2003 Honda Civic Complaint Log

MY 2003 CIVIC HYBRID WAS T-BONED ON THE DRIVERS SIDE BY A NISSAN ALTIMA TRAVELING 30-35MPH. THE MAJORITY OF THE IMPACT WAS ON THE LEFT REAR DOOR AND MIDPOST BETWEEN THE LEFT FRONT AND LEFT REAR DOOR. THE LEFT FRONT DOOR WAS CRINKLED LEAVING WINDOW AND DOOR UNABLE TO FUNCTION. LEFT REAR DOOR COMPLETELY SMASHED AND LEFT REAR WINDOW BROKEN OUT. THE SIDE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. I INQUIRED WITH HONDA (LOCAL AND NATIONAL) INQUIRING IF THE SIDE AIR BAG SHOULD HAVE DEPLOYED. BOTH LOCAL AND NATIONAL HONDA SAID THE DEPLOYMENT OF THE SIDE AIR BAG DEPENDS ON THE ANGLE OF IMPACT, ETC. I TOLD THEM I WAS CONCERNED IF THE AIRBAGS WOULD FUNCTION IF I HAD ANOTHER WRECK. THEY SAID IF SIDE AIR BAGS WERE NOT FUNCTIONING, A WARNING LIGHT WOULD BE ACTIVE ON THE DASH. NO PARTS WERE REPLACED, ETC. WHEN THE CAR WAS BEING REPAIRD AND WAS TORN DOWN IN BODY SHOP, I WENT TO THE SHOP AND LOOKED AT THE SENSORS AND THEIR LOCATION. THEY WERE LOCATED AT THE BASE (FLOOR LEVEL) OF THE CAR, MIDWAY BETWEEN THE FRONT AND REAR DOOR. THE CAR IS A COMPACT, AND NATURALLY SITS LOW ANYWAY. MOST CAR BUMPERS ON IMPACT WILL HIT 1/3 OR 1/2 WAY UP THE DOOR, ESPECIALLY TRUCKS/SUVS. IT SEEMS TO ME THE SENSORS ARE TOO LOW. ALSO, I RECEIVED A LACERATION ON MY HEAD. AS THE CAR SHIFTED STRONGLY TO THE RIGHT AT IMPACT, MY HEAD SLAMMED INTO THE SUPPORT HANDLE THAT IS POSITIONED ABOVE THE DRIVER'S WINDOW IN THE INTERIOR. IN MY CALL TO HONDA'S NATIONAL OFFICE, I SUGGESTED THEY CHECK THE SIDE AIR BAG SENSORS ENGINEERING, AND THAT THEY REMOVE THE INTERIOR HANDLE ABOVE THE DRIVER'S WINDOW (I'VE NOTICED OTHER BRANDS OF VEHICLES DON'T HAVE THEM THERE). SECOND INJURY WAS MY WIFE'S NECK BEING SORE AFTER THE WRECK FROM WHIPLASH. SUMMARY: TWO CONCERNS 1) ARE SIDE AIR BAG SENSORS WORKING AND/OR ENGINEERED PROPERLY, AND 2) THE SUPPORT HANDLE THAT IS HEAD- HIGH ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE SHOULD BE REMOVED.*AK

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. *AK

WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH THE SUN ROOF BLEW OUT WITHOUT WARNING ALLOWING RAIN TO ENTER THE VEHICLE. *AK *NM

PURCHASED A HONDA CIVIC 4DR LX ON SEPT. 20, 2003 AND TOOK IT TO THE CAR WASH ON 10/04/2003 ONLY TO HAVE WATER ON BOTH FRONT DRIVER AND PASSENGER DOORS (BOTTOM OF DOORS). ON 10/06/2003, I TOOK IT FOR A 48 HOUR RAINCHECK I HAD RECEIVED, AND AGAIN WATER HAD COME IN. WHEN I GOT HOME I DRIED IT UP AND AGAIN POUR A GALLON OF WATER ON BOTH DRIVER AND PASSENGER DOORS. SURE ENOUGH WATER WAS AT THE BOTTOM OF THE DOORS. AFTER INSPECTING BOTH DOORS WATER WAS EVIDENT BETWEEN THE DOOR PANELS. IN THE PROCESS OF DOING THE INPECTION. I ALSO NOTICE THAT THE GAPS BETWEEN THE DRIVER BACK AND PASSENGER DOOR WERE DIFFERENT. THE PASSENGERS BACK DOOR GAP MEASURES 1/4 IN. WHILE THE DRIVERS BACK DOOR MEASURES 3/16 IN. *LA

