While I was driving on the highway, my vehicle stopped accelerating. It allowed me to coast. When stopped, it would hesitate before accelerating, and making a whining noise. I stopped driving my car and made an appointment to my auto shop. On the way to the auto-shop, the vehicle stopped accelerating altogether. No warning lights ever turned on, and my car was otherwise in very good health. It simply stopped accelerating. I was lucky to be able to coast onto the shoulder, in light traffic.
Honda Civic whining noise problems
42 of the 16,054 owner complaints about the Honda Civic describe whining or grinding noise, most of them for the 2001 model year.
- owner complaints
- 42
- worst model year
- 2001
- typical repair cost reported
- $1,800
- typical mileage
- 57,000
Is there a fix? There are 5 recalls for this area of the car. See below
By model year
Often reported together
Transmission failure 5Ball joint 5Slipping 4Premature wear 2Knocking 2Won't start 1Tire blowout 1Won't shift 1
Trouble codes mentioned
P0173 1
What owners say
At 40mph heard a whining sound followed by grinding. Car lounges forward comes to a brisk stop. Total transmission failure. 127000 miles
2001 Honda Civic stopped moving in the middle of the road. While in the middle of driving vehicle lost power but remained running. A whining noise was observed which turned out to be the transmission pump. The vehicle would not go into forward or reverse and I was left stranded in the middle of the highway. Vehicle was transported to the closest repair shop and was diagnosed with a failed transmission. A TSB was issued for these transmissions but no recall. Due to no recall being issued despite Honda knowing these transmissions were built with bad clutches that were known to fail which is the reason they issued the tech service bulletin, many transmissions in these car are still defective and can lead to someone being unable to move out of traffic and get into a collision.
Honda Civic, 2006, engine block cracked and car overheated due to coolant loss without alerting driver to safety concerns, putting him/herself in jeopardy, along with other drivers/passengers. Overheating causes engines to stop operating which is extremely dangerous and costly. Driver ascertained that something wasn’t right at lower speeds (residence/business district). A faint whining was coming from the dashboard. This would likely not have been heard driving at faster speeds, and/or with the radio on. Once parked the operator smelled and saw smoke emanating from the vehicle hood and noticed leaking under the car. There was no prior warning sign. According to recent communication with Honda America by the operator, this engine block failure is a known issue and a result of a casting problem during manufacturing. A voluntary warranty extension was made in 2014 for 2006 - 2008 (extended to 2009) for Honda Civics for 10 years from the date of purchase. Unfortunately, many drivers, who were/are unaware of the warranty extension/issue, and for whom hadn’t detected/or had a problem prior are unknowingly driving ticking time bombs around. This warranty extension has since expired. Honda has not made an official recall and is not keeping drivers informed about the prevailing issue, which is unknowingly putting drivers at risk. Based on sales data for North America there were roughly 1.2 million Honda Civics sold between 2006 and 2009, many of which are still on the road today. For a refurbished engine (not new), plus labor it is estimated to cost between $1,500 - $2,000 for repairs. This doesn’t take into account the cost of human or vehicle harm. Video evidence of leaking at mechanics/smoking vehicle can be provided. Court certified automotive expert: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Vjk4z7KLA4 Reporting on warranty: http://www.hondaproblems.com/civic-cracked-engine-block/ Honda Civic sales data: https://www.goodcarbadcar.net/honda-civic-sales-figures/
While driving the check transmission light came on and vehicle would not accelerate above 20 mph. Vehicle made loud whining noise when pushing the gas pedal. Mechanic found that there was transmission fluid leaking heavily around the transmission fluid pressure switch. It is currently sill in the shop waiting for the replacement switch. Waiting to se if there are any other issues. I have seen many complaints on forums concerning the transmissions in these cars. Where is the recall?
Transmission gave out all of a sudden at a light with 179,000 miles on it. When trying to give it gas, the transmission would whine. Had to get it towed home.
When turning the vehicle on and turning the AC vents blower motor makes loud whining noise. Theres times where it completely stops working at times. The unit wont throw any air thru vents. Problem continues to happen AC blower motor was changed once.
Tl* the contact owns a 2014 honda civic. While driving at low speeds, the transmission made a "whining" sound and the vehicle began to jerk without warning. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The contact called hennessy honda of woodstock (8931 ga-92, woodstock, ga 30189, (770) 924-9000) and was informed that the vehicle was not included in the federal safety agency campaign number: 15v574000 (power train). The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was 40,000.
Whining noise in front left of motor when taking off in first gear. Read multiple complaints from other consumers having the same issues.
Lot of vibrations. Howling noise when in reverse. I checked under the hood and found the hydraulic motor mount leaked and should be replaced. I heard there's a lot of this kind of problem in the internet. I guess you guys need to look deeper into this problem to protect us consumers.
Related recalls
Power train: driveline: driveshaft
- What is wrong
- Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2017 Honda Civic Sedan and Coupe vehicles. The right halfshaft may have been improperly heat treated, reducing its strength.
- Risk
- The improper heat treatment can result in the halfshaft breaking, preventing the engine from moving the vehicle, and can allow a possible roll away situation if the parking brake is not engaged. This can increase the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Honda will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the halfshaft's serial number, replacing it as necessary and aligning the front wheels, free of charge. The recall began December 8, 2017. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1‑888‑234‑2138. Honda's number for this recall is K0E.
Recall number 17V706000 · Recall details
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
Power train: driveline: driveshaft
- What is wrong
- Honda is recalling certain model year 2012 honda civic vehicles. During assembly, the process required to seat the drivers side driveshaft and set the retaining clip was not completed. As a result, the driveshaft may separate.
- Risk
- If this occurs, the vehicle will have a loss of drive power and may roll away if the parking brake has not been set when the gear selector has been placed in the park position, increasing the risk of crash or pedestrian injury.
- Remedy
- Honda will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the driver's side driveshaft and install a new driveshaft as needed, free of charge. The safety recall began on June 21. 2012. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1‑800‑999‑1009.
Recall number 12V256000 · Recall details
Power train: automatic transmission
- What is wrong
- A retaining clip that connects the transmission shift cable to the shift lever actuating rod can have insufficient retention pressure and may eventually come off after repeated shift lever operation. If this happens, the position of the shift lever may not match the actual transmission gear position.
- Risk
- This could result in unanticipated vehicle movement and accident.
- Remedy
- Dealers will install an improved retaining clip.
Recall number 94V063000 · Recall details
Power train: automatic transmission
- What is wrong
- Due to an improperly machined internal shaft in the transmission, the pawl mechanisim may not fully engage when transmission is in the park position.
- Risk
- Vehicle could roll while the transmission is in the parkposition and a crash could result.
- Remedy
- Install an improved parking pawl shaft.
Recall number 90V163000 · Recall details
Questions about the Honda Civic whining noise
Which Honda Civic years have whining or grinding noise problems?
The model years with the most reports are 2001 (6 complaints), 2002 (6 complaints) and 2006 (5 complaints).
How much does it cost to fix whining or grinding noise on the Honda Civic?
Owners who mentioned a price put the repair at about $1,800 (median of 5 complaints that include a dollar amount). Costs vary with mileage, warranty and where the work is done.
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