NHTSA Complaint #10373888 — 2006 HONDA CIVIC

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 HONDA CIVIC HYBRID. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE BATTERY WAS RAPIDLY DISCHARGING AND FAILED TO CHARGE FULLY, CAUSING THE GAS MOTOR TO RUN LONGER. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED WHO ADVISED THE CONTACT TO HAVE A SOFTWARE UPGRADE PERFORMED. THE CONTACT DID NOT INFORM THE MANUFACTURER OF THE FAILURE NOR WAS THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 77,300 AND THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 77,000. UPDATED 02/10/11 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED HE DID INFORM THE MANUFACTURER OF THE FAILURE AND A WARRANTY CLAIM WAS MADE TO THE DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER. THE VEHICLE WAS GIVEN THE HONDA SOFTWARE UPGRADE BY THE LOCAL DEALER. SINCE THE SOFTWARE UPGRADE, THE MPG CONTINUES IN THE 30 MPG RANGE, DOWN FROM THE PRE-FAILURE MPG OF 42 MPG. CURRENT, POST-UPGRADE IS MEASURED OVER THE LAST 200 MILES BY THE VEHICLES THE ON-BOARD MPG DEVICE. THE BATTERY CONTINUES TO DISCHARGE RAPIDLY, THE RPM IDLE INCREASES FROM ABOUT 750 TO 1500. THE VEHICLE USES THE STARTER MOTOR INSTEAD OF THE IMA BATTERY. UPDATED 04/21/11