COMPONENT SPOTLIGHT

Honda Civic transmission problems

845 distinct owner reports with a transmission-specific component in this snapshot.

General power-train reports are not automatically counted as transmission problems. Related recalls and investigations must also name this component; they are not linked by narrative keyword alone.

28 crash reports6 fire reports11 injury reports

Reports by model year

Recall and investigation columns show each year’s full history. A report naming several years can appear in more than one row.

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

624 reports with mileage · 221 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What owners actually said

845 reports
2002 model year · Mileage unknown · Feb 9, 2009
Power Train

DRIVING IN TRAFFIC, ENGINE STARTED TO REV UP BUT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT SHIFT INTO GEAR. PARKED ON CURB, SHIFTED TO DRIVE AND SEEMED TO SHIFT PROPERLY, SO DROVE BACK HOME TO AVOID ANY FURTHER PROBLEMS. NOTICED A BURNING SMELL FROM UNDER THE HOOD. *TR TORQUE CONVERTER SEEMS TO BE FAILING, NEED TO BRING IT IN TO GARAGE.

NHTSA ODI #10258071

2001 model year · 109,887 miles · Feb 5, 2009
Electrical SystemPower Train

ON 3/21/07 MY 2001 HONDA CIVIC EX WITH 109K MILES DISPLAYED ON ENGINE LIGHT REPORTING A P0740 TORQUE CONVERTER FAILURE. THIS WAS DIAGNOSED BY WILLET HONDA IN MORROW, GA AND TWO OTHER INDEPENDENT SHOPS. A TRANSMISSION REPAIR/REPLACEMENT OF $2400 WAS THE RECOMMENDATION. THE CAR WAS RUNNING FINE THEN AND NOW, 35K MILES AND TWO Y…

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ON 3/21/07 MY 2001 HONDA CIVIC EX WITH 109K MILES DISPLAYED ON ENGINE LIGHT REPORTING A P0740 TORQUE CONVERTER FAILURE. THIS WAS DIAGNOSED BY WILLET HONDA IN MORROW, GA AND TWO OTHER INDEPENDENT SHOPS. A TRANSMISSION REPAIR/REPLACEMENT OF $2400 WAS THE RECOMMENDATION. THE CAR WAS RUNNING FINE THEN AND NOW, 35K MILES AND TWO YRS LATER, THE CAR IS STILL RUNNING FINE WITH THE ENGINE LIGHT ON. AMERICAN HONDA HAS OFFERED NO HELP. I CANNOT PASS AN EMISSION TEST WITH THE LIGHT ON AND I AM VERY CONFIDENT SOMETHING ELSE IS WRONG LIKE A SENSOR. A RESEARCH OF THIS PROBLEM SHOWS IT IS QUITE COMMON AMONG CIVICS AND OTHER MAY HAVE PAID FOR UNNECESSARY TRANSMISSION REPAIRS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10257530

2002 model year · 85,542 miles · Feb 4, 2009
Power Train

I OWN A 2002 HONDA CIVIC EX WITH 085542 MILES ON IT. I WAS DRIVING FINE ON THE EXPRESSWAY WHEN ALL OF SUDDEN I HAD TO SLOW DUE TO TRAFFIC AND TRAFFIC RESUMED NORMAL AS I DROVE THE VEHICLE, THE VEHICLE DID NOT ACCELERATE AND WAS NOT WORKING ON THE VERY BUSY EXPRESSWAY. THE DRIVER BEHIND NOTICED THAT MY CAR WAS NOT GOING ANY FAST…

