My 2002 Honda Civic became inoperable without any warning as I attempted to merge on a major highway in Washington DC. I could not shift into gear when I pressed the accelerator; fortunately, I was able to drift to the shoulder on the highway without incident. I had the vehicle towed to a Honda dealership where it was diagnosed as an internal transmission issue and I was advised that it would have to be replaced for $4700. The cost for the transmission replacement was outrageous and after researching possible reasons for the failure, I had my vehicle towed from the Honda dealership to an independent repair shop. My vehicle was diagnosed with torque converter failure which caused metal shavings to damage clutches in the transmission. During my research, I read numerous complaints by hundreds of others who own a 2001 to 2003 Honda Civic and stated that their transmission failed when their mileage ranged from 135K to as low as 65K. Although Honda issued a 2004 recall on transmissions, it excluded the Honda Civic; I am outraged that Honda knew about the hundreds of transmission complaints from Honda Civic owners but deliberately did not issue a recall for the vehicles to ensure the safety and welfare of drivers and passengers. The large number of complaints from Honda Civic owners about the lack of reliability of their Civics automatic transmission is demonstrative of a defect. I hope the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration investigates the transmission failure complaints and forces Honda to recall and repair vehicles/compensate owners for repairs. Updated 01/23/13 updated 02/19/13 updated 08/21/13

- Elizabethtown, KY, USA

The contact owns a 2002 Honda Civic. The contact stated that while driving 45 mph she heard a high pitch winding noise. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnose that the transmission needed to be rebuilt based on a design flaw in which steel bearings were inside an aluminum casing. The vehicle was not repaired. The VIN was unavailable.the failure and current mileage was 100,015.

- Roseville, CA, USA

Without warning, transmission just failed totally. No power to drive wheels. Driving on main 4 lane street with only curb. Luckily not rear ended and just barely coasted to next street turnoff (right lane). Got off major highway. Maybe torque converter. Waiting for response from Honda America. Local dealer no help. Saw there have been recalls in past for similar issues. Always did suggested maintenance with Honda dealers.

- Blue Bell, PA, USA

The contact owns a 2002 Honda Civic. The contact stated that while driving 40 mph, the vehicle failed to accelerate and would not shift into any gears. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who diagnose that the transmission needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure who did not offer any assistance since the vehicle was not included on any recalls. The failure and current mileage was 167,000.

- Auburn, WA, USA

I was driving on a busy highway and my engine began to suddenly rev up and car began to slow down until it completely stopped. No warning lights came on in car before or after it happened. I barely had enough time to pull my car over to the side of the road. Had there been more traffic, I would have stalled on the highway which could have caused a severe accident. My car was immobile and had to be towed. I was told that my transmission failed.

- Butler, NJ, USA

The contact owns a 2002 Honda Civic. The contact stated that while driving 40 mph, the vehicle started to make a loud noise and would not shift out of gear. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who diagnosed that the transmission was defective and needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure who did not offer any assistance. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and current mileage was 164,000.

- Irvine, CA, USA

My cars transmission if failing again, back in 2010 is when it first started, I was on my way to work, then all of a sudden my car wouldn't move and I was pressing down on the gas pedal, only the acceleration gauge was moving. I called my dad and told him what had happened, so he took it to a mechanic and he said I needed a new transmission, so I had it replaced and the cost came out of my own pocket, and now two years later the same thing is happening again, the car jerks when shifting gears and the check engine light is on again....

- Mission Hills, CA, USA

The vehicle's automatic transmission suddenly slipped out of gear from drive into neural (disengaged and did not re-engage) without warning while traveling at highway speeds, and the accelerator would no longer deliver power from the engine to the rest of the power train. Because I was traveling downhill, I was able to coast off the main highway to a side road at the next intersection. After this initial failure, the vehicle would not shift back into gear at all (neither in drive or in reverse) unless the engine is turned off and allowed to cool. Once the engine is cooled off, the vehicle is able to shift back into gear, but only for brief periods of time (less than 5 minutes) before the transmission disengages once again, and whilst in gear, the engine struggles to deliver power.

- Minneola, FL, USA

Automatic transmission failed abruptly while driving in traffic. Engine revved but car would not move. I was fortunate to be in the right lane at the time and to be able to pull over and push the car out of traffic to avoid an accident. Failure could have easily happened a few miles later on freeway or freeway on-ramp and could have resulted in a serious accident.

