Every recall campaign and owner complaint the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration holds for the 2003 Honda Civic. Nothing on this page is written from memory — it is all imported from NHTSA's public database.
11 recall campaigns filed by Honda for the 2003 Civic, newest first.
| Campaign | Component | What the recall says |
|---|---|---|
| 19V182000 2019-03-06 |
Air Bags Frontal Driver Side › Inflator Module |
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 Civic, 2003-2005 Civic Hybrid, 2001-2005 Civic GX NGV, 2002-2007 and 2010-2011 CR-V, 2003-2011 Element, 2007 Fit, 2002-2004 Odyssey, 2003-2008 Pilot, and 2006-2014…
Risk: An explosion of an inflator within the driver frontal air bag module may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver, front seat passenger or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death. Fix: 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. Honda's number for this recall is O41. Acura owners may contact customer… |
| 19V499000 2019-06-27 |
Air Bags Frontal Driver Side › Inflator Module |
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, 2003-2008 Pilot and 2006 Ridgeline vehicles.
These vehicles are equipped with driver frontal air bag inflators assembled as a recall remedy part or replacement service…
Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death. Fix: 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. |
| 19V501000 2019-06-27 |
Air Bags Frontal Passenger Side › Inflator Module |
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, 2003-2008 Pilot, and 2006-2014 Ridgeline vehicles.
The vehicles are equipped with passenger frontal air bag inflators assembled as a recall remedy part or replacement…
Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death. Fix: 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. Honda's numbers for this recall are E5D and X5C. |
| 14V700000 2014-11-04 |
Air Bags | American Honda Motor Co. (Honda) is recalling certain model year 2001-2005 Honda Civic, 2003-2004 Civic CNG and Element, 2002-2005 CR-V, 2002-2004 Odyssey, 2003-2005 Accord, Pilot, Civic Hybrid, and Acura MDX, 2005 Acura RL and 2006 Honda Ridgeline vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in geographic locations associated with high absolute humidity. Specifically, vehicles sold, or ever registered, in…
Risk: In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passengers frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants potentially resulting in serious injury or death. Fix: 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. |
| 18V268000 2018-04-26 |
Air Bags Frontal Passenger Side › Inflator Module |
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 2012 Ridgeline vehicles. The front passenger air bag may have been installed incorrectly during replacement.
Risk: An incorrectly installed air bag may deploy improperly in the event of a crash, increasing the risk of injury. Fix: 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. Honda's numbers for this recall are K1P, and M1O. |
| 15V320000 2015-05-28 |
Air Bags Frontal Driver Side › Inflator Module |
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 Acura 3.2CL, 2003-2006 Acura MDX, and 2002-2003 Acura 3.2TL vehicles. The affected vehicles are equipped with a dual-stage driver frontal air bag that may be susceptible…
Risk: In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death. Fix: 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. Owners may contact Acura customer service at 1-800-382-2238, select option 4. Note: Vehicles… |
| 15V370000 2015-06-15 |
Air Bags Frontal Passenger Side › Inflator Module |
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 Hybrid vehicles manufactured February 24, 2002, to January 18, 2005, 2003-2007 Honda Accord vehicles manufactured February 21, 2002, to August 28, 2007, 2002-2004 Honda…
Risk: In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the passenger seat occupant or other occupants possibly causing serious injury or death. Fix: 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. Honda's numbers for this recall are JU4, JU5, JU6, and JU7. Note: Vehicles that have already received… |
| 14V353000 2014-06-20 |
Air Bags | 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 Ridgeline vehicles originally sold, or ever registered in California, and equipped with Takata-brand air bag inflators. Upon deployment of the passenger side frontal air…
Risk: In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passengers frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants potentially resulting in serious injury or death. Fix: 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. |
| 12V136000 2012-03-30 |
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. IN AUGUST 2012, HONDA INFORMED THE AGENCY THAT IT WAS INCLUDING AN ADDITIONAL 820,789 VEHICLES INCLUDING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2004 AND…
Risk: IF THE TERMINAL ENDS MELT WITHIN THE WIRING HARNESS CONNECTOR, THE LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS MAY BECOME INOPERATIVE, REDUCING DRIVER VISIBILITY AND INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH. Fix: 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 VEHICLES INVOLVED IN THE SEPTEMBER 2012 EXPANSION WILL BE NOTIFIED IN SEPTEMBER 2012. OWNERS MAY CONTACT… |
| 10V364000 2010-08-05 |
Electrical System Ignition |
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, WHICH CAN ALLOW THE INTERLOCK FUNCTION OF A VEHICLE WITH AN AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION TO BE DEFEATED.
Risk: REMOVAL OF THE IGNITION KEY WHEN THE GEAR SELECTOR OF A VEHICLE WITH AN AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION HAS NOT BEEN SHIFTED TO THE PARK POSITION CAN ALLOW THE VEHICLE TO ROLL AWAY, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH. Fix: 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 BEGAN ON OCTOBER 7, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT HONDA AT 1-800-999-1009. |
| 07V512000 2007-11-01 |
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.
