATA EVENT RECORDER TO REVIEW THE COMPUTER FOR DEFECTS. ..UPDATED 12/11/14*BF UPDATED 06/2/2015 *JS...UPDATED 12/29/15 *BF HONDA FOUND THE INADVERTENT DEPLOYMENT WAS CAUSED BY AN ANOMALY ON MICRO CHIP INSIDE THE SRS CONTROL UNIT, RESULTING IN A FALSE DETECTION OF IMPACT AND INCORRECT INSTRUCTION FOR DEPLOYMENT. THE ANOMALY ON THE MICRO CHIP HAD BECOME CONTAMINATED BY A FOREIGN SUBSTANCE DURING THE WAFER PRODUCTION PROCESS. THE CRASH SENSORS DID NOT HAVE ANY ANOMALIES. UPDATED 1/22/2015

NHTSA complaint #10661889 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

AFTER HAVING THE 3RD IMA BATTERY INSTALLED IN MY HCH 2009, THE TECHNICIAN TOLD ME THE REASON THAT THE BATTERIES WERE FAILING AND WOULD CONTINUE TO FAIL AT A RATE OF ABOUT EVERY 2-3 YEARS, WAS THAT I "WAS NOT DRIVING THE CAR ENOUGH". I DRIVE MY CAR PLENTY--45000 MILES ON IT. AND I WAS NEVER TOLD WHEN I WAS BUYING THE CAR THAT I NEEDED TO DRIVE IT LIKE A TAXI CAB TO INSURE THE BATTERY'S LIFE. I HAVE EXPERIENCED ALL OF THE SAFETY ISSUES ASSOCIATED WITH A FAILING BATTERY, I.E. SLUGGISH OR NEARLY NO ACCELERATION (OFTEN IN CRITICAL TRAFFIC SITUATIONS), AS WELL AS POOR MPG. I DID NOT BUY THE HONDA HYBRID FOR ITS SUPERIOR GAS MILEAGE--IF I WANTED THE BEST I WOULD HAVE BOUGHT A PRIUS. BUT I DID WANT TO INVEST IN HONDA AND THE CONTINUANCE OF DEPENDABILITY, SERVICE, AND PERFORMANCE (THIS IS MY 3RD HONDA). I WAS SO DISAPPOINTED WHEN HONDA OFFERED ME NOTHING MORE THAN THE USUAL CUSTOMER WHEN I TRIED TO TRADE IN AND REPURCHASE A 2015 NON-HYBRID CIVIC. I PAID A LOT EXTRA FOR THEIR 2009 HYBRID TECHNOLOGY, AS DID MANY OTHERS, WITH NOT EVEN CLOSE TO THE PERFORMANCE THAT THEY PROMISED.

NHTSA complaint #10661315 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

POWER TRAIN

ABOUT 2 YEARS AFTER PURCHASING OUR 2009 CIVIC HYBRID, IT BEGAN TO HAVE SERIOUS ACCELERATION ISSUES. THE PROBLEMS APPEAR TO BE RELATED TO THE TRACTION BATTERY CHARGE LEVEL, AND IT IS WORSE WHEN AMBIENT TEMPS ARE HIGH. THE FAULT IS THAT THE VEHICLE WILL UNPREDICTABLY FAIL TO ACCELERATE, AS THE TRACTION ENGINE REFUSES TO ASSIST, AND THE GASOLINE ENGINE AND CVT BARELY ACCELERATE THE VEHICLE UNTIL RPMS GET UP HIGHER. AFTER GETTING A WARRANTY REPLACEMENT OF THE BATTERY, THE SITUATION WAS MUCH IMPROVED, BUT NOW AS THE VEHICLE AGES THE PROBLEM IS BACK, AND WORSE THAN EVER. IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO CONFIDENTLY MERGE INTO TRAFFIC, AS THE VEHICLE IS DANGEROUSLY ERRATIC IN PERFORMANCE.

