MajorCommonElectrical

Honda CR-Z: IMA NiMH Traction Battery Cell Degradation

IMA NiMH Traction Battery Cell Degradation is a common electrical fault on the Honda CR-Z on the 2010–2016 cars, and we rate it major. Putting it right costs $1,200 to $4,500 at New Zealand independent workshop rates. Below is what goes wrong, the symptoms to notice on a test drive, where to look, and what to ask the seller before you hand over any money. It is one of 15 documented faults on the Honda CR-Z.

Vehicle: Honda CR-Z
Years: 2010–2016
Fuel: hybrid
System: Electrical

This page covers the Honda CR-Z as a model. Some faults only affect particular engines or build years — enter a plate below to narrow the list to one car.

All Honda CR-Z faults15 documented faults on this model

What you are looking at

No photograph available

We do not hold a verified photograph for this fault yet. We would rather show none than show a picture of something else.

What goes wrong

The CR-Z ZF1/ZF2 uses a 100.8V NiMH battery pack mounted under the rear cargo floor to power the Integrated Motor Assist system. As cells age beyond 8–10 years or 120,000 km, individual cells lose capacity and develop voltage imbalance, causing the BCM to reduce or disable motor assist and trigger the amber IMA warning light. In severe cases the system enters failsafe mode, effectively turning the vehicle into a naturally aspirated 1.5L without hybrid assist, with a measurable drop in performance and fuel economy.

What you would notice

Amber IMA warning light illuminated on instrument cluster
Reduced or absent motor assist bars on the power/charge gauge
Noticeably lower fuel economy than rated
Engine feels sluggish under load, especially at low RPM
Battery charge bars drop rapidly after short bursts of assist

How to check it

Where to look. Under rear cargo floor behind rear seats

Scan for IMA-related DTCs (P1447, P1449, P1576, P1578, P1600).
Note how quickly the IMA charge bars deplete under moderate acceleration.
Inspect battery module connector for corrosion.
If a workshop inspection is possible: Check State of Charge and battery module delta voltage via Honda HDS or compatible scan tool.

What it costs to put right

$1,200 to $4,500 at New Zealand independent workshop rates. That is for this job on its own, not for the car.

An estimate, in NZD, for the repair as normally carried out. What a specific car costs depends on which part has failed and what it damaged on the way — treat this as the floor for a negotiation, not a quote.

Ask the seller

“Has the IMA battery ever been replaced or reconditioned, and do you have documentation?”
“Has the IMA warning light ever come on during ownership?”
“Can I scan the vehicle with an OBD-II tool before purchase to check IMA DTCs?”
“Does the motor assist engage noticeably when pulling away from traffic lights?”

Now check the Honda CR-Z you are actually looking at

Everything above is true of the model, and it is free. What it does not tell you is whether THIS car has been looked after: its odometer history and whether the reading has ever gone backwards, whether there is still money owing on it, whether it has been reported stolen, how many owners it has had and what it is really worth today. That comes from the official records for that plate. Enter the plate for the free details, or get the full history and a market valuation from $13.49.

Not sure what you would be paying for? See what a full KickTyres check includes.

Where this comes from

The failure described above is documented in published sources — owner forums, technical service bulletins, recall notices and workshop write-ups — held in our fault database. The inspection instructions and the cost estimate are KickTyres’ own interpretation of them, and it is a starting point for an inspection rather than a manufacturer statement.

Honda CR-Z buyer questions

Is ima nimh traction battery cell degradation serious on a Honda CR-Z?

We rate it major and common on the Honda CR-Z. The CR-Z ZF1/ZF2 uses a 100.8V NiMH battery pack mounted under the rear cargo floor to power the Integrated Motor Assist system. As cells age beyond 8–10 years or 120,000 km, individual cells lose capacity and develop voltage imbalance, causing the BCM to reduce or disable motor assist and trigger the amber IMA warning light. In severe cases the system enters failsafe mode, effectively turning the vehicle into a naturally aspirated 1.5L without hybrid assist, with a measurable drop in performance and fuel economy.

How much does it cost to fix on a Honda CR-Z?

$1,200 to $4,500 at New Zealand independent workshop rates. That figure is for this job on its own. A car showing the symptoms on this page is usually worth either walking away from or negotiating down by at least the repair figure.

Which Honda CR-Z years are affected?

Our research records this fault on the 2010–2016 Honda CR-Z. Build dates move around, especially on imported cars, so treat the range as the years to look hardest at rather than a guarantee either way. The official records tell you the exact build and first registration date for the car in front of you.

How do I check for it before I buy?

Scan for IMA-related DTCs (P1447, P1449, P1576, P1578, P1600). Note how quickly the IMA charge bars deplete under moderate acceleration. Inspect battery module connector for corrosion. If a workshop inspection is possible: Check State of Charge and battery module delta voltage via Honda HDS or compatible scan tool. Look here: Under rear cargo floor behind rear seats