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Honda Civic Hybrid Transmission Problems

487 messages,  Last post on Apr 29, 2013 at 8:38 PM

You are in the Honda Civic Hybrid Maintenance & Repair Forum.

What is this discussion about? Honda Civic, Transmission, Sedan

    
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Messages Page 9 of 50

#72 of 487 2004 Civic Hybrid tranny by brian1204

Sep 14, 2006 (8:15 pm)

I have a 2004 Civic Hybrid that I bought just 2 months ago. It has 65k miles on it.
A couple of weeks after I bought it I started hearing and feeling a shudder when starting from stop at any but a very slow acceleration. It got progressively worse so that I took it into the local Honda dealership (Goodson Honda West, in Houston, Texas) who charged me $200 for the transmission fluid 'transfusion', which lessened the affect a little, but not much. Their next solution is to replace the transmission at a cost of $3000.
Since the affect is only happening at medium to heavy acceleration from stop, I'm not about to lay that kind of money down, especially after reading how common this problem is. It is a design problem that Honda needs to correct through recall.
We bought a 2002 Prius with 85K miles at the same time as the Civic, and it drives like a dream (although with a bit less pep than the Civic) and gets much better milage (44mpg vs 35mpg, another disappointment with the Civic).
Any other 2004 Civic owners who have had the problem fixed without a new tranny?

#73 of 487 Re: Any problems with 2006's? [rkaylor] by georgeinmd2

Sep 15, 2006 (12:22 pm)

Replying to: rkaylor (Sep 14, 2006 5:46 pm)
While I find this behaviour hideously annoying, I believe its "normal" within the parameters set by the engine/transmission/computer network. (At least, my '05 does it...) The computer is simply setting what it's been programmed to think is the optimal throttle/gear ratio combination to maintain a prescribed speed while fighting the fell clutch of gravity. Many small engined cars with (oxymoron alert!) "standard" automatic transmissions behave similarly. -- George

#74 of 487 Re: Old Shake with a New Twist by kidcisco

Sep 18, 2006 (10:45 am)

Replying to: kidcisco (Sep 12, 2006 1:07 pm)
New update -
 
My dealer called me last week and said they had something new to try on my HCH-paulsy. They flushed the transmission while doing a specific break-stand combo (on jacks, in neutral, 10 pumps of specific duration, left right left right B A start).
 
It triggered some sort of reset, and now the shudder is gone. No EGR Valve replacement, no new tranny. Just fixed.
 
My dealer said to keep an eye on it, and if I have any problems for the next 10k or so, they'll fix em.
 
I'm buying a new car for my wife soon. Guess which dealer I'm going to first.

#75 of 487 Re: 2004 Civic Hybrid tranny [brian1204] by james2245

Sep 20, 2006 (9:39 am)

Replying to: brian1204 (Sep 14, 2006 8:15 pm)
I also have a 2004 Civic Hybrid. I bought in with 24,600 miles from Carmax. After purchase I experience the creaking\groan during acceleration from stop on hills. I took the car back and in hindsight should have run. Carmax set the Civic to the local Honda dealer. They did the fluid flush and all seemed fixed.
Just last month I started hearing the noise again. I figured that a fluid flush was all that was needed and my 60,000 maintenance was due. So I took it into the local Honda dealer. Now I'm told that the flush won't fix the issue. That the start clutch has failed and I will have to replace the entire transmission (rebuilt) for $3,322. I didn't buy the extended warranty so I'm looking at other options for repair.
When I bought the car it was a long tough decision should I spend a little extra for doing my part to help stop dependance on oil, now I have a black hole, slip shot, shoddy design and a Manufacturer that could care less. I have a '93 Subaru wagon with over 250,000 mile that has had no transmission issues.
I guess the more high tech things become the less reliable they are.
 
** Note to self-don't buy the lasted thing, you will only pay for it. **

#76 of 487 Re: 2004 Civic Hybrid tranny [james2245] by rkaylor

Sep 20, 2006 (5:11 pm)

Replying to: james2245 (Sep 20, 2006 9:39 am)
With my 2006 Civic hybrid I have put much trust in Honda and am not sure if the company will live up to my expectations or not. I am going to spend the extra money for the extended warranty.

#77 of 487 When did CVT Fluid come out? by eric99

Jul 05, 2006 (4:07 pm)

hello, I'm glad I found this site. Seems like there are many knowlable people here. I have an 03 civic hybrid CVT with 70,000 miles. When did honda come out with the new CVT fluid? When I changed my trans fluid at 35,000 (two years ago) I used the ATF-Z fluid, which at the time was the correct fluid for the CVT unit. The owners manual also says to use ATF-Z. I can imagine Honda re-formulated the CVT fluid to help prevent slippage problems and shutter. I have experienced CVT slippage, but it's a very rare event. Perhaps one time every 3 to 4 months when I am accelerating from a stop I will notice the RPMs raising too quickly and not enough acceleration. So, now with 70,000 I am going to change the fluid for the new CVT fluid. I see if I simply drain and re-fill, I don't get all the old ATF-Z out, so do I need to do the flush? Does a flush consist of multiple drain, fill, and drive cycles? If so, how many drain, fill, and drive cycles should I do, and how many quarts of CVT fluid should a purchase? I also read something about a service to the wet drive clutch in the CVT unit, burnishing I think? exactly what is this and is it something I can do myself? Thanks for the help!
 
-Eric

#78 of 487 Car unable to drive up hill? Is this normal? by jliebeler

Oct 22, 2006 (4:33 pm)

I just moved to the top of a very big hill. My 06 civic hybrid will not drive up the hill- it uses up the battery and then simply stops- the accelerator is floored and the car won't drive up the hill. Could there be something wrong with the transmission or is it possible the car doesn't doesn't have the power to drive up hills? I'd appreciate any suggestion since I am going to have to sell the car if I can't get the transmission fixed or identify if it is another problem. Thanks.

#79 of 487 hesitation/bucking by fredhedd

Oct 23, 2006 (12:59 pm)

03 civic hybrid. please let me know if this is the same problem. there is a slight hesitation after putting the car into gear. half a second or more. when crusing at about ten to fifteen miles an hour, i take my foot off the gas but when i reapply it, there is a strong jerk when the tranny engages. i hvae tried disconnecting my egr valve but it is still there. there is also a low vibration or shudder all the way up through about tweny miles an hour. the car doesnt really buck terribly or anything. not like a horse. it's a one time thing and only when the transmission engages or disengages. any information would be extremely helpful. thanks in advance. the car has 70,000 on it.

#81 of 487 Honda Civic Hybrid 2007 Brand New with HUGE problems by aat3

Oct 29, 2006 (11:15 am)

I just bought my Honda Civic Hybrid and within 3 days of driving, all the engine (IMA, Battery, gas engine) lights went on. The car started lurching when I took the foot off the gas and shaking when at a stop light. I was getting car sick just driving to work. At 130 miles I took it to the dealership and it was pronounced undrivable. Dealership is ordering a complete new battery system.
 
My question is, should I run like hell away from this car that is already having so many problems? I want reliability and if I"m already dealing with huge issues at 130 miles, what's to come? Anyone else having serious hybrid issues related to the Civics? Any advice? Anyone ever tried to fight for getting a refund on a car?
 
Thanks!
Disappointed customer

Messages Page 9 of 50

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