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 owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
Tl* the contact owned a 2003 Honda Civic. The contact took the vehicle to huntington Honda (1055 jericho turnpike, huntington, ny 11743, phone number: [phone]) to be repaired for an unknown air bag recall. While driving from the dealer, the contact noticed that the air bag was sticking out of the steering wheel and the horn failed to function. While driving 25 MPH, the gear shifter failed to shift out of park, the radio failed, and the steering wheel seized. The vehicle stalled without warning. While making a left turn, the contact crashed into a high curb, which pushed the engine back. The air bags failed to deploy. The contact sustained a broken foot that required medical attention. A police report was not filed. The vehicle was towed to nardy Honda smithtown (559 middle country rd, st james, ny 11780, phone number: [phone]). The vehicle was destroyed. …
Transmission on 2003 Honda Civic stopped working on the highway in the middle of the night (about 11:30 pm on a Friday night). This is a safety issue, because what if I was rear-ended by someone on the highway & I and a friend (girls) were alone in the car at night & if I had been unable to get home, we would have been susceptible to attack by late-night miscreants - we were on our way home from a church youth meeting - since we were in the middle on the highway in queens, ny. I was able to feel something was wrong & maneuver the car over where we collided with the curb and managed to get the car off the road, but it died with the corner of the rear, driver's side bumper sticking out onto the highway where it could have potentially been hit by another car.
Vehicle steering wheel violently jerks back and forth when shifting automatically resulting in no control of vehicle.vehicle does not lock doors.dealership failed to complete or inform me of any kinds of hazards as I overlooked these major problems when purchased used car. I paid over 3400 dollars for junk.
This was also filed under the general header powertrain, but since I saw more complaints here I thought I should file it here instead as there seems to be more strengths in numbers and this problem is dangerous and needs to be addressed. My car has been shuddering/bucking/slipping. It started before the car was out of warranty. With all of the stories I have read it has become clear to me that Honda was aware of the problem and that the transmission fluid change was a way of stalling the consumer until the warranty had run out. I took my car in, had the fluid flushed and it temporarily fixed the problem. This was done a second time and after the warranty had run out a third time. Each time there was only a temporary fix. Now the problem has become dangerous. The car hesitates, races and bucks. …
My 2003 Honda Civic hybrid (hch) with its CVT transmission (52,500 miles) exhibits severe bucking, hesitation and lurching. During low speed maneuvering in a parking lot or turning a corner, less than 20 MPH, the car will lurch and buck. It will become so pronounced and violent that the car will lurch forward and your head will hit the headrest. I took the car to Honda of tyson?s corner in virginia in early August 2007 and their solution was to replace the CVT fluid. This did not solve the problem. Now in September 2007 the issue is becoming worse and a lurching or slippage is noticed at speed up to 50 MPH. I took the car to an independent garage and they confirmed a major transmission issue but due to lack of technical information they were not equipped to repair the CVT. They also reported that no engine trouble codes were detected. …
2003 Honda Civic hybrid with numerous problems with car shuddering when slowing down and then taking off again. This has been occurring regularly since July 2, 2007 at 74,000 miles. It has been in the dealer 6 times for this CVT slippage. The very first documented problem however was April 20, 2003 at 9783 miles with the transmission slipping when placed into reverse and then suddenly catching. The slippage is worst in hot weather. Been brought in and misdiagnosed or delaying tactics to circumvent the extended warranty by the Honda dealer each time. This is despite a safety recall for this very same problem in Japan, india, and indonesia, Honda notified nhsta in a letter to associate administrator mr. Kenneth weinstein of the office of safety assurance of this recall in those countries.. …
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. …
2003 Honda Civic hybrid. Original owner car has 52 k. Recently I experienced a near death accident because the engine rapidly accelerated by itself as I exited a slight uphill driveway. As I approached the end of the driveway I stopped before turning onto the road, I heard a thud or clunk and then the car lurched and sped rapidly into the road which was wet from rain. The car skidded and fishtailed l tried to apply the brakes but they were unresponsive. I tried the emergency brake which did not respond either. The car did a 360 turn and had gone almost 200 yards from where it exited the driveway. The engine sounded like it was going to blow up. I could smell smoke. All of this happened in under 30 seconds. By some merciful force, the car hit the mud embankment on the side of the road and thankfully no other cars were on the road. …
Honda Civic hybrids with the CVT transmission develop what Honda refers to as a judder. What is actually happening is the "start clutch" in the transmission slips during take off from a stop and causes the car to judder or shake. When this happens in any condition other than perfectly dry roads you can temporarily lose control of the vehicle because the vehicle is front wheel drive and the front wheels can lose traction and spin. I have even had this happen when the front tires are sitting on the painted white line found at most intersections. Honda is very aware of the problem. There are thousands of complaints documented online, yet Honda has been very reluctant to properly address the situation. Honda claims this is not a safety issue, but I have temporarily lost control of my car on wet roads several times. I can't imagine trying to drive one in the snow. …
After numerous problems with our 2003 Honda Civic hybrid, the CVT transmission is slipping so badly the car can barely take off from a stop and peters out when going up a hill. This latest problem occurred soon after the transmission judder problem was corrected under warranty. Now American Honda is having the dealership replace the entire transmission on warranty. Although this is a known issue with the 2003 CVT transmission, American Honda continues to refuse to issue a full recall, claiming it is not a safety issue. We have a recording on our answering machine from the assistant service manager at our Honda dealership saying that the car is not safe to drive. There are many more 2003 Honda Civic hybrids on the road with this serious issue. Fortunately, we have not been involved in a crash with this unsafe vehicle. …
Transmission complaints in other Civic years
Frequently asked questions
How common are transmission problems on the 2003 Honda Civic?
NHTSA has 101 complaints about the transmission & drivetrain of the 2003 Honda Civic, 20% of the model year's 499 complaints. The component named most often is automatic transmission (72 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2003 Honda Civic transmission problems?
No. NHTSA lists no transmission & drivetrain recall for the 2003 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 2003 Honda Civic transmission problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 74,000 miles, and 13% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 7 crashes, 0 fires and 4 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.