VEZEL Common Faults

Under this section, commonly identified issues in Honda vezel and solutions for those issues will be discuss. Problems, reasons and solutions discussed here are totally depends on the user experience which were discussed in different vezel forums and shall not be liable for any damage caused.

Identify Multi Information Display (MID) Indicators

There is are differences of MID indicators of the Vezels depending on the year of manufacture.

For the Year 2014/2015

For the Year 2016/2017

For the Year 2018/2019

For the year 2020

All possible Indicators and Messages

All possible Warning Indicators and MID Messages in Honda Vezel Hybrid vehicles listed below. There are some differences depending on the manufacture year of the vehicle. When preparing below list, 2018/2019 indicators and messages were taken as the reference and indicators and messages specific to all other years shown separately.

When using the below table first check the required indicator or message under relevant year Specific table and if it is not there then refer the relevant table under the year 2018/2019. Also it is advisable to download the file to your PC in order to see the file clearly.

Manufacture year 2014

2014 Specific Indicators

2014 Specific MID Messages

Manufacture year 2015

2015 Specific Indicators

2015 Specific MID Messages

Manufacture year 2016/2017

2016/2017 Specific Indicators

2016/2017 Specific MID Messages

Manufacture year 2018/2019

2018/2019 All Indicators

2018/2019 All MID Messages

Manufacture year 2020

2020 Specific MID Messages

Let's Identify the common faults

Failure of dual clutch

Symptoms

Drive in ECON mode for about 20min to 40min time to see any of the symptoms below.
Difficult to drive in hilly areas. Poor pickup.
During a traffic it feels like vehicle unnecessarily increase the RPM and jumps start to move.

If the learning limits of dual clutch assembly exceeded, scanning report shows the DTC (error code - P2788). No check engine or meter board fault indication

How to solve?

Re-learn the dual clutch assembly as a temporary solution so you can use it few more days. Otherwise at the end vehicle will drive using electric motor only. Also this activity needs HONDA HDS or professional (All function support scanner).
Repair and re-learn dual clutch assembly
Replace total dual clutch assembly

How to extend the life time of dual clutch ?

Main reason for premature dual clutch system failure is that engaging and disengaging of dual clutch frequently in a traffic. In order to extend the life time of the dual clutch, you can follow below tips during traffic condition.

Avoid inching

Wait till the front vehicle move forward for sufficient distance and start your Vezel to move forward. Avoid stop-and-go style driving which increase the number of engaging and disengaging times of the dual clutch and may result premature failure due to heat generated in clutch transferred to actuator fluid (Clutch oil). Also if you are in a traffic and received the transmission overheat message in meter board, park the vehicle aside and allow to cool the dual clutch assembly and start the journey again.

Avoid using ECON mode

According to the user experience, using ECON mode leads to premature failure of dual clutch system. Therefore use ECON mode OFF driving mode as much as possible. According to the user experience, Fuel consumption at this mode is around 18 km/l.

Avoid carrying higher loads

This will prevent the engine to race for higher RPMs and avoid the increase of clutch temperature during shifting the gears.

Keep the shift position in N or P (When the engine runs)

When the engine of the vehicle is running and you have to wait in a traffic for considerable amount of time, shift the gear to "N" or "P" position. This will helps to reduce the heat generated in dual clutch system in a small amount but negligible. In this case gear is in second position but clutch is in released status.

Use EV mode as much as possible (Economical but difficult to manage option)

EV mode managed by vehicle itself depending on the condition. You have to reduce the electric power usage of the battery and encourage the vehicle to keep in EV mode as much as possible. In order to do that, you can increase the air-conditioner temperature level of the Vezel in between 22 - 25 degree celsius and reduce the electric power usage. In that case, when your hybrid battery charge reduced, vehicle shows battery charging bar in the display and you won't be able to move forward. At that point you have to stop the vehicle and wait for a while.

