Engine Malfunction
Thread Starter
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Enthusiast
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 45
Re: Engine Malfunction
Anna:
During the investigation / arbitration process, Honda said this was a characteristic of all '06 and '07 Honda Accord Hybrids. Personally, if that were true, I think more people would know about it and / or experienced these issues. I wouldn't worry about it unless you get symptoms which may be:
1. Hesitation accelerating out of slow corners such as in a housing area (doesn't seem to happen after stopping at a stop sign)
2. A muffled backfire / pop / click sound when shifting from the first drive gear to the second drive gear.
Chuck
During the investigation / arbitration process, Honda said this was a characteristic of all '06 and '07 Honda Accord Hybrids. Personally, if that were true, I think more people would know about it and / or experienced these issues. I wouldn't worry about it unless you get symptoms which may be:
1. Hesitation accelerating out of slow corners such as in a housing area (doesn't seem to happen after stopping at a stop sign)
2. A muffled backfire / pop / click sound when shifting from the first drive gear to the second drive gear.
Chuck
Enthusiast
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 7
Re: Engine Malfunction
Karen
G.H. Contributor
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 1,396
From: The Music City, Tennessee
Re: Engine Malfunction
Just a comment or so on this subject. I think (Maybe) my 2007 HAH (Might) have or do some of the things mentioned here concerning the Low-Noise-Pop Etc.
But I can say with all [Confidence] that I have (NEVER) not even 1-time
Felt-Heard Etc. anything once I "Decided" to Stop-Screwing-Around driving the car like it had a 50 HP Engine trying to pull around a 4,000 Lb. Car. Meaning it had a tiny engine and I had to drive it like at a Snails Pace from Stops. To some I'm sure your scratching your heads about now and saying to yourselves what is Terry talking about ?????
Let me say or put this in a different way. I decided to Drive my HAH to have Fun-Enjoy it and therefore I (STOPPED) driving it away from Stops at a Snails Pace. Once I made this decision to just drive it as I would any other vehicle (Car or Truck/SUV) I have not experienced any of the mentioned effects that have been discussed here.
Now before "Some-of-You" jump all over my comments let me say this regarding the ones of you that have had these problems and decided you "Could-Not or Would-Not" Tolerate these things with your HAHs. I Honestly understand and I also can see and AGREE with all of Your-Decisions to get Honda to either Buy-Back or Correct Your-Cars.
So Please stay Calm as I am not saying anything "NEGATIVE" here or saying "You" should have kept your HAHs. I say do as one sees fit.
I like the HAH and all it has to offer so I decided once I started to read and follow this Thread to see if there was away around this situation with "MY-HAH" and as I said above it was really simple to me. I just Stopped Poking away from Stops and just drive the car. With No-Adverse effects other than this 1-thing.
This driving will "LOWER" YOUR (Fuel-Economy) !!!!!!
So If Maximum Fuel-Economy is the Priority then my way of working around these conditions is "TOTALLY-UNACCEPTABLE" !!!!
In my case I could care less because I owned 2-Hch's and they got tremendous Fuel Economy. I got tired, wore-out on the NO-POWER these Hybrids offered (IMHO) so that is why I went to the Much More POWERFUL HAH and have "NEVER-REGRETTED" that Decision. This Hybrid will get one out of Harms-Way and the Comfort Level is Excellent. So Honda is still a Leader in My-Eyes as far as Vehicles go. I just had the HAH Fully Detailed yesterday and I took a look at it and Fell back in Love with it all over AGAIN. This is one Heck of a Car/Hybrid.
I'm Sorry though for those that had the Problems with Their Hybrids and chose to get rid of them.
The above comments are just what I think regarding myself and in NO-WAY do I want to come across that the Members that chose to get rid of their HAHs were "WRONG" in doing so. I say this once again just to make sure that there is know misunderstanding about this Post. We all have the right to do what works best for ourselves and IMHO there is know WRONG-DECISION regarding same.
Have a Nice-Day All:
Terry
BTW, I post this for possibly New-HAH Owners that might worry about your decision to have purchased the HAH. Enjoy your Hybrid it is a Great-Fast-Ride.
Last edited by tigerhonaker; Jan 19, 2008 at 07:13 PM.
