Honda Civic Noise When Accelerating / Turning / Driving

Honda Civics are one of the most reliable cars you can buy, but there are bound to be issues that sometimes arise since they are so common. Cars, in general, are very complex machines, and so whatever you think can go wrong can go wrong. There are people who are experiencing very concerning sounds when driving around, indicating that something isn’t right, particularly from the engine.

A common cause of noise when accelerating in a Honda Civic is a loose or damaged exhaust system component. This can be resolved by inspecting the exhaust system for any loose parts or damage and tightening or replacing them as necessary to eliminate the noise.

Another potential reason for this issue is a faulty transmission. If the noise is more of a whining or humming sound, especially noticeable during acceleration, it could indicate a problem with the transmission. In such cases, checking the transmission fluid level and condition is crucial. If the fluid is low or dirty, replacing or topping it up might resolve the noise issue.

Guy driving with left hand on steering wheel

As we’ve said above, cars are complex machines with lots of moving parts; luckily, specific, discernable sounds can be pinned down, usually leading to not much headache trying to figure out what’s wrong. So, we are here today to go over the common odd noises people can hear from their car, how severe the issue is, and what you can do about it. Keep on reading if you’d like to learn more.

Is My Car Supposed to Sound Like That?

Unless you have an electric car, a car will make very noticeable noise, mainly from the engine/exhaust. There are sportier versions of the Civic, such as the Si, that intentionally have louder than normal exhaust systems to hammer in the sportiness factor. If you are an owner of one of these vehicles – the exhaust is supposed to be quite audible, even within the cabin.

In addition, any hissing and excessive rattling are also cause for concern. In short, Civics are generally not loud, and they offer a comfortable driving experience. If you have concerns, you should look into them before any problems snowball into much bigger and more expensive ones.

Honda Civic Noise at High Speed

It’s generally known that the harder you push a car, the louder it will be, and as we have said above, the sportier versions of Civics will have a louder exhaust noise than the “normal” models. But in the case of an engine being obviously louder than it should be, that is an issue that should be looked into.

Engines have many moving parts, so if anything is wrong with them, you are bound to hear some odd noises out of them.

If you hear a rumble while driving, the issue could be something as simple as dirty spark plugs, which is an easy problem to solve. On the other hand, a failing catalytic converter or muffler could be the underlying issue.

The sound you hear is also likely related to the exhaust system, which you’ve probably heard about, but not many people know how it works.

How the Exhaust System Works

The exhaust system is responsible for diverting unwanted gases away from the engine cylinders.

How the process works is that the gases are collected from the cylinder head via the exhaust manifold, which can be best described as a funnel. The gases are then released through the front pipe and go through the catalytic converter, removing the carbon monoxide and hydrogen monoxide. It then exits the catalytic converter into the muffler, which reduces engine noise (engines are quite loud, even from a “standard” car).

After all of these steps, the exhaust fumes finally exit the tailpipe, which is the part that we see.

The muffler having problems is a very common reason people hear an odd noise coming from their car; it can cause the engine to sputter, run louder, and trigger the engine light. Replacing this component can cost at least $200.

Honda Civic Hissing Noise

Hissing noises are often caused by leaks somewhere under the hood. The sound comes from liquid spraying throughout the engine area. In some cases, a misaligned timing belt could make a hissing sound. It’s important to get to the source of the problem as soon as possible, so you don’t risk breaking down.

Check the oil and coolant, then inspect all other liquids to ensure they’re at the proper level. Anything drastically low probably has a leaky hose or gasket.

Honda Civic Noise During Acceleration

You can also hear loud noises when the engine is doing its thing is a failing catalytic converter.

The catalytic converter is a very important part of the exhaust system, much like the muffler. It’s essentially the “filter” that gets out all of the bad parts of the gasses emitted from the engine, and so if you are having problems with this component, not only will you might hear loud noises, but there will be a smell that can be described as “rotten eggs.”

The catalytic converter can be very expensive depending on where you go; luckily, Honda Civics is one of the cheaper cars to repair, and so you’ll likely be paying the low end of the spectrum of $1000. At the high end, numbers can reach over $2,000.