NHTSA complaint #10632912 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

CAR DIED AT 50MPH ON A STRAIGHT FLAT ROAD FOR NO REASON. DASHBOARD DISPLAY WENT BLANK AND POWER STEERING LOST. PUT CAR INTO NEUTRAL, RESTARTED THE CAR IN NEUTRAL AND RECOVERED POWER STEERING AND ELECTRICAL SYSTEMS. THIS IS THE SECOND SIMILAR INCIDENT BUT THE FIRST AT HIGH SPEED. MECHANICS SAID THERE WAS A CORRODED BATTERY CABLE, THEN LATER INDICATED THAT IT JUST NEEDED TO BE TIGHTENED, HOWEVER, THE BATTERY IS BRAND NEW AND THE CABLE WAS CHECKED AND THE CONNECTION WAS SECURE AND ENTIRELY FREE OF CORROSION JUST DAYS BEFORE. IN ADDITION, THE MPG CALCULATION DID NOT RESET AS IT DOES WHEN THE 12V BATTERY IS ACTUALLY DISCONNECTED FROM THE CIRCUIT.

NHTSA complaint #10609494 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

AS WITH MOST OF THE COMPLAINTS ON THIS SITE, THE VEHICLE BATTERY HAD TO BE REPLACED AFTER THE IMA LIGHT CAME ON. IT HISTORICALLY FLICKERED ON AND OFF AND WE THOUGHT INITIALLY NOTHING OF IT. WE THEN DID SOME RESEARCH ONLINE ONLY TO FIND OUT THAT HONDA HAS IGNORED THE COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS ISSUE, & INSTEAD HAVE HAD THEIR DEALERSHIPS DECIDE ON WHETHER TO REPLACE OR NOT. INITIALLY THE DEALERSHIP TOLD MY WIFE & I THAT IT WOULD COST $4.5K+ TO REPLACE THE BATTERY, BECAUSE IT WAS NO LONGER A WARRANTABLE ITEM. THERE WAS NO MENTION OF ANYTHING HONDA WAS DOING TO RECTIFY THIS ISSUE. AFTER I DID MY GENERAL ONLINE RESEARCH, THE DEALER MYSTERIOUSLY CAME BACK WITH THEIR OFFER TO PAY ALL BUT $450+ OF THE COST TO REPLACE THE BATTERY. BOTH MY WIFE AND I THOUGHT THIS WAS VERY UNUSUAL, ESPECIALLY KNOWING THE DEALER DOESN'T DO ANYTHING FOR FREE OR AT SUCH A GREAT DISCOUNT. AFTER FURTHER COMPLAINING AND KNOWING WE NEEDED A WORKING CAR, MY WIFE HAGGLED WITH THE DEALER DOWN TO $265 TO REPLACE A PART THAT WOULD HAVE COST $4.5K+. EVERYTHING ABOUT THIS WHOLE BATTERY REPLACEMENT SCREAMS 'FISHY', BUT WITH NO ACTION BY NHTSA TO ADDRESS A GROWING CHORUS OF PERSONS WHO OWN THE 2009 HYBRID, PEOPLE WILL ULTIMATELY PAY THE $4.5K IF THEY DON'T KNOW THAT HONDA MAY BE SILENTLY ADDRESSING THE ISSUE, BUT LEAVING IT UP TO THEIR DEALERS TO HAND OUT THE SOLUTION AT THEIR WHIM. THIS SHOULD BE COVERED @ 100% BY HONDA INCLUDING LABOR. THIS IS/WAS A DEFECTIVE ITEM FROM THE 2009 MODEL THAT SHOULD BE RECALLED, BUT SADLY IT WONT BE UNTIL SOMEONE GETS HURT. I SAY HURT BECAUSE THE DEALER SAID, TO GET US TO PAY THE INITIAL $4.5K+, THAT IF WE DIDN'T REPLACE THE BATTERY THE CAR WOULD SHUT DOWN & ALL THINGS CONNECTED TO THE BATTERY WOULD ALSO FAIL AS WELL, INCLUDING STEERING AND BRAKING. THIS LEAVES 3 CHOICES: PAY THE 4500; BUY A NEW HONDA AND GET NOTHING FOR THE OLD ONE; LEAVE HONDA AND GET ANOTHER BRANDED CAR. ALL BAD.

