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Civic hybrid reliability?

Discussion in 'Honda/Acura Hybrids and EVs' started by LasVegasaurusRex, Feb 13, 2017.

  1. LasVegasaurusRex

    LasVegasaurusRex Active Member

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    I looked at a dozen Camry Hybrids and Prius but couldn't find any in decent condition. I suspect that in light of recent election results there has been increased demand in green vehicles.



    Bought the Civic hybrid. Time will tell if I regret it, but I have the funds for a replacement battery in any event.
     
    Mendel Leisk likes this.
  2. ericbecky

    ericbecky Hybrid Battery Hero

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    Civic hybrids are sooooooo tempting because of their low prices.

    There is a reason for the low prices.
    Bad cvt transmissions.
    Failing Hybrid battery packs.

    Check the service history to see if yours has already been brought in with symptoms for either of those problems.

    Start changing the cvt fluid regularly.

    Buy or build a pack charger/discharger as a preventive measure. Do a full 3 charge/discharge cycles initially. Then keep up the habit at least twice a year. More if necessary.
     
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  3. eman08

    eman08 Active Member

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    Honda makes some of the worst transmissions along with Nissan. Only thing Honda got going on is their strong reliable engines.

    Posted via the PriusChat mobile app.
     
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  4. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    We never had any transmission problems, in 30+ Honda years. That said, the Civic Hybrid's CVT is a new design, and there have been problems, slipping mainly?

    Our 06 Civic Hybrid is still going, no transmission problems, so far, at around 220K km's. We (my son and I) put fresh fluid whenever the Maintenance Minder dictates, every 2~3 years I think.
     
  5. Troy Heagy

    Troy Heagy Member

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    As far as I know CVTs have been around since the 2001 Insight. The main flaw is NOT the belt, but the pulleys. They are constantly changing in size, so they wear-out very quickly. The "splines" are the failure piece.

    Don't buy a Civic Hybrid.
    Don't buy a hybrid.
    Just buy a standard model of whatever car you like. If you prefer Civic there is the Civic HF or HX that gets 40mpg highway. Or the base Civic which is around $16,000 new.
     
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  6. Salamander_King

    Salamander_King Senior Member

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    I bought 2008 HCH 5 years ago uded. That was my first hybrid car. Even though I knew about the high battery failure rate on this model and pending class action lawsuit, the price was just too good to pass. For five years of ownership, I had tigh rod and 02 sensor repairs, as well as replacing all four TPMS. The car is at 135K miles and still going strong on original hybrid battery. It is now being driven by my son, for I purchased a new Prius in 2015. All and all, it was a good buy for us, considering that I could not find any Prius for the price at that time. I wish your HCH serves you well.
     
  7. LasVegasaurusRex

    LasVegasaurusRex Active Member

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    only Honda transmission problems I'm aware of is Accord and Odyssey before 2006 where the mated V6 was too powerful, causing failure. they paid many a hefty lawsuit for this.

    our Civic hybrid just hit 50k and got an oil change, so far no recalibration events fingers crossed.

    with my luck, some jackass will hit and run me and total it well before the battery is a problem.
     
  8. LasVegasaurusRex

    LasVegasaurusRex Active Member

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    Welp, first calibration event occurred.


    Now theoretically if one were to ignore this, what would be the consequences? I realize it wouldn't be particularly ideal or responsible, I'm mostly just curious. Isn't this essentially a Civic with a really big battery and starter motor?
     
  9. Trollbait

    Trollbait It's a D&D thing

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    It's a little more complicated than that, but the plain old starter should still be there. So you can disconnect the traction pack and run it like a traditional car. At least it was an option on the first Insight.
     
