CarComplaints.com Notes: The 2001 Civic has transmission problems, transmission problems & more transmission problems. Did we mention transmission problems? And a dangerous defect with the front airbag that didn't get recalled for 10 years.

Although eventually the defective 2001 Civic airbag inflators were fixed under recalls in 2011 & 2013, that meant for 10 to 12 years airbags were activating with excessive force where metal fragments went shooting into passengers when the airbag deployed.

As for the 2001 Civic's transmission woes? Honda conducted a major transmission recall in 2004 & settled a class action lawsuit for defective transmissions in 2006. But, neither the recall or the lawsuit included the 2001 Civic.

Last thing to consider - the 2001 Civic is the most-recalled car ever, closely followed by the 2002 Civic & the 2001 Accord. The 2001 Civic is the 4th most-recalled vehicle overall, only a Ford truck & two Ford vans have more.

10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
1 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
1 / 0
Average Mileage:
27,332 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2001 Honda Civic suspension problems

suspension problem

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2001 Honda Civic Owner Comments (Page 1 of 2)

problem #21

Apr 032008

Civic

  • Automatic transmission
  • 111,800 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

While having the transmission replaced, also another defect, it was discovered that I needed 2 new front struts. This just added to the already extremely expensive repair. My daughter drives the car and the safety of this vehicle scares me. Honda should recall the entire vehicle.

- Middletown, MD, USA

problem #20

Apr 012008

Civic 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 38,772 miles
On 4/1/08 I took my 2001 Honda Civic with 38,772 miles to my local Firestone dealer for an oil change. I purchased this vehicle new on 3/31/01. Firestone showed me oil leaking from both front struts. They added that this could be a potentially dangerous situation as the front springs would crack or, fall off potentially lead to a motor vehicle accident causing death or, injury. With the low mileage on the vehicle, I deem this a factory defect and fear the possibility of a serious motor vehicle accident.

- Northlake, IL, USA

problem #19

Sep 252007

Civic 4-cyl

  • Manual transmission
  • 117,000 miles
The contact owns a 2001 Honda Civic. While driving 5-10 mph, the driver side air bag deployed without warning. The driver suffered a sore arm and neck. The dealer refused to inspect the vehicle to determine the cause of failure. Approximately two days later, the passenger side air bag deployed without warning. The dealer inspected the vehicle, however, they were unable to determine the cause of the failure. The current and failure mileages were 117,000. The consumer stated in May 2007 the recall work was completed on the SRS due to faulty opds on the passenger side. The dealer stated check rattle under front end, needs front struts. Updated 10/18/07

- Southgate, KY, USA

problem #18

Apr 052006

Civic 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Possible suspension defect. Incident date of 04/05/2006 is date informed by dealer of problems. Noticed car squeaked/creaked a lot when turning. Brought car to dealer for 75K checkup and asked him to examine suspension. Dealer informed me that both of my front struts leaked and needed to be replaced, that one motor mount was cracked, and that both of the lower control arms needed to be replaced. Car was maintained in accordance with owner's manual and serviced almost entirely by same dealer for 5 1/2 years. No accident occurred, but all of these problems within such a short period of time (3-6 months between prior major and minor checkups and the checkup that discovered these problems and 5 1/2 years for the car age) are cause for concern, especially since they could have worked together to cause a drastic loss of control of the car. Based on my prior ownership experience with a 1992 Honda Civic and research on the internet, it is difficult to believe that all of these problems should have occurred. Thus, I believe that certain components of my 2001 Honda Civic's suspension may be defective. The assumed defect may be due to a design flaw, since 2001 was when Honda stopped using double-wishbone suspension in their U.S. Civics in lieu of old suspension type.

- Alexandria, VA, USA

problem #17

Feb 082006

Civic 4-cyl

  • Manual transmission
  • 20,000 miles
2001+ Civic strut bearing and steering defect on the 2001 Civic the strut bearing (shock upper bearing, not the wheel bearing) is a plastic component and not a ball bearing as on the 2002 and up Civics. This plastic bearing have more friction than a ball bearing. That more friction result in you (driver) have to apply more force on the steering wheel and even in all the steering components causing wear on the parts. Another fact is when the wheel (and tire) hit on a hole the plastic bearing doesn't "resist" the impact (as a metal ball bearing can do). This result in fast wear and deformation to the part. This plastic bearing, (that you can easily bend with your hands and isn't well engineered) can't support a 2500 pounds car hitting a hole at 60 mph (120 mph speed limit; as safety factor). When the bearing fails the wheels can't be turned well and some times the spring seats hit (or scuff) the strut tower resulting in a non well steering at all. Even this causes damage to other steering and suspension parts. This result in some problems that are common subjects in many 2001 Civics as you can see in car forums: The steering wheel doesn't return to its center position after turning in any direction, wheel misalignment, vibrations in the steering wheel, parts and tires unusual wear, sounds and clicks on the steering and suspension components, and others. Is known misaligned vehicles, worn steering and suspension components, vibrations on the steering wheel, affects the vehicle drivability and can result in serious accident and injuries. The vibrations and the excess of force that have to be applied to the steering wheel, as on other mechanical parts, can cause health diseases. As mentioned, Honda correct this defect on the later models from 2002 replacing the plastic bearing with a metal ball bearing and doing some changes to the upper spring seats and other components.