Thread Starter
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Enthusiast
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 45
Re: Engine Malfunction
All:
It goes back to the old saying: if it's not broke don't fix it. Conversely, if it is, act accordingly. The Lemon Laws carried by most states is good, but the BBB program (supported by responsible manufacturers) is great (see your warranty book for details). Honda and other responsible manufacturers are willing to have an arbitrator from BBB make a decision based on the best information the manufacturer and the owner have. It's a very easy, non-combative, business like approach. A disinterested party with a lot of arbitration experience hears the issue and decides what to do. The manufacturer is bound to the decision- the owner is not. A repurchase was my third choice (work-around and permanent repair were my first). Honda convinced the arbitrator that they couldn't fix it so he took the only remaining alternative. Bottom line is I doubt that this issue exists in all '06 and '07 HAHs. Most of them are probably running just fine and people are getting great pleasure. I now have a Toyota Camry Hybrid and I miss the power, but I enjoy the quietness and gas mileage- but I still wish Honda had agreed to fix my car. But how great is it, knowing that if there is a defect, you're not hung out to dry.
Chuck
It goes back to the old saying: if it's not broke don't fix it. Conversely, if it is, act accordingly. The Lemon Laws carried by most states is good, but the BBB program (supported by responsible manufacturers) is great (see your warranty book for details). Honda and other responsible manufacturers are willing to have an arbitrator from BBB make a decision based on the best information the manufacturer and the owner have. It's a very easy, non-combative, business like approach. A disinterested party with a lot of arbitration experience hears the issue and decides what to do. The manufacturer is bound to the decision- the owner is not. A repurchase was my third choice (work-around and permanent repair were my first). Honda convinced the arbitrator that they couldn't fix it so he took the only remaining alternative. Bottom line is I doubt that this issue exists in all '06 and '07 HAHs. Most of them are probably running just fine and people are getting great pleasure. I now have a Toyota Camry Hybrid and I miss the power, but I enjoy the quietness and gas mileage- but I still wish Honda had agreed to fix my car. But how great is it, knowing that if there is a defect, you're not hung out to dry.
Chuck
Enthusiast
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 7
Re: Engine Malfunction
Tigerhonaker,
I'm glad you aren't experiencing the problems we've had! But, that being said...........
Do you really think WE just didn't drive the car correctly? Do you really think the arbitration would have gone our way if WE were the problem?
Don't be mistaken..........WE WON OUR ARBITRATIONS (pleural) BECAUSE THERE WERE PROBLEMS (pleural) WITH OUR CARS (pleural)....... Good luck with yours & I sincerely hope YOU don't have the problems we've had!
I would discourage anyone who is thinking about the HAH..............STOP & read everything you can find on the subject. It's not worth the risk of having the problems we've had even if a few cars don't have the problems.
I'm glad you aren't experiencing the problems we've had! But, that being said...........
Do you really think WE just didn't drive the car correctly? Do you really think the arbitration would have gone our way if WE were the problem?
Don't be mistaken..........WE WON OUR ARBITRATIONS (pleural) BECAUSE THERE WERE PROBLEMS (pleural) WITH OUR CARS (pleural)....... Good luck with yours & I sincerely hope YOU don't have the problems we've had!
I would discourage anyone who is thinking about the HAH..............STOP & read everything you can find on the subject. It's not worth the risk of having the problems we've had even if a few cars don't have the problems.
G.H. Contributor
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 1,396
From: The Music City, Tennessee
Re: Engine Malfunction
Tigerhonaker,
I'm glad you aren't experiencing the problems we've had! But, that being said...........
Do you really think WE just didn't drive the car correctly? Do you really think the arbitration would have gone our way if WE were the problem?
Don't be mistaken..........WE WON OUR ARBITRATIONS (pleural) BECAUSE THERE WERE PROBLEMS (pleural) WITH OUR CARS (pleural)....... Good luck with yours & I sincerely hope YOU don't have the problems we've had!
I would discourage anyone who is thinking about the HAH..............STOP & read everything you can find on the subject. It's not worth the risk of having the problems we've had even if a few cars don't have the problems.
I'm glad you aren't experiencing the problems we've had! But, that being said...........
Do you really think WE just didn't drive the car correctly? Do you really think the arbitration would have gone our way if WE were the problem?
Don't be mistaken..........WE WON OUR ARBITRATIONS (pleural) BECAUSE THERE WERE PROBLEMS (pleural) WITH OUR CARS (pleural)....... Good luck with yours & I sincerely hope YOU don't have the problems we've had!
I would discourage anyone who is thinking about the HAH..............STOP & read everything you can find on the subject. It's not worth the risk of having the problems we've had even if a few cars don't have the problems.
As I said in the above Post regarding the Members that have or had problems:
The above comments are just what I think regarding myself and in NO-WAY do I want to come across that the Members that chose to get rid of their HAHs were "WRONG" in doing so. I say this once again just to make sure that there is know misunderstanding about this Post. We all have the right to do what works best for ourselves and IMHO there is know WRONG-DECISION regarding same.