IF YOU TAKE YOUR HANDS OFF THE STEERING WHEEL THE CAR STARTS A SEVER DRIFT RIGHT OR LEFT. THE DEALER(CERRITOS HONDA) SAID THAT WE HAD TO GET USED TO IT AND THAT IT HAD A NEW TYPE OF STEERING SYSTEM..ALSO I FOUND OUT THAT HONDA IS HAS A LAWSUIT THAT INFERS THAT HONDA LIED ABOUT ITS GAS MILEAGE IN TOWN... *TR

MY VEHICLE (2003 HONDA CIVIC SI) CAUGHT ON FIRE ON SEPT 13TH NIGHT AROUND 9:45PM. WHILE I WAS DRIVING TO HOME FROM A MOVIE THEATER, SOMEBODY FROM ANOTHER VEHICLE SPOTTED THE FIRE AND STOPPED ME. I GOT OUT OF THE VEHICLE, LOOKED UNDER THE CAR, THERE WAS A FIRE BETWEEN TWO FRONT TIRES. I CALLED 911, POLICE AND FIRE RESPONDED AND PUT OFF THE FIRE FROM INSIDE THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT. MY INSURANCE COMPANY INVESTIGATED AND BLAMED ON JIFFY LUBE, WHO CHANGED THE OIL ON THE SAME DAY EVENING AROUND 6:30. JIFFY LUBE WENT WITH SOME INDEPENDENT INVESTIGATION AND CONCLUDED THAT CHANGING THE OIL DIDN'T CAUSE THE FIRE AND BLAMED ON MANUFACTURER PROBLEM. BOTH INVESTIGATION CONCLUSIONS ARE SIMILAR. CONCLUSION FROM INSURANCE PARTY ( MDE ENGINEERS INC) ORIGIN OF FIRE WAS AT THE EXHAUST PIPE NEAR THE FLANGE. CAUSE OF FIRE WAS THE AIR CONDITIONER (A/C) DRAIN TUBE FROM THE VENTILATION BOX CONTACTING THE EXHAUST PIPE. CONCLUSION FROM JIFFY LUBE PARTY (SCHAEFER ENGINERRING) CAUSE OF FIRE WAS AN A/C CONDENSATE DRAIN HOSE COMING IN CONTACT WITH THE VEHICLE EXHAUST PIPE. HOSE WAS PROBABLY NOT PROPERLY MOUNTED DURING THE MANUFACTURING AND ALLOWED THE HOSE TO MOVE AND CONTACT THE EXHAUST PIPE. *LA

WHILE DRIVING AT 65 MPH THE STEERING LOCKED. *PH THE STEERING WHEEL POPPED AND BEGAN TO MOVE FREELY. *TS THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. *SCC *JB

2003 HONDA CIVIC COUPE-DURING SHARP CORNERING, THE CAR BECOMES UNSTABLE TO THE POINT IT WENT INTO A 4 WHEEL SLIDE OFF OF THE PAVEMENT. CONDITIONS DRY AND ROAD SURFACE CLEAN. CAR HAS EXHIBITED ERRATIC MOVEMENT OF THE CHASSIS DURING CORNERING SINCE THE INCIDENT. *LA

1. WHIRRING NOISE THAT INCREASES WITH SPEED. 2. OCCASIONAL CLUNKING WHEN BRAKING. 3. RIGHT SIDE DOOR SPEAKER VIBRATES ON LEVEL 3+. 4. CLICKING NOISE WHEN HEATER IS ON. IS THIS NORMAL? 5. I FIND THE CAR A VERY LOUD RIDE..A LOT OF ECHO UNDERNEATH WITH EVERY BUMP..I SUSPECT THE TIRES MAYBE. THEY ARE FIRESTONE.*JB

NEW 2003 HONDA CIVIC LX WITH SIDE AIR BAGS. DRIVER'S SEAT ROCKS BACK AND FORTH WITH 1/4 TO 1/2 INCH "PLAY" - CAUSING UN-SAFE FEELING - NOT SECURE AT ALL. DEALER SAID NOTHING COULD BE DONE TO CORRECT. HONDA CUSTOMER SERVICE SAID NOTHING COULD BE DONE TO CORRECT.*AK

