KnownCarProblems2003 Honda Civic Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 499 complaints with NHTSA about the 2003 Honda Civic, most often about the air bags (28% of complaints, typically around 107,000 miles). It is 10th of 27 Civic model years by number of complaints and has 11 recalls.
Most common 2003 Honda Civic problems
Air bags
140 complaints · 28%Half of these problems showed up before 107,000 miles. Parts named most often: frontal, side/window, on-off switch assembly.
I had taken for a recall on my Honda 2003 Civic ex at mcdavid Honda of irving. I recently had a oil changed at mcdavid Honda of irving. After the oil change, there was a difference in my car's performance. Its takes a lot to throttle the car from start to run, if its on incline road. The gas mileage has gone down from…
Srs error light repeatedly comes on, with code 7-2 "internal failure of SRS unit", which apparently disables the airbag. Other people report this in forums, so adding it to your database in case there's a trend of failing control units.
Transmission
101 complaints · 20%Half of these problems showed up before 74,500 miles. Parts named most often: automatic transmission, manual transmission, clutch assembly.
2003 Honda Civic hybrid with numerous problems with car shuddering when slowing down and then taking off again. This has been occurring regularly since july 2, 2007 at 74,000 miles. It has been in the dealer 6 times for this CVT slippage. The very first documented problem however was april 20, 2003 at 9783 miles with…
Ongoing problem with my 2003 Honda Civic hybrid CVT transmission. After putting in a ongoing chronic complaint to the manufacture Honda assigned me a case manager who decided to replace the problem transmission and torque converter with a remanufactured one. It was then fine for 7500 miles and now has started over the…
Electrical
51 complaints · 10%Half of these problems showed up before 101,000 miles. Parts named most often: ignition, alternator/generator/regulator, wiring, starter assembly.
Suddenly lost power when driving, stalled-started again, all lights came on dashboard when driving, engine light stayed on. Repairs @ gardena, told it was electrical, Honda-control module engine replaced, o2 sensor, w-bulb (12v 21w) drove car less than 2 hours same problems occurred (day car was picked up).
Srs light stays on, Honda service department claims the air bag computer is bad and needs to be replaced, $700 + and it is not covered by any warranty. The car is a 2003 Honda Civic hybrid that has never been in any accident. I have replaced the hybrid battery (at 95,000 miles), and the car now has about 120,000 miles…
Engine
45 complaints · 9%Half of these problems showed up before 80,000 miles. Parts named most often: engine, exhaust system, cooling system.
Transmission hesitates. Manufacturer changes the transmission fluid, but does not repair. Manufacturer will not solve the problem only bandaids this recurring problem. Vehicle hesitates and shutters during acceleration which can be dangerous in intersections and in general traffic. This is occurring on several years…
Tl contact owns a 2003 Honda Civic. While driving approximately 30mph he noticed that the engine warning light illuminated. The local dealer stated that the catalytic converter malfunctioned; however, they were unable to determine the cause of failure. Honda also mailed him a notice requesting to randomly test his…
Speed control
34 complaints · 7%Half of these problems showed up before 52,000 miles. Parts named most often: accelerator pedal, cruise control, linkages, cables.
: the contact stated while parking the vehicle, with the brake pedal depressed, the vehicle accelerated uncontrollably. The vehicle was initially traveling less than 3 MPH. The vehicle went over the concrete barrier and hit a wall. There was a police report taken at the scene. Although the seat belt was worn, the…
The contact owns a 2003 Honda Civic hybrid. While parking the RPM's began to increase rapidly and the vehicle lunged forward. The contact was forced to shift gears into park to avoid crashing into another vehicle. The contact confirmed that the pedal was not stuck when the vehicle accelerated. The vehicle was towed to…
Brakes
34 complaints · 7%Half of these problems showed up before 55,500 miles. Parts named most often: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip, foundation components, fluid.
