Electrical complaints by model year
| Year | Complaints | Share of year's complaints | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 1 | 13% | — |
| 2015 | 1 | 20% | 118,000 miles |
| 2013 | 2 | 22% | 11,000 miles |
| 2012 | 4 | 33% | 73,000 miles |
| 2010 | 8 | 67% | 51,000 miles |
| 2009 | 10 | 36% | 45,000 miles |
| 2008 | 19 | 30% | 60,000 miles |
| 2007 | 34 | 53% | 76,000 miles |
| 2006 | 21 | 38% | 88,000 miles |
| 2005 | 11 | 23% | 122,000 miles |
| 2004 | 3 | 9% | 100,000 miles |
| 2003 | 6 | 12% | 65,000 miles |
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (battery, alternator, wiring, ignition, instrument cluster, infotainment).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
The contact owns a 2012 Honda Civic Hybrid. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 65 MPH, the contact became aware that the braking system, ABS, and battery warning lights were illuminated. The contact stated that the vehicle lost motive power and stalled. Additionally, while attempting to start the vehicle, the vehicle took longer than normal to start. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who related the failure to Technical Service Bulletin: 20-030 (Warranty Extension: 2012-15 Civic Hybrid IMA Motor Power Inverter); however, the vehicle was not covered under the TSB. The contact replaced the battery, but the failure persisted. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 100,600.
It shows a problem on booster control module first, and then ABS control module problem was followed in a month after fixing first one. I am second owner and bought it 2 years ago. There has not been problem at north carolina, but after moving here peoria il where is colder in winter here 2 years ago, "checking brake system followed by checking ABS, power steering, ima etc" about 5 checking signs showed on the panel. The mechanic said it was booster control module problem. After he replacing it, there was no problem for a week. And then when I drive slippery ground surface in a rain, and slipped a little, the same symptom with continuous working moter on ABS assembly showed off. Even when the key out, the moter was still working so that there is no electrical power left due to discharging in the morning. The mechanic said that it is ABS control module problem so that he is fixing it now.
Ever since new, the Hybrid system is unreliable. If the Hybrid battery charge is below 1/2, which is often, the battery assist does not come on when accelerating. There is heavy traffic where I live and I have to enter a divided roadway from a side road. I often find myself nearly hit by oncoming traffic when the Hybrid system doesn't kick in. Now that the car is older, the problem is much worse. In the past I could predict when the Hybrid system was likely not to provide the acceleration assist needed to safely enter the highway and wait for a longer break in traffic. Now the charge indicator will be 100% one minute and showing only two bars out of about 12 then next second. I don't feel I can safely drive the car any more. My wife's car is a Toyota prius Hybrid and it always has consistent acceleration. Her 2006 vehicle runs just as good as it did when it was new. …
The instrumental panel indicator, the parking brake, the climate control system, and the audio system are malfunctioning. On a road trip in July, the air conditioner (ac) stopped blowing out cold air while we were driving on the highway. However, if we put it on auto or fan, we would get cold air as though the ac is working. A few weeks later, the radio turned on by itself while I was driving on a city street even though I did not turn it on or did I hit a bump, which could reasonably explain it coming on. The radio was a one time event. And lastly, the brake light has been randomly and continuously came on and off on the instrumental panel while I'm driving as though I had left the parking brake on. …
The car has a propensity to lurch forward at low speeds. When making a turn or stopping at a light the engine intermittently will rev and thrust the vehicle forward. If the driver is not knowledgeable or prepared for this tendency, the vehicle can thrust forward and strike whatever is in its path. The second problem that I have encountered is that the vehicle uses a malfunctioning integrated motor assist (ima) feature that is supposed to give the vehicle extra power to enter a highway and safely merge with oncoming traffic. Unfortunately, this feature is unreliable and can leave the vehicle and driver in a position of not having enough power to safely merge with high speed traffic. This differential in speed is very unsafe. In 2011 I had the li battery for my Hybrid vehicle replaced. This battery failed in less than a year. …
At the end of October 2012, I began to have issues with the ima battery failing on my Honda Civic Hybrid (2009). I took it to the local Honda shop, and the battery failed because of high voltage and deterioration. The software update was tried first. Within 5 miles, the battery failed again. The car stopped using the Hybrid motor, so I had no assist when I was pulling into traffic. The gas engine revved, but it did not move the car. I was in the middle of a busy road with an 85 hp engine that was revving high but going nowhere. I got lucky that I could go into reverse. The next day, I tried to return the vehicle to the shop, but the car and battery were acting funny again. I would get a green light for the battery to charge, the white lights would indicate an assist, but the car would not go in reverse, and it would rev high but not go forward. …
Now the thing is that I bought a 2008 Honda Civic Hybrid from uk and imported to pakistan . Few days back the ima light in the car came on and a week later I was rear ended by a car which was caused due to battery not responding and loss of acceleration my dad was seriously injured . Now I know that the accident happened outside USA so you May say that it is out of your jurisdiction but as iam devastated by the accident and you seem to be the only source which can have some say in the issue as Honda Civic Hybrid is very popular car in the USA . God forbid same thing could also happen in USA . So I want you to take these death machines of the road . P.s the phone number is fake but the email address is mine.
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 Honda Civic Hybrid. The contact stated that the vehicle failed state inspection because the check engine indicator was illuminated. The contact took the vehicle to the local dealer (dch academy Honda, 1101 u.s 9, old bridge, nj, 08857) where the p0a7f code appeared (Hybrid battery failed). The vehicle was not repaired due to the price of the part. The contact also had an independent mechanic diagnose the vehicle for a second opinion. Both the failure and part cost were confirmed. The manufacturer stated that the vehicle was out of warranty and advised the contact to keep calling the dealer. No further assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 100,000.
Related recalls (1)
Electrical system
Honda is recalling certain model year 2006-2007 Honda civic hybrid vehicles. There is a potential for the voltage converter that relays power from the integrated motor assist (ima) system to the vehicle's electrical components to fail.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the voltage converter free of charge. The safety recall began on March 25, 2011. Owners May contact Honda customer service at 1-800-999-1009 a select option 4.
NHTSA investigations
Pedestrian alert sounds
NHTSA received a petition on or about July 18, 2022, requesting that Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) 141 be applied to all electric and hybrid vehicles operating in the United States. The petition can be reviewed at NHTSA.gov under ODI Number 11486072. FMVSS 141 establishes performance requirements for pedestrian alert sounds for motor vehicles.
Frequently asked questions
Which Honda Civic Hybrid years have electrical problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 2007 (34), 2006 (21), 2008 (19), 2005 (11) and 2009 (10) model years. Electrical complaints make up 53% of all complaints for the 2007.
Is there a recall for Honda Civic Hybrid electrical problems?
Yes — 1 recall, including 11V-106 (electrical system, Mar 2, 2011). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers; check a specific car with the VIN recall check.
At what mileage do Honda Civic Hybrid electrical problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 75,000 miles; 29% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the propulsion system › traction battery (5 mentions), followed by the 12v/24v/48v battery (1).
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.