Car failure on roadway with no warning

TSNFAN

MEMBER
2014 HONDA CIVIC
1.8L
6 CYL
2WD
AUTOMATIC
119,385 MILES

I have a question about a car issue. I made a turn with my car LX model and after the u turn, I heard a noise and the wheels began to spin when I was pressing on the accelerator. The car's engine was running, no tires were flat, no lights were on to indicate any failures. The car would not drive in drive or reverse. The car was moving in park after the tow truck delivered it to the repair shop. I just had my vehicle serviced two weeks ago. My car has over 119,000 miles. Do you think this is transmission or another issue? The tow truck driver suggested a transmission issue. I am preparing to purchase a new vehicle just in case. Thank you.

7 Replies

STEVE W.

MECHANIC
13,015 POSTS

Could be a transmission issue or a failed drive axle. Either one would cause your symptoms. Hard to say without seeing it and looking at the drive-line to see what is/is not moving. No motion in gear and it being able to move in park means something in the final drive section, like the output to the differential or a differential gear came apart or it is even possible that one of the drive axles popped free.
What was the service you had done?

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Sunday, August 19th, 2018 AT 5:44 PM

TSNFAN

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The car will be looked at by the dealer in the morning. I had my oil changed and the multi point inspection at a Honda dealership on August 7. I was not due for any major service until 135,000 miles including a transmission service. I have had my car serviced regularly and maintained by the manuals. The sound came from the back right initially from my perspective. I did have a CV boot replaced in late May. The axle was not replaced as it was a very small tear determined by the mechanic. What kind of repair is needed for a failed axle drive? Thank you for replying.

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Sunday, August 19th, 2018 AT 6:24 PM

STEVE W.

MECHANIC
13,015 POSTS

If one of the drive axles failed it is not a hard repair job. Those would be the parts the CV boots are on. It is also possible that the axle the boot was replaced on has popped free, there is a snap ring that holds them in place and it is possible that when the boot was replaced the ring cracked or failed. Did it make any type of grinding or buzzing sound when you put it in gear or just nothing other than the engine? I would expect a failed axle to make noise. If it is quiet then it could still be internal to the transmission.
You have automatic listed, is this a CVT transmission? Or the regular automatic?

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Sunday, August 19th, 2018 AT 7:04 PM

TSNFAN

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There was a grinding type or popping sound shortly, but not at once when I pressed the gas after changing gears from drive to reverse. There was no noise that I noticed when I shifted from park to drive. I drove twenty miles on Saturday and made six u turns within ten minutes. I have a CVT transmission. Thank you.

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Sunday, August 19th, 2018 AT 7:12 PM

STEVE W.

MECHANIC
13,015 POSTS

Okay, with the CVT you may have a main drive chain failure, it is unfortunately a common issue with CVT transmissions. Hopefully I am wrong and it is something else but the shop should be able to tell you. The pop/grind does sound like a possible axle shaft failure (which would be better than the chain). Please let us know what they find.