2005 Honda Civic Hybrid Problems
Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component
Data refreshed
What this page shows
Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 2005 Honda Civic Hybrid, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Reports by component
Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category
- Powertrain (other)2031.3%
- Airbags1523.4%
- Electrical1117.2%
- Engine46.3%
- Driver assistance46.3%
- Fuel system23.1%
- Body & structure23.1%
- Exterior lighting11.6%
- Brakes11.6%
- Seat belts11.6%
- Steering11.6%
- Suspension11.6%
- Transmission11.6%
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
Each component in detail
What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words
Powertrain (other)
Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials.
From owner reports, verbatim
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.
WHEN STARTING FROM A COMPLETE STOP THE TRANSMISSION SHUDDERS AND LACKS TAKE OFF POWER WHICH COULD BE A DANGEROUS PROBLEM.
Airbags
Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights.
From owner reports, verbatim
I WAS SEEING DOWN THE ROAD AND A TRUCK WAS STOPPED AT A GREEN LIGHT I RAN INTO HIM MY AIRBAGS DID NOT COME OUT
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.
Electrical
Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.
From owner reports, verbatim
TAKATA RECALL. HONDA DID A SAFETY RECALL IN 2015 BUT IN 2017 I GOT THE AIRBAG SIGN AGAIN IN CIVIC HYBRID AND IT'S NOT GOING EVEN MECHANIC TRIED TO REMOVE IT WITH OBD. OTHER PROBLEM IS WITH IMA SYSTEM, IT WORKS OFTEN SOMETIMES AND SIGN STAYS AT THE DASHBOARD. HONDA SHOULD RECALL FOR AIRBAG AND IMA SYSTEM AND FIX IT PERMANENTLY.
CVT TRANSMISSION VIOLENTLY SHAKES AT SPEEDS 0-10 AND CAUSES AUTO STOP TO ENGAGE AT ALL TIMES EXTREMELY DANGEROUS WHEN DRIVING THROUGH CONGESTED TRAFFIC ON THE HIGHWAY. IT PERFORMS POORLY WHEN IN MOTION IN ANY STREET OR HIGHWAY WHEN DRIVING VERY SLOW OR AFTER ACCELERATING AT A STOPLIGHT.
Engine
Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.
From owner reports, verbatim
IT LURCHES FOR IT WILL ACCEL WHEN YOU DON'T WANT IT TO. HAS TROUBLE TO SHIFT INTO ANOTHER GEAR LOUD NOISES. WAS DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY AND I TURNED ON THE CRUISE CONTROL AN ACCELERATED FASTER THAN WHEN I PROGRAM DATA ENTRY OF THE RPM'S UP. HAD TO STEP ON THE BRAKES A COUPLE TIMES TO GET IT TO STOP DOING THAT ALMOST HIT TWO VEHICLES I DO ALL THE TRANSMISSION FLUID CHANGES RECOMMENDED AND OIL. THESE ARE GREAT CARS BUT THESE PROBLEMS THAT NEED TO BE ADDRESSED. *TR
I HAVE HAD MY HCH 2005 AT THE DEALERSHIP SEVERAL TIMES SINCE I BOUGHT IT IN 2011. IT HAS HAD THE RECALL UPDATES AS THEY WERE RECEIVED. MY MIL (CHECK ENGINE LIGHT) IS ON CONSTANT. I HAVE REPLACED ALL 3 OXYGEN SENSORS AND THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER EVEN AFTER HAVING THE RECALL DONE FOR THE SECONDARY AND THIRD OXYGEN SENSORS. THE LIGHT WILL NOT GO OFF. WHEN TAKEN TO THE DEALER THEY SAID IT WAS THE OXYGEN SENSORS AND WANTED $1,100 TO REPLACE THEM. BUT THEY ARE NEW SO I KNOW THAT'S NOT THE PROBLEM. NOW I HAVE LEARNED THERE WAS SOME KIND OF RECALL THAT THEY FAILED TO INFORM ME OF THAT WAS SUPPOSED TO UPDATE THE ECM AND KEEP THE PROBLEM I HAVE BEEN TRYING TO FIX FROM HAPPENING. ALSO HAD THE JUDDERING ISSUE AND 5 MONTHS AFTER THE DEALER FIXED THE PROBLEM IT STARTED AGAIN. THEY SAID THAT IT HAD TO BE SOMETHING ELSE AND THE RECALL WOULD NOT COVER A SECOND REPAIR. SO NOW I HAVE A CAR THAT HAS A JUDDER AT TAKEOFF AND CANNOT BE INSPECTED BECAUSE THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS ON. I CANNOT TAKE IT TO HAVE THE NEWEST RECALL FIXED WITH THE AIRBAGS. I HAVE PUT OVER $500 IN IT TO GET THE LIGHT OFF SO IT COULD PASS THE EMISSIONS TEST BUT STILL NOT OFF. AND I THINK THAT HONDA SHOULD HAVE RECALLED ALL OF THESE CARS AND JUNKED THEM. I AM A VERY UPSET CONSUMER AND FEEL THAT SOMETHING SHOULD BE DONE ABOUT ALL THESE ISSUES. I WILL BE SUBMITTING MY REPAIR COSTS LABOR AND PARTS FOR REIMBURSEMENT BECAUSE I FEEL LIKE HONDA SHOULD HAVE DONE A BETTER JOB. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Driver assistance
Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems.
