NHTSA Complaint #10361217 — 2006 HONDA CIVIC

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 HONDA CIVIC HYBRID. WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS ENGAGED HE NOTICED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT AS POWERFUL AS USUAL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHO STATED THAT THE INTEGRATED MOTOR ASSIST WAS EXPERIENCING INTERMITTENT FAILURES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE PROBLEM HAD CONTINUED TO OCCUR INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE SOFTWARE SYSTEM WAS UPDATED. THE FAILURE BECAME PROGRESSIVELY WORSE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 43,381 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 56,000. THE CONSUMER STATED THE SAFETY ISSUED IS THAT IMA BATTERIES LOSE THEIR ABILITY TO HOLD A CHARGE AND THE REPROGRAMMING IMPLEMENTED BY HONDA CAUSES THE ACCELERATION CAPABILITY OF THE VEHICLE TO BECOME EXTREMELY ERRATIC. SOMETIMES, IT WILL ACCELERATE NORMALLY AND SOMETIMES IT DOESN'T. UPDATED 03/11/11