ServiceNews Article - Have you noticed the fill plug on a CVT has popped out or seems to be leaking? This is caused by pressure building up at the fill plug due to the vent cap getting plugged with debris.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2017 Honda Civic powertrain problems
severe Owners of the 2017 Honda Civic have filed 25 NHTSA complaints about the powertrain, typically surfacing around 30,000 miles at roughly $2,500 to repair (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. See powertrain across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
25
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$2,500
| Model year | powertrain complaints |
|---|---|
| 2013 Civic | 18 |
| 2014 Civic | 98 |
| 2015 Civic | 168 |
| 2016 Civic | 33 |
| 2017 Civic (this page) | 25 |
| 2018 Civic | 11 |
| 2019 Civic | 10 |
| 2020 Civic | 30 |
1crash
1injury
What stands out
Owners have filed 25 powertrain complaints with NHTSA against this vehicle, but no formal recall covers the issue — the federal record reflects what manufacturers have admitted, not everything owners are reporting.
No new NHTSA powertrain complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 8 years — the issue may be aging out of the active population.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering powertrain on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
Service Bulletin - The shift position indicator ("D" light) starts flashing due to DTC P2817, (Shift solenoid valve O/P [pressure control solenoid H] stuck off) being set. When the TCM checks the drive pulley oil pressure, it misreads the pressure as high even though oil pressure is within specification.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Service Bulletin - The shift position indicator ("D" light) starts flashing due to DTC P2817, (Shift solenoid valve O/P [pressure control solenoid H] stuck off) being set. When the TCM checks the drive pulley oil pressure, it misreads the pressure as high even though oil pressure is within specification.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Dealer Message - Today, April 5, 2019, American Honda is announcing a warranty extension for certain 2016-18 Civic and 2017-18 CR-V vehicles due to drivability concerns. American Honda is extending the powertrain warranty on the camshafts and rocker arm assemblies from the original 5 years/60,000 miles to 6 years/unlimited miles from the original date of sale.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Service bulletin - The vehicle will not come out of park, and will not crank and/or start. Additionally, multiple indicators are on with DTCs U0038 (TM-CAN Malfunction [TCM-PCM]) and sometimes U0101 (Lost Communication) stored. There is an internal malfunction with the transmission control module (TCM).
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
Owners of 2017 Honda Civics in this cluster describe failures across powertrain, electrical, and safety systems starting near delivery or emerging without warning at variable mileage.
Transmission problems dominate: CVT failures causing sudden loss of acceleration, burnt transmission fluid, and inability to move in gear—some at just 72,000 miles with no prior symptoms. Dealers confirmed failures; Honda offered no systemic fix. One owner reports a dealership service advisor admitting "lots of Civic owners" complain about shifting behavior but claims this is normal and will improve.
Engine power loss, often accompanied by fuel in the oil (oil dilution to 13.72% in one case), occurs even in hot climates despite Honda's claim the issue is cold-climate only. Technicians acknowledge awareness but state no fix exists. One dealer changed oil and returned the car; another replaced fuel rail and injectors under warranty with no permanent resolution.
Two owners report vehicles rolling away while parked—one rolling across traffic lanes and striking another car with a 14-month-old baby in a rear-facing seat. The vehicle did not automatically shift to park when turned off. Cause remained undetermined; no repairs were made.
Electrical cascade failures include transmission control module (TCM) failure causing stalls, lost power steering, and stuck shifters; body control module (BCM) failure generating false warning lights and unwanted battery drain; and repeated digital dashboard blackouts that disable speedometer display, especially in wet conditions. Multiple owners report dealership dismissal or inability to reproduce issues.
Same Honda Civic powertrain reports on nearby years: 2014 · 2015 · 2016 · 2018 · 2019
Failure modes owners describe
Transmission failure and CVT issues
Sudden loss of acceleration and complete transmission failure, including burnt transmission oil and inability to move in any gear. Some owners report rough shifting, lag before engagement, and limp-mode activation.
When: Between 72,000 and 106,000 miles; some at low mileage with no prior warning
Symptoms owners cite: Sudden loss of acceleration while driving; Vehicle unable to move in any gear; Rough or delayed shifting into drive; Car revs but won't go into gear; Limp mode activation; Transmission oil burnt
Codes mentioned: P0299 turbo underboost (one case)
Repairs/costs cited: Transmission replacement required; one owner reports full transmission replacement performed; burnt transmission oil observed
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealer confirmed transmission failure in at least one case; out-of-warranty repairs denied in another; no systemic fix communicated
Engine power loss and fuel dilution
Multiple reports of engine losing power on highway, accompanied by fuel in oil (oil dilution), excessive exhaust smoke, and check engine lights. Issue occurs even in hot climates despite Honda's claims it is cold-climate only.
