2001 Honda Civic EX from North America - Comments

Anti-theft radio "goes to code" every few days for no reason at all, clearing the clock setting, tone settings, and all radio presets. Supposedly Honda knows about this problem, but where's my letter of acknowledgement?

Various interior rattles have already cropped up, which I find surprising on a Honda with less than 4,000 gently-driven miles on it. The glovebox door doesn't fit properly, and neither does the passenger's side airbag cover or climate control surround.

Various rubber pieces around the windows and along the roofline don't fit properly either. I'm quite surprised (and generally disappointed) in these poor build quality traits, even on a cheap model like the Civic. But hey... this thing has an $18,400 sticker price! It's not THAT cheap!

Also, the dealer-installed alarm system hasn't worked properly since about week three, but that's a DEI problem.

The automatic transmission delays its downshift too long, which is very (very) annoying. I'll slow down to turn a corner, then step on the gas to accelerate. The car lugs in too high a gear for about two seconds and then it finally realizes to downshift. My 1989 Civic's auto transmission never did this, nor do any of the GM auto transmissions I've driven and owned over the years. Oh, and sometimes it clunks heavily into 3rd gear, which I don't particularly like either.

I can't stand the driver's seat right-side armrest, which is almost completely useless and only gets in the way. Why, oh why did they design that? Honda should've installed a full center console, like the one in my Mom's 1999 Civic Value Package sedan. The idiotic little "pen holder" (I can't think of any other name for it) in the console is useless too.

Hello I own a 2001 2 door si coupe...I'm from canada and this car is the ex in the US. I have experienced the same things as you have in my car as well. I completley hate the automatic transmission I have to. Is there anything we can do about it. Other then the that I love the car.. the performance and handling is awesome.

I'll add one more item to this list. We just picked up our civic ex from the dealer. It had it's check engine light lit. The problem. Bad torque converter. It seems that they have seen this problem before. Humm, we also replaced the radio, which was recalled.

I just bought a 2001 Civic LX 6 weeks ago and have noticed similar annoyances with the automatic transmission. In addition, less than 2 weeks after I bought it, the weatherstripping along the top of the windshield was coming up. I also noticed that when the brake was applied half-way, in an attempt to merely slow down, more than half of the time the brakes would grab unexpectedly. This is not the smooth braking that I would expect from a car with less than 2000 miles on it.

I like everything on my 2001 Civic, except the automatic tranny! I can't stand it! The dealer told me that there has not been any problem with the auto tranny at all. They changed my tranny fluid thinking that might help? I have 10000 miles on it, and it seems to want to rev up just a little in the final gear shift. Also at parking lot speeds it seems to want to downshift (bog), and then stay in the same gear. Way annoying. Also seems to want to stay in too low of a gear for a while.

I have a 2001 Honda Civic EX. I have had NO problems with my car, and it has been excellent since purchase date.

My 2001 Honda Civic LX Sedan (Canada) is not even half the car that my 1995 Accord EX or my 1991 Civic DX were. I'm just plain disgusted with Honda and with my dealer for the poor after sales service I received. My car was in the shop for 3 weeks after I bought it to correct various problems with its welding and assembly in the factory. Despite my safety concerns, Honda refused to replace my 2 month old car. Next time I'll shop at Mazda, Toyota or Nissan.

I purchased a new 2001 Civic Ex coupe on January 20 and even purchased the environmental protection package (waste of money?) and the extended warranty (another waste?).

It is now mid August and I have some big problems. The paint (Inca Yellow Pearl) on the passenger side in four places is cracking (crow's feet). I am completely getting the run around and my next move is to contact Honda's Customer Service Dept. Please, please email me with any related news from your Honda vehicle at crashandburn420@hotmail.com so that I have more ammo against Honda to make this problem go away!

Thanks!

I bought a 2001 Civic Ex on June 3rd. I really wanted a Jetta, but everyone told me VWs are not as reliable as hondas, I am not so sure. So I bought a Honda. Since I bought my car I have had several problems with it. I have 8000 miles on it. Here goes all the problems...

The lining in my windshield was loose,

Tthe glass to the sunroof was "defective", it made a grinding sound when you opened it.

The airbag light came on in my car, I took it into the shop and they told me the airbags were defective so it spent nearly a month getting a new airbag system.

The brakes made a whistling sound in the morning, as if the pads were worn down, they claimed it was due to overheating, and that it was the manufacturers fault, not mine.

The front right shock was leaking. it sounds like the clicking noise everyone talks about when they go over a bump or take a sharp turn.

And last, the front passenger window needed a new motor. The guy at the dealership told me that many of the new civics have had the brake and leaking shock problem.

Is anyone else having as many problems as I am having?

I am 18, and this is my first car. I am completly upset with this car. Is there a way I can receive an extended warranty?

I feel the same way you guys are feeling. I have a Honda Civic LX and after the second month of having it, I started hearing a weird noise in the engine, usually when I have the A/C on and come to a complete stop.

Also, when I go over bumps I hear a squeaky noise in the front right wheel. It's unbelievable. I take the damn car to the dealership to get fixed and everyone tells me that they can't do anything about it. This will be definately my first and last Honda! Please, if anyone else has the same problem I am having, email me at mleo16@yahoo.com

Sorry everyone else seems to have some problems, but I have had no serious problems or repairs to my 2001 ex. I also am not fond of the AT, but many of the quirks everyone is referring to are downshifts to improve fuel economy. I still own a 1992 Acura Integra, a great Honda product--175600 hard miles and still runs like a top. Remember that Hondas, if nothing else, are built to last. They'll peel, leak, rattle, and shift erratically FOREVER.