Several interior controls, such as door handles and the parking brake, are metalized plastics. As the car ages, the metal plating starts to peal off. As it comes off in pieces, it presents a sharp edge that can cut the user. We have had three different instances of hand cuts that could have LED to accidents as the…
After refueling and pulling away from a gas station, brakes went almost to floor and car felt like it would not stop. Repeated pumping of brakes restored some braking power. However, after stopping, brakes went almost to floor again. Dealer could not detect problem on first test drive; however brakes failed on second…
Body and structure
26 complaints · 5%Half of these problems showed up before 123,000 miles. Parts named most often: body.
My blue 2003 Honda Civic lx's clear coat is fading. There is white blotches on 50 percent of my roof, 20 percent of my trunk and is spreading to my hood. An independent paint shop said to make it look like a factory paint job it would cost around $3,000. I then took it to the dealership and the service manager set up…
The contact owns a 2003 Honda Civic. The contact stated that she was unable to open the front driver's side door from the interior of the vehicle. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 126,000.
Lights
23 complaints · 5%Half of these problems showed up before 129,500 miles. Parts named most often: headlights.
2003 Honda Civic ex over 125k miles low beams will turn off by themselves while driving at night any speed. High beams and interior lights are not affected. This is not the first time this happened, but I do not drive in the evening very often. On july 10, 2010 my lights shut off 4 times in a 210 mile trip at speeds…
The contact owns a 2003 Honda Civic. The contact stated that while traveling 30 MPH, the headlights failed and the vehicle crashed into a yield sign. There were no injuries and the police were contacted. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who confirmed that the VIN qualified for repairs under NHTSA campaign id…
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2003 Honda Civic recalls
Air bags: inflator module
Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began august 12, 2019. Owners may contact honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are q5a and y58.
Full defect summary
Honda (american honda motor co.) is recalling certain 2003 acura 3.2cl, 2002-2003 3.2tl, 2003-2006 mdx, 2001-2007 honda accord, 2001-2005 civic, 2003-2005 civic hybrid, 2001-2005 civic gx ngv, 2002-2006 cr-v, 2003-2011 element, 2002-2004 odyssey, 2003-2008 pilot and 2006 ridgeline vehicles. These vehicles are equipped with driver frontal air bag inflators assembled as a recall remedy part or replacement service part, that may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.
Air bags: inflator module
Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal airbag inflator, free of charge. The recall began august 12, 2019. Owners may contact honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are e5d and x5c.
Full defect summary
Honda (american honda motor co.) is recalling certain 2003-2006 acura mdx, 2005-2012 rl, 2003-2007 honda accord, 2001-2005 civic, 2003-2005 civic hybrid, 2001-2005 civic gx ngv, 2002-2006 cr-v, 2003-2011 element, 2007-2008 fit, 2002-2004 odyssey, 2003-2008 pilot, and 2006-2014 ridgeline vehicles. The vehicles are equipped with passenger frontal air bag inflators assembled as a recall remedy part or replacement service part, that may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.
Air bags: inflator module
Risk: An explosion of an inflator within the driver frontal air bag module may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver, front seat passenger or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's air bag inflator with an alternate inflator, free of charge. The recall began april 10, 2019. Honda owners may contact customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's number for this recall is o41. Acura owners may contact customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Acura's number for this recall is u40.
Full defect summary
Honda (american honda motor co.) is recalling specific 2003 acura 3.2cl, 2013-2016 ilx, 2013-2014 ilx hybrid, 2003-2006 mdx, 2007-2016 rdx, 2002-2003 3.2tl, 2004-2006, and 2009-2014 tl, 2010-2013 zdx and 2001-2007 and 2009 honda accord, 2001-2005 civic, 2003-2005 civic hybrid, 2001-2005 civic gx ngv, 2002-2007 and 2010-2011 cr-v, 2003-2011 element, 2007 fit, 2002-2004 odyssey, 2003-2008 pilot, and 2006-2014 ridgeline vehicles. The affected vehicles received a replacement driver air bag inflator as part of a previous takata inflator recall remedy or a replacement driver air bag module containing the same inflator type as a service part. Due to a manufacturing error, in the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver frontal air bag, these inflators may explode.