Do proper maintenance (Costly but easy to manage and the best option)

- Regularly check whether any brake binds exists and if so repair immediately

- Do Engine tune-up between every 30,000km - 35,000km of mileage

- Change clutch actuator fluid (Clutch oil) at least after every 10,000km (5,000km for the safe side) of mileage

Repair cost (Sample only)

Jerk (Shake)when accelerate from slow speeds (ex:- During traffic)

Symptoms

When drive through traffic it gives the Jerk (looks like to a shake or miss) . This happens frequently whenever drive at a slow speed, especially through traffic. This condition occurs when stop at a traffic light and start to accelerate. It only comes after a break or a stop and accelerates so it comes in low speed. Then when driving for a while, it goes away.

Temporary solution

This happens at long traffic. Change the "ECON" mode to "NORMAL" mode or "SPORT" mode . This has to done before the hybrid battery loose it's charge.

How to solve?

Change the dual clutch oil.

Faulty 12V battery

Symptoms

Following indicators and messages display on meterboard and cannot start the vehicle.

Vezel - Z model

Engine switch off when shifted to D

Click here to see the video of the fault

Click here to see second sample video for the above fault

Vezel - RS model

Reason

Faulty 12V battery

How to solve?

Replace the faulty 12V battery with correct capacity.

Corroded 12V battery terminals

Symptoms

Below indicators show just after starting the vehicle and all fault indicators disappear after 2 or 3 minutes and vehicle can be drive normally.

Click here to see video 1

Click here to see video 2

Click here to see video 3

Reason

Corroded 12V battery terminals

How to solve?

Clean the 12V battery terminals and remove the corrosion.

Many indicators light up

RS Model

X or Z Model

Fuel Injector issue

How to Solve?

1) Keep driving and see whether above error messages will clear automatically.

2) Remove 12 V battery for a few minutes, the reconnect and see whether the above error messages will clear.

3) Remove the 12 V battery and check the condition of battery with the help of battery shop (Recharge the battery or replace the battery (32Ah(5HR)/44B19L) if required).

4) After scanning the vehicle, if the current fault is "System too rich", it is required to do a proper engine tune-up.

5) If above methods failed to solve the problem, scan the vehicle using HONDA HDS scanner or from HONDA local agent and identify the reason. Most probably you have to clean the injectors replace the ignition coils and spark plugs.

Plugs & Ignition coil failure

Symptoms

1) When driving the vehicle, suddenly speed reduced to 40 Km/h with following indication on meter board. Also no fault indication in speedometer area.

2) Later, following indicators displayed with Engine noise and misfire.

Click here to hear the engine noise.

3) Removing and reconnecting the 12V battery wires will temporarily clear the faults and appear again after around 1Km of driving

Reason

Reason for above fault is failure of one ignition coil and 4 plugs.

How to solve?

Replace the faulty ignition coil and 4 plugs with original parts.

Brake, Hill start & EPS message display

How to solve?

1) Check whether battery terminals have loose connection. If so tight the battery terminals.

2) Remove the connections of 12V battery and keep the vehicle for few minutes and reconnect to clear the fault.

Power system warning & 12V Battery charging warning.

Power System, 12V Battery Charging & Check Engine illuminate

How to solve?

Stop the vehicle and allow certain amount of time to cool the system and start. Check whether hybrid battery not cool properly due to blocked ventilation, fan issue or AC issue and resolve it..

Power Reduced Alarm

Symptoms

Difficult to Start and accelerate till the battery charged and following message display.

Reason

Power of the vehicle reduced due to low power in 12V battery.

How to solve?

Check the reason for low charge in 12V battery and resolve it.

Honda Smart Key System Inspection

In this case OBD Scanner gives the error code B12C5 and reason is 'Start/Stop Engine Switch failure'.

How to solve?

This issue can be resolved by cleaning the Push start button of the vehicle using contact cleaner. If you are not a technician, please get the support from electronic technician.

