1997 Honda Civic: complete transmission failure

8 of the 373 complaints about the 1997 Honda Civic describe complete transmission failure.

owner complaints: 8
of this car's complaints: 2%
recalls: 0

Is there a fix? 20 service bulletins cover this area of the car. See below

Complete transmission failure by model year

2024
1
2020
3
2019
1
2017
2
2016
4
2015
56
2014
24
2012
1
2011
1
2010
1
2009
1
2008
2
2007
4
2006
6
2005
6
2004
17
2003
18
2002
79
2001
185
2000
3
1999
9
1998
11
1997
8
1996
2
1995
1
1992
1
1990
1

What owners say

Filed Oct 12, 2003 · Transmission · 95,890 miles · CA

I have a 1997 honda civic ex coupe automatic transmission with 95,900 miles when the transmission problem started. One day I noticed my car was hesitating when I pressed the accelerator but did not put a lot of attention to it. Then soon after I noticed the check engine light turn on. So I decided to take my car to my local honda dealer (rock honda). They reset the check engine light, then told me that the problem was the transmission and if it turns on again that I would need to replace the transmission. The light turned on went back to rock honda , they recommended me replace the transmission and mentioned to me there is no recall on the a/t or warranty , the estimate was $2900 for the repair. So I decided to get a second opinion, and they told me the same thing the a/t needs to be repaired! I ended up repairing it costing me $2608.11 ouch. I believe honda should have taken responsibility and notify the millions of customers that own honda civics and tell them about this major repair by issuing a recall. I feel honda should reimburse all their customers who unknowingly have had to fix their automatic transmission just like I have. Now I'm wondering if I should ever buy a honda again! Please help. Thank you.

Filed Oct 10, 2003 · Transmission · 48,000 miles · OH

Transmission failure at less than 50,000 mi. Honda says too bad, the consumer was offered a new transmission for 4,000 dollars by dealership. The transmission was rebuilt, however the consumer was responsible for the bill. *ak *scc

Filed Aug 7, 2003 · Transmission · 20,000 miles · CA

I fought for 2 years about a bad ctv transmission in a 1997 honda civic hx which I purchased new. I was in and out of the dealership at my expense on a continual basis. They finally agreed to replace the transmission after many visits and much money out of my pocket for rental cars and unnecessary services that never corrected the problem. Honda did agree to give me an extended warranty of 7 years or 75,000 miles. The transmission was replaced with a remanufactured transmission in july 2001. I did not want a remanufactured transmission or a ctv transmission. I believe the design of the transmission is defective, but I was given no choice. In may 2002 I started reporting problems with this replacement transmission -- less then a year after it was installed. Like the first transmission, the problem is intermittent, the dealers could not reproduce the problem. I just had to drive the car until it got so bad there was no way they could miss the problem -- just like with the first transmission. Well, finally as of august 1, 2003, they confirmed the transmission was the problem and that several parts have to be replaced. In the meantime, while waiting for the parts, I'm stuck driving a car over 100 miles a day to commute to work. Ultimately the problem I have is the transmission is bad. Period! It's a bad design or I would not have had two of the same transmission type failing in the same car. When I was looking at this car to purchase the salesman told me this ctv transmission was so great that it was going to be in all of the honda accords starting the next model year. That never happened, I wonder why! I feel very strongly after reading many similar complaints filed with the federal safety agency this model year transmission should be under defect investigation. It won't take much to show that the design itself is defective and honda has hung owners out to dry and refuses to admit their error.

Filed Apr 7, 2003 · Transmission · 70,000 miles · CA

While exiting the freeway the consumer stopped at a light. When the consumer depressed the accelerator pedal to proceed the vehicle jerked forward. *nlm the problem continued to occur until the transmission was replaced with a re-manufactured transmission.

Filed Mar 27, 2003 · Transmission · WA

Transmission has a shutter when car is warmed up. Car is only 5 years old with 70k in miles and dealership has said it needs a new transmission.

Filed Apr 6, 2002 · Transmission · OR

Transmission problem detected and confirmed by gresham honda. Seems to be a major problem for 1997 honda civic owners. Honda acknowleged premature tranny failure and offered to pay half for replacement. Car was given back to me while part is being ordered and while driving today from a stop light on a hill car would not go into gear and started to slip backwards. Luckily by flooring it I was able to prevent backwards slide into vehilce behind me but feel someone needs to contact honda and start a recall on this model for a complete transmission replacement. In my case they have agreed to cover half of the repair cost to install a remanufactured transmission but I am not satisfied with this offer and feel you could be looking at many more accidents and possible injuries by the sudden jerking from stop while car tries to go into gear. Please research this immediately and prevent thousands of people from being injured by this known defect that is not being addressed correctly.

Filed Dec 12, 2001 · Transmission · NC

Transmission failure. Transmission slipped/jerked when taking off from a stop. Auto had major service at approx 64,402 mi. Check engine light came on at 71,911 miles. St checked and stated computer needed to be changed. St changed computer. Check engine light came on again at 80,241 miles, st states transmission failed and must be replaced.

Filed Oct 9, 1997 · Transmission · IL

Transmission failed.