8.0
pretty bad- Typical Repair Cost:
- $1,400
- Average Mileage:
- 167,400 miles
- Total Complaints:
- 6 complaints
Most common solutions:
- replace head gasket (3 reports)
- not sure (2 reports)
- replace engine (1 reports)
I took good care of this car and had every rattle and squeak tended to! I drove it conservatively. I had no warning. Had I had ANY idea that this was the problem, I would have fixed it BEFORE I irreparably damaged the engine. DAMMIT!
- John C., carmel, NY, US
My 2002 Civic started to use coolant and was not leaking or putting out any smoke. Eventually the temperature gauge rose above normal and it was obvious there was a major problem. Luckily I was able to have the car repaired for around $400 in parts (also had timing components replaced) and $200 labor.
- axistang, Inman, SC, US
They tell me the car had no coolant - even though that had been checked within the past 45 days - and that the head gasket blew. They hadn't done any diagnostics. I finally gave up the ghost of this car and got some cash for it from the Honda dealer. They paid a good price considering the condition of the car (all the other breakdowns, holes, peeling paint, broken this and that in the car and the electrical problems in the dash) and a lot higher than the other dealer that I went to buy a Not-Honda was offering for a trade in. I'm relieved to be done with this car.
- laurak, San Diego, CA, US
I had strange intermittent overheating problems for months. Coolant magically disappearing, sometimes I'd see it on the ground - couldn't find a leak, replaced all the hoses, radiator cap, radiator, thermostat for kicks thinking might be a small leak. Reservoir tank was not draining. Got worse and worse over time. Finally when I couldn't see any magically disappearing coolant and was loosing about a quart every 50 miles I pulled the head. Took it to the machine shop - machine shop told me all 4 cylinders without a doubt were blown and probably had slow leaks that got worse with time. Said its fairly common in aluminum blocks - shop manager said he sees about 2-3 Civics a week.
Cost me $130 in parts - $100 to have head machined - and 2 days of my time. Honda dealership quoted me $2100 to do the work. I bought this car thinking I'd get alot of mileage without needing to pull the head. 160K is alot - but not enough for a major engine issue IMHO. Luckily I'm a backyard mechanic who was able to do it myself -if I wasn't it'd be time to trade POS in - wish I never bought it though - won't buy a Honda again.
- Joseph C., Gates Mills, OH, US
Has anyone else experienced Head Gasket failure on the Civic, 2002, EX, AT, 150,000 miles? I was told today the cost to replace the gasket at an independent garage is about $1100.00 could be more if there is damage to the head and it was suggested while the engine is apart to do some valve work at $500.00 I am furious the head gasket went on the Honda. I bought the Civic because of its reliability. Here is the kicker; the AC compressor is also shot at a cost of $1000.00 and I recently had to replace the Catalytic Converter. About 10 years ago I replaced the Head Gasket on a 1987 Plymouth Voyager with 2.6 at a cost of $800.00. I also own a 1998 Ford Crown Victoria with 162,000 miles on it. The Crown Victoria; so far No Head Gasket Replacement, No Timing Belt Replacement, No Water Pump Replacement and No Catalytic Converter replacement. I did have to replace the AC in this car but at at a cost of only $650.00 at a Ford Dealer. For those who say foreign cars are better: WRONG!
- Mark G., West Hartford, CT, US
I've talked to 3 other Civic owners, all with same problems. 2001-2005 Civics will slowlyl develop gasket leak over time that will show up like a radiator/overheating problem. As seen from this website, these also have transmission problems and suspension problems as well as power window/door lock problems.
- danieldkk, Hacienda Heights, US