NHTSA complaint #10507075 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE

AS WITH MOST OF THE COMPLAINTS ON THIS SITE, THE VEHICLE BATTERY HAD TO BE REPLACED AFTER THE IMA LIGHT CAME ON. IT HISTORICALLY FLICKERED ON AND OFF AND WE THOUGHT INITIALLY NOTHING OF IT. WE THEN DID SOME RESEARCH ONLINE ONLY TO FIND OUT THAT HONDA HAS IGNORED THE COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS ISSUE, & INSTEAD HAVE HAD THEIR DEALERSHIPS DECIDE ON WHETHER TO REPLACE OR NOT. INITIALLY THE DEALERSHIP TOLD MY WIFE & I THAT IT WOULD COST $4.5K+ TO REPLACE THE BATTERY, BECAUSE IT WAS NO LONGER A WARRANTABLE ITEM. THERE WAS NO MENTION OF ANYTHING HONDA WAS DOING TO RECTIFY THIS ISSUE. AFTER I DID MY GENERAL ONLINE RESEARCH, THE DEALER MYSTERIOUSLY CAME BACK WITH THEIR OFFER TO PAY ALL BUT $450+ OF THE COST TO REPLACE THE BATTERY. BOTH MY WIFE AND I THOUGHT THIS WAS VERY UNUSUAL, ESPECIALLY KNOWING THE DEALER DOESN'T DO ANYTHING FOR FREE OR AT SUCH A GREAT DISCOUNT. AFTER FURTHER COMPLAINING AND KNOWING WE NEEDED A WORKING CAR, MY WIFE HAGGLED WITH THE DEALER DOWN TO $265 TO REPLACE A PART THAT WOULD HAVE COST $4.5K+. EVERYTHING ABOUT THIS WHOLE BATTERY REPLACEMENT SCREAMS 'FISHY', BUT WITH NO ACTION BY NHTSA TO ADDRESS A GROWING CHORUS OF PERSONS WHO OWN THE 2009 HYBRID, PEOPLE WILL ULTIMATELY PAY THE $4.5K IF THEY DON'T KNOW THAT HONDA MAY BE SILENTLY ADDRESSING THE ISSUE, BUT LEAVING IT UP TO THEIR DEALERS TO HAND OUT THE SOLUTION AT THEIR WHIM. THIS SHOULD BE COVERED @ 100% BY HONDA INCLUDING LABOR. THIS IS/WAS A DEFECTIVE ITEM FROM THE 2009 MODEL THAT SHOULD BE RECALLED, BUT SADLY IT WONT BE UNTIL SOMEONE GETS HURT. I SAY HURT BECAUSE THE DEALER SAID, TO GET US TO PAY THE INITIAL $4.5K+, THAT IF WE DIDN'T REPLACE THE BATTERY THE CAR WOULD SHUT DOWN & ALL THINGS CONNECTED TO THE BATTERY WOULD ALSO FAIL AS WELL, INCLUDING STEERING AND BRAKING. THIS LEAVES 3 CHOICES: PAY THE 4500; BUY A NEW HONDA AND GET NOTHING FOR THE OLD ONE; LEAVE HONDA AND GET ANOTHER BRANDED CAR. ALL BAD.

NHTSA complaint #10507075 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 HONDA CIVIC HYBRID. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE TRAVELING 45 MPH, THE VEHICLE LOST ACCELERATION POWER. THE VEHICLE WAS SHUT OFF AND RESTARTED AS IT RESUMED NORMAL FUNCTION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE HYBRID BATTERY FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED ABOUT THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 45,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 91,000.

