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.
8.0
pretty bad
Typical Repair Cost:
$790
Average Mileage:
146,900 miles
Total Complaints:
7 complaints
Most Common Solutions:
not sure (4 reports)
has new thermostat, radiator, water pump still overheat (2 reports)
The car started running hot almost 2 months ago. Because it was very hot outside, and I was using the A/C, I thought that was why. It went all the way to the top of the HEAT Gauge. I let the engine cool off completely, then filled the radiator with Antifreeze. The next time I drove the car, it happened again. Now, for any trip over 5 miles, at 40 MPH or slower, it runs hot. I replaced the Thermostat, but the problem still exists. One person said that it could be one of the two hoses going in and out of the Thermostat housing, and another said that it could be the Coolant Temperature Sensor had gone bad. I don't have a Code Reader, so I'm flying blind. A new Coolant Temperature Sensor costs about $15.00 (if I don't go to a Honda Dealer!) and the two hoses cost about the same amount each. Replacing the two hoses and the Sensor are less complicated than replacing the thermostat. I'm worried about doing serious damage to the engine, but a local mechanic wanted $130.00 plus parts to replace the thermostat so I have to do it myself.
Car may have originally gotten damaged due to the cooling fan blowing a fuse and overheating, but unsure. The car then wouldn't travel uphill without overheating, unless the hill was small and didn't go up for more than a minute or two.
I BOUGHT A LEMON!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I HAVE REPLACED SO MANY PARTS ON THIS CAR AND STILL LOSING WATER !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! HAVE TO PUT WATER IN EVERY MORNING BEFORE I LEAVE FOR WORK AND THEN AGAIN AFTER I GET HOME BEFORE I CAN GO ANYWHERE ELSE.
- mgodwin,
Griffin, GA, US
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So this site wants me to list each compliant about this car as a new one. I would be here all day if I did that. 2 transmissions (both under 100,000 miles...the first not even being at 50,000), several radiators & thermostats, axle/cv boots, head gaskets, cracked manifold, constant overheating, it's final straw is it now needs a new engine.
Unnecessary repairs for vehicle operation I chose to forgo include: power locks not working on certain doors. headliner falling down, rubber steering wheel falling apart, power windows slipping off tracks,, the cd player broke so long ago I don't even remember it working.
Honda did not make me a fan or friend, even though all I ever wanted was a Honda Civic. :/
Since the summer of 2010 the 01 civic is a hot mess.over heating change the water pump change the thermostat got a new Radiators new fan switch new temp censer.after oct 2010 i got something i saw on amazon call Kseal put it inside the coolant box was good for 3 months till 2day 1/12/11 the overheating is back im selling this car had enough.It must be the head gasket then...
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
Main problems:
It would run hot if I drove it 70 miles.
The coolant was disappearing but no leak was found.
If I turned the heat on, it would work fine when car is moving. However, it would blow cold air when idling.
I replaced the thermostat, and they said the radiator was okay and no leaks were found. However the problem of overheating would persist.
- Brian B., Charlottesville, VA, US