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.

9.3

really awful
Typical Repair Cost:
$2,320
Average Mileage:
104,800 miles
Total Complaints:
682 complaints

Most Common Solutions:

  1. replaced transmission (261 reports)
  2. rebuilt whole transmission (154 reports)
  3. not sure (142 reports)
  4. get Honda to cover the cost (54 reports)
  5. buy a different car...can't afford the repair (24 reports)
  6. break down the transmission and fix (15 reports)
2001 Honda Civic transmission problems

transmission problem

Find something helpful? Spread the word.
Get notified about new defects, investigations, recalls & lawsuits for the 2001 Honda Civic:

Unsubscribe any time. We don't sell/share your email.

2001 Honda Civic Owner Comments (Page 33 of 35)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #42

Jul 242007

(reported on)

Civic LX

  • Automatic transmission
  • 62,000 miles

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

I had no problems with the car until 62,000 miles, when the transmission suddenly failed. I used to say to my friends "sure it's slow and boring, but it's very reliable and gets good gas mileage." Well there goes the reliability. There is no reason the transmission should be failing, especially at this mileage. It should be repaired by honda without charge.

- Justin M., New York, NY, US

problem #41

Jul 172007

(reported on)

Civic HX 1.7L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 139,000 miles

could feel slight slipping in the transmission, i thought it was due to wind or cheap tires that were on the car, turns out that was just the start of a deeper problem. when coming from highway speed of 70-80mph and coming to a stop sign or light. when starting to drive the car would rev in 1st gear hard 5-6k rpm or so, then go into 2nd and bog way down low rpm to catch up then finally start going once 50mph+ was attained. The car would always roll back on a slight incline in drive with no brakes applied (not normal with most cars in drive that are automatic)

i was going to a meeting, a 120 mile drive, and 108 miles into it the car decides to down shift to 2nd when my speed was 80mph and instantly speed and revs down to 60mph the check engine light comes on and the drive led flashes green. I pull off, clear the maintenance error, and try to get back on the road, but car will not go into higher gears and the rps are very wavy when trying to drive the max speed is 60 @ 6200RPM. I had the car towed and the tranny had to be replaced. I am disappointed this happened and it's going to run me $3600 to fix I will have it this friday. There was some slight slipping before the car bombed. I hope i don't have this happen again at 280k. Please note the car changed climate majorly from southern CA to Huntsville AL dry to humid. I also lost 5mpg and just get around 500 miles on a tank of gas if mostly highway.

thanks!

- Doug B., Nashville, TN, US

problem #40

Jul 132007

(reported on)

Civic LX 1.7L I4

  • Manual transmission
  • 60,578 miles

I was just informed today by my trusted mechanic that the differential bearings were shot on my young Civic. This is crazy. I bring my vehicle to an independent Honda/Acura mechanic and have been for over two years. He's saved me, friends and family a great deal of money over the years and tells the truth; unlike the dealership network Honda is so proud of. Evidently, the bearing problem is well known within the Honda mechanic community. Honda did cheap out beginning with the 2001 Civic (no auto lock switch on the passenger side, a constantly failing auto-down driver window, awful rear suspension, etc.). They obviously skimped on the tranny, too. I had the shifter problem as well. Stick coming out of the gear selected. Wound up being that the plastic ball the stick sits in cracks and has to be replaced. My mechanic found a transmission with 1000 miles from an EX. He's installing it on my LX for $1300 (including a new clutch and labor). Not awful but I'm asking American Honda to reimburse. It's a long shot considering the bad news didn't come from one of their mechanics. Good luck.

- James M., Charlotte, NC, US

problem #39

Jun 132007

(reported on)

Civic LX

  • CVT transmission
  • 85,500 miles

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

I have had the Honda Civic LX 2001. Only one owner and have keep up with all service needed. Took the car in for oil change and smog which ending up costing $800 for items they told me I needed. After picking up my car from Valencia Honda of California the car did not feel right. 2 days later coming home from work, the car just stopped with no warning at all. Pretty scary.

