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My 2001 4 dr sedan just doesn't seem to sit firm on the road over 110 km\ph and jumps around a bit going over uneven patches.

The car has not been modified in any way apart from better tires and re-alignment. I've had my car to Honda several times with this problem and they say my OEM struts and suspension are to spec and OK.

I'm a little worried as my car has nearly lost control a few times and doesn't feel safe to drive at high speeds.

I know a lot of owners have had their struts replaced several times as this seems to be a standard Civic problem.

I'd like to here from other Civic owners giving there opinions on their ride as well as any advice on how to firm up the supension without lowering to help make the car sit firmer and safer on the road.

Any advice welcome?

 
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thats just how the car handles over uneven road. You just have to deal with it or stiffen the suspension.

 
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I've driven loads of cars in my time, but never driven a new car with road handling problems as bad as the New Civic.

 
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LEK...I too have had that "unsafe ride" feeling with my '01 Civic for almost a year now. I've had it back at Honda more times than I can remember. They keep telling me that it's "normal" and that there's nothing wrong. I believe it is probably the faulty struts that everyone is talking about on here. When I push down on my car front and rear, my car gives and goes down like 4 or 5 inches...totally not normal. I have a friend that has an '02 and when you push on it it barely gives an inch...it's really firm. Make sure that you let Honda know you have safety concerns. I've been going through this for over a year now and I finally just wrote my official letter to Honda Customer Service to try to get them to fix my car. They just got the letter on Monday (6-2-03) morning. I don't know how long it will take for a reply...but just keep insisting that there is a problem...because there probably is. And don't forget to try the push test too. Good luck...and I'll post Honda's reply when I get in on this problem.

 
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Lek: What do you mean by lost control and unsafe feel? If all the highways over there are bumpy with potholes then any car would have an unsafe feeling when going 110 km/h.

I regularly drive at 80 mph, or 130 km/h, here without any problems... smooth as silk.


dj: if your car is moving down 5 inches, you've got bad struts for sure... and yes, that would give you a "floating" feeling on the highway. You can easily check to see if they are leaking. Just look under your car with a flashlight at the struts, or reach in put your hand around the strut. If you see or feel an oily residue, then it's leaking for sure. Or next time you go for an oil change, ask then to check your struts for leaks.

 
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My car always feels smooth and firm. 2k2 LX coupe

 
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Make sure your tire pressure is right on 30 psi, I noticed the same thing when I came back from my dealer for an oil change that my tires where at 37 psi, my handling was lose. I put it back down to 30psi "only when the tires get cold", you will get a false reading on tires hot.

 
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I can actually push the front and rear end of the car down 3-4 inches with my bare hands and feels very soft.

 
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well u can always go koni's with oem springs and tires, that should make ur ride firm...plus they are fully adjustable

 
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Why should I have to buy Koni struts my car is under a 3 year warrenty.

Honda must get it's act together

 
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I just moved back from Germany and I drove there at about 130mph on the autobahn. My car would "float" but I just got use to it and adjusted my driving technique accordingly. It might be a problem though if your struts have that much travel!

 
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Unless you weigh 400 pounds you shouldn't be able to push the front end down 3 to 4 inches with little resistance. Sounds like you have bad struts.

 
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Just a quick update for you all... No, I don't weigh 400lbs...only 165. My car has been like this for over a year now and the two dealers near me both say that there is nothing wrong with my car. One actually had the nerve to tell me that our 7th Gen Civics have "European suspension...that is why you feel every bump."

I wrote my letter to Honda last Wednesday (5-28-03), sent it certified mail on Friday...they got my letter on Monday morning...and they actually called me on Thursday of this week!!! The guy I spoke with is setting up an appointment for me with theregional service manager on the 18th of June. I hope this guy knows what he's doing...we'll see.

If you guys are having major problems like I am...I think the only way to get anything solved is to write a letter to Honda Customer Service. One reason I chose to do it that way was because my driver seat has been rocking forever. It's been "fixed" five times already. I think according to CA lemon law if you have a problem and they try to fix it three times and don't fix it, you have to officially notify the company...then they have one more try to fix it. If they don't then you may have a lemon.

I'll keep you posted once I take my car in.

 
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Lek, you bought a Honda, not a sports car.......................
If you want to drive your civic at high speeds and feel safe at the same time then you will have to do some modifications.........
1- Lowering springs
2- Shocks and struts
3- Strut bars

I have a coupe with these things and have gotten it up to 115mph and have had no problems with handling! Do these things and that should take care of your problem.

