2005 Honda Civic Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 36about this part
- Share
- 11%of 316 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 57,330miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 36 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2005 Honda Civic, 11% of the 316 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 57,330 miles. 3 of these say a crash was involved and 2 a fire, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“My transmission is slipping and barley shifting into 2nd gear to 3rd it has 95000 miles on it and the transmission is bad all 2000 to 2005 hondas have bad transmission problems but they never recalled it why????? Now I had to replace the head gasket because it was blown at 75000 miles thats to early for that to be happening I spent 2000 grand on it already why didn't they recall this????”
NHTSA complaint #10713476, filed 2015-04, 80,000 miles“My transmission locked while I was driving. I'm not sure what exactly happened. I was in the middle of the street. The transmission/engine was running but the car wouldn't move. When I tried to move the gear to park it made an awful whining noise. It wouldn't allow me to. Had to call the police, who stood by moving traffic until a tow truck came.”
NHTSA complaint #10395267, filed 2011-04, 87,430 miles“2005 Honda Civic dx manual transmission: my car start having a rattling noise from transmission when I release the clutch.I took the car to get it fixed and they told me is the transmission's input shaft bearing(common problem for this model)and it will cost me $1000 to get it fixed. I heard this a Honda recall issue.”
NHTSA complaint #10447710, filed 2012-02, 123,176 miles“The car has begun making a loud noise, when in gear, this is a manual transmission car, but whenever I am in drive it makes this loud grinding noise. If I am in neutral no noise at all. And sometimes even in drive is intermittent.”
NHTSA complaint #10480132, filed 2012-10, 125,000 miles“Honda recall for judder in CVT on 2005 hybrid. Repaired (I believe by burnishing the clutch?); however, condition is recurring, gradually getting worse. I have heard many other complaints of the same problem in other cvts. My sons recently had the same repair done to his.”
NHTSA complaint #10261145, filed 2009-03, 75,000 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.
- 10014469Oct 16, 2004Transmission mode switch performance.
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 2005 Honda Civic
129 complaintsElectrical system
26 complaintsBody and structure
25 complaintsVehicle speed control
25 complaintsSeat belts
21 complaintsEngine cooling
19 complaintsBrakes
16 complaintsEngine
14 complaintsFuel system
12 complaintsOther or unknown
12 complaintsSuspension
8 complaintsTires
8 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2005 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