Air bags: inflator module
Risk: An incorrectly installed air bag may deploy improperly in the event of a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
Fix: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and, if necessary, replace the passenger frontal air bag module assembly, free of charge. The recall began june 22, 2018. Owners may contact honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are k1p, and m1o.
Full defect summary
Honda (american honda motor co.) is recalling certain 2003-2012 honda accord and pilot, 2010 accord crosstour, 2001-2011 civic, 2002-2011 cr-v, 2003-2004, 2006-2008 and 2011 element, 2007 and 2009-2013 fit, 2010-2012 insight, 2002-2004 odyssey, and 2012 ridgeline vehicles. The front passenger air bag may have been installed incorrectly during replacement.
Air bags: inflator module
Risk: In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the passenger seat occupant or other occupants possibly causing serious injury or death.
Fix: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began on july 1, 2015. Owners may contact honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are ju4, ju5, ju6, and ju7. Note: vehicles that have already received a replacement passenger air bag inflator as part of the recall remedy for an earlier campaign such as 14v353 or 14v700 (honda recall numbers s95, jh6, jh7, jh8, jh9, jj0, jj1, jj2, jj6, jm5 and jm6) are not included in this recall. However, this recall does supersede 13v132 and 14v349. Note: on december
Full defect summary
Honda (american honda motor co.) is recalling certain model year 2001-2005 honda civic vehicles manufactured march 21, 2000, to january 20, 2005, 2001-2004 honda civic gx vehicles manufactured june 14, 2000, to august 19, 2004, 2003-2005 honda civic hybrid vehicles manufactured february 24, 2002, to january 18, 2005, 2003-2007 honda accord vehicles manufactured february 21, 2002, to august 28, 2007, 2002-2004 honda cr-v vehicles, 2002-2003 honda odyssey vehicles manufactured june 19, 2001, to july 12, 2003, 2003 acura mdx vehicles manufactured september 19, 2002, to june 19, 2003, 2003 honda element vehicles manufactured june 25, 2002, to july 31, 2003, and 2003 honda pilot vehicles manufactured november 26, 2001, to august 21, 2003. The affected vehicles have a passenger side frontal air bag that may be susceptible to moisture intrusion which, over time, could cause the inflator to rupt
Air bags: inflator module
Risk: In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began on july 1, 2015. Owners may contact honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Owners may contact acura customer service at 1-800-382-2238, select option 4. Note: vehicles that have had their driver frontal air bag replaced previously as part of a recall remedy prior to september 12, 2014 need to have their air bag replaced under this recall as well. Vehicles that, on or after september 12, 2014, received a remedy for a prior driver frontal air bag inflator recall already rec
Full defect summary
Honda (american honda motor co.) is recalling certain model year 2001-2007 accord, 2001-2005 civic, 2001-2004 honda civic gx, 2003-2005 honda civic hybrid, 2002-2006 cr-v, 2003-2011 element, 2002-2004 odyssey, 2003-2008 pilot, 2006 ridgeline, 2003 acura 3.2cl, 2003-2006 acura mdx, and 2002-2003 acura 3.2tl vehicles. The affected vehicles are equipped with a dual-stage driver frontal air bag that may be susceptible to moisture intrusion and other factors, including manufacturing variability that, over time, could cause the inflator to rupture.
Air bags
Risk: In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passengerâs frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants potentially resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger side air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began january 26, 2015. Owners may contact honda customer service at 1-800-999-1009.