Click here to view push start button cleaning procedure.

Parking Brake System Inspection

As soon as parked the vehicle, and pulled the parking lever, a message appearing on the screen (as shown in the pictures above) and after that the parking brake would not release at all. Since the parking brakes failed to release and the car was unable to move at all.

Reasons

According to the user experience, this issue can happen due to many reasons.

1) Failure of your parking brake switch (Most common issue).

2) Break oil level is low or break pads needs replace.

3) Problem in the angle motor which needs to repair.

4) Brake and handbrake was working fine after drive in deep water, but red handbrake light would blink when handbrake was engaged, in addition to the orange brake error light and orange check engine light. However, after disconnecting the battery the error went away.

5) Brake hold issue

How to solve?

If the issue is due to above reason 1, follow the below steps.

1 ) Immediate temporary solution

Please follow below steps as a temporary solution in order to release the electronic parking brake and move the car to a garage.

Wear seat belt
Start the vehicle
Press the brake pedal
Shift the gear to D
Release the brake pedal
Press the accelerator pedal little bit. Then the parking brake will release automatically.

2) Replace the faulty electronic parking brake switch.

How to prevent?

1) In order to prevent this issue, you can minimize the use of your electronic parking brake switch while start to move as follows. (For reason 1 above)

Wear seat belt (This is very important. Otherwise parking brake will not release and brake bind can occur)
Start the vehicle
Press the brake pedal
Shift the gear to D
Release the brake pedal
Press the accelerator pedal little bit. Then the parking brake will release automatically.

2) Another reason for electronic parking brake switch failure is spilling off liquids on the parking brake switch.

since the cup holder is very closer to the parking brake switch, there is a risk of spilling off liquid in the cup on electronic parking brake switch. Handle cups with care. Also, during the vehicle service, avoid using liquids to clean the electronic parking brake switch area.

Key Not Found message indicate in MID

Reason

1) WHEN THE POWER MODE IS ON MODE, THIS WILL DISPLAY AND AT THE SAME TIME, THE WARNING SOUNDS WHEN THE HONDA SMART KEY IS TAKEN OUT OF THE VEHICLE AND THE DOOR IS CLOSED

2) Smart key battery low.

How to solve?

1) WHEN THE POWER MODE IS ON MODE, IF YOU RETURN THE HONDA SMART KEY WITHIN THE OPERATING RANGE AND CLOSE THE DOOR, THE WARNING WILL BE CANCELLED.

2) If the smart key battery is low, replace the battery with new one. (Battery model no- CR2032)

Low key battery level (with warning sound)

Reason

This is due to the low power in your smart key battery. If the indicator bulb in your smart key does not light up when you press the button, the battery is dead.

How to solve ?

Follow below procedure in order to replace your smart key battery.

Picture of original battery in the remote

Note :- Life time of the battery is nearly 2 Years.

Transmission high temperature

Reason

This happens when you're in a heavy traffic, travel along a road which is having many bends (ex:- 18 bend road in Sri Lanka), Travel in hilly area by applying brakes continuously, reversing to a hill for long period of time and clutch oil heated up. It is difficult to accelerate at up hill.

How to Solve ?

Solution may vary depending on the situation.

1) Leave it off for a while (20 min.) and start to drive again. If the warning message continues, please check with a technician , it should be dual clutch slipping or need a repair. May be its needs to refill the clutch oil (Actuator Fluid) and re-learn your dual clutch using a Honda scanner.

2) If you receive above transmission overheat message during heavy traffic (When you are inching), use maximize the EV mode use of your vehicle (In order to make it happen, you have to increase the temperature of the AC, reduce AC blower (Fan) speed and switch off any additional electrical devices which consumes more power).

3) If you receive above message when you are driving in a hilly area,

Avoid using SPORT Mode
Avoid using pedal shifters and drive under low gears
Avoid throttling too much

4) Avoid creeping (i.e. Creeping - Allowing vehicle to move freely with gear shifter in D position and without pressing accelerator pedal).

