9.3

really awful
Typical Repair Cost:
$2,320
Average Mileage:
104,800 miles
Total Complaints:
682 complaints

Most common solutions:

  1. replaced transmission (261 reports)
  2. rebuilt whole transmission (154 reports)
  3. not sure (142 reports)
  4. get Honda to cover the cost (54 reports)
  5. buy a different car...can't afford the repair (24 reports)
  6. break down the transmission and fix (15 reports)
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This problem may be covered under warranty. Ask your Honda dealer.

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #442

Sep 082005

Civic LX 1.7L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 80,000 miles

Failed at about 80k. Had transmission replaced with a junked out 2001 tranny...made perfect sense at the time! THAT one gave out about 30k later. Had a 2004 put in, which has given me about 90k and still going strong.

- Mike H., Lancaster, CA, US

problem #441

Jan 012010

Civic 1.7L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 65,000 miles

Mechanic stated that there was a recall on parts for the transmission.After the transmission was rebuilt then to find out about a recall on the part.It's been in the shop now since April 21st 2010.Now I'm wondering about this make and models ac system as will.

- Michelle M., Poteau, OK, US

problem #440

Jun 262010

Civic

  • Automatic transmission
  • 140,000 miles

PLEASE...if you have or have had a problem with your 2001 Honda Civic transmission, and it has caused a safety issue for you, report it to NHTSA: http://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/contact.cfm . I spoke with Honda after my transmission completely failed without warning while going at highway speeds (safe, right???), and their representative said that they are aware of the problem, but that the government has not required them to do a recall because there have not been enough consumer complaints. Please file a complaint with NHTSA so that other people's lives are not endangered, and Honda takes responsibility for their faulty product!!!

- Cherie U., Atlanta, GA, US

problem #439

Jun 272010

Civic LX

  • Automatic transmission
  • 81,000 miles

I am now think of not buying Honda cars any more. With 81000 miles transmission braking down, it not acceptable.

Update from Jul 8, 2010: I called American Honda customer service. I was told that these claims in the internet were not true. But, they are not investigating. As far as I know, my claim is real.

- Larry A., Fairfax, VA, US

problem #438

Mar 012010

Civic EX 1.7L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 100,000 miles

Oh man I felt that Honda cars were the best but apparently they arent. A transmission failure in the middle of the highway at night is the worst thing to happen. If I knew about this before I wouldnt have bought this 2001 honda civic... such pain in the ^$$.... I really think Honda should take responsability of the cars they made and announce a recall for transmission failure...

- Raul Q., elizabeth, NJ, US

problem #437

Jun 052010

Civic

  • Automatic transmission
  • 150,000 miles

FOR CRYING OUT LOUD

How many more horror stories of a doomed from birth transmission must consumers get stuck with, before Honda a multi billion dollar cooperation backs their product?

To drive down the street for ten minutes,having the transmission suddenly quitting, without warning, definitely isnt unheard of, when owning Honda products.

How many people must be injured or even die, before a failing transmission becomes a safety issue? Anything to brush the public off, is that how it is, Honda? Im certain once a few more transmissions go out on people driving on the freeway, and get run over by a big rig tractor trailer,the lawsuits will open your ears? What happened to taking care of the consumer, versus the rich getting richer?

For me,unable to get to and from work now,not able to live check to check, how can I not be upset? Even if I had the money to buy a rebuilt, the guarantees of another failure down the road, are not very promising. Numerous, typical, ongoing problems that keep occurring, daily, and Honda ignores it. Thanks!! Its a good thing my car wont move, or id drive that piece of crap, right through a Honda showroom front window.Crooked @$tards Id love to see the day one of the big cooperates get stranded, hopeless,looked staright in the face and lied to.

- domb, Corona, CA, US

problem #436

Feb 012008

Civic

  • Automatic transmission
  • 57,000 miles

Transmission gone at only 57K. Wife's Car never driven hard. She's the only owner since new. This is crazy. We will never buy a Honda again that is for sure.

- jerryg31, Florence, KY, US

problem #435

Jun 062010

Civic EX 1.7L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 131,100 miles

I've had no significant issues with my Honda Civic for the last 9 years. So I was incredibly surprised when my automatic transmission gave out suddenly with no warning after reaching 130,000 miles. I was driving along accelerating normally from a stoplight when I lost all acceleration. Luckily, it occurred right before I got on the interstate where it would have been a dangerous situation. I was fully expecting my civic to last 180k to 200k without a significant problem. I took my car to AAMCO after Honda was going to charge $3650 to replace everything. Total at AAMCO came to $2570. Turns out the issue was the Torque Converter overheating, failing and destroying everything in my transmission. Again, I was surprised to see how common this problem is with the 2001 Honda Civic.

I was planning to drive this car into the ground, but I think I'm going to have to sell it before this issue occurs again. I can't believe there hasn't been a redesign on the torque converter to replace the unit on the 01 Civic. Very disappointed in Honda right now.

