9.2
really awfulTypical Repair Cost:
$2,295.00
Average Mileage:
96,732 miles
Total Complaints:
387 complaints
Most common solutions:
- replaced transmission (145 reports)
- rebuilt whole transmission (93 reports)
- not sure (89 reports)
- get honda to cover the cost (32 reports)
- break down the transmission and fix (9 reports)
- replace the torque converter (8 reports)
transmission problem
This problem may be covered under warranty. Ask your Honda dealer.
Helpful Websites About 2001 Honda Civic transmission failure
2010Feb 01
Civic EX
- Automatic transmission
- 106,000 miles
My daughter was driving her honda civic to school and it just quit running, leaving her stranded on the road. She is over 300 miles away and we bought this car thinking it was very reliable,... what a joke! Honda is not doing anything but documenting the complaint. I drive a Pilot but will not buy another Honda. We are fixing the car because we can't afford a car payment right now. I'm sure it is only a matter of time before the transmission goes again since this is an auto defect.
2010Jan 28
Civic DX 2.4L
- Automatic transmission
- 147,000 miles
f*cking worthless transmission honda needs to recall this sh*t cause mine went out on the interstate luckaly my friend was behind me with his truck so he could push me up the next off ramp and into a gas station.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
2009Dec 02
Civic
- Automatic transmission
- 110,000 miles
2001 civic -ran great until yesterday-high pitch whistling sound started -no check engine light came on , driving my family to ball game, just stopped moving-engine was running but no movement-lucky I was on a somewhat rural road-
my friends own a junk yard and it will cost around 1000. to replace transmission. honda should have a recall for this issue. they probably won't cover my expense
2009Dec 02
Civic EX
- Automatic transmission
- 86,188 miles
Ok I bought my 2001 Honda Civic new based on my prior experiences with Honda. I drove 1995 Civic without any major mechanical problems for over 150,000 miles. Yesterday I was driving on the Triboro Bridge in NY, when out of nowhere I wasn't able to accelerate. My car died in the middle lane causing a major traffic jam for morning rush hour. I was towed to Honda and they immediately knew my transmission was shot. The service guy even said it is a common problem on the 01 Civic. A Honda tranny going at only 86,000., I thought that this was unheard of due to honda's reputation. But looking at this site, their rep it total crap.
2010Feb 01
Civic DX 1.7L
- Automatic transmission
- 178,125 miles
I came to know from this forum that civic has this known transmission failure, i got P0730 error code and my mechanic is saying you need to change the Transmission cost you roughly $2500. thats bad Honda should kick in to fix this problem
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
2010Jan 02
Civic EX
- Automatic transmission
- 140,000 miles
My husband was ridding with my 4 year old daughter on the back seat when the car stopped running; thanks God it was not on the highway and there were no cars around or a fatal accident would have happened. Took it to the Honda dealer, whom stated that the transmission was about to die: $3,500 to fix and no warranty (wish I knew earlier about this website and the Honda complaints on the tranny.) Found another mechanic who charged us $1,500 for a refurnished transmission. The car seems ok, but know I am worried because I ride an 2004 Accord and it seems that the tranny problems runs in those models too. Maybe I should try to file a complaint under Honda customer complaints.
2010Jan 16
Civic LX
- Automatic transmission
- 75,000 miles
This is just crazy, my Honda Civic has just done 75,000 miles in 9 years. I have always got it serviced in time and today the transmission failed. I was stranded on the road with my wife and 8 year old. I looked it up online and came to know that transmission failure is a known problem with Honda Civic 2001. Right now I have given the car to the closest Honda Dealer - Hamilton Honda at 655 US Highway 130, Hamilton, NJ 08691. This being a warmer Saturday, they are busy and I have not heard anything about the how much will cost to fix it. I AM NOT GOING TO PAY FOR THE REPAIRS, HONDA NEEDS TO PICK UP THE TAB!!!
2010Jan 19
Civic LX 1.7L
- Automatic transmission
- 141,000 miles
After working 12 hours on nights left the parking lot and the problems started, like most of the other complaints the rpm's started going up without the transmission kicking in, this happened mostly in first and second gear at first. Finally got home 16 miles away and had to wait for the local transmission shop to open @ 8:00 am. When I got to the shop they took the car for a test drive and said I definitely had a problem only thing was they couldn't look at it for two days so I scheduled the appointment and decided to drive home, I made it about 10 blocks before the car wouldn't move anymore and I ended up pushing it back to the shop. I made some phone calls and ended up renting a car and that's where I am today waiting for the "official" diagnosis which I'm sure won't be good.
