2012 Honda Civic electrical problems

Filed Oct 13, 2026 · Electrical · MI

Vehicle Safety Complaint Team, I am submitting this complaint regarding a recurring and unresolved hybrid-system issue with my 2012 Honda Civic Hybrid. Vehicle Information Make/Model: 2012 Honda Civic Hybrid VIN: [XXX] Current Mileage: Approximately 144,000 miles Diagnostic Trouble Code: P1440 Reported Symptoms: IMA warning light illuminated, battery/charging warning light illuminated, and vehicle starting problems. Description of the Problem My vehicle has developed a serious issue involving its Integrated Motor Assist (IMA) hybrid system. The IMA warning light is illuminated, and the vehicle has stored diagnostic trouble code P1440. The battery/charging warning light is also illuminated. I have experienced a no-start condition in which the dashboard lights illuminate, but the vehicle does not start. Attempting to jump-start the vehicle did not resolve the problem, and the vehicle also would not start when shifted into Neutral. I have contacted multiple Honda dealerships to investigate this problem. However, I have been informed that my vehicle does not qualify for Honda Service Bulletin A20-030, despite the P1440 trouble code and symptoms that appear consistent with the reported issue. This has left me without a clear resolution to the problem and concerned about the reliability and safety of the vehicle. I am particularly concerned about the potential consequences of a hybrid-system or electrical-system failure that could leave the vehicle unable to start or operate unexpectedly. Request for the federal safety agency Review I respectfully request that the federal safety agency: Review whether this condition is associated with a broader defect affecting the IMA system or related hybrid components in 2012 Honda Civic Hybrid vehicles. Investigate whether the reported symptoms and P1440 diagnostic trouble code may be associated with the defect addressed by Honda Service Bulletin A20-030. Review Honda's eligibility criteria for the service bulletin and determine whether add INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION

Filed Mar 26, 2026 · Electrical · 167,842 miles · MA

The contact owns a 2012 Honda Civic. The contact stated that the alarm indicator sounded off intermittently without cause. The vehicle was taken to a certified mechanic, who informed the contact that the alarm was a factory-made system and then suggested pressing the key fob twice to stop the alarm from sounding off. The vehicle was not officially diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was 167,842.

Filed Mar 7, 2026 · Airbags, Electrical · AR

My passenger airbag light is on and stays on.

Filed Aug 13, 2025 · Electrical, Transmission · VA

I am reporting a serious safety concern with my 2012 Honda Civic Hybrid. What component or system failed and is it available for inspection? The hybrid drive system and regenerative braking system are malfunctioning. The hybrid battery recharging system including the MPI have failed, causing the vehicle to operate solely on the gasoline engine. This results in degraded braking performance due to the loss of regenerative braking. How was safety put at risk? When the hybrid system fails, braking performance is noticeably reduced, increasing stopping distances. This creates a high risk of collision, especially in sudden-stop situations or heavy traffic. Additionally, the sudden loss of hybrid power assistance can cause unsafe changes in vehicle acceleration and handling. Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center? Yes. The issue has been confirmed by Pearson Honda in Midlothian, Virginia. They state the MPI needs to be replaced and state my VIN is outside their "factory warranty extension". Multiple calls to Honda America state that I am responsible for all repairs and that this is not their problem and will not clarify how they decide what VIN's are included in the extension. Has the vehicle or component been inspected by others? The vehicle has been inspected by Pearson Honda in Midlothian, VA and documentation is available. It has not been inspected by police or insurance representatives at this time. Warning lamps, messages, or other symptoms prior to failure? Yes. Warning lights for the hybrid system and/or IMA (Integrated Motor Assist) illuminate promptly as you start the vehicle. These first appeared last week ([XXX]) and have occurred multiple times since. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Jun 16, 2025 · Electrical · 159,000 miles · FL

Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2012 Honda Civic. The contact stated that before attempting to register the vehicle, it was discovered that there was a mileage discrepancy. The vehicle was a private dealer sale. At the time of purchase, the vehicle mileage was 116,000. Through a Carfax report, it was discovered that the mileage was 159,000.

Filed Jun 2, 2025 · Electrical, Engine · TX

So according to Honda Service Bulletin 20-030, all honda civic 2012-2015 hybrids having IMA Motor Power Inverter (MPI) have to fixed. I have the SAME CAR, SAME MODEL, SAME YEAR AND SAME ERROR CODES AS THE SERVICE BULLETIN AND THIS IS SUCH A SERIOUS ELECTRICAL POWER INVERTER ISSUE. Yet HONDA IS denying to work on it, even though there is 15 years or 150,000 miles warranty for this specific issue and MY CAR HAS 95000 miles. Yet HONDA is trying to run away from fixing it by claiming the VIN number is not associating whereby MY CAR IS EXACT SAME AS THE MODEL, year and issue for the GIVEN SERVICE BULLETIN. This is complete absurd and consumer rights are being thrown away by Honda. I am very sure that my United States the federal safety agency, state consumer protection, federal trade commission, all are going to help me and make Honda pay for this. I have attached the service bulletin and here my error codes on the car: P1437 Motor Drive Module (MDM) Short Circuit POA78 Tmu-L Motor Power Inverter Module Internal Circuit Malfunction P15A5 Motor Current Sensor Circuit Malfunction Clear Confirmed & Pending Trouble Codes 2 Pending Trouble Codes POA78 Tmu-L Motor Power Inverter Module Internal Circuit Malfunction P15A5 Motor Current Sensor Circuit Malfunction Clear Confirmed & Pending Trouble Codes ^ ^ 2 Permanent Trouble Codes POA78 P15A5 Motor Current Sensor Circuit Malfunction Tmu-L Motor Power Inverter Module Internal Circuit Malfunction

Filed May 8, 2025 · Electrical · MI

Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2012 Honda Civic. The contact stated that while attempting to register the vehicle, it was discovered that there was a mileage discrepancy. The vehicle was a private sale. At the time of purchase, the vehicle mileage was 119,560, and the contact stated she looked at the title and took the vehicle to a mechanic to verify and noticed that the mileage was 193,099.

Filed Apr 17, 2025 · Electrical · 190,000 miles · TX

Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2012 Honda Civic. The contact stated that while attempting to repair the vehicle, it was discovered that there was a mileage discrepancy. The vehicle was an independent dealer sale. At the time of purchase, the vehicle mileage was 71,00 and at the time of replacing the instrument panel, it was discovered that the mileage was 190,000.

Filed Feb 5, 2025 · Brakes, Electrical · CA

ABS/VSA module faulty. Upon internet research it seems to be a very common problem among owners of this vehicle.

Filed Jun 23, 2024 · Airbags, Electrical · TN

Car is stating air bag system check on and off.