just bought the car last week. apparently already had the dreaded transmission failure countless others have experienced here. i will also echo the calls for a some type of class action or a honda recall, or honda helping financially in these matters. college kid, already had my parents help me with the cost of the car, cannot afford myself this $2200 repair. the car is in really great condition, but as others here noted, it's jerky upon acceleration and shifting between 1st and 2nd, won't go beyond those at all, won't travel beyond 30-40 mph, though i'm not experiencing the sudden death others have. i am really posting this as a first step in seeking help from honda.

i'm not the original owner and do not own any of the service records, however, the car is in pristine condition, everything works great, i have little doubt it was serviced correctly [though obviously cannot verify this]. it has 180k miles, so with most cars a problem here and there is expected, but a major component with a $2000+ repair is a lot regardless. because of the breadth of problems these transmissions are causing people, i believe honda should step up and provide aid to consumers who otherwise adore Honda. I used to think of Honda like a legend.....now they have a blemish, a big one.

Bought my 2001 Honda Civic LX new off the lot and have kept all the maintenance up on it (oil changes, etc). Never had a single problem with this car, ever. Was driving yesterday and the car suddenly felt like I had knocked the transmission into neutral. The engine was revving when I applied the gas, but I wasn't going anywhere. The car would only barely creep forward, like it was just coasting on its own forward momentum. I noticed the check engine light at this time...had trouble understanding that it even WAS the check engine light as it had NEVER lit up on the dash before. Pulled over immediately and called for a tow.

I am still waiting to hear from the mechanic, but after reading a few pages on this site, I have a sinking feeling I will be replacing my transmission. I, like most of the people on this site, bought a Honda because of their excellent reputation as reliable and lasting vehicles. This transmission issue is a disgrace to Honda for not stepping up and taking the lead for what is obviously a massive problem for consumers who have bought their product in good faith.

*First I would like to thank everyone in Texas from this website that emailed me to give Advice, Support, and Shared Their Experience with me. I only contacted people in Texas because that's where i live and it was easier for me to verify information. I am sad to say that everyone's Honda Failure story was true. And They were also right when they said Honda is turning it's back on consumers and acting negligently, by ignoring this product default. HERE IS MY STORY.

My 2001 Honda Civic just quit working a few months ago right before the Holidays. I didn't know what had happened to my "reliable car," My cousin who also owns a Honda (different year) started doing some online investigating to help me solve this Honda Civic Mystery. He uncovered tons of information about this Honda product failure and directed me to this site; where i read excerpt after excerpt from this never ending Honda Transmission Failure Horror Novel. So I went straight to the source of all this malfunction and called American Honda Motor Company. Here is the follow up letter i sent after my first phone call.

"Mr. Terry Nielsen Manager, Automobile Customer Service

Customer Concern & Request Mr. Nielsen; I am a Honda Civic owner in,TX. I had some concerns when my Civic recently stopped or 'died' on the road while I was driving. I called Honda Customer Service near the beginning of November and spoke to Mr. Eric Osuna; below are the details. Honda Civic LX sedan 2001.

Purchased New Summer of 2001 Lute Riley Honda 1331 North Central Expy. Richardson, Texas 75080 Financed By: American Honda Finance Company

1st Scheduled Service Lute Riley Honda 1331 North Central Expy. Richardson, Texas 75080

2nd Scheduled Service @ 95,000 miles David McDavid Honda of Frisco 1601 Dallas Pkwy Frisco, Texas 75034

Regular Oil Changes & Other Services David McDavid Honda of Frisco 1601 Dallas Pkwy Frisco, Texas 75034 & Bankston Honda 601 Waters Ridge dr. Lewisville, Texas 75057

I had my car towed to a nearby Auto Service Center in Lewisville not knowing the severity of the problem; but I have since been informed that my car's transmission failed. The work needed is costly (over $1,000) I am requesting assistance from AHMC to cover the cost of my Civic's failed transmission. From what I have researched; I know that AHMC Customer Service did help other customers with the same situation, cover costs of the transmission work needed. I ask that American Honda Motor Co. Customer Service also offer that assistance to me. This occurrence was beyond regular wear & tear and even out of the capability of 'Preventable Maintenance'.

