2003 Honda Civic
This year had 30% to 100% more complaints than this model's typical year.
This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.
COMPLAINTS PER YEAR
View as data table
| Year | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 1980 | 0 |
| 1981 | 1 |
| 1982 | 1 |
| 1983 | 9 |
| 1984 | 5 |
| 1985 | 15 |
| 1986 | 35 |
| 1987 | 39 |
| 1988 | 46 |
| 1989 | 69 |
| 1990 | 91 |
| 1991 | 110 |
| 1992 | 98 |
| 1993 | 146 |
| 1994 | 135 |
| 1995 | 199 |
| 1996 | 305 |
| 1997 | 373 |
| 1998 | 435 |
| 1999 | 338 |
| 2000 | 287 |
| 2001 | 1079 |
| 2002 | 702 |
| 2003 | 499 |
| 2004 | 350 |
| 2005 | 314 |
| 2006 | 1402 |
| 2007 | 1203 |
| 2008 | 914 |
| 2009 | 395 |
| 2010 | 396 |
| 2011 | 168 |
| 2012 | 454 |
| 2013 | 314 |
| 2014 | 290 |
| 2015 | 377 |
| 2016 | 1059 |
| 2017 | 574 |
| 2018 | 708 |
| 2019 | 406 |
| 2020 | 216 |
| 2021 | 133 |
| 2022 | 877 |
| 2023 | 249 |
| 2024 | 116 |
| 2025 | 62 |
| 2026 | 23 |
KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS
24% of complaints: air bags — 120 distinct reports on file.
CRASH INJURYShow complaint excerpts
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.
NHTSA ODI report, 20240925
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.
NHTSA ODI report, 20171207
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 HONDA CIVIC. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE APPROACHING A STOP LIGHT THE BRAKES FAILED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE DID NOT SLOW DOWN AND THE BRAKE PEDAL KICKED BACK UP WHEN DEPRESSED.
NHTSA ODI report, 20120821
14% of complaints: power train — 72 distinct reports on file.
CRASH INJURY7% of complaints: electrical system — 37 distinct reports on file.
CRASH FIRE INJURYShow complaint excerpts
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.
NHTSA ODI report, 20171207
6% of complaints: vehicle speed control — 28 distinct reports on file.
CRASH INJURYShow complaint excerpts
DRIVER HAD JUST STOPPED VEHICLE IN PARKING SPOT WHEN IT UNEXPECTEDLY ACCELERATED OVER THE CURB AND HIT ANOTHER VEHICLE,ALSO HIT SHRUBS IN COMMON AREA OF PARKING LOT. DRIVER APPLIED BRAKES AND WAS ABLE TO STOP VEHICLE. *TR
NHTSA ODI report, 20120422
AFTER BEING STOPPED FOR A FEW MINUTES AT A STOP LIGHTTHE CAR SUDDENLY LURCHED FORWARD. WHEREAS, I MIGHT BELIEVE MY FOOT LIFTED OFF THE BRAKE A LITTLE THAT SHOULD HAVE CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO ROLL FORWARD AND NOT SUDDENLY ACCELERATE.
NHTSA ODI report, 20030606
4% of complaints: structure — 19 distinct reports on file.
CRASH INJURYSAFETY TIMELINE
CERTAIN PRO-A MOTORS CORNER LAMPS, TURN SIGNALS, AND HEADLIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS THAT ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER S
Remedy: PRO-A MOTORS WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER TO REPURCHASE THE LAMPS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 3, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT PRO-A MOTORS AT 323-838-2988.
Campaign 06E026000 — check if this car was fixed
CERTAIN EAGLE EYES AND SONAR HEADLIGHTS AND CORNER LIGHTS SOLD AS AFTERMARKET FOR USE ON 1988-2005 HONDA CIVIC, 1990-2005 HONDA ACCORD, AND 1990-2001 ACURA INTEGRA PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. H
Remedy: TOM MOTORSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER REIMBURSEMENT FOR THE PURCHASE OF NONCOMPLIANT LIGHTS. THE RECALL BEGAN APRIL 17, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT TOM MOTORSPORT AT 626-968-4007.
Campaign 06E032000 — check if this car was fixed
CERTAIN POLI-AUTO COMBINATION HEADLAMP ASSEMBLIES, P/NOS. 11-728, 11-728D, 11-710, 11-419, 11-713, 11-703, 11-704, 11-708P, 11-735, 11-725, 11-726, 11-716 (P&C), 11-721-1, 11-733, 11-729, 11-730, AND
Remedy: POLI-AUTO WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER TO REPURCHASE THE HEADLAMPS AT ITS ORIGINAL PURCHASE PRICE. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING APRIL 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT POLI-AUTO AT 305-477-1356.
