NHTSA Complaint #10255174 — 2003 HONDA CIVIC

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 HONDA CIVIC-HYBRID. WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL ENGAGED, THE ENGINE SUDDENLY REVVED, BUT THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO DECELERATE. THE TACHOMETER ESCALATED AND THE CONTACT PULLED THE VEHICLE ONTO THE SHOULDER. AFTER A FEW MINUTES, HE ATTEMPTED TO DRIVE BACK INTO TRAFFIC AND THE VEHICLE MOVED VERY SLOWLY. THE VEHICLE COULD ONLY BE DRIVEN 5 MPH; HOWEVER, THE ENGINE WAS STILL REVVING. AFTER THE CONTACT SHUT OFF THE ENGINE FOR SEVERAL MINUTES AND RESTARTED IT, THE VEHICLE WORKED PERFECTLY FINE FOR APPROXIMATELY 30 MILES. WHEN HE ATTEMPTED TO EXIT THE HIGHWAY, THE VEHICLE BEGAN LOSING SPEED AGAIN WHILE THE ENGINE WAS STILL REVVING. HE MANAGED TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE HOME AND LEFT IT PARKED FOR A FEW DAYS. HE DID NOT START THE ENGINE DURING THAT TIME. A FEW DAYS LATER, HE DROVE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT A NEW TRANSMISSION WAS NEEDED. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT YET BEEN REPAIRED AND IS STILL AT THE DEALER. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 116,000. UPDATED 02-18-09UPDATED 02/18/09. *JB