2003 Honda Civic: complete transmission failure

Filed Dec 7, 2014 · Engine, Transmission · 117,650 miles · MA

My honda civic suddenly went dead with no indication of failure. The transmission went dead and the repair shop said that it was a incorrect gearbox ratio. It is a known problem with transmission failure and I feel that I shouldn't have to pay for something that is a known problem.

Filed Sep 12, 2014 · Transmission · 31,563 miles · NJ

Transmission failed and car died while driving on highway at 55 MPH with no warning. Was in slow lane and able to get onto shoulder without getting hit. Transmission had to be replaced.

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 Jan 3, 2011 · Transmission · 40,440 miles · WA

My 2003 honda civic hybrid has a history of the transmission/car shuddering and slipping during acceleration. This has been occurring regularly since july 26, 2005 at 40,440 miles. On one occasion after having the clutch replaced, transmission fluid sprayed all over the engine and manifold while traveling down the interstate which would have caused the fatality or serious injury of my son driving the car had it ignited. The spokesman at the honda dealer in portland oregon said my son was very lucky not to be engulfed in flames. Since this occurrence, the shuddering issue has continued requiring regular trips to the honda dealer. Each honda service representative I have complained to have said there is nothing they can do because honda of america has not authorized a fix to the defect other then to burnish the start cluth and change the transmission fluid. This has only been a band aid fix which hasn't worked for some time now, but originally used to work for about 2-3 thousand miles at which point the problem re-occurred. This is clearly a defective product and honda is using a band aid approach to mask this serious defect until the warranty has expired, at which point, they quickly say the transmission needs to be replaced with a new one at the owners expense (approx $3,400 to $4,000 dollars). Honda of america claims to have fixed the problem in their new transmissions but they have not been willing to use this fix on existing cars like mine until the warranty expires. I have actually been told this by honda representatives. All this is despite a safety recall for this very same problem in japan, india, and indonesia. Please investigate why honda of america has not been held accountable for this serious defect in their honda civic hybrid 2003 CVT transmissions.

Filed Sep 18, 2010 · Transmission · 101,360 miles · CA

Transmission failure. There is a vibration and forward jolt during take off from a stop. Honda extended the warranty but I pass it by one year. They recalled the transmissions in japan but fail to accept responsibility in the us. They suggested performing "burnishing" and it should last another 20k miles. I had this done two days ago at the dealership and can still feel the vibration and jolt. Honda used this transmission for the 03 and 04 civic hybrids and fail to accept responsibility for their error and now thousands of owners, including myself, will be forced to purchase another vehicle because the repair cost in $4500 and there is a 6-week waiting period. This is irresponsible of honda to place this burden on their customers, especially in this recession, because they put out a faulty product. It is said that you have to have lives taken, such as the toyota recall, for a us company to admit and correct a mistake they made in their design.

Filed Jun 17, 2010 · Transmission · 83,000 miles · NC

Tl* the contact owns a 2003 honda civic hybrid. The contact stated the vehicle was exhibiting transmission failures. The dealer was unable to duplicate or locate any failures within the transmission and advised the contact the vehicle was operable. The vehicle continued exhibiting signs of transmission slippage and was taken back to the dealer. The dealer advised the clutch was defective and causing the failure of the transmission. The clutch was replaced. The failure recurred within two years. The vehicle was not further repaired. The VIN was not accepted. The failure mileage was 83,000 and the current mileage was 110,000.

Filed Feb 13, 2010 · Transmission · 56,000 miles · RI

I purchased the car used in 2006 with 21,000 miles. The transmission failed at 56,000 miles (1/27/08). Told needed transmission overhaul. The transmission also failed again at 89,000 (2/4/09) miles, requiring another transmission overhaul. 6 months later experiencing similar symptoms (shuddering/shake/vibration between 30-50 MPH) as before took it to aamco to get an outside opinion and I am told the torque converter is failing and if not replaced will cause transmission failure once again. The car currently has 124,000 miles on it. So much for honda reliability.

Filed Dec 7, 2009 · Transmission · 109,000 miles · OH

Vehicle has had a constant "juddering" (vibration) issue when accelerating from a stop. The car was taken to be serviced several times with no defects found by the dealer. The "juddering" has finally resulted in a complete transmission failure with a required replacement. I have read of several problems of the same nature with this particular year, make , and model.

Filed Jan 15, 2009 · Transmission · 116,000 miles · NJ

Tl*the contact owns a 2003 honda civic-hybrid. While driving 60 MPH with the cruise control engaged, the engine suddenly revved, but the vehicle began to decelerate. The tachometer escalated and the contact pulled the vehicle onto the shoulder. After a few minutes, he attempted to drive back into traffic and the vehicle moved very slowly. The vehicle could only be driven 5 MPH; however, the engine was still revving. After the contact shut off the engine for several minutes and restarted it, the vehicle worked perfectly fine for approximately 30 miles. When he attempted to exit the highway, the vehicle began losing speed again while the engine was still revving. He managed to drive the vehicle home and left it parked for a few days. He did not start the engine during that time. A few days later, he drove the vehicle to the dealer and they stated that a new transmission was needed. The vehicle has not yet been repaired and is still at the dealer. The current and failure mileages were 116,000. Updated 02-18-09updated 02/18/09.

Filed May 24, 2008 · Transmission · 112,000 miles · PA

After numerous transmission problems with my 2003 honda civic hybrid, the transmission failed completely while I was driving on us 11 in berwick pa. Fortunately did not cause a crash. Honda dealer says the car needs an entire transmission.

Filed Dec 23, 2007 · Transmission · 28,282 miles · GA

Since the purchase of my 2003 honda civic hybrid the car has stuttered when taking off from a stop. My wife took it back to the dealer and they told her it was "normal" for a hybrid. I have since researched this and found this is not normal and would like honda to replace the transmission.

Filed Dec 12, 2007 · Transmission · 80,000 miles · PA

I bought my 2003 honda civic hybrid with 70,000 miles on it. In less than a year, I had to have the catalytic converter, egr valve, fly wheel, and transmission replaced. The transmission was replaced 7 months ago and the same exact problem is happening again: the transmission slips every time I press on the gas or take my foot off the gas, and when I'm coasting the transmission chugs.