# 2003 HONDA CIVIC — UNKNOWN OR OTHER
> NHTSA complaint `414213` · 2003-06-23 · Honda (American Honda Motor Co.)
## Severity
- **Deaths:** 0
- **Injured:** 0
- **Fire:** No
- **Crash:** Yes
- **Police report:** Yes
- **Medical attention:** No
- **Vehicle towed:** No
## Vehicle
- **Make:** HONDA
- **Model:** CIVIC
- **Year:** 2003
- **Manufacturer:** Honda (American Honda Motor Co.)
- **Component:** UNKNOWN OR OTHER
- **Miles at failure:** 780
- **Speed:** 38 mph
## Narrative
2003 HONDA CIVIC HYBRID ON A SNOWY ROAD, COMING OVER A SMALL RISE WHILE GOING AROUND A MODERATE CURVE UNDER 40 MPH, THE BATTERY CHARGING FUNCTION, ACTIVATED BY DRIVER TAKING FOOT OFF THE GAS BEFORE CRESTING THE HILL, PRODUCED PROGRESSIVELY STRONGER ENGINE BRAKING EFFECT ON THE FRONT WHEELS, EQUIVALENT TO AN UNWANTED DOWN SHIFT AND CAUSING FISHTAILING AND POOR RESPONSE TO CORRECTIVE STEERING, SO THAT THE CAR SLID ACROSS THE ROAD AND INTO A SNOW BANK AND CONCRETE ABUTMENT.  $6000 DAMAGE.  IF ONCOMING TRAFFIC, COULD HAVE BEEN SERIOUS INJURIES OR FATALITY.  DUE TO THE STRONG AND VARIABLE [HARD TO PREDICT OR CONTROL] BRAKING ACTION OF THE HYBRID'S CHARGING SYSTEM, THIS CAR SHOULD HAVE A SKID SENSOR ACTIVATING SOME KIND OF TRACTION CONTROL, INCLUDING INTERRUPTION OF THE CHARGING FUNCTION AS SOON AS A SKID IS DETECTED.  I THINK THIS SHOULD BE ORDERED TO BE RETROFITTED TO ALL THE HYBRIDS.  *JB
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*Source: [NHTSA ODI](https://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/downloads/) · AI Analytics · CC0 1.0*