The Hybrid system is considered by law to be part of the emissions systems. As such the warranty terms are determined by the law of the State you live in. Eight states have adopted the CA emissions standards; in those states the warranty is 10 years/150,000 miles. In the other states the warranty is 8 ears/80,000 miles.

Some people assume that means you will replace the batteries when they come off warranty. That logic doesn’t make sense. Your drivetrain warranty expires at 5 years/60,000 miles. Are you buyin a new engine and transmission then?

My experience is that the battery packs themselves are not the typical point of failure, but the charging systems. If the charging system does not operate at the right voltage the batteries can be damaged. I no longer have the TSBs but I remember that being the issue. I currently work with back up power systems that use batteries and improperly set charging currents can reduce the life of batteries regardless of the application.

Some research on the internet revealed a TSB suggesting Honda America has extended the warranty up to 150000 miles. As I passed this information on to my local service manager, she informed me the TSB was for the Insight model, NOT the Civic.., but she said she called American Honda for me and they agreed to meet me half way!! So I’m getting a new Battery pack next week for $1300.00 bucks!

This Honda Civic Hybrid car has saved me thousands in fuel cost over the past seven years as well as provided a comfortable, reliable ride along the way.

For me, $1300.00 buys another seven years of 48mpg efficency.., Its a No brainer!

DMF

I also live in Texas. I have TWO 2005 Honda Civic Hybrids. I bought the second one because I was so pleased with the first one. I used the first HCH in my business, and the second one has now replaced my first one. I put 326,000 miles on my first car (which I bought new). The IMA light came on on that first car when I had about 300,000 miles on the car. At the time, I could afford to do nothing about the problem. My car started getting about 3-4 mpg less in mileage. I kept driving it; I had no choice. And . . . whatever the problem was, I suppose it fixed itself(???) One day the IMA light went off, the fuel milage returned to normal, and . . . no problem since. I bought the second car (which is identical to the first) from a man and wife in Paris (Texas). It had 78,000 on it when I bought it, and now has 119,000. I paid $10,475 for the second one, and do not regret it. No problem with the second car as yet. Honest mileage on both care, on the highway: 44-47 mpg ordinarily and depending. Hope this helps.

Check out posts 40/41 in this thread.

” Sorry Math Avenger, do your math again. 2 out of 100,000 would be .002%. But 200 out of 100,000 is .2%, so Toyota’s replacement rate is quite a bit better than Honda’s.”

The battery problem rate for Toyota only applicable to 2nd generation Prius, which was introduced in 2003. This article is written in June 2008. That means most Prius are still covered by its manufacturer warranty. Therefore, a relatively low out of warranty problem rate is expected.

On the other hand, Honda Insight has been available since 1999, therefore, a higher proportion is expected to be out of warranty.

To say Toyota’s battery replacement rate is better than Honda’s is like comparing an orange with an apple.

Today, as much as I have liked the hybrid, I would probably buy a regular Honda Civic. My neighbor bought a new one in 2009 and claims he gets up to 42 miles per gallon. Thus you would pay less to buy the car and not have the battery cost worry if you intend to keep the car any length of time.