2004 Honda Civic Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 56about this part
- Share
- 16%of 350 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 87,250miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 56 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2004 Honda Civic, 16% of the 350 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 87,250 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“Had problems with the transmission slipping for a couple of months. Then while accelerating into traffic it decided to stop working completely and leave me stranded across the middle of a 4 lane highway with oncoming traffic. I have since replaced the transmission and within 2 weeks the new transmission is doing the same thing.”
NHTSA complaint #10550573, filed 2013-11, 160,000 miles“Was driving down the street, came to a stop light then the vehicle would not go. When I hit the gas all it did was rev up. I shut the car off and restarted it was able to start moving then the car would not shift into second gear. I had the car towed and was informed the transmission was gone.”
NHTSA complaint #10662306, filed 2014-12, 107,000 miles“The input shaft bearing or throw bearing in vehicle is making a loud clicking/rattling noise through all gears. I'm leaning more towards the input shaft bearing being gone or shot. A lot of talk on the web about these going in the earlier civics. More noticeable in 1st-3rd. I've found through other websites that they is a recall on VIN specific Honda Civic up to the year 2004.”
NHTSA complaint #10456349, filed 2012-04, 145,000 miles“At 6x,000 miles my Honda should not be making this noise! The noise is a terrible clicking noise when the clutch is up and gets extremely bad when accelerating. I'm embarrassed to let anyone drive in my car. I bought this car to save money not to spend it! If I wanted to waste money repairing cars I would have bought european! I guess I'm not taking any girls out on dates. Thanks Honda!!”
NHTSA complaint #10452324, filed 2012-03, 65,000 miles“Input shaft bearing failure ...thought it was originally the clutch, release bearing and fork paid and replaced and problem still persisted...this is a common problem with this model and year and is a constant progression of noise and inhibits acceleration and smooth driving ...I feel as if the car is ready to completely fail and I've driven manual transmissions all my life so user error is not the cause... …”
NHTSA complaint #10452893, filed 2012-03, 150,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10107371Jul 2, 2015Service news article - planning on using a leak check dye to help find a leak? Heres the current list of vehicles that you shouldnt use dye on.
- 10024568Feb 5, 2008Honda service campaign: see document search button for owner letter. Warranty extension: cvt start clutch judder. Csc was received.
- 10024235Feb 5, 2008Honda service campaign: see document search button for owner letter. Warranty extension: cvt drive belt slippage -- on affected vehicles, the cvt (continuously variable…
- 10019973Apr 16, 2006Won't move in any gear, whine, grinding noise.
- 10017771Oct 28, 2005Malfunction indicator lamp (mil) comes on with diagnostic trouble code (dtc) p0706 or p1706, engine may not crank.
- 10016346Apr 16, 2005Automatic transmission fluid (atf) leaks. Honda tech line summary.
- 10014733Jan 1, 2005Replace the correct three way catalytic converter for dtc p0420 p01420 p2000.
- 10013662Nov 1, 2004Got automatic transmission diagnostic trouble code p0706? Check the switch combinations. Honda servicenews.
- 10013656Nov 1, 2004Manual transmission grinds shifting to 3rd gear. Honda servicenews.
- 10014470Oct 16, 2004Grinds at 2-3 upshift.
Transmission and drivetrain: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 2 | 6% |
| 2025 | 6 | 8% |
| 2024 | 6 | 5% |
| 2023 | 8 | 3% |
| 2022 | 10 | 1% |
| 2021 | 2 | 1% |
| 2020 | 32 | 14% |
| 2019 | 13 | 3% |
| 2018 | 14 | 2% |
| 2017 | 29 | 5% |
| 2016 | 36 | 3% |
| 2015 | 177 | 46% |
| 2014 | 98 | 33% |
| 2013 | 22 | 7% |
| 2012 | 49 | 11% |
| 2011 | 4 | 2% |
| 2010 | 12 | 3% |
| 2009 | 23 | 6% |
| 2008 | 52 | 6% |
| 2007 | 104 | 9% |
| 2006 | 76 | 5% |
| 2005 | 36 | 11% |
| 2004 | 56 | 16% |
| 2003 | 101 | 20% |
| 2002 | 185 | 26% |
| 2001 | 403 | 37% |
| 2000 | 30 | 10% |
| 1999 | 35 | 10% |
| 1998 | 49 | 11% |
| 1997 | 25 | 7% |
| 1996 | 25 | 8% |
| 1995 | 14 | 7% |
| 1994 | 8 | 6% |
| 1993 | 9 | 6% |
| 1992 | 5 | 5% |
| 1991 | 6 | 5% |
| 1990 | 6 | 7% |
| 1989 | 2 | 3% |
| 1988 | 1 | 2% |
| 1987 | 2 | 5% |
| 1986 | 5 | 14% |
| 1984 | 1 | 20% |
Other parts of the 2004 Honda Civic
133 complaintsElectrical system
32 complaintsVehicle speed control
23 complaintsSeat belts
20 complaintsFuel system
18 complaintsOther or unknown
18 complaintsBody and structure
17 complaintsEngine cooling
16 complaintsSuspension
15 complaintsExterior lighting
12 complaintsBrakes
11 complaintsEngine
10 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2004 Honda Civic
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology