Honda Car Forum

My 2007 hybrid is a great car except in the heat of summer... since I live in Texas that is a lot of the time. It appears (according to engineers) that they hybrid battery shuts off once it reaches 100 degrees. Well we know that is most days here. First since this is the case and there is no solution (according to the engineers) maybe they shouldn't sell these cars in areas where it is that hot daily... but I regress... my question is my hybrid battery usually is dead within minutes of getting in my car... of course the engine revs trying to charge it back up though the battery won't come on because it is hotter than the 100 degrees... well yesterday while driving home my skid plate came loose (just had an old change last Saturday) and immediately my hybrid battery kicked on. So my question is, is it ok to be without this skid plate (black plastic plate) as my MPG went back up and everything or is this a necessary part for my car? I did call Honda to ask and they said every part has a purpose... the guy at the oil change place who has ordered me a new skid plate said it is to keep dust off the engine... so what to do since apparently the extra air flow helped?

Am I glad I read this! My 2006 Civic Hybrid is doing the same thing. It didn't do this during the past three Houston summers, but this year is a lot hotter. I thought the charging system or battery pack was going bad. I was fearing a gigantic repair bill.

I stopped parking it out in the sun during the day at work. Luckily, there is a parking garage I can use, instead. That has cut down, but not totally eliminated, the problem.

Not having a skid plate is obviously allowing the engine to run a tiny bit cooler. However, it might be protecting the engine from rocks and other road debris. Getting a hole in some engine tubing, while driving on a highway, might be a lot more stressful than low MPG.

I am curious, what "engineers" told you about the 100+ degree problem?

They told me that they are aware of the problem, that there is a fan attached to the battery pak and once a certain temperature is reached it shuts the fan and battery off though your car is still pulling juice from it. Usually after getting up to highway speed allows air in there to cool it some and then it starts working again but by then the hybrid battery is drained and has to re-charge completely... nothing worse than stepping on the gas and feeling that nothing is happening It also appears to me that the hybrid battery is assisting in running the AC because if it is on it drains the battery twice as fast than when it is off...

Because I actually went to a dealership for this BEFORE my warranty was up, they said it is covered now until they have a solution. I was also told that they would sent out a recall notice once the engineers have a solution.

I have the 2006 Honda Civic Hybrid, and have been having a similar isse for the past two years. It used to happen once a month, now it happens twice a week.

When my car is at a stop light, and engine is in idel, and my battery is 50% or more, and then when the light turns green, and I let-up off the break, and press onto the gas, and BAM, instantly, the battery drains to 0%, and I have NO POWER to move forward, and people behind my are honking for me to go. It takes up to 10 seconds for me to actully move again. (FYI, Sitting, dead, at a green light for 10 seconds is a long time.) Then my battery starts to charge again, and I start to slowly move forward.

This happens at any temperature and any time of the year. Even the winter time. And on nice days where the radio, air conditioner, and heater are all OFF.

I've been to Honda Delership, and they did these two Recall notices:
06 CIVIC HYBRID DC COVER Campaign &
IMPORTANT SAFETY RECALL NOTICE Campaign.

But, this still continues to happen.

Are others having the same issue/problems?