2005 honda civic hybrid manual transmission problems

The Honda Civic was equipped with various variants of the H5 transmission, including the BMXA, SPCA and B4RA. In pre 1993-models the M24A. But they aren’t without their problems though, so let’s look at some of the most common Honda Civic transmission problems, look at cost estimates and figure out what you can do about them.

Need a replacement transmission? Get an estimate for replacement transmissions and local installation. Look up your transmission model by vehicle make and model.

What Transmission Do I Have?

1992-Up Honda Civic: BMXA, SPCA, B4RA Transmission

Honda Civic Transmission Replacement Cost Estimate

Pricing varies by exact engine size and year. To be 100% sure on pricing, have your VIN# handy and use our Get An Estimate feature to look up your transmission by VIN#.

What are the DTC codes related to Honda Civic transmission problems?

P0766 – Failed Shift Solenoid D – This DTC can be stored when there is a problem with a shift solenoid or the valve body.
P2703 – Failed Friction Element D – This trouble code can be triggered by a failed friction element like a clutch disc.
P0720 – Failed Input Speed Sensor or Output Speed Sensor – This trouble code is caused by a bad speed sensor on the transmission.
P0730 – Incorrect Gear Ratio – This issue could be caused by a number of problems, including a fault in the transmission control module, dirty transmission fluid, or a bad transmission solenoid.
P0657 – Voltage Problem in the ‘A’ Circuit – This transmission problem is often caused by a short, or bad ground on the PCM or PCM wiring harness.
P0700 – Malfunction in the transmission control system – This DTC is often triggered when there is a problem with the TCM, a wiring harness, a solenoid, or the valve body.
P0715 – Input/Turbine Speed Sensor Malfunction – This code typically gets stored when the input sensor cannot read the engine RPM, which can prevent the transmission from appropriately shifting gears.
P0717 – Input/Turbine Speed Sensor No Signal – This trouble code is generated when the PCM does not get a signal from the input speed sensor, which will prevent the computer from being able to determine when the transmission needs to shift.
P0791 – Intermediate Shaft Speed Sensor ‘A’ Circuit – This error can occur when there is a problem with the intermediate shaft speed sensor, most likely due to a bad sensor, wiring problem, or a failed shift solenoid.
P0793 – Intermediate Shaft Speed Sensor Circuit No Signal – The computer will generate this DTC when it cannot communicate with the intermediate shaft speed sensor.

Honda Civic Transmission Recalls

Recall ID – NHTSA: 15V574000 – 2014-2015 Civic

Summary

On September 15, 2015, a recall was issued for the 2014-2015 Honda Civic. According to NHTSA, a software issue could result in severe damage to the transmission drive pulley shaft.

Consequence

If damage to the transmission drive pulley shaft is severe enough, it could break, causing the front wheels to either loose power or lockup, increasing the risk for a crash.

Remedy

Dealers have been instructed to reprogram the transmission control software. Owners can contact Honda at 1-888-234-2138 (refer to Honda Civic recall JU2). Or the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration at 1-888-327-4236 (refer to recall 15V574000).

Recall ID – NHTSA: 90V163000 – 1990 Civic

Summary
The automatic equipped 1990 Honda Civic was recalled because an improperly machined shaft could prevent the park prawl mechanism from fully engaging Park when that gear is selected.

Consequence
If the Park gear is not fully engaged, the car could roll away and cause serious injury or damage.

Remedy
When this recall was issued in 1990, Honda dealers were instructed to install a revised parking prawl shaft.

Honda Civic Technical Service Bulletins (TSB)

2001-2004 Civic – TSB 04-036

Problem:

The vehicle won’t move when you select Drive. This problem is usually accompanied by a malfunction light on the dash (’01-’03 models), a blinking ‘D’ indicator, and the error code: P0730.

Solution:

Due to excessive wear in the second clutch, Honda recommends replacing the entire transmission.

2006-2008 Civic Si – TSB 08-020

Problem:

The 6-speed manual transmission may emit a grinding noise when shifting into 3rd gear, pop out of 3rd gear, or be unusually hard to shift into 3rd gear.

