The problem began with the elsewhere well-documented 2004 CVT judder/shudder in the transmission, especially when accelerating from a stop. The Honda dealership service manager said very confidently that there's nothing wrong with the transmission; the fluid just needs to be replaced because it's dirty. If the problem continues for a while, they said to come back for a process called "burnishing" to clean out your transmission. (I learned later that denying problem with the transmission and prescribing the "burnishing" process were ordered by an American Honda bulletin for the 2004 Civic Hybrid.) After the fluid was replaced, I waited for the shudder to go away, but it continued....

2004 Honda Civic Hybrid. This Honda has had three transmissions to date. The first one was within the first year and under warranty. The next was a couple of years later. The third was approx. 2009 that cost me half of 3200. It has approx. 135,000 on it and its starting to act up again. I was told that they have a chain in the transmission that gets stretched and things go down hill from there. Not sure if its true but they defently have the worst trans. They changed the chip on the car shorly after we purchased it and took away some power. Probably to save the trans but it didnt work. We have talked to other civic hybrid owners and they have had the same problems. All these cars should of been recalled and replaced with a better quality trans. I am sure Honda has lost a lot of repeat customers due to this problem.

The 2004 Honda Civic Hybrid shudders when braking or accelerating at any speed. The shaking and shuddering is especially terrible below 20 MPH. There is something seriously wrong with the transmission, and it is a well known issue. Almost every complaint about the honda transmissions for nearly every make and model between 2003 and 2006 deals with the specific issue that I am having with my Civic. Honda issued a recall for the transmission on every make and model EXCEPT for the Civic, even though they use the same parts. I'll never buy another Honda unless they admit that they build a faulty transmission in the all of their vehicles during these years. This car was expensive, and shouldn't have such faulty and expensive issues.