Owner-reported complaints naming the engine system, filed with NHTSA
Data refreshed
Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 2003 Honda Civic submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 45 reports on file name it.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
The 25 most recent of 45, in the owner's own words
2003 HONDA CIVIC. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARD TO ENGINE FAILURE. THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE WAS NOT MOBILE AND, UNABLE TO BE TRANSPORTED TO HAVE THE AIRBAG INFLATOR SAFETY RECALL REPAIR COMPLETED.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 HONDA CIVIC. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO BUCKEYE HONDA (2615 N MEMORIAL DR, LANCASTER, OH 43130). THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE RADIATOR WAS LEAKING AND THERE WAS ALSO AN OIL LEAK. ADDITIONALLY, THE HORN, FOG LIGHT SWITCH, AND CRUISE CONTROL FAILED TO OPERATE AS DESIGNED. THE CONTACT WAS ALSO INFORMED THAT THE STEERING COLUMN COVER WAS CUT. IN ADDITION TO THE FAILURES, THE DRIVER'S AND PASSENGER'S FRONT DOORS WERE UNABLE TO BE OPENED WITH THE KEY. THE CONTACT WAS ONLY ABLE TO UNLOCK THE TRUNK WITH THE KEY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE SAME DEALER FOR AN IGNITION SWITCH REPAIR WHERE THE KEYS WERE REPLACED HOWEVER, THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE APPROXIMATELY 190,000.
ON HALLOWEEN NIGHT 10/31/2015, AFTER GETTING HOME FROM TAKING KIDS TRICK-OR-TREATING I WAS LEAVING TO GO TO STORE. WHILE I WAS BACKING OUT OF THE DRIVE-WAY I REALIZED I FORGOT MY WALLET INSIDE. SO I OPENED THE DOOR & WENT TO STEP OUT, THEN NOTICED I WAS STICKING OUT IN THE STREET A LITTLE BIT. SO I LEFT MY LEFT LEG OUT & DOOR OPEN BECAUSE I WAS ONLY GOING TO PULL FORWARD A COUPLE FEET. WHEN I PUT THE CAR IN DRIVE & BARELY PUSHED THE GAS PEDAL, THE GAS PEDAL FORCED ITSELF TO THE FLOOR & THE CAR ACCELERATED VERY QUICKLY. I HAD NO CONTROL OF THE CAR & TRIED EVERYTHING I COULD TO STOP IT! BUT IT WAS TOO LATE.... THE CAR SHOT US THROUGH THE GARAGE DOOR WHERE MY LEG & FOOT HIT THE ROCK SIDING ENTRANCE GOING INTO GARAGE. IT ALSO TWISTED MY LEG ALL AROUND & WAS PINNED IN BETWEEN CAR AND GARAGE WALL. THE CAR CAME TO A STOP WHEN IT TOOK MY BRAND NEW MOTORCYCLE I HAD ONLY OWNED FOR 3 WEEKS & SMASHED IT INTO THE WALL!!! IT COMPLETELY TOTALED MY MOTORCYCLE. BUT I WAS SO BADLY MESSED UP & HURT I COULDN'T EVEN HARDLY WALK OR PUT ANY WEIGHT ON MY LEFT LEG. AFTER MONTHS OF PHYSICAL THERAPY & LOTS OF DOCTOR BILLS I AM HEALED, FOR THE MOST PART. I CONTACTED HONDA & THEY DID AN INSPECTION OF THE VEHICLE BUT DIDN'T FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH IT & RELEASED IT AS A SAFE DRIVEABLE VEHICLE. SO I WAS LEFT WITH ABOUT $15,000 WORTH OF DAMAGE INCLUDING MY BRAND NEW MOTORCYCLE. MY FULL COVERAGE INSURANCE ONLY PAID ABOUT 3/4 OF WHAT I PAID FOR THE BIKE. THIS WAS ONE OF THE MOST TRAUMATIC CRAZY THINGS TO EVER HAPPEN TO US! IM JUST SO LUCKY & GLAD THAT ONE OF THE KIDS WASN'T IN THE GARAGE PLAYING OR ANYONE ELSE GOT HURT! THIS COULD'VE BEEN SOOO MUCH WORSE THAN IT ALREADY WAS!!!
