Seven problems related to transmission noise have been reported for the 2003 Honda Civic Hybrid. The most recently reported issues are listed below.
Jerking and noises got worse over a one week period. Dealership, where all service has occurred for this car, says it needs a new transmission ($4800) and is not worth repairing. The mileage is quite low for this problem, 133,000. We've heard this is a common problem for these hybrids 2002-2005.
"juddering" happens with my continuously variable transmission (cvt) when taking off from a stop and when accelerating to enter an expressway. "juddering" means that the trans is slipping and making noise (loses power when you need it the most- very dangerous). River town Honda grandville, mi stated that it would cost me $2,100. 00 to replace it with a new one. Honda japan has recalled these transmissions in their hch model years 2003 through 2005. What can we do to get Honda America to treat us to the same recall that japan has? this is a known problem, defect with the cvt. Honda makes quality vehicles with very good reliability, my other car is also a hch 2005 with a manual trans and absolutely no problems. Please check into the problem (I am not alone with this) and get Honda America to stand behind their reputation and recall the cvts or reimburse the $2,100. 00 cost to get them replaced. This is an ongoing, everyday occurance not limited to just one time. Please help!.
The contact owns a 2003 Honda Civic Hybrid. The contact stated that while driving approximately 50 mph, an abnormal noise emitted from the front end of the vehicle. In addition, the contact stated that the air bag warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the transmission needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 185,000.
The transmission for my Honda Civic Hybrid is failing. It's now at about 170,000 but the problems I've been experiencing have been occurring since I bought the car. The problems have to do with bucking on acceleration, juddering on acceleration, and the car moving in reverse when the gear is in drive and now a noise is coming from inside the transmission. I purchased this care new in 2003 and have been taking it in for service every 10k mi. This is my first car so I thought the "bucking", juddering and "reversing while in drive" was by design, but it wasn't until years later that I googled my car and noticed other people had similar problems. Just google "civic hybrid transmission". I'm now faced with paying almost 4000 to replace my transmission. Interestingly, there have been transmission complaints for other Honda products of the same year (Acura tl, Honda accord). I really think there's a flaw in transmission components of at least some Honda models from the 2002-2006 production year.
I have a 2003 Honda hybrid with 146k on it. . . The car started making slipping and grinding noises when coming out of a full stop. I noticed that a lot of other people are having the same exact issue at various intervals and are getting the run around from Honda dealerships-replacing transmission fluids, brandishing, etc. Only for the problem to return. At this point I have a vehicle that costs enormous amounts of money to fix-$1300 catalytic converter, $4000 ima battery pack reset/purchase, $750 transmission fluid change. This is really a big problem. It seems like people have been absolutely fooled into buying the car with no support from the manufacturer. This is not an isolated incident and many hybrid owners have found this to be an expensive and frustrating repair-not to mention the other costs. People feel like they're driving lemons around. My repairs that I recently found out about because the car did not pass emissions will cost me more than what the car is worth. The issue of the slipping and grinding when coming from a full stop needs to be addressed by the manufacturer and recalled to be repaired at no cost to the owners. This particular slipping started approximately 2 years ago. I had a transmission fluid replacement at that time and it seemed to take care of the problem only to have it return about 10k later. This is an ongoing cycle. I feel like I'm being gauged by the dealerships and the manufacturer who is refusing to address this issue-among many other ones.
Every time I accelerate from a complete stop, my vehicle makes a juddering/vibrating noise. A service bulletin was issued by Honda in 2008 for this very concern, which turned out to be the start clutch. Honda burnished my clutch twice and the problem was resolved, until the same problem came up about 15,000 miles later. I am no longer under warranty for it. I had my clutch burnished again today (cost me $150), but that did not resolve the issue. I was told that I will need to replace the start clutch, which will cost about $1500 with labor. If this does not get repaired, my transmission could fail completely, and at any time. Long story short, it is quite obvious that the start clutches in 2003 Honda Civic Hybrids are defective.
2003 Honda Civic Hybrid began slight shuddering noise upon acceleration, which eventually got worse, taken in for repair and was told transmission fluid was flushed out 6 times in order to fully clean it out. Not even 3000 miles later shudder came back. Unfortunately, at the time was unable to afford another repair bill since car was still drivable. Now shudder is accompanied by tapping noise only when in gear, slight in reverse but loud when in drive.