Good luck!

 
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A lot of factors are going on here. One, what size tire do you have. The side wall will be a big factor, a plus one or two conversion will greatly help. If you don't want to go too low, the Eibach Pro Kit is pretty good and will help too. Lastly, does your car have sway bars?

And finally, the stock struts suck major time. I am sure we can all agree that they are trash, they leak, they fail, and Honda is about to replace the entire fleet of them. I have new sway bars, strut bars, tie rod bars, and springs. I run 40 series tires. And I cannot wait until Tokico comes out with new struts.

Personally, I did not like driving my Civic 70 miles per hour (~110 Km) until I changed a few things. Now I need new brakes to slow down a bit faster. It never ends.

But I say make it stop before you make it fast.

 
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Let's face it...70mph~110kmh is not really "high speed". I have and my family has owned Honda's my whole life and I've never till now, my 7th Gen Civic, felt unsafe at normal freeway speeds of up to 90mph.

 
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I whole heartedly agree. But let's face it, our stock tires suck and the struts are piles of crap.

Drive a stock Si and you would notice a huge difference.

 
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I'm sory, but I quoted my speed in km\ph, NOT mp\ph.

I really feel that any family saloon should be stable at between 90 and 120 km\ph. Thats normal on an express way.

 
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Just try getting better tires, cause our stock tires just plain suck. That one simple replacement can probably do wonders for your ride quality.

 
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I totally agree that our stock tires/wheels aren't the best choice. However...In all they years that I've driven Hondas with stock wheels and tires I can't ever remember feeling unsafe at normal freeway speeds. This squishy old Cadillac feeling that we are getting has nothing to do with our wheels or tires. It's the suspension...or lack of one.

 
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2k2 dx coupe, I tried the whole push down thing, and it hardly gave

 
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Good news! I just got a call from my dealer here in San Diego. I now have an appointment next Wednesday (6-18-03) with the District Service Manager. Hopefully this guy won't be a total idiot like the regular guys at the service dept. I can't believe that my car might finally get fixed!!! I'll let you know what's up after my appt.

 
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djaaronk ...................... Does your car tend to sway a lot and feel like it's just not firm on the road?

If so, one of my Honda technicians told me to fit a rear stabalizer bar as only the top of the range Civics have them fitted. He aslo said a front strut bar may help.

Honda technicians know all of the steering and suspension problems with the 7th generation Civic, but won't tell you. You must prove fight to get to get sh .... repaired.

 
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Lek...Yes my car does tend to feel very unstable at normal freeway speeds of 60-80mph...my car has that "floaty" feeling associated with early 1980's General Motors big cars...it seems to bounce and bounce over and over when it should be somewhat firm. My steering has become very vauge feeling too....almost feels disconnected from the actual wheels altogether.

Oh...and as for the stabilizer bars...I have the EX...the top of the line model here in the states for 2001...so mine has both front and rear bars. I guess when your struts are f*cked it doesn't matter if you have the stabilizer bars or not. Once again, I have my appt next Wednesday at 10am...wish me luck. I'll let you know what happens.

 
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Yep! good luck, just push them to replace all 4 struts and springs.

Anyway, I'm going to sell my Civic soon, I'm just sick of steering and suspension problems. I think a Mazda MX6 is on the cards. It drives and looks better.

 
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well...just got back from seeing the District Service Manager. The guys just as much of an idiot as the regular dearler people are. He tells me that there is nothing wrong with my car and that it if performing like a typical Civic. Yeah right...it's normal when you hit a bump in the road for your whole steering wheel to jump and make noise....UGH!!! Well I guess my only option now is to get a lawyer. Should've kept my 1988 Plymouth Sundance.

 
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I bet you when the warrenty is up, Honda will be able to solve all civic problems and charge mega bucks.

 
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I blew the struts out in my old '89 Prelude and it was a nightmare to drive that car on a highway going decently fast. Factor in speed, divots and potholes and any sort of cross winds and it felt like the car was actually trying to drive itself. Odd. But I think that whole strut thing on the civic is prone to the 2001's, not the '02's cause most of the people who've complained have '01's. And to begin with, the suspension on these cars is crap to begin with. Its an economy car, a lot of people tend to forget that. If you want a world class car that cruises great on the highway, go shell out a few more bucks and upgrade to a better car.