So all the work has been done by a Honda dealer? Are they using the HCH II specs or the regular Civic spec on their alignment machine. They need to verify that they have the correct alignmnet specs for the HCH II.

 

All work has been done at the dealer where we purchased the car.
They have tried both Civic and HCHII and other specs nothing seems to work.
They are having trouble with more then one vechicle, not sure how many in total.
Latest theory is that their alignment machine will not properly align the 07 civic, they are going to try and send the cars to another alignment shop.

For more comments go to:

http://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/complaints/

and search for honda civic 2007
Suspension Rear, Tires, Suspension

Our car has most of the symtoms that these people have complained about.

Car wanders on the road in slippery conditions (Canada eh? - we have snow)
Constant pull to the right
Abnormal tire wear/noise

I'd love to see the honda records *sigh*

 

I reviewed my emails with the service adviser. He did send me a print out, but it was for the HCH I. I asked him about the specs being different, here is his reply.
"So I was able to track down my alignment specialist and ask him about the work done on your vehicle. What I found out is our current alignment equipment does not have the updated software to automatically input specs on the new hybrids. What we do before any alignment on any vehicle is look up the alignment specs, and if the preset numbers are different, set them to what they should be. The only current difference in the alignment specs of an older Hybrid versus that of a new, is the front caster has changed by two degrees. I reviewed the results with my specialist and he assures me that everything is correct for your vehicle. If you have any questions please feel free to write or call me.

Does that sound correct? It sure doesn't to me. Keep in mind that our car was aligned in April of 2008, so the HCH II had been out for 2 or more years at that time.

Chris

 

My dealer also has to input the numbers manually, but they still do not work. He thinks it may be the machine itself for some reason. That's why they are trying an outside alignment shop next time.

After our last alignment (november?) the rear of the car would kick out suddenly to the left whenever we travelled on roads with ice/snow with the left side tires on the snow. On bare roads the car pulls right. ie. whenever the left side hit a snow patch, the rear jumped left - scary!

I'm pretty sure its set to a non standard alignment setting because the mechanic couldn't get the car to travel in a straight line with the standard settings.