Major Problems with 2003 Honda Civic Derived from Complaints & Recalls

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Worst 3 complaints of 2003 Honda Civic

2003 Honda Civic ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR Victims: 14 Mileage: 25893 miles

2003 Honda Civic AIR BAGS Victims: 5 Mileage: 185000 miles

2003 Honda Civic DOOR Victims: 3 Mileage: 60000 miles

Browse 2003 Honda Civic complaints by category

Problems with AIR BAGS, AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION and ELECTRICAL SYSTEM are the most frequent issues recorded by the NHTSA from Honda Civic owners.

Problem Category	Number of Problems
AIR BAGS when the vehicle was hit in the front center the air bags did not deploy and caused minor injuries to	110 ~ 73963 miles
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION > POWER TRAIN when the vehicle was parked on a slight incline it had a tendency to roll backward or forward. while the...	72 ~ 63235 miles
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM while driving 70 mph driver noticed that driver's side rear tire was flat. pulled over and found that the rear...	32 ~ 74318 miles
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL the vehicle experienced sudden acceleration when the brakes were applied. *jb the was no way to engage the brake pedal...	28 ~ 64166 miles
EXTERIOR LIGHTING 2003 civic hybrid- 80k miles. bought in 2006 with 60k miles. the vehicle hesitates when accelerating from a stop. there...	18 ~ 91068 miles
BODY > STRUCTURE i drive a 2003 honda civic ex. i got off work at 5:30 p.m. and got on the interstate...	17 ~ 108710 miles
POWER TRAIN the transmission went from drive to neutral while driving.jb ts...	16 ~ 96590 miles
UNKNOWN OR OTHER stereo audio quality integrity: when volume is turned on high on the factory installed stereo the sound quality diminishes. the...	16 ~ 74222 miles
SEAT BELTS tl* the contact owns a 2003 honda civic hybrid. the contact stated that when driving at various speeds the srs...	15 ~ 76717 miles
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC while driving the steering wheel locked. *ak the consumer had come to an intersection had her foot on the brake...	14 ~ 22848 miles
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING consumer states that when the vehicle is cold the vehicle will not idle. dealer notified.*ak...	14 ~ 55950 miles
FRONTAL > AIR BAGS while driving at 30/40 mph the vehicle was involved in a frontal collision and none of the air bags deployed	13 ~ 29939 miles
TIRES the vehicle experienced extended stopping distance when the brake was applied. as a result the vehicle didn't stop until it	13 ~ 47256 miles
SERVICE BRAKES tl* the contact owns a 2003 honda civic. the contact stated that while driving 50 mph she tried to apply...	12 ~ 113466 miles
STEERING while driving at 65 mph the steering locked. ph the steering wheel popped and began to move freely. ts the	11 ~ 58698 miles
SEATS front drivers seat comes loose where it is attached to the car. had fixed once. going in to get fixed	11 ~ 42175 miles
ENGINE > ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING gear shift failed to shift into first gear. there was also a loud ticking coming from the engine. ph *jb...	10 ~ 21134 miles
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE my 2003 honda civic hybrid has a faulty seat belt. the belt locks up as the passenger tries to bring...	10 ~ 79753 miles
MANUAL TRANSMISSION > POWER TRAIN transmission failure. *nlm...	9 ~ 7293 miles
VALVE > TIRES a set of 4 yokohama as 430 tires were purchased from merchant's tire in glen allen virginia on january 17...	7 ~ 48286 miles
SUSPENSION there is a loud popping or knocking sound coming from the right rear side of the car when i go...	7 ~ 32000 miles
ENGINE i was driving south bound on the 215 shortly before the exit mills there was a cone laying on its...	6 ~ 169454 miles
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES several interior controls such as door handles and the parking brake are metalized plastics. as the car ages the metal...	5 ~ 71800 miles
COOLING SYSTEM > ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING in august of 2006 my vehicle overheated for the first time. i promptly took it in and they fixed an...	5 ~ 70810 miles
