9.0
really awfulTypical Repair Cost:
$1,485.00
Average Mileage:
113,268 miles
Total Complaints:
6 complaints
Most common solutions:
- replace with a used engine (3 reports)
- not sure (2 reports)
- replaced camshaft sensor (1 reports)
engine problem
Helpful Websites About 2001 Honda Civic engine failure
2008Jul 21
Civic EX 1.8L
- Automatic transmission
- 98,000 miles
Today I was driving on GA 400, all of a sudden car speed dropped to 40, and I was not able to accelerate..Fortunately less traffic on 400, and I was able to pull the vehicle to shoulder. When I started the car at that time, I got 3 lights on (check engine, low pressure and battery) I towed it to curry Honda dealer at 3 pm, and they just didn't have interest to look at the problem. They asked me to leave the vehicle until tomorrow to look at it. It was very humid, and I was pissed, so decided to read the manual and then change the gas cap, and poured 1/2 quart of engine oil...It started without any problem (just check engine light on), and drove to my home...I started couple of times after that, and in the evening drove to Advanced Auto parts to check about check engine light. On the way, the check engine light went off, but I asked them to check, and got P1361 code.
I would like to know your suggestion on the next steps...thanks
2008Jun 24
Civic LX 1.7L I4
- Automatic transmission
- 102,011 miles
I would like to thank Honda for convincing my parents to never buy a Honda again. My parent’s ’01 Civic LX recently died while on the highway in Houston. The dealership scanned OBDII codes P1361 and P0740. The service adviser told my parents the P1361 CMP SENSOR MALFUNCTION.
Dealer replaced the sensor, but also found that the ENGINE MOUNT was broken. They replaced that as well. Total labor and parts: $525.
The tranny failure was document is another problem. But I think the cause of engine failure was due to the camshaft sensor.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
2008Jan 14
Civic DX
- Automatic transmission
- 74,000 miles
While driving my kids to school, the engine started knocking in a high pitched sound. and then the "check engine light" flashed on. I took the car to the dealership the next day. The dealership stated the spark plug housing in the cylinder became too hot and broke. Then the spark plug itself vibrated so much it broke. The remaining piece of spark plug rattled around the engine and damaged the piston underneath the cylinder. My car only has 74,000 miles on it. I am the original owner. I bought a Honda for its reliability and now the car needs to have a new engine ! My car has been serviced regularly.
2007Mar 10
(reported on)Civic EX 1.7L VTEC
- Manual transmission
- 117,598 miles
How did it happen... I was driving up north (Michigan) was going good for 3.5 hours. Got 15 miles from my destination and the steepest hill I have ever driven up was upon me and my civic. Half way up my car starts to slow down and also starts knocking. (side note*** my exaust shield has been rattling quite a bit, but it has been pretty cold out. So I have been putting the repair off until warmer weather.) I thought the knocking was my exaust shield and was thinking... man that thing is going to fall off. I downshift to 4th and my car just keeps getting slower. I downshift to 3rd and it gets slower and the knock gets louder. I mute my stereo because at this point I know something must be wrong. Next thing I hear is a small poof and my tach goes to zero, dummy lights are looking like a christmas tree and I have a really bad feeling about all of this. I keep chanting please make it to the top of the hill, please make it to the top of the hill... It worked, I had enough momentum to make it to the top of the hill. At the very top I stopped without the use of brakes and pulled the emergency brake, got out and gazed upon my previously clean engine compartment. Oh, the oil... It was everywhere. The front of the engine was gleaming clean. The rear however looked like an Iraqi oil well. Not good.
Later on after getting the motor out, I noticed another hole in the front of the block behind one of the brackets to hold the alternator and ac onto the motor. It measured five inches long and three inches wide. The metal that the rod is made out of actually stretched and then broke. The piston is stuck at the top of the stroke and everything else was sitting in the bottom of the oil pan. I have been babying this car as I only live two miles from work. It gets driven four miles a day. I guess the trip was just to much for her.
But... This is a Honda and this should not have happened, at least not this early.
2006Jul 17
(reported on)Civic DX
- 112,000 miles
A piston exited the engine just below the exhaust manifold, engine destroyed. Found a used engine from a 2002 civic and replaced it at my expense. Honda would not cover anything, car has been dealer maintained from day 1!
We have partnered with JustAnswer to offer online auto repair help and advice from expert professional automotive technicians. You describe your engine problem or ask your question and they try to help you figure it out. The fee is typically $9 to $15, but you can offer to pay more for really tough questions. You will usually receive an answer in 10 minutes or less, and you do not have to pay anything unless you accept the answer.

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
2008Dec 08
Civic LX 1.4L
CEL came on one day. Thought it was timing belt which I knew had slipped because it had been squealing loudly and was due for its scheduled change. Stopped into Autozone and got an OBD sensor reading. Multiple cylinder misfires. Took it to a shop for an engine diagnostic. Shop replaced new OEM plugs and reset the ECU. Next day the CEL came back on. Took it back to the shop. They swapped cables around and tested the coil and found no problems and did a test and told me my number 4 cylinder was firing at about 90 instead of around 135. Suggested that the head gasket was warped or the cylinder head was warped. Skeptical I took it to a different shop a few weeks later since the CEL remained on. Shop suggested I first have the timing belt and all belts replaced and found that my timing had slipped because the pulley assembly bolt had sheared off because it was threaded incorrectly at last belt change so they had to drill out the bolt and put in a helio-coil. We're up to $1200 and they still haven't determined the cause of the misfire. When I went to pick the car up, the mechanic had gone home for the day and the shop manager had to call him at home to find out what was happening with my car because it was just sitting in the bay with the hood up and they never bothered to call me back. When they got ahold of him he said they were having some compression issues but they put a $10 can of RESTORE in my engine and said it should help restore compression. BS. Next morning on my way to work (surprise) the CEL came back on. Called the shop back and they said to bring it back when their master tech was in the following week. Took it back and they did another cylinder reading and now the number 4 cylinder was firing at 70. Said they couldn't fix it without completely rebuilding the engine for $2000. Been driving it for a month now and CEL flashes at idle and idle timing is low at 500 rpm. Afraid it will stall out at a traffic light so I give it some gas to keep the idle up. Hoping my car will hold together until I can get a new one.
mad max
Denver, CO, USA
SEND A COMMENT »