- Darryl P., Aiken, SC, US

problem #434

Jun 082010

Civic EX 4 cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 98,000 miles

While at a stop light, the transmission failed. Engine reved, but car didn't move. As if a clutch was engaged on a stick shift. (This was an automatic.) Had AAA tow the car to AAMCO Transmission shop. This was based on limited automotive knowledge. Take a tranny problem to a tranny specialist. By doing so, I voided any chance of Honda doing the right thing. The website www.hondaproblems.com suggested calling 1-800-999-1009 to request a "Goodwill Repair" since they know about this problem but haven't recalled the car. Well so much for goodwill. The catch is you must take the car to a Honda Dealer. Now that a transmission specialist has disassembled the tranny and diagnosted the problem, Honda won't help. So I am writing this to alert people to take their problems back to Honda first or GOODWILL is only someplace to take old clothes. I will remember this when I look for a new car. Thanks for nothing Honda!!!

- Steve M., Satellite Beach, FL, US

problem #433

Jun 062010

Civic EX 4 cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 123,000 miles

Please file a safety complaint with the Office of Defects Investigation, an office within the National Traffic Safety Administration or call 888-327-4236 to file a complaint about 2001 Honda Civic transmission failure - - our complaints to demand a recall for the transmission defect is NOT a safety issue according to the NHTSA, your complaint to this department WILL make a difference & may save someones life when their Civc suddently stops accelerating!

Does anyone with this problem know of a pending suit against Honda? Transmission failure is an absolute safety issue and the law needs to force Honda to recall or repair this obvious malfunction. Please reply if you've heard of a lawsuit we can join.

- sioux_honda !, Las Cruces, NM, US

problem #432

Apr 032009

Civic EX

  • Automatic transmission
  • 90,000 miles

So Hondas are known for being reliable right? Apparently not 2001 Civics!!! I noticed a high pitched whine that would only occur when I started the car but would disappear after the car had been driven a few miles, so I figured maybe it was a belt. One day my car started slipping into 2nd and 3rd gear, figured I maybe needed the trans flushed. The next day my car wouldn't go into gear at all- managed to get it into gear after a few attempts and drove it to my friend's shop. Learned that the torque converters fall apart between 70K to 90K! Yep, $2,600 later and plus cost of a rental car, my car was back on the road with a rebuilt transmission from the dealership w/ a 3 year warranty. Settled my losses. Pissed cuz Honda has not done a recall, no class-action lawsuit, nothing. This is a safety issue!

Now my transmission has failed AGAIN a year later because of a broken control arm that sent my car to a screeching halt, thus f*ing up the tranmission. So here we go again, sitting in a rental. Going to get this fixed fast and sell it. Hello new car payment. The only time I want to hear whining coming from my car again is from me the damn driver. Get your st together Honda! Will never buy from this company again!!

- ilikeyourskull, Tucson, AZ, US

problem #431

May 172010

Civic EX 1.7L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 70,000 miles

another 2001 civic to add to the list of transmission failures trans started to whine and slip in cold weather car has been well maintained fluid flushes at 32000, 50000,68000 took car to dealer and was told trans about to go out pump / bearing failure dealer quotes $3300 to repair honda willing to pick up $1300 although they tell me they have never heard of any transmission problems with this model very disspointed honda does not stand behind product clearly by all the posts on this model a recall is needed this is my 10th honda all my other cars have easily gone 200,000 miles what gives?? honda

- kdog, crown point, IN, US

problem #430

Jun 012005

Civic

  • Automatic transmission
  • 65,000 miles

I did not know about this complaint forum. My Honda Civic had to have the transmission fixed with just 65000 miles on it. All maintanance was completed. It just stopped working and that was it. I wish I would have known about this problem before I bought the car.

- dnoem, Tempe, AZ, US

problem #429

Mar 262010

Civic

  • Automatic transmission
  • 117,000 miles

I had problems for 2 months before my transmission finally went. Over those two months it felt like it was driving smoothly when I would turn it on for about the first 10 minutes of my drive (it revved loudly and felt like I was driving through sand). So I took it to my Honda dealer who couldn't hear or feel anything. Well it continued to get worse and I heard a loud bang every so often so I took it in again. This time after me pressuring them again to look at it after they didn't find anything the only thing they said was that my emergency break could be sticking and to not use it for a week. Two days after that I went to leave work and my car wouldn't engage-I tried to drive it to the shop but didn't make it there. I ended up needing a new transmission. I was angry because my transmission went in my last car and that's why I bought a Honda but with this few of miles on it I couldn't believe it. I called the dealer again because I was angry that I had it in there twice before this happened and they didn't catch anything (they only kept checking the electrical work) but they said they couldn't give me a discount to fix it or help out and to call American honda. So I did and what a joke they said that unless it was close to the original warranty with miles they wouldn't even process a request for assistance and even then I would have to have it towed to my dealer and pay for the $200 consultation (why would I do that when they couldn't even do it the first time?). I said that since I had the extended warranty that just ran out would that make a difference and they said no. I also brought up the number of complaints I have seen online for the 2001 Honda Civic and my shop said they couldn't tell me the last time they've seen on in for transmission failure. ha Needless to say after horrible customer service and car problems I will not be buying a Honda again. I had to drive my parents care while mine was in the shop and they also have a 2001 Honda Civic and I swear that it was starting to have the same problems as mine. I suggested they trade it in while they can.

