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 2003 Honda Civic owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
Takata recall: there have been numerous times where I have either called or went to a Honda dealership to have the airbag inflators on both the driver and passenger side, fixed to avoid harm to myself or others. In almost three years, I have not once heard back about the dealership receiving parts to fix the issue. I have never received notice, nor was I told about the recall with the wiring harness terminal for the low beam headlights. Honda needs to fix this issue because it is a huge safety hazard that can get people killed or seriously injured.
I had to repair a known headlight issue for 2003 civics. The lights stopped working on dim, and the wires had completely melted as described in the recall information for affected civics. My VIN is not listed as part of the recall. Also, my gear selector can be accidentally placed into neutral without pressing a brake or button on the knob. For example, my daughter reached to change the radio station, and accidentally hit the gear selector. The car shifted to neutral (automatic transmission) without pressing of break or button. We were in motion, and at first, I thought something was wrong with the car, and I looked down to realize it had been placed into neutral. This has happened several times on accident. I purchased this vehicle in 2003 brand new from a Honda dealership, and I am the only owner.
At all times turn signals began to work intermediately. Had fuses and relays checked (not the problem). Soon after driver side low beam headlight went out. Had bulb changed, worked for approximately 2 days then both low beam headlights went out along with both high beam headlights and emergency flashers. Have took vehicle in for diagnostic in which the turn lever was replaced and still didnt repair anything. No one can seem to find the problem. All symptoms seem to fall into category with recall #:12V136000 but when entering my VIN recall isnt shown. Please help! I am taking a huge risk driving in the day and its impossible to drive at night
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 Honda Civic. The contact stated that the headlight failed while leaving a parking area and caused the contact to crash into a proceeding vehicle. A police report was filed and no injuries were reported. The vehicle was taken to the local mechanic whom located the failure at the headlight wiring system. The headlight assembly was replaced. The contact mentioned that recall NHTSA campaign id number: 12V136000 (exterior lighting: headlights: switch) was received after the failure occurred. The vehicle was repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 115,000 and the current mileage was 130,222.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 Honda Civic. The contact stated that while traveling 30 MPH, the headlights failed and the vehicle crashed into a yield sign. There were no injuries and the police were contacted. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who confirmed that the VIN qualified for repairs under NHTSA campaign id number:12V136000 (exterior lighting:headlights:switch). The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and current mileages were 133,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 Honda Civic. While driving, the exterior lighting became inoperable. The vehicle was repaired per NHTSA campaign number: 12V136000 (exterior lighting), but the failure recurred. The failure mileage was 171,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 Honda Civic. The contact stated that while driving approximately 50 MPH, with the headlights activated the driver's side low beam headlight failed to illuminate. The failure occurred intermittently. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer which made the repairs under a recall associated with NHTSA campaign id number 12V136000 (exterior lighting:headlights:switch). The contact stated less than twenty four hours after the repair was performed the air bag warning indicator began to illuminate continuously and the driver's side low beam headlight malfunction continued to occur. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer who informed the owner would be responsible for the repair expense; even though the recall remedy failed to correct the problem. The manufacturer was not notified of the defect. The approximate failure mileage was 100,000.
Driver side headlight stopped working on dim only. Changed bulb, but this bulb also did not work on dim. Verified the bulb was good by trying it on the passenger side. The next day, the driver side headlight just started working again. 3 weeks later it went out again. This time I traced the wiring back inside the car to the "inside" fuse box. The wiring that goes out to that headlight comes from a plug that plugs into this fuse box. After "wiggling" this plug, the headlight came back on. However I can "wiggle" it and make it go off also. Just wondering if anyone else has had this problem.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 Honda Civic. The contact received a notice for NHTSA campaign numbers: 15V320000 (air bags), NHTSA campaign number: 12V136000 (exterior lighting), and NHTSA campaign number: 15V370000 (air bags) and felt that they exceeded a reasonable amount of time for repair. The dealer and manufacturer stated that the parts needed were not available. The dealer also stated that they would contact the contact back to schedule an appointment. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact had not experienced a failure.
2003 Honda Civic ex over 125K miles low beams will turn off by themselves while driving at night any speed. High beams and interior lights are not affected. This is not the first time this happened, but I do not drive in the evening very often. On July 10, 2010 my lights shut off 4 times in a 210 mile trip at speeds ranging from 40 - 70 MPH. The first time I experienced this was in January 2009. Updated 01/04/2012
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.
Headlight complaints in other Civic years
Frequently asked questions
How common are headlight problems on the 2003 Honda Civic?
NHTSA has 23 complaints about the lights of the 2003 Honda Civic, 5% of the model year's 499 complaints. The component named most often is headlights (3 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2003 Honda Civic headlight problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 12V-136 (switch, Mar 30, 2012). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2003 Honda Civic headlight problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 133,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 3 crashes, 0 fires and 0 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.