2010Jan 03
Civic LX 1.7L
- Automatic transmission
- 82,000 miles
I just finished reading ALL of the OTHER complaints about the transmissions in the Honda Civics. It's a total shame that all of these cars are having the SAME problem and Honda doesn't see this as a PROBLEM. Apparently there is a major problem with the transmissions in this car. Honda is known for 'reliability" and "cars that last"...guess not this time !!! My wife was driving home in a snow storm and barely made it .Once she parked it, it didn't move again. There was no warning ! Bet your a_ _, I WILL NOT be buying another Honda. Subaru and Toyota look better all time.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
2010Jan 04
Civic EX
- Automatic transmission
- 160,000 miles
Had my Honda for 4 years and it has been great to me until one morning when I went out to start my car I noticed the high pitched whistling noise not thinking much of it because of the really cold weather I went on with my business. On my way to school later that morning the car would slip when I was going to 20mph and wouldn't accelerate past that. It was -21 that morning with the windchill and this was a total inconvenience. I am very unhappy because I have friends with 1995 Honda civics with 350,000 miles on it going strong, there is obviously something wrong with these transmissions and it's ridiculous that there isn't a recall. I got an estimate of $1900.00 to replace the whole transmission. THIS IS BS!!
2010Jan 13
Civic LX
- Automatic transmission
- 98,600 miles
There was no warning, no noise, change in performance, nothing. But suddenly when stopped at a light, it turns green and I start. I manage to get up to about 30mph, and acceleration stops. I crawled into my own driveway at 6 mph. I'm appalled. I meet all scheduled maintenance and take care of my car -- why then am I in this predicament? $2,400 and a semester in college is what my new transmission will cost me.
2010Jan 08
Civic EX
- Automatic transmission
- 102,000 miles
Ughhhhhhh... My 2001 Honda civic ex I thought was in perfect condition. I just got a tune up and everything was fine. Then today the transmission went! It just stopped moving. After looking at this website I am upset to see that their are many people that have had the same problem! I am going to have to take it to a Honda dealership to see what is wrong with it. Has anyone filed a complaint to the Honda company? Or called a lawyer on this situation? Because there are many complaints on here and we should do something about this. If this is happening to 2001 Honda primarily then I think we have something here to fight.
2010Jan 04
Civic
- Automatic transmission
- 111,000 miles
WHAT WILL IT TAKE FOR HONDA TO DO SOMETHING? I WAS DRIVING ALONG AND THE TRANNY QUIT WITHOUT WARNING. IT WAS LIKE A BOLT OF LIGHTNING! MY MECHANIC DOES NOT DO TRANSMISSIONS, SO HE CALLED A REPUTABLE GUY THAT HE ALWAYS WORKS WITH. WHEN ASKED ABOUT REBUILDING THEM, HE STATED THAT WHEN THESE THINGS GO, THEY REALLY GO. 90% ARE BEYOND FIXING. HE GAVE US A PRICE OF $1900. HE SAID THEY ARE "THROW AWAY TRANNIES", THAT THE BEST BET IS TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE PART AS OPPOSED TO REBUILDING. FIRSTLY, THE TRANS IS SMALL, WHICH MEANS SMALL GEARS AND CLUTCHES. SECOND, YOU HAVE TO DISMANTLE THE WHOLE THING JUST TO CLEAN OUT THE FRAGMENTS. AFTER REINSTALLING IT, HE SAYS YOU'LL BE BACK IN 6 MONTHS WITH THE SAME PROBLEMS. IT DOES NOT SOUND LIKE A CON JOB TO ME. HE SAID HE WOULD LOVE TO FIX IT FOR $1000, BUT I'D BE BACK SPENDING ANOTHER $1000 IN 6 MONTHS. HONDA HAD BETTER DO SOMETHING ABOUT THIS PROBLEM. LOTS OF ANGRY MOTHER#@$%^'S OUT HERE.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
2010Jan 01
Civic EX
- Automatic transmission
- 81,500 miles
Transmission Failure with only 80,000 miles on it. I took it in to the dealer and asked him while he was writing up the report ( to turn car in to see exactly what is wrong with it). Prior to this i read up and found out American Honda may help pay for some of this. So i said to the Honda service adviser, Is there any help out here for a guy like me. He said well you had an extended warranty but that ran out. He didn't mention the American Honda. So i did and then he said lets see whats wrong with it. A day later well it was the transmission. And he said it would cost 3100 and American Honda would pay 1000 of that. I said that wasn't good enough since 2001 Honda are infamous for transmission failure and should be replaced free. I called American Honda back and am waiting now for a call from the Regional Rep. Update forth coming.
2009Dec 28
Civic EX
- Automatic transmission
- 92,000 miles
Ok so on the 28th of December 09, my transmission failed for the 3rd time!!!!
-The 1st time it broke down was in December of 2005 when we were on our way back to L.A from Camarillo springs. Out of nowhere on the freeway the car just stops accelerating and just starts slowing down automatically. There were no signs of trouble on the way to Camarillo springs, except for when the car shut off in the parking lot.
-The 2nd time it broke I was on my way to the 101 freeway taking a shortcut through a neighborhood street where it out of nowhere the it starts slowing down again, luckily I found a spot to park it until the tow truck arrived, however the car did make a sound that sounded like the noise of a vacuum but muffled everytime I accelerated. I had a mechanic look at it and he didn't know what the noise was but if the car ran normally it should be fine, then it just breaks down from casual driving.
