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 2002 Honda Civic owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
SRS Light on for a while in Honda Civic, Contacted Dealer as this car was messed with by another dealership last year during light swsitch recall, so wanted only other Dealership to diagnose the issue with SRS but diagnosis alone is $157 and since my auto mechanic cannot read the diagnosis Honda has put or installed this restricted setting on the car. Seat belts and seat bekt sensors may be bad and seat belt cant stick on driver;s side, indicating a safety issue, Transmission exhibiting trouble and revs up when shifting, hard to shift gears with automatic gear shift problems. This should not be happening and brand new engine had to be competely installed with new engine blocks, and new radiator and watter pump need due to failing.
Drove my Honda civic through town today for about 15 minutes. Came up to a stop light. When the light turned green. I took my foot off the brake and the car jerked forward real hard and then there was grinding noise coming from the transmission. The car wouldn't go into drive or reverse. With my foot on the brake the transmission wouldn't go into park. Had to have the car towed home
I was driving my vehicle at approximately 45 MPH and was entering a major intersection when the rpms reved up to approximately 4000 and I lost all control of the speed of the vehicle and this all happened with a sudden jerk. I then pushed my gear shiftier (car is automatic) into neutral then back into drive while trying to avoid cars in the intersection. The car finally engaged again and I was able to pull into a nearby gas station. I had to sit in the gas station with the car off for about 30 minutes before I could drive home. About 10 minutes later the vehicle did the same thing and almost rear ended another vehicle. I was pretty sure it was a transmission issue and couldn't call the mechanic till the next morning because this happened on a Sunday evening and shops were not open. …
#1) overheats/boils reservoir lost 3 caps #2)water pump failure #3)trunk latch doesn't work all time #4)cruise control never worked #5) window washer motor fried #6) can't run ac sometimes heater causes to overheat it will idle for hours but once its driven down hwy it starts to over heat. #7) transmission failure while driving in to library to get my son it was like it went into neutral while I was driving no speed all rpms. #8) ignition keeps sticking won't always start feels like the key is going to break #9) all the windows are now manual drivers side wire frayed and messed up broke plastic pieces. It's held up by pvc the passenger is the only window still operable one motor stopped and never started the other is held up with a door stopper. #10) the seatbelts lock and won't let go even if the car is started but not mobile still in park.
My 2002 Honda Civic that I purchased from the original owner as a commuter car two years ago suddenly had transmission failure. I have driven the car 30,000 miles over the past two years and have not had a problem. One day the car was placed in park while in a drive through with the engine running would not move when placed back into drive. None of the forward or reverse gears would move the car. I towed the car home and still looking for the fix. I thought the shift cable May have been the cause but that is not the problem as it is functioning at the shifter and at the transmission. Not sure if a shift solenoid is bad or if the transmission is shot. No warning, no erratic shifting, and no burnt transmission fluid. Very disappointed that this is a common problem with 02 civics and Honda has turned I blind eye to a known problem.
Without any warning or symptoms the engine light came on and stayed on. Dealer determined transmission has failed, based on DTC codes: p0700 a/t system p0730 incorrect gear ratio dealer says transmission needs to be replaced at a cost of (with a used transmission with 89,000 miles on it a a six month/6000 mile warranty) $2,700 installed. I declined. Car seems to be running fine but engine warning light remains on, causing ma vehicle safety inspection failure and I now have 60 days to repair it or take it off the road. The problem with Honda transmissions seems to be endemic, but a secret. Others have fared much worse with transmission failures on the road.
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 Honda Civic. While attempting to reverse the vehicle, the transmission seized. Additionally, on several occasions while attempting to merge into traffic, the vehicle failed to respond when the accelerator pedal was depressed. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the transmission needed to be replaced or rebuilt. The vehicle was not repaired. Cambridge Honda (located at 275 fresh pond pkwy, cambridge, ma 02138, [phone]) was contacted by phone and notified of the failure. The manufacturer was also notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 76,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 Honda Civic. The contact stated that the vehicle independently shifted out of gear while being operated at various speeds. The check engine warning indicator illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where the technician flushed the transmission fluid however the failure recurred. The contact replaced the transmission however after being operated for 60,000 miles, the failure recurred. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 60,000.
I was driving on the freeway going about 30 MPH in moderate traffic when the car stopped responding to my gas pedal and the rpms just started to spike up. This put me in a dangerous situation and the car behind me almost rear ended me but swerved away. Luckily my car managed to glide to the right shoulder and out of harm's way. Afterward I had to get my car towed. I was quoted at various dealerships that the repair would be excess of 3000, so now I'm stuck with repairs that exceed the value of my car. Apparently, Honda didn't do a good job of creating a reliable transmission.
My 2002 Honda Civic is having an electrical problem to where my bran new just bought battery is draining withing 10 minutes of driving and all of a sudden my car just turns off while driving in traffic and cause it to where it is hard to stear and even to where I cant get out of the middle of dead traffic. The whole car just shuts off and won't let me start it again. This has now happend to me on the freeway and on a 55mph street as well.
Transmission complaints in other Civic years
Frequently asked questions
How common are transmission problems on the 2002 Honda Civic?
NHTSA has 185 complaints about the transmission & drivetrain of the 2002 Honda Civic, 26% of the model year's 702 complaints. The component named most often is automatic transmission (102 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2002 Honda Civic transmission problems?
No. NHTSA lists no transmission & drivetrain recall for the 2002 Honda Civic, though it has 11 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 2002 Honda Civic transmission problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 103,000 miles, and 5% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 0 crashes, 1 fire and 2 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.