Honda Civic Loud Noise Going Over Bumps

Woman with head out of her car drivers side window

There are many components that make up a car, and so when hearing loud noises when hitting bumps, there are several reasons for why this is happening:

Damaged or loose body mounts
Broken or damaged shock absorbers
Damaged or broken control arms
Damaged or worn leaf spring shackles
Damaged or worn struts
Broken or damaged ball joints

Pinning down the issue will require a road test from either a mechanic or at least someone who is very good with cars. If you want to diagnose this yourself, check underneath the vehicle to ensure nothing is falling out or loose.

This section alone could be an entire subject in itself. If you would rather take the car to the shop to have a professional diagnose this, there is nothing wrong with that either, as we said, this topic is one of the more difficult things to diagnose.

Honda Civic Loud Noise When Driving

Another reason why a car can have concerning loud noises when driving is a broken tailpipe, which is the component that exhausts the gasses built up by the engine. Since this is a metal component, it can get rusted, leading to holes, which leads to unwanted loud engine noise.

In addition, worn seals or gaskets in the exhaust system will have a similar effect. Essentially the exhaust system is one of the first things that should be looked over when diagnosing the issue.

Honda Civic Engine Noises When Cold

Winter is very hard on cars, especially in areas where the temperature gets below freezing.

It’s quite common for cars to make noises when starting them in the cold. It has to work a lot harder in these climates, and so the hydraulic valve filter or pistol-to-cylinder wall clearance can be the culprit of the noise.

As the engine warms up, however, the noise should be mitigated.

But when should you worry? If you continually hear a squeaking-like noise, this often indicates that the engine belt is worn out and needs to be replaced.

Honda Civic Engine Ticking Noise

Ticking isn’t always a problem. In fact, it is quite normal as the engine “breaks in” from normal usage. This noise is produced by high-pressure exhaust escaping from either a crack in the manifold or a gasket leak.

On the other hand, if the ticking is excessive, it can indicate that there isn’t enough oil to go around or the engine is close to being worn out.

In fact, oil-related problems are the worst-case scenario as essential components can become damaged, resulting in expensive repairs. If you have concerns, have the vehicle evaluated to avoid potential snowballing problems into much bigger ones.

Honda Civic Noise From Front Wheel

It’s safe to say that the only things you should hear from the wheels of a car are the tires rolling on the pavement, and so if you hear strange noises from your front wheel, that is alarming.

If you hear a chirping, squeaking, or growling noise, misaligned wheel bearings can be the issue at play. If you hear a humming noise, that could stem from misaligned tires or CV joints.

Pinning down what kind of sound you are hearing is very important in pinning down the problem. We would recommend inspecting the wheel, do the tires look off? Do the bearings look like they could be loose?

Some issues may be more subtle, so if you aren’t sure what needs to be fixed or aren’t comfortable with dissecting the wheel yourself, take the vehicle to an established shop.

Honda Civic Heater Fan Noise

Unusually loud noises or rattling with a car’s heater fan noise will usually cause a blower motor issue. But while this may sound scary, the noise could simply be a matter of debris or trash being caught in it, and so it is worth getting to it yourself for inspection.

It’s also possible that the blower motor is looser than it should be, or the fans are misaligned/loose.

Honda Civic Noise When Turning Left

Closeup view of one hand on car steering view

If your Honda Civic is making noises when turning in a specific direction, this often indicates an issue with the suspension joints. You might hear creaking, popping, or clunking sounds.

There are quite a number of possibilities, so discerning what sound you hear is key to pinning down the exact issue:

Suspension joints often make clunking noises when they’re wearing down, especially when you’re driving at reduced speeds.
Power steering pumps make a whining noise that turns into a screech whenever you turn the steering wheel. Much like suspension joints, it’s much more audible at slow speeds.
CV joints often make a loud, repetitive crunching sound when you accelerate to high speeds while on the highway.
The whole power steering system, including the pump, will make a grinding, whirring sound when you’re turning the steering wheel. Fortunately, you can often fix the problem by topping off the power steering fluid under the hood. Have someone open the hood while you turn the steering wheel back and forth. If they hear a loud noise or liquid sprays, you might have a leak or severe power steering problem.
Tie rods make a loud clunking noise when you’re turning. Unlike the power steering system tie rods sound like a constant banging instead of an endless whir or hum.
The sway bar link can make turning much more challenging than it should be. It’s often accompanied by a clunking sound, similar to a broken or damaged tie rod.
Ball joints produce a constant creak that gets louder as time passes. This process makes tires much less reliable.
Check your suspension system’s bushings if you hear a screeching sound. In most cases, it needs lubrication. Severe damage typically calls for a replacement, though.
Excess bounciness or looseness while driving over speed bumps indicates a problem with the shocks or struts. A little bit of bouncing or normal, but your vehicle shouldn’t feel like it’s losing its balance.