NHTSA complaint #10504402 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

AT THE END OF OCTOBER 2012, I BEGAN TO HAVE ISSUES WITH THE IMA BATTERY FAILING ON MY HONDA CIVIC HYBRID (2009). I TOOK IT TO THE LOCAL HONDA SHOP, AND THE BATTERY FAILED BECAUSE OF HIGH VOLTAGE AND DETERIORATION. THE SOFTWARE UPDATE WAS TRIED FIRST. WITHIN 5 MILES, THE BATTERY FAILED AGAIN. THE CAR STOPPED USING THE HYBRID MOTOR, SO I HAD NO ASSIST WHEN I WAS PULLING INTO TRAFFIC. THE GAS ENGINE REVVED, BUT IT DID NOT MOVE THE CAR. I WAS IN THE MIDDLE OF A BUSY ROAD WITH AN 85 HP ENGINE THAT WAS REVVING HIGH BUT GOING NOWHERE. I GOT LUCKY THAT I COULD GO INTO REVERSE. THE NEXT DAY, I TRIED TO RETURN THE VEHICLE TO THE SHOP, BUT THE CAR AND BATTERY WERE ACTING FUNNY AGAIN. I WOULD GET A GREEN LIGHT FOR THE BATTERY TO CHARGE, THE WHITE LIGHTS WOULD INDICATE AN ASSIST, BUT THE CAR WOULD NOT GO IN REVERSE, AND IT WOULD REV HIGH BUT NOT GO FORWARD. THAT CAR AND ITS FLAWED BATTERY AND HORRIBLE SOFTWARE UPDATE COULD HAVE KILLED ME. THAT COMBINATION INDICATES A SERIOUS DESIGN AND ENGINEERING FLAW. IT TOOK THREE DAYS TO GET A NEW BATTERY, AND THAT NEW BATTERY IS THE THIRD FOR THIS CAR.

NHTSA complaint #10484984 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE

AT THE END OF OCTOBER 2012, I BEGAN TO HAVE ISSUES WITH THE IMA BATTERY FAILING ON MY HONDA CIVIC HYBRID (2009). I TOOK IT TO THE LOCAL HONDA SHOP, AND THE BATTERY FAILED BECAUSE OF HIGH VOLTAGE AND DETERIORATION. THE SOFTWARE UPDATE WAS TRIED FIRST. WITHIN 5 MILES, THE BATTERY FAILED AGAIN. THE CAR STOPPED USING THE HYBRID MOTOR, SO I HAD NO ASSIST WHEN I WAS PULLING INTO TRAFFIC. THE GAS ENGINE REVVED, BUT IT DID NOT MOVE THE CAR. I WAS IN THE MIDDLE OF A BUSY ROAD WITH AN 85 HP ENGINE THAT WAS REVVING HIGH BUT GOING NOWHERE. I GOT LUCKY THAT I COULD GO INTO REVERSE. THE NEXT DAY, I TRIED TO RETURN THE VEHICLE TO THE SHOP, BUT THE CAR AND BATTERY WERE ACTING FUNNY AGAIN. I WOULD GET A GREEN LIGHT FOR THE BATTERY TO CHARGE, THE WHITE LIGHTS WOULD INDICATE AN ASSIST, BUT THE CAR WOULD NOT GO IN REVERSE, AND IT WOULD REV HIGH BUT NOT GO FORWARD. THAT CAR AND ITS FLAWED BATTERY AND HORRIBLE SOFTWARE UPDATE COULD HAVE KILLED ME. THAT COMBINATION INDICATES A SERIOUS DESIGN AND ENGINEERING FLAW. IT TOOK THREE DAYS TO GET A NEW BATTERY, AND THAT NEW BATTERY IS THE THIRD FOR THIS CAR.

NHTSA complaint #10484984 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

POWER TRAIN

NOTICED ABOUT A WEEK AGO THAT THERE WAS A WHINING NOISE COMING FROM THE ENGINE WHILE IN GEAR. IT DOESN'T MAKE THE NOISE IN PARK OR NEUTRAL OR WHEN AT A STOP AND THE ENGINE SHUTS OFF. TOOK IT TO DCH HONDA IN TEMECULA,CA AND AFTER AN HOUR THEY CALLED ME AND TOLD ME MY TRANSMISSION IS BAD AND IT WILL COST ME $5250 TO GET A NEW ONE INSTALLED. I HAD THE IMA BATTERY REPLACED LAST YEAR WITH LESS THAN 40K MILES ON THE CAR. STILL ONLY GET 38 MPG AVG. ON HIGHWAY.

NHTSA complaint #10479998 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.