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I OWN A 2002 HONDA CIVIC EX WITH 085542 MILES ON IT. I WAS DRIVING FINE ON THE EXPRESSWAY WHEN ALL OF SUDDEN I HAD TO SLOW DUE TO TRAFFIC AND TRAFFIC RESUMED NORMAL AS I DROVE THE VEHICLE, THE VEHICLE DID NOT ACCELERATE AND WAS NOT WORKING ON THE VERY BUSY EXPRESSWAY. THE DRIVER BEHIND NOTICED THAT MY CAR WAS NOT GOING ANY FASTER AND ASSISTED BLOCKING CAR AS SHE PLACED HERSELF IN TWO LANES. I PULLED INTO A SMALL SPACE ON THE SIDE OF THE EXPRESSWAY. I HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED AND FOUND OUT THAT MY TRANSMISSION FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED AND THE CODE WAS P0730 "INCORRECT GEAR RATIO" CALLED HONDA REPAIRS WILL COST 2,500.. I'M VERY UNHAPPY I TOOK GREAT CARE OF MY CAR. THE WORST PART IS IT STOPPED ALL OF SUDDEN WITH NO WARNING ON THE EXPRESSWAY. THE LIGHT DID NOT COME ON UNTIL IT BROKE DOWN. I'M EIGHT MONTHS PREGNANT AND HAD MY OTHER CHILD IN THE CAR SEAT. I COULD HAVE BEEN KILLED DUE TO THE AMOUNT OF TRAFFIC. THEN I CALLED A TOW TRUCK THAT COULD NOT TRANSPORT DUE TO THE CAR SEAT WOULD NOT FIT FOR MY CHILD. SO I HAD TO CALL FOR SOMEONE ELSE. I SPOKE TO HONDA ABOUT THE TRANSMISSION , I ADVISED OF ALL THE COMPLAINTS AND THEY ADVISED THAT WAS NOT ALOT I UNDERSTAND THEIR VIEW ON THE NUMBERS OF CAR THEY HAVE MADE BUT SOMEONE COULD DIE DUE TO THE TRANSMISSION AND THEY ADVISED TO SPEAK TO MY DEALERSHIP SO I WILL BUT THANK GOD NO ONE HAS BEEN HURT BUT DOES SOMEONE HAVE TO DIE OR BE INJURED FOR HONDA TO SEND OUT LETTERS OR A RECALL. I JUST DON'T WANT SOME TO BE EXPOSED TO ALL THE DANGERS I WAS EXPOSED TO THAT DAY. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10257433

2001 model year · 76,000 miles · Feb 2, 2009
Power Train

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 HONDA CIVIC. WHILE DRIVING BETWEEN 5-10 MPH ON NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS, THERE WAS UNEXPECTED GEAR FAILURE. THE DRIVER WAS UNABLE TO MOVE THE SHIFT LEVER OUT OF GEAR. IMMEDIATELY, THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL AND REMAINED LIT UNTIL THE ENGINE WAS TURNED OFF. …

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 HONDA CIVIC. WHILE DRIVING BETWEEN 5-10 MPH ON NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS, THERE WAS UNEXPECTED GEAR FAILURE. THE DRIVER WAS UNABLE TO MOVE THE SHIFT LEVER OUT OF GEAR. IMMEDIATELY, THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL AND REMAINED LIT UNTIL THE ENGINE WAS TURNED OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS INOPERABLE AND MANUALLY PUSHED TO A NEARBY AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING AND THEY STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION AND GEAR RATIO FAILED. THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY INOPERATIVE AND HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 76,000.

NHTSA ODI #10257215

2003 model year · 70,000 miles · Feb 2, 2009
Power Train

2003 HONDA CIVIC HYBRID BEGAN SLIGHT SHUDDERING NOISE UPON ACCELERATION, WHICH EVENTUALLY GOT WORSE, TAKEN IN FOR REPAIR AND WAS TOLD TRANSMISSION FLUID WAS FLUSHED OUT 6 TIMES IN ORDER TO FULLY CLEAN IT OUT. NOT EVEN 3000 MILES LATER SHUDDER CAME BACK. UNFORTUNATELY, AT THE TIME WAS UNABLE TO AFFORD ANOTHER REPAIR BILL SINCE C…

