10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
1 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
106,053 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

The NHTSA is the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints can be spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem. See the Back button — blue bar at the very top of the page — to explore more.

Get notified about new defects, investigations, recalls & lawsuits for the 2003 Honda Civic Hybrid:

Unsubscribe any time. We don't sell/share your email.

problem #24

May 232019

Civic Hybrid

  • 182,670 miles
I was driving my car on antioch rd. Crestview, fl and had stopped at the stop sign to jump onto P.J. adams rd. When traffic permitted I tired to pull out the car lunged forward a few feet putting the hood area completely in the road when the D light started flashing and the car stopped moving. The motor reves up but the car wont move. I was almost hit bye a semi truck. After replacing att sensors the D light is still flashing and the car wont move. I have exqhausted all repairs that I can do and was forced to scrape the car because it was my only way of going and after spending almost 1000bucks was still unable to fix this car. Its very dangerous in the fact that I could have been hit and killed due to this unexpected and sudden shut down with no warning

- Crestview, FL, USA

problem #23

Jan 292019

Civic Hybrid

  • 180,000 miles
When starting from at stop the car hesitates and shudders when you press the gas pedal unless you let the car idle and roll forward first. It also has problems when you have the cruise control on for more than 10 min. After approx 10min it acts like I have turned off and back on the cruise control several times before it does turn off and then you can turn the main cruise control switch off and back on and then reset the cruise but it only stays working for 1-2 min before shutting itself back off.

- Fremont, NE, USA

problem #22

Sep 152018

Civic Hybrid

  • 138,000 miles
There is a shuttering in the transmission that occurs when the car is attempting to get out of first gear. The shuttering is becoming more violent. The car has also slipped out of drive (while on the road) and wouldn't accelerate. I've read that the shuttering isn't fairly common in this model and/or type of transmission.

- Kentwood, MI, USA

problem #21

Mar 112018

Civic Hybrid

  • 106,000 miles
I drove this 2003 Honda Civic hybrid took my baby honestly from the shopping market. It was just at the right turning corner, the vehicle suddenly lost power to move, I immediately press the emergency button, got out off the vehicle let other autos passed me ahead by the side way. Later some kindly guys help me pushed the car to a parking lot near by. The transmission was out of work. After my friend help me took baby home, the vehiclel was towed back. Glad is not on the highway. It only just passed 100K miles. The transmission fluid was good, output speed sensor is ok. I think not only me have this quality problem. It is too dangerous for us without a sign.

- Cincinnati, OH, USA

problem #20

Oct 152016

Civic Hybrid

  • 38,600 miles
When driving at 50mph on a national highway 95S heading to philadelphia around 11am, the speed of the car suddenly reduce to 20mph and then stalled and stopped moving. I had to pull aside to check the engine. After some thirty minutes of rest, I had to return home with an idea of getting the car checked by the dealer.the dealer reorted of having no problem in the engine and I had to take the car back and running as carefully as possible without using for a long trip. I had some dents due to other driver with rash driving and hitting the car.I need to get the dents fixed as soon as the present winter season turns feasible for easy running.

- Lawrenceville, NJ, USA

problem #19

Sep 202017

Civic Hybrid

  • 133,000 miles
Jerking and noises got worse over a one week period. Dealership, where all service has occurred for this car, says it needs a new transmission ($4800) and is not worth repairing. The mileage is quite low for this problem, 133,000. We've heard this is a common problem for these hybrids 2002-2005.

- Portland, OR, USA

problem #18

Dec 202014

Civic Hybrid

  • miles
Car came out of parking and when it reached on city street transmission started slipping on street next (city street) to cinema hall and then car completely halted. For a moment it felt like tire's were punctured as it was loosing direction.

- Frankfort, KY, USA

problem #17

Jun 152016

Civic Hybrid

  • miles
My transmission failing at mile 90.000.

- Naperville, IL, USA

problem #16

Feb 012016

Civic Hybrid

  • 115,907 miles
2003 Honda Civic hybrid transmission issues at only 115,907 miles have been a huge problem with this company. I just had to be excused from my shift of where I perform law enforcement duties so I could pick up my wife and two teenagers from the car that has been the bane of my existence and the bane of others' as well from what I have read in the umpteen different forums and sites across the world. Asia did it right by treating their people and Honda owners right by recalling their transmissions across the board due to the lack of performance and durability in the cvt powertrain. This vehicle left my family stranded along a very busy highway after having to coast to a stop from the far right lane because the transmission stopped accelerating while operating perfectly fine at 70 mph. Then we had to wait along the highway for an hour before a tow truck could come and pick up the car and tow it to the nearest Honda dealership which I'm it will cost an arm and a leg to get this fixed! in town it sounds like it's always mad as it shutters on take off and slow rolling accelerations making it a bit harry to get into traffic or get through an intersection of any kind. The car also jumps or surges forward while stopped at intersections as well. Not cool when you have your teenager operating this. I'm just glad she is smart enough to stay on the brakes! not to mention that the ac sucks during days it gets to 90 and 100 degrees here in Kansas. Who puts a rubber belt in a transmission any way. Get this fixed!!!! if you will not get it fixed, you will lose yet another customer!

- Fort Riley, KS, USA

problem #15

Sep 282015

Civic Hybrid

  • 156,819 miles
"juddering" happens with my continuously variable transmission (cvt) when taking off from a stop and when accelerating to enter an expressway. "juddering" means that the trans is slipping and making noise (loses power when you need it the most- very dangerous). River town Honda grandville, mi stated that it would cost me $2,100 to replace it with a new one. Honda Japan has recalled these transmissions in their hch model years 2003 through 2005. What can we do to get Honda America to treat us to the same recall that Japan has? this is a known problem, defect with the cvt. Honda makes quality vehicles with very good reliability, my other car is also a hch 2005 with a manual trans and absolutely no problems. Please check into the problem (I am not alone with this) and get Honda America to stand behind their reputation and recall the cvts or reimburse the $2,100 cost to get them replaced. This is an ongoing, everyday occurance not limited to just one time. Please help!

- Jenison, MI, USA

problem #14

Sep 202015

Civic Hybrid

  • 130,000 miles
For no reason whatsoever the transmission is no longer working and apparently there is "shrapnel" everywhere- according to the mechanic. A total loss in that it costs twice as much as the car is worth to find a new transmission. We are out $800 for the mechanic to tell us this news- for he had to take the transmission down to inspect it. A new one would be $4880. Could've caused a major accident or death, had this occurred on the freeway 5 minutes earlier! not funny Honda! after looking up similar incidents online- I'm grateful we're alive.

- Sherman Oaks, CA, USA

problem #13

Dec 292014

Civic Hybrid

  • 185,000 miles
The contact owns a 2003 Honda Civic hybrid. The contact stated that while driving approximately 50 mph, an abnormal noise emitted from the front end of the vehicle. In addition, the contact stated that the air bag warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the transmission needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 185,000.

- Kissimmee, FL, USA

problem #12

Jan 102012

Civic Hybrid

  • 144,000 miles
Strong judder or shudder, along with noise, from transmission at intersection. Cvt transmission. Recently, has become worse. Change of transmission fluid took away the noise...temporarily. 3000 miles later, it has returned, and is worse. Burnishing does not help it. In Honda Civic hybrid (hch) forums, there are hundreds of entries on this problem. Many Honda dealers are extending warranty, replacing fluid for free, or checking erg for free. A Honda dealer in another state says there was an extended warranty issue from Honda that deals specifically with this issue. Another owner posts that shudder or judder up to 15 mph requires Honda to drain and burnish the 2003-2005 Honda hybrid cvt clutch. Honda will check the egr valve during this service too. Honda tech article# ats06070. Still others have received an extended warranty on this issue in the mail. My dealer refuses to do anything free of cost. I believe that this is untrue. Please assist. Burnishing does not work, changing fluid does not work. My dealer(s) in the area are: Pacific Honda, 4761 convoy St, san diego, ca 92111, (858) 694-1000, mission Honda and dch 5812 mission gorge rd, san diego, ca 92120, (619) 521-6000.