From owner reports, verbatim
CVT TRANSMISSION VIOLENTLY SHAKES AT SPEEDS 0-10 AND CAUSES AUTO STOP TO ENGAGE AT ALL TIMES EXTREMELY DANGEROUS WHEN DRIVING THROUGH CONGESTED TRAFFIC ON THE HIGHWAY. IT PERFORMS POORLY WHEN IN MOTION IN ANY STREET OR HIGHWAY WHEN DRIVING VERY SLOW OR AFTER ACCELERATING AT A STOPLIGHT.
IT LURCHES FOR IT WILL ACCEL WHEN YOU DON'T WANT IT TO. HAS TROUBLE TO SHIFT INTO ANOTHER GEAR LOUD NOISES. WAS DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY AND I TURNED ON THE CRUISE CONTROL AN ACCELERATED FASTER THAN WHEN I PROGRAM DATA ENTRY OF THE RPM'S UP. HAD TO STEP ON THE BRAKES A COUPLE TIMES TO GET IT TO STOP DOING THAT ALMOST HIT TWO VEHICLES I DO ALL THE TRANSMISSION FLUID CHANGES RECOMMENDED AND OIL. THESE ARE GREAT CARS BUT THESE PROBLEMS THAT NEED TO BE ADDRESSED. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Fuel system
Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.
From owner reports, verbatim
A FRIEND WAS DRIVING US BACK HOME ON THE HIGHWAY AT SPEEDS OF 55-65 MILES PER HOUR, GETTING ON AN OFF RAMPS. SHE IS AN EXPERIENCED DRIVER AND IT WAS THE FIRST TIME SHE HAD DRIVEN MY CAR. SHE TOLD ME THAT THE STEERING WHEEL WAS VERY WOBBLY, THE CAR WAS SHAKING AND SHE FELT SHE HAD NO CONTROL OVER THE VEHICLE; SHE HAD TROUBLE STEERING. I HAD SEVERAL INCIDENTS AFTER THAT WHEN I HAD START-UP/JUDDER VIBRATION AND EXTREME GRINDING WHEN ACCELERATING FROM A STOP. IT FELT LIKE THE CAR WAS SLIPPING OUT OF GEAR. HONDA DETERMINED THE CVT TRANSMISSION WAS BAD; IT WAS CLASSIFIED AS SLIP/JUDDER IN HONDA'S SERVICE BULLETINS 07-049 AND 07-050 BUT I NEVER RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE. HONDA PAID 50% OF THE COST OF REPLACING THE CLUTCH IN SEPTEMBER 2013 BUT THE SEVERE ACCELERATION/SLIPPING PROBLEMS CONTINUED AND WITHIN A WEEK OF HAVING THE CLUTCH REPLACED I SOLD THE CAR. I HAD BOUGHT IT USED WITH 28K MILES ON IT; I SOLD IT WHEN IT HAD 41K MILES (I HAD DRIVEN IT ONLY 12K MILES IN SIX YEARS AND TOOK A BIG LOSS ON THE SALE). I WAS AFRAID I WOULD HAVE A TERRIBLE ACCIDENT IN IT AS IT WAS ABSOLUTELY UNSAFE. WHEN I TOLD HONDA I WAS STILL HAVING THESE PROBLEMS AFTER THE CLUTCH REPLACEMENT THEY TOLD ME TO TAKE IT BACK TO THE DEALER AGAIN; THIS HAD BEEN FOUR MONTHS OF DEALING WITH CVT TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS AND I HAD SPENT ENORMOUS AMOUNTS OF TIME ON TRYING TO FIX A KNOWN CIVIC HYBRID DEFECT SO I TRADED IN THE CAR. *TR
IN 2007 A HONDA DEALERSHIP CONDUCTED UPGRADES TO MY 2005 HONDA CIVIC HYBRID COMPUTER SYSTEM WITHOUT MY CONSENT. IT WAS IN THE DEALERSHIP FOR RECALL NOTICES. IMMEDIATELY MY GAS MILEAGE WENT FROM 52MPG TO 26MPG. THE DEALERSHIP REFUSED TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM. THE DEALERSHIP SAID THE UPGRADE TO THE COMPUTER SYSTEM SHOULD NOT HAVE DIMINISHED THE MPG. 2012 THE TRANSMISSION WENT OUT IN THE CAR, I GOT THE RUN AROUND BY THE DEALERSHIP ON WHY THE TRANSMISSION WENT OUT. I WAS MISDIRECTED BY A TRANSMISSION COMPANY THAT SAID THEY COULD REBUILD MY TRANSMISSION. THE HONDA DEALERSHIP HAD TO STEP IN TO TRACK DOWN ISSUES WITH THE NEW TRANSMISSION. HONDA REFUSED TO ACCEPT RESPONSIBILITY FOR BAD TRANSMISSION PARTS. 