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2003 HONDA CIVIC HYBRID BEGAN SLIGHT SHUDDERING NOISE UPON ACCELERATION, WHICH EVENTUALLY GOT WORSE, TAKEN IN FOR REPAIR AND WAS TOLD TRANSMISSION FLUID WAS FLUSHED OUT 6 TIMES IN ORDER TO FULLY CLEAN IT OUT. NOT EVEN 3000 MILES LATER SHUDDER CAME BACK. UNFORTUNATELY, AT THE TIME WAS UNABLE TO AFFORD ANOTHER REPAIR BILL SINCE CAR WAS STILL DRIVABLE. NOW SHUDDER IS ACCOMPANIED BY TAPPING NOISE ONLY WHEN IN GEAR, SLIGHT IN REVERSE BUT LOUD WHEN IN DRIVE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10257133

2001 model year · 84,499 miles · Jan 27, 2009
Power Train

THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON 2 DAYS AGO ON MY 2001 HONDA CIVIC LX. MY DEALER SAID IT IS A TRANSMISSION PROBLEM (NEEDS TORQUE CONVERTER) AND WILL COST OVER $1700. I SUSPECT THAT HONDA HAS PREMATURE TRANSMISSION FAILURE ON THIS MODEL AND DO NOT THINK I SHOULD PAY FOR THIS REPAIR EVEN THOUGH THE WARRANTY EXPIRED ON THIS 4,000 MIL…

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THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON 2 DAYS AGO ON MY 2001 HONDA CIVIC LX. MY DEALER SAID IT IS A TRANSMISSION PROBLEM (NEEDS TORQUE CONVERTER) AND WILL COST OVER $1700. I SUSPECT THAT HONDA HAS PREMATURE TRANSMISSION FAILURE ON THIS MODEL AND DO NOT THINK I SHOULD PAY FOR THIS REPAIR EVEN THOUGH THE WARRANTY EXPIRED ON THIS 4,000 MILES AGO. I CURRENTLY HAVE 84,000 MILES. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10256447

2002 model year · 74,622 miles · Jan 26, 2009
Power Train

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 HONDA CIVIC. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH ON NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS, THE TRANSMISSION SLIPPED ERRATICALLY WHEN SHIFTING BETWEEN GEARS. THE FAILURES OCCURRED MORE FREQUENTLY IN COLD WEATHER CONDITIONS. THERE WERE NO WARNINGS PRIOR TO THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANI…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 HONDA CIVIC. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH ON NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS, THE TRANSMISSION SLIPPED ERRATICALLY WHEN SHIFTING BETWEEN GEARS. THE FAILURES OCCURRED MORE FREQUENTLY IN COLD WEATHER CONDITIONS. THERE WERE NO WARNINGS PRIOR TO THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND DIAGNOSTIC TESTS WERE PERFORMED. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS RELATED TO THE TRANSMISSION AND ADVISED THAT THE VEHICLE BE TAKEN TO A SPECIALIZED TRANSMISSION AUTO SHOP. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A SPECIALIZED TRANSMISSION SHOP AND THE TRANSMISSION WAS REBUILT. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 74,622 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS UNAVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI #10256405

2001 model year · 105,000 miles · Jan 26, 2009
Power Train

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 HONDA CIVIC LX. THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED IN OCTOBER 2003. THE GEARS FAILED TO SHIFT NORMALLY. WHILE DRIVING AT SPEEDS OF LESS THAN 15 MPH, HE DEPRESSED THE ACCELERATOR AND THE VEHICLE HESITATED AS IF IT WERE STUCK IN NEUTRAL. AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC REPLACED THE TRANSMISSION TO CORRECT THE FAILURE. LE…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 HONDA CIVIC LX. THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED IN OCTOBER 2003. THE GEARS FAILED TO SHIFT NORMALLY. WHILE DRIVING AT SPEEDS OF LESS THAN 15 MPH, HE DEPRESSED THE ACCELERATOR AND THE VEHICLE HESITATED AS IF IT WERE STUCK IN NEUTRAL. AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC REPLACED THE TRANSMISSION TO CORRECT THE FAILURE. LESS THAN A YEAR LATER, HE NOTICED IN BETWEEN 2ND AND 3RD GEAR, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT SHIFT SMOOTHLY AND WOULD REMAIN STUCK IN GEAR. AN AUTHORIZED HONDA DEALER REPLACED THE TRANSMISSION A SECOND TIME. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 105,000 AND THE CURRENT WAS 116,941. UPDATED 2/23/09 *CN UPDATED 02/25/09. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10256421

