NHTSA Complaint #10365047 — 2008 HONDA CIVIC

WE PURCHASED A 2008 HONDA CIVIC HYBRID NEW, AND WERE VERY SATISFIED WITH THE PERFORMANCE AND THE PICKUP WAS EXCELLENT. THE COMPANY PERFORMED A "MANDATORY" SOFTWARE UPGRADE TO IMPROVE BATTERY LIFE IN SEPTEMBER 2010. SINCE THAT UPDATE, THE CAR HAS DRASTICALLY DIMINISHED RESPONSE TIME TO ACCELERATION, ESPECIALLY WHEN ATTEMPTING A SUDDEN BURST TO CHANGE LANES OR TURN THROUGH INTERSECTIONS. THE ENGINE ACTUALLY HAS ALMOST STALLED WHEN ATTEMPTING TO START FROM A DEAD STOP. THIS RESPONSE TIME RESULTED IN A NEAR MISS WHILE ENTERING FREEWAY TRAFFIC DUE TO THE SLUGGISHNESS OF THE ENGINE WHEN REQUESTING ACCELERATION THAT, PRIOR TO THE SOFTWARE CHANGE, WOULD HAVE NOT BEEN A PROBLEM. IT IS MY BELIEF THAT THE SOFTWARE UPGRADE THAT HONDA HAS FORCED UPON THE OWNERS OF THE HONDA CIVIC HYBRID IS A DETRIMENT TO SAFE DRIVING, AND SHOULD BE REVERSED AT THE SOONEST OPPORTUNITY BEFORE SOMEONE FORGETS AND IS ACTUALLY INVOLVED IN AN INCIDENT THAT INVOLVES SERIOUS INJURY IF NOT DEATH. *TR