City brake active system cannot work, Radar is hot

Reason

Temperature of the area around the laser sensor is too high may be due to parking the vehicle under sun light for extended period of time.

How to solve?

Lower the temperature near the laser sensor by lowering the room temperature with an air conditioner. The system will recover when the temperature drops.

City brake active System cannot work Radar

Reasons and Solutions

RS - This message gives due to the front grill is dirty and the radar sensor is difficult to detect the vehicle in front. As a solution stop the vehicle in a safe place and wipe the front grill radar location and clean.

X or Z - 1) This message gives if the Laser on the upper part of the windshield is dirty or due to bad weather such as rain, fog, and snow. Can be solved by using following methods.

a) While driving remove dirt with a washer and wiper

b) Stop in a safe place and wipe the windshield near the laser sensor

2) Inside of the glass near the laser sensor becomes cloudy. As a solution use the defroster to remove fogging

Check Engine warning message

Reason

There are many reasons for this issue. Scan the vehicle engine and find the reason. Most probably the reason is failure of sensor in the vehicle or any other electrical fault.

How to solve

Solve the issue according to the identified issue by vehicle scan test.

Brake system inspection

Reason

Issue in Electronic Servo Brake system

How to solve?

Try following methods.

Check brake fluid level and re-fill if required
Electronic parking brake switch contact issue. Replace if required
Change 12V battery
Due to any other fault indication, system gives this message. Find the exact reason and solve.

CTBA with Brake warning

Symptoms

CTBA warning message indicate with brake warning

Reason

Low brake fluid level

How to solve?

Fill the brake fluid in the reservoir tank in between Min and Max limits.

CMBS System inspection

Reason

Its CMBS (Collision Mitigation Brake System) fault

How to resolve?

Its usually came in due to wheel speed sensor fault.

Abnormal coolant temperature

Reason

This is due to abnormal temperature of the coolant in the vehicle. You can ignore this message if it shown only once.

How to solve?

1) Check the coolant level and fill with correct coolant if required.

2) Check the quality of the coolant. Flush old coolant and refill with new coolant if degraded.

3) Check for coolant leakages and fix the issue

4) Check the radiator fan

5) Check radiator cap

6) Scan and check if there is any sensor failure

Engine coolant temperature is rising

Symptoms

HIGH COOLANT TEMPERATURE WARNING LIGHT (RED) indicator blinking while driving.

Reason

Engine coolant temperature is rising.

Immediate action to be taken

Drive slowly

How to solve?

1) Check the coolant level from overflow tank

2) Check the water pump and replace if required

3) Check whether the radiator cooling fans are working. If not check the reason and fix the issue (It was observed that most of the vehicles not driven for a long period of time having this issue.)

Hybrid battery low

Reason

Hybrid battery charge level is low due to low speed driving of the vehicle during extended period of time. Power of the vehicle and AC will be reduced.

How to solve?

Change the driving style in order to charge the battery.

Power steering system inspection

Reason

1) This can be due to a shifting the gear position to "N" without pressing the brake pedal.

2) Rack or underneath the engine clogged due to driven in rainy day

How to solve?

1) First stop the vehicle and switch off and switch on again. If the fault message still exists, Check the power steering system.

2) Wash the rack and underneath the engine if it is due to driven in rainy day.

Hybrid system startup: Step on the brake and press the switch

Reason

When pressing the power button to start the vehicle, brake pedal not depressed.

How to solve?

Press the power button while pressing the brake pedal.

Vehicle not switching to EV mode

Stop switching over to EV mode while the battery was getting properly charged. Another observation was that the temperature sensor was not displaying outside temperature.

Reason

Either temperature sensor installed in the front bumper is bad or cabin temperature sensor is bad.

How to solve?

Check the temperature sensors installed at front bumper or cabin. Replace the faulty one.