VEHICLE EXPERIENCED AN ONGOING PROBLEM OF WANDERING ACROSS THE ROAD WHILE DRIVING AT 20 MPH OR MORE. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO DEALER ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS, BUT DEALER WAS UNABLE TO FIND THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM. *AK

WITH THE USE OF A GAUSSMETER, AN INSTRUMENT USED TO MEASURE ELECTRO MAGNETIC FIELDS, THE CONSUMER FOUND THAT VEHICLE HAD A HIGH ELECTROMAGNETIC FIELD. MANUFACTURER AND THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED *AK THE CONSUMER STATED THE HIGHEST LEVEL OCCURRED WHEN THE ENGINE DRAWS POWER FROM THE BATTERY VIA THE INTEGRATED MOTOR ASSIST OR WHEN THE BATTERY WAS CHARGING. *TS *JB

DRIVER TRAVELING IN 2003 HONDA CIVIC AT ABOUT 40 MPH; OTHER DRIVER (IN A FORD MINIVAN) COMING FROM OPPOSITE DIRECTION MADE ILLEGAL TURN IN FRONT OF CIVIC CAUSING COLLISION; CIVIC COLLIDED WITH FRONT PASSENGER WHEEL OF THE MINIVAN, FOLDING THE WHEEL UNDER; HIT BRAKES ON CIVIC BUT CONSIDERABLE DAMAGE TO BOTH VEHICLES (APPROXIMATELY $6000 ON THE CIVIC); AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY ON THE CIVIC. *AK

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

WITHIN THE 8 DAYS WE OWNED THIS CAR, IT HAD ACCELERATED TWICE WHILE MY TEENAGED DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING. THESE INCIDENTS HAPPENED WHEN SHE WAS ACCELERATING AFTER HAVING STOPPED AT A STOP SIGN. BEING AN INEXPERIENCED DRIVER SHE DID NOT REALIZE THE PROBLEM, ONLY COMMENTED THE CAR FELT LIKE IT WAS DRIVING FUNNY. WHEN THE INCIDENT ON 08/08/03 HAPPENED, I WAS DRIVING WITH MY YOUNGER DAUGHTER IN THE CAR. WE WERE PULLING INTO A PARKING SPACE IN FRONT OF A RESTAURANT AT A VERY SLOW RATE OF SPEED, WHEN THE CAR SUDDENLY ACCELERATED, CAUSING US TO JUMP UP ONTO THE SIDEWALK AND RUN INTO A CEMENT PICNIC TABLE, DENTING THE FRONT BUMPER. I HAD TO SLAM ON THE BRAKES TO STOP THE CAR FROM DRIVING THROUGH THE FRONT WINDOW OF THE RESTAURANT AND POSSIBILY INJURING OR KILLING THE PEOPLE INSIDE. WE TOOK THE CAR BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP, WHERE THEIR DIAGNOSTIC TECHNICIANS WERE UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. WE WERE TOLD THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE CAR AND TO COME AND PICK IT UP AS THERE WAS NOTHING FURTHER THEY COULD DO FOR US. WE FOUND ON THIS NHTSA WEBSITE THAT THERE WERE SIX OTHER SIMILAR INCIDENTS OF THIS MODEL OF CAR HAVING SUDDEN ACCELERATION DURING SLOW SPEED OR STOPPING SITUATIONS. WE PROVIDED THIS INFORMATION TO THE DEALERSHIP, BUT THEY ARE STILL UNWILLING TO HELP US.*AK

THERE IS A LOUD POPPING OR KNOCKING SOUND COMING FROM THE RIGHT REAR SIDE OF THE CAR WHEN I GO OVER AN INCLINE WHILE TURNING IN EITHER DIRECTION. THE DEALER HEARD THE PROBLEM AND TRIED TO FIX IT TWICE BUT I AM STILL HEARING IT. *NM

