2003 Honda Civic Problems & Complaints

Most common 2003 Honda Civic problems

• Air bags~108,000 miles
  14028%
• Transmission & drivetrain~74,000 miles
  10120%
• Electrical system~111,000 miles
  5110%
• Engine & cooling~80,000 miles
  459%
• Speed control & acceleration~52,000 miles
  347%
• Brakes~60,000 miles
  347%
• Body & structure~126,000 miles
  265%
• Lights~133,000 miles
  235%
• Fuel & propulsion system~86,000 miles
  224%
• Other / not specified~122,000 miles
  214%
• Seat belts~87,000 miles
  204%
• Wheels & tires~51,000 miles
  184%
• Steering~100,000 miles
  153%
• Seats~30,000 miles
  133%
• Suspension~24,000 miles
  122%
• Windows, wipers & sunroof~25,000 miles
  102%
• Equipment & accessories~71,000 miles
  82%
• Locks & latches~99,000 miles
  71%
• A/C & heater~30,000 miles
  61%
• Stability & traction control~127,000 miles
  51%
• Driver assistance
  10%

Share of the 499 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.

Honda Civic complaints by model year

Best Civic years: 2011, 2021, 2014. Years to avoid: 2022, 2016, 2018, 2023, 2017. Compare all years →

2003 Honda Civic recalls (11)

NHTSA defect investigations

Federal safety investigators have looked into 6 possible defects involving the 2003 Honda Civic:

What 2003 Honda Civic owners say

Air bags all 140 →

The contact owned a 2003 Honda Civic. The contact stated while driving at approximately 30 MPH and attempting to proceed at a green light, the front passenger side of the vehicle crashed into the front driver-side of another vehicle. The air bags were not deployed. The contact noticed that there were bruises on both of her knees and endured neck and back pain from the impact. Medical attention was sought. No one else was injured that was not in the vehicle. No warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that the vehicle stopped in the middle of the intersection. The vehicle was not drivable and was towed to a dealer; the vehicle received a diagnosis stating that the vehicle was totaled. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 154,311.

The contact owned a 2003 Honda Civic. The contact stated that while driving at 55 MPH, a semi-truck unexpectedly crossed into his lane which caused him to crash the truck's land gear. The air bags did not deploy upon impact and the seat belt pretensioners failed to restrain the contact. The contact was taken to the hospital via ambulance and was treated for multiple torn ligaments, a chest injury, and back pain. The other driver did not suffer any injuries and a police report was filed. The vehicle was initially towed to an independent tow yard and was later towed back to the contact's residence where it remained in his possession. The dealer and the manufacturer were both notified of the failure. A case was filed. The vehicle was deemed a total loss. The failure mileage was unknown.

Transmission & drivetrain all 101 →

Tl* the contact owned a 2003 Honda Civic. The contact took the vehicle to huntington Honda (1055 jericho turnpike, huntington, ny 11743, phone number: [phone]) to be repaired for an unknown air bag recall. While driving from the dealer, the contact noticed that the air bag was sticking out of the steering wheel and the horn failed to function. While driving 25 MPH, the gear shifter failed to shift out of park, the radio failed, and the steering wheel seized. The vehicle stalled without warning. While making a left turn, the contact crashed into a high curb, which pushed the engine back. The air bags failed to deploy. The contact sustained a broken foot that required medical attention. A police report was not filed. The vehicle was towed to nardy Honda smithtown (559 middle country rd, st james, ny 11780, phone number: [phone]). The vehicle was destroyed. …

Transmission on 2003 Honda Civic stopped working on the highway in the middle of the night (about 11:30 pm on a Friday night). This is a safety issue, because what if I was rear-ended by someone on the highway & I and a friend (girls) were alone in the car at night & if I had been unable to get home, we would have been susceptible to attack by late-night miscreants - we were on our way home from a church youth meeting - since we were in the middle on the highway in queens, ny. I was able to feel something was wrong & maneuver the car over where we collided with the curb and managed to get the car off the road, but it died with the corner of the rear, driver's side bumper sticking out onto the highway where it could have potentially been hit by another car.

Electrical system all 51 →

The contact owns a 2003 Honda Civic Hybrid. The contact stated that the vehicle would not immediately start up. On several occasions, while driving, the vehicle lost motive power and stalled without warning. The vehicle was diagnosed by an independent mechanic who was unable to determine the cause of the failure. The local dealer and manufacturer were notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 164,000.

Tl* the contact owned a 2003 Honda Civic. The contact took the vehicle to huntington Honda (1055 jericho turnpike, huntington, ny 11743, phone number: [phone]) to be repaired for an unknown air bag recall. While driving from the dealer, the contact noticed that the air bag was sticking out of the steering wheel and the horn failed to function. While driving 25 MPH, the gear shifter failed to shift out of park, the radio failed, and the steering wheel seized. The vehicle stalled without warning. While making a left turn, the contact crashed into a high curb, which pushed the engine back. The air bags failed to deploy. The contact sustained a broken foot that required medical attention. A police report was not filed. The vehicle was towed to nardy Honda smithtown (559 middle country rd, st james, ny 11780, phone number: [phone]). The vehicle was destroyed. …

2003 Honda Civic engines & fuel economy

EPA ratings. Class: Compact car.