Check Engine & Parking indicators on, Not remain in EV mode

Catalytic converter cleaning required

Symptoms

Check engine light and message indicate as above
P! indicator is ON
Intermittent Red (P) ON/OFF
Ask to park the vehicle
No EV mode indicator and even though changed to EV that will not remain for longer period of time. Accordingly Ambient meter (Ring light around the speedometer) colour changed to Blue. There can be many issues due to EV mode will not display.(With some many other error messages, EV mode will not be available and need to solve those issues first and reset the error codes in order to appear EV mode back)
Vehicle scan shows "Catalyst System Efficiency Below Threshold" message.

Reason

1) Clogged Catalytic converter.

2) Poor air fuel mixture in the engine.

3) If the check engine light indicate when the vehicle driven in rain, it may be due to low temperature of the oxygen sensor since water contact with oxygen sensor.

4) Low engine oil level.

How to solve ?

1) Clean catalytic converter (Normally catalytic converter becomes clogged after 100000 km of mileage)

2) Do an engine tune up (Replace plugs with original HONDA iridium plugs if required)

3) If the check engine light indicate due to vehicle driven in rain, it will be automatically clear when oxygen sensor becomes dry.

4) Check the engine oil level and fill it if required.

Damage caused by Rats

Observations

1) Alarms given at first start

During the first start of the vezel only two error messages given as shown below.

2) Alarms given at second start of the vezel

After switching off and starting the vehicle for the second time gave set of alrams as below.

During this second start alarms, pressing the accelerator pedal starts to blink RED (P) indicator for a while and becomes stable. same thing happens when trying to release the electronic parking brake switch. After pressing the parking brake switch, parking brake it is possible to hear that rear wheel parking brake releasing sound. But RED (P) indicator blinks and becomes stable as above. Vehicle can start, drive, accelerate and brake.

Reason

Scanning the vehicle gives false error message which is P0113(125) Intake Air Temperature (IAT) Sensor Circuit High Voltage.

But the actual reason is partially damaged air flow sensor by Rat. Rat entered into the vehicle through air intake and damage the air filter. Through that hole, rat entered into the air flow sensor area and damaged one heating element in the air flow sensor.

How to Solve?

Replace the Air flow sensor and air filter with Honda original parts.

How to avoid?

a) Most of the rarely driven vehicles has this kind of risk. One option is that if you have enough space, change the parking position every day. At least change the direction where you park your vezel everyday.

Other option in order to avoid rat attack is, it needs to close all the places with rat proof wire meshes where rats can get in. In Honda vezel, it needs to cover at least 4 places.

1) Aire intake line for Engine

2) Fresh air intake for AC

3) Two air extractors of the body under the sides of rear bumper (Otherwise rats can damage the fan of the hybrid battery inside the vezel)

Likewise, rats entering into the passenger compartment can be avoid. Anyhow rats entering into the engine bay is very difficult to manage and there are chemicals that you can spray but effective only for a limited period of time (Few months). ex:- WURTH Marten Protection.

b) If your vehicle rarely driven one, another option is to change the parking location every day if you have sufficient space. Otherwise at least change the parking direction of the vehicle everyday.

Transmission inspection:

Make sure to apply the parking brake when the vehicle is stopped

Symptoms

With the above warning message at the MID, it shows all gear positions selected and blink in left hand side screen

Click here to see video

Possible reasons

Faulty gear shifting switch

How to solve?

Repair or replace the faulty gear shifting switch.

(Replace cost -Rs. 45,000)

Transmission inspection

Symptoms

Below message display, when a shift position is selected.

Reason

1) Overheated dual clutch system

2) Oil leak exists

Immediate action to be taken

Stop the vehicle immediately and allow to cool the dual clutch system and then start driving.

How to solve?

Need to check the dual clutch system by a technician and take the following actions according to the situation.