Recently bought 2002 Honda Civic LX SE 4-door (Canadian Version).

Many problems to report:

1) Structure/sub-frame (right side) of car feels not rigid (hence suspect damage either at the factory, poor quality control at factory or during transport).

2) Suspension -- car is not stable when driving goes either way. At first to the left, than to the right and now ALL over the road (had 4-wheel alignment twice and a new tire installed -- issue still unresolved).

3) Steering is light and over bumps uncontrollable.

4) Brakes feel light.

5) Automatic transmission is horrible -- lack of pickup even is D3.

6) Service at this particular dealership is a horror story:

-- Car has been brought in 5 times in the last month concerning these issues of which no ones seems to know or care! Got the usu. run-around saying that the car is fine meanwhile the car drifts to the right (Spoke with owner of dealership hence the new tire, though currently drifting to the left and right..Argghhh!!!)

-- Took another 2002 Honda Civic LX SE 4-door sedan for a test drive at the same dealership and it handled the way a Honda should, it was beautiful!

Mentioned this to the owner of dealership, told me to contact Honda Canada. Of course gave me wrong number (run-around #2). Contacted Honda Canada using the phone # in the service book and filed several complaints concerning this car and dealership.

-- Run-around #3 Wanted service-manager to test the same car I tested in the last paragraph, was told that it had been sold so he tested another Civic however NOT the same model. Arrived at the dealership later on and found that the previous car that I tested was in fact NOT sold and was at the lot, Hmmm... Had service manager test the car with me! Service manager noted differences between the problem car and the other 2002 Honda Civic LX SE 4-door (the one that supposingly was sold!!!).

-- Contacted Honda Canada to explain the situation stipulating that there are issues with Honda Civic LX SE 4-door sedan as compared to the other supossingly sold-one on the lot (noted in file so far with Honda Canada).

-- Run-around#4 Ask dealership to trade cars and problem would be resolved - I would be a happy customer. Both cars mileage have approx. 5000 to 6000 km on them. This looked promising with service manager however NOT with owner of dealership hence more run-around and lies (hung-up phone too!!!) -- this leaves me very disappointed at owning a Honda.

-- Will be talking to Honda Canada tomorrow!

I have a 2001 Honda Civic Ex Coupe. I've been having problems with the brakes. I had someone else drive it to see if it had a problem and they said that it did. It feels light when you break and it doesn't break very well. I just had my brake pads changed too and it still feels the same. I don't know where else to turn to. I was wondering if anyone else had this particular problem. If so, they should recall the cars and check to see what causes this problem. Also, my brakes make a sound when I start the car in the mornings.

I too am a very dis satisfied Honda Civic owner. I have a 2003 Honda Civic Sport, I bought this car the end of January 2003. I have had nothing, but heartaches with this car and I am darn good and sure I will never own another Honda as long as I live.

Let me get started with the problems.

1. The gas gage has never been accurate since the car was taken off the lot. I had the car to the dealership I bought the car from and they replaced the gage inside the tank, not to mention all the gas they spilled on my seat, while changing this gauge. After the gauge was repplaced. Still the same problem with the gas Gauge. I filled up the gas tank and put about 160 Kms on it and at first I thought that it was fixed. The gauge seemed to be fine it was right arouund where it should have been. about 3/4 of a tank. The next day I started the car up and the gas gauge was reading 1/2 a tank. Same old problem as before.

2. The trim arround the windshield is comming off, I also had the car in for this and the darn thing is comming off again. I don't think anything was done to it other than fixed up to make it look like something was done.

3. The other day I went to start the car, the darn thing wouldn't start. It sounded like it wasn't getting any gas at all. I let it set for a couple of minutes and it started, but it sounded like a tank until it was running for a couple of minutes. I never really let this bother me too much until the car stalled acouple of times. then it really got me wondering what the heck was going on.

4. I have this safety feature on the car in which you cannot lock you keys in your car as long as the keys are in the ignition. Well, My keys were not in the ignition they were in my hand and I wasn't able to lock the car with the remote locks.

So I am really starting to wonder if Honda is just slapping these cars together now because they have the name established now so they don't have to worry anymore about there product. They probably figure that oh well, people will buy there product anyway because of their name. Well heres one costumer that will never buy a Honda produt again, and I am probably going to get rid of the one I own.

If it was made at the Alliston Ontario plant there's a good reason it's crap. The workers just don't care!!! Den.

I have Civic 2001 LX (Canadian version) and it is not as well made as I expected from a well known car builder.

The plastic panels inside the car (doors, back seats, dash-board, etc) are loose and rattle all the time. I had if 'fixed' a few times and still no improvement.

The driver seat was loose and it took forever to replace the seat attachments to the chassis. Steering is too light on higher speed. I tried to drive just around 150 km/h mark and it felt like total lack of control. I did well over 200 quite a few times in my life, so I can handle the speed.

Down shifting is a nightmare.

Wiper arms have been adjusted 5 times and windshield wiping still works poorly.

Setting the airflow to the windshield turns AC on. It drives me nuts. Even then it takes a lot of time to dry a foggy glass. When it snows, or the rain is too cold, some areas of the windshield are always foggy.

It burns a lot of gas for 1.7 liters engine, with not so impressive performance.

This is my last Honda. Ever.