When: 3 to 80,000 miles; one case at 619 miles after recent oil change
Symptoms owners cite: Sudden loss of engine power while driving; Fuel smell from oil; Excessive smoke from exhaust; Oil overfilled condition; Flashing check engine light; Engine stuttering and clicking under acceleration when cold; Engine shaking at cold start
Codes mentioned: Check engine light (flashing), Check engine oil level warning
Repairs/costs cited: Oil changes performed; fuel rail and injectors replaced under warranty in one case; no permanent fix; oil samples showing 13.72% fuel content
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealership technician stated Honda is aware of the problem on 1.5T engine but no fix exists; dealers claim this is normal behavior; TSBs performed with no resolution
Vehicle rollaway when parked
Vehicle rolls away while parked with the engine off, rolling across traffic lanes and striking other vehicles. Owner reports car did not automatically shift to park when turned off as expected.
When: At low mileage (4,411 miles); occurred multiple times
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle rolls away silently while parked; Vehicle remains in drive after engine shut off; Collision avoidance system fails to engage; Owner injury from rollaway incident
Repairs/costs cited: Vehicle not repaired; cause undetermined by dealer
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer notified; no repair provided; owner notes multiple class-action complaints for 2017 and 2018 Civic rollaway issues
Transmission control module (TCM) failure
Transmission control module failure causes cascading electrical and drivetrain failures, including multiple false warning lights and gear shifter stuck in park position.
When: At 106,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle stalls; Power steering lost; Gear shifter stuck in park; Multiple false warning lights (transmission, parking brake, hill assist, fuel gauge, steering, braking, traction control, charging system); Vehicle struck garage door
Repairs/costs cited: Independent mechanic diagnosed TCM failure; manual transmission linkage disengaged to move vehicle; repair denied out of warranty
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Honda Technical Service Bulletin 17-012 referenced by independent mechanic; manufacturer refused warranty repair as vehicle out of warranty
Body control module (BCM) failure
Sudden body control module failure generates multiple false warning lights while vehicle is in motion and stationary, creating dangerous driver confusion. Accessory mode turns on by itself and drains battery.
When: Unknown mileage
Symptoms owners cite: Multiple false warning lights (brake system, steering, oil, battery, keyless remote); Accessory mode activates with car off and key away; Battery drain; Warnings appear while driving and parked
Repairs/costs cited: Service technician found BCM faulty
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Honda Recall 20V-771 exists for similar BCM issue on other Honda vehicles; owner notes this recall should include Civics
Half-shaft lubrication leaks
Recurrent lubrication leaks from half-shaft bearing on passenger side, requiring replacement multiple times without permanent resolution.
When: At very low mileage (5,877 miles)
Symptoms owners cite: Lubrication leak underneath passenger side; Bearing leak in half-shaft
Repairs/costs cited: Half-shaft replaced 5 times; failures recurred each time; also replaced at least twice more on 11/12/21 and 12/10/2021
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Field engineer report states bearing leak exists but is not manufacturer responsibility; no repair authorization given
Dashboard and electrical system failures
Digital instrument cluster and infotainment screen go black repeatedly, losing critical driving information. Issues increase in frequency when it rains.
When: From day one of ownership; 2-3 times per month at one-year ownership
Symptoms owners cite: Digital dashboard screen goes black; Infotainment screen goes black; Loss of speedometer display; Failures increase in wet conditions
Climate control failure
Air conditioning randomly turns on at full blast with heat mode stuck on, causing excessive hot air in cabin even when AC is selected.
When: Since day one of ownership; recurring at 9 months with 4 occurrences in one week
Symptoms owners cite: Climate control turns on at full blast unpredictably; Heat blows full force (90+ degrees) when AC is selected; Stuck in heat mode; Eventually resets after being turned off
Power steering loss
Power steering fails, forcing driver to steer manually. Occurs during sudden engine stall events.
When: At stall event (106,000 miles in one case)
Symptoms owners cite: Power steering loss while driving; Complete loss of power assist
ABS and stability control system failure
ABS module failure with related stability control and traction control malfunction, triggering dashboard warning lights.
When: Unknown mileage
Symptoms owners cite: ABS warning light on dashboard; Stability control warning light; Traction control warning light
Vehicle starts by itself
Engine starts unexpectedly when vehicle is parked with key away, followed by alarm activation.
When: Unknown mileage
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle starts with key away from car; Alarm sounds after unexpected start
Gear shifter malfunction
Gear shifter loose and unstable, allowing unintended gear changes without pressing brake or release button. One case reports shifter stuck in park.
When: Unknown mileage
Symptoms owners cite: Shifter moves between gears with slight tap; No brake or button press required to shift; Shifter instability
Synthesized from 25 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 1 most recent
Since the first day driving less than 10 miles home from the dealership I have had numerous electrical, a c and drive train or wheel problems. The vehicle had been transferred.from a santa barbara ca dealership to a Honda dealership in san luis obispo ca. They called me on a sunday to say the car was there it was raining and dark. Car had 400+ miles one it and safety check had not been done since…
Had powertrain trouble with your 2017 Honda Civic?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the powertrain problem on the 2017 Honda Civic?
It's a meaningful issue. 25 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $2,500.
At what mileage does the powertrain typically fail?
Across the 12 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most powertrain failures cluster between 9,800 and 46,254 miles, with the median around 30,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 9,800; a quarter make it past 46,254. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $2,500 for powertrain repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to powertrain?
No active recalls currently cover powertrain issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2017/Honda/Civic.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.