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 2004 Honda Civic owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
I have a 2004 Honda Civic ex. Driving to glendale (1 hour from where I live) in the city I started noticing the transmission was jerking. Shortly after the engine light came on. Going up a hill my transmission wasn't working anymore and was revving without going into gear. I was in motion on a hill on a very tight road where only 1 car can pass at a time. And cars were parked on the side of the street. I almost crashed into the parked cars because I could't control the jerking of the car and the transmission slipping. I had cars coming towards me and had the car stalled on the road and had to block the traffic for 30 min before my friends could come and help me move the car. There was little amount of space and parking and had to push the car for a while before finding a parking spot. …
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 Honda Civic. The contact stated that while driving, the transmission and check engine warning lights illuminated and the vehicle started to shake and independently decelerate. Additionally, while accelerating the vehicle was skipping gears. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and diagnosed that the transmission failure was due to a faulty CVT skipping or an EGR valve and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer and was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 85,000.
This model car has a documented issue with the start clutch performance. This issue creates a safety hazard due to the unpredictable acceleration it causes. Despite re-surfacing procedures, the issue will return. This is not simply a wear issue, the part(s) and/or design are faulty. This is common knowledge among Honda mechanics who are familiar with this model. Please let me know if you need more info or details.
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 Honda Civic. While driving uphill at 30 MPH, the accelerator pedal was depressed but the vehicle did not accelerate. The failure recurred numerous times. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 170,000.
My 2004 Honda Civic has the same acceleration problem as Toyota. Braking for a light or stop sign, the engine RPM is about 2000 and car is almost unstoppable. This is a random phenomenon, and is unpredictable. Contacted Honda but they claimed they never heard of this problem. This resulted in bumper damage twice.
The car transmission is slipping. Sometimes it works and sometimes the engine is fine, but when I accelerate the car does not move forward right away. Engine light stays on. It has plenty of fluid, but the transmission does not engage.
Transmission slipping on 2004 Honda Civic hybrid. I have been having issues with my transmission slipping on Civic hybrid since about 30K miles. I now have 86K miles. The 1st time I brought it into my Honda dealer in south charleston wv the mechanics said Honda said to flush the transmission fluid twice to fix the issue. They did and everything seemed to be OK. Then at about 60K the same thing happened and the Honda dealers mechanic said Honda said they knew about the problem and came up with a "new transmission formula" to fix this. I live off a major road which is 45mph and on a blind peak of a hill. When I step on the gas I need the car to move and not slip like it has in order to avoid on coming traffic. I noticed the same thing happening at 85K miles and brought it back in. This time they said they couldn't get the thing to register any faults. …
We have had both the battery and the transmission fail. The battery failed at 82K miles, just past the 80K mile warranty. Now, at 91K miles, the transmission needs to be replaced. In reviewing our records, it seems that transmission problems began at 51K miles, as a "surging" when we were on the interstate such that the engine would rev while we were coasting. The dealer couldn't duplicate the issue and the stopped (for whatever reason). Transmission problems began again at 71K miles as the shuddering. Dealer burnished, and then we got the recall notices at 74K miles. It began as "surging" when we were on the interstate, the engine revving even when we weren't accelerating at 51K miles. Then the shuddering started at 71K miles. We received the recall notices at 74K miles. Shuddering started again at 91K miles & we are being told it needs a new transmission. …
When I purchased this vehicle, I changed the ownership information with American Honda. I later checked if there were any open notices or recalls. Honda told me there was none. However, this vehicle had a notice alerting owners to CVT belt slippage. Honda sent this notice to the previous owner. When the owner changed, Honda should have considered this notice open again. Sending a notice to a previous owner does not inform the owner and the purpose of this kind of notice is to ensure the owner has the information. This failure resulted in my vehicle's transmission failing in operation. Had I received the notice, I would have known the slight shudder was a serious transmission problem and the vehicle could have been repaired safely, rather than failing catastrophically on the road. …
I have a 2004 Honda hybrid that I bought new from an atlanta, ga dealership. It has 106000 miles. It has had 1 transmission replaced, motor mounts, clutch and the same problems still exist. It slips, shakes like it is going to explode even though I take off gently and slowly. I was at a redlight 12-24-09 when I attempted to turn onto i75 and it "slipped" so badly it wouldn't even go. The car behind me barely missed slamming into me. Before this daily it is slipping on hills, revving unexplainable and creaking as if it is going to fall apart. I have had it regularly maintained at the cleveland tn dealership where I live. Now I am out of warranty and cannot afford to take it in. It just had the clutch and motor mounts replaced 2 weeks ago!.. I am a hospice rn and drive my car many miles. I am afraid I am going to kill someone because of the danger of the slipping, ect.
Transmission complaints in other Civic years
Frequently asked questions
How common are transmission problems on the 2004 Honda Civic?
NHTSA has 56 complaints about the transmission & drivetrain of the 2004 Honda Civic, 16% of the model year's 350 complaints. The component named most often is automatic transmission (28 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2004 Honda Civic transmission problems?
No. NHTSA lists no transmission & drivetrain recall for the 2004 Honda Civic, though it has 10 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 2004 Honda Civic transmission problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 88,000 miles, and 10% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 0 fires and 1 injury 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.