IGNITION > ELECTRICAL SYSTEM vehicle was parked. however when consumers went back to vehicle it was in drive and rolled back into another vehicle....	5 ~ 50294 miles
SENSOR/CONTROL MODULE > FRONTAL > AIR BAGS my 2003 civic hybrid was t-boned on the drivers side by a nissan altima traveling 30-35mph. the majority of the...	5 ~ 23855 miles
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM my wife and i have owned our 2003 honda civic since it was new. anyhow a couple of weeks ago...	4 ~ 113631 miles
ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL the failure is a software defect which causes the engine to stop running at random unpredictable times under unpredictable...	4 ~ 98337 miles
AIR CONDITIONER > APPLIANCE > EQUIPMENT my vehicle (2003 honda civic si) caught on fire on sept 13th night around 9:45pm. while i was driving to...	4 ~ 20014 miles
CLUTCH ASSEMBLY > POWER TRAIN drivers side seat rocks back and forth first gear lunges out to neutral shifting gears is not smooth and has	4 ~ 55500 miles
EXHAUST SYSTEM > ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING catalytic converter issues had to replace it twice in the last year. *tr...	3 ~ 78567 miles
HEADLIGHTS > EXTERIOR LIGHTING driver side headlight stopped working on dim only. changed bulb but this bulb also did not work on dim. verified...	3 ~ 133667 miles
SWITCH > IGNITION > ELECTRICAL SYSTEM the driver noticed that the ignition key becomes hot while driving. the vehicle was taken to the dealer for inspection....	3
ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP > SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC frequently braking will actually cause an acceleration. if i'm going down a hill and am pressing slowly on the brake...	3 ~ 11667 miles
SIDEWALL > TIRES while driving 65 mph the vehicle started shaking. the consumer pulled the vehicle over and noticed that the rear passenger	3
EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY the peeling metal plating on the interior door handles causes cuts to fingers and hands. they range from severe paper...	2 ~ 110270 miles
VISIBILITY/WIPER issue 1) driver-side sun visor broke off while repositioning to block out obstructive glare caused driver to pull off road...	2 ~ 132000 miles
INVERTER > HYBRID PROPULSION SYSTEM vehicle is losing power on acceleration at random moments. *tr...	2 ~ 98000 miles
EQUIPMENT 2003 honda civic hybrid. original owner car has 52 k. recently i experienced a near death accident because the...	2 ~ 86000 miles
PARKING BRAKE several interior controls such as door handles and the parking brake are metalized plastics. as the car ages the metal...	2 ~ 90998 miles
VISIBILITY the front windshield on my 2003 honda civic hybrid has many fine and larger scratches running every which way which	2 ~ 42700 miles
CATALYTIC CONVERTOR > EMISSION CONTROL > EXHAUST SYSTEM tl*the contact owns a 2003 honda civic hybrid. while attempting to accelerate from idle at a stop light the vehicle...	2 ~ 120050 miles
RADIATOR ASSEMBLY > COOLING SYSTEM > ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING new years day i got off the freeway and my steering wheel locked and my clutch stiffened. seconds later they...	2 ~ 37020 miles
CRUISE CONTROL > VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL when disengaging the cruise control it disengaged on the panel but kept going. repeated attempts to disengage met with failure....	2 ~ 61000 miles
RECLINER > FRONT ASSEMBLY > SEATS * this is for a 2003 honda civic si * (1) accident @ 55 mph. drove too fast through a...	2 ~ 51676 miles
SIDE/WINDOW > AIR BAGS 2003 honda civic was involved in an accident and the side impact air bags did not deploy. *mr this incident...	2 ~ 15000 miles
FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER i purchased a honda civic hybrid thinking i was going to get good gas milage since i drive 38 miles...	2 ~ 250 miles
DOOR > BODY > STRUCTURE purchased a honda civic 4dr lx on sept. 20 2003 and took it to the car wash on 10/04/2003 only...	2 ~ 30700 miles
ACCELERATOR PEDAL > VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL consumer states that while driving fuel supply was "full on" as if depressing gas pedal to the floor. the vehicle	2 ~ 15290 miles
ELECTRICAL > EQUIPMENT while driving the steering wheel locked. *ak the consumer had come to an intersection had her foot on the brake...	2 ~ 2000 miles