Solution:

This problem is likely due to a failed 3rd gear synchronizer, or 3-4 shift sleeve.

2001-2005 Civic w/ CVT – TSB 07-050

Problem:

CVT equipped versions of the ’01-’05 Civic (including the Honda Civic Hybrid) may experience drive belt slippage during acceleration, or transmission shudder at speeds below 15 mph.

Solution:
To solve the problem, it’s recommended to either install a lower valve body kit, or replace the transmission entirely.

Common Problems with the Honda Civic Transmission

Lack of Response
Leaking Fluid
Low Fluid
Burning Smell
Grinding or Shaking
Whining, Clunking or Humming
Refuses to Go Into Gear
Torque Converter Issues
Valve Body Issues
Transmission Noisy in Neutral
Gears Slipping
No 3rd or 4th Gear
No 1st or 2nd Gear
No Reverse
Dragging Clutch
Trouble Codes / Check Engine Light

Can I drive with a transmission problem?

If your Honda Civic can still make it up and down the road, you might say “It’s fine, I’ll just drive it until I can get it fixed”. But that is not always a good idea, depending on the symptoms. You see, there are a lot of (very expensive) moving parts inside of a transmission, and if something isn’t right, continuing to drive with a transmission problem could damage something else.

How often does a Honda Civic transmission need to be replaced?

The overall lifespan of a Honda Civic transmission largely depends on how well it was maintained. Factory design flaws also factor into this equation, along with how/how hard you drive. But on average, we’ve seen the Honda Civic transmission last for between 130,000-180,000 miles. A high quality replacement transmission however, can last considerably longer if all of the factory design flaws have been addressed and the vehicle has been maintained.

How are Honda Civic transmission issues diagnosed?

It is fairly easy to guesstimate what the root cause of your Honda Civic transmission problems might be, but you won’t truly know unless you have the right tools and experience. A good mechanic or transmission repair center will be able to connect your truck to a computer and find out which diagnostic trouble codes (DTC’s) have been stored. Once they know what to look for, they can perform a visual inspection to verify the problem.

How is a Honda Civic transmission replaced?

In order to replace your Honda Civic transmission, the truck has to be lifted from the ground in order to gain access to all of the parts that will need to be unbolted. Then the transmission can be lowered to the ground (typically with a transmission jack), so the new transmission can be installed.

Recommendations for Honda Civic transmission issues?

To save time and get back on the road faster, have your 17-digit VIN# handy and you can get an online quote for a reman Honda Civic transmission here, then find a local shop using our Find a Shop guide to install it for you.

How to Solve Honda Civic Transmission Problems

Solution A: Buy a Used Honda Civic Transmission

The quickest way to fix your transmission problems is to simply buy a used transmission or used transmission. These can be found at most junk yards, and they often come with a 30-90 day warranty. However, there’s no way to determine the actual condition of the internal components, so you could be spending a bunch of money to have the exact same problems. Plus, that warranty only covers the transmission if it’s defective, not the labor costs that you’ll have to pay.

Solution B: Buy a Rebuilt Honda Civic Transmission

Another option would be a rebuilt transmission or rebuilt transmission. A local repair shop will remove your transmission, then install a bunch of new parts during the rebuild. The problem here is, the skills and experience of each transmission rebuilder will vary widely from shop to shop, so you could have problems from something that wasn’t adjusted properly. And the 1-2 year warranty might only cover you at certain transmission repair shops, in a specific geographical area.

Solution C: Buy a Remanufactured Honda Civic Transmission

Many owners depend on their vehicle to commute and get things done. Their gasoline engines are designed to go 100’s of thousands of miles, so it makes sense to invest in a remanufactured transmission.

Need a replacement transmission? Get an estimate for replacement transmissions and local installation. Look up your transmission model by vehicle make and model.

What Transmission Do I Have?

What Problem Does Your Honda Civic Have?

Let us know the year, mileage and problem you’re having as well as any trouble (OBD) codes you’ve found. If you’ve been given a quote or paid for a repair, we’d like to hear about that too!