2003 Honda Civic: grinding or squealing brakes

Filed May 10, 2011 · Transmission · 119,000 miles · RI

Have an 03 civic hybrid with CVT transmission. I got it certified used at about 36,000 miles and it was supposed to have fresh trans fluid and I believe it did. The powertrain is warranted to 100,000 miles since it was certified used. I am at 74,000 now. At about 66,000, when it should have been due for it's transmission fluid change, it was making a slipping/grinding sound when starting off, especially on a hill. It had previously been very smooth and quiet. It gradually became a problem. It was not all of a sudden. It was hard to know for sure that it was not my imagination, except for it being real obvious on an incline and it was getting worse. The dealer's mechanic heard the sound, too, and said let's start with the fluid change it was due for. The change made it great again, but only for a few thousand miles. When I went back they said they had learned about a process called burnishing the transmission band. I believe they put their foot on the brake while putting on the gas, almost to the point of stalling (I think) to clean up the band. Mine would be the 2nd car they would do it on. It also requires a change of fluid after because it is supposed to take the crud from the parts and put it into the fluid. They did it for free since I had already asked them to work on this problem, and I had paid for the fluid change to fix the same problem. Again, after their work it was nice and quiet and smooth, but about 3,000 miles later it is coming back again. I don't know if their process did anything, or if it was just the fresh fluid that helped like it did the first time. I am concerned repetitions of the process might decrease the life of the transmission. The best outcome for me would probably be a complete transmission failure at 99,000 miles because then I can get a new one. Anybody having similar problems?

Filed Sep 10, 2008 · Transmission · 120,000 miles · AZ

I have a 2003 honda hybrid with 146k on it...the car started making slipping and grinding noises when coming out of a full stop. I noticed that a lot of other people are having the same exact issue at various intervals and are getting the run around from honda dealerships-replacing transmission fluids, brandishing, etc. Only for the problem to return. At this point I have a vehicle that costs enormous amounts of money to fix-$1300 catalytic converter, $4000 ima battery pack reset/purchase, $750 transmission fluid change. This is really a big problem. It seems like people have been absolutely fooled into buying the car with no support from the manufacturer. This is not an isolated incident and many hybrid owners have found this to be an expensive and frustrating repair-not to mention the other costs. People feel like they're driving lemons around. My repairs that I recently found out about because the car did not pass emissions will cost me more than what the car is worth. The issue of the slipping and grinding when coming from a full stop needs to be addressed by the manufacturer and recalled to be repaired at no cost to the owners. This particular slipping started approximately 2 years ago. I had a transmission fluid replacement at that time and it seemed to take care of the problem only to have it return about 10k later. This is an ongoing cycle. I feel like I'm being gauged by the dealerships and the manufacturer who is refusing to address this issue-among many other ones.

Filed Aug 26, 2007 · Transmission · 31,000 miles · IL

Grinding when shifting into 3rd gear upshift or downshift esp when rpms when going into 3rd gear are over 3,000 RPM car now has 47k miles has been doing this for over 15k miles is getting progressively worse.

Filed Mar 8, 2005 · Transmission · 1,200 miles · NC

1) purchased the car 2) within the one year that I have owned the car, I have experienced gears grinding when shifting from 1st to 2nd with the manual transmission on numerous occasions. I do not think it is a problem with my technique as I have owned manual transmission cars for approximately 18 years and and never previously had a similar problem. 3) nothing done as of yet to correct the problem.

Filed Dec 1, 2004 · Transmission · MA

After a few months of driving my brand new 2003 honda civic si. I started to experience a very "notchy" and rough feeling in my manual transmission. Occasionally it will also grind gears, and I am more than definite that I am shifting properly. It gets worse in the winter because the car will hesitate a lot when trying to go in any gear. I brought my vehicle into honda north of danvers, ma for them to inspect the problem, yet they found nothing to be wrong. Therefore, no attempts to were made to repair the problem. This isn't a problem in which they can try to simulate after 5 minutes of driving. I feel that if this problem remains, it will be increasingly difficult to drive and is decreasing the chances of driving safely. The car's second winter is coming and I do not feel safe driving my car with this particular problem. I am a member of www.ephatch.com, a online forum community of 2002-2005 honda civic si owners, and many of the members have had similar problems, yet the dealer they went to could never help them. Only a rare few have had there transmission problem fixed, but only through a lot of arguing and persuading.

Filed Nov 26, 2004 · Transmission · 9,200 miles · NC

Consistently grinds transmission when going into 2nd gear (manual transmission). Dealership says its ok and normal, but I know it is damaging my transmission. Even with perfect shifting at a high RPM shift, it will grind every time.

Filed Jul 28, 2004 · Fuel system, Suspension · 500 miles · CA

I purchased a honda civic hybrid thinking I was going to get good gas milage since I drive 38 miles one way to work. When I was only getting about 35 -26 MPH I contacted the dealer and was told this is a new car and the mileage will improve. So after 35000 miles and many trips to the dealer I still only get 36 mphand they can not explain why, I would like to know how they can say that this car was to get 48 mpgh. Also after two months of having the car I was hearing a loud grinding sound coming from the front end and it turned out the shocks were bad, and the dealer replaced them but failed to aline my car and wore out the front tires. Also I can not take this car on long trips since I can not climb long hills with out the highvoltage battery that assists the engine running out of juice and stops working and stalls.

Filed Mar 3, 2004 · Transmission · 16,000 miles · TX

Manual transmission clutch depressed all the way to the floor but shifting is not smooth and lots of times even "grind" into 2nd gear at low speed(disengage at about 3000rpm then shift into 2nd). Feels like the shifter tires to push back to neutral. Also clutch pedal does not release so smooth after a long period of driving, making noise when pushing down and "clicks" when engaging.

Filed Jul 24, 2003 · Seats, Transmission · AZ

Drivers side seat rocks back and forth, first gear lunges out to neutral, shifting gears is not smooth and has rough grinding feel, clutch doesnt engage and disc engage properly.