Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (automatic and manual transmissions, CVT, axles, driveshaft, 4WD/AWD).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2003 Honda Civic Hybrid owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
2003 Honda Civic Hybrid transmission issues at only 115,907 miles have been a huge problem with this company. I just had to be excused from my shift of where I perform law enforcement duties so I could pick up my wife and two teenagers from the car that has been the bane of my existence and the bane of others' as well from what I have read in the umpteen different forums and sites across the world. Asia did it right by treating their people and Honda owners right by recalling their transmissions across the board due to the lack of performance and durability in the CVT powertrain. This vehicle left my family stranded along a very busy highway after having to coast to a stop from the far right lane because the transmission stopped accelerating while operating perfectly fine at 70 MPH. …
"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. …
I was driving my car on antioch rd. Crestview, fl and had stopped at the stop sign to jump onto p.j. Adams rd. When traffic permitted I tired to pull out the car lunged forward a few feet putting the hood area completely in the road when the d light started flashing and the car stopped moving . The motor reves up but the car wont move. I was almost hit bye a semi truck . After replacing att sensors the d light is still flashing and the car wont move . I have exqhausted all repairs that I can do and was forced to scrape the car because it was my only way of going and after spending almost 1000bucks was still unable to fix this car. Its very dangerous in the fact that I could have been hit and killed due to this unexpected and sudden shut down with no warning
I drove this 2003 Honda Civic Hybrid took my baby honestly from the shopping market. It was just at the right turning corner, the vehicle suddenly lost power to move, I immediately press the emergency button, got out off the vehicle let other autos passed me ahead by the side way. Later some kindly guys help me pushed the car to a parking lot near by. The transmission was out of work. After my friend help me took baby home, the vehiclel was towed back. Glad is not on the highway. It only just passed 100K miles. The transmission fluid was good, output speed sensor is OK. I think not only me have this quality problem. It is too dangerous for us without a sign.
When driving at 50mph on a national highway 95s heading to philadelphia around 11 am,the speed of the car suddenly reduce to 20mph and then stalled and stopped moving. I had to pull aside to check the engine. After some thirty minutes of rest,I had to return home with an idea of getting the car checked by the dealer.the dealer reorted of having no problem in the engine and I had to take the car back and running as carefully as possible without using for a long trip. I had some dents due to other driver with rash driving and hitting the car.I need to get the dents fixed as soon as the present winter season turns feasible for easy running.
For no reason whatsoever the transmission is no longer working and apparently there is "shrapnel" everywhere- according to the mechanic. A total loss in that it costs twice as much as the car is worth to find a new transmission. We are out $800.00 for the mechanic to tell us this news- for he had to take the transmission down to inspect it. A new one would be $4880.00. Could've caused a major accident or death, had this occurred on the freeway 5 minutes earlier! Not funny Honda! After looking up similar incidents online- I'm grateful we're alive.
When starting from at stop the car hesitates and shudders when you press the gas pedal unless you let the car idle and roll forward first. It also has problems when you have the cruise control on for more than 10 min. After approx 10min it acts like I have turned off and back on the cruise control several times before it does turn off and then you can turn the main cruise control switch off and back on and then reset the cruise but it only stays working for 1-2 min before shutting itself back off.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 Honda Civic Hybrid. The contact stated that the vehicle would violently jerk when accelerating from a stop and also when driving at various speeds. The failure recurred on an intermittent basis. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer numerous times where various transmission and engine repairs were performed, but the failure continued. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and offered no assistance. The failure mileage was 5. The VIN was unavailable.
Tl* 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.
There is a shuttering in the transmission that occurs when the car is attempting to get out of first gear. The shuttering is becoming more violent. The car has also slipped out of drive (while on the road) and wouldn't accelerate. I've read that the shuttering isn't fairly common in this model and/or type of transmission.
Transmission complaints in other Civic Hybrid years
Frequently asked questions
How common are transmission problems on the 2003 Honda Civic Hybrid?
NHTSA has 26 complaints about the transmission & drivetrain of the 2003 Honda Civic Hybrid, 51% of the model year's 51 complaints. The component named most often is automatic transmission (1 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2003 Honda Civic Hybrid transmission problems?
No. NHTSA lists no transmission & drivetrain recall for the 2003 Honda Civic Hybrid, though it has 6 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2003 Honda Civic Hybrid transmission problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 130,000 miles, and 4% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 0 fires and 0 injuries to transmission & drivetrain problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.