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 HONDA CIVIC. WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, SMOKE STARTED TO EMIT FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. AS A RESULT, THE VEHICLE WAS MERGED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE TIMING BELT AND TRANSMISSION COOLER LINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 178,000.
MY HONDA CIVIC SUDDENLY WENT DEAD WITH NO INDICATION OF FAILURE. THE TRANSMISSION WENT DEAD AND THE REPAIR SHOP SAID THAT IT WAS A INCORRECT GEARBOX RATIO. IT IS A KNOWN PROBLEM WITH TRANSMISSION FAILURE AND I FEEL THAT I SHOULDN'T HAVE TO PAY FOR SOMETHING THAT IS A KNOWN PROBLEM. *TR
MY VEHICLE HAS BEEN GOING HOT SINCE NOVEMBER 2013. I HAVE REPLACED THE WATER PUMP, RADIATOR, FAN SWITCHES, HEAD GASKET, VALVE GASKET SEAL/COVER, ENGINE. WHEN I'M SITTING IDLE IN TRAFFIC FOR A WHILE IT WILL RUN HOT OR AT LEAST APPEAR TO RUN HOT BECAUSE THE TEMPERATURE GAUGE WILL GO ALL THE WAY TO HOT. I HAVE READ A FEW BLOGS AND SPOKEN TO A HONDA SPECIALIST AND HE CONFIRMED WHAT I READ ABOUT CIVICS RANGING FROM 2001 TO 2004 ARE NOTORIOUS FOR RUNNING HOT. I WAS TOLD THAT YOU HAVE TO REPLACE EVERYTHING LIKE THE WATER PUMP OR RADIATOR AS WELL AS THE HEAD GASKET AT THE SAME TIME TO STOP THIS FROM REOCCURRING. I HAVE SPENT THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS TRYING TO REPAIR THIS ISSUE. I JUST WANT HONDA TO BE TAKE ACCOUNTABILITY BECAUSE IT IS NOT AN ISOLATED INCIDENT. THIS MATTER NEEDS TO BE LOOKED INTO AND A RECALL SHOULD BE CREATED. THESE ARE SOME OF THE BLOGS I HAVE READ. THANK YOU. HTTPS://ANSWERS.YAHOO.COM/QUESTION/INDEX;_YLT=A0LEVJUVDZNT5ZUAUWWPXQT.;_YLU=X3ODMTBYBNV2CXQWBHNLYWNZCGRWB3MDMGRJB2XVA2JMMQR2DGLKAW--?QID=20120131065715AA3DO5N HTTP://WWW.CIVICFORUMS.COM/FORUMS/36-MECHANICAL-PROBLEMS-VEHICLE-ISSUES-FIX-FORUM/329665-2003-CIVIC-EX-OVERHEATING-ISSUES.HTML HTTP://WWW.EHOW.COM/HOW_7714982_OVERHEATING-2003-HONDA-CIVIC-EX.HTML. *TR
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. *TR
I WAS DRIVING SOUTH BOUND ON THE 215 SHORTLY BEFORE THE EXIT, MILLS, THERE WAS A CONE LAYING ON ITS SIDE IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD THAT I WAS NOT ABLE TO SEE FROM A DISTANCE BECAUSE THE COLOR OF THE CONE WAS FACING FORWARD . BY THE TIME I WAS ABLE TO REALIZE WHAT IT WAS, I COULD NOT AVOID IT AND GO TO ANOTHER LANE BECAUSE I WAS IN THE MIDDLE OF TWO CARS, WHICH PROBABLY WOULD HAVE CAUSED MUCH MORE DAMAGE THEN THERE IS IF I ATTEMPTED TO DO SO. AS A RESULT THE CONE CRACKED MY FRONT BUMPER ON THE RIGHT HAND SIDE IN THE SHAPE OF A V, THERE WAS A LITTLE STEAM COMING FROM MY ENGINE AND THERE SEEMS TO BE SOME KIND OF LEAK NOW, AS WELL AS SOME BLACK RUBBER TYPE THING THAT LOOKS LIKE ITS SUPPOSED TO BE OVER THE TIRE WAS DRAGGING. *TR
CAR WAS IN A FRONTAL COLLISION. THE BACKSEAT OF THE 2003 HONDA CIVIC CAUGHT FIRE UPON THE FRONT IMPACT. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT COULD NOT DETECT WHY OR HOW THE FIRE STARTED. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 HONDA CIVIC. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS BEING SERVICED AT AN AUTHORIZED DEALER, THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED BY THE MECHANIC THAT THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER WAS FRACTURED AND LEAKING EXHAUST INTO THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MECHANIC ADVISED HER TO DRIVE WITH THE WINDOWS DOWN TO HELP KEEP OUT THE EXHAUST FUMES. SHE THEN CALLED THE MANUFACTURER AND WAS ADVISED THAT HER VEHICLE WAS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY AND NO ASSISTANCE WOULD BE PROVIDED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 155,700 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 162,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 HONDA CIVIC HYBRID. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 5 MPH WHEN THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO JERK ABNORMALLY AND STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WENT STRAIGHT TO THE FLOORBOARD WHEN DEPRESSED AND THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT ACCELERATE. THE CONTACT THEN RELEASED THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL AND THE VEHICLE PROCEEDED WITHOUT STALLING. THE DEALER WAS INFORMED OF THE FAILURE AND THEY DIAGNOSED AND REPLACED A VALVE. THE FAILURE PERSISTED AFTER THE REPAIRS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT FURTHER REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 52,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 53,000.
THE AIR CONDITIONER ON MY 2003 HONDA CIVIC SI STOPPED WORKING SUDDENLY AFTER A LOUD BREAKING SOUND CAME OUT OF THE CAR. I TOOK IT TO THE HONDA DEALERSHIP AND THE DIAGNOSIS IS THAT THE COMPRESSOR EXPLODED AND CAUSED METAL SHAVING TO GO INTO THE ENTIRE AIR CONDITIONER SYSTEM. THE DEALERSHIP HAS TOLD ME THAT THE AIR CONDITIONER SYSTEM WILL NEED TO BE TOTALLY REPLACED. THE ESTIMATE FOR THE WORK IS $2600.00. *TR
MY AIR CONDITION JUST DIED , ITS NOT A FUSE , MIGHT BE ELECTRICAL , MY MECHANIC SAYS EVEN AFTER 7YRS IT SHOULD NOT HAVE DIED. DRIVING AROUND IN 95 DEGREE WEATHER , LOTS OF RAIN WITH NO DEFROST EITHER. WIPERS WORK, NEED HELP TO FIX THIS PROBLEM -EXPENSIVE IF ITS A SENSOR?DO NOT KNOW THE PROBLEM AT ALL. *TR
2003 HONDA CIVIC EX. NO HEAT IN WINTER. OVERHEATS IN SUMMER. COOLANT OVERFLOWS THROUGH RESERVOIR. SEVERAL OTHERS WITH THIS SAME PROBLEM. ITS NOT THE WATER PUMP, RADIATOR, THERMOSTAT, OR LINES. HONDA MUST FIX THIS PROBLEM. *TR
OBD CODE 1240 RECURS DESPITE REPLACEMENT OF CATALYTIC CONVERTER AND REPROGRAMMING OF COMPUTER. IT SEEMS TO BE TRIGGERED BY EXTENDED HIGH SPEED DRIVING. *TR
CATALYTIC CONVERTER ISSUES HAD TO REPLACE IT TWICE IN THE LAST YEAR. *TR
THE FAILURE IS A SOFTWARE DEFECT, WHICH CAUSES THE ENGINE TO STOP RUNNING AT RANDOM, UNPREDICTABLE TIMES, UNDER UNPREDICTABLE CONDITIONS. IT HAS OCCURRED FOUR TIMES WITH MY VEHICLE, AND LUCKILY, NOT IN DANGEROUS CIRCUMSTANCES. THE ONLY WAY TO RESTART THE ENGINE IS TO BRING THE VEHICLE TO A COMPLETE STOP, PUT IT IN PARK, TURN OFF THE KEY COMPLETELY, WAIT A MINUTE, THEN TURN THE IGNITION TO START. IF IT WERE TO OCCUR IN TRAFFIC, AS ON THE INTERSTATE, THIS WOULD BE A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION. I HAVE TAKEN THE CAR TO THE DEALER FOR THIS PROBLEM, WHO SAYS HE CANNOT ADDRESS IT BECAUSE HE CANNOT OBSERVE IT OCCURRING, HE ALSO SAYS THAT THE PROBLEM IS THE RESPONSIBILITY OF HONDA CORP, SINCE IT IS A DESIGN ISSUE. *TR
