2012 Tesla Model S Delivery Date Announced: June...
News
Reviews
Guides
Gas Mileage
Car Types

Honda Civic Hybrid: Software Upgrade Fixes Battery Issue

 
2,734 views Aug 12, 2010
Follow Bengt

2010 Honda Civic Hybrid

2010 Honda Civic Hybrid

Enlarge Photo
Honda is asking Civic Hybrid owners to bring their cars back to the dealership for a software upgrade, as the hybrid system's original power management tactics might result in a battery life that's shorter than intended.

“We discovered that under certain circumstances the earlier version of the software would allow the battery to frequently reach a low state of charge condition, which, over time, can erode battery performance and life,” explained Honda spokesman Chris Martin, to Green Car Reports.

The free fix will need to be performed on about 90,000 U.S. vehicles, all Honda Civic Hybrid models from the 2006 through 2008 model years. Through a technical service bulletin (since the issue doesn't affect safety), Honda has begun notifying owners. Dealerships will upgrade the software with a revised version that, the automaker told Bloomberg, won't affect fuel economy.

The automaker provides a warranty of eight years or 100,000 miles, but through the original software the batteries might have failed earlier. Battery replacement in hybrids, including the Civic Hybrid, still costs roughly $2,500.

Martin confirmed that with the software update, the improved battery management will now be similar to that of the 2009 and 2010 Honda Civic Hybrid (as well as the Insight and CR-Z, which also employ Honda's IMA mild-hybrid system), benefiting from “refinements not available when this generation of Civic launched in 2006.”

[Honda]





Posted in:
 
Contribute
Send us a tip Comment Contact the editor
Follow Us

 

Have an opinion?Join the conversation!

  • Posting indicates you have read this site's Privacy Policy and Terms of Use
  • Notify me when there are more comments
Comments (15)

  1. fb_1001015277 avatar John Briggs Posted: 8/13/2010 5:30am PDT

    "Battery replacement in hybrids, including the Civic Hybrid, still costs"
    Think you may not have finished your thought on this sentence.
     
    Post Reply
    Vote
    Bad stuff?

  2. john_v avatar John Voelcker Posted: 8/13/2010 6:39am PDT

    @John: Thanks for the catch! I've added in the relevant info. Much appreciated.
     
    Post Reply
    Vote
    Bad stuff?

  3. fb_1001015277 avatar John Briggs Posted: 8/13/2010 8:01am PDT

    Thank you for the articles.
     
    Post Reply
    Vote
    Bad stuff?

  4. By FYI Posted: 8/15/2010 5:47pm PDT

    Fix for Civic hybrids' dying batteries may hurt gas mileage, acceleration
    http://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-honda-20100815,0,1088581.story
     
    Post Reply
    Vote
    Bad stuff?

  5. By Victor Hauk Posted: 8/29/2010 6:38pm PDT

    I have 107,000 miles on my 2006 HCH, and after two years of 48+ mpg, the fuel economy started to fall. After having all the major services and new LRR tires and a wheel alignment, I was able to obtain 42 mpg. Had an IMA fault light, and after the software upgrade, now only get 34 mpg. Same driver and same driving. Claims are just that, claims. I am disgusted with the way that Honda has handled this problem.
     
    Post Reply
    Vote
    Bad stuff?

  6. By James Posted: 9/10/2010 1:15am PDT

    I got the upgrade, and performance now really sucks. Runs like a dog, the pep is gone, and obviously more pressure is now on the engine, and it will doubtlessly wear out faster now. Honda is obviously trying to stem their losses of having to change the batteries as outlined in the warranty.We have been screwed. Very disappointed. Time for a new car.
     
    Post Reply
    Vote
    Bad stuff?

  7. By Yara Posted: 9/22/2010 10:01am PDT

    Our 2006 Civic hybrid started to have battery issues and lower MPG over a year ago and the battery was eventually replaced. It took a few months for the dealer to admit there was a problem,even after several phone calls to Honda corporate. Now after the software update my MPG has gone down horribly. I am averaging 21-24 MPG in the city and 31-35 MPG highway driving. This is wrong and negates the entire reason for owning a hybrid. Is anyone aware of a class action lawsuit against Honda for dealing with this problem to their benefit and greatly diminishing our hybrid capabilities? I am very disappointed also!
     
    Post Reply
    Vote
    Bad stuff?

