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
1997 model year · 70,000 miles · Apr 7, 2003
Power Train

WHILE EXITING THE FREEWAY THE CONSUMER STOPPED AT A LIGHT. WHEN THE CONSUMER DEPRESSED THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL TO PROCEED THE VEHICLE JERKED FORWARD. *NLM THE PROBLEM CONTINUED TO OCCUR UNTIL THE TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED WITH A RE-MANUFACTURED TRANSMISSION. *SCC

NHTSA ODI #10015282

1990 model year · Mileage unknown · Apr 1, 2003
Power Train

PROBLEMS WITH THE TRANSMISSION, ROLLS IN PARK, TRANSMISSION WILL NOT DRIVE. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10013751

1997 model year · Mileage unknown · Mar 27, 2003
Power Train

TRANSMISSION HAS A SHUTTER WHEN CAR IS WARMED UP. CAR IS ONLY 5 YEARS OLD WITH 70K IN MILES AND DEALERSHIP HAS SAID IT NEEDS A NEW TRANSMISSION. *NLM

NHTSA ODI #10013569

1997 model year · 5 miles · Mar 27, 2003
Power Train

WHEN PRESSING ON THE GAS PETAL, IT FEELS ROUGH AND NOTCHY. IT'S HARD TO ACCELERATE SMOOTHLY. STARTED TO NOTICE THE PROBLEM AT ABOUT 85,000 MILES. THEN, WHEN I WAS ON THE FREEWAY THE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. I TOOK IT TO SCOTT ROBINSON HONDA IN TORRANCE AND THEY SAID THE PROBLEM WAS PROBABLY MY DIAGNOSTICS SYSTEM. THEY INFORMED ME T…

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WHEN PRESSING ON THE GAS PETAL, IT FEELS ROUGH AND NOTCHY. IT'S HARD TO ACCELERATE SMOOTHLY. STARTED TO NOTICE THE PROBLEM AT ABOUT 85,000 MILES. THEN, WHEN I WAS ON THE FREEWAY THE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. I TOOK IT TO SCOTT ROBINSON HONDA IN TORRANCE AND THEY SAID THE PROBLEM WAS PROBABLY MY DIAGNOSTICS SYSTEM. THEY INFORMED ME THAT IS WAS COVERED BY HONDA EXTENDED WARRANTY. AFTER MY CAR WAS IN THE SHOP ALL DAY, THE TECHNICIAN INFORMED ME THAT IT WASN'T MY DIAGNOSTICS SYSTEM, BUT MY TRANSMISSION. HE SAID THAT THE COMPUTER'S DIAGNOSED CODE WAS(PO715), WHICH MEANS THAT THE MAINSHAFT SPEED SENSOR FAILED. HE SAID THAT SINCE THAT PART IS INSIDE THE TRANSMISSION, THEY FELT I SHOULD HAVE IT REPLACED. THEY WANTED ME TO SPEND $3,500.00 ON A REBUILT ONE TO REPLACE MINE. I ASKED HIM IF MY CAR WOULD BE OK TO DRIVE AROUND WITHOUT REPLACING IT, HE SAID HE DIDN'T KNOW. IT COULD DIE ON ME IN A WEEK, OR IN A YEAR. SO FAR, MY CAR IS STILL RUNNING. I HAVE NEVER MISSED A REQUIRED SERVICE DATE. MY ENGINE LIGHT STILL OCCASIONALLY COMES ON, AND I HAVE TO DISCONNECT THE BATTERY EACH TIME TO RESET THE COMPUTER SO IT WILL GO OFF. THE GAS PETAL STILL FEELS ROUGH WHEN I PRESS ON IT FROM A COMPLETE STOP. I TOLD HONDA ABOUT THE RECALL #99I002000 (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL) AND ASKED THEM IF THEY WOULD REPLACE MY THROTTLE CABLE. HONDA INFORMED ME THAT THERE IS NO SUCH RECALL ON A 1997 HONDA CIVIC. I PRINTED OUT THE INFO FROM YOUR WEBSITE AND FAXED IT TO THEM. I AM STILL WAITING TO HEAR BACK. *NLM

NHTSA ODI #10013566

2001 model year · Mileage unknown · Mar 20, 2003
Power Train

WHILE ON A HILL THE VEHICLE ROLLED BACKWARDS ALTHOUGH THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION WAS ENGAGED IN DRIVE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER BUT THEY WERE UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. *NLM

NHTSA ODI #10012195

2001 model year · 3,000 miles · Mar 20, 2003
Power Train

THE VEHICLE ROLLS BACKWARDS WHEN ON A SLIGHT INCLINE WHEN IN DRIVE. IT IS AN AUTOMATIC NOT A STANDARD SHIFT! *JB

NHTSA ODI #10010807

1998 model year · 78,000 miles · Feb 19, 2003
Power Train

MY 1998 HONDA CIVIC EX (80,000 MILES) IS HAVING TRANMISSION TROUBLES. IT WILL REV UP BUT THE CAR WILL NOT SPEED UP VERY WELL, WHEN IT SHIFTS INTO 2ND GEAR THE CAR SHAKES AND ABRUPTLY SHIFTS INTO 2ND GEAR. I HAD THE FLUID CHANGED AT THE END OF DECEMBER AND IT SEEMED TO FIX THE PROBLEM BUT A WEEK LATER IT WAS BACK AND GETTING WO…

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MY 1998 HONDA CIVIC EX (80,000 MILES) IS HAVING TRANMISSION TROUBLES. IT WILL REV UP BUT THE CAR WILL NOT SPEED UP VERY WELL, WHEN IT SHIFTS INTO 2ND GEAR THE CAR SHAKES AND ABRUPTLY SHIFTS INTO 2ND GEAR. I HAD THE FLUID CHANGED AT THE END OF DECEMBER AND IT SEEMED TO FIX THE PROBLEM BUT A WEEK LATER IT WAS BACK AND GETTING WORST FAST. THE DEALER TOLD ME I NEEDED A WHOLE NEW TRANSMISSION AND IT WOULD COST $3600 PLUS LABOR. I TOOK THE CAR BACK WITHOUT THE SERVICE DOWN AND SEARCHED THE INTERNET AND HAVE COME ACROSS HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE POSTING COMPLAINTS OF THE EXACT SAME PROBLEMS, SOME OF THEM HAVE 2002 WITH 10,000 MILES AND HAVE THESE PROBLEMS. I FIND IT HARD TO BELIEVE THAT THIS IS NOT A FACTORY DEFECT.

