I have a 2004 Honda Civic Coup (automatic) with 230k miles. For the last year or so, every ~10-100 miles it’ll “rumble” briefly. The best I can describe it is like going over rumble strips on the side of the highway (6-7 of them). It happens at different locations and there is nothing in the road (that is always the first question asked). It definitely feels inside the car, but the same kind of noise, frequency, and shaking as rumble strips at highway speeds.
This only happens when I’m going about 35mph, my foot on the gas, not breaking or turning. Although not typically when accelerating - just holding a relatively steady speed. When I let my foot off the gas it’ll stop rumbling and when I accelerate back up it usually doesn’t occur again right away. There was one time I kept my foot on the gas and it kept rumbling a bit longer until I let up.
It’s seemed to happen less after the tires were rotated, but that may be more a factor of where I’m driving (more highway driving lately). There have been mice found in (and cleaned out of) the car on multiple occasions - although it doesn’t seem like an electrical issue and it was occurring before the last time I check the wiring.
I’m driving this car into the ground - trying to figure out if it is a “X will blow up - ditch it now” or “X is dying, but you have a year” or “fix X and it’ll last another 100k miles” kind of issue.
I would have the suspension components as well as engine mounts checked out. Something is looser than it should be and a vibration is being excited by the road.
Find a well rated independent shop and expect to pay for an inspection and diagnostic.
IMO, what the OP mentioned is a classic description of a problem with the transmission’s Torque Converter Lockup mechanism.
I strongly suggest that she should take her car to an independent transmission shop (not a chain-run joint like Lee Myles, Cottman, Mr. Transmission, or–the worst of all–AAMCO)–for diagnosis.
If the trans fluid hasn’t been changed in the past 3 years, this would be an excellent opportunity to have that done while the car is in the trans shop for diagnosis.
I’d bet money that this is a shudder from your torque converter. This is a common problem with Hondas and Acuras in these years and the symptoms you describe match well. I suggest seeing what a good independent transmission shop recommends here.
While it is doing this, keep your right foot on the gas pedal holding steady, use your left foot to lightly tap on the brake pedal to see if it stops, if it does, run the test a few time to make sure it is consistent… If gently applying the brake pedal just enough to turn on the brake lights but not hard enough to slow the speed any, makes the shudder go away then most likely your torque converter lockup is not releasing… Transmission shop is highly recommended…
Honda’s are also very bad about the front rearward control arm (pancake) bushing going out allowing the forward/rearward movement of the wheel…
Given OP’s car has automatic trans, concur w/above posts about checking torque converter shudder as first priority. The symptom is often described as feeling like driving over a rumble strip.
I sold the car (with full disclosure of all the issues - it’s someone who likes to tinker and wanted a local vehicle) and am printing out this list of possible suggestions for the new owner. If he says one of these turned out to be the issue I’ll come back and change the “solution” marker.
It was the Tie rod and bearings, but this was the closest answer, I think. Once he replaced that it drove without the rumble until the radiator exploded.
