Ask an expert

I am looking to buy a reliable older runabout. Generally Honda and Toyota seem to get good press for reliability.

However, I have read a lot of negative comments on websites about Civic (around 2001) automatic transmissions particularly those in America.

Are you aware of similar reliability issues with 10 year old NZ new or used imported Civics?

It may well be these vehicles have different engine and transmissions to what we have in NZ.

Derek

From the "Ask Jack" archives - 14 January 2011

You are correct, it’s not hard to search websites and find several horror stories on automatic failures with Honda Civics. From what I have read however, it would appear many of those vehicles had reasonably high mileages and the cause of the failures could have been simple wear and tear in many cases.

If there was one weakness with the brand in general however (particularly the older versions), I would have to say it is the automatic transmissions. The change patterns can become very lazy with engine flairs between gear changes not unusual. The only way to remedy this situation is to carry out a transmission overhaul which includes the replacement of the internal clutch packs.

One of the key ingredients in a Honda transmission is the oil; the genuine Honda fluid works best.

The NZ new Civics do not have a bad reputation for sudden and unexpected failures that I am aware of. The Accord and Odyssey are two models which have caused Honda much more grief in recent times with premature failures (some internal bearing issues) a lot more common.

With the introduction of the Constant Variable Transmissions (CVT) Honda’s problems did escalate to new heights and the early versions (including some NZ new Civics) should be avoided. The current NZ new Civic and Jazz models have now all reverted back to the more traditional automatics but many used imports are still fitted with CVT’s.

Never forget also; regardless of what make and model of car, there will always be loads of bad experiences found on websites somewhere. And there are automatic transmissions being repaired every day in workshops around NZ and they are certainly not all Honda’s.

In a recent JD Power reliability survey carried out by the NZAA, Honda came out as the brand which had the best overall ownership experience. This would indicate most Honda owners are reasonably happy with their vehicles and owners of other brands are less satisfied to some degree.

One way to avoid these problems when buying older vehicles of any make and model, is to buy a manual (if possible). Automatic transmission repairs on any 10-year old vehicle are in many cases, going to cost almost as much as the cars total value.

Toyota do have the name for total reliability but even some of the used imports are not trouble free. Models fitted with the D4 engine for example can be very troublesome.