What 290 owners told NHTSA about the 2014 Honda Civic Si

The Situation: My vehicle has an open safety recall, NHTSA #15V-574 (Honda Recall JU2). This recall specifically warns that a software error causes high stress on the CVT drive pulley shaft, which can result in the shaft breaking during operation. Because this recall was never performed on my vehicle, the drive pulley shaft has now failed exactly as described, rendering the transmission useless. Legal Basis for Total Replacement: 1. Consequential Damage: The software update (the original recall remedy) was designed to prevent physical breakage. Since that remedy was not provided, the physical hardware has now failed. A software update cannot fix a broken shaft; therefore, a total replacement of the transmission is the only viable remedy for this safety defect. 2. Federal Law: Under the National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act, manufacturers must provide a remedy for safety defects free of charge. Because the unaddressed defect led to the total failure of the transmission, Honda is obligated to cover the cost of the replacement.

NHTSA ODI 11706784

The contact owns a 2014 Honda Civic. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the accelerator pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended. In addition, the contact stated that the vehicle stalled. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, where it was diagnosed with transmission failure. The contact was informed that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure, and a case was filed. The failure mileage was approximately 135,000.

NHTSA ODI 11705893

My car is BROKEN DOWN COMPLETELY. I take care of it extremely well! The transmission went. Out of no where. This needs to be apart of the recall for Transmission Software may Result in Pulley Damage. I’ve had to get the brakes and rotors completely replaced twice in a year and they need to be done AGAIN already. That’s not normal, for brakes to wear that fast. The electric seats do not work and there’s an issue electrically that the trunk keeps popping open I had to unplug it. The battery randomly kept draining over night for a period of a month, then started working regularly again. I want this car to be included in the recalls and I want assistance about my vehicle

NHTSA ODI 11704866

The contact owns a 2014 Honda Civic. The contact stated that while driving 40 MPH, the vehicle made an abnormal clunking sound and lost motive power. The contact stated that the vehicle felt like the transmission was in neutral(N), and the front wheels were locked. The check engine warning light was illuminated, and the message "Check Transmission" was displayed. The contact was able to pull over to the side of the road. The vehicle was undrivable and was towed to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed that the pulley shaft and the drive belt were damaged. The mechanic determined that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V574000 (Power Train). The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 197,000.

NHTSA ODI 11696651

In a Honda CVT when the filter becomes clogged, pressure will build and the fill cap will come off the transmission on its own to relieve the pressure. There is no warning indication system to tell you when it happens but it seems to be a persistent issue in their CVTs. after the cap blows off fluid will start leaking on the casing and dirt and other contaminates will make their way into the transmission. This poses a massive safety issue as it can cause the transmission to lock up. When going to use professional service websites such as pro-demand and all data Honda gives no information about this issue or even how to fix it.

NHTSA ODI 11663925

See attached document for complaint.

NHTSA ODI 11639610

The transmission does not shift good at city speeds. It is jerky/grabby and It is prematurely wearing fluid down (burnt with only 19k since last change) It is miserable to drive due to the constant grabbing and releasing when you coast then apply gas. I fear it will lock up or fail which could lead to an accident.

NHTSA ODI 11625798

My 2014 Honda Civic LX was leaking fluid. Took it as soon as possible to a shop to get it inspected. On the drive there the car was revving but not accelerating, the shop told me transmission filler cap had popped off and was laying next to the hole and to take it to a transmission shop. Towed it to a transmission shop where they reproduced the accelerating issue and also found excessive metal in the transmission fluid to the point a magnet could stick on the aluminum transmission pan. They believe it was due to high pressure in the CVT that pushed the cap out and then caused the sensor to leak as well. They recommended to completely replace the whole transmission because of so much internal damage to the transmission and to not drive it. They said the rest of the car was in perfect condition, nothing wrong with the engine, oil, etc. only the transmission.

NHTSA ODI 11625607

While driving down a busy freeway, the CVT transmission failed. I was able to coast a little ways, but was unable to find a safe place to clear the road and traffic. I immediately called 911 for state trooper assistance to keep me from being rear-ended. I had no warning or Caution light on the dash until after the transmission failed. After the failure, I got the check transmission advisory on the dashboard. The Honda dealership confirmed it was a transmission failure.

NHTSA ODI 11620447

While driving the vehicle locked up and I was not able to accelerate, during mid rush traffic , had to pull over and vehicle was leaking trans fluid the area where is first locked up. Having towed to Hugh White Honda in Columbus Ohio Georgesville Road

NHTSA ODI 11608238

The transmission of the car gave out within 95000 miles even after regular maintenance at authorized Honda dealerships. So, the car lasted only 10 years and less than 100K miles. The cost to replace the broken CVT transmission is more than the value of the car meaning you have to basically trash your car after 10 years.

NHTSA ODI 11583267

The contact owns a 2014 Honda Civic. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 15 MPH, the driver's side tire rolled over the curb and the vehicle began to vibrate and shake. The contact stopped the vehicle and confirmed that there was nothing underneath the vehicle; however, the vehicle failed to exceed 15 MPH. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and diagnosed with a transmission failure. The independent mechanic stated that while test-driving the vehicle, the vehicle stopped, and was towed back to the mechanic shop. The vehicle was then towed to the residence where another independent mechanic diagnosed the vehicle with the same failure. The contact discovered NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V574000 (Power Train); however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The dealer was contacted and confirmed that the VIN was not included in the recall. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 130,000.

