2014 Honda Civic: sudden loss of power

Filed Jun 5, 2026 · Steering · 200,000 miles · CA

The contact owns a 2014 Honda Civic. The contact stated that while driving on the highway at approximately 65 MPH, the vehicle lost power steering functionality, the vehicle lost power steering assist, and the steering wheel became difficult to turn. The vehicle was towed to a dealer; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact stated that the failure had previously occurred, and the vehicle was repaired by a dealer. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 200,000.

Filed Jun 23, 2025 · Electrical · NV

While driving at high speed on the freeway at 65mph, my Honda Civic Hybrid experienced a sudden and complete electrical failure of the hybrid battery control module (IPU/MCM). This happened without any warning lamps, messages, or prior symptoms. The hybrid system instantly shut down, causing a dramatic loss of power and forcing me to pull off the road in high-speed traffic. This placed me and other drivers at serious risk of a high-speed collision due to the abrupt power loss and inability to accelerate. The failed component is still installed and available for inspection. The issue has since been diagnosed and confirmed by an independent hybrid specialist, who identified the malfunctioning IPU. I was told this exact failure is covered by Honda Service Bulletin 20-030, which extends the warranty for affected Civic Hybrids to 10 years or 150,000 miles, however, my VIN is not included, despite the failure being identical in nature. Honda has refused to provide any assistance, stating that only specific VINs are eligible, which I believe is misleading and unjust. This defect is clearly broader than the TSB acknowledges. The sudden failure of a critical propulsion system at high speed without warning is a major safety hazard and should not be limited by an arbitrarily narrow VIN list. I urge the federal safety agency to investigate this issue and require Honda to expand the scope of TSB 20-030. This defect compromises driver safety and has caused me significant financial and emotional stress, not to mention the danger it poses to others on the road. This is not an isolated incident. Many other Honda Civic Hybrid owners have reported the exact same issue, sudden IPU failure, no warnings, dangerous loss of power, on public forums and complaint databases. The narrow VIN range in TSB 20-030 is artificially limited and fails to reflect the true scope of the defect.

Filed Sep 14, 2022 · Transmission · NH

Transmission failed, almost complete loss of power to the drive wheels. Honda examined and said it needs a new transmission. They admitted it was not low on fluid. The vehicle only has 97k miles.

Filed Nov 20, 2019 · Transmission · 57,945 miles · CA

I was running errands and parked car in a lot. Upon return to the car, it started up but was not able to drive when I placed gear in drive or reverse. The car refused to move despite turning off engine and restarting it back up. Car had to be towed away. Found out there was a recall for this car which if not corrected can result in transmission problems. We had never gotten notice of this recall. We are the original owners and had not moved addresses. Car had less than 58k miles under the 60k miles powertrain warranty but was only 4 months over the 5 yrs period. American honda was only willing to pay 50/50 for a new transmission. I was lucky the transmission did not go out while driving on freeway at a higher speed as that would have caused some major accident losing power with no advanced notice and having no control of the car. We feel if this recall was sent out and it was corrected, the transmission would not have gone out to begin with. It is very disappointing and scary to know there are other cars like mine out there which american honda is not taking full responsibility for their product and putting harm in their customer's safety.

Filed Dec 28, 2018 · Engine, Transmission · 84,000 miles · NJ

Tl* the contact owns a 2014 honda civic. While driving 65 MPH, the vehicle shook, lost power, and the engine seized. The vehicle was taken to causeway honda (457 nj-72, manahawkin, nj 08050, 609‑597‑0033) where it was diagnosed that the transmission failed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 84,000. *tt consumer stated the vehicle has beeen repaired. Failure was loss of power and noticable inability for the transmission to shift.

Filed Apr 21, 2018 · Brakes · 47,000 miles · CA

Will not stay in alignment. 3 attempts in 40 days and am shrugged off by the dealer. Have complained about inconsistent breaking pressure needed, will not check breaks have extremely loose steering at high speeds, have lack of ABS intermittently, strong burning smell after 30+ minutes of cruising on highway. Loss of power when warm outside. Will not reset from tire rotation and oil filters maintenance minders

Filed May 24, 2017 · Transmission · 78,000 miles · CA

Tl* the contact owns a 2014 honda civic. While driving various speeds, the vehicle suddenly began to shudder and it became difficult to maintain the desired speed. While driving uphill, the vehicle lost power. The contact had to change gears to d2 in order to continue driving. The contact stated that it felt like the gears were slipping and the vehicle made a loud revving noise while attempting to stop from high speeds or attempting to accelerate after being stopped. The contact took the vehicle to the ocean honda dealer where it was unable to identify the cause of the failure. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure recurred. The manufacturer stated that the vehicle was not included in the federal safety agency campaign number: 15v574000 (power train); therefore, the vehicle would not receive the repair under the recall. The approximate failure mileage was 78,000.