G.H. Contributor
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 1,396
From: The Music City, Tennessee
Re: Engine Malfunction
I have to agree with Karen. The Honda brochure specifically states (and I quote), "In the Accord Hybrid, the IMA gives the highly efficient and powerful V-6 gas engine even more fuel efficiency and get-up-and-go when needed, and it drives just like a regular Accord."
So, on the one hand Honda states (with a straight face) that the backfiring is "normal operation," yet on the other they tell potential customers that it drives just normal. I don't feel any inclination to drive a special way just to avoid the annoying backfire in a $34,000 car. If Honda were (or I should say, had been) up front with me and other customers about this issue, I'd feel differently. But, not only do they not disclose this defect - but they deny it exists once you've paid for the car.
At any rate, my arbitration hearing is in 2 days and I can't wait to get this over with. I hope that my arbitrators see the facts as Karen's and Chuck's arbitrators have.
So, on the one hand Honda states (with a straight face) that the backfiring is "normal operation," yet on the other they tell potential customers that it drives just normal. I don't feel any inclination to drive a special way just to avoid the annoying backfire in a $34,000 car. If Honda were (or I should say, had been) up front with me and other customers about this issue, I'd feel differently. But, not only do they not disclose this defect - but they deny it exists once you've paid for the car.
At any rate, my arbitration hearing is in 2 days and I can't wait to get this over with. I hope that my arbitrators see the facts as Karen's and Chuck's arbitrators have.
As I said in the above Post regarding the Members that have or had problems:
The above comments are just what I think regarding myself and in NO-WAY do I want to come across that the Members that chose to get rid of their HAHs were "WRONG" in doing so. I say this once again just to make sure that there is know misunderstanding about this Post. We all have the right to do what works best for ourselves and IMHO there is know WRONG-DECISION regarding same.
Thread Starter
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Enthusiast
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 45
Re: Engine Malfunction
Today Honda repurchased our vehicle after a long and arduous road, which started in April 2007. It was sad to see her go. Honda ended up paying for everything (including the used portion of the extended warranty) with the exception of the state lemon law mandated depreciation. Being retired folks on a fixed income we are grateful to be out from under the liability and in a new vehicle that is working well.
The most ironic item that surfaced, however, was that Honda directed the dealership to: “please attempt to have the vehicle repaired by 2/28/2008” and claim it to Warranty. This is after the Honda engineering department had previously declared that the vehicle was operating as designed during the last time it was in for repair and that this was a characteristic of ’06 and ’07 Accord Hybrids. The symptom description on the Service Repair Notice was very cursory (Engine backfires and hesitates while driving). This broad description may not be sufficient for a mechanic / tech to identify and duplicate. This was the same dealership that tried to fix it four times before, but the assistant manager who worked the issue is no longer at the dealership. I’m not sure how much effort will be spent diagnosing or fixing the vehicle. There are instructions if the dealer is not able to repair the vehicle but my fears are that the dealer will drive the car, not identify the issue, declare that it is driving normally- and then Honda may put it up for sale again via a wholesale auction. Eventually it could work its way back to an unsuspecting public. I hope that this is not true as part of the transfer documentation says it was being repurchased pursuant the lemon law. We tried to make the circumstances clear to the dealership today.
Chuck
The most ironic item that surfaced, however, was that Honda directed the dealership to: “please attempt to have the vehicle repaired by 2/28/2008” and claim it to Warranty. This is after the Honda engineering department had previously declared that the vehicle was operating as designed during the last time it was in for repair and that this was a characteristic of ’06 and ’07 Accord Hybrids. The symptom description on the Service Repair Notice was very cursory (Engine backfires and hesitates while driving). This broad description may not be sufficient for a mechanic / tech to identify and duplicate. This was the same dealership that tried to fix it four times before, but the assistant manager who worked the issue is no longer at the dealership. I’m not sure how much effort will be spent diagnosing or fixing the vehicle. There are instructions if the dealer is not able to repair the vehicle but my fears are that the dealer will drive the car, not identify the issue, declare that it is driving normally- and then Honda may put it up for sale again via a wholesale auction. Eventually it could work its way back to an unsuspecting public. I hope that this is not true as part of the transfer documentation says it was being repurchased pursuant the lemon law. We tried to make the circumstances clear to the dealership today.