2001 model year · 114,000 miles · Jan 26, 2009
Power Train

I COMPLAINED IN OCT, 2007, ABOUT OUR 2001 HONDA CIVIC HAVING TRANSMISSION FAILURE AT 100,000 MILES. WE PAID $2,598.34 TO HAVE A REBUILT TRANS INSTALLED. MUCH TO OUR SURPRISE, THE SAME THING HAS HAPPENED IN JANUARY, 2009, 1 YEAR AND 3 MONTHS LATER. IN BOTH CASES, THE CAR CAME TO A AN UNEXPECTED STANDSTILL ON A HIGHWAY WHICH W…

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I COMPLAINED IN OCT, 2007, ABOUT OUR 2001 HONDA CIVIC HAVING TRANSMISSION FAILURE AT 100,000 MILES. WE PAID $2,598.34 TO HAVE A REBUILT TRANS INSTALLED. MUCH TO OUR SURPRISE, THE SAME THING HAS HAPPENED IN JANUARY, 2009, 1 YEAR AND 3 MONTHS LATER. IN BOTH CASES, THE CAR CAME TO A AN UNEXPECTED STANDSTILL ON A HIGHWAY WHICH WE CONSIDERED VERY DANGEROUS. OF COURSE THE HONDA PLACE WON'T STAND BEHIND IT. WHAT ARE WE TO DO? KEEP REPLACING TRANSMISSIONS? WE BELIEVE THAT THE TRANSMISSIONS FOR HONDA CIVIC 2001 ARE ALL DANGEROUS. WE ASK THAT YOU LOOK INTO THIS PLEASE. WE CAN BARELY AFFORD TO STAY ON TOP OF OUR BUDGET NOW, MUCH LESS TO AFFORD ANOTHER TRANSMISSION. WE ARE JUST LUCKY THAT TRAFFIC WAS LIGHT ON THE ROADS BOTH TIMES; OTHERWISE IT WOULD HAVE BEEN MORE DANGEROUS. PLEASE HELP US TO FIGURE OUT WHAT TO DO. PAULINE AND ROBERT ALLEY *TR

NHTSA ODI #10256384

2007 model year · 10 miles · Jan 26, 2009
Power Train

THIRD GEAR ON MY '07 HONDA CIVIC SI COUPE IS BOTH FREQUENTLY IMPOSSIBLE TO ENGAGE (EVERY THIRD OR FOURTH SHIFT CHANGE) AND POPS OUT OF GEAR DURING DRIVING (TYPICALLY 2-3 TIMES AN HOUR DURING CONTINUOUS DRIVING). THIS POSES POTENTIAL DANGERS WHILE DRIVING AS THERE IS FAILURE IN THE APPLICATION OF POWER TO THE DRIVEN WHEELS, WHIC…