NHTSA ODI 11580719

The transmission suddenly started slipping and wasnt pulling reliably while I was on the highway in the middle of St. Louis, MO with heavy, fast traffic. There were no warning lights or signs to alert me that something was wrong before this happened. I immediately pulled off the highway, but struggled to change lanes in heavy traffic with very little pull from the transmission. I was forced to cut in front of people that were moving faster than me in order to get out of the way. Once I got off the highway, I immediately stopped to check under the hood. The fill plug for the transmission was off, and was laying next to the fill hole. I had to have it towed, and the shop told me that the vent plug on top of the transmission was clogged. They believe that this is the cause for the excessive pressure buildup which caused the plug to come out. They also said that a sensor on the bottom of my transmission started leaking oil due to the pressure. The sensor was not damaged in any way, but the oil leaking out caused damage to my transmission. The shop informed me that my transmission was low on cvt oil when they drained it, but didn't see any concerning signs in the oil. They refilled it hoping that it would fix the problem. After testing, they informed me that too much damage was caused to the transmission, and I would need a new one. Honda told me that the transmission was out of warranty both by miles (85,000) and year (2014). I had the car towed to another shop closer to home, and they put a new transmission in. I have had the new transmission for less than a week, and the fill cap has already popped off again. The vent does not look clogged this time, but I'm worried that dust or grit could have gotten in or that I may have lost a significant amount of cvt oil. I have to have it towed to the shop again to check my cvt oil level and make sure it's safe to drive.

NHTSA ODI 11579178

My front driver side cv axel broke in half while driving, boot was not damaged.

NHTSA ODI 11574360

The contact owns a 2014 Honda Civic. The contact stated that the gear shifter was significantly loosened while shifting gear. Additionally, the contact stated that the air bags warning light and the TPMS warning light were illuminated. An unknown dealer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 153,000.

NHTSA ODI 11567100

The plug for the transmission fill continually pops off. This is apparently is a common problem with this model.

NHTSA ODI 11566371

The transmission stopped working and the car stopped in the middle of the road. I see a recall on the Civic 2014 however, my vin # isn't part of those vehicles that were recalled.

NHTSA ODI 11563883

Transmission died at 128k miles on the highway. Steering wheel locked up. Meticulously maintained car with no prior issues. The problem has no been reproduced by a dealer as the car is undriveable but has been confirmed by a mechanic shop. There were no warning messages or symptoms of the problem prior to the transmission dying and no warning messages even after the transmission died to indicate that it was the problem.

NHTSA ODI 11562670

I was driving on the highway and all of a sudden all the warning lights came on on the dash and the car started decelerating when I went to press on the gas pedal the engine revved but the car would not pick up speed it was in limp mode. I took it to the dealership and they said it's the transmission that needs to be replaced. Apparently this is a common. problem and should be a recall.

NHTSA ODI 11552747

The contact's daughter owns a 2014 Honda Civic. The contact stated while her daughter was driving 25 MPH, she heard an abnormally loud sound coming from underneath the vehicle, and the vehicle lost motive power. The contact's daughter was able to roll to the side of the road. The vehicle was then pushed to the driveway of the residence. The contact stated that she then noticed fluid, broken parts, and bolts on the ground, at the site of the failure. The contact stated that the vehicle was able to be restarted but failed to respond upon shifting into drive(D). The dealer and the manufacturer were notified of the failure and informed the contact that the vehicle could not be repaired under NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V574000 (Power Train) because the VIN was not included. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The failure mileage was unknown.

NHTSA ODI 11547111

Transmission problem. Car stopped in the middle of the highway. Lost acceleration. Doesn’t change gears.

NHTSA ODI 11542257

There is the second time we have a transmission failure for the 2014 Honda Civic . Even though my car vin is not shown in recall notice, there is a general recall for 2014-2015 honda civic/accord. Earlier I had another Honda which also had a transmission failure when my daughter was driving. Fortunately , there was no accident . I wrote to the American Honda to take back the car as we felt uncomfortable due to transmission failure However they took the CAR back and replaced the transmission system for that car. (I am searching my old record to get you the copy of the letter I sent to American Honda Corporation and needed time to provide the same)

NHTSA ODI 11522540

The contact owns a 2015 Honda Civic. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle lost motive power. The vehicle failed to restart. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed that the transmission needed to be replaced. The VIN was not included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V574000 (Power Train). The vehicle was towed back to the residence but was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 134,000. The VIN was not available.

NHTSA ODI 11517394

This vehicle's VSA modulator is faulty. Lots of people have issues with this system. HONDA instead of helping, they have monopoly on parts and no other mechanic will fix it because honda is not allowing them so they can charge 2000$ to fix faulty VSA modulator. It's absurd that consumers doesn't have choice to fix their car from a faulty part that can only be fixed at Honda dealership. Please investigate this, I think they're doing this intentionally because it's making them money and they have no one to compete. Other similar Hondas have same faulty vsa modulator as well. Thank you

NHTSA ODI 11517159

While driving the vehicle began to suddenly and aggressively shake. Fortunately I was arriving home and I was able to park on my driveway. The following Monday I had a car repair technician connect a car chip reader to the vehicle to run for codes. A transmission code came up for the drive shaft pulley. We looked up recalls for this vin and found one open from 2015. I had my vehicle towed to Stockton Honda where it was purchased and they did the update per the recall. Unfortunately the part that “may break” did in fact break and Honda refuses to take responsibility and refuses to replace the broken piece

NHTSA ODI 11506227