While driving at about 20 mph, the transmission disengaged from the engine. When accelerator was pressed, the engine would freely rev to the redline but there was no movement of the car. The car was going up a hill when this happened. The car was rolled backward, almost into traffic at a busy intersection. Car had to be towed to the dealer. At the dealer big island Honda, they did not experience the malfunction and could not solve the problem. We drove the car home. The next day we drove it again and the problem flared up again. This time we managed to get it to the dealer in time while risking our lives to get it there. However, this time the issue was discovered and the car wasn't released to us when they recognized that the issue could indeed contribute to cause a catastrophic failure shutting down all engine operation while driving! I was shocked since I am a mechanical engineer who understands catastrophic failure in machines. They took two weeks to diagnose issue and replace computer chip. Is this a manufacture defect, design failure, or life endangering malfunction?

- Kealakekua, HI, USA

I'm a Honda Civic hybrid owner (2006). I have not reported the lack of acceleration to my dealer, assuming that was the low power of the car due to the hybrid nature. The lack of acceleration at times when it's needed has put me in unsafe situations. Additionally, my hybrid does not consistently auto stop as designed.

- San Juan Capistrano, CA, USA

I would very much like to share my concerns over the safety of the 2006 Honda Civic hybrid that we purchased new from a dealer. The car performed well for a few years, until Honda decided to tell me to go to the dealer and "upgrade" the software controlling the hybrid motor-battery system. Immediately following the software update, the car was utterly devoid of power, and dangerous to drive when merging on the freeway, even when driving alone without other weight in the car. If I drive my two young children with me, it's very scary as the car must be absolutely floored the entire time while merging. No doubt this is strongly affecting the fuel economy of the car as well, as it gets only in the mid 30S, when originally advertised much higher. Also, I can't imagine anyone ever buying this car with the pathetic level of power it exhibits, therefore the resale value is now next to nothing. I would be happy to have a software downgrade and get back to original performance, but Honda tells me this is not possible for whatever reason. I urge you to begin or continue an investigation concerning the detrimental safety impacts of the 2006 Honda Civic hybrid software update. */01/2012 updated bf updated 03/16/12

- San Rafael, CA, USA

Honda did a recall on the software, supposedly to save the hybrid batteries for early failure. After the change the car experienced les miles per gallon gas efficiency, and worse, the car's acceleration was drastically reduced. Now when I try to enter a freeway I feel I am taking my life in my own hand. It is difficult to get up to speed quickly enough to match traffic. Also when I try to cross traffic lanes from a stop sign or light I am fearful the car will accelerate quickly enough to get across. I'd like to go back to the original software, I felt it was safer!

- Johnstown, OH, USA

Bought this car new. I won't even go into the ridiculous 49/51 mpg window sticker that is a blatant lie but that does play into my complaint as you will see. Honda, after receiving complaints about the battery pack and having problems with it, has this brainstorm to reflash or reprogram the computer/battery pack as part of a recall this past year. This was done at my last oil change. Prior to that time my sole complaint with my car was that the mpg averaged about 35mpg period. Since this last recall and reprogram not only has my fuel economy gone down but the performance of the car is essentially unsafe from a stopped position. Let's face it, the car never was a nascar but on the other side of the coin it was not a golf car either. Now when starting out from a stopped position, whether at a stop light or anywhere and whether the motor has shut off or not, the hybrid is so bogged down that I honestly believe my golf car accelerates better and more quickly. Let's set this straight too. I'm 41 and not trying to drag race I'm merely trying to drive the car in a normal safe manner. At times it feels like the car is going to literally die in the middle of a turn or intersection which can be a bad thing once you commit to a turn and there's a 53 foot 100,000lbs of fun coming in your direction. Honda has gotten away with ignoring my complaints about the hydroplaning of this vehicle, the ridiculously low fuel economy, and now they will likely do the same with their attempt at making their battery last longer which has made the vehicle less safe for me and my wife and kids. This "recall" was nothing more than a battery life extender to protect Honda's wallet. How about replacing everyone's battery once for the life of the car? that'd make sense to me...you know...the guy that shelled out $24,000 for your car expecting to receive mid to upper 40's in fuel economy. Fix it.

- Shelby, OH, USA

After my 2006 Honda Civic hybrid received an integrated motor assist (ima) software upgrade in 2010, if the car is parked for one day (such as a Sunday, if I do not drive the car) the ima battery will drain within one half mile of leaving my home the next day, on a level roadway, even if the ventilation system and radio are off to reduce electrical load. Fuel economy also dropped about 10 mpg after the software upgrade. Without ima, the car has slow freeway acceleration, especially when traveling uphill. The Honda dealer says they cannot do anything because the ima system light does not illuminate (obd does not show a fault) although the dealer can reproduce the problem after keeping the car overnight. How do you know the ima software upgrade does not prevent the ima light from illuminating when there is an ima battery fault, therefore not requiring Honda to replace the ima batteries under warranty?

- El Cajon, CA, USA