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.

9.3

really awful
Typical Repair Cost:
$2,320
Average Mileage:
104,800 miles
Total Complaints:
682 complaints

Most Common Solutions:

  1. replaced transmission (261 reports)
  2. rebuilt whole transmission (154 reports)
  3. not sure (142 reports)
  4. get Honda to cover the cost (54 reports)
  5. buy a different car...can't afford the repair (24 reports)
  6. break down the transmission and fix (15 reports)
2001 Honda Civic transmission problems

transmission problem

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2001 Honda Civic Owner Comments (Page 12 of 35)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #462

Jul 222010

Civic LX

  • Automatic transmission
  • 80,000 miles

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

Honda needs to correct this problem with my 2001 Honda civic ...this is not normal for the amount of miles on my car ... transmission failure at 80,000 miles.

- Helen T., Philadelphia, PA, US

problem #461

Aug 052010

Civic LX 4DR

  • Automatic transmission
  • 94,445 miles

My transmission also failed after about 94K of no significant problems. Just got off the freeway in Hollywood, started to choke around 20mph, managed to maneuver into some clear red curb / drive way area off the side of the road (after getting honked at). I actually stumbled across this site a few months back so have been living in fear since I crossed the 90K mark, and hoping to get lucky. (nope).

I had a 70K extended warranty, but that didn't do much considering this hit nearly 2 years later. The Honda dealer is checking with Honda USA about extending a deal of some sort to me. They quoted me $3664 to replace, Honda won't do a rebuild, and it also needs new brake pads ($450) and new front strut dust boots and struts ($850), plus an oil change, bringing the total up to $5K to get it repaired. Plus it needs about $500 in cosmetic work for some dings to make it "good" condition. The Blue Book Private Party value on it is $5025. Sigh. If Honda doesn't step up, I may just go buy a used BMW.

Update from Aug 11, 2010: Honda USA offered a discount ($2400 for transmission fix), with 3 year warranty.

Update from Aug 20, 2010: Got it fixed by Honda, picked up at 8am last Thursday. Last Friday, 4:30pm, I feel the transmission start to slip as I coast (feels like it's randomly changing gears as I coast before braking to a stop). I get on the freeway, the transmission won't go past 2nd gear I think because I can't break 30mph, even with a revving engine-- the engine light goes on. I got off the freeway and drove 45 min on surface streets back to Honda. 2 bad transmissions in one week? Enterprise Rent-a-Car has another $175 of my money, and I've now spent $350 on rental cars this month. Honda, I'm not impressed.

- Brooke H., Los Angeles, CA, US

problem #460

Jul 292010

Civic EX

  • Automatic transmission
  • 91,000 miles

I was driving my 2001 Honda Civic Ex (automatic transmission) for about 25 minutes and when I was making a U-turn the car suddenly would not accelerate. I pressed on the gas pedal and hear the engine rev but would not go forward. Turned the car on and off a few times and tried pressing on the gas but it would not move, even though engine was revving. Would not reverse either. Felt like car was in Park. Had car towed to transmission repair shop, charged $91 to have transmission fluid drained and mechanic found metal pieces in it. Was told rebuilt transmission would cost in range of $2800-$3400. I declined because cannot afford repairs. Researched issue on internet and found transmission problems are common in 2001 Honda Civic. Astounded that there has not been a recall on this transmission given the complaints.

I called the Honda Customer Service, 1-800-999-1009 and requested a "courtesy repair" and was told to have the car towed to a Honda dealership so the problem could be diagnosed by a Honda tech. However, they offer no guarantee that they will pay for the repair!! Nor will they pay to have it towed. Also, in order to diagnose issue Honda tech would have to disassemble transmission and I would be stuck paying the dealership for the repairs. Sucks!

Update from Aug 9, 2010: UPDATE: Ended up taking my 2001 Honda Civic to local Honda dealership. The service manager worked with American Honda to get me a 10% discount on repairs. According to service manager, American Honda didn't want to help pay for transmission, but he argued with them and finally got 10% discount. Big deal. Still cost me $2305 to replace transmission, plus $165 for new axel! Now I have an oil leak as well. Had oil leak fixed 14 months ago at a different Honda dealership but warranty on repairs was only for 12 months, so I need to pay out of pocket for that as well. Damn Honda.

Update from Sep 19, 2010: Update: About 5 weeks after transmission replaced, I had problem with car yet again. Was driving and engine would rev when I accelerated over 20 mph. Pulled over and immediately called Honda dealership where transmission was installed. Told to bring my car in. I had a scary drive down the interstate, with engine revving and engine light on. Afraid car transmission would die at any minute on busy interstate. Was a Friday afternoon, so had to wait until Monday afternoon to find out what the problem was. I was told that the tech, while installing my transmission, entered a wrong computer code and it caused the problem. They fixed the problem at no charge and had given me a rental car over the weekend. But I could have been seriously injured because of some dumb Honda technicians error!

