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I am in my second year of ownership on my 09 HCH, after 1st year I began to experience recals that got worse. in August 2010 I had the software update which helped short term, recals came back however (up to 6 a day). Every service I complained of the issues with the battery and they kept it overnight one time to test it and it was apparently fine.
Two weeks ago IMA light came on with engine light at 59, 000 kms. Honda approved replacement and I now have a new battery.

What a difference! I hope this one outlasts my Original.

Sounds like you had to put up with over a year of sub-acceptable performance before Honda caved in. They continue to camp on "no IMA light, no replacement", and are MUTE regarding why it is so hard to trigger that light, even with a seriously depleted battery.

Oh man, starting to froth :rolleyes:

You would have to be crazy to buy a Honda hybrid

You would have to be crazy to buy a Honda hybrid

Oops. :o

You would have to be crazy to buy a Honda hybrid

Oops. :o


:p:D ditto!

To be fair, it's one of the things that drove me towards a Prius.

that, a better designed system, one that doesn't take coddling to achieve efficiency, and a more utilitarian interior. Wish I had never purchased my HCH2. Worst vehicle purchase I have ever made (and I used to drive a Saab)

Well, the lack of rear pass-through was a big turn off. IMA concerns was another big issue (for me). Yet another was that my wife can pull low 50s on her best days from a Prius, but would struggle to hit mid 40s on the Honda. Final nail is I've was looking to buy a hatch for 16 years, and the opportunity finally presented itself.

And this was not an 06~07, that gave you a few trouble-free years: roughly 50% of your short ownership has been with recal's, and all that entails. And this is after the mid-generation tweaks that were supposedly done to the battery and software.

I don't see why they can get away with this nonsense.

Honda's mistake is that they didn't size the battery large enough, probably to keep costs down. By picking a small 5.5AH battery and still using large currents for charging/assist, you end up killing the battery fast. how else do you explain all the battery re-cal issues (along with the battery failures that gave an IMA light)

My old battery (that had re-cals) has 1AH capacity remaining. I charged it fully and could only only run 1 amp for 1 hour before i got to a dangerously low voltage level.

A prius battery is so big that even with the larger current, i believe it is de-rated better, along with better quality batteries. Their 1st gen had issues but I believe they have had almost no issues since.

You are right I am not happy on this purchase and subesquently my last Honda purchase ever (Owned hondas for 10+ years). I enjoy dirving my work car which is a Camry Hybrid, it has over a 100k kms and no issues on it whatsoever.

We bought Honda exclusively since our first '81 Civic. It's a shame, they are a good company, but have dropped the ball and turned their back on too many customers of late. I really miss their Service Manuals though: Toyota's are a mess, LOL.

Hi Hunter:

Indeed. The Honda hybrids were still using D-Cell based NIMH's while the second gen Prius forward began using the prismatics which have proven to be far more durable and far less problematic. It is too bad because the HCH-II at one time was one of my favorite cars. Far more comfortable than a Prius and more fuel efficient on the highway where I like to drive.

That said, the Prius-III is still a top pick given it allows everyone great fuel economy no matter the drive segment along with reliability that beats everyone out there.

Wayne

My HCH2 has been rock solid and is one of the best cars I have ever owned. One issue with the Upper control arm and that is it. I am happy to have owned this car and will probably own it for many years. H

You would have to be crazy to buy a Honda hybrid

+1 as I've learned in the last year, and I own 2 of them unfortunately.