FREQUENTLY, BRAKING WILL ACTUALLY CAUSE AN ACCELERATION. IF I'M GOING DOWN A HILL AND AM PRESSING SLOWLY ON THE BRAKE TO SLOW DOWN, AND THEN HIT A BUMP IN THE ROAD, THE CAR ACCELERATES AND THERE'S A BUMP, BUMP, BUMP UNTIL FINALLY THE BRAKES ENGAGE. I HAVE TAKEN IT IN FOR SERVICE AND WAS TOLD THIS IS JUST THE WAY ABS WORKS. HOWEVER, I HAVE DRIVEN OTHER CARS WITH ABS (INCLUDING HONDAS) AND HAVE NEVER HAD THIS PROBLEM. THIS HAS HAPPENED OVER 30 TIMES SINCE I BOUGHT THE CAR SEVERAL MONTHS AGO. ONE TIME I NEARLY COLLIDED WITH THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME. *AK

DRIVERS SIDE SEAT ROCKS BACK AND FORTH, FIRST GEAR LUNGES OUT TO NEUTRAL, SHIFTING GEARS IS NOT SMOOTH AND HAS ROUGH GRINDING FEEL, CLUTCH DOESNT ENGAGE AND DISC ENGAGE PROPERLY.*AK

THE REAR WINDOW IS NOT ABLE TO BE FULLY CLEANED. THE BOTTOM 1/4 IS NOT ABLE TO REACHED CAUSING POOR VISIBILITY OUT OF WINDOW. WINDOW APPEARS TO BE FOGGY AND IS WORSE IN HOT WEATHER.*AK

WHILE DRIVING AT 30/40 MPH, THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A FRONTAL COLLISION AND NONE OF THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED UPON IMPACT. *AK *TS *JB

RIGHT FRONT SPEAKER KEEPS GOING OUT. RADIO WAS REPLACED TWICE.*AK

CONSUMER STATES THAT WHILE DRIVING FUEL SUPPLY WAS "FULL ON" AS IF DEPRESSING GAS PEDAL TO THE FLOOR. THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED, CAUSING CONSUMER TO UTILIZE PARKING BRAKE IN ORDER TO STOP.*AK

I PURCHASED A HONDA CIVIC HYBRID VEHICLE IN MARCH OF THE CURRENT YEAR WITH THE INTENTION OF SAVING GAS AND BEING KIND TO THE ENVIRONMENT. THE CUSTOMARY BRIEF TEST DRIVE BEFORE PUCHASING THE CAR LED ME TO BELIEVE THIS WOULD BE A GOOD CAR FOR MY HIGH MILEAGE LIFESTYLE. WITHIN A MONTH I STARTED HAVING ACHES AND STIFFNESS IN MY NECK AND LOWER BACK. AT TEN WEEKS I WAS IN SO MUCH PAIN THAT I CALLED A CHIROPRACTOR, CRYING WITH PAIN, ON A SUNDAY MORNING TO BEG FOR HELP. (I HAD NOT REQUIRED CHIROPRACTIC HELP FOR THE PREVIOUS 5 YEARS). THE CHIROPRACTOR TREATED MY BACK WITH HEAT AND MASSAGE FOR OVER AN HOUR AND THEN WENT WITH ME TO MY NEW CAR TO CHECK OUT THE SEATS. SHE IMMEDIATELY POINTED OUT THAT THE DESIGN OF THE SEAT GAVE NO BACK SUPPORT AND WAS TOO SHORT IN THE SEAT TO SUPPORT THE LEGS WHILE DRIVING. WITH THE DOCTOR'S HELP AND ADVICE AS TO CUSHIONS I COULD PURCHASE I WAS ABLE TO LEAVE ON THE TRIP BUT COULD ONLY DRIVE AN HOUR AT A TIME. MY COUSIN DID MOST OF THE DRIVING FROM BAKERSFIELD, CALIFORNIA TO PORTLAND, OREGON (APPROXIMATELY 900 MILES) WHILE I SAT IN THE PASSENGER SEAT ON SPECIAL CUSHIONS WITH MY FEET UP ON THE DASHBOARD TO RELIEVE THE PAIN.WHEN I GOT BACK HOME I WENT BACK TOT HE CHIROPRACTOR IMMEDIATELY, AND HAVE BEEN TREATED TWICE A WEEK FOR THE PAST TWO WEEKS. I'M DOING PHYSICAL THERAPY AND USING A WIDE VARIETY OF SUPPORT CUSHIONS. RELAX THE BACK STORES HAVE BECOME MY NEW BEST FRIEND. BUT THE CIVIC IS STILL IMPOSSIBLE TO BE COMFORTABLE IN. EXTRA CUSHIONS ARE MAKING THE DRIVING EXPERIENCE ALMOST BEARABLE BUT I COULD NEVER DO A LONG DRIVE. FORTUNATELY MY HIGH MILEAGE LIFE IS SPLIT UP INTO 1/2 TO 1 1/2 HOUR TRIPS. BUT IT DOESN'T SEEM FAIR THAT I CAN'T DRIVE LONG THAN 90 MINUTES IN MY $23,000 CAR.*AK