Filed Feb 28, 2017 · Driver assistance, Electrical · 27,000 miles · FL

I have a leased 2014 honda civic ex, my lease began 11/2014. In 9/2016 I was driving about 45mph on a side road with speed limit 45mph when my car lost power to the gas pedal, I could floor it without any response, and numerous warning lights came on (power steering, vsa, hill start assist, TPMS, emission, transmission, etc). I was able to coast to safety and wait for a tow. Upon arrival at honda, the car was 'back to normal' and the techs couldn't find a problem so they called it a fluke and returned it to me. 2 weeks later I was just leaving my house, about 5 MPH out of my spot and up to a stop sign, and the same thing happened again. Had the car towed to the same honda and waited. I was told a week later they couldn't find a problem and I would have to pay for them to keep looking. Not happening as it was under warranty and a manufacturing problem. I immediately opened a claim with honda. They looked for a week more with no luck and were about to return my dangerous and undiagnosed car to me when it happened for them; I am unaware of the circumstances. They kept it another two weeks when they guessed it was a faulty computer and put a new one in it. Fast forward to 2/2017 and it has happened yet again. I was going about 7 MPH in a parking lot, pulling up to a stop sign, and about to turn onto a 50 MPH, 5 lane road where I for sure would have been in an accident had it occurred there. It has been towed to honda and I have zero intentions to take this death trap back, and I have even less faith that an actual problem will be found yet again. The attached photo shows the lights on this most recent time, taken while in park. You can see the lights on, d lit up while in park, and the needle at 1 even though I was not moving.

Filed Apr 22, 2015 · Engine · 1,500 miles · CA

Tl* the contact owns a 2014 honda civic. While at a stop sign, the accelerator pedal was depressed. When the rpms increased to 2000, the vehicle lost power. The vehicle was taken to a dealer, but the technician was unable to duplicate or repair the vehicle. The failure recurred on numerous occasions. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 1,500.

Filed Mar 20, 2015 · Transmission · 15 miles · CO

From a dead stop, when the honda starts to accelerate, there is a complete loss of power for @ 1.5 seconds. These episodes usually happen when turning left or right although it happened for the first time accelerating forward today. These episodes happen 3 to 5 times a week. I drive @ 130 miles a week. This is a safety issue especially in rush hour traffic where reliable acceleration is important. I have had the car evaluated 3-4 times by the dealership which cannot replicate the problem. The dealership has only driven the car @10 miles for their tests which is half of what I do on a daily basis.

Filed Feb 17, 2015 · Transmission · 20 miles · CO

From purchase date 10-24-14 thru today, when vehicle begins to accelerate from a dead stop, there is a complete loss of power for @ 1.5 seconds before acceleration resumes. This only happens when turning left or right, never straight forward. These episodes happen 3-5 times per week. The honda transmission is the "CVT/ drive by wire system". I drive @ 20 miles per day. It has been evaluated 3 times at the dealership here in longmont, colorado and they have not found a problem saying everything is ok. This problem is not ok for a new car and is a safety issue.

Filed Jan 8, 2015 · Fuel system · 5,000 miles · VA

My car is 2014 honda civic ex-l navi with pushbutton engine start/stop. I was approaching an incident on the highway and had slowed down to about 30 MPH. I thought I should activate the 4-way flashers as a warning to other drivers. When I pushed the button, I pushed the start/stop button by mistake and shut off the engine. The start/stop button is just behind the steering wheel, and the flasher button is about six inches to the lower right of the start/stop button. Of course when the engine stopped I lost power steering and power brake boost. It was really hard to control the vehicle at that point. Thankfully traffic was light. The steering wheel was turned slightly to the left and I continued to coast slightly left. I order to restart the engine, I had to put the transmission in neutral and push lightly on the brake pedal. This is a difficult sequence to perform when one's vehicle is dead and coasting with minimal control. By the time I restarted the engine and regained control I was approaching the jersey barriers in the center of the highway and was being passed by the vehicles behind me. The start/stop button is real easy to operate. It does not have to be fully depressed, just a slight touch will activate it. More force is required to operate the flasher button than the start/stop button. Plus, the start/stop button protrudes from the surface of the dash and can be easily pressed by accident. The start/stop should be recessed inside a shroud and activation should require a full depression and be held for at least two seconds. And ideally the flasher button should be relocated to the top center of the dashboard. The event date and mileage are approximate.