Full defect summary
American honda motor co. (honda) is recalling certain model year 2001-2005 honda civic, 2003-2004 civic cng and element, 2002-2005 cr-v, 2002-2004 odyssey, 2003-2005 accord, pilot, civic hybrid, and acura mdx, 2005 acura rl and 2006 honda ridgeline vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in geographic locations associated with high absolute humidity. Specifically, vehicles sold, or ever registered, in alabama, florida, georgia, hawaii, louisiana, mississippi, south carolina, texas, puerto rico, u.s. Virgin islands, saipan, guam, and american samoa are addressed by this recall. Upon deployment of the passenger side frontal air bag, excessive internal pressure may cause the inflator to rupture.
Air bags
Risk: In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passengerâs frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants potentially resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the inflators in all affected vehicles, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin during august 2014. Owners may contact honda customer service at 1-800-999-1009.
Full defect summary
American honda motor company, inc.'s (honda) is conducting a limited regional recall for certain model year 2003-2005 accord, civic, cr-v, pilot and acura mdx, model year 2003-2004 odyssey and element, and model year 2005 acura rl, and 2006 honda ridgeline vehicles originally sold, or ever registered in california, and equipped with takata-brand air bag inflators. Upon deployment of the passenger side frontal air bag, excessive internal pressure may cause the inflator to rupture.
Lights: switch
Risk: If the terminal ends melt within the wiring harness connector, the low beam headlights may become inoperative, reducing driver visibility and increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will repair the low beam terminal harness or replace the lighting switch as necessary, free of charge. The original recall began in april 2012. Owners of vehicles involved in the september 2012 expansion will be notified in september 2012. Owners may contact honda customer service at 1-800-999-1009.
Full defect summary
Honda is recalling certain model year 2002 through 2004 cr-v; model year 2003 through 2005 pilot; and model year 2002 and 2003 civic vehicles. In march 2012, honda filed a defect report to recall certain model year 2002 through 2004 cr-v and certain model year 2003 pilot vehicles. In august 2012, honda informed the agency that it was including an additional 820,789 vehicles including certain model year 2004 and 2005 pilots and model year 2002 and 2003 civics. The total number of vehicles being recalled is now 1,375,217. Due to tension from the combination switch wiring harness, wear on the surface of the electrical terminal can occur, yielding copper oxide, which increases electrical resistance. Increased electrical resistance may cause the terminal ends to melt within the wiring harness connector.
Electrical: ignition
Risk: Removal of the ignition key when the gear selector of a vehicle with an automatic transmission has not been shifted to the park position can allow the vehicle to roll away, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will remove the original interlock pin and lever within the ignition switch, and replace them with new, designed components. This service will be performed free of charge. The safety recall began on october 7, 2010. Owners may contact honda at 1-800-999-1009.
Full defect summary
Honda is recalling certain model year 2003 honda accord, civic two and four door, and model year 2003-2004 honda element vehicles. The interlock lever of the ignition switch may unexpectedly deform, which can allow the interlock function of a vehicle with an automatic transmission to be defeated.
Fuel system: tank assembly
Risk: This could result in a tank rupture, explosion, and ejection of the tank from the vehicle.
Fix: Dealers will install a heat insulator material to the rear seat back. An interim owner letter was mailed to owners beginning november 26, 2007. When parts are available, owners will be renotified asking them to bring in their vehicle for repair. Owners may contact honda at 1-800-999-1009.
Full defect summary
On certain compressed natural gas (cng) vehicles, in the event of a severe interior fire in the area of the rear seat, the cng tank may be heated unevenly, preventing the pressure relief device from venting the contents of the tank as designed.
Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which recalls are still open on your car.