1) Check the under guard for any oil leaks and correct the issue

2) Check the clutch oil and change if the quality is degraded.

3) Re-learn the dual clutch system

4) Repair or replace the dual clutch assembly if required

ABS Modulator Failure (X or Z)

Symptoms

No any specific issue observed other than the below fault indicators. Brake working fine.

Click here to see the video for all fault messages shown

Reasons

1) Faulty wheel speed sensor

2) Faulty ABS Module

How to solve?

1) Replace the faulty wheel speed sensor

2) Replace the faulty ABS module.

Parking brake system inspection - EP

Reason

1) Faulty electronic parking brake (EP) switch due to frequent use.

2) Parking sensors clogged due to vehicle driven on rainy day.

How to solve ?

1) Replace the electronic parking brake switch (No fault clearance required using scanner).

2) Clean the parking sensors. (Cost Rs. 2450/-)

ABS Modulator Failure (RS)

During driving in a traffic, below messages appears suddenly. Switching off the vehicle and switching on after few minutes resolved the problem.

Scan report results are as follows.

Reason

Failure of ABS Modulator

How to solve?

Replace the ABS Modulator with new one

Fault after vehicle wash

Following fault messages start to display after vehicle wash.(No engine bay cleaning done)

How to solve?

1) Disconnect the 12V battery for few minutes. Reconnect and check whether fault clears.

2) Wait for 2 days and see whether fault message will disappear automatically

ACC System Inspection

Reason

According to the below scan report, reason for the above fault is faulty camera

How to solve?

Need to repair or replace the camera mounted on windscreen.

Engine stops suddenly. Possible to drive in EV mode without any issue.(2014 model)

Symptoms

Mostly during the morning, Engine suddenly stops. But no issue in EV mode. After a this kind of auto stop, it is possible to start the vehicle again but, after a while vehicle will stop again. After certain amount of time, issue will solve automatically. Changing the battery will not solve the problem. No fault code found by scanning the vehicle.

Reason

Faulty ignition coils.

How to solve?

Replace the all (4) ignition coils with new original coils.

While driving, vehicle stops automatically (2014 model)

Symptoms

While driving vehicle stops automatically. Possible to drive by starting the vehicle again. No indicators on in the meter board.

Reason

Faulty plugs or ignition coils.

How to resolve?

Replace the faulty plugs or ignition coils with original parts.

While driving, vehicle stops automatically (RS)

Symptoms

1) Vehicle gives below message and stops while driving. In order to drive again, it needs to stop and start again.

2) Vehicle stops while accelerate in EV mode

Reasons

1) Faulty 4 plugs.

2) Corrupted software related to power system

How to solve?

1) Need engine tune-up. May be it requires to change 4 plugs as well.

2) Need to re-install the required software

Fault indicators & Messages after 12V battery replacement

Symptoms

Even after replacing the dead 12V battery following fault indicators and messages shown in the meter board.

Click here to see the video for all fault indicators and messages

How to solve?

1) For this issue, it is not required any special attention and drive the vehicle for about 1 to 2 km to automatically clear the fault indicators and messages.

2) If above solution not success, clear the faults using HONDA HDS scanner.

Head Light Inspection message (2014 Vezel)

Symptoms

Below message display in meter board.

Reason

Head lamp power holder disconnected temporarily for any maintenance work (In order to fix a LED stripe). Normally this message comes only for vehicles equipped with LED Head Lights.

How to solve?

Scan and clear the fault

HUM Noise from rear wheels when travelling at the speed range 65-70km/h only

Reason

Worn rear hub bearings (Razor)

Immediate action to be taken

No any immediate actions to be taken. Use till the noise increase up to a considerable level and replace the worn rear hubs. (Price Rs. 30k - 40k)

Engine race sound comes when driving

Symptoms

Engine speed increasing sound comes when driving

Reason

Poor quality clutch oil

How to solve?

Replace the clutch oil with high quality product like Seiken DOT 4.