Had the car towed Back to Valencia Honda, Valencia California and at a cost $100. A few days later they called and told me it needed a new transmission. I was pretty upset because the car was running fine until the service department worked on the car.

Valencia Honda did replace the transmission and did pay for the rental car, but would not give me the money for towing. They said that it was a one time good will transmission. I bought this car because I thought is was something that would last 100,000 or more before the transmission would go. I was just getting ready to buy another Honda from Valencia Honda of California, but after this I will go back to a Toyota.

- fixit, Castaic, CA, US

problem #38

May 032007

(reported on)

Civic LX 1.8L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 45,000 miles

I had the engine light on about a couple of years ago on my 2001 Civic at about 45K miles. I was asked to replace the torque converter. Had this repaired at the dealer. I am really disappointed with Honda for not having a recall for the known problem that is on so many of these cars of 2001 civic model. I recently have a problem again on transmission, not sure what the problem exactly is. Will report as another complaint after I know the details. It is at about 65K miles now.

- harinibrk, Plano, TX, US

problem #37

May 012007

(reported on)

Civic EX

  • Automatic transmission
  • 65,000 miles

I have a 2001 Honda Civic EX. I purchased it new, I am the only owner. I was parking my car and it would not go forward, then it would not go in reverse. Finally I was able to get it to go forward and finish parking. When trying to leave my parking space my car would not go in reverse. When it finally went forward it would only drive at 10 miles an hour. I had to have it towed to my house. The transmission went with no warning. I keep UTD with all of my maintenances, I just recently had my 60,000 mile check-up. I am a very disatisfied customer at this point. There was no indication that there was a problem and if there was one they should have seen the signs during my last visit to Rt. 22 Honda in Hillside, NJ.

- n.d. walker, Newark, NJ, US

problem #36

Apr 292007

(reported on)

Civic LX 4 cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 53,000 miles

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

I am happy to know that I am not the first person that has the problem. My transmission went out the first time at 53,000 miles in June 2004. It wasn't even three years old! Then three years later, April 2007, my transmission has went out again at 110,000 miles. I replaced it with a used transmission the first time. I was in school and couldn't afford to pay 3,000 to get it rebuilt then. Now.... it has happened again! I am a teacher. I can't afford to pay another 3,000 to get if fixed again! I won't pay that. It isn't worth that much. That is another car. I haven't decided what to do and I just feel like Honda should do something about it. But they aren't going too. I know that I will never buy another honda, accura, or anything else by that company. Unbelievable!

- Sarah S., Atlanta, GA, US

problem #35

Apr 122007

(reported on)

Civic LX 1.7L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 84,000 miles

I Purchased the 2001 civic used over a year ago with 70,000 miles, and the engine light went on 2 weeks after purchased it. Took it into the dealer under warranty and got it checked out and they claimed it was a generic loose gas cap code (but i suspect otherwise now). Knowing that, I continued to drive the car with the light intermittently turning on or off. After declining mileage and slipping gears, i took it in to a Honda dealership and checking the codes they found that the torque converter was breaking down, and despite a recent transmission fluid change there were metal fragments in the fluid. Needless to say I was shocked and appalled at needing to replace the transmission at 84k miles, the thought that the dealership I purchased from could have been lying to sell a lemon, and that Honda Corporate refuses to touch the issue peeves me as well. My previous Honda civic was dependable and trustworthy, this one is not.

- Nick T., Amherst, MA, US

problem #34

Apr 122007

(reported on)

Civic LX 1.6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 76,000 miles

Catastrophic transmission failure, no hints, no warning. Left me in the middle of a busy two lane road during rush hour. Had it towed to a Honda dealer, they wanted to charge me $3,900 for a complete replacement. WTF?!? Had it towed to a transmission specialist. Stay tuned for more details.

I have owned several Hondas and not had any major problems. This has me really wondering if my loyalty is misplaced.