-The 3rd time, I had just gotten back to L.A from Santa Fe Springs and I was about 5 blocks away from home when out of nowhere the car starts shaking pretty bad when I accelerated between 2k-3k rpm, then it got to the point that it would shake accelerating when I barely even stepped on the pedal until it finally just wouldn't accelerate anymore. Once again I did notice beforehand that it would make that sound I mentioned before when I would accelerate but after a while it went away, it only made that sound when I would accelerate or first turn on the car to warm it up so I had a DIFFERENT mechanic look at it and he also couldn't determine the problem. He said that sound might be coming from the short ram intake I had installed 2 months before that sounded started.
I had bought the car from a private dealer and I don't know how much it had cost to get it fixed the past 2 times and i don't know how much it'll cost this 3rd time to get it fixed because my dad pays for it and he refuses to let me know how much he paid but we know some mechanics so I think we get a pretty decent discount.
Does anyone know if a 2004 transmission will work with my 2001 civic?
2010Jan 02
Civic LX
- Automatic transmission
- 106,000 miles
I too have experienced transmission failure on my Honda. We were on our way back from VA and had just crossed the Bay Bridge tunnel, approximately 10 miles out when the transmission just gave out without warning. I had the car towed almost 194 miles to my mechanic's shop. AAA picked up 100 of those miles, the rest was on me. I called Honda America even though I knew they would not do anything, I just wanted my dispute documented. They said I had to take it to a Honda dealer and get it verified that it was the transmission that failed and not my lack of scheduled maintainence. He said that I would have to pay for the diagnosis. I told the customer service rep that I was not giving Honda any more of my money. I referred him to this website so he could see that there is a problem with this transmission, of course I know he already knew that.
I have decided I am not going to replace the transmission with the same thing only to have it happen again. Right now I am deciding on either having the trans rebuilt or just getting rid of the car. No way will I buy another Honda. Very disappointed.
2010Jan 03
Civic DX 1.7L
- Automatic transmission
- 70,350 miles
transmission missed a few shifts , service engine light came on , so I changed the fluid , as our manual says it should be changed at 120,000 miles (or earlier if dirty) , and I know clean fluid is a good thing . No help . Called dealer , who told me that error code " incorrect gear ratio " means " replace trans " !!!! Great . 70,000 miles on a car that my wife drove with great care , she wanted it to last . Dealer tells me that a factory rebuilt trans is $3750.00 installed . This car is hard to work on , many things are torqued on with locktite ( pulley wheel on crank ) , making something simple like a timing belt / water pump a major pain . I will not buy another Honda ( she wanted a new CRV !!! ) . Next car will be a forester . I sure hope it's not a lemon like the 01 civic .
2009Dec 28
Civic LX
- Automatic transmission
- 128,000 miles
Same thing happened to me. Few days ago it felt like the gears were slipping around 25-30 mph. Today as I was driving, it suddenly started revving and would go no where. I purchased this car for Honda's reputation for reliability and am extremely upset to see they are doing NOTHING about this problem. This could be a very dangerous problem. The roads were extremely slippery when my car died and I am lucky no one rear ended me.
HONDA SHOULD OWN UP TO THIS
2009Dec 24
Civic LX
- Automatic transmission
- 138,000 miles
We had no idea. None. Until it happened to us. We got the car ready for our xmas trip to L.A., tune-up, oil change, and general maintenance. This was on Tuesday, the 22nd. We even drove it 90 miles to Santa Cruz that evening, and back again. Worked perfectly. The next day, on the 23rd, coming home from work, my partner and our son were driving down a hill, and stopped at a light. When the light turned, the car barely moved, even though the gas was pressed and the rpms revved up. He was lucky enough to pull over, turn the car off, and wait a little. Turning it on again, the car started moving at 5 mi./hr. and he parked by our house. We were going to L.A. the next day, and this was going to completely ruin Christmas. Luckily we were able to borrow a car from family, and go have xmas in L.A. Just got back, and the car won't move at all. Called around, and it seems that even transmission mechanics are very aware of this problem, changing dead trannies on these Civics. One guy told us that he's doing tons of these right now, it'll be about $2000. Why hasn't Honda recalled these machines????
Any one know how to start a class action? I think that is the only way to make Honda pay attention and listen to us, its customers.
2009Dec 11
Civic LX
- Automatic transmission
- 101,000 miles
Hi,
Another mad Civic owner. Just had my transmission fail like everybody else, couple of days of not shifting and building the rpms. At this point, I haven't made a decision on how to move forward.
I have a couple questions:
1. for those that replaced transmission, do you fear it will just happen again with the new one?
2. for those who rebuilt their transmission, what changes did your mechanic make to prevent the problem from occuring
For ALL, how long after replacing/rebuilding your transmission has your car continued to work without problems?
Just trying to figure out if it is worth it or not to fix this problem.