Chuck
G.H. Contributor
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 1,396
From: The Music City, Tennessee
Re: Engine Malfunction
Today Honda repurchased our vehicle after a long and arduous road, which started in April 2007. It was sad to see her go. Honda ended up paying for everything (including the used portion of the extended warranty) with the exception of the state lemon law mandated depreciation. Being retired folks on a fixed income we are grateful to be out from under the liability and in a new vehicle that is working well.
The most ironic item that surfaced, however, was that Honda directed the dealership to: “please attempt to have the vehicle repaired by 2/28/2008” and claim it to Warranty. This is after the Honda engineering department had previously declared that the vehicle was operating as designed during the last time it was in for repair and that this was a characteristic of ’06 and ’07 Accord Hybrids. The symptom description on the Service Repair Notice was very cursory (Engine backfires and hesitates while driving). This broad description may not be sufficient for a mechanic / tech to identify and duplicate. This was the same dealership that tried to fix it four times before, but the assistant manager who worked the issue is no longer at the dealership. I’m not sure how much effort will be spent diagnosing or fixing the vehicle. There are instructions if the dealer is not able to repair the vehicle but my fears are that the dealer will drive the car, not identify the issue, declare that it is driving normally- and then Honda may put it up for sale again via a wholesale auction. Eventually it could work its way back to an unsuspecting public. I hope that this is not true as part of the transfer documentation says it was being repurchased pursuant the lemon law. We tried to make the circumstances clear to the dealership today.
Chuck
The most ironic item that surfaced, however, was that Honda directed the dealership to: “please attempt to have the vehicle repaired by 2/28/2008” and claim it to Warranty. This is after the Honda engineering department had previously declared that the vehicle was operating as designed during the last time it was in for repair and that this was a characteristic of ’06 and ’07 Accord Hybrids. The symptom description on the Service Repair Notice was very cursory (Engine backfires and hesitates while driving). This broad description may not be sufficient for a mechanic / tech to identify and duplicate. This was the same dealership that tried to fix it four times before, but the assistant manager who worked the issue is no longer at the dealership. I’m not sure how much effort will be spent diagnosing or fixing the vehicle. There are instructions if the dealer is not able to repair the vehicle but my fears are that the dealer will drive the car, not identify the issue, declare that it is driving normally- and then Honda may put it up for sale again via a wholesale auction. Eventually it could work its way back to an unsuspecting public. I hope that this is not true as part of the transfer documentation says it was being repurchased pursuant the lemon law. We tried to make the circumstances clear to the dealership today.
Chuck
I am glad to here/read that things worked out for you and your wife regarding your HAH.
You are right that the HAH very well may end up in another owners hands.
I have listened to my own HAH just to see if I detected any Strange Backfiring/Noise or Strange Running (Loosing-Power) and I have not. So I suppose I am one of the lucky ones.
I will have to say or make this comment though. I really do not think that this condition involved a large number/percentage of 2006 & 2007 Hybrid Accords or Honda would have had to address the situation. I seriously believe that more than likely there were few HAH's that actually did this to the degree that a few here have experienced with their vehicles.
It is not all that difficult for anyone to do a Google Search for Hybrid Vehicles to Locate this Forum as well as others on the Net. That being the case tells me this was a very small number of HAH's that had it as a Serious Problem that really affected the Performance/Safety of the Hybrid Accord Vehicles. I only say this because like all manufactures they all have many-many problems with their vehicles. I worked for a Chevy/Oldsmobile Dealer for 11-Yrs. and when I say that those manufactures had problems with their vehicles in those 11- yrs. believe me that is putting it mildly. I now work for an Acura Dealer and YES-Folks Acura has their share of (Problems) also.
I think we all expect that Honda would have corrected the situation and that is what is so disturbing to the small percentage of owners that had the problem. Honda being a more stand up Manufacture if you will.
I almost said this regarding a post from another members remark saying they would never tell another prospective buyer to purchase a Honda Accord Hybrid because that owner had the problem with their car. Just think if all owners said to everyone else not to purchase a vehicle because they had a problem and the dealers/manufactures did not or could not correct their problem. Then how many vehicles would be sold ??? Not many because if you are as I am in the Business you would realize that all manufactures have problems that (Do-Not-Get-Corrected) !!!!
So personally as I said in prior Post here, I am glad that the few people here have gotten Honda to buy back their HAH's and they can now move on with their lives. Buy another vehicle and hopefully that vehicle will perform as expected. As it should.
My only point here is simply to not go off the deep end and say to others not to buy a vehicle because we happen to get one that did not do right.
Chuck, this Post is not directed to you as an individual but just to any member to just open their eyes and don't let 1-vehicle turn them so against Honda or any other manufacture.
Terry