  10. Salamander_King

    Salamander_King Senior Member

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    I am no expert on this subject, but I currently own 2008 HCH with 137K miles. I bought it over five years ago with 70k miles. As far as I know, it is still with the original hybrid IMA battery. I knew of the premature battery failure issue on this year model, but the price was sooo good I took a chance with a purchase of dealer offered 3 years extended warranty (which I ended-up not using any portion of it). Although I previously had regular gas Civic, this was my first hybrid car. I, since then, purchased a new Prius, and let my son drive this HCH. The car has been mostly trouble free, except multiple TPMS failures which wasn't covered by the extended warranty, and O2 sensor replacement at 125k mile after the extended warranty expired. I did not have any sign of IMA battery problem, that is until last Winter when it started showing calibration event at 132k miles mark. Since then, we have basically ignored it with a hope that if the battery is to fail, I wanted it to fail earlier rather than later, for we live in PZEV state that offers IMA Battery Warranty (Years/miles)= 10/150,000. I have about one more year or 13k miles before the warranty expires. Even after the calibration event became frequent, the car has been driving very well and my son was getting about 40mpg during winter with studded snow tires, and now it is warmer and it has new LRR all season tires on it, it is getting average of 48mpg. My understanding is that unless IMA light comes up, dealer will not perform any repair. I am not aware of any preventive service that can slow the eventual battery failure. BTW, my son recently wrecked this car. It was a minor accident that caused only cosmetic damages to mostly front and side of the body. I had full coverage on this car, and after the accident, it was declared to be total loss by my insurance company. Lucky thing is that the car was still mechanically sound, so I purchased the car back at salvaged price and pocketed the rest of insurance settlement. I then spend a few hundred bucks to fix minor body damages to make it street legal. I just got it back from the body shop, and so far it is running great as before. I am going to let my son keep driving it until it falls apart. ;)
     
    #30 Salamander_King, Jun 21, 2017
    Last edited: Jun 21, 2017
  11. DonDNH

    DonDNH Senior Member

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    I bought a 2003 new; sold it to my daughter to go to school with. She traded this past winter after 277K miles. Honda replaced the hybrid battery at 120K under warranty. Other than consumables, tires, brakes and routine maintenance there were no issues.
     
  12. ericbecky

    ericbecky Hybrid Battery Hero

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    Was that a stick shift or cvt?
     
  13. DonDNH

    DonDNH Senior Member

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  14. ericbecky

    ericbecky Hybrid Battery Hero

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    Out of all the civic hybrids the Gen 1 with manual transmissions are the only one I would trust.

    The others are much more prone to battery issues or cvt transmission issues, or both.

    I would never let anyone I liked buy a cvt civic hybrid. They would be much better off buying a non-hybrid civic.
     
  15. chelvis

    chelvis Member

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    We own a 2003 Civic Hybrid with the manual tranny, currently has 257K on it. Honda bought the first pack which crapped out at 98K, we bought the second (Dorman) at 223K. It is dying of body cancer now, we will probably be selling/retiring it soon. It is a fun car to drive with the stick, to be sure.
     
  16. Salamander_King

    Salamander_King Senior Member

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    My first hybrid car ever, 2008 HCH which is now driven by my son, had IMA and check engine lights on (P0A7F code, deteriorating hybrid battery pack). Odometer reading is at 147320 and it is 9 years 9 mo old. I was so glad that we live in PZEV state that the HONDA warranty covers IMA battery for 10 years/ 150K miles. I just brought the car into HONDA dealer and they said it is covered by the warranty. If not, I would have given up on this car already.
     
  17. Reagle

    Reagle Junior Member

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    Our 2007 HCHII was awesome for a few years until battery troubles started. It took 4 years and countless efforts to get Honda to admit battery was on its last legs and to replace it. Car has now just over 100k and it driveable but nowhere near as well as when it was new. I highly suggest anybody thinking of getting one to just get a used Prius. Other than battery and rust due to Northeast salt it's been OK. Here is my writeup of the battery issues: Rant: Our 2007 Honda Civic Hybrid (HCHII) troubles or how not to treat customers | KuzyaTech

    I hope the new powertrain used in Accords and Clarity is better!
     
  18. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    my daughters 99 accord was a rust bucket. i thought they would have improved by '07. how are the newer ones doing?
     
  19. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    Our 06 Civic Hybrid overall is not bad. But lately I noticed a rear anti-sway bar that's pretty much rust-dust. And the AC radiator (aka condenser) in the front is dropping rows of fins.
     
  20. Dxta

    Dxta Senior Member

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    Yeah, the cylindrical modules were in my view, more able to dissipate heat than prismatic, and shouldn't have being having such issues.

    Just as you've pointed out, shorted cells, and all that could be the cause of failures.