2013 THE IMA AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHTS ARE ON. I AM UNABLE TO REGISTER MY VEHICLE DUE TO THE IMA AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT DISQUALIFY MY CAR FROM PASSING A SMOG TEST. THE 2007 COMPUTER SYSTEM UPGRADE CAUSED MY IMA SYSTEM TO MALFUNCTION FOR YEARS BY NOT HOLDING A CHARGE CAUSING LOW MPG. NOW THE IMA/BATTERY PACK IS MALFUNCTIONING TO THE POINT IT HAS TO BE REPLACED. HONDA REFUSES TO ACCEPT THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THEIR MISTAKES AND FIX MY IMA SYSTEM. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Body & structure
Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim.
From owner reports, verbatim
2005 HONDA CIVIC HYBRID. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO SEVERAL PROBLEMS WITH VEHICLE AND SEEKS REIMBURSEMENT FOR REPAIRS AND AN INVESTIGATION OF DEALERSHIP. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED THREE DAYS AFTER PURCHASING THE VEHICLE, IT STARTING SHAKING WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AT 55 MPH. THE CONSUMER RETURNED TO THE DEALER, WHERE THEY ROTATED THE TIRES AND INSULATED THE PILLAR. FOUR MONTHS LATER, THE CONSUMER RETURNED TO THE DEALER, BECAUSE THE VEHICLE WAS STILL SHAKING. THE DEALER PERFORMED AN OIL CHANGE. THE FOLLOWING MONTH, AS THE CONSUMERS DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING THE VEHICLE, ALL OF THE OIL LEAKED OUT OF THE VEHICLE AND IT HAD TO BE TOWED THE DEALER, WHERE THEY OIL PAN WAS REPLACED, DUE TO IT BEING STRIPPED OUT. THE AC COMPRESSOR CLUTCH WAS REPLACED.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 HONDA CIVIC HYBRID. THE CONTACT STATED THAT RAIN PENETRATED THROUGH THE TRUNK, REAR PASSENGERS SEAT AND THE FLOORBOARD. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 117,000.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Exterior lighting
Reports naming headlights, tail lights, turn signals and other exterior lighting.
From owner reports, verbatim
TAKATA HEAR REPLACEMENTS ARE DEFECTIVE HOW DO YOU FIND OUT IF REPLACEMENT IS DEFECTIVE HAVE ONLY RIGHT EYE AND IF INJURED MAY NOT BE ABLE TO DRIVE NEW HEADLIGHTS ARE A MENACE SOME NOW WITH 8 LIGHTS AND ONE WHERE ALL GREEN. THEY ARE NOT AIMED ON ROAD BUT SO STRONG IN CAR CAN READ SOME SET SO THEY ARE HIGHER THAT WINDOWS. I SLOW DOWN TO 20MPH TO BE ABLE TO SEE SAFELY EITHER WAY OTHERS DO NOT LIKE THAT SPEED IN 50MPH ZONE BUT NOT SAFE TO DRIVE WHEN LIGHTS LIKE AN INTERROGATION ROOM BLINDING YOU. IF YOU NEED 8 LIGHTS YOU SHOULD NOT BE DRIVING AND THESE BEADY START WHITE LIGHTS ARE BLINDING. NEED TO GO BACK TO TWO LIGHTS SHINED ON THE ROAD NOT 4-8 IN DIFFERENT COLORS THE HEIGHT OF THE WINDOW AIMED AT THE INTERIOR LIKE A TROOPER LIGHT. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Brakes
Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.
From owner reports, verbatim
ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS THIS CAR HAS ACCELERATED DANGEROUSLY WHEN I WAS APPLYING THE BRAKES, INCLUDING AT INTERSECTIONS. I UNDERSTAND THAT THIS HAS BEEN REPORTED BEFORE. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Seat belts
Reports naming seat belts, buckles, retractors and pretensioners.
From owner reports, verbatim
[XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Steering
Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage.
From owner reports, verbatim
A FRIEND WAS DRIVING US BACK HOME ON THE HIGHWAY AT SPEEDS OF 55-65 MILES PER HOUR, GETTING ON AN OFF RAMPS. SHE IS AN EXPERIENCED DRIVER AND IT WAS THE FIRST TIME SHE HAD DRIVEN MY CAR. SHE TOLD ME THAT THE STEERING WHEEL WAS VERY WOBBLY, THE CAR WAS SHAKING AND SHE FELT SHE HAD NO CONTROL OVER THE VEHICLE; SHE HAD TROUBLE STEERING. I HAD SEVERAL INCIDENTS AFTER THAT WHEN I HAD START-UP/JUDDER VIBRATION AND EXTREME GRINDING WHEN ACCELERATING FROM A STOP. IT FELT LIKE THE CAR WAS SLIPPING OUT OF GEAR. HONDA DETERMINED THE CVT TRANSMISSION WAS BAD; IT WAS CLASSIFIED AS SLIP/JUDDER IN HONDA'S SERVICE BULLETINS 07-049 AND 07-050 BUT I NEVER RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE. HONDA PAID 50% OF THE COST OF REPLACING THE CLUTCH IN SEPTEMBER 2013 BUT THE SEVERE ACCELERATION/SLIPPING PROBLEMS CONTINUED AND WITHIN A WEEK OF HAVING THE CLUTCH REPLACED I SOLD THE CAR. I HAD BOUGHT IT USED WITH 28K MILES ON IT; I SOLD IT WHEN IT HAD 41K MILES (I HAD DRIVEN IT ONLY 12K MILES IN SIX YEARS AND TOOK A BIG LOSS ON THE SALE). I WAS AFRAID I WOULD HAVE A TERRIBLE ACCIDENT IN IT AS IT WAS ABSOLUTELY UNSAFE. WHEN I TOLD HONDA I WAS STILL HAVING THESE PROBLEMS AFTER THE CLUTCH REPLACEMENT THEY TOLD ME TO TAKE IT BACK TO THE DEALER AGAIN; THIS HAD BEEN FOUR MONTHS OF DEALING WITH CVT TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS AND I HAD SPENT ENORMOUS AMOUNTS OF TIME ON TRYING TO FIX A KNOWN CIVIC HYBRID DEFECT SO I TRADED IN THE CAR. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Suspension
Reports naming suspension components — springs, struts, shocks, control arms and related hardware.
From owner reports, verbatim
2005 HONDA CIVIC HYBRID. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO SEVERAL PROBLEMS WITH VEHICLE AND SEEKS REIMBURSEMENT FOR REPAIRS AND AN INVESTIGATION OF DEALERSHIP. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED THREE DAYS AFTER PURCHASING THE VEHICLE, IT STARTING SHAKING WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AT 55 MPH. THE CONSUMER RETURNED TO THE DEALER, WHERE THEY ROTATED THE TIRES AND INSULATED THE PILLAR. FOUR MONTHS LATER, THE CONSUMER RETURNED TO THE DEALER, BECAUSE THE VEHICLE WAS STILL SHAKING. THE DEALER PERFORMED AN OIL CHANGE. THE FOLLOWING MONTH, AS THE CONSUMERS DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING THE VEHICLE, ALL OF THE OIL LEAKED OUT OF THE VEHICLE AND IT HAD TO BE TOWED THE DEALER, WHERE THEY OIL PAN WAS REPLACED, DUE TO IT BEING STRIPPED OUT. THE AC COMPRESSOR CLUTCH WAS REPLACED.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Transmission
Reports naming the automatic or manual transmission, including shifting behaviour, shudder, slipping and transmission control modules.
From owner reports, verbatim
THIS CAR HAS AN AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION. WHEN IN REVERSE IT STRUGGLES TO MOVE AND HONDA SAYS THE TRANSMISSION NEEDS TO BE REPLACED BUT IT ONLY HAS 55,900 MILES ON IT. HONDA STATES THAT ONLY THEY CAN WORK ON THE CVT TRANSMISSION AND OF COURSE CAN CONTROL PARTS AND LABOR COST AND THEY WILL NOT SELL PARTS TO OUTSIDE MECHANICS. IT SEEMS LIKE A SCHEME TO MAKE MONEY OFF OF CUSTOMERS OFF OF A UNRELIABLE PART. CHECKING THE INTERNET THERE SEEMS TO BE A LOT OF COMPLAINTS. A NORMAL AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION REPLACEMENT CHARGE PARTS AND LABOR IS AROUND $1800 BUT HONDA WANTS $4200 TO $4900. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.
Elsewhere on this vehicle
Data sources
- NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation — owner-reported complaints and the components recorded on them
Data on this page last refreshed .