Campaign 06E025000 — check if this car was fixed
CERTAIN ANZO COMBINATION HEADLAMP ASSEMBLIES SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS WHICH FAIL TO CONFORM
Remedy: ANZO WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE HEADLAMPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN MAY 9, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT ANZO USA AT 909-468-3688.
Campaign 06E023000 — check if this car was fixed
CERTAIN E SPEED RACING COMBINATION LAMPS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT FOR USE ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS THAT ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL
Remedy: E SPEED RACING WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER TO REPURCHASE THE LAMPS. THE RECALL BEGAN MAY 10, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT E SPEED RACING 909-923-3636.
Campaign 06E040000 — check if this car was fixed
CERTAIN ALFAOTTO COMBINATION HEADLAMPS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LISTED PASSENGER VEHICLES. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS THAT ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFOR
Remedy: ALFAOTTO WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE HEADLAMPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 10, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT ALFAOTTO AT 626-656-2992 OR VISIT THEIR WEBSITE AT WWW.ALFAOTTO.COM.
Campaign 06E038000 — check if this car was fixed
CERTAIN J & A AUTO ACCESSORIES COMBINATION HEADLAMPS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LISTED PASSENGER VEHICLES. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS THAT ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS
Remedy: J & A AUTO ACCESSORIES WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER TO REPURCHASE THE HEADLAMPS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 10, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT J & A AUTO ACCESSORIES AT 310-327-4981.
Campaign 06E044000 — check if this car was fixed
CERTAIN AAI MOTORSPORTS COMBINATION LAMPS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LIST PASSENGER VEHICLES. COMBINATION LAMPS NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM WITH THE RE
Remedy: AAI MOTORSPORTS WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE LAMPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 1, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT AAI MOTORSPORTS AT 909-923-9188.
Campaign 06E060000 — check if this car was fixed
CNG TANK EXPLODING IN A FIRE
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 V
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. WHEN PARTS ARE AVAILABLE, OWNERS WILL BE RENOTIFIED A
Campaign 07V512000 — check if this car was fixed
CERTAIN CURVED TEMPERED REPLACEMENT GLASS MANUFACTURED BY HANGZHOU SAFETY GLASS LTD AND SUPPLIED TO SAFELITE BY AUTO TEMP INC., IDENTIFIED AS DOT-430, AND SOLD FOR USE ON CERTAIN DOMESTIC AND FOREIGN
Remedy: SAFELITE WILL NOTIFY ITS RETAIL CUSTOMERS AND REPLACE THE GLASS FREE OF CHARGE. RETAIL CUSTOMERS CAN CONTACT SAFELITE TOLL FREE AT 1-888-843-2906. SAFELITE WILL NOTIFY ITS WHOLESALE CUSTOMERS AND REIM
Campaign 07E104000 — check if this car was fixed
K2 MOTOR IS RECALLING 1,921 AFTERMARKET HEADLAMPS OF VARIOUS MODELS SOLD FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LISTED VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS ARE MISSING THE AMBER SIDE REFLEX REFLECTOR WHICH FAILS TO CONFORM WITH
Remedy: K2 MOTOR WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND. THE RECALL BEGAN ON DECEMEBER 17, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT K2 MOTOR AT 1-909-839-2992.
Campaign 08E050000 — check if this car was fixed
Ignition Shift Interlock
SABERSPORT IS RECALLING 16,270 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONF
Remedy: SABERSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 11, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SABERSPORT AT 1-909-598-7589.
Campaign 09E012000 — check if this car was fixed
DOPE, INC. IS RECALLING 42,540 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONF
Remedy: DOPE, INC. WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 28, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DOPE, INC. AT 1-626-272-1798.
Campaign 09E025000 — check if this car was fixed
HONDA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2003 HONDA ACCORD, CIVIC TWO AND FOUR DOOR, AND MODEL YEAR 2003-2004 HONDA ELEMENT VEHICLES. THE INTERLOCK LEVER OF THE IGNITION SWITCH MAY UNEXPECTEDLY DEFORM,
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REMOVE THE ORIGINAL INTERLOCK PIN AND LEVER WITHIN THE IGNITION SWITCH, AND REPLACE THEM WITH NEW, DESIGNED COMPONENTS. THIS SERVICE WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL
Campaign 10V364000 — check if this car was fixed
Low Beam Headlights Stop Illuminating
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 CER
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. OWNERS OF VEHICL
Campaign 12V136000 — check if this car was fixed
Air Bag Inflator Rupture
American Honda Motor Company, Inc.'s (Honda) is conducting a limited regional recall for certain model year 2003-2005 Accord, Civic, CR-V, Pilot and Acura MDX, model year 2003-2004 Odyssey and Element, and model year 2005 Acura RL, and 2006 Honda...
Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the inflators in all affected vehicles, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin during August 2014. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-800-999-1009.
Campaign 14V353000 — check if this car was fixed
American Honda Motor Co.
Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger side air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began January 26, 2015. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-800-999-1009.
Campaign 14V700000 — check if this car was fixed
Air Bag Inflator Rupture
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain model year 2001-2007 Accord, 2001-2005 Civic, 2001-2004 Honda Civic GX, 2003-2005 Honda Civic Hybrid, 2002-2006 CR-V, 2003-2011 Element, 2002-2004 Odyssey, 2003-2008 Pilot, 2006 Ridgeline, 2003...
Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began on July 1, 2015. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138.
Campaign 15V320000 — check if this car was fixed
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain model year 2001-2005 Honda Civic vehicles manufactured March 21, 2000, to January 20, 2005, 2001-2004 Honda Civic GX vehicles manufactured June 14, 2000, to August 19, 2004, 2003-2005 Honda Civic...
Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began on July 1, 2015. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138.
Campaign 15V370000 — check if this car was fixed
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2003-2012 Honda Accord and Pilot, 2010 Accord Crosstour, 2001-2011 Civic, 2002-2011 CR-V, 2003-2004, 2006-2008 and 2011 Element, 2007 and 2009-2013 Fit, 2010-2012 Insight, 2002-2004 Odyssey, and...
Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and, if necessary, replace the passenger frontal air bag module assembly, free of charge. The recall began June 22, 2018. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138.
Campaign 18V268000 — check if this car was fixed
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling specific 2003 Acura 3.2CL, 2013-2016 ILX, 2013-2014 ILX Hybrid, 2003-2006 MDX, 2007-2016 RDX, 2002-2003 3.2TL, 2004-2006, and 2009-2014 TL, 2010-2013 ZDX and 2001-2007 and 2009 Honda Accord, 2001-2005...
Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's air bag inflator with an alternate inflator, free of charge. The recall began April 10, 2019. Honda owners may contact customer service at 1-888-234-2138.
Campaign 19V182000 — check if this car was fixed
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2003 Acura 3.2CL, 2002-2003 3.2TL, 2003-2006 MDX, 2001-2007 Honda Accord, 2001-2005 Civic, 2003-2005 Civic Hybrid, 2001-2005 Civic GX NGV, 2002-2006 CR-V, 2003-2011 Element, 2002-2004 Odyssey,...
Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began August 12, 2019. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are Q5A and Y58.
Campaign 19V499000 — check if this car was fixed
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2003-2006 Acura MDX, 2005-2012 RL, 2003-2007 Honda Accord, 2001-2005 Civic, 2003-2005 Civic Hybrid, 2001-2005 Civic GX NGV, 2002-2006 CR-V, 2003-2011 Element, 2007-2008 Fit, 2002-2004 Odyssey,...
Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal airbag inflator, free of charge. The recall began August 12, 2019. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138.
Campaign 19V501000 — check if this car was fixed
Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture
CERTAIN TRADESONIC COMBINATION LAMPS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LISTED PASSENGER VEHICLES.
Remedy: TRADESONIC WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE LAMPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING JULY 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT TRADESONIC AT 626-934-8884.
Campaign 06E064000 — check if this car was fixed
BUY-SMART CHECKLIST
2003 Honda Civic — pre-purchase inspection
- Test/inspect for air bags issues (120 reports on file for this year).
- Test/inspect for power train issues (72 reports on file for this year).
- Test/inspect for electrical system issues (37 reports on file for this year).
- Verify recall 06E064000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.
- Verify recall 06E026000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.
- Verify recall 06E032000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.
- Verify recall 06E025000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.
- Verify recall 06E023000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.
- Verify recall 06E040000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.
- Verify recall 06E038000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.
- Verify recall 06E044000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.
- Verify recall 06E060000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.
- Verify recall 07V512000 (fuel system, other) has been completed.
- Verify recall 07E104000 (visibility) has been completed.
- Verify recall 08E050000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.
- Verify recall 09E012000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.
- Verify recall 09E025000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.
- Verify recall 10V364000 (electrical system) has been completed.
- Verify recall 12V136000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.
- Verify recall 14V353000 (air bags) has been completed.
- Verify recall 14V700000 (air bags) has been completed.
- Verify recall 15V320000 (air bags) has been completed.
- Verify recall 15V370000 (air bags) has been completed.
- Verify recall 18V268000 (air bags) has been completed.
- Verify recall 19V182000 (air bags) has been completed.
- Verify recall 19V499000 (air bags) has been completed.
- Verify recall 19V501000 (air bags) has been completed.
OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL
BEST YEARS
WORST YEARS
FAQ
Is the 2003 Honda Civic reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2003 Honda Civic is rated "worse than typical".
What are the most common problems with the 2003 Honda Civic?
The most-reported component is air bags, accounting for 24% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 2003 Honda Civic have?
24 recalls on file for this model year.
Data updated 2026-07-11 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.