- Mark S., Mundelein, IL, US

problem #33

Apr 142007

(reported on)

Civic EX 1.7

  • Automatic transmission
  • 84,000 miles

After reading other posts, is there much else to be said? Daughters 2001 Civic coupe EX trans would not engage. Dealer told me it would cost $3,700 to repair. Because of the fact I had once owned a 2000 and a 2002 Odyssey which required three trans replacements between them, I asked the dealer if this was a common problem with this particular year of the Civic. Of course, the dealer said that he has not seen many with this issue (internal failure was the diagnosis). I will never buy another Honda. My post as well as the many others pretty much explains why I have reached this conclusion.

- dedwards, Centreville, VA, US

problem #32

Apr 092007

(reported on)

Civic LX

  • Automatic transmission
  • 72,000 miles

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

Don't know how much to complain. Like everybody else here thought that Honda's were really reliable. I was coming back from the airport with 3 bags and the civic suddenly failed - right in the middle of the road on a Saturday evening. Spent $100 on towing and renting a car to get the civic to the dealer.

The dealer calls me Monday mentioning that I need a new transmission and it would cost me $3400!! Its only got 72K miles and I have serviced the transmission twice - a full flush. Lost all my faith on Honda....

- Hari S., Dallas, TX, US

problem #31

Mar 182007

(reported on)

Civic EX 2.0 VTEC

  • Automatic transmission
  • 46,000 miles

2001 civic. 46K miles. and they tell me my tranny's bad, and had to replace it, plus the throttle body! supposedly, as i write this, my deductible will kick in and cost me ONLY 500.00 U. S. but how can i brag about hondas now!

- dospuntos96, Hiram, OH, US

problem #30

Mar 182007

(reported on)

Civic EX 1.7L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 10,000 miles

I got a job that required to drive 140 miles round trip. At the time I was driving a gas guzzler. So I sold it and bought a Honda civic. I was told that the car would get approx 35 mpg and run forever. I changed the fluid when recommended using only honda fluid. Well about 80k the tranny started to slip occassionaly when cold. Then consistantly when cold, now all the time I have to lay off the gas to shift. I was quoted 2,300.00 for a rebuild and haven't been able to find one from a junk yard. My neighbor is a honda mechanic and he can't even get me a deal. I am so pissed off . I sold a reliable gas guzzler only to dump the difference in gas money into air conditioner control, struts twice and now a tranny. I am also lucky if I am getting 29 mpg I will post those other problems in a seperate complaint . But I just wanted to get this out . I dread the day when I get stuck. Right now I have to drive the car with slipping clutches (diagnosed by Honda) till it drops dead. Then I don't know what I will do. Hopefully ther will honda will get sued

- quickdraw2004ny, Patchogue, NY, US

problem #29

Mar 142007

(reported on)

Civic LX 4 cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 107,000 miles

Bought Honda thinking I was getting my daughter a excellent car for college.... left her standing by the road! Never a warning TOTAL TRANSMISSION!

I have always drove Toyota's, Honda has always had a great rating and my daughter thought it was so sporty.... Untill now I have been won over thinking my next car would be a Honda also.... NOT NOW! My last Toyota now has over 200,000 miles.... The same transmission!!!! Running strong!

The mechanic said this is the 9th civic in the last 6mts, same problem! I think we need a CLASS ACTION SUIT.... MAKE HONDA PAY!

- frurah, Eastpoint, FL, US

problem #28

Mar 122007

(reported on)

Civic LX 4 cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 65,000 miles

Bought new after owning prior Honda because of reliability. Last week, gears started slipping, but I attributed the problem to a cold engine. Then on way home from work it wouldn't engage any gears while trying to climb a hill. Shop told me there's a problem with the "secondary clutch" and the only way to repair is to replace the transmission. I can't believe this. Am told a new tranny costs $2,700 plus another grand for labor. Haven't decided on fixing it yet. Just un-freaking-believeable.

