Honda Civic Hybrid hesitation problems

Filed Oct 26, 2026 · Engine · 37,000 miles · LA

The contact owns a 2025 Honda Civic. The contact stated that while attempting to accelerate above 25 MPH, the vehicle hesitated while upshifting and shuddered with the accelerator pedal depressed. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure by email. The failure mileage was approximately 37,000.

Filed May 15, 2026 · Fuel system · 80,000 miles · CA

The contact owns a 2013 Honda Civic. The contact stated that while attempting to start the vehicle, the vehicle hesitated to start, and multiple warning lights illuminated, including the check engine warning light. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed with trouble code P1437. The contact was informed that the motor power inverter had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired, and the contact was referred to the dealer for further assistance. The vehicle was then taken to the dealer, where the same diagnostic results were confirmed. The dealer informed the contact that the motor power inverter had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and referred the contact to the federal safety agency Hotline for further assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 80,000.

Filed Feb 27, 2019 · Airbags, Transmission · 168,000 miles · AL

My air bag light constantly stays on. No codes come up when auto repair shop hooked it up so I can't even get a diagnosis and attempt to repair. The safety hazard aspect worries me immensely but it's my only vehicle so I'm forced to drive it regardless. All available recalls have been performed. My car hesitated to accelerate after I put it in drive or reverse when I'm at a complete stop. The transmission also hesitates to switch gears to accelerate at a normal rate to safely merge onto a road or interstate whether I'm stopped first or turn right in at a low speed and attempt to merge.

Filed Jan 30, 2019 · Transmission · 180,000 miles · NE

When starting from at stop the car hesitates and shudders when you press the gas pedal unless you let the car idle and roll forward first. It also has problems when you have the cruise control on for more than 10 min. After approx 10min it acts like I have turned off and back on the cruise control several times before it does turn off and then you can turn the main cruise control switch off and back on and then reset the cruise but it only stays working for 1-2 min before shutting itself back off.

Filed Jul 24, 2015 · Electrical, Lights · 58,028 miles · OR

Tl* the contact owns a 2006 honda civic hybrid. While driving at an unknown rate of speed, the low beam head lamps shorted and the vehicle stalled without warning. The contact was able to coast the vehicle into a parking lot. The vehicle stalled again and was unable to be restarted. The contact was unable to determine if the VIN was included in the federal safety agency campaign number: 11v106000 (electrical system). The vehicle was towed to an authorized dealer who replaced the dc/dc converter, but the failure recurred. The ima warning light and the service engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle restarted with hesitation and stalled again. The vehicle was towed to the dealer who replaced the ima battery module and updated the PCM with new software. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure several times and provided no remedy. The approximate failure mileage was 58,028.

Filed Mar 24, 2015 · Electrical · 74,000 miles · IN

The vehicle shutters during initial takeoff from a stop. It feels like the car wants to start from second or third gear. I have checked all the fluids and they appear to be at normal and acceptable operating levels. The lack of acceleration and the hesitation from the car make it difficult to merge into traffic. This is truly a safety concern when turning from 2-way stop signs or turning right at a stop light. Oncoming traffic could be coming at excessive speeds and with the slow acceleration and shutter, I fear this vehicle's CVT will fail.

Filed Dec 4, 2012 · Electrical · 60,000 miles · NY

Tl* the contact owns a 2008 honda civic hybrid. The contact stated that the vehicle was taken to the dealer for service under a manufacturer's recall for the ima battery. The vehicle was repaired however after the repairs, the contact experienced a hesitation in acceleration power when traveling at various speeds or attempting to drive uphill. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for inspection where they stated that there was nothing wrong with the vehicle. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the issue. The failure mileage was 60,000.

Filed Mar 15, 2012 · Electrical, Fuel system · 41,232 miles · VT

Upon receiving the 'mandatory' ima recall issued by honda, I noticed my honda civic hybrid (2008) acted very differently when it came to accelerating from a stop, particularly on a hill. From a stop it takes several seconds before the car will move forward at a reasonable speed (which it did not do prior to the update). Prior to the update, the car would accelerate like a normal car with the ima kicking in to assist the car forward. Post update it's like the gas engine wants the ima to engage but the new firmware won't allow it to. The first time I experienced this, I was nearly hit coming out into traffic as my car hesitated. Honda has stated there is no way to reverse the update. This decrease in power continues to affect me today (at 60,000 miles and climbing). This update has affected my fuel economy as well (having dropped between 30-33 mpg on a "good" day). While the fuel economy may not be a personal safety issue, it is an environmental safety issue.

Filed Feb 14, 2012 · Electrical · CA

Contact owns a 2007 honda civic hybrid. The contact stated while driving up a hill, the vehicle began to hesitate and the rpms increased. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer for diagnostic testing. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and current mileage was 60,000. The consumer stated the issue involves lack of power and acceleration. Which was caused by a software update issued by honda. Honda is having an issue with the batteries dying prematurely. The update that was installed turned off the assisting electric motor to save the battery. Thus, resulting in lower miles per gallon and the lack of power and acceleration.

Filed Feb 12, 2012 · Electrical · 43,622 miles · CA

Honda's software reflash of the ima system in 2010 has caused my car to operate erratically. The hybrid battery is often completely unavailable to assist the regular motor when needed to accelerate to merge into high speed traffic, to pass other vehicles, or to avoid collisions. Additionally, when taking off from a stop the car sometimes hesitates to start moving, stutters, jerks or lurches. I have not been able to achieve more than 29 mpg since the software update, approximately 10 mpg less than I was getting before the update. California small claims court awarded me $9,867.19 against honda - see www.dontsettlewithhonda.org for 26 page judgment of the court. **03/01/2012 bf