NHTSA ODI #10007813

2001 model year · Mileage unknown · Feb 7, 2003
Power Train

THE VEHICLE SHUT DOWN AND WILL NOT RESTART. PLEASE FILL IN ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. DEALER IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. PH

NHTSA ODI #10006780

1997 model year · 50,700 miles · Feb 6, 2003
EquipmentPower Train

I PURCHASED AN AUTOMATIC 1997 HONDA CIVIC EX FROM COSTA MESA HONDA IN COSTA MESA, CA ON MARCH 11, 2000. I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE WITH 27,000 MILES ON IT. TODAY (2/6/03) THE CAR HAS A TOTAL OF 50,734 MILES ON IT. I HAVE PERSONALLY ONLY DRIVEN 24,000 MILES IN A TOTAL OF 3 YEARS. THE TRANSMISSION IS TOAST AND NEEDS TO BE REPLACE…

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I PURCHASED AN AUTOMATIC 1997 HONDA CIVIC EX FROM COSTA MESA HONDA IN COSTA MESA, CA ON MARCH 11, 2000. I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE WITH 27,000 MILES ON IT. TODAY (2/6/03) THE CAR HAS A TOTAL OF 50,734 MILES ON IT. I HAVE PERSONALLY ONLY DRIVEN 24,000 MILES IN A TOTAL OF 3 YEARS. THE TRANSMISSION IS TOAST AND NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. THERE HAVE BEEN TRANSMISSION RECALLS/ WARRANTY EXTENSIONS ON OTHER HONDA MAKES AND MODELS. THE '97 CIVIC UNFORTUNATELY IS NOT ONE OF THEM. I HAVE TAKEN MY CAR TO A MECHANIC NOT AFFILIATED WITH HONDA FOR A "SECOND" OPINION AND THE MECHANIC HAS STATED THAT THIS SHOULD NOT BE HAPPENING TO SUCH A "YOUNG" CAR WITH ONLY 50,000 MILES. HE SAID THAT MOST VEHICLES DON'T EXPERIENCE TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS UNTIL THEY HAVE REACHED AN EXCESS OF 90- 100,000 MILES. BASED ON THE INFORMATION HE HAS GATHERED FROM MY SERVICE RECORDS AS WELL AS THE INFORMATION PROVIDED FROM OTHER SOURCES, HE BELIEVES THAT THIS IS NOT A PROBLEM WHICH I HAVE CAUSED. I FEEL THAT HONDA SHOULD REPLACE/FIX THE TRANSMISSION FREE OF CHARGE OR FOR MINIMAL COST TO ME. THEY ARE STATING THAT BECAUSE I DID NOT PURCHASE AN EXTENDED WARRANTY (WHEN I PURCHASED MY VEHICLE IT STILL HAD THE NORMAL FACTORY 3 YEAR... 36,000 MILE WARRANTY IN PLACE). I FEEL THAT HONDA IS RIPPING ME OFF BY NOT WORKING WITH ME ON THIS ISSUE. PLEASE NOTE THAT I WILL NEVER PURCHASE ANOTHER HONDA AND I WILL BE SURE THAT NO ONE IN MY FAMILY OR ANY OF MY CLOSE FRIENDS EVER PURCHASE A HONDA. I WOULD HATE FOR OTHER PEOPLE TO GO THROUGH THE SAME THING I AM.

NHTSA ODI #10005400

2001 model year · 13,000 miles · Feb 1, 2003
Power Train

I HAVE THE SAME COMPLAINT AS #010302, 8014926 & 746038. MY CAR IS MAKING A LOUD BUZZING, VIBRATION AROUND THE GEAR SHIFT AREA WHEN IT GETS WET UNDERNEATH. BEAVERTON HONDA SWEARS IT IS WATER BOILING OFF OF THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER, BUT THAT WOULDN'T EXPLAIN WHY THE NOISE IS LOUDER AS YOU ACCELERATE. I HAVE A YOUNG CHILD IN THE …

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I HAVE THE SAME COMPLAINT AS #010302, 8014926 & 746038. MY CAR IS MAKING A LOUD BUZZING, VIBRATION AROUND THE GEAR SHIFT AREA WHEN IT GETS WET UNDERNEATH. BEAVERTON HONDA SWEARS IT IS WATER BOILING OFF OF THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER, BUT THAT WOULDN'T EXPLAIN WHY THE NOISE IS LOUDER AS YOU ACCELERATE. I HAVE A YOUNG CHILD IN THE CAR WITH ME AND THIS NOISE IS DISTRACTING YOU CANNOT HEAR ANYTHING INSIDE THE CAR WHEN IT HAPPENS. I HAVE NEARLY HAD A WRECK WHEN THIS HAPPENS BECAUSE YOU ARE AFRAID TO STEP ON THE GAS AT ALL. TS

NHTSA ODI #10005078

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.