AIR CONDITIONING CONDENSER IS TOO LOW TO THE GROUND AND FULLY EXPOSED TO STONES, SAND AND ROAD DEBRIS THAT KICKS UP FROM THE HIGHWAY. MY CONDENSER ORIGINALLY HAD BLACK PAINT ON IT BUT IT NOW IS DENTED, LEAKS AND LOOKS SANDBLASTED AND IS BLOCKED FULL OF ROAD SALT CAUSING THE DEFROST FUNCTION AND THE AIR CONDITIONING TO FAIL AND FREON 134A TO BE EXHAUSTED INTO THE ATMOSPHERE CAUSING ENVIRONMENTAL DAMAGE BECAUSE OF THIS POOR UNPROTECTED DESIGN. RECOMMEND THE MANUFACTURER BE COMPELLED TO MAKE AVAILABLE SOME FORM OF PROTECTIVE MEASURE TO PREVENT THIS PREMATURE FAILURE OF THE WINDSHIELD DEFROST FUNCTION AND AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEM. *TR
CATALYTIC CONVERTER AND O2 SENSORS CONTINUALLY NEED REPLACEMENT. *TR
TRANSMISSION HESITATES. MANUFACTURER CHANGES THE TRANSMISSION FLUID, BUT DOES NOT REPAIR. MANUFACTURER WILL NOT SOLVE THE PROBLEM ONLY BANDAIDS THIS RECURRING PROBLEM. VEHICLE HESITATES AND SHUTTERS DURING ACCELERATION WHICH CAN BE DANGEROUS IN INTERSECTIONS AND IN GENERAL TRAFFIC. THIS IS OCCURRING ON SEVERAL YEARS OF THIS VEHICLE ACCORDING TO WEBSITES I HAVE READ. THE VEHICLE HAS ALSO GONE THROUGH TWO REPLACEMENT OF THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 HONDA CIVIC. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30MPH HE NOTICED THAT THE ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE LOCAL DEALER STATED THAT THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER MALFUNCTIONED; HOWEVER, THEY WERE UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF FAILURE. HONDA ALSO MAILED HIM A NOTICE REQUESTING TO RANDOMLY TEST HIS VEHICLE TO MEASURE THE EMISSION CONTROL SYSTEMS PERFORMANCE. HE HAS FILED A FORMAL COMPLAINT WITH THE MANUFACTURER. HE HAS NOT REPAIRED THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 78,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 82,100.
MY NEW CAR, ONCE SMOKED FOR NO REASON, LAST YEAR, NOW AT 40,000 MILES MY RADIATOR MOTOR WAS BAD ONLY 3 YRS OLD-OUT OF WARRANTY,HONDA DID NOTHING-GET IT SERVICED. MY OTHER HONDA LASTED 10YRS- I DO NOT GET IT-AFTER BEING HIT BY 18 WHEELER. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 HONDA CIVIC-HYBRID. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD TAKE APPROXIMATELY FIVE SECONDS TO SHIFT INTO GEAR WHEN ENGAGED. THE DEALER INSPECTED THE VEHICLE ON THREE OCCASIONS BUT WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE CAUSE OF FAILURE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD MAKE AN UNFAMILIAR NOISE WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH OR GREATER. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE CAUSE OF THIS FAILURE AS WELL. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 45,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 10,000.
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 HONDA CIVIC-HYBRID. THE VEHICLE LUNGES FORWARD WHEN THE CONTACT REMOVES AND REAPPLIES HIS FOOT FROM THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE EGR VALVE WAS FAULTY. THE FUEL SYSTEM WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 39,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 38,500.
A/C CONDENSER LEAK DUE TO DESIGN FLAW THAT ALLOWS ROAD DEBRIS TO HIT CONDENSER DIRECTLY AND CAUSE DAMAGE, LEAK, AND FAILURE FOR COLD A/C FLOW. *TR
Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.
Categories with enough reports to have a page of their own
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