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.
10.0
really awful
Crashes / Fires:
4 / 1
Injuries / Deaths:
3 / 0
Average Mileage:
83,681 miles
About These NHTSA Complaints:
This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.
So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.
I was driving down the road when I reached a red stoplight. When the light turned green, I pressed the gas and the car was motionless. The car would rev up but wouldn't move. To make a long story short the transmission failed without warning. My 2001 Honda Civic only has 89727 miles on it and has been well maintained with service. After researching this, I have come to find out Honda Civics in this model year are notorious for transmission failure. As well as some of their other models. Unfortunately they refuse to issue a recall or admit to this problem. This could be a real safety hazard for drivers that are moving down the road or at high speeds on the freeway and this happen. Thankfully, I was at a stoplight when it happened to me...the cost of a new transmission is costly and will be a huge financial blow to me right now. I hope that you can assist Honda to realize they have faulty torque converter and transmission parts in their 2001 Honda Civic's.
We purchased this 2001 Honda Civic ex because of the Honda brand supposedly being so synonymous with quality and longevity. If I would have researched on the internet for prevalent problems with the 2001 Honda Civic, I would have come across the "transmission failure" issue and never would have purchased this vehicle. And I would advise anyone who is thinking about purchasing a 2001 - 2005 Honda Civic, beware, the transmission will prematurely fail. So, on with the story. We are the second owners of this car and it had 37,000 miles on it when we purchased it from a private party. At around 80,000 miles, the transmission started slipping going into 2nd gear. We took it in to a local transmission company who serviced (changed fluid) and tested it telling us that they could not get it to "slip." So now, my lovely bride tells me yesterday that it was getting really bad and she was having a hard time getting back from work. I drove it to work myself and made an appointment at our local Honda dealership. They were so not interested in our dilemma but said that we could bring it in and they would check it out. Not getting the warm fuzzies from them, we made another appointment with our local xxxxx service center. Everyone at xxxxx was polite, understanding and aware of the "infamous crappy Honda transmission" issue. Unfortunately, on the drive there, the transmission completely failed on the freeway and we managed to get it off the road and called aamco. They immediately called a tow truck and it is now at xxxxx. Approximate rebuilt cost is $3,100. This is pricey, but it includes a nationwide 3 year/100,000 mile warranty. We also called the North american Honda customer service line and spoke to xxxxx. She is located at an office in torrance, ca. Xxxxx was so disinterested in our problem and explained that we could take it into our local dealership and it would be at their discretion to take it up with the Honda field rep. This is a dangerous situation needing a recall.
The contact owns a 2001 Honda Civic LX. While the contact was driving 60 mph up a small incline on a bridge, the transmission failed without warning the vehicle began to roll backwards. The brake pedal was applied and the vehicle came to a complete stop. After awaiting a few moments the transmission began to function, although in an extremely poor motion. The contact drove a short distance to a safe location, and the vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic for diagnosis. The failure mileage was unknown.
2001 Honda Civic transmission slippage at 100000 miles - vehicle unable to negotiate slightest incline and started to roll back down. Luckily nobody was injured. Very dangerous situation caused by a premature failure of transmission. Vehicle repaired via transmission rebuild and new torque converter.
The transmission failed on my/my mother's car. This car was Honda serviced and very well maintained throughout our ownership. The car was also very gently used. It did no long distance driving, the most it drove was 15 minutes to and from my mother's job. There is no reason for this car to fail other than the car being improperly designed and put together.
- Railroad, PA, USA
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I was driving to dinner and my car seemed to be jumping. After dinner, I drove to an auto zone and my boyfriend checked the transmission fluid. The fluid level was fine, so we drove away. I got about a half of a mile down a busy highway in North Texas when my car would not shift. Every time I pushed the gas it would only rev up the rpms. My car eventually stopped and would not move. I put on my hazards and continued trying to get the car to go into gear. It would not move. A car coming down the highway nearly rear ended me. A county constable showed up and helped us to push the car onto a side street not as busy as the highway. Another cop arrived and told me that if I did not get my car off the road in 5 minutes he would have to call a tow truck. I have since researched this problem with the Honda Civic 2001 model and apparently it is extremely widespread - it seems in every one of these cars the transmission fails and happens very suddenly. I have been told even though this is an inevitable issue with this year of the Honda Civic I am responsible for the entire repair cost, which is around $2,500.
The contact owns a 2001 Honda Civic. The vehicle stalled moments after it was started. After restarting it, the check engine light illuminated on the instrument panel. The vehicle was towed to an authorized dealer who stated that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle had not been repaired. The current and failure mileages were approximately 123,000.