LATCH > DOORS > LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES complaints with 2003 honda civic alarm system. *mr the alarm would not shut when using the valet key the door...	2 ~ 6872 miles
RETRACTOR > FRONT > SEAT BELTS my 2003 honda civic hybrid has a faulty seat belt. the belt locks up as the passenger tries to bring...	2 ~ 30 miles
BUMPERS > BODY > STRUCTURE i was struck on my front bumper by a driver directly in front of me. he was making a 3-point...	2 ~ 22727 miles
ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR > ELECTRICAL SYSTEM when coming to a slow stop with brake lightly applied the vehicle is designed to turn off the engine and...	2 ~ 12947 miles
WHEELS left rear tire exploded at highway speed which caused a sever accident including the car rolling over 3 times leaving...	1 ~ 98000 miles
MARKINGS > TIRES i was driving on a suburban neighborhood street and went over a speed bump at a very slow speed (2...	1 ~ 55468 miles
SWITCH > HEADLIGHTS > EXTERIOR LIGHTING tl* the contact owns a 2003 honda civic. the contact stated that the headlight failed while leaving a parking area...	1 ~ 115000 miles
STRUCTURE the clear coating paint all over the roof and the trunk becomes chipped. the problem grows every day. *tr...	1 ~ 155000 miles
MECHANICAL > EQUIPMENT while driving the hood to my 2003 honda civic ex came unlatched and hit the windshield shattering the windshield and...	1 ~ 99000 miles
HINGE AND ATTACHMENTS > HOOD > BODY while driving the hood to my 2003 honda civic ex came unlatched and hit the windshield shattering the windshield and...	1 ~ 99000 miles
BUCKLE ASSEMBLY > FRONT > SEAT BELTS tl*the contact owns a 2003 honda civic. the contact stated that the passenger side seat belt has locked twice. the...	1 ~ 60000 miles
12V/24V/48V BATTERY > ELECTRICAL SYSTEM this car fails to start. had been reported to dealer and was told every thing was ok. on 27 aug...	1 ~ 48000 miles
MACPHERSON STRUT > FRONT > SUSPENSION creaking noise from front of car never resolved by keeler honda albany ny. *jb...	1
MASTER CYLINDER > FOUNDATION COMPONENTS > SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC after refueling and pulling away from a gas station brakes went almost to floor and car felt like it would...	1 ~ 47658 miles
WIRING > ELECTRICAL SYSTEM driver side headlight stopped working on dim only. changed bulb but this bulb also did not work on dim. verified...	1 ~ 66000 miles
WHEEL BEARING > FRONT > SUSPENSION dt*: the contact stated while driving 35 mph there was a wobbling noise that came from the front driver side...	1 ~ 28000 miles
COIL SPRINGS > SPRINGS > FRONT i noticed my 2003 honda civic ex fp with 9 388 miles on it leaning towards the front left. measured...	1 ~ 9336 miles
EMISSION CONTROL > EXHAUST SYSTEM > ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING tl*- the contact stated while driving the 2003 honda civic hibrid ( at 50 mph and merging onto the interstate...	1 ~ 70000 miles
STARTER ASSEMBLY > ELECTRICAL SYSTEM tl*- the contact stated while driving the 2003 honda civic hibrid ( at 50 mph and merging onto the interstate...	1 ~ 70000 miles
LOCK > TRUNK LID > LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES on 3 occasions over past 3 years we have had key/ lock/ ignition switch problems. result: 1. inability to start...	1 ~ 13744 miles
ELECTRIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM > STEERING my car and many other's have a serious steering rack defect that can potentially cause a serious crash or mishap....	1 ~ 31750 miles
FRONT > SUSPENSION my 2003 honda civic hybrid front left suspension mount is making creaking noises the dealer said it needs replacing. *nm...	1 ~ 45000 miles
GASOLINE > ENGINE > ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 1- 2003 honda civic 4 door 17000 miles unexplained spinning crash and subsequent fire burned car to a crisp. driver	1 ~ 17000 miles
DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM > VISIBILITY premature and complete failure of climate control panel operating heat air and defroster in vehicle. *jb ...	1 ~ 48200 miles
ELECTRICAL HEATING ELEMENT > WINDSHIELD > DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM premature and complete failure of climate control panel operating heat air and defroster in vehicle. *jb ...	1 ~ 48200 miles