Risk: THIS COULD RESULT IN A TANK RUPTURE, EXPLOSION, AND EJECTION OF THE TANK FROM THE VEHICLE. Fix: 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 ASKING THEM TO BRING IN THEIR VEHICLE FOR REPAIR. OWNERS MAY CONTACT HONDA AT 1-800-999-1009. |
Summaries are quoted verbatim from NHTSA's official campaign records. A single campaign often covers dozens of model years and several nameplates, so a summary may name vehicles other than the 2003 Civic — that is normal. Every record listed here carries this vehicle's own make, model and model year in NHTSA's database. Whether a recall is still open on a particular car can only be determined by VIN.
524 owner complaints on file with NHTSA for the 2003 Civic, grouped by the component owners reported. Counts reflect how many owners complained, not how often the fault actually occurs.
| Reported component | Complaints | |
|---|---|---|
| Air Bags 37 crash, 1 fire, 36 injured |
113 | |
| Power Train 4 crash |
84 | |
| Electrical System 3 crash, 2 fire, 3 injured, 12 fatal |
29 | |
| Vehicle Speed Control 8 crash, 2 injured |
24 | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling 1 crash, 1 fire, 1 injured |
24 | |
| Structure 1 crash, 2 injured |
20 | |
| Unknown Or Other 3 crash |
14 | |
| Tires | 14 | |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic 4 crash, 1 injured |
14 | |
| Visibility | 14 | |
| Steering 3 crash, 1 injured |
11 | |
| Seat Belts 1 crash, 1 fatal |
10 |
A complaint is an unverified owner report. It is a signal about where to look, not proof of a defect.
Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaint filings on this model year. These are the owners' own words, not our diagnosis, and each one is a single unverified report.
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 driva Crash reported
filed 09/25/2024 · ODI 11616517
Air bag light came on for no reason. [XXX]
filed 07/12/2023 · ODI 11531822
WHEN DRIVING THE CAR AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS, IF I LET OFF THE ACCELERATOR AND COAST, THE MANUAL TRANSMISSION POPS OUT OF 5TH INTO NEUTRAL. *TR
filed 05/06/2020 · ODI 11323598
TRANSMISSION WOULDN'T RESPOND LOST CONTROL HIT TREE Crash reported
filed 06/27/2015 · ODI 10730769
The contact owns a 2003 Honda Civic Hybrid. The contact stated that the vehicle would not immediately start up. On several occasions, while driving, the vehicle lost motive power and stalled without warning. The vehicle was diagnosed by an independent mechanic who was unable to determine the cause of the failure. The local dealer and manufacturer were notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 164,000.
filed 05/21/2021 · ODI 11418063
THE COMBINATION LIGHT SWITCH CONNECTOR IN MY CAR IS EXPERIENCING PROBLEMS WITH HEAT IN THE LOW BEAM WIRING. IT IS THE SAME PROBLEM AS LISTED UNDER OTHER CIVICS FROM THE MODEL YEAR RANGE, BUT MINE IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. IT MAY CAUSE THE LOW BEAMS TO GO OUT AND CAUSE VISIBILITY ISSUES WHEN THE WIRE BECOMES TOO HOT.
filed 09/27/2020 · ODI 11361387
CRUISE CONTROL WAS STUCK IN ACCELERATE AND COULD NOT TURN IT OFF ON THE INTERSTATE. I COULD HAVE BEEN KILLED.NEUTRAL AND FULL PRESSURE TO THE BRAKES WOULDN'T STOP IT. TAKING MY FOOT OFF THE BRAKES WOULD ONLY ACCELERATE IT MORE.I WENT 8 MILES WITH FULL BRAKES IN NEUTRAL TILL I WAS ABLE TO STOP IT. NONE OF THE OFF SWITCHES MMADE ANY DIFFERENCE, I'M LUCKY TO BE ALIVE AND THAT I DIDN'T HURT ANYONE. IT STARTED WHEN I WAS ON THE ENTRANCE RAMP TO THE INTERSTATE IN OSSEO WI.I SLOWED DOWN TO MERGE,THEN CRUISE CONTROL ACCELERATED UNSTOPPABLE.
filed 07/31/2018 · ODI 11114739
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 HONDA CIVIC. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE ATTEMPTING TO DECELERATE, THE ENGINE CONTINUED TO REV AND SUDDENLY ACCELERATED. THE CONTACT INDICATED THAT THE FAILURE OCCURRED MULTIPLE TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 36,000.
filed 06/06/2014 · ODI 10596658
A recall only matters if it is open on your car. The lists above are for the model year as a whole; the free official lookup below tells you what applies to your specific 17-character VIN.
Free, official, and takes about thirty seconds. No account needed.
Yes. NHTSA records 11 recall campaigns filed by Honda for the 2003 Civic. The most recent is campaign 19V182000, filed 2019-03-06, covering Air Bags › Frontal › Driver Side › Inflator Module.
Yes. 8 of the 11 campaigns on record for this model year involve the airbag system. The fix is a free inflator replacement at an authorised dealer.
The most-reported component is Air Bags with 113 of the 524 owner complaints on file, including 37 reports involving a crash. Complaint counts show where owners report trouble; they are not proof of a defect.
524 complaints with NHTSA for the 2003 Civic, spread across 91 reported component groups.
Enter your 17-character VIN at NHTSA's free recall lookup. Recalls are applied per vehicle, so the model-year lists above cannot tell you whether your particular car is covered.