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payne171 · 04-11-2011, 04:20 PM

I no longer own a Honda Accord Hybrid. Very shortly after buying it, the IMA warning light started going off. I have read some reports that this is not uncommon; however, I thought it was better to check out so I took it to the local Honda dealer.

It turns out, the wrong lubricant was used when repairing a leak in the air conditioning system. The HAH uses an electric AC compressor in order to keep the AC running during engine shutoff at stops. It requires $100 per bottle non-conductive lube. The incorrect lube was causing a short that made an intermittent short. Eventually, according to the Honda tech, the short would cause the whole hybrid system to shut down.

I found a Honda dealership envelope in the glove compartment. I called them and asked if they had any service history on my car and gave them the VIN. They said they had inspected the AC due to the owner complaining that it didn't work (just outside of the 3 year warranty, of course). They found a problem and gave the owner a repair quote. The owner left without repair because he or she thought the price was too high.

I can only assume that the owner then took the car to Joe Shmoe AC repair, and Joe tried to repair it like it was a normal AC.

The end result is that the Honda tech tried to flush the system; it didn't work. The only option with guaranteed success would be to replace the entire AC, at a price of $3700. Fortunately, the dealer took the car back with no hassle.

This raises a couple of alarms with me:
#1- $3700! I realize it helps efficiency and keeps the AC running even when the engine isn't, but holy crap! This is one BIG drawback when it comes to the long term viability of hybrids. Granted, I in no way blame Honda for this particular problem, but if the technology is that pricey, they will not last long because they will cost too much to repair relative to their value. Worst case scenario repair on a car is probably engine or transmission; rebuilding either one is no more than half that.
#2- Exclusive repair. This makes me realize that much of a very complicated car can only be worked on by dealerships. Maybe this is why Toyota was willing to produce a car like the Prius in the early days of hybrids; they knew no one else would be able to work on them, and they could profit at the service shops (I'm a little sceptical of this theory, though. If T and Honda were trying to make big dough at service, they wouldn't make such reliable cars. They'd make Chryslers.)

I am not going to own a hybrid if I can help it. The car is primarily for my wife. If she still wants one, we will only own it with an extended warranty that covers bumper to bumper for as long as we have it. I think I'm going to start E-shopping for a VW with a TDi emblem on it.

04-11-2011, 04:20 PM	#1 (permalink)
payne171 EcoModding Apprentice Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: central Ohio Posts: 122 Gray Jellybean - '00 Honda Insight 90 day: 62.76 mpg (US) Thanks: 2 Thanked 16 Times in 11 Posts	I give up. I no longer own a Honda Accord Hybrid. Very shortly after buying it, the IMA warning light started going off. I have read some reports that this is not uncommon; however, I thought it was better to check out so I took it to the local Honda dealer. It turns out, the wrong lubricant was used when repairing a leak in the air conditioning system. The HAH uses an electric AC compressor in order to keep the AC running during engine shutoff at stops. It requires $100 per bottle non-conductive lube. The incorrect lube was causing a short that made an intermittent short. Eventually, according to the Honda tech, the short would cause the whole hybrid system to shut down. I found a Honda dealership envelope in the glove compartment. I called them and asked if they had any service history on my car and gave them the VIN. They said they had inspected the AC due to the owner complaining that it didn't work (just outside of the 3 year warranty, of course). They found a problem and gave the owner a repair quote. The owner left without repair because he or she thought the price was too high. I can only assume that the owner then took the car to Joe Shmoe AC repair, and Joe tried to repair it like it was a normal AC. The end result is that the Honda tech tried to flush the system; it didn't work. The only option with guaranteed success would be to replace the entire AC, at a price of $3700. Fortunately, the dealer took the car back with no hassle. This raises a couple of alarms with me: #1- $3700! I realize it helps efficiency and keeps the AC running even when the engine isn't, but holy crap! This is one BIG drawback when it comes to the long term viability of hybrids. Granted, I in no way blame Honda for this particular problem, but if the technology is that pricey, they will not last long because they will cost too much to repair relative to their value. Worst case scenario repair on a car is probably engine or transmission; rebuilding either one is no more than half that. #2- Exclusive repair. This makes me realize that much of a very complicated car can only be worked on by dealerships. Maybe this is why Toyota was willing to produce a car like the Prius in the early days of hybrids; they knew no one else would be able to work on them, and they could profit at the service shops (I'm a little sceptical of this theory, though. If T and Honda were trying to make big dough at service, they wouldn't make such reliable cars. They'd make Chryslers.) I am not going to own a hybrid if I can help it. The car is primarily for my wife. If she still wants one, we will only own it with an extended warranty that covers bumper to bumper for as long as we have it. I think I'm going to start E-shopping for a VW with a TDi emblem on it.