- hondagal, austin, TX, US

problem #459

Jul 292010

Civic LX 1.7L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 101,500 miles

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

Today bad lock, I bought this car not longer than 1 month and this happen, lose power, slippage, and get to the light, when to move no way, pull to right by pushing and left there. I have to go tonight to pick it up. I have no money to invest and I need it so bad, this is really bad situation, I never thought about Honda at 100500 miles to fail. I have an Acura TL 96 and I pass 222 000 miles and still running. But this civic, I thought is the best deal, and now put a lot of money on it. No worth it. Honda need to do something about this.

- vcojan, Wake Forest, NC, US

problem #458

Jul 232010

Civic EX

  • Manual transmission
  • 165,000 miles

Honda's usually run forever when well maintained, which we do very well. Our transmisson should not be failing us right now.

- Cherie B., Page, AZ, US

problem #457

Jul 072010

Civic LX 1.7L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 80,000 miles

The transmission failed on a busy highway, how this is not a safety issue is beyond me. You may not crash into another car, but you can certainly get hit by a bad driver.

Repairing the transmission is gonna cost over $2500 at a reputable shop. Bought the car new because it was a honda, what a disappointment. Next car wont be a Honda for sure.

With all the recalls going on right now, Honda should just issue a recall on these badly made transmission. My 89 civic died of a crash, not of a bad transmission.

- vsual, Hampton, GA, US

problem #456

Jul 012010

Civic EX 1.7L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 120,000 miles

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

Terribly made transmission. Should not go out this early after normal wear and tear as often as it has. Honda should be fixing this problem or rebuilding better transmissions for us all.

This is ridiculous. The car would have never been bought had this problem been known to occur this often. It can't even be fixed, just replaced. Seems like a scam by Honda. I hope a major recall is done to show Honda that it needs to solve the problem on its own before a bigger authority steps in.

- Sam N., Santa Monica, CA, US

problem #455

Jun 262010

Civic LX 1.7L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 149,955 miles

Well I took my car to Pep Boys for a free code check turns out to be p0740 ( TCC ) , so I went to the local Honda dealer. Told them specifically what was wrong and showed them the code was given by pep Boys. So I stated to them that I didn't want to pay them their $102.00 dollar diagnosis charge so that they can just end up telling me what I just told them. So they stated to me and my wife that , that would NOT happen if we paid them. The service guy even stated to me and my wife that they would PIN POINT the exact problem, so finally we left the car their and paid them. MISTAKE!....Finally about 3 hours later when we go in, he states to me exactly what I had told him from the beginning, so I told him what's the point for paying the diagnosis for? He said he couldn't diagnose it correctly unless he takes apart the transmission. Was so pissed off about now, after he tells me I would have to replace the transmission at a cost about $3,200.00...WOW...Has anyone gone or is going through the same problem? Any advise or can anyone refffer me to any website or phone # on who to contact?

- Eddie V., Hesperia, CA, US

problem #454

Jun 222010

Civic EX

  • Automatic transmission
  • 91,000 miles

Same story as everyone else. Faulty torque converter destroyed the transmission. Honda America wouldn't help out. Total cost 3100 for a remanufactured transmission. Can not believe Honda could sell a lemon like this in the US and getaway with it. Thanks for nothing Honda.

- Christopher G., Vernon, CT, US

problem #453

Jul 182010

Civic LX 1.7L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 122,222 miles

Driving to my mechanic from work in the pouring rain. Car will not shift into second then rev goes way up and transmission completely broke. Had it towed going to cost me $2100 for a tranny with 64,000 miles on it with a 6 month warranty. I'm selling this car after the warranty. I will buy an older Honda Civic i love Honda and Civics but they really messed up in 2001 i wish they would pay for it =[

- guillotte, New Bedford, MA, US

problem #452

Jun 242010

Civic EX

  • Automatic transmission
  • 130,000 miles

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

Its not fun to be driving in the middle of the night on the freeway and all of the sudden your car stops without any warning, then the check engine light turnon after the car wouldnt run.I think that Honda should do a re call on their 2001 civic transmissions because they have a good reputation when they dont deserve it!!!!

