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.

9.0

really awful
Typical Repair Cost:
No data
Average Mileage:
105,000 miles
Total Complaints:
6 complaints

Most Common Solutions:

  1. not sure (3 reports)
  2. rebuild transmission (3 reports)
2001 Honda Civic transmission problems

transmission problem

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2001 Honda Civic Owner Comments

problem #6

May 152017

Civic 1.7L 4 cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 182,000 miles

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

I REALIZED THE PROBLEM WITH THE TRANSMISSION AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT APPEARS 2 HOURS AFTER I BOUGHT THE CAR FROM A VIETNAMESE GUY WHO SAID EVERYTHING WORKS. I FEEL VERY BAD BECAUSE I BORROWED THE MONEY FROM A CREDIT CARD. IT WILL COST $1200-$1800 TO GET ANOTHER TRANSMISSION. I THOUGHT THE HONDA'S ARE A GOOD CARS, I HOPE THAT NO HARM WILL HAPPEN TO ANYONE WHO IS DRIVING 2001 HONDA CIVIC. MAY SOME ONE FILE A LAWSUIT AGAINST HONDA COMPANY.

- gadel, El Cajon, US

problem #5

Nov 292015

Civic EX 1.7L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 96,418 miles

I managed to get my vehicle home by pushing it about a mile after it died on the highway. While driving on 95 east toward New Haven, CT my car suddenly dropped gears and crawled to a stop. Pushing the accelerator only caused the RPMs to climb. Attempting to get out of the middle of the highway I was able to nudge it onto the shoulder. I let the car cool down, checked the automatic transmission fluid, the level was okay, and the color was still a red hue. I tried to see if I could get it into any gear including reverse this morning to no avail.

Contacted and opened a case with Honda, and of course the car wasn't covered due to me being the second owner on a 2001. Explained my situation of being a student as well as a Honda employee. I was told the limits for warranty were 3 years and 36,000 miles. I'm feeling really displeased that my only mode of transportation is now out for at least a few weeks. The car has been up kept and serviced regularly with no prior issues until this. Thankfully, I work at a Honda dealership.

My next step is to see if they can help me cover the cost seeing as Honda directly will not. Any suggestion in the matter would be great. Hopefully my experience will help others in eerily similar positions. Please report this transmission problem to Honda Care:(800) 999-1009.

- drick2, West Haven, CT, US

problem #4

May 142015

Civic LX V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 79,100 miles

I just found out that 2001 Honda's have had transmission problems. My car has less the 80,000 miles, so I'm surprised and really upset. I was driving with my seventy two year old mother who has dementia and it stopped in the middle of heavy traffic, it was terrifying. I had to turn it off and turn it on to get it moving again, but by then it just wouldn't go far. I took it to the shop and they couldn't say what was wrong with it because by the next day the car was moving again. I had to contact a Honda person who informed me of the problem with this year and make. Honda should be held responsible for the repairs, it is a giant rip off and I will never recommend Honda again.

- Irene H., Van Nuys, CA, US

problem #3

Apr 172015

Civic

  • Automatic transmission
  • 38,224 miles

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

How would you feel being the cause of a traffic? Under the heat of the sun I was forced to man a traffic because the car I was driving suddenly stopped in the middle of an uphill road..

- rsoft505, Cebu, Philippines

problem #2

Jan 232015

Civic LX 1.7L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 150,050 miles

Civic finally gave out in the middle of rush hour traffic last night. Thank the good lord I was able to coast into a grocery store parking lot. Two days before, I put a bottle of Barleaks auto transmission repair in it. It looks like the Barleaks just accelerated the car's downfall. I haven't decided if I will attempt to fix the car or buy another. I used to think highly about Honda until now. My next car may be a Toyota.

- Anthony F., Wilson, NC, US

problem #1

Apr 012014

Civic LX 4 cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 84,000 miles

My Honda Civic LX does not have many mileage on it. And it is well maintained. But recently and suddenly it has stopped in the middle of the road. I was thinking this must be a transmission problem because it was running and it was not a battery problem. Though I was able to start again but with engine light on it and goes very slow. Finally I reached my mechanic and left it there. He has changed all belts, spark plugs and not to mention timing belt and water pump, for $900. He told me timing was off. Actually I said it can't be because timing belt/water pump was changed by dealer a year ago. But I accepted his expertise. And 15 days later it happened exactly at the same spot my car stopped again and again, after 10 minutes I was able to start and go to my mechanic again.

This time he has changed the transmission relay. for $150. Thinking that it must be transmission relay I was OK with it. But a week later car has stopped again while driving. This time far away and had to be towed because this time I was seeing smoke coming out of the transmission. After a week later my mechanic told me that we need to rebuilt the transmission. And gives me an estimate of around $2000. And I am sure this is Honda's responsibility but we pay for it. How can we make this recall. I seen many people has the same problem. It is not worth spending $3000 for a car valued at $4000. I prefer to give away to the charity or call Honda to make a recall on this.

- meld, HOUSTON, TX, US

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