8 Common Honda Civic Problems and How to Fix Them

civic 1

There are many reasons why the Civic is one of the most enduring cars in Honda’s lineup. Aside from the consistently good design, the performance is reliable, and the price well within the budget of most new and used car buyers. However, the car is not without its issues, and some year models turned out to be a dud for the otherwise popular Japanese make.

The most problematic models for the Civic are those that belong to the 2001, 2002, 2006 and 2007. If you’re buying a car from these years, don’t be too enticed by the low price. Ask the owner for the car’s repair history and test-drive and evaluate the car thoroughly before buying. You want to know exactly what you’re getting for your money before you drive the car home.

## Transmission failure

Many Civics from the 2001-2002 years come with this problem. The main reason was an inherent design flaw in the gearbox system. That said, the issue is more prevalent in the 2001 than in the 2002 model. Unfortunately, the only solution to this problem is to replace the transmission altogether, which is expensive.

## Cracked exhaust manifold

The exhaust manifold of the 2.2 iCDTi engine is prone to cracking. While this problem is not as serious as failing transmission, it will also require a replacement. If you observe excessive smoke coming from the back of the engine when you lift the hood up, you could be facing a cracked manifold problem.

## Sagging or loose trims

Interior problems are most common in 2001 models. Most often, it’s the headliner and door trims that suffer from these issues. To fix a sagging or loose trim, use a double-adhesive tape to secure the offending trim in place. Some disassembly may be required depending on the level of damage.

## Premature tire wear

Tire wear problems are common in the 2007 Civic, and tend to occur both in the front and rear tires. Wear at the front tires was often attributed to the ill-equipped Bridgestone tires from that era, while those in the rear were generally caused by a faulty rear control arm on one side or both. Replace these control arms at the first sign of a problem with your rear tires.

## Deteriorated sunvisor hinge

Sunvisor hinges wear out with frequent use. In the 2006 Civic, this problem is often caused by a broken hinge mechanism. You’ll need to replace the hinge mechanism, but don’t worry, as these are cheap and easily available.

## Worn gear knob

Old Civics, as with most cars of decades past, used rubber on their gear knobs, which eventually wear down over time. Though this is just a cosmetic issue, it can be annoying not to see where the gears are. You can either put up with a worn gear knob, or you can simply replace it with one that’s made of durable plastic.

## Air conditioner problems

For the longest time, air conditioners were never the Honda Civic’s strongest suit. Air conditioner issues in the 2001 to 2004 Civics were often caused by a defective thermal fuse that controls the AC blower motor. Due to its defect, the AC fan will either run at full speed or not run at all at certain times. This can be solved by purchasing a whole new control unit assembly, which can be pricey. However, if you’re handy with electronics, you can fix a no-fan blowing issue by soldering in a new thermal fuse.

## Cracked engine block

Common among 2006 Honda Civics, the crack tends to develop right above the coolant channels, and commonly occurs once the vehicle reaches around 150,000 kms on its odometer. A cracked engine is virtually impossible to repair, and any such occurrence will likely require a replacement engine.

Read All

Featured Articles

Recommended Articles For You

Read All

Featured Cars

  • Upcoming

Car Articles From Zigwheels

  • News
  • Article Feature
  • Advisory Stories
  • Road Test
  • New Isuzu PH chief says current D-Max to stay for a while
    New Isuzu PH chief says current D-Max to stay for a while
    Paulo Papa . Apr 25, 2025
  • GAC Honda GT, Dongfeng Honda GT showcased at Auto Shanghai 2025
    GAC Honda GT, Dongfeng Honda GT showcased at Auto Shanghai 2025
    Cesar Miguel . Apr 25, 2025
  • ‘BMW Demo Fest’ lets PH buyers shop for cars at trimmed-down prices
    ‘BMW Demo Fest’ lets PH buyers shop for cars at trimmed-down prices
    Ruben Manahan IV . Apr 24, 2025
  • Mazda unveils EZ-60 at Auto Shanghai 2025
    Mazda unveils EZ-60 at Auto Shanghai 2025
    Cesar Miguel . Apr 24, 2025
  • Omoda, Jaecoo showcase latest NEV models at Auto Shanghai 2025
    Omoda, Jaecoo showcase latest NEV models at Auto Shanghai 2025
    Cesar Miguel . Apr 24, 2025
  • Mazda BT-50: old vs. new
    Mazda BT-50: old vs. new
    Cesar Miguel . Apr 24, 2025
  • Check out the Suzuki Dzire Hybrid's 2 trims
    Check out the Suzuki Dzire Hybrid's 2 trims
    Cesar Miguel . Apr 24, 2025
  • Here’s what inside the BYD eMAX 7
    Here’s what inside the BYD eMAX 7
    Cesar Miguel . Apr 23, 2025
  • BYD Shark 6 DMO vs. Changan Nevo Hunter REEV
    BYD Shark 6 DMO vs. Changan Nevo Hunter REEV
    Paulo Papa . Apr 23, 2025
  • Here’s what to expect on the road this Holy Week
    Here’s what to expect on the road this Holy Week
    Paulo Papa . Apr 16, 2025
  • What should you visit first at MIAS 2025?
    What should you visit first at MIAS 2025?
    Cesar Miguel . Apr 11, 2025
  • Do you really need 4x4 for overlanding?
    Do you really need 4x4 for overlanding?
    Cesar Miguel . Mar 26, 2025
  • Number coding 2025: what you need to know
    Number coding 2025: what you need to know
    Paulo Papa . Mar 09, 2025
  • EVs still require lubrication, JAMA execs say
    EVs still require lubrication, JAMA execs say
    Paulo Papa . Mar 09, 2025
  • Ensure your vehicle is Summer road trip-ready by following these tips
    Ensure your vehicle is Summer road trip-ready by following these tips
    Paulo Papa . Mar 06, 2025
  • First drive: Changan Lumin
    First drive: Changan Lumin
    Cesar Miguel . Apr 22, 2025
  • JAC JS4: from daily drives to ‘vacay’ vibes
    JAC JS4: from daily drives to ‘vacay’ vibes
    Paulo Papa . Apr 22, 2025
  • First drive: Jetour X70 Lightning i-DM
    First drive: Jetour X70 Lightning i-DM
    Paulo Papa . Apr 03, 2025
  • Changan CS15: no-fuss daily driver
    Changan CS15: no-fuss daily driver
    Cesar Miguel . Mar 27, 2025
  • First drive: Mercedes-Benz EQE 350+ AMG Line
    First drive: Mercedes-Benz EQE 350+ AMG Line
    Paulo Papa . Mar 21, 2025