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Hi All -- We bought a 2012 Civic Hybrid in 2021, it's been great. Bought with 91K miles, now 143K. Pretty sure the IMA battery is going: MPG's down to 40.5 from 44-ish. Acceleration (think highway on-ramp) seems slower than usual. I've read 150K miles is basically as much as you can get from these IMA batteries.

It'd be great to hear your advice, esp. if ya know yer stuff :-) : (1) Since the car's fine otherwise, should we proactively replace the IMA battery? (2) What are the odds the inverter also needs replacing? Is it worth getting that checked (or figuring out how to check it ourselves -- think OBD scanner w/ Bluetooth plus apps)? (3) If we don't proactively change the IMA battery, do we risk damaging something? What usually happens when the IMA battery really goes? What usually happens if it goes while driving it? (4) If we do want to change the IMA battery now, looks like there are 2 options (basically) -- new aftermarket battery (3 yr. warranty) -- $1850 plus $250 shipping (from "Best Hybrid Batteries"); or refurbished battery (18 mo. warranty) (from "Greentec") -- about $1300 plus ship. "Best Hybrid Batteries" says DIY replacement "isn't hard, with their videos."

I'm not super handy, but not dumb; my 16 yr old kid works a lot on 2 old rigs and would probably help (tho' he doesn't like batteries). I think we could do it if it's really not that hard.

Your advice? Thanks a million in advance.

 
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I actually decided to call our local Honda dealer about this. Here were the answers from the service dep't and parts dep't:

--Wait until the IMA battery goes. He's seen'em go to 200K miles.
--Sometimes the inverter goes, sometimes it doesn't. One never knows.
--New Honda IMA battery costs about $4500 plus $450 install through this dealer. 12 mo/12000 mi warranty (they think)
--Car is usually drivable when IMA battery goes, just get it serviced ASAP.

I'm curious to see if Autozone, NAPA, O'Reilly lend out OBD II scanners that diagnose IMA battery health. My cheap scanner reportedly doesn't.

 
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I have had 1st gen Insights and down to one with Lithium conversion. Got a 08 Civic yesterday and think Greentec for warranty and price. Refurbished might be "OK" but why short warranty. Saw another place that price matches other day...can't find it at the moment. Insight IMA and springs, shocks and other parts.
Higher Capacity is nice I think but warranty MAINLY and new. Can't grid charge like Insight and discharge to balance battery.
Innova scanners 5610, 5510 5160RS for handheld. 7111 Tablet updated for 2024 cars on 10th Mar Handheld showed IMA of KIA in detail Voltage of each cell

 
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Thanks. Warranty does tell you something -- how confident the seller is about how long it'll last. Agreed. Thanks for the info on scanners. Would be interested to know the place that price matches if you find it again. I literally (basically) found only two places in the US that sell IMA batteries for a 2012 Civic hybrid. More sell the IMA battery for the previous generation.

 
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Your right. Best of luck. Hybrid Revolt doesn't sell 2012 Civic. I don't even see "grid" charger from Maxx Volts for 2012 Civic, I liked and kept RBbatteries charger/discharger for Insight a lot but he retired. When people buy a Insight a warranty on IMA is a sells point. Got this 2000 cause Lithium converted and MT was rebuilt for grind downshift to 2nd and 1st "tabs". 2008 Civic had IMA replaced 3 years ago at dealer. Cycle and drive them regular is needed but grid charge helps balance cells and discharge/cycle if needed. Balance is key and equal discharge rate.
I think that KIA was 2012 and I used Innova 5510 out of my truck not 5160RS out of Insight. 5510 is plenty good but ordered 5610 cause mechanic wanted 5510 for trade.
The 5160RS and 5610 are top of the line for features, last update 4-24. Also "affordable" on ebay. 7111 tablet is the one they really support and still update as it's new and only $350-400 on ebay.