Transmission failed on 2001 Honda Civic at 109,000 miles. Estimated cost from Honda dealership to put in a rebuilt transmission...$3, 900. Went online, and found hundreds of complaints about the same problem with this vehicle. No recall issued by Honda !
My 2001 Honda Civic (automatic transmission) will not move when I put it into gear. I tried all the gears: Drive, reverse etc. Nothing happens when I step on the gas.
Transmission went completely out in middle of busy intersection. Loud whining noise and revving of engine. I was almost hit by three different vehicles. Honda was contacted by myself several years ago and would do nothing to fix this piece of junk. Now the car is being repaired at aamco.
The contact owns a 2001 Honda Civic. The contact stated that while driving 25 mph the vehicle lunged forward and did not shift into gear while the transmission light was on. The contact called a local mechanic who stated that the transmission needed to be replaced. The contact had not called a dealer nor the manufacturer. The contact noticed complaints regarding the transmission for her year, make and model stating that the torque converter caused the transmission to malfunction. The contact stated the faulty transmission could cause a crash. The failure mileage was 125,000.
I own a 2001 Honda Civic and the transmission has begun to slip. I was pulling away from a red light on 23 South and was almost struck in the rear end due to the transmission not catching up with the engine, the car only has 70000 miles and I bought it from the dealer with 32000 miles. The vehicle has had normal regular maintenance.
My 2001 Honda Civic has been giving me slight transmission problems over the past year. This weekend, it would rev up before it fell into gear. I took the car into my mechanic for an oil change and to have him check the transmission out and I'm now faced with a $1600 replacement transmission. I don't drive the car hard and I have 57800 miles on my car. This is far too little to have to replace my transmission. Scouring the web I found that 2001 Civics and 2003 Accord have the highest rate of transmission failure, yet there is no recall and no recourse for owners to take. I'm a full time graduate student and only work part time after losing my job, I should not have to shell out $1600 which I don't have to pay for a known transmission problem. But I have to find a way because I can't go to work or school without my car.
2001 Honda Civic transmission failure. 1. the car is only 9 years old with 85000 miles. Just driving the car on the road, and the car lost speed suddenly and almost caused a major accident. 2. the failure was one time but almost life threatening. 3. had to repair the transmission. There are so many complaints about 2001 Honda Civic transmission. NHTSA claims that these complaints are important. What is being done"!?! does this event need a high profile death like the Toyota situation? please hold Honda accountable and get the transmission recalled! before someone gets killed. Is NHTSA doing it's job"
My 2001 Honda Civic LX lost speed right on the crowded freeway. I managed to get off the freeway and came to the stop. The gear was not engaged and the engine check line lit up. The transmission failed without warning. I now have learned that transmission failure is common on this car model but there is no recall. Any thing that NHTSA would do to help us consumers with this issue?
I want to file a complaint against Honda for making faulty transmissions in their Honda Civic year 2001. There are many complaints I am reading about people with the same problem I am having which is a P0740 fault reading that says torque clutch converter solenoid open and that clutch will not engage when vehicle reaches a speed of between 40-45 mph which is an unsafe condition and can cause a crash and ultimate transmission failure on the highway. I bought this car used less than five months ago at mossey Nissan in escondido and they have not been very helpful in working with me to get this car fixed. I paid more money on the car than I should of because of deceptive business practices used to sell me the car by mossey of escondido. Please help!
Backed out of my driveway and on my way to work,6:30 am.the car stopped moving and another car nearly rear ended me. It just coasted to a stop in heavy early morning traffic.2001 Honda Civic 2 door.tried to back up but it wouldn't go.I had to push the car out of the road and back to my driveway.this is the first time it has ever happened, car has 204,000 mls on it.my first Honda went well into 657K and had zero issues, my Ford escort went over 400K, no problems but this one nearly got me killed.I do everything to take care of a car, bought this one brand new, over $19 grand.tow truck picked it up after I found a ride to work.I didnt want to leave it set on the side of the road which is why I pushed it back home. Transmission failure. Car worse than a Dodge neon that had same issues.
While driving down a typical road in the suburbs, I noticed that when I accelerated from a dead stop at a couple of intersections that my vehicle would suddenly rev up to ~5-6000rpm before switching to the next gear. I got over to the right lane to pull into a parking lot to investigate the problem, but got stuck at another red light before I was able to pull over. When I tried to accelerate again to make it the last 50 feet into the lot, the engine revved, but the transmission would not engage. I received assistance to push my car off the road, and checked my fluids. My transmission fluid was normal and filled to the top. There were no warnings that my transmission was about to fail, no noises, no warning lights, nothing, and this car has been well maintained. I am currently in the process of having it repaired, which will entail having a new transmission put into the car.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Buena Park , CA, USA