In closing; I cannot think of any words or phrasing to fully express the trouble of not having my car has caused or the financial strain of this emergency."

American Honda Corp did call me after they received that letter. Through our conversation she admitted that before returning my call she had called all the dealerships that i had listed to make sure that i was telling the truth (1 or 2 consumers suggested that if you maintained your car with Honda you would be deemed a Loyal Customer and they might discount the transmission work) The Corp Rep did find that i was truthful about my car maintenance.....but said the reason that i was denied Honda assistance was because my car had worked up to 140,000 miles (so I'm sorry folks but Honda seems surprised that their own cars will even run after 100,000miles)

My Holiday did suffer a bit because I spent over $1,000 dollars on repairs at an auto shop (Not Honda shop because they cost over $2,000 and even they can't completely repair such a defect) My 2 letters to Honda Corp were a little less pleasant. The only thing that I ever got from them was "I'm so sorry for your inconvenience." I'm like don't be sorry be helpful. By the time I had decided to quit wasting stamps I had:

1. Reported American Honda Corp to the Better Business Bureau 2. Sent 3 customer service letters to American Honda Corp 3. Completed 2 customer service surveys to AHC 4. Conducted 5+ calls with AHC.

Bottom line American Honda Motor Company ..Does Not Value Us. What You Can Do: hit them where they hit you..in the wallet...do not by their products or their affiliate's products. Spread The Word!!!

Like some other folks who have posted here, I began to hear a whining noise when I started the car and when I accelerated for the first few miles. It was much worse when it was cold. We checked drive belts and whatever else we could think of but could not find the source of the whine. (It sounded like "YEEEE YEYEYEYE", if that helps). After I found this website, I asked two places -- both a Honda dealership and a Toyota dealership -- to look at the transmission to make sure that it wasn't the transmission that was making the noise (and so, also failing). Both places told me that the transmission appeared to be okay (though the Honda dealership in Mishawaka, Indiana, managed to find $1300 worth of other repairs they said I should take care of, none of which were necessary).

Then, one week later exactly, as I was driving to work, suddenly the car revved up very high between 2nd and 3rd gear (over 3,000 RPMs) and wouldn't shift into 3rd gear for several seconds, and the "check engine" light came on. I took it straight to the Toyota dealer who has always been honest with me. They ran an engine scan and got the code P0370 -- "incorrect gear ratio." Which, it turns out, is a problem that requires a transmission replacement. Because of the Honda dealership's absolute unwillingness to treat me like an intelligent person (because I am female?) and their dismissiveness of my complaints (after a few email exchanges, the service manager began typing in ALL CAPITAL LETTERS to let me know that he was annoyed), I am getting a rebuilt Jasper transmission (with a much better warranty) put in my car this week. My transmission should not have failed at 88,400 miles -- like everyone else here, I bought a Honda because it is "supposed to go forever." I am really disgusted, saddened, and furious that my Civic is going to require nearly half its value in repairs, and I am also disgusted with the local Honda dealership (even the regional office for Honda said they understood why I wouldn't want to take it back there). My family members have long been Honda owners, but after this, we will be considering other options.

I bought my 2001 Honda Civic with 54 k miles. I was doing great until the begining of 2006. My transmission went out. I had to pay a little over 2,000 dollars to fix it. Then In 2008 the transmission went out again..being that I would be upside down I fixed it again in a panic bc I needed a car to get back in forth. I was living in a city with no friends or family around. So, I once again paid over $2,000 dollars to have it fixed. Well, the damn car is in and out of the shop every other month. Now the barrings and CV joints are busted, o2 sensor is out...THIS CAR IS A PIECE OF CRAP. I WILL NEVER BUY A HONDA AGAIN! If you are having problems the best advice I can give you is...GET RID OF IT BC YOUR PROBLEM WILL ONLY GET BIGGER AND WORSE.

