Bucking

I have had the problem you are describing as well, but only in standard hydraulic automatic transmissions. The solution to my problem was a low level of transmission fluid. Apparently, since transmission fluid is what turns the splines in a torque converter (and since I didn't have enough), there wasn't enough pressure in the fluid at relatively low rpm's (for example, in overdrive).

A CVT should not be subject to this bucking, as it is a mechanical linkage. A standard manual transmission uses mechanical linkage as well, but a slipping clutch can cause a bucking sensation. What kind of transmission do you have? What gear are you in when you experience the sensation? Is it a repeated sensation, or is it just one time, and then it doesn't happen until the next time you try to pass someone or go up a hill?

Anyone who blames the EGR for a bucking sensation is an idiot. EGR stands for exhaust gas recirculator, and is only serves to assist in warming an engine up to proper operating temp. After the engine reaches a proper operating temperature, the EGR turns itself off. It's not big enough to cause any bucking of any kind, and isn't important enough to dramatically affect the operation of the engine (the EGR on my Camaro broke off...hehehe...rattles a little, takes longer to warm up, but it sure as hell doesn't "buck").

My 04 HCH started doing this just before the 30K maint schedule. The schedule includes a CVT fluid change and it fixed the problem.

Well, I'm definitely not a mechanic....hehehe...but...and this is a hypothetical....

If the electronics component that is designed to smoothly add electric boost isn't "smoothly" adding that boost, then it may produce the bucking sensation you are experiencing.

When it starts to buck, is it repetitive, like rhythmic, or is it just random, spaced out whenever?

"They do not want to do that until later. "
"The dealer told me that I have a lot of mileage on my warrantee and to wait and to see if it gets worse."

Terry, if it were me I'd insist on having a meeting with the regional service manager.
You've had this problem WAY too long.

Those dealer quotes are not acceptable, at least not to me. Sounds like they are playing on your good will, trusting nature and patience.
Your car isn't going to fix itself. Why wait?

Under warranty?
I'd want the car fixed in a week tops into perfect driving condition.

Don't let them put you off & send you away for another day.

Thanks everone. They have just told me that Honda not the dealer has the say so in what is replaced. Do you know if this is true. I would hate to tell everyone that they are in Quincy IL.

That might actually work to your favor, because instead of the dealer's service techs working on the problem, you'll have Honda's engineers working on the problem.

I have 33K on my '04 and the CVT is quiet as a mouse.

Just received my 03 CVT back from dealer. According to American Honda Representative, All Hybrid CVT transmissions WHINE, like a dentist drill and Honda will not fix it. Does anyone know where to get some good earplugs?

Bruce

WOO HOO!!!
I got a new transmission and the problem is solved. Definately Honda needs to look at the design.

I ended up calling American Honda and they talked with the dealer. I recommend this to anyone who is having problems with thier dealer.
I believe the number is 1-800-999-1009.

Good luck.

All of your comments are interesting. I have the same problem with my 2003 Hybird. The man told me the EGR was bad and that caused the bucking. However, at the same time he drained and refilled my transmission fluid which I have been told by another service department can cause the problem. He also told me that Honda has a new transmission fluid that is different and is supposed to be better.
Bottom line when he replaced the fluid and disconnected the EGR it stopped bucking. I have also found that the EGR is on national backhold so someone is selling the #$%^&* out of them I guess. Either that or they are replacing a lot of them under warranty.

I am having the same issues with 82,000 miles with the bucking. The dealer told me it might be the EGR valve and they could replace it. I called a local radio auto guy and he told me that Hondas are notorious for having EGR clogging and that all I should have to do is clean the EGR system. Then, the IML light came on. I took it back to the dealer and had to have the catalytic converter replaced (luckily under warranty). Everything seemed better until I took a long trip a week later, and the bucking is back. I am going to try to have the EGR system cleaned as a first resort. I am starting to get upset with my car spending more time going up and down than forward and backward!

I can tell the person with 82000 miles that Honda recommends that the transmission fluid for the CVT be replaced every 30000 miles. I have found that if you go over 50000 miles the car will start bucking. I am not sure if the oil causes that, but when I changed the oil the first time it stopped. I can also say at that time that the EGR was not acting up according to the service department. If you are truly having problems with the transmission you should contact the American Honda phone number in the message above. My car is out of warranty and they have arranged to have my catalytic converter replaced for half price under "courtesy work" so I am not as sad.

Oh, yeah, I've had the transmission fluid replaced already. I had some problems with that after I had it done at Jiffy Lube. Then I found out from the dealer that using another fluid messes things up. Had to go through that a few times because one dealer only changed the fluid a few times. Another dealer realized that a full flush was needed to completely get rid of the "wrong" fluid. That was a totally different feeling than this time around, though.

I did, however, just get my car back from a seperate mechanic who replaced my EGR valve. When I dropped the car off, I was told that the runners needed to be cleaned, no biggie. But then I got a call and they said it was in fact the valve. It did "only" cost me $311 instead of the over $400 the dealer was going to charge.

Hi Hybrid owners,

I would like to help you with your hybrid problems.
First on the list is your bucking complaint, if your car bucks on take off or at a cruise your problem may be the egr valve. I have repaired hundreds
of hybrids with this complaint, if the egr valve fails
to fix it I drive the car with a h.d.s scanner and monitor the start clutch and the forward clutch.
There are several tsb's on these types of problems
and on occation a new cvt trans is the fix.

Help!! I have 93,000 on my HCH and I have to putin a third new Catalytic converter. I may not know a lot about cars, but a new Catalytic Coverter very 30,000 does not sound right ot me!

I have 212000 km on my 03 civic, did the routine maintence and its been fairly good. for the past six months. On e dealer quotes a new tranny replacment for $6000 CND.
I've been surfing forums and have also heard of Tranny fluid change or ECG valve. I dicounted the valve on the account that I can reproduce 'bucking' or 'vibration' at diferent RPM and torque and also at certain points during regenerative breaking.
I took my car into a different dealership and requested a fluid change, they suggested a full Flush to really clean it out. This resolved all bucking and vibration. Dealer recomends full flush every 60000 km.
who new?

My 2003 HCH had the low speed bucking problem that started at 30,000 miles. The delaer replaced the EGR and that fixed the problem, although I don't think it was "as good as new".

Recently I have been experiencing hesitation when placing in drive or reverse and slipping of the transmission when starting. Today the delaer told me I needed to have the start clutch replaced.

My 2003 HCH had the same "buck" mostly comping out of a stop position...

Regular 30,000 CVT fluid changes with Honda fluid fixed mine every time! The car told me it was time to change it with the buck.

I never had to change anything else major (besides tires) - and just traded it in at 108,000.