The vehicle experienced a sudden component failure while driving, triggering immediate warning lights for the Integrated Motor Assist (IMA), high-voltage battery system, and braking system. The failure of the Motor Power Inverter (MPI) causes an abrupt loss of hybrid electric propulsion, a loss of the high-voltage battery charging system, and poses an immediate risk of engine stalling or a sudden drop in vehicle power while traveling at highway speeds. This creates a severe, unpredictable safety hazard to the occupants and surrounding traffic. Honda is fully aware of this systemic manufacturing flaw. The company issued a 15-year / 150,000-mile warranty extension under Technical Service Bulletin (TSB) 20- 030 to address defective internal solder joints within the intelligent inverter unit that cause electrical shorts. Despite my vehicle suffering from the exact component failure detailed in the TSB, and despite the vehicle being well under the 150,000-mile threshold, American Honda is refusing to cover the safety-critical repair based strictly on a narrow VIN list exclusion. Because this component defect causes unpredictable electrical and propulsion failure on active roadways, I am filing this complaint to request an investigation into VIN omission for this known hazard.
2015 Honda Civic transmission problems
177 complaints (46% of all complaints for this car). Typical mileage when it fails: 85,000. 2 crashes reported.
- owner complaints
- 177
- of this car's complaints
- 46%
- typical mileage
- 85,000
- crashes
- 2
- recalls
- 1
Which part fails
- Automatic transmission: internal: clutches/bands: actuators/solenoids1
- Automatic transmission1
At what mileage
Complaints by mileage at the time of the problem.
Honda Civic transmission problems in other years
Specific symptoms reported on the 2015 Honda Civic transmission
Phrases found in the owners' own descriptions, so one complaint can mention several symptoms.
Transmission failure 56CVT failure 34Jerking 22Slipping 9Hesitation 8Shudder 6Harsh shifting 5
Related recalls
Power train: automatic transmission: control module (TCM/PCM/tecm)
- What is wrong
- Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain model year 2014-2015 Civic vehicles manufactured January 16, 2014, to November 6, 2014 and 2015 Fit vehicles manufactured March 12, 2014, to May 12, 2015. The software settings that control the transmission operation may result in damage to the transmission drive pulley shaft.
- Risk
- If the transmission drive pulley shaft is damaged, it may break, and the vehicle may lose acceleration or the front wheels may lock up while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Honda will notify owners, and dealers will update the software for the transmission, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin October 30, 2015. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1‑888‑234‑2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are JU2 (Civic) and JU3(Fit).
Recall number 15V574000 · Recall details
What 2015 Honda Civic owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
The contact owns a 2015 Honda Civic. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle hesitated while depressing the accelerator pedal. There was no warning light illuminated. An independent mechanic diagnosed the vehicle with transmission failure. The contact associated the failure with the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 15V574000 (Power Train); however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but provided no assistance. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 147,366.
The contact owns a 2015 Honda Civic. The contact stated that while his wife was driving approximately 35-40 MPH, the vehicle started shuddering. The driver pulled over to the side of the road and parked the vehicle. Upon shifting to drive(D) or to reverse(R), the vehicle failed to respond. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the transmission had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The contact related the failure to the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 15V574000 (Power Train). The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the VIN was not included in the recall. The contact was referred to the federal safety agency Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was 131,603.
Transmission drive belt snapped while driving. Took it to Honda dealer to diagnose, they found it to be the drive belt that snapped in the cvt transmission. There was a recall involving the same year make and model (2015 honda civic) however my car wasn't part of the recall even though this is a known problem with cars excluded from this recall. Cars included in the recall recieved software updates to decrease the tension to the belt, which can cause it to snap under stress. My car wasn't included in this software update and I believe that is a mistake. Honda denied us coverage because we weren't "loyal enough" despite driving mostly only Honda vehicles for my entire life. As for safety concern I was nearly stopped when it snapped so I was able to pull over, so it wasn't a safety concern in my instance atleast. Dealer took pictures of the transmission fluid pan and found metal debris from the metal drive belt that snapped. I just wonder if my car was included in this recall for the software update if it would still be driving today. There were no lights or signs of warning it just snapped unexpectedly. I have always changed the cvt fluid with Honda genuine fluid and don't believe maintenence to be a problem. More the fact that this should have been included in a recall this was a very bad year for Honda and the cvt transmission from what I am now realizing from research
No warning lights or symptoms prior to issue. Driving on the highway and vehicle suddenly started revving like it was in neutral, failing to accelerate, then died on the side of the highway.
What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? Answer: The transmission is slipping or malfunctioning when driving the car, specifically when accelerating. Yes, it is available for inspection upon request. How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? Answer: When the transmission slips or malfunctions, the acceleration of the car doesn't act as it should. For example, when waiting to join a flow of vehicle traffic, or when waiting to cross a busy intersection, the delay in acceleration or the slipping of the transmission is increasing the risk of being in the wrong place at the wrong time, or causing my vehicle to block other vehicles. Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center? Answer: Yes. Has the vehicle or component been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives or others? Answer: No. Were there any warning lamps, messages or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure, and when did they first appear? Answer: No. Additional information: I spoke with Honda in 2023 to see if there was a recall related to my CVT transmission. They took my information, but advised there was no recall. I had a similar conversation with them in 2024 because it seemed to be getting worse, but there still was no recall. Now in 2025, it still feels like it's getting worse and making it feel unsafe to drive the car.
The contact owns a 2015 Honda Civic. The contact stated that while driving at 70 MPH, the vehicle suddenly came to a stop. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to exceed 35 MPH, and the contact pulled over. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was towed to a transmission center, and it was determined that the failure was linked to the CVT and pulley system. The local dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 130,000.
Exact problem was recalled for same year for 143,000 vehicles but my VIN was not in the recall. I was diving and vehicle made a loud noise and all the sudden stopped accelerating. It was like my car was in neutral. Put my car in park when I stopped and car started rolling backwards like it wasn’t in park. It finally went into park and I shut car off and restarted tried putting in drive again. It made a loud grinding noise and would not go in drive still acted like in neutral. Had to have car towed from scene. Looked up transmission issues and saw there was a recall for this exact issue.
Failed tramission.
Had to have transmission replaced at 114,000 miles in 2023 in June of 2024 warning on screen flashing multiple warnings hillside assist,power steering and Abs turned car off and wouldn't restart. Took to mechanic and they said it was faulty start button was replacef and in June of 2025 transmission plug was popped out and all lights started throwing warning signal again and car died won't restart.
Questions about the 2015 Honda Civic transmission
Does the 2015 Honda Civic have transmission problems?
Owners have filed 177 complaints about the transmission of the 2015 Honda Civic, 46% of all its complaints, more than any other problem.
At what mileage do 2015 Honda Civic transmission problems start?
The typical (median) mileage in owner complaints is 85,000 miles.
Was there a recall on the 2015 Honda Civic transmission?
Yes, 1 recall: 15V574000. Check your VIN to see if your car still needs the free repair.
What year does the Honda Civic have bad transmission?
The Honda Civic model years with the most transmission complaints are 2001 (403 complaints), 2002 (185 complaints) and 2015 (177 complaints).
Is there a class action lawsuit over the Honda Civic?
Yes. Class action says Honda and Acura keyless entry makes cars easy to steal and asks for theft protection (November 12, 2026).
Other 2015 Honda Civic problems
Airbags 58Engine 31Electrical 28Steering 21Acceleration 20Body 17Brakes 15Wheels 13Fuel system 11Seats 8Suspension 8Driver assistance 7Seat belts 5Visibility 5Tires 3Locks 2Lights 1
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