- Scotts Valley, CA, USA

While driving on the highway at 60 mph, my car rapidly slowed down to 15mph. I was almost seriously injured due to the nature that there was cars behind me. On the road the car would not accelerate over 20 mph. There was plenty of revving once it hit 20mph. There was no warning lights to let me know there was something wrong with the car. The car always drove in great condition and all of a sudden a major failure of the transmission occurred without warning. And Honda seems not to acknowledge the problem.

- Hartford, CT, USA

I was attempting to cross through a busy intersection when my transmission failed without warning leaving me stranded. I was in the middle of a very busy high speed intersection. Apparently this is a very common problem with this year vehicle. I am lucky I wasn't killed. My guess is it will take someone important getting killed before its addressed.

- Lake Elsinore, CA, USA

One day when I was getting back from school, the car mad an abnormal sound while shifting. But then it was fine I got home no problem and the next time I got in the car to drive (2 days later), the car started but when I put it into drive it didn't move. My car is at 110,000 miles and it has been well maintained. I have had all my oil changes done one time and I can prove that. After doing some research I found out this is a common occurrence among these models.

- Lafayette, IN, USA

The contact owns a 2002 Honda Civic. The contact stated that while driving 25 mph in snowy weather, the vehicle stalled without warning. The contact had the vehicle towed to a local mechanic where the local mechanic suggested taking the vehicle to the dealer. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who replaced the transmission. The failure mileage was 92,000.

- San Rafael, CA, USA

The contact owns a 2002 Honda Civic. The contact stated that while driving 30 mph in inclement weather, the vehicle stalled without warning. The contact had to push the vehicle to the side of the road where it was towed to a local mechanic. The mechanic advised the contact that the transmission would need replacing. The mechanic replaced the transmission. The failure mileage was 80,000. The VIN was not available.

- Pittsburgh, PA, USA

I was headed home from atlanta on I85 when my transmission started acting up. I was able to get home but it could have been really bad if it had completely stopped working. Interstate 85 is a very busy interstate. As I got closer to home the transmission would not engage and the engine would just rev. I just bought this car a week ago. It only has 123,900 miles on it. I also had a 2001 Civic that I had to rebuild the transmission in as well. I should have learned my lesson with Honda then!!

- Greer, SC, USA

Shortly after purchasing, vehicle starting accelerating and driving sluggish. Vehicle A/T fluids serviced before recommended and still having poor acceleration/shifting, whining/ticking noise from A/T. replaced parts as indicated by mil codes just to have same codes appear after repairs. Finally researched problems and mil codes on the internet to find that 2002 Civics are notorious for throwing A/T codes and shifting problems. This vehicle is being driven by my teenage daughter and was purchased because it was supposed to be a safe, reliable vehicle. I have no choice but to let my daughter drive this car until we can fix the problem, and pray it does not leave her stranded in the middle of a busy highway without warning! I spent thousands of dollars purchasing this vehicle used, and it will now take a few thousand more (that I don't have!) to replace the automatic transmission. Honda motor Corp. Is aware of the transmission problems with this gen. Civic and won't recall, what a sin! shame on Honda! they just lost a loyal customer of 30 years and I will be sure to spread the word to family and friends on how dangerous this problem is, not to mention how costly.

- Cumming, GA, USA

The contact owns a 2002 Honda Civic. The contact was driving approximately 30 mph when the transmission began to slip gears unintendedly with hesitation. In addition, the engine exhibited an abnormal increase in rpms to 5,000. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic who advised the contact that the torque converter was completely damaged. The contact planned to take the vehicle to an auto center who specializes in transmissions. The manufacturer was notified of the problem. The approximate failure mileage was 109,000.

- Grand Prairie, TX, USA

The contact owns a 2002 Honda Civic. The contact stated that when driving at any speed, the transmission would disengage without warning. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but did not offer any assistance. The vehicle was taken to a private mechanic who informed the contact that the vehicle was exhibiting no pressure to the transmission and advised him to replace the transmission. The current mileage was 171,113 and the failure mileage was 130,000.

- Pearland, TX, USA

The contact owns a 2002 Honda Civic. The contact stated that while in idle mode, she would hear a loud noise. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer and they informed her that the intake shaft bearing failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified. The failure mileage was approximately 103,000. The VIN was unavailable. Updated 12/20/11

- Los Angelos, CA, USA

Automatic transmission started slipping between 2 & 3 gear you have to lift off of the throttle to lower the RPM's so the trans will shift into 3rd gear, all the other shift points are fine. I believe there is a defect in this transmission are many complaints on online forum's about these transmissions. 2001 to 2005 Civic's.

- Tampa, FL, USA