Honda Civic Power Train Problems
Owners have filed 1,730 complaints with NHTSA about power train problems on the Honda Civic across 32 model years. The 2001 model year has the most (403). The words owners use most often: “transmission failed” (8% of reports).
- 1,730power train complaints
- —median miles at failure
- 60mention a crash
- 25mention an injury
- 3related recalls
- $4,300typical repair cost reported by owners
- 27%of reports with a speed happened at 50+ mph
What owners describe
Phrases that appear unusually often in these complaints compared with complaints about other cars.
- Transmission failed: mentioned in 138 of 1,730 complaints (8%)
How much does it cost to fix?
Owners who wrote down what they paid or were quoted put the typical power train repair on the Honda Civic at $4,300, and half of them between $3,050 and $5,450.
Based on 141 NHTSA complaints about this problem alone that state a repair bill or quote (1999–2025), converted to 2026 dollars with the U.S. consumer price index. These are owners' own figures, not a quote: they include dealer quotes, and owners who file complaints often faced larger repairs, so they can run higher than typical shop prices. Prices vary by shop, region and warranty coverage. How we calculate this.
At what mileage do power train problems happen?
Based on 1,201 complaints that reported the odometer reading.
How serious are the reports?
Of 1,730 complaints, 60 mention a crash, 9 a fire, 25 an injury.
Honda Civic power train complaints by model year
| Model year | Power Train complaints | Share of that year | Median miles |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 Civic | 2 | 6% | — |
| 2025 Civic | 6 | 8% | 1,000 |
| 2024 Civic | 6 | 5% | 17,000 |
| 2023 Civic | 6 | 2% | 1,200 |
| 2022 Civic | 10 | 1% | — |
| 2021 Civic | 2 | 1% | — |
| 2020 Civic | 31 | 14% | 8,200 |
| 2019 Civic | 13 | 3% | 7,000 |
| 2018 Civic | 14 | 2% | 20,000 |
| 2017 Civic | 29 | 5% | 25,000 |
| 2016 Civic | 36 | 3% | 35,977 |
| 2015 Civic | 176 | 46% | 84,500 |
| 2014 Civic | 98 | 33% | 43,297 |
| 2013 Civic | 22 | 7% | 6,450 |
| 2012 Civic | 49 | 11% | 18,315 |
| 2011 Civic | 4 | 2% | 13,750 |
| 2010 Civic | 12 | 3% | 77,000 |
| 2009 Civic | 23 | 6% | 20,359 |
| 2008 Civic | 52 | 6% | 35,000 |
| 2007 Civic | 104 | 9% | 12,450 |
| 2006 Civic | 76 | 5% | 50,000 |
| 2005 Civic | 36 | 11% | 57,330 |
| 2004 Civic | 56 | 16% | 87,250 |
| 2003 Civic | 101 | 20% | 74,259 |
| 2002 Civic | 185 | 26% | 102,681 |
| 2001 Civic | 403 | 37% | 98,000 |
| 2000 Civic | 30 | 10% | 47,349 |
| 1999 Civic | 35 | 10% | 75,000 |
| 1998 Civic | 49 | 11% | 63,600 |
| 1997 Civic | 25 | 7% | 50,700 |
| 1996 Civic | 25 | 8% | 112,500 |
| 1995 Civic | 14 | 7% | — |
When owners reported it
Related recalls (3)
Power train:driveline:driveshaft
Model years: 2017
Problem: 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.
Fix: 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.
Power train:automatic transmission:control module (tcm/pcm/tecm)
Model years: 2014, 2015
Problem: 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.
Fix: 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).
Power train:driveline:driveshaft
Model years: 2012
Problem: Honda is recalling certain model year 2012 honda civic vehicles. During assembly, the process required to seat the driverâs 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 âparkâ position, increasing the risk of crash or pedestrian injury.
Fix: 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.
What owners report
Short excerpts of recent complaints, with personal details removed. Full reports are on NHTSA.gov.
Happened multiple times in multiple locations during city driving accelerating from a stop or low speed to a higher speed, especially when accelerating from a stop through an intersection at a stoplight. Vehicle surges and âwonât goâ. Feels like a giant rubber band in the drive train…
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…
On my 2007 Honda Civic SI sedan, the clutch pedal assembly bracket that mounts it to the firewall broke. This effectively disables the vehicle Wherever You Are. You are unable to shift into any gear to safely get off the road or anything of the sort. The clutch pedal assembly bracket cracked on the…
Reported this to the dealer in June 2025 a month after I bought the car. Dealer checked the car & couldn't find a problem causing this. Problem continues & is getting worse. I believe problem with CVT - vehicle jerks, hesitates and shudders in low speeds upon deceleration and acceleration. Not a…
Honda civic is stalling while driving due to faulty fuel pump or fuel delivery component. Computer not coordinating correct power.
Frequently asked questions
Do all Honda Civics have power train problems?
No. NHTSA has 1,730 owner complaints about power train for the Honda Civic. Complaint data shows that the problem is reported, not how many of all cars sold are affected.
Was there a recall on the Honda Civic power train?
Yes: 3 safety recalls list power train. Check your VIN on NHTSA.gov to see whether the fix was done on your car.
How much does it cost to fix power train problems on the Honda Civic?
Owners report a typical cost of $4,300 (half paid between $3,050 and $5,450), from 141 complaints that state a repair bill or quote, in 2026 dollars.
What do owners say about power train problems on the Honda Civic?
The most frequent phrase is “transmission failed”, in 138 of 1,730 complaints.
Other Honda Civic problems
- Air Bags problems (2,756)
- Steering problems (2,542)
- Electrical System problems (1,423)
- Engine problems (1,107)
- Suspension problems (854)
- Visibility problems (792)
- Structure problems (777)
- Engine and Engine Cooling problems (682)
See all Honda Civic problems.