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.
7.6
pretty bad
Typical Repair Cost:
$1,230
Average Mileage:
155,200 miles
Total Complaints:
5 complaints
Most Common Solutions:
replace computer (3 reports)
no new solution yet (1 reports)
replaced ecm and alternator bolt/bracket (1 reports)
Engine ECM quits if alternator isn't grounded properly or the alternator bites the dust. MAKE SURE YOUR ALTERNATOR IS TIGHT IN ITS MOUNT, AND WORKING OR YOUR ECM WILL FRY!
It will need to be replaced, and reflashed at the honda dealer.
Symptoms of a dead ECM are:
-Limp mode
-mass gauge failure
-various electrical problems
-Flashing/solid CEL
a new ECM from Honda is $1300. Tightening the alternator mounts is free. your choice.
I BOUGHT AN 01 CIVIC WHEN I NOTICED IT STARTED TO ACT AS IF IT WERE IN LIMP MODE, I QUICKLY GOOGLED IT TO FIND OUT IT MITE BE THE ECM/ ECU. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER TO FIND OUT THE ECM WAS BAD AS THE PREVIOUS OWNER INSTALLED THE ALTERNATOR BOLT THE WRONG WAY. IN THESE CARS IF YOU DO A CRAPPY JOB REPLACING THE ALTERNATOR YOU CAN SHORT OUT THE WHOLE ECM SO BE CAREFUL
The battery light came on. Then it downshifted like we were losing power. We could not accelerate, but kept going. Had to keep the acceleration going when stopped at lights, etc.
Luckily, there was an Advanced Auto across the street from our destination. (We let it cool off a bit first). Had it tested there. We thought it was the battery or alternator. It was neither. *Since they didn't have the proper equipment to test the interior electrical system, we had to go to Auto Zone. They gave us 2 printouts to take to the mechanic. After they did a troubleshoot, the computer seemed to reset itself and the car was driving/acting normally again.
KEY Point If you ever have this problem, go to Auto Zone, not Advance Auto Parts.
Update from Dec 21, 2014: In 2012, we let Monroe try and fix the problem. They installed a new catalytic converter with the same oxygen sensor. Days later, it went out again. Under warranty, they installed a new converter. It did it again. This time, we took it to the Honda dealer where it was bought and had them identify the problem and fix it. Within an hour after we had picked it up the first time, the problem struck again. It was hot and we had the a/c going. Honda did another diagnosis. We decided to decline any further repairs or evaluations. Nearly $3,000.00 later, the issue still wasn't resolved. It still remains to this day. We can drive the car just fine in cool/cold weather. But, it downshifts in warm/hot weather. We can drive it to the local store and back. We almost have to let the thing reset itself for 5 minutes...up to an hour in hot weather.
No new solution yet.(Recommendation: Put a new engine in it from the junk yard. Who can afford that? Or, trade it in for a different car.) And, of course, no recalls.
Within 10 days the engine control module (ECU/ECM) computer failed twice! And then they tried to blame it on me. Saying that I had put supreme gasoline in it and that it only took regular. I was a student at the time! Like I could afford supreme gas!!!!
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
Engine ECM quits if alternator isn't grounded properly or the alternator bites the dust. MAKE SURE YOUR ALTERNATOR IS TIGHT IN ITS MOUNT, AND WORKING OR YOUR ECM WILL FRY!
It will need to be replaced, and reflashed at the honda dealer.
Symptoms of a dead ECM are: -Limp mode -mass gauge failure -various electrical problems -Flashing/solid CEL
a new ECM from Honda is $1300. Tightening the alternator mounts is free. your choice.
- rot_box_em2, Glace Bay, NS, Canada