Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (headlights, tail lights, turn signals, interior lights).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2002 Honda Civic owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
Automatic high beams, etc. Potentially very dangerous to other drivers. Place a limit on the intensity of headlights. Ultra bright lights tend to interfere with me knowing where my own vehicle is on the road.It's getting to be almost a constant anxiety attack driving at night with both on coming and following vehicles with ultra bright lights, including low beams. And if the offending vehicle is a SUV or a pickup it feels like I'm flirting with the distinct possibility of an accident and or injury.
I was on my way home from work and I had a horrible car accident I hit a 80,000 lb steel truck my air bags deployed so hard it broke my sternum come up hit my chin busting it open and chipping my front tooth. It also broke my shoulder in 3 places from the seat belt and air bag together. I have bad injuries from the accident and cannot work for a year or more.
Failure of headlights which May result in a crash. My headlights have failed, however only my high-beams work at this time. This resulted in extreme safety issues while driving on the highway at a high rate of speed and what could have become fatal crash. I have contacted Honda regarding this issue and was told my vehicle does not fall under this recall (recall info listed below.) I was told I would have to pay out of pocket to get my vehicle fixed, even though my vehicle falls under the exact specifications of their recall. I have small children and am in dire need of a safe vehicle. Please help. Recall number 04V086000 recall date 02/24/2004 component exterior lighting:headlights summary on certain passenger vehicles, the low-beam terminal on the head light wire harness can overheat and could cause the low beams to fail without warning. …
My daughter (18 yrs. Of age) recently purchased a 2002 Honda Civic and was involved in an automobile accident. In this accident the unfortunate thing was her air bag did not deploy and her chest hit the steering wheel. She was taken by ambulance to a local hospital. X-rays were done and she was just bruised and no broken bones. She May have not sustained any injuries if the air bag would have deployed. I know Honda has had law suits filed against them because of air bags deploying and causing injury, but in her case it caused injury that maybe could have been avoided if it had deployed. Thanks
Tl contact owns a 2002 Honda Civic. NHTSA campaign id number 04V086000 (exterior lighting:headlights) was referenced. While driving 65 MPH, the headlights shut off. The high and low beam lights were inoperable. The failure previously occurred and was repaired by a mechanic because the headlight wiring harness overheated. The repair cost $400. The failure recurred on December 8, 2008 and the contact will have the vehicle inspected again. The manufacturer stated that there were no recalls for his vehicle. The failure mileage was 100,000.
Progressive failing of the multiplex control unit, part # 38200-s5p-a11, for my 2002 Honda Civic hx 5sp has resulted in various problems that can prove to be very dangerous such as failure of turn signals, tail lights, windshield wiper motor, dashboard lights, dome light, power door locks, etc. Exactly when these failures occurred are hard to pin point but so far I have avoided property and bodily harm but not great inconvenience and repair cost. Please act to prevent this problem from causing harm or loss of life.
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 Honda Civic. The contact stated that the low beam headlights were inoperable. Also, the wiring harness behind the bulb and the steering column was melted. The dealer advised the contact that his VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign id number: 04V086000 ( exterior lighting:headlights) and offered no further assistance. The manufacturer was aware of the failure but failed to offer any assistance. No repairs were performed. The current and the failure mileages were 163,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 Honda Civic. The contact stated that the passenger side low beam headlight failed to illuminate. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who replaced the head lamp and fuse. The failure recurred after the repair. In addition, an unknown warning indicator illuminated and the air conditioner became inoperable. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 300,000. Ma 09/25 updated 11/08/2017
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 Honda Civic si. The contact was traveling 45 MPH when a burning odor emitted from the vehicle. The contact later noticed wires from the steering column were melted. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer but the manufacturer was contacted and they advised that the vehicle was not included in NHTSA campaign id number: 04V086000 (exterior lighting: headlights). The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and current mileage was 140,000.
Tl contact owns a 2002 Honda Civic. The low beam headlights are inoperative and the headlights will only operate if the high beams are activated. When the steering column cover was removed, it was discovered that the wire for the headlight switch was burned. The manufacturer stated that the VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign id number 04V086000 (exterior lighting:headlights). The failure mileage was 65,000 and current mileage was 73,000.
Related recalls
Exterior lighting › Headlights › Switch
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.
Remedy: 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.
Exterior lighting › Headlights
On certain passenger vehicles, the low-beam terminal on the head light wire harness can overheat and could cause the low beams to fail without warning.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the head light switch and coupler for signs of heat damage. If heat damage is present, the dealer will replace the switch and coupler.
Headlight complaints in other Civic years
Frequently asked questions
How common are headlight problems on the 2002 Honda Civic?
NHTSA has 54 complaints about the lights of the 2002 Honda Civic, 8% of the model year's 702 complaints. The component named most often is headlights (15 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2002 Honda Civic headlight problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 12V-136 (switch, Mar 30, 2012); NHTSA recall 04V-086 (headlights, Feb 24, 2004). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2002 Honda Civic headlight problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 130,000 miles, and 2% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 2 crashes, 5 fires and 2 injuries to lights problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.