- Carolina, PR, USA

problem #16

Oct 102004

Civic 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 18,000 miles
2001 Honda Civic ex 23,000 miles both front struts leaking, poor handling.

- Crown Point, IN, USA

problem #15

Jul 092004

Civic 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

I recently bought a 2001 Honda Civic used with 80,000 miles on it. After I purchased it I was driving home on freeway hit a bump and I had a hard time controlling it. I didn't really notice this problem when test driving car. I bought a Honda with the knowledge of its reliability.this is not a safe car what so ever!!!!!!!ive never had to replace struts on other cars ive owned including a recent Honda that had close to 300,000 K on it.I demand that Honda recalls this problem before someone gets hurt!!!!!!!!!!!I was suppost to save money by purchasing a Honda not spending $800 every 20, ooo miles. C.G.S.

- Austin, TX, USA

problem #14

May 202004

(reported on)

Civic

  • 60,000 miles
While driving at any speed vehicle makes a loud crunching sound and bounces. There are no lights or anything indicating that something is wrong with the vehicle. While turning left or right there is a knock coming from the front wheels.

- Gatesville, NC, USA

problem #13

Nov 192002

Civic

  • 200 miles
While driving at any speed vehicle will squeak and the struts will leak. The front struts were replaced seven times by the dealer.

- Newark, NJ, USA

problem #12

Nov 022003

Civic 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 35,000 miles
2001 Honda Civic has suspension problems, both front struts are leaking. Only parts available are through the dealer and they are very expensive.

- Westfield, MA, USA

problem #11

Jun 152001

Civic 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

I have had my drivers side seat track replaced at least 5 times since I have owned the car. I have also have had both front struts replaced, both front springs, rear speaker, rear bumper repainted. I am trying to get rid of the car under the NJ lemon law. To this day I have not been satisfied. This has been going on for more than a year.

- Keansburg, NJ, USA

problem #10

May 212003

Civic

  • 40,000 miles
Consumer took vehicle in for service, after the front end developed a noise. Mechanic noticed that the struts needed replacing.

- Wallingford, CT, USA

problem #9

Apr 152003

Civic

  • miles
The front struts experienced premature failure, which made the vehicle difficult to control.

- Rensselaer, NY, USA

problem #8

Apr 012003

Civic 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 56,500 miles
Left front strut is leaking, my car vibrates so severely that I cannot drive over 40 mph. There are no struts in the usa - on critical back order. My dealership has seen noticeable quantities of this problem. The 2001 Civic has a new suspension system in it, and it is flawed in my opinion. My car has never been in a wreck, and does mostly interstate driving.

- Weaverville, NC, USA

problem #7

Apr 222003

Civic

  • miles
The front struts leaked.

- Augusta, MO, USA

problem #6

Mar 052003

Civic 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 13,700 miles
Warranty parts not being provided in timely manner. Front struts are both leaking.

- Westminster, MD, USA

problem #5

Apr 102003

(reported on)

Civic

  • miles
The vehicle jumped on bumpy roads as well as smooth roads. The vehicle was taken to the dealership and the mechanic stated the vehicle needed new struts, however the part was on back order.

- Dennysville, ME, USA

problem #4

Feb 162003

Civic 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 23,000 miles
I own a Honda Civic ex 2001, and the handling on the car is unsafe due to faulty struts. The car rattles and shakes on even the slightest of bumps. I bought the car new and had the right front strut replaced at 23,000 miles. At 27,000 I had to replace the left right strut as well. The parts are on back order due to what Honda rep described is a very common problem on 2001 Honda Civics.

- Washington, DC, USA

problem #3

Mar 032003

Civic 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 40,000 miles
Left and right front macpherson struts leaking, causing front end noise and very poor handling. Parts back-ordered for undetermined time.

- Gahanna, OH, USA

problem #2

Mar 222002

(reported on)

Civic

  • miles
Left and right front macpherson struts leaking, causing front end noise and poor handling.

- E. Stroudsburg, PA, USA

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