This is in addition to about 300 previous complaints posted about 2001 Civic Honda(who knows what the real number of consumers who hasn't posted?), owners who had transmission problem. One day going home from an errand, as soon as I got off the freeway/interstate, as I was crossing the road from the ramp my car would just run from 20 to 25k as I tried to accelerate, the rpm would shoot up, but never the speed. Thank God, it got me home even if it was just crawling. As soon as I got home, it just stopped moving even if the engine was running. What was curious was, it never gave me an indication prior to the problem. To make it short, in the Honda dealership services, diagnoses was a transmission failure and needed to be replaced. What a shame, I had such a high regard for Honda cars. They need to admit there is a quality problem in their transmission built in this particular model and should try to help the owners if they want to keep their customers, specially in these hard economic times.

My 2001 Honda Civic LX never had a problem, never saw the shop. I changed the oil, and fluids, etc. Then, about 2 weeks ago, I started to hear a whistling noise from the front of the car. Nothing too crazy, just something "new". So I drove to pick up my girlfriend last night, and the car was driving fine. I got on the highway, and then noticed that 1st gear would slip. I knew something was wrong, so I pulled over. I tried moving it into a parking lot, and the car would shoot up to 6,000 RPM and without even going past 20 mph. Also, the car would not go in reverse unless you floored the pedal.

I know that there are full fluids in the car. I called a friend who does transmissions - and they quoted me a rebuilt for $1,685.

The car was good to me, but I'm going to get something new. NOT a Honda.

I have a 2001 Honda Civic EX Coupe with 80,000 miles, and the transmission quit engaging. I called the Honda 800 number, and was told that nothing could be done. I explained the only reason I bought the car was because it was a Honda. I also told them I will never buy another Honda. I can not believe there has not been a class action suit brought against Honda for the 2001 Honda Civic. Based upon the research I have gathered on the internet, I am not the only 2001 Honda Civic owner that has had a problem with the transmission.

Just wanted to add my voice to the noise. Just had complete dealer service including total transmission oil replacement including the torque converter oil. Then, the car dumped my daughter 400 miles from home in L.A. yesterday, with a dead transmission. I had no clue that there was such a massive problem! What’s really sick is that if it is mostly a torque converter failures, there is really nothing too mechanical about them. The only thing that can go wrong with them is if the materials used to make the propellers and transfer spline are substandard.

Only 73K miles on this one; bought it new. Did maintenance as scheduled (and only through Honda Dealers); it just had its regular maintenance done in February, and also had a timing belt replaced as per regular maintenance. And then this happens out of the blue (yesterday the car would respond very erratically, not speed up and and sometimes would speed up to 40 mph). Had it towed in to Honda Dealer (thanks AAAPlus) who informed me today that the transmission needs to be replaced (have been quoted the magic $3,000 to fix it). Have called in to American Honda to see if they will help out in any way. Aaargh!! did not need this in these economic times!

Ok, finally after getting in touch with American Honda a couple of times, got some positive response. AHC called up the dealer and said that they would be willing to pick up any charge over $1800 but below that would be our responsibility. Since the cost of the rebuild was quoted at 3000, this is decent (I know, a complete pick-up would have been fantastic, but still 1200 is better than nothing). So touchwood, things work out fine. The dealer has ordered the transmission and it is going in tomorrow.

I have 55000 miles on my 2001. I hardly drive it take immaculate care of it and always get it serviced when it states too, oil change, 10k 20k 30k 45k 50k mile service etc. The dealer stated it was "defective parts." This should be a class action law suit. I called the 1800 number to Honda and demanded they fix my transmission and cylinder head of my crankshaft. This shouldn't be happening to a car that is barely driven. I am livid.

Honda stated they would only charge me 289$ to repair transmission as they value me as a customer and since I was so diligent with its upkeep. I still have to pay for all the sensors-crank shaft, maintenance, timing belt, 60,000 service, so the total bill is 1,960 but overall I think that's better than 3k for new transmission or 1900 to rebuild plus all of that. So I believe they saved me 2k. So go Honda.

