I just bought a 2015 Honda Civic Si Coupe from a small dealership called Houston’s Auto in Gilbert, Arizona. The car started making a weird noise and now it keeps getting stuck in gear or won’t shift at all. I live 30 minutes from my job and got stranded twice in the middle of traffic. I paid $13,000 (with a loan) plus a $500 deposit and traded in my old car (a 2005 Honda EX Special Edition). This problem started right after my shift at work. Can anyone help me figure out what’s wrong?
Did you test drive it before buying? Sounds like it might be the clutch slave or master cylinder. These can usually be fixed without costing too much. Check for a clutch fluid leak—look at the reservoir under the bonnet and see if there are any wet spots behind the clutch pedal where the slave cylinder is located.
@Jake
Yeah, we test drove it twice—once in the morning and then again the next day. It worked fine during both drives with no issues. It’s still under warranty, so the dealership is saying they’ll fix it, but I have to buy the clutch myself. I’m frustrated because they won’t even take the car back. If anyone knows what else could be wrong, please let me know. Thanks for the advice, I’ll check what you mentioned.
@Finlo
That’s frustrating. It doesn’t sound like normal clutch wear. It might be a clutch fluid leak, which can cause the clutch to stop engaging properly. Let us know how it goes.
Can you return it?
Malcolm said:
Can you return it?
I’m going to try, but they made me sign paperwork for the trade-in and deposit. I’ll check with the loan company to see if I can get my money back.
Malcolm said:
Can you return it?
I’m going to try, but they made me sign paperwork for the trade-in and deposit. I’ll check with the loan company to see if I can get my money back.
Just bring it in under warranty and let them fix it.
@Skyler
I doubt a car that old still has a valid warranty.
Malcolm said:
Can you return it?
I’m going to try, but they made me sign paperwork for the trade-in and deposit. I’ll check with the loan company to see if I can get my money back.
Check your state laws. Some have a ‘buyer’s remorse’ period, usually 48 or 72 hours after purchase. But used cars are often sold ‘as is,’ which might make this harder.
Malcolm said:
Can you return it?
I’m going to try, but they made me sign paperwork for the trade-in and deposit. I’ll check with the loan company to see if I can get my money back.
Look into lemon laws. They might protect you.
Dealerships make so much money off used cars without checking if they’re in good condition. Hopefully, lemon laws can help you out.
Nicol said:
Dealerships make so much money off used cars without checking if they’re in good condition. Hopefully, lemon laws can help you out.
They don’t want to take the car back, but they said they’d fix it if I buy the clutch myself.
@Finlo
That’s not how a warranty is supposed to work.
I can’t listen to the noise right now because my husband is asleep, but it might be a bad synchronizer.
Oli said:
I can’t listen to the noise right now because my husband is asleep, but it might be a bad synchronizer.
Thanks, I’ll check that out.
Try pressing the brake pedal at idle until it’s firm, then move the stick gently but firmly. It might help.
It’s probably the clutch slave cylinder.
What kind of dealership did you get it from?
Teo said:
What kind of dealership did you get it from?
A small dealership called Houston’s Auto in Gilbert, Arizona.
The car seems faulty. Take it back if you can. In the meantime, try double-clutching—it might help you shift gears for now.