  8. By joad Posted: 9/28/2010 8:35am PDT

    We also had the upgrade on our 2008 CH...we were really happy with the vehicle..no problems whatsoever with anything, great fuel economy, lots of pep...now since the "upgrade" fuel economy is in the tank...no better than a regular car...battery doesn't pull at all on hills and doesn't seem to charge fully when the brakes are applied......lost a ton of power from pulling away on any sort of incline from mild to steep...so bad that I would actually be afraid to pull out in traffic for fear of not getting up to speed...it actually is really boggy to pull away. Getting rid of it this month.....two thumbs down for Honda...boooooooo!!!!
     
    Post Reply
    Vote
    Bad stuff?

  9. By Jim Posted: 12/6/2010 7:43pm PST

    I had the software upgrade done also...same result, plummeting performance, in other words the car no longer has any pep...and plummeting gas mileage..went from 39mpg to 30mpg...whay woudl you pay the extra money for a Honda hybrid if this is the result?
     
    Post Reply
    Vote
    Bad stuff?

  10. By Ari Posted: 12/10/2010 6:45am PST

    thank you all for your comments....my family is very happy with our car from our infant and toddler to me and my husband and we recieved a notice from honda speaking about the same upgrade in which you all have spoken of and we decided to come online and look first as to what it was really for because we currently have no issues and dont want to change a thing but if the battery is what causes the issue then by all means when the time comes we will be dealing with honda and get them to cough up another battery on their end. thanks again for your comments.......they were good warnings that wont go unheard.
     
    Post Reply
    Vote
    Bad stuff?

  11. By HCH honest broker Posted: 12/20/2010 11:29am PST

    DO NOT GET IMA SOFTWARE UPDATE!! Honda did not like having to replace batteries, but they can not afford to reduce the years or miles of warranty coverage. As said below, Honda recently issued a TSB to modify the software of the IMA system to rely on the battery less and use the engine more, to avoid having more early battery failures. Nice choice: have a crummy battery that doesn't provide assist as needed and get worse gas mileage or get software update that uses the battery less and get worse gas mileage than promised. My mileage went from 44.7mpg to 33.3mpg after the software update driving the same route to work. DON'T BUY civic hybrids.
     
    Post Reply
    Vote
    Bad stuff?

  12. By Suckered in Oregon Posted: 1/24/2011 10:16am PST

    2006 Honda Civic Hybrid. My experience same as "HCH honest broker" above. I got 44 mpg, and when in for a routine oil change last Fall the dealership said "oh, we will apply this software update" - and now I get 33 mpg, crazy readings on the battery charge gauge and no more power assist, which means no acceleration. Leaving aside "will they do it" - can a dealership roll a software upgrade back? I'd go in on a class action suit but I'd rather just have my old hybrid performance back.
     
    Post Reply
    Vote
    Bad stuff?

  13. By Michael Spencer Posted: 2/19/2011 12:08pm PST

    After Honda's software "upgrade" my 2008 CH averages 36-37 mpg, before the "upgrade" average mpg was 42. My next hybrid will more than likely be a Toyota Prius. I'm a very disappointed Honda consumer. O_0
     
    Post Reply
    Vote
    Bad stuff?

  14. By  Bob Posted: 2/22/2011 8:43pm PST

    I couldn't agree more. The firmware "upgrade" has sucked the life out of my Civic and killed the milage. What a letdown. I'm done with Honda after 20 years and 6 cars.
     
    Post Reply
    Vote
    Bad stuff?

  15. vetter avatar frank vetter Posted: 2/11/2012 4:26pm PST

    I strongly and highly suggest that no one gets the software upgrade on the any Honda Civic Hybrid!!!! Why upgrade? You are only saving Honda the expense to replace your battery. If you allow Honda to install the upgrade, THE SOFTWARE DISTROYS THE MILEAGE. I went from 51 miles per gallon to constant low of 35 miles per gallon. This upgrade stops the car's battery from discharging below half way mark and causes the gasoline engine to start charging the battery. Honda is not telling you this fact. There is currently a CLASS ACTION CIVIL SUIT against Honda Corp. Ask any Honda Civic Hybrid owner what his/her fuel mileage and they will tell you it sucks and that Honda has committed fraud !!!
     
    Post Reply
    Vote
    Bad stuff?

 

Have an opinion?Join the conversation!

Find Green Cars

Go!


More from High Gear Media

 
 
Green Car Reports
  • Follow Us
  • Twiiter
  • Facebook
 
 
© 2011 Green Car Reports. All Rights Reserved. Green Car Reports is published by High Gear Media. Send us feedback. Stock photography by Homestar, LLC.