I bought my 2001 Honda Civic Ex brand new off the Honda lot. I did this because I am a single mother of 4 and needed to have a reliable car that would last a long time. Recently I began to have problems with overheating and took to a mechanic to have repaired. He said that I had a blown headgasket and also needed a new radiator. Repairs cost me $1600.00. Also replaced the catalytic converter after the first mechanic said if overheating problem continued I may need to replace it also. More $$$ 427.00. Drove the car away and after about 40 miles the same thing was happening so I took it back to the first mechanic and he said there was nothing more

he could do for my car. He would not refund my money and would not fix my car either. I then took it to the Honda dealership and the mechanic there said everything looked fine except that he thought the transmission might need to be replaced soon. Being a single mom of 4 and not made of $$$$$$!!!!!, having just been stiffed for work that probably didn't need to be done in the first place this was definitely not good news. Drove the car a few more miles before the transmission was GONE TOTALLY!!! I too bought my Honda for the reliability that I assumed was great. Boy am I disappointed in Honda and also feel that Honda should stand behind their product and replace transmissions for all. I am definitely for a RECALL and wish I had the money to start a class action lawsuit. Looking for a dependable car now, probably a TOYOTA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Just adding to the list of others complaining about a busted torque converter. Noticed a whining noise for a month or two, but no mechanic could figure it out. Then one day it starts revving high (4500+) and having trouble shifting between 2nd and 3rd. That afternoon on the way to the shop it dies on the street 200 ft. from the shop. Got the call next day that the torque converter and clutch have failed sending metal fragments into the transmission. Total cost 2330 +tax. Was going to buy a new/newer Honda in the fall, but now will look elsewhere.

I am a poor college student driving delivering pizzas at night in a $600 car. My wife drives the Civic, and as of recent it was a reliable vehicle. Without notice, shimmy, noise, slipping, jerking or any other traditional transmission problems, the transmission stopped working. It will go in and out of park, but it is as if the car is in neutral in all drive gears and in reverse.

I can't afford to have it rebuilt, let alone have Honda's $3K transmission installed. Based on my research it is a well known problem; between 4 websites there are over 1,200 EXACT same issue reported. I wish Honda would recall the darn transmission, or else I need to learn how to rebuild it myself.

My Honda started making a high pitch sound that was not very loud a few months ago. I took it to the dealer and they told me they hurd nothing. This is not the first time I took it to the dealer and they didn't know what they were talking about. So I just let it go. Then last week I was driving to work and the car starts to shutter and not accelerate. I pulled over, the car would only go 20m/hr. I then had my car towed to a different Honda dealer and there only option was for me to get a new transmission for $3,000. I then towed it to Aamco and they stated they high pitch noise I had been hearing was from the transmission and that they would have to rebuild it for $2100. This is bull that the 2001 Civic models have known transmission problems and Honda is not giving discounts for the repairs. People buy Honda because they though they were build to last. I had a 1989 Civic for 15yrs that had less problems then my 2001.

Hey everyone, I have the rebuild procedure for any do it yourself-ers. It's not going into space...anyone can do this. It is only put together with nuts and bolts. (just a lot of them) Anyone with some mechanical knowledge, a garage and a tool collection should take a look at what I have before spending a lot of money. I rebuilt mine for about $450. I am willing to help you through this process. It will not take forever. It can be done in a weekend once you have your parts, and specialty tools which I can show you how to make ( simple ).

My email is mellottbryan@yahoo.com. Hope that I can help you out. By the way, my car has run great for about 6 moths now after total transmission failure.

I called Honda Customer Service at 1-800-999-1009 to tell them that our transmission went out (we have about 70,000 miles on the car) without much warning. The customer service agent seemed trained to give the standard "We have not received a recall notice on this", "I have no information on any other complaints", "As you know, anyone can write anything on the internet".

UGGGGGGGGGG!!! I was very disappointed. He told me my option was to take it to a dealer and have them relay the info to Honda, but that there would be no guarantees. So we'll have to find money to get this problem fixed. I'd like to encourage EVERYONE who has had a transmission problem with their 2001 Honda Civics to call and register a formal complaint.