- San Diego, CA, USA

problem #11

Aug 252014

Civic Hybrid

  • 126,000 miles
The contact owns a 2003 Honda Civic hybrid. The contact stated that while driving 45 mph, the vehicle decelerated independently. The vehicle failed to regain acceleration and was towed to an independent mechanic. The technician stated that a new or rebuilt transmission was needed to repair the vehicle. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 126,000.

- Bradeton, FL, USA

problem #10

Jun 042014

Civic Hybrid

  • 132,114 miles
Upon acceleration, the transmission judders violently.I have had tsb 07-049 done twice which is suppose to fix the problem, but the judder returned shortly after both tsb's were done.I have also had multiple transmission flushes performed and it has been using Honda's new cvt fluid sense it was available. Honda extended the warranty for the judder problem, but never issued a recall for this problem. Dealer told me that I need a new start clutch which I refuse to get because I will be paying up to $1,000 for the same defective part! an investigation and recall should be issued for the transmission's start clutch. I am tired of having to go to the dealer and have these so called "band aid quick fixes" done to the start clutch. This is a well known problem among all 1st generation Honda hybrid owners and it is a serious safety issue that deserves a recall.

- Roscoe, IL, USA

problem #9

Dec 262013

Civic Hybrid 4-cyl

  • 207,199 miles
Transmission shudder at starting speeds while on inclines.

- Lancater, PA, USA

problem #8

Jul 242013

Civic Hybrid 4-cyl

  • 130,000 miles
We were driving along the freeway around 8:30 at night at about 70mph in the fast lane when the transmission suddenly stopped working. We had to coast over 3 lanes of traffic to pull into the emergency lane. My husband was driving, I was the passenger, and our 4 month old newborn was in the backseat. It took an hour for us to get a tow and a ride home. All the while I feared for the safety of my family, as it was quickly approaching dark. After some research on the internet, I found that I am no the only one that has encountered such a problem with the '03 Civic hybrid cvt. Apparently, Honda issued an extended warranty that would cover it for 7 years up to 100K miles. Unfortunately, I just bought this car a year ago, so I am well outside the extended warranty limit. My complaint is that there should be a safety recall on this vehicle. There were no warning signs that this would happen. We were just driving along, and there were no sounds or anything. By not having a recall on these vehicles, Honda put my little family in an extremely dangerous situation.

- Farmington, UT, USA

problem #7

Mar 042013

Civic Hybrid 4-cyl

  • miles
2003 Honda civic. Consumer writes in regards to recall notices for transmission problems. The consumer stated a repair shop found transmission fluid leaking at the center transmission plate and right axle seal.

- Woodsfield, OH, USA

problem #6

Nov 022007

Civic Hybrid 4-cyl

  • 71,757 miles
Transmission slippage/judder from a complete stop. Honda extended the warranty for 7 years or 100K miles. This vehicle was taken 3 times under this window and the transmission was not replaced by the dealership. This should have been a mandatory recall not voluntary extended warranty. This is safety issue when crossing intersections and transmission is slipping and stuttering.

- Escondido, CA, USA

problem #5

Jan 052012

Civic Hybrid 4-cyl

  • 126,205 miles
I drove my car to Honda of san angelo dealership for a recall, a software update campaign was done, I picked up the car and upon driving off the dealership lot, I noticed immediately that the electric part of the hybrid was not working, at all, it was working when I dropped it off and getting 47 mpg. Upon returning to the dealership, the service manager told me not to blame them for having a 9 year old car with 100,000 miles on it. I argued the point, that it was working when I dropped it off, and it isn't now, simple as that and as I drove off, the service manager flipped me off. The car is unusable, I parked it in my garage, and dropped the insurance on it. I plan to tow it to a san antonio dealership, which is a 4 hour drive one way, when I can afford it.

- San Angelo, TX, USA

Read the next 4 complaints »