- stevieb82, Arlington, VA, US

problem #27

Aug 072006

(reported on)

Civic EX

  • 176,000 miles

AUG 2006 MY TRANSMISSION DEAD. I TOOK IT TO A NON HONDA SHOP AND RUN THE COMPUTER TEST. I WAS TOLD THERE HAD BEEN PROBLEMS THAT HONDA KNEW ABOUT. FUNNY CAUSE I NEVER RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE. THE TEST INDICTED TORQUE CONVERTER REPLACEMENT. THERE ONLY ONE QUESTION I HAVE. HOW LONG WILL THAT LAST AND WILL THAT SOLVE THE PROBLEM? THE SHOP EVEN GAVE ME THE COMPUTER PRINTOUT OF THE PROBLEM AND SOLUTION. I HAVE NOT DECIDED WHAT TO DO YET. ALL THIS HAPPENED WHILE PULLING IN TO WORK ON A MONDAY MORNING AND I STAY AN HOUR AWAY.:( I REALLY LIKE HONDA PRODUCTS BUT I WAS NOT AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM. I DO KNOW THAT I HAD TO STOP TAKING MY CAR TO THE SERVICE CENTER CAUSE SCREWS ECT.. WOULD ALWAYS COME UP MISSING AND THINGS BROKEN. THERE WAS A SERVICE RECALL ON THE LIGHT SWITCH. THEY FIX IT BUT BROKE THE HOUSING CASE. I DIDN'T FIND OUT UNTIL A COUPLE OF WEEKS LATER. IT TOOK 1 YEAR BEFORE THEY REPLACED THAT PART. SO I CAN'T SAY HONDA IS A BAD PRODUCT BECAUSE I HAVE BEEN PUTTING ON HIGHWAY MILES SINCE FOREVER. I THINK THE BEST SOLUTION FOR ME IS TO GET ANOTHER CAR!!!!! MAYBE OR MAYBE NOT A HONDA,

- bokeitht19, Myrtle, MS, US

problem #26

Mar 082007

(reported on)

Civic DX 1.6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 92,000 miles

After 92,000 mi, the transmission went out. Car wouldn't shift out of first. This comes 5 months after having 90,000 mi service done, at which time it was discovered the struts were bad and new bushings were needed. NEVER expected this much trouble from a Honda. Had an '85 Camry that had 175,000+ mi, some minor maintenance along the way, but nothing major.

- cntx, Spring, TX, US

problem #25

Jul 122006

(reported on)

Civic LX

  • 38,000 miles

The check engine light came on. Dealer said transmission is failing and need to replace torque convertor. No problems with the car until now. With 38,000 and only light driving, this is RIDICULOUS. Dealer thought I was drag racing the car. What is going on with Honda? I thought this was a reliable car.

- Beth S., Reston, VA, US

problem #24

Mar 032007

(reported on)

Civic LX

  • Automatic transmission
  • 81,000 miles

The transmission blew at 81,000 miles. Honda did pay for half of the parts of rebuilt transmission but then I was told that I needed new struts too. Not expected for a civic.

- lark, Owings Mills, MD, US

problem #23

Mar 032007

(reported on)

Civic LX 4 CY

  • Automatic transmission
  • 112,000 miles

IN HONDAS AFTER MADE AFTER 2000 THE TORQUE CONVERTERIN THE TRANSMISSIONS STARTS TO DISSINTEGRATE. AFTER THIS HAS GONE ON FOR A WHILE THE DEBRIS STOPS UP THE FILTER. THIS IS WHY AFTER YOU DRIVE IT A WHILE AND THE ENGINE GETS HOT IT WILL NOT GO. IT JUST REVS UP THE ENGINE. WHEN YOU STOP OR SHUT OFF THE ENGINE, THE DEBRIS SETTLES BACK DOWN IN THE FLUID AND IT WILL RUN AGAIN. MY MECHANIC TOLD ME THIS A PROBLEM HE IS SEEING A LOT. HONDA NEEDS TO RECALL THIS TORQUE CONVERTER.

- David L., Mount OLIVE, AL, US

Read the next 20 complaints »

Not what you are looking for?