Thanks
2009Dec 13
Civic LX
- Automatic transmission
- 65,000 miles
I am the original owner of my 2001 Honda Civic Lx - it has 65,000 miles on it. I've always had it serviced at my local honda dealership. Last weekend I was left STRANDED. My honda just quit! I had it towed to the dealership and could not believe it when they told me I needed a new transmission. I did not begin to lose faith in honda until I found this site. I decided to call Honda Corp to discuss my concern for their faulty product. They took no responsibility. Due to the age...blah blah blah - they could not assist me. They are not responsible for parts that stop working after the warranty. When I questioned the information I found on line, "Chris" informed me that they don't get their information online. Maybe you should Chris! That is where your customers do! The customer service stinks! I am so disappointed in Honda. They just lost another customer....
2009Sep 12
Civic ES
- Automatic transmission
- 102,000 miles
THIS IS THE SECOND TIME THAT THE TRANSMISSION HAS FAILED ON THIS CAR AND COULD HAVE CAUSED AN ACCIDENT OR SERIOUS INJURY . THIS IS A DESIGN FAILURE
AND SHOULD BE RECALLED. IF TOYOTA CAN RECALL FOR A SIMPLE GAS PEDAL DEFECT THIS IS MUCH WORSE AND JUST AS DANGEROUS.
2009Dec 07
Civic EX
- Automatic transmission
- 104,000 miles
The transmission failed today. I'm about at 104,000 miles. Yesterday the engine light had started to come on at start-up ONLY, but I thought it was letting me know I had another maintenance coming up soon. I keep up with dutiful maintenance - at 98,000 miles I replaced the timing belt, water pump, then transmission flush, brake flush, coolant flush -and new headlight lamps.
I noticed a sort of high-pitched whine recently and my boyfriend said it could be the belts needed adjusting from the recent work, but under the hood, he said it sounded as if it was coming from the transmission. He checked the fluids which seemed fine. 12 hours later, on my way to work, the car just wouldn't accelerate and I turned around to go home. I went to back the car into the driveway, assuming it would need to be towed and it wouldn't move. I pushed it and got it rolling down a hill to park it where it could be towed. Thank goodness I was still in the neighborhood and not stuck in rush-hour traffic or that last ten minutes of the leg to work at 65 mph trying to pass a dump truck. AND thank goodness I updated my AAA membership as the towing was covered there.
My mechanic (NOT HONDA) has told me it will be $1670.75 for a used transmission from the junk yard with a 90-day warranty. He said he has pretty good luck with these. A rebuilt unit is $2040 with a 1-year warranty and the transmission straight from the dealer is $2720 - better warranty, can't remember how long. These include labor and tax. He said you could buy a torque converter - which seems to be the problem - however, you still have to tear apart the tranny to get to the filter...and it's not worth the labor. He said he wouldn't spend the money on the new one from Honda, plus it would add at least 3 days to the repair time to order/receive.
My only good news is that I'm headed to San Jose for the rest of the week for work and as far as a time to have car work done 0 the timing is good as my commute is 25 miles each way to work.
I considered getting another car but he said the value will drop considerably without a working transmission. I'm going with the middle option as I'm not sure when I can afford to turn the car in and get a new one - I've just gotten a job after a seven-month layoff.
I have been a Honda gal for about 20 years, and my step-dad still has a 1989 prelude that has a gazillion miles on it that has just recently become too much to keep on fixing. So much for this 2001 Civic purchase. I almost bought a new Honda Civic a year ago when I knew it was time to replace the timing belt, but didn't like the new body style (couldn't see out the back/side), and was crushed that I'd have to consider another make next time around. I'm not so concerned now, the decision has become easier - I'm thinking a Toyota is in my future! I'm all for a class action law suit to recoup my costs and save others from issues or even accidents.
2009Nov 17
Civic EX
- Automatic transmission
- 95,159 miles
Driving along and the car just quit. It would not move any more. I have transmission failure like all the others on here.
2009Jul 02
Civic DX 1.7L
- Automatic transmission
- 140,000 miles
second time I've had to replace the transmission in my 2001 civic.
2009Nov 21
Civic LX 1.4L
- Automatic transmission
- 129,000 miles
Honda driven in town most of the time. No hard driving and on towing. Trans started slipping and trans fluid turned dark and burnt. Trans failure to the point the car would not move.
2009Nov 20
Civic LX 4 cyl
- Automatic transmission
- 96,000 miles
As many of these other people have said, without any warning, my transmission decided to go out on me today. I began to accelerate on a major four lane road when my engine began to rev like it was stuck in 1st/2nd gear. I thankfully made it into a parking lot and restarted the car and drove it around only to find that my car stayed in 1st gear. I was able to switch gears and drive in reverse and forward a few times but, after a little bit (5 minutes or so of driving in the parking lot), my car was stuck in neutral. This problem just happened tonight so I am unsure if it is a full transmission failure, although it probably is.
The only warning that I think MAY be related is a couple months ago, in August, my car overheated for seemingly no reason on my way to work. At first we believed it was a crack in the radiator, a hose leak, or (at worst case) a blown cylinder head gasket. After extensive testing, we found out that there was nothing visibly wrong with it, and maybe a fan had just decided to quit working due to a blown fuse or something of that nature. However, from reading these complaints, I am afraid this failure of the fan was due to the build up of transmission fluid. If this ends up costing what I think it will, I will be purchasing a brand new vehicle and trading this terrible one in.