- veshio, Glenshaw, PA, US

problem #428

May 122010

Civic LX 1.7L 4 cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 100,400 miles

I bought this car at 94,000 miles hearing about how reliable, dependable, etc honda civics were. I am a graduate student with very little money, so I intentionally picked a vehicle I thought would require little maintenence. I got about 6,000 miles out of this piece of junk before the automatic transmission failed. On Monday of last week I started experiencing slippage while shifting from 2nd to 3rd gear. I drove the car to school Tuesday and Wednesday with similar problems. During this time I had no problem getting up to highway speeds or using reverse.

On Wednesday night I started the car and heard a whining sound. When I put the car in drive it did not engage and would increase in RPM upon pressing the accelerator but the car would not move at all, same for reverse gear. I had to have a tow home and now I am picking it up tonight after a complete rebuild which is costing me $2,278. This is not the kind of expense I expected to put into a $5,500 car after three and a half months!!! They told me the torque converter had failed and the transmission was ruined as a result. Let's hope for a recall or class action lawsuit, I would jump on that in a minute!!!

- Vincent U., Glastonbury, CT, US

problem #427

May 172010

Civic LX 3.2L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 90,000 miles

I was driving my 2001 Honda Civic and it began acting like it was stuck in neutral. The shop that towed it said it was transmission failure and it is common in 2001 Hondas. I would like to know why it has not been recalled. The cost of the repair is $2,500. and I only have 90,000 miles on the car. I though 90,000 miles for a Honda is "just broke in": What a dissapointment! I don't think I will buy another Honda.

- Josh D., 134 Lewis Brown Drive, Somerset, US

problem #426

Oct 012009

Civic DX 1.7L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 120,000 miles

I purchased this vehicle from a private seller. I was informed that the transmission had just been rebuilt after 85,000 miles, which seemed strange for a honda. anyhow I bout the car with a little over 110000 miles on it. after driving the car for a couple of months, the car decides to fail completely on a busy freeway. (not a safety issue!) my behind, I nearly got smashed by a bigrig. I proceeded to the nearest exit at 10 mph, mind you. after letting the car rest for a couple of minutes, the vehicle started up as usual and seemed to be fine.

A couple of weeks later my wife is driving to my inlaws, with my 4 yr and new born daughters only to come across the same situation. she was stuck in the middle of the street because of transmission failure once again. She managed to get the car to the side of the road but not befor she got rear ended by a knucklehead tailgater. not much of an impact, thank God, but a good scare for her and my eldest.

not wanting for this to accure again, I went to a transmission shop to get it worked on again. the car ran fine for a couple of weeks and then failed again with the code p740. this problem is related to torque converter solenoid switch. this caused the vehicle to lock up and leave you stranded whereever it accured. this come without warning. It's a danger to anyone.

Honda has taken us for fools and thinks they could just shine this on by saying there's no recall for this matter. I want everyone to know that the civics of this perticular year are a danger and I myself am looking for legal representation after being shined on by the honda dealers. If we could fix everything by just saying "sorry" it would be a heck of a world to live in, but I'm still $1200 dollars in the hole and stuck with a crappy transmission which Honda obviousely has no consideration for. So if anyone has a good lawyer for this or is starting a class action lawsuite "PLEASE" inform me. Thank You

- Genaro M., Los Angeles, CA, US

problem #425

May 212010

Civic LX

  • Automatic transmission
  • 162,500 miles

Tranny failed again. Called customer service when I found out that there have been numerous failures of this type. Honda even has a web page which says to try to get a "goodwill replacement". Wish I had seen it the last time I had a new transmission put in. It's only a matter of time before I replace the car. So much for Honda reliability!

- Darryl L., Littleton, CO, US

problem #424

Oct 172007

Civic LX

  • Automatic transmission
  • 126,024 miles

Tranny failed. Car wouldn't move forward or back. Had it replaced with a new tranny expecting it would last and was a one off incident. I guess I wasn't alone.

- Darryl L., Littleton, CO, US

problem #423

May 052010

Civic LX 1.7L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 83,000 miles

Another automatic transmission bites the dust with less than 84000 miles. My daughter was driving and without any indications the car just started slowing down and the RPM started going up. She said the car would not go over 40mph. She tried to make it to a parts store to see if the computer spit out a code but could not make it up the hill. She had to roll backwards down the hill to get the car turned around. She finally made it to her house but it would not pull up the driveway. She was lucky that she was not on a freeway or on a busy street at the time. I have contacted Honda since there are so many failures related to the 2001 Civic's with automatic transmissions to see why they do not recall these. I feel like this is a safety issue and either a recall should be done or they should own up to the problem and correct it when (and it will) the transmission does fail.

- w.e.s, Birmingham, AL, US

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