How Close Is Your Honda Civic Hybrid Battery to Failure?

Do you know what your hybrid battery warranty is? If you own an older Honda Civic hybrid, then this might be a great time to check. Electric batteries for cars are different than the batteries that keep hybrid systems running. In a hybrid system, it’s the battery that allows the Honda Civic to get about 44 miles per gallon, and to use the gasoline sparingly, reducing harmful emissions. Good hybrid fuel economy is key, but a faulty battery can mean either reduced efficiency, or an inability to run at all.

Unfortunately, an outpouring of consumer dissatisfaction over the past few years has brought to light the very serious issues inherent in early models of the Honda Civic hybrid. Approximately 20% of people who owned a 2009 model needed a battery replacement over the course of one year. Furthermore, more than 10% of owners of 2003, 2004, and 2010 models were also affected by faulty batteries.

I own an older model, will I require hybrid car battery replacement?

It depends. The standard hybrid battery warranty for Civic models is eight years, or 100,000 miles. Depending on which state you live in, the warranty might be for 10 years, or 100,000 miles. After the big battery debacle of 2011 and 2012, Honda stepped forward with extensions on original warranties for any civic model 2003 to 2008. Civic owners got an additional 12,000 miles, or 12 months. Even if your battery isn’t sabotaging your fuel economy, it’s likely that the earliest models have batteries that are approaching the end of their lifespans. You will require a replacement if your fuel economy is compromised, and naturally, a new battery is necessary if yours fails entirely.

Can I afford the cost of batteries for hybrid cars?

If your car now falls outside of your hybrid battery warranty, then your costs might range from between $2,000 and $4,000 for a new battery. Finding the money for the replacement might be a little difficult, but you do have the opportunity to make that money really count. Some companies have developed new and improved hybrid batteries, with longer lives, and greater fuel efficiency. You will want to carefully compare your options in order to make the most out of what can be a very frustrating situation.

I have a newer model. What should I do?

Models that are younger than the 2012 Civic release haven’t been the subject of any serious complaints. You could choose to have a new battery installed anyway, if you feel that you want a higher performance power source for the IMA system, but that is a decision that each Honda hybrid owner needs to make for themselves.

If you are concerned about your hybrid, whatever year the model is, you can bring your vehicle to hybrid battery specialists and get their opinion on the efficiency of your current battery. There are more powerful options out there, but it is up to you to weigh those options against your warranty.