2007Sep 12
(reported on)Civic 4 DR 4 cyl
- Automatic transmission
- 65,000 miles
Clutch pads cracked in the transmission after 65,000 miles!
Dealer repair estimate was $4000! Did not use dealer for repair.
I used a local mechanic at $2683.
Dealer warranty for a rebuilt unit: 36,000 miles or 3 years
Dealer warranty for a new unit: 12,000 miles or 12 months
Honda does not stand behind this transmission!!
2009Jul 23
Civic EX
- CVT transmission
- 152,000 miles
Have only ever heard great things about Honda's and I loved my 01 Civic ex getting 30+ miles to the gallon.... Until the transmission started slipping and then completely failed with a replacement cost of $2,500 to $3,500. Talked with two reliable mechanics and both said the CVT transmission is crap and well known for failure. Both actually said it was not worth getting fixed because it would just happen again!
Leaves me with no car and a lot of grief over a company I thought was making super reliable and efficient cars.
2009Nov 15
Civic EX
- Automatic transmission
- 75,000 miles
Looks like my 01 Civic EX is one of many here with transmission problems. I didn't realize how bad this yr/model was until I came across this site. Transmission failed without any warning, the engine would rev, but the car just wouldn't go. Now I'm looking at $3.5K for a rebuild on a car worth maybe $6K. I hate to do it, but the car has been well taken care of and is in otherwise excellent condition. I bought this Honda 4 yrs ago based on Honda's reputation for quality and longevity. Boy was I wrong! I can't believe Honda has not made good on this major problem and offered some sort of recall.
2009Oct 28
Civic LX 4 cyl
- Automatic transmission
- 103,000 miles
Unfortunately, I was on my way to see my best friend in the hospital 70 miles away and right when I turned to park, my car was running, but rpm's went up and I pushed the gas and nothing happened. After it rested awhile, it moved some in lower drive gears, but then rpm's would rev up again and the car wouldn't move. I found information online about calling Honda's customer service at 1-800-900-1009 instead of the dealer and inquire about a "goodwill repair" for those who are out of warranty. I called and they said they don't have that program and I would need to take my car to Honda to have it diagnosed. I am a student and unemployed and am not paying to tow my car to them when I know it's the transmission. The sad thing is I just had a tune-up in July and my car was just paid off. No warning signs at all the transmission was going to take a dump. I am highly ticked off. Everyone that has complained online talks of a class action lawsuit and I think we all need to get together and do it! Honda obviously doesn't give a crap about any of the 2001 Civic transmission failures.
2009Nov 06
Civic EX 1.7L
- Automatic transmission
- 101,300 miles
Same sh*t different pile (Honda). Transmission slipping to the point that the car will not move. I have never once in my life had a transmission problem that was not directly caused by me. This car is my daily driver commute car. I drive it like an old lady (mostly because it is slower than hell and isnt even fun if I do try to go fast). I abuse my WRX.
I bought this car thinking it would be a good, reliable car to get me to and from work....WRONG. From what I understand, the non-servicable transmission filter starts to gunk up hindering fluid flow. The transmission now opperates hotter than it should causing some of the clutch discs to flake (this is the initial slipping that some people may feel) the clutch disc particles then almost fully clog the filter, allowing the transmission to heat up enough to damage the torque converter. Once the torque converter is screwed the car doesnt go anywhere. But that is just a guess. I havn't taken it apart yet, and I don't know the first thing about an automatic transmission. I do IT networking for a living.
2009Jun 08
Civic LX
- Automatic transmission
- 110,000 miles
My transmission failed twice and was replaced. What a piece of crap. I bought Honda for the reliabilty. Not in this case... HONDA wake up
2008Jun 11
Civic LX 1.7L
- Automatic transmission
- 90,000 miles
I bought My Honda Civic 2001 Lx When it was 34K and I drove it for a few years, and my Transmission just went bad with no resent warning, I had it always maintained on time, but in 2008 I had the first Transmission Failure I tried to re-built it but it was Cheaper to buy an other one. at that time my car was about 95K, Well guess what after about 20K more or less I got the same Problem Transmission Failure contacted Honda Customer service they said they can't help the warranty has expired and they can't cover someone Else's work, what if Honda has a decent pricing to fix these kind of Problems that it well known about that particular year. now my car is about 120K. and I had to fix it again. MY ADVICE TO ALL PEOPLE IF YOU HAVE A 2001 HONDA CIVIC PLEAAAAAAAAAASE GO RETURN IT AND GET AN OTHER CAR, NISSAN TOYOTA SCION CHEVY ANYTHING BUT THE HONDA, NO HELP NO UNDERSTANDING. I REFUSE TO BUY ANOTHER HONDA. by the way the transmission controller ( solenoid ) will fail as well. be careful coast from Honda Dealer $350 ridicules.
