Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (engine, cooling system, oil leaks, timing chain, exhaust).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2001 Honda Civic owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
I am going down the road at 65mph and car loses all power, compression, speed... Starts shuttering, stuttering & shaking the car then it dies... It doesn't matter the conditions, whether I'm in city or on road... It does it anywhere and unexpectedly, never know when it's going to do it but it's dangerous it's not just once, it's every time I drive the car! Not just once but several times!
The drivers and passengers airbags did not deploy during a frontal impact crash involving a Honda Civic and GMC yukon truck. My vehicle the Honda Civic was heading on a two-lane street at approximately 35 to 40 miles per hour before impact into a stopped truck making a left turn across oncoming traffic while Honda was in motion the brakes were applied. Cause is unknown at this time on why the airbags did not deploy. All recalls have been complied with for the 2001 Honda Civic. Recall 13v-132: recall 14v-351 completed. Number of open recalls are zero at this time.
I received a 2001 Honda Civic lx from my dad as a gift around the end of April, 2018. Which he had spent about 2000 in the motor before giving it to me. The issues occurred with the car over heating right when we landed into las vegas which we were coming from san dimas california, it took about 3-4 hours to get back home. I had issues with my car over heating a lot which had to do with the sensors at first which had gotten replaced. Than after the fan to cool down the radiator wasn't working properly to where only one fan would kick in. Now out of no where my car had issues accelerating which should be investigated before somebody really gets hurt. …
Tl* the contact owns a 2001 Honda Civic. While driving, the contact noticed a fuel odor throughout the vehicle. While the accelerator pedal was depressed, the fuel odor became stronger and the check engine warning indicator illuminated. The vehicle was taken to west broad Honda at [phone] (7014 w broad st, richmond, va 23294), but the failure could not be replicated. The contact was advised to take the vehicle to west broad collision center at [phone] (9001 w broad st, richmond, va 23294) where the mechanic stated that he smelled a strong fuel odor and that the vehicle would need to be taken back to west broad Honda. West broad Honda diagnosed that the fuel pump module needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the contact was informed that the battery needed to be replaced and the radiator was cracked and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. …
Tl* the contact owns a 2001 Honda Civic. The contact was driving 30 MPH when the vehicle stalled without warning. The contact then noticed that smoke was emitting from under the hood area just as the engine area caught on fire. The contact was able to exit the vehicle without injuries. The fire was extinguished by the local fire department. A fire report was not filed. The vehicle was destroyed and towed to a salvage yard. The manufacturer was not notified of the incident. The VIN was not available. The approximate failure mileage was 100,000.
Was driving on bluegrass parkway in kentucky. My check engine light came on. I hit a small bump in the road and both airbags deployed. I tried getting out of harms way. Then my engine cut off. I had no power steering and brakes it wouldn't stop the car. I went off the road and hit a tree causing severe damage to my car. Honda placed a recall in December 2011 but never contacted me of the recall. I was taken by ambulance to the nearest hospital. Suffered wrist and ankle damage so who is responsible????
We got into a head on collision with a SUV receiving damage to the front of the car. None of the airbags deployed, but both deployed in the other car (SUV). There were two recalls for our Honda Civic airbags in 2010 and 2013. In both recalls our Honda Civic was serviced and the "driver airbag inflator" was replaced. We were told the repairs were made, but the airbags never deployed. We do not want this to happen to anyone else.
Vehicle was stuck in full throttle while driving on the highway. When this occurred the brake pedal was depressed but failed to stop or slow the vehicle down. As a result, consumer hit three motorists but vehicle continued to accelerate. The emergency brake was engaged and vehicle was put in park gear to stop. The problem was due to a pebble entering the air intake valve.
Engine and cooling system. Every part of the cooling system was checked and replaced including thermostat, water pump, timing belt, radiator, and all hoses. After running several diagnostic tests the car was showing no codes but would still overheat at times causing terrible situations on the highways. Please fix this
Unintended acceleration. Engine rev went to 3000 RPM while stopped at a traffic light. Kept car stationary by pressing hard on the break. First and only occurrence; also almost the first and only day the car was driven with cruise control operational.
Related recalls
Engine and engine cooling › Engine
Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. During the assembly process, the air cleaner box cover May have been damaged, and a broken plastic piece could travel into the intake chamber.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the air cleaner box for damage. If damage is found, the dealer will locate and remove the broken plastic piece, and replace the air cleaner box lid. Owner notification began on October 25, 2001.
Engine complaints in other Civic years
Frequently asked questions
How common are engine problems on the 2001 Honda Civic?
NHTSA has 83 complaints about the engine & cooling of the 2001 Honda Civic, 8% of the model year's 1,079 complaints. The component named most often is engine (19 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2001 Honda Civic engine problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 01V-329 (engine, Oct 22, 2001). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2001 Honda Civic engine problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 95,000 miles, and 13% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 6 crashes, 1 fire and 5 injuries to engine & cooling 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.