NHTSA defect investigations
Desiccated air bag inflator rupture
Summary
From 2000 through 2017, takata produced millions of air bag inflators using two types of phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate ("psan") propellant -- propellant 2004 and propellant 2004l. After prolonged exposure to high temperature cycles and humidity, inflators using propellant 2004 can degrade, causing the propellant to burn too quickly when ignited. The rapid burning can cause the inflator to rupture during deployment, potentially causing serious or even fatal injury to vehicle occupants. See 2016 blomquist report at www.NHTSA.gov/sites/NHTSA.gov/files/documents/expert_report-hrblomquist.pdf.consequently, all frontal inflators using propellant 2004 that do not contain a "desiccant" (a substa
Air bag inflator rupture
Summary
The office of defects investigation (odi) opened pe14-016 in june 2014 based on six inflator rupture incidents involving consumer owned vehicles produced by five vehicle manufacturers.all six vehicles were operated in florida or puerto rico at the time of the rupture and for the majority of their service life, and were equipped with inflators produced by takata, a tier-one supplier of automotive air bag systems.during the course of pe14-016, odi determined that five additional vehicle manufacturers used inflators of a similar design and vintage also supplied by takata. No evidence of field failures was found in vehicles produced by these five additional manufacturers.nonetheless, at odi's in
Air bag inflator rupture
Summary
The office of defects investigation (odi) opened pe14-016 in june 2014 based on six inflator rupture incidents involving consumer owned vehicles produced by five vehicle manufacturers.all six vehicles were operated in florida or puerto rico at the time of the rupture and for the majority of their service life, and were equipped with inflators produced by takata, a tier-one supplier of automotive air bag systems.during the course of pe14-016, odi determined that five additional vehicle manufacturers used inflators of a similar design and vintage also supplied by takata. No evidence of field failures was found in vehicles produced by these five additional manufacturers.nonetheless, at odi's in
Low beam headlights stop illuminating
Summary
This investigation was prompted by preliminary evaluation (pe) 11-017, and was based on reports from consumers alleging that both low beam headlights stopped illuminating simultaneously.some complainants also reported that the combination switch (switch) that controls the headlights and turn signals, and/or its electrical wiring harness connector were damaged by overheating.odi's pe information request letter asked honda for certain data on model years (my) 2002-2006 cr-v, 2003-2008 pilot, 2003-2008 element, 2001-2005 civic, and 2000-2001 s 2000 vehicles.analysis of complaint and honda data show that a complete low beam headlight circuit failure occurs in models with 2-bulb headlight systems
Ignition shift interlock
Summary
On august 4, 2010, american honda motor co. (honda) submitted a defect information report (dir) to NHTSA regarding a ignition interlock defect in approximately 384,220 model year (my) 2003 honda accord and civic and my 2003 and 2004 honda element vehicles with automatic transmissions (recall 10v-364).in a september 22, 2010 supplemental dir, honda expanded the scope of the recall population based on manufacturing and complaint data.the total population for the complete recall is approximately 551,498 vehicles.the information listed in this closing report refers only to the subject vehicles, my 2003 accords with automatic transmissions.according to honda's dir, under certain conditions the in
Cng tank exploding in a fire
Summary
In mid-april 2007, honda informed odi of a cng tank explosion incident that occurred on a subject vehicle.the incident occurred after an arsonist broke into a lot where multiple vehicles, including a subject vehicle, were stored and set the vehicles on fire.during the fire, the pressure relief device (prd) on the subject vehicle allegedly failed to activate and the compressed natural gas (cng) tank exploded.the explosion occurred with fire fighters at the scene.no injuries were reported. Cng tanks are subject to federal motor vehicle safety standard number 304 - compressed natural gas fuel container integrity.this standard requires that each cng fuel container shall completely vent its conte
Questions about the 2003 Honda Civic
- What are the most common problems with the 2003 Honda Civic?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: air bags (140 complaints, typically around 107,000 miles); transmission (101 complaints, typically around 74,500 miles); electrical (51 complaints, typically around 101,000 miles).
- How many recalls does the 2003 Honda Civic have?
- 11 recalls listed by NHTSA, the latest from June 27, 2019 (air bags). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which ones are still open on your car.
- Is the 2003 a bad year for the Honda Civic?
- It is 10th of 27 Civic model years by number of complaints, with 499 complaints. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so popular years collect more of them, and the newest years have had less time to.