2009Nov 01
Civic EX
- Automatic transmission
- 124,000 miles
I was dumbfounded today to find that I needed my transmission replaced today! I've been a Honda Gal for years and years, but seeing all these complaints for the same car, same year, I'm amazed there hasn't been a recall. I guess people will have to die for Honda to do anything about it, if they ever do.
I bought this car new and have always maintained it better than the schedule suggested by the manual.. Driving home from another city on Sunday, all of the sudden I couldn't get the accelerator to work. I had to put it in D2 and D3 in order to make it home. 40 mph was the max it would go. Thank GOD I wasn't on the interstate or a long distance away! Today I was able to get it to my trusted mechanic who's shop is only 2 miles from home. He said the transmission fluid was totally pristine but the transmission was "damaged somehow" and would have to be replaced. He's replacing it with another transmission with 71,000 miles on it and a 6 month warranty. Sheesh! So in a year is this going to happen again????????
Update from Nov 6, 2009: My exTREMEly good mechanic found out the problem! The fan in the radiator that cools the hot fluid coming from the transmission, that is supposed to send the fluid back cooled, failed. If your's hasn't failed yet, run and get that fan mechanism replaced! Do NOT use a Honda part for this or you'll be in the same shape again! Hopefully this will save SOMEone from misery and a huge expense. If you replace your transmission with another, unless you change out the defective part, it'll fail as well
I'll be contacting Honda when I retrieve my car and have my bill in front of me and let you know what, if anything, kind of help on this or response on this I get. .
2009Oct 23
Civic EX
- Automatic transmission
- 91,000 miles
I was on a busy interstate during rush hour coming out of Atlanta...I tap the gas to accelerate, and the car just stopped going!! Next, the check engine light comes on, and I am fortunate enough to get off the four lane into the shoulder. It is a miracle that I wasn't hit averaging 20mph trying to get to the shoulder. There were no signs of a problem; I was completely shocked as I have babied the hell out of this car.
While I realize things happen, no matter what type of car or how old...I have long esteemed hondas as long lasting vehicles that will last well over 100,000-200,000 miles. In fact, I talked my dad into buying my sister a new 2009 Civic just this August because I loved mine sooo much...Rest, assured my family won't be buying another, and if I have my way, she will trade hers ASAP.
I don't feel safe driving this car after this happened and will probably only get a cheap fix to trade it. What really upsets me about this whole experience is that I had the car towed to the Honda dealer...and they actually acted shocked that this happened.
Gauging from the number of complaints on the internet, this obviously was complete BS on their part. Not cool, I will not purchase or recommend Honda in the future based on this terrible experience and that the company is completely unapologetic AND the fact that you can't have this trans. rebuilt..you have to buy a newly "rebuilt" one from Honda. So, not only was my car a rolling time bomb, but they don't care and want to stick it to us while we are already down. This should be a recall on this model! F you Honda...
2009Oct 09
Civic DX 1.7L
- Automatic transmission
- 146,000 miles
I called Honda to see if they would cover the cost or help. They asked for the mileage on the car, then said no. I talked to an expert mechanic and he said the reason why the 2001 Honda Civic transmissions fail is because you can't replace the filter on them. Why they sell filter kits for these piece of junk cars, I have no idea. But Honda won't recall them and as you can see the 2001 Civic made the #3 Worst Car on the list for a reason. I used to buy only Japanese cars but I'm now open to any other brand EXCEPT Honda.
2009Oct 19
Civic LX 1.7L
- Automatic transmission
- 143,000 miles
Was driving to work, about 40 miles one way, and it started slipping between 2nd and 3rd. I thought it would make it to work and back but I was wrong. I made it 30 miles and it crapped out on me. Had it towed to the nearest shop and was quoted around $2300 for a rebuilt unit from Honda. Here's the underlying story -- I was in the process of selling my supposedly reliable car to a neighbor's relative in about a week for around $3000 or so. Well that just might fall through due to this current problem. But at least my neighbor's weren't stranded on the Turnpike headed to Maryland where the car was to find a third home with an 87 yr. old woman. Hey, anyone want to buy a 2001 Civic??? It's still great on gas... Now the good news....I have a guy who is towing my car back to my home town and can probably get a used tranny put in for about 1200-1400 bucks. We also might work something out where he'll sell it and we'll split the difference.
Anyway it's just the a car and this is the reason why I like to have 3 cars in the family.
2009Oct 26
Civic DS 4 cyl
- Automatic transmission
- 97,700 miles
while driving my grandson to the YMCA my car was driving fine. I stopped at a red light and when the light changed I pressed on the gas but it would not move at all. I tried shutting off the motor and restarting the car but again the car would not move at all. I had to be towed. Right now it is at the Honda dealership awaiting a solution.
