2003 Honda Civic Airbag Problems

Which parts fail

• Frontal
  13
• Frontal › Sensor/control module
  5
• Side/window
  2
• On-off switch assembly
  1

Components named in complaints (front, side and curtain air bags, sensors and inflators).

Mileage when the problem started

• Under 25k
  1011%
• 25k–50k
  1011%
• 50k–75k
  910%
• 75k–100k
  1113%
• 100k–150k
  2933%
• 150k+
  1922%

Owner reports

Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2003 Honda Civic owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).

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.

The contact owns a 2003 Honda Civic. The contact stated that she had previously received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V499000 (Air Bags) and the vehicle was taken to the dealer for the front driver's air bag replacement; however, upon picking up the vehicle, she noticed that the air bag warning light was illuminated. The dealer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the warning light was illuminated prior to the recall repair. The vehicle then was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that a disconnected electrical wire for the air bag might have caused the impact sensor to fail. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 140,000. The VIN was not available.

My Air Bag light indicator light has come on and does not go off. My car is a 2003 Honda Civic LX module. I am the third owner of this vehicle. I bought it at Kelly Nissan on 248 E in Easton, Pa with 117,880 miles. It has 123,000 miles on it now. There were no other indicator lights on prior to this safety issue, air bag light indicator light coming on and it is still on at the present time, I need it fixed, because it has to be inspected by July 31, 2022, and I do not think it will pass Pa inspection. My Honda is available upon request. Please contact me by my email or by my mailing address I provided, my phone at the present time is out of service till I purchase a new one, please! A.S.P.

The contact owns a 2003 Honda Civic. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V501000(Air Bags) and NHTSA Campaign Number 19V182000 (Air Bags) would like to be removed from the recall distribution list. The local dealer and manufacturer were not contacted.

Both the side airbag and front airbag lights on the dashboard are on, and the mechanic I go to has no clue why the warning lights are on. I am concerned about my safety in the event of a crash, as I don't know if they will deploy, or fail.

Tl* the contact owned a 2003 Honda Civic. The contact stated that while traveling at 55 MPH, the vehicle in front of her slammed on the brakes, causing the contact to rear end the vehicle. Upon impact, the driver side air bags did not deploy. The contact mentioned that the front passenger air bag deployed breaking the window. A police report was filed at the scene. The contact received medical attention at the scene and was given an iv. She was transported to the hospital by ambulance and treated for injuries to her stomach, chest, right leg, and right foot. The contact was also treated for a concussion. The contact's passenger nor the other driver were treated for injuries. The vehicle was destroyed at the scene and towed to an independent mechanic. The contact went Honda of salem (1101 van ness ave ne, salem, or 97301) and was received no assistance. …

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. …

I am driving Honda Civic 2003 model past 14+ years. I am single owner. I had an accident on 10/24/2018. I applied the brake when I saw traffic stopped but the seat belt not tighten. Because of this reason, my chest hit the steering. Also air bag didn't open. Good news is no fracture but my chest hitted steering really bad. Few years ago I went to the Honda service station they changed the seat belt but not remember the which seat belt they changed. Please do the inspection and do the needful help who ever still driving Honda Civic. Please feel free to call me at ([redacted]) if you have further questions. Parts of this document have been redacted to protect personally identifiable information pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 U.S.c. 552(b)(6)

Tl* the contact owns a 2003 Honda Civic. While driving 5 MPH, the vehicle crashed into a curb and the air bags deployed. The air bag warning light illuminated ten to fifteen minutes after the incident. After experiencing the failure, it was discovered that the vehicle was included in NHTSA campaign numbers: 15v37000 (air bags) and 15V320000 (air bags). The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was confirmed that the vehicle was included in the recalls. Due to the failure already being experienced, the vehicle was not repaired and the recall remedies were declined. A police report was not filed and no injuries were sustained. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 127,000. The VIN was not available.

Related recalls

NHTSA investigations

Airbag complaints in other Civic years