Honda Civic Loud Engine Noise

Loud engine noises can stem from some reasons.

If the sensor that controls how much fuel is going to the engine is damaged or dirty, this can be rough on the engine, resulting in the components grinding against each other.

Additionally, ask yourself, when was the last time you got your car’s oil changed? The reason why cars need oil is to lubricate the engine. Old oil, or not enough oil, will also result in parts grinding against each other, which results in a louder engine, but it will wear it out due to the heat being generated. Modern oils are good for anywhere between 5,000 to 7,500 miles (8,046.72 to 12,070.08 km).

And as we mentioned above, a broken muffler or tailpipe will result in the car sounding louder than it should be. Inspect the tailpipe and muffler to check for rust, holes, and general signs of wear and tear.

Honda Civic AC Making Noise

Female hand and finger pressing on car AC button

Dissecting what type of noise your Honda Civic AC is making is key to learning what the issue is:

Hissing or bubbling could mean that there is a refrigerant leak. Basically, the refrigerant is responsible for the cold air that you hear, and while it isn’t a type of fuel as it doesn’t run out per se, it’s very fuel-like. Common causes of refrigerant leaks include rusted heat pump accumulator, damaged lines, rusted filter dyer, holes in a capillary tube, leaking schrader valve, or a leaking outdoor/indoor AC or heat pump coil.
A rattling noise can stem from the blower or assembly motor having a problem. The cause could be a minor as debris being stuck in the assembly motor or blower or a component has become loose. Luckily this is an easy fix that you can do yourself. Turn off the power supply to the AC and inspect the system for debris or dirt.
A high-pitched squealing noise means the most probable cause is high internal pressure within the compressor portion. Some pressure is expected, but it can get out of hand, and too much of it is what results in the squealing noise you hear. We encourage you not to use the AC if you hear this noise, as its usage can result in serious damages.
Buzzing or popping will often be due to an electrical issue that is quite dangerous and needs to be handled by an HVAC technician. If there is a lot of debris around the AC unit, it can obstruct the circuit breaker and blower. Loose wiring can also be the cause of buzzing and popping sounds.
Clicking noises indicate a defective contractor or relay from an electrical control.

Honda Civic Pulley Noise

Car mechanic with socket wrench tightening pulley

Pulley noises occur when the idler pulley is worn out and the grooves don’t properly hold the belt. In this instance, you will hear a squeaking noise. On the flip side, you’ll hear rattling if the bearings are wormed out. While the car is off, inspect the engine belt to diagnose what the issue is.

Honda Civic Noise When Reversing

Woman looking over shoulder while reversing car

If you hear noises when the car is reversing, this usually means that there is a problem with the brakes. If the brake pads simply wear out the rotor or if there is something stuck on the wheels or transmission, you’ll hear odd noises. Brakes should be inspected not only for safety reasons but also for preventing further damages from debris or worn-out components.

Honda Civic Grinding Noise

Woman with surprised look on face while driving car

Worn brake linings or failing wheel or hub bearings are often the cause of grinding noises under the car. But there are multiple components of a car that can emit grinding sounds, such as the transmission, brake pads, and timing belt. The problem can also be something dragging under your car, in which case you should have a look yourself.

Honda Civic Stalls While Driving / Cold / Hot / Accelerating

Honda Civic Rattling (Hood/Timing Chain/Engine/etc.)

Honda Civic Lights Won’t Turn Off (Brake/Airbag/Parking/etc.)

Honda Civic Door Won’t Open/Close/Lock/Unlock

Honda Civic Apple CarPlay Not Working

Honda Civic Won’t Start (How to Fix)

Honda Civic AC Problems (Not Cold/Not Turning On/Intermittent)

Honda Civic Key Not Working (Won’t Start Car/Turn/Unlock)

Honda Civic Display Not Working (Apple Play/Android Auto)

Honda Civic Won’t Shift/ Stuck in Park/Drive/Neutral

Honda Civic Gas Tank Won’t Open/Close/Noise/Leak

Honda Civic Hood Won’t Open/Close/Latch/Lock