2009Oct 11
Civic LX 4 cyl
- Automatic transmission
- 115,000 miles
You buy a Honda civic because you have always hear that they will last forever.Bull! At 115,000 miles the tranny goes out on my son on his way from out of town. No warning ,just driving along and the rpms go up and nothing. This is after we had to replace the torque converter at 79,000 miles. I couldn't remember (torque converter)when thinking what to tell mechanic about car before I took it in,so I typed in brand,type,year,and up popped auto beef with hundreds of similar complaints! I was floored!!! I called the dealer where we bought the car new,explained what happened and what I found at auto beef to see if they might help with repair cost . He said that with age of car and mileage chances were slim to nothing but bring it in they had to check it out to be sure! I would have had to get it towed 35 miles for that! Took it to my local mechanic and they put in a used tranny with 29,000 miles on it for 1,400.00 out the door.We probably will not be buying another Honda anytime soon!!!
2009Oct 16
Civic EX
- Automatic transmission
- 63,000 miles
I'm so mad. About three or four days before my whole transmission took a crap, I noticed that my gears were "slipping" going into third gear, obviously making driving around the town a pain. I was on the freeway in the middle of rush hour traffic when all of a sudden, my car is trying to accelerate past 30 MPH and won't go. My RPM's were shooting up to the red zone but I was not moving. It was so scary!! I had to get off at the next exit going slow and called AAA to tow the stupid car to my mechanic. $1800 and a week later, I should have my car back. But as of right now, I'm walking everywhere. :(
2009Oct 15
Civic EX
- Automatic transmission
- 93,000 miles
For the past couple of days my 2001 Honda Civic Ex started to make a high pitched whistling sound and when i got to 25-30mph the engine would rev up, but my speed wouldn't change. I heard about the 2001 transmission issues and I was afraid that this was going to be my destiny. Surely enough today it has happened...my transmission failed. Thank goodness I was close to home, but the car had to be pushed a couple of blocks. The Check Engine light went on and not even 30 seconds later, it failed. I can't believe that Honda won't do anything about this. Why leave your customers unhappy and wanting to switch to a different company? More than likely it's a money issue. I unfortunately had to rent a car and I'll probably have to max out my high interest rate credit cards to get this thing fixed. I can assure you, that I will not buy another Honda in the future and it's sad because my family has been a Honda family for over 25 years. I will thank Honda now on behalf of other car companies for making me lose faith in a company that my family and I have been loyal to for so many years. Thank you Honda, thank you...
2009Oct 05
Civic LX 1.7L
- Automatic transmission
- 115,600 miles
This was a Honda Certified used car, we bought 3 years ago for my Son. He drove it back from college last week and reported a "check engine" light on. My diagnostic computer pulled the 0740 code, indicating the infamous transmission problem. We have had 3 other Hondas and never had any problems. Honda refuses any help, due to it being 1 year out of warranty with 115,000 miles.
2009Oct 10
Civic EX
- Automatic transmission
- 28,000 miles
Just like everyone else on here I have a 2001 Honda Civic EX....but I'm the only one on here with the lowest mileage (28,000 miles). I hardly ever drive this damn car and the transmission went out on me last night at 2am in the "bad part of town." I was coming home from work and was at a stop sign and pressed the gas to go and it just revved. I got it to a gas station and was freaking out and crying because I keep this car in good shape. I had it towed to my house for 93 dollars!!! I have to call someone tomorrow to fix this crap. For now I'm having family drive me, which is inconvenient for them. Honda needs to realize there is a true defect in the 2001 civic transmissions. We need to get a class action lawsuit going on here. Whoever had HondaComplaints@gmail.com please update us if you got a lawyer to handle the lawsuit because I am not paying 3,000 for a new transmission. I should sell it and get a Toyota Corolla because they are more reliable. My car was just at the dealer for an oil change and a few months ago had the 30,000 mile service even though it's not even at 30,000 miles. I even had the brake fluid and power fluid changed at an independent honda place because the dealer wanted $200 and the independent wanted $150. I bought this car brand new from Scott Robinson Honda in Torrance February 6, 2001. It had 6 miles on it when I bought it. I saw another guy on here named "Mohammed" who took his car to Scott Robinson Honda in Torrance and they told him if the car had under 36,000 miles on it that they would fix it. I don't think he had a warranty on it, because warranties usually go 3 year/36,000 miles. Honda has to stop playing dumb and issue a recall for this. If Toyota can issue a recall for floor mats causing accidents after someone is killed then is Honda going to wait until someone gets hit from the back when their car stalls out on the freeway. Thank god I was on a residential street that had no traffic. My car's interior is falling apart too. Both sun visors have rips and the mirror closure is flopping/sagging. Even the rubber piece on the drivers side door trim is falling apart and there is silver metal exposed.I had to buy 2 new sun visors on ebay to replace because Honda sucks.My upholstery is sagging too. I tried to glue it but it looks worse. I'm thinking of using safety pins....and it's not just my car. I notice other 2001 Honda civics on the road and i see the sagging upholstery and I see the chipping plastic on the bottom of the door window frame! I see on here that the interior is the number 2 complaint on here. I took the car in to the dealer for the driver side airbag recall. They had to re pack my airbags because people were getting killed when the air bag deployed because shards of plastic and metal were flying out cutting people's face and damaging eyes!
