Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (fuel pump, injectors, fuel tank, hybrid and EV propulsion).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2003 Honda Civic owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
Regarding 2003 Honda Civic ex manual trans at times without any warning the car will act as though it has no fuel and once it starts will drive fine then after stopping for example at a intersection when ready to accelerate once again the car will act as if it is going to stall in 1st but seem to get burst of fuel and propel very suddenly drive normal for a few seconds and then do same scenario of being out of gas if gas is depressed somewhat as though im attempting to race it will start to resolve and it hapeens so quick im not even ready to go to 2nd gear once I do it acts slightly the same way but not as bad maybe 25% less I then make it to third and then 4th with no problems. And also let me assure you the car is never at anything lower than 1/2 tank to full fuel wise. …
I rear ended a vehicle that came to a sudden complete stop, I was going approximately 30 MPH, (the roadway was 45 but I had started to slow as I slammed on my brakes). The collision was full frontal impact and my airbags did not deploy. I hit my head on the steering wheel despite having a seat belt on. I am having a mechanic investigate why my airbags did not deploy, but it concerns me as I was injured in the crash. I went to the emergency room and I have whip lash, muscle spasms and muscle tension in my neck and back. I feel that these injuries could have been avoided if the air bags had deployed. My lawyer advised me to file a complaint here as well as with Honda about this incident.
The top of the fuel pump housing, where it protrudes from the fuel tank, is made of plastic and has developed cracks from which gasoline is oozing. The amount of gasoline leaking is substantial, and it collects in the depression around the housing. This is an apparent fire hazard, as well as a source of gasoline evaporation air pollution. While looking for a replacement part online, it became apparent that this is a very common problem in Honda Civic's. Because this is a common problem that May not be readily observable by the owner, it is likely to go undetected and therefore unrepaired for an extended period, thus creating a longterm potential fire hazard and air pollution risk.
The fuel pump module plastic top developed small stress cracks on it and sprayed fuel onto the exhaust pipe causing a potential fire hazard. I drove this defect for about two months and did not know where the fuel odor was coming from until the leak got worse and leaked onto the ground from the top of the fuel tank. The dealer refused to submit my repair claim for warranty or safety repair consideration nor forward this safety defect investigation request to the factory. I replaced the entire fuel punp module at my expense to remedy the large fuel leak.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 Honda Civic. While driving various speeds, the vehicle jerked back and forth. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed the vehicle and stated that the fuel system failed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact to check the VIN on the NHTSA website. The dealer was not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 150,000.
Gas leak because of faulty fuil filter that sits on top of tank under back seat. So many honda civic have had this problem should be a recall
My wife and I have owned our 2003 Honda Civic since it was new. Anyhow, a couple of weeks ago my wife noticed a very strong odor of gasoline from both in and around the vehicle. After a few days of looking under the car and not able to detect the problem, I removed the rear seat and noticed a large amount of gasoline under the seat. I removed the hatch to the fuel pump and noticed that the fuel pump assembly had numerous hair line cracks on the top area and when the car was in the on position, fuel was pouring out and going under the rear seat bottom. I have since ordered a replacement fuel pump assembly unit. Anyhow, this a very dangerous situation and could have had deadly effects as the electronics that charge the fuel pump are right where the gas was leaking. Additionally, if the driver of the car was a smoker, who knows what May have taken place. …
I purchased a Honda Civic hybrid thinking I was going to get good gas milage since I drive 38 miles one way to work. When I was only getting about 35 -26 MPH I contacted the dealer and was told this is a new car and the mileage will improve. So after 35000 miles and many trips to the dealer I still only get 36 mphand they can not explain why, I would like to know how they can say that this car was to get 48 mpgh. Also after two months of having the car I was hearing a loud grinding sound coming from the front end and it turned out the shocks were bad, and the dealer replaced them but failed to aline my car and wore out the front tires. Also I can not take this car on long trips since I can not climb long hills with out the highvoltage battery that assists the engine running out of juice and stops working and stalls.
I have had horrible health issues the passed years. It came down to long term chemical exposure. My Honda Civic 2003 was leaking gas fumes from the fuel pump under the backseat. I took it to dealership and they confirmed the fuel pump leak. It was cracked on top of the fuel pump, its exactly the same recall issue of the 2011 fuel pump from the Honda Civic 2011. I have high levels of gas on a blood test of ethylbenzene and m,p, xylene, - gasoline chemicals. I think all Honda Civic owners need to be aware of the cracking of the fuel pumps, that can start a fire or like myself cause health issues from breathing it in for a long time. If it is already an issue on the 2011 models, I'm living proof its a health issue and danger for the 2003. This should be looked into and a possible recalled. Thank you,
Catalytic converter failure 73,860 miles my car needed the first catalytic converter replaced, covered under warranty 93,807 miles my car needed the second catalytic converter replaced, Honda helped with cost 113654 miles, my cars check engine light came on with the same diagnostic code p1420, dealer did software update and said everything was fine. 118,000 miles, my car is back in the shop needing a new catalytic converter all this work performed at dealer something must be wrong, causing catalytic converter failure.
Related recalls
Fuel system, other › Storage › Tank assembly
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.
Remedy: Dealers will install a heat insulator material to the rear seat back. An interim owner letter was mailed to owners beginning November 26, 2007.
NHTSA investigations
Cng tank exploding in a fire
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…
Fuel System complaints in other Civic years
Frequently asked questions
How common are fuel system problems on the 2003 Honda Civic?
NHTSA has 22 complaints about the fuel & propulsion system of the 2003 Honda Civic, 4% of the model year's 499 complaints. The component named most often is inverter (2 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2003 Honda Civic fuel system problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 07V-512 (tank assembly, Nov 1, 2007). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2003 Honda Civic fuel system problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 86,000 miles, and 17% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 0 fires and 1 injury to fuel & propulsion system 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.