ON-OFF SWITCH ASSEMBLY > AIR BAGS the consumer requested an air bag on/of switch for her 2003 honda civic hybrid. *nm the consumer requested that the...	1
CABLES > VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL while driving at approximately 10 mph throttle cable broke. owner was able to coast into a parking lot and call...	1 ~ 35000 miles
MANIFOLD/HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE > EXHAUST SYSTEM > ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING the vehicle was smoking from the muffler the engine light came on and it felt like it was stalling. the...	1 ~ 15534 miles
REARVIEW MIRRORS/DEVICES > VISIBILITY i was driving my car at normal speed when the passenger side mirror popped out. i did not hit anything...	1
HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS > DELIVERY > FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE consumer stated a smell of gas was penetrating throughout the vehicle. consumer took the vehicle to the dealer on 4...	1 ~ 2600 miles
FRONT UNDERHOOD > WIRING > ELECTRICAL SYSTEM [xxx] assembled in canada purchased as a new vehicle. 2003 honda civic ex model i purchased this vehicle in 2003...	1
WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER > VISIBILITY for the last two days after having my oil changed for the first time on my new honda civic hybrid...	1
POWER STEERING FLUID > HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST > STEERING power steering fluid leaks inside the car underneath the steering wheel and the container for the fluid runs very low....	1
WINDSHIELD > VISIBILITY i bought my honda civic ex in 2003 from lute riley honda of richardson. not long after buying it maybe...	1 ~ 10000 miles
HINGE AND ATTACHMENTS > DOOR > BODY 2003 honda civic. during wind door blown full back and breaking hinge. door and side of car needed full replacement.	1
SHOCK ABSORBER > FRONT > SUSPENSION i purchased a honda civic hybrid thinking i was going to get good gas milage since i drive 38 miles...	1 ~ 500 miles
SUN/MOON ROOF ASSEMBLY > VISIBILITY while driving 55 mph the sun roof blew out without warning allowing rain to enter the vehicle. ak nm...	1 ~ 17000 miles
FOUNDATION COMPONENTS > SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC 1. whirring noise that increases with speed. 2. occasional clunking when braking. 3. right side door speaker vibrates on level...	1 ~ 2000 miles
LABELS > OTHER > EQUIPMENT my new car once smoked for no reason last year now at 40 000 miles my radiator motor was bad...	1 ~ 40 miles
GLASS, SIDE/REAR > VISIBILITY the rear window is not able to be fully cleaned. the bottom 1/4 is not able to reached causing poor	1
RADIO/TAPE DECK/CD ETC. > ELECTRICAL > EQUIPMENT right front speaker keeps going out. radio was replaced twice.*ak...	1
HEAD RESTRAINT > FRONT ASSEMBLY > SEATS headrest restricts the view of the driver. dealer notified. *ak...	1 ~ 80 miles
COLUMN > STEERING while driving the steering wheel locked. *ak the consumer had come to an intersection had her foot on the brake...	1 ~ 4000 miles
ANTI-THEFT DEVICES > ELECTRICAL > EQUIPMENT problems with 2003 honda civic lx remote/alarm system.*mr the consumer had a remote/alarm system installed in the vehicle. the car...	1
FLUID > SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC excessive brake fluid is leaking from the vehicle. the master cylinder has to be refilled approximately every two months. dealer	1 ~ 2000 miles
TREAD/BELT > TIRES i have a 2001 honda civic that has firestone p185/65xfr690 tires onit. i had check my tire pressure before leaving...	1
POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS > VISIBILITY honda civic hybrid: when outside temperature is very low and car is cold the drivers side electric window does not...	1 ~ 8000 miles
LINKAGES > VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL consumer stated upon entering the driveway of her home the vehicle suddenly accelerated and could not be stopped by applying	1
HEATER CORE > DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM > VISIBILITY when the heat control was set to maximum even if the radio was playing low one could not hear any	1 ~ 500 miles
ANTI-THEFT DEVICE > COLUMN LOCKING > STEERING while making a right turn steering wheel locked causing the driver to lose control of the vehicle. it hit a	1 ~ 11000 miles

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