Honda- Do a couple of hundred people have to die until you issue a recall for the faulty transmission!!!!!!!!!!!
Update from Nov 3, 2009: UPDATE: I had Honda of America agree to "reimburse" me for half the cost of the transmission repair. I still had to pay $1200 dollars as the total cost of the transmission was $2500. What a total rip off. Honda please listen to your customers and ISSUE A RECALL on this piece of junk. REIMBURSE everyone who had to pay for a transmission for this crappy car! I complained to Honda and only got half covered. The guy on the phone said Honda thinks "this is more than fair". Please. Give me a break. Some may think this is fair. I don't think so! If I took good care of this car and did all the scheduled maintenance then my car should still be running great. My next car is a Toyota Corolla or Toyota Camry....but, the next models of those will probably have their transmission blow up too due to a faulty design.
2009Sep 30
Civic EX 1.5L
- Automatic transmission
- 88,700 miles
I have maintained regular service at honda certified service centers, been the only owner of my Civic when at 88700 miles the transmission failed all of a sudden. Costs so much to fix- don't know how to proceed..HELP
2009Sep 18
Civic EX 1.7L I-4
- Automatic transmission
- 144,500 miles
My 2001 Honda Civic EX Sedan has been a great car, until last week. I've never had any problems. The only repairs have been normal wear and tear items like brakes, tires, oil changes, etc.. Had the timing belt service at 105,000 miles. There was never a hint of a problem. Last week driving home everything was fine. Got off the highway, went a couple blocks, stopped at a stop sign and when I went to start up again, the engine revved and that was it. None of the forward gears or reverse worked at all. Had to have it towed to Honda. Their diagnosis was internal failure. I was told that Honda does not allow the individual dealers to tear the transmissions apart to find the actual problem. They said they'd need to replace with a rebuilt one from Honda. The cost $3067. I'm still debating what to do. With absolutely no warning that something was going wrong I'm more than slightly upset. It seems like many others have had similar problems. I'm hoping something comes of all these complaints. I for one plan on calling Honda customer service directly to complain.
2007Nov 05
Civic EX 1.7L
- Automatic transmission
- 95,544 miles
Honda of America helped me with 50% of the cost of replacing the transmission with a rebuilt transmission, they installed it and now I have 3yr 36,000 warranty.
2009Sep 19
Civic EX 1.7L
- Automatic transmission
- 89,640 miles
I bought a 2001 Honda EX coupe for my daughter with 84,000 orig miles on it from a neighbor dirt cheap ($3000), only to have it less than a year & tranny failure. My daughter was driving & the car just stopped moving no warning, nothing. She called me we had to tow it home. On Monday, I thought that HOnda would help so I asked them to tow it to their shop BIG MISTAKE. their respomse. "YOU NEED A NEW TRANNY, & THE VALUE OF THE CAR IS WORTH NOTHING" NOW keep in mind I was told this by the svc MGR & the General MGR. I am paying for the rip off towing 15 miles & getting the car out of there because they want $3025 plus labor for a new tranny, but I know damn well it will be a re-built one. PLEASE I NEED TO KNOW WHO STARTED A CIVIL SUIT SO I CAN ADD MY NAME. Now I know why I got rid of my 06 Honda & thank GOD for that stay with CHEVY, GMC.
thank you
barb
2006Jul 05
Civic LX 1.7L
- Automatic transmission
- 82,000 miles
Back in 2006, my automatic transmission went out on my 2001 Honda Civic LX at 86,000. Car was at the dealership just a week before for brake work and no indication of trans problems. Fortunately dealership worked with me on the repair cost, and I only had to pay labor. I'm thinking because the mileage was so low and the car was just there the week before, they were going to take care of me. Probably one of the few good stories here. Paid about $500 for labor and got new transmission on Honda.
Replacement now has about 50K on it, and still going good (knock on wood).
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2008May 15
Civic LX 4 cyl
I wrote one of these a few days ago but it seems it never got posted or was lost somehow. So I wont write out the 5 paragraph report again..BOTTOM LINE bought my Civic in Florida brand new 2001, honda civic transmission gave out on me at 110k mile no warning what -so ever, Honda refuses to cover any of the repair cost, tow cost or service cost, I was on vacation in Canada (Toronto) when it gave out. had to pay $1000 to tow my vehicle back to the USA ! Honda Canada has no agreement with Honda USA! so in other words even if the car was new! and had the remaining factory warranty and failed on me in Toronto, Honda Canada would make me pay full price out of pocket for repairs and Honda USA will NOT reimburse you !
Buyer beware !!! be afraid of Honda at all cost! Toyota will service your car no matter where you bought it, if you're under warranty. Honda is no better than there American counterparts they claim are beneath them. I'd love Consumer Reports Magazine to start rating vehicles of the complaints received here.! Honda reliability.. HA! my 89" chevy nova (aka: toyota corolla) still runs better and has gone 250+k miles with minimal repairs needed. I will buy a Toyota from here on out !
buddah
Ocala, FL, USA
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