2012 Honda Civic: multiple warning lights

Filed Aug 20, 2025 · Transmission · GA

While driving, my 2012 Honda Civic Hybrid suddenly loses power and steering ability. The vehicle stalls and the steering wheel locks up, making it impossible to safely maneuver. This has happened multiple times, including in traffic, creating a serious risk of collision. When the failure occurs, warning lights illuminate on the dashboard, including the IMA light, anti-lock brake light, and others. In some cases, all dash lights flash before the car stalls. When scanned with an OBD tool, the vehicle shows power inverter-related fault codes. The symptoms are consistent with the IMA motor power inverter defect described in Honda Recall H98 (2012–2015 Civic Hybrid inverter recall). However, my VIN does not currently show as part of that recall. Despite this, the vehicle is clearly experiencing the same safety defect. This defect causes sudden loss of propulsion and steering assist, placing myself, passengers, and other drivers at serious risk. The vehicle is available for inspection upon request.

Filed May 15, 2020 · Electrical · 78,550 miles · GA

I have had to take my car in for two repairs related to rodents chewing through electrical wiring. One was for chewing through fuel harness and fuel pump wires resulting in repairs that cost $915 and occurred on 9/5/2018. I was driving on a major road when multiple warning lights illuminated. I made it home then took it to the dealership. The second incident was from chewing through gas line and ima inverter that cost $1701 and occurred on 3/15/19. I was driving on a city street when multiple warning lights illuminated (check engine, brake malfunction, ima battery, charging malfunction). I drove home and decided to take it to the honda dealership. When I went to take it to honda, the lights were no longer illuminated. I drove about 2 miles and got onto a major highway when I started to smell a strong odor and the lights illuminated again. I got off on the next exit when I lost power steering and the car would not accelerate. I began to pull over but then regained the ability to accelerate and luckily made it home. Fuel was pouring from under the car so I had it towed to the dealership. They determined I needed a new fuel line, new ima system as well as junction box. My car was in the shop for almost two months, during which I had to pay for a rental car. The honda dealership told me it is common for chewing through wiring of this specific year and model honda because the material wrapping around the wires was made from a soybean product, which rodents are attracted to.

Filed May 15, 2020 · Engine, Fuel system · 78,550 miles · GA

On 3/15/2019 I was driving on a city street when multiple warning lights illuminated (check engine, brake malfunction, ima battery, charging malfunction). The car was towed to the dealership. Once there, they determine that the problem was related to rodents chewing from wires which damaged the fuel line and ima system. After this was repaired, the car still had failure codes due to mechanical issues with the car's system. Troubleshooting LED the technician to determine that the motor power inverter needed to be replaced. This required them to also have to replace the junction board. After they were installed, the ima light stayed on, the battery would not charge, and the car continued to recode. They had to put in a test mcm and a second mpi (since the first one malfunctioned as well). This occurred over the course of almost two months. They could not determine a specific cause that LED to the system malfunction, so it appeared to be a manufacturing issue. I was charged for the repairs as well as almost two months of rental car fees.

Filed Dec 2, 2019 · Brakes, Electrical · 123,000 miles · OH

Was driving on interstate 70 in richmond indiana was traveling in the middle lane of a 3 lane highway when all of a sudden my lights on my dash off licked on and off and I lost all electrical power including brakes steering and the engine I was able to force the vehicle and coast to a stop at an exit I turned on my hazards and my hazards were not working either so it was a complete electrical failure. In addition it was late in the evening so while I was driving and I lost all lights nobody could see me and I could not see anything this could've ended very tragically for me trying to move over as the speed limit posted in the area is 70 MPH. In researching the issue I found multiple forums and posts regarding this same type of failure. Honda needs to fix this. Now I need to tow to a service center and see how much more money I will need to come up with to be able to drive my vehicle

Filed Jun 22, 2011 · Brakes, Electrical · 400 miles · CA

Honda civic hybrid 2012 bought just after six days failed after doing a left turn. All warning lights lit from the dashboard. Restarted and was able to drive home but failed to start next day. Towed to the nearest honda dealer. Service guy after calling honda headquarters determine it was the ABS system that caused the failure. Still in the shop for repairs.