Vehicle has a manufacturing defect with the transmission. Honda admits that there is no fix for saftey problem.
1998 Honda Civic transmission complaints
Page 3 of 3: complaints 41 to 48 of 48, newest first, as owners wrote them.
Owners inspection of disassembled transmissin reveals that reverse shift fork had been riding on reverse gear, apparently causing partial engagement during vehicle operation in any mode. Metallic particles from disintegrating gear damaged stub axle at outer bearing area. Dealer and manufacturer's representatives dispute this.
Transmission failed causing vehicle to surge.
Elecrical transmission connector failed. Yh
Since the day we bought it, the transmission intermittently jerked (sometimes violently) when downshifting, especially around 40 MPH. It also downshifted at odd times, like going down hills. I took the car to the dealer on 12/12 & they reported "no problem found." on dec 27 the engine made lots of noise but had little speed & my family had to drive the handicapped car the short distance home. The dealer said the computer reported that the transmission ration was wrong. They said the more they worked on it, the worse it became. They couldn't fix it even with the help of honda experts, so they intended to replaced the transmission. Unfortunately, the dealer wrecked the car & they have had the car a month. We want a new car because we don't trust the reliability of the car but honda & the dealer aren't cooperating.
Suspension very poor causing drifting and poor stability.
Transmission is intermittently not changing gears. When it reaches high gear transmission would stay in low gear. Dealer notified, and condition has been resolved.
When the vehicle is parked on an incline, it rolls to the bottom of the incline.
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