- Mary R., Fontana, CA, US

problem #451

Jul 132010

(reported on)

Civic LX

  • Automatic transmission
  • 120,000 miles

click to see larger images

transmission failure

My car just failed on me right in the middle of the road in Hollywood. Luckily I was able to roll it to a parking spot. I didn't know what was wrong at that time, so I let it cool down while I grabbed a snack and tried again after an hour or so. My car started moving again on this uphill road when it suddenly started rolling backwards that we had to kill it and push-parked it to the nearest spot. Towing alone cost $200. I found out that my torque converter failed and that worst case scenario, it ruined my transmission too. That's going to cost way too much than I bargained for. THANKS HONDA!

- achua, Downey, CA, US

problem #450

Jul 072010

Civic EX

  • Automatic transmission
  • 197,000 miles

I was driving down a highway doing highway speeds on my way home from work. I was coming down a hill when i see traffic so i hit the breaks to stop and as the cars in front of my started to move my car when i hit the gas just revved up and wouldnt move far at all. I was attemping to get to the side of the road out of the way of other people and my car refused to move with me sitting in the middle of the highway. It revved and wouldnt go anywhere. Finally my fiance showed up and helped me move the car to the side(putting it in to nuetrle and he pushed me to the side of the road. I had to pay Almost $200 to have my car towed to my mechanic only to be told the transmission is bad and it would cost me $2650 to replace it.

I am still paying the car off and it wasnt even worth it to fix it. So now i am without a car and pying off a car that i cant drive anyway. From research i have done this car is known for it but for whatever reason honda refuses to recall the car. I am lucky to be alive. If it wasnt for the traffic and my car seized up the way it did doing the highway speed i could have died. Honda needs to recall this car since it is obviously dangerous!

- pmalach, New Windsor, NY, US

problem #449

May 212010

Civic EX 1.7L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 85,000 miles

Put me on as complainer 419...just happened yesterday, driving on the interstate when I would accelerate and the car would not go, coasted into an oasis on I -294. 1/2 hour later seemed OK, the fluid level was full (get regular service on the car). drove for a few more miles until it stopped accelerating again. I was able to limp it to a repair center (check engine light was on when this happened), they want to charge $3700 for a rebuilt trans. Then I found this site... 85,000 miles on the car. I got 136,000 before I traded in my Mazda Protege 5. The Civic is a 2nd car, but what a POS!! Haven't repaired yet, trying to find someone that will repair for less...

- ehornby, Montgomery, IL, US

problem #448

May 202010

Civic DX V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 140,000 miles

My transmission failed as well. The inconvenience this has caused me in time and money is beyond words. If there is a defect, then there should be a recall. The next car I buy will be SOMETHING ELSE!

- avq, Austin, TX, US

problem #447

Jul 072010

Civic LX

  • Automatic transmission
  • 86,000 miles

I can't put into words how frustrated I am with Honda right now. Although it is partially my fault for not researching this model more (apparently it's a common problem) I am also annoyed with the Honda dealer I took to get it fixed. I took it in on a Wednesday at noon and they didn't look at it until SATURDAY! They then told me that I had to replace the transmission and it would cost a CHEAP $3,000. As soon as I looked on this site I found that's pretty expensive. I wish I had known this was a common problem!

- suemebeautiful, Mount Laurel, NJ, US

problem #446

Jul 072010

Civic EX 1.7L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 60,894 miles

Suddenly, the transmission broke out, the D light appeared blinking. Awful because I've just bought this car :(.

- albertoc, Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico

problem #445

Jul 072010

Civic LX

  • Automatic transmission
  • 100,000 miles

No need to go depth here, same as everyone else. Three hours into a 6 hour trip cruising at 65mph the car bucked, the engine light came on and nothing but neutral rev when accelerated. A $225 tow job to the nearest transmission facility for a $2300 repair. Everyone please file with NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation and Center for Auto Safety.

- barryva, Richmond, VA, US

problem #444

Jun 302010

Civic EX 1.7L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 42,251 miles

I'm totally disappointed with Honda. I never thought that this kind of failure can occur to any car. I think there is some design mistake in this transmission.

- hiroki, Santo Domingo, Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic

problem #443

Jun 282010

Civic LX

  • Automatic transmission
  • 125,000 miles

Same story as everyone else. The check engine light came on. About ten minutes later, the car had difficulty reaching street speed limit of 40. I figured that the gas was low, but it died shortly after I reached the gas station.

I had to tow it to a nearby dealer who informed me the transmission was out. I bought this car a year ago for its reliability. Still making payments on it. I guess I'm lucky that it happened with more miles than expected and I got a good deal to repair ($1600) with a 2 year warranty, and I didnt get hurt. I love the Honda Civic very much, but I don't think I will ever get one again. A company should be aware and responsible for its defective product.

Somebody sue!

- Eliko C., North Hills, CA, US

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