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THIRD GEAR ON MY '07 HONDA CIVIC SI COUPE IS BOTH FREQUENTLY IMPOSSIBLE TO ENGAGE (EVERY THIRD OR FOURTH SHIFT CHANGE) AND POPS OUT OF GEAR DURING DRIVING (TYPICALLY 2-3 TIMES AN HOUR DURING CONTINUOUS DRIVING). THIS POSES POTENTIAL DANGERS WHILE DRIVING AS THERE IS FAILURE IN THE APPLICATION OF POWER TO THE DRIVEN WHEELS, WHICH IS ESSENTIAL FOR CONTROLLING THE VEHICLE. THE ISSUE IS KNOWN TO BE COMMON IN THE 6 SPEED SI TRANSMISSION. HONDA DENIES THE ISSUE, STATING THAT THE ENGAGEMENT PROBLEM IS CAUSED BY NOT FULLY DEPRESSING THE CLUTCH. I ALWAYS FULLY DEPRESS THE CLUTCH WHEN SHIFTING, HAVE DRIVEN MANUALLY TRANSMISSION VEHICLES FOR 41 YEARS, AND HAVE NEVER HAD THIS PROBLEM WITH ANY VEHICLE, LET ALONE A GEARSHIFT WHICH POPS OUT OF GEAR DURING NORMAL DRIVING). THE FAILURE TO ENGAGE IS PROBABLY MORE AN ANNOYANCE THAN AN ISSUE, HOWEVER THE POPPING OUT OF GEAR WHILE DRIVING IS A SERIOUS ROAD HAZARD AND RISK; FOR EXAMPLE, IF ONE IS CORNERING ON SNOW COVERED OR WET PAVEMENT, THE SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER TO THE DRIVEN WHEELS COULD CAUSE THE VEHICLE TO VEER OFF COURSE AND RESULT IN A CRASH. THE UNFORTUNATE DRIVER WHO DOES NOT IMMEDIATELY RECOGNIZE THE LOSS OF POWER TRANSMISSION, OR WHAT TO DO TO RECOVER, IS CERTAINLY PLACED IN A HIGHLY COMPROMISED POSITION, TO SAY THE LEAST, AND AT WORST MAY FIND HIM OR HERSELF IN A VEHICLE WHICH IS TOTALLY OUT OF CONTROL. NOTHING HAS BEEN DONE BY HONDA TO EITHER ACKNOWLEDGE OR CORRECT THE ISSUE. THIS IS AN ACCIDENT WAITING TO HAPPEN. THE ISSUE HAS EXISTED SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS NEW, AN HAS BECOME PROGRESSIVELY WORSE WITH TIME. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10256415

Related Official recalls

3

15V574000 · Power Train:automatic Transmission:control Module (tcm/pcm/tecm)

Sep 15, 2015

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain model year 2014-2015 Civic vehicles manufactured January 16, 2014, to November 6, 2014 and 2015 Fit vehicles manufactured March 12, 2014, to May 12, 2015. The software settings that control the transmission operation may result in damage to the transmission drive pulley shaft.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: If the transmission drive pulley shaft is damaged, it may break, and the vehicle may lose acceleration or the front wheels may lock up while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will update the software for the transmission, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin October 30, 2015. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are JU2 (Civic) and JU3(Fit).

94V063000 · Power Train:automatic Transmission

Apr 10, 1994

A RETAINING CLIP THAT CONNECTS THE TRANSMISSION SHIFT CABLE TO THE SHIFT LEVER ACTUATING ROD CAN HAVE INSUFFICIENT RETENTION PRESSURE AND MAY EVENTUALLY COME OFF AFTER REPEATED SHIFT LEVER OPERATION. IF THIS HAPPENS, THE POSITION OF THE SHIFT LEVER MAY NOT MATCH THE ACTUAL TRANSMISSION GEAR POSITION.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: THIS COULD RESULT IN UNANTICIPATED VEHICLE MOVEMENT AND ACCIDENT.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL AN IMPROVED RETAINING CLIP.

90V163000 · Power Train:automatic Transmission

Sep 4, 1990

DUE TO AN IMPROPERLY MACHINED INTERNAL SHAFT IN THE TRANSMISSION, THE PAWL MECHANISIM MAY NOT FULLY ENGAGE WHEN TRANSMISSION IS IN THE PARK POSITION.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: VEHICLE COULD ROLL WHILE THE TRANSMISSION IS IN THE PARKPOSITION AND A CRASH COULD RESULT.

Remedy: INSTALL AN IMPROVED PARKING PAWL SHAFT.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

Related NHTSA investigations

0

No component-matched exact-year investigations in this snapshot.