AFTER A COMING TO A COMPLETE STOP VEHICLE STALLS AND HESITATES WHEN ACCELERATING. DEALER CANNOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM OR DETERMINE THE CAUSE. *AK

WHEN COMING TO A STOP PRESSURE WAS APPLIED TO THE BRAKE PEDAL AND VEHICLE ACCELERATED. DRIVER DID NOT TOUCH THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL AT ALL. DRIVER WAS ABLE TO AVOID A COLLISION. VEHICLE HAS BEEN TAKEN TO THE DEALER SEVERAL TIMES BUT THE PROBLEM COULD NOT BE RESOLVED.*AK

AIRBAGS ON MY 2002 HONDA CIVIC EX DID NOT DEPLOY AFTER HAVING 2 ACCIDENTS GOING BETWEEN 40 AND 60 MPH.

HEADREST RESTRICTS THE VIEW OF THE DRIVER. DEALER NOTIFIED. *AK

MY BRAKES AND ROTORS HAVE CONTINUALLY HAD PROBLEMS SINCE ABOUT 4,000 MILES. I NOW HAVE 44,000 MILES ON MY 2003 HONDA ACCORD LX, AND THE BRAKES/ROTORS HAVE BEEN SERVICED 9 TIMES SINCE I PURCHASED THE CAR. THE BRAKE PADS HAVE BEEN REPLACED; ROTORS HAVE BEEN TURNED AND ALSO REPLACED THROUGHOUT THIS PERIOD. THE BRAKES GRAB WHEN APPLIED, WHICH HAS OCCURRED SINCE IT WAS NEW. THERE HAS ALSO BEEN OCCASIONS WHEN THE BRAKES MADE A POPPING NOISE; ALWAYS VIBRATE WHEN APPLIED, AND A COUPLE OF OCCASIONS WHERE THE CAR ALMOST DID NOT STOP.*JB

(HONDA REFLES MOTOR SCOOTER NSS250/A 2003)STEERING MECHANISM LOCKED FORCING CONSUMER TO LOSE CONTROL OF MOTORCYCLE.*MR *TS (LAWYER STEPHEN KANDELL ON BEHALF OF CLIENT DAVID CALRK) *JB

WHILE DRIVING, THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED. *AK THE CONSUMER HAD COME TO AN INTERSECTION, HAD HER FOOT ON THE BRAKE, SUDDENLY THE STEERING LOCKED, AIMED THE VEHICLE TO THE RIGHT, WENT OFF THE ROAD, OVER THE CURB AND ALMOST REAR ENDED BY A TRACTOR TRAILER. THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE WAS STILL IN THE DRIVING LANE. THE CONSUMER WAS ON THE WAY TO THE DEALER TO HAVE THE BRAKES CHECKED OUT ALONG WITH THE REMOTE STARTER WHICH ALLOWED THE VEHICLE TO BE DRIVEN WITHOUT KEYS. THE VEHICLE WAS RETURNED TO THE DEALER FOR A BRAKE DEFECT. *SCC *JB

2003 HONDA CIVIC EX WITH 5 SPEED STANDARD TRANSMISSION AND WITH CRUISE CONTROL. WHEN USING CRUISE CONTROL, IF I SHIFT GEARS, AFTER I DISENGAGE THE TRANSMISSION AND BEFORE I RE-ENGAGE THE DESIRED GEAR (I.E., SWITCHING GEARS FROM 4TH TO 5TH OR 4TH TO THIRD OR A SIMILAR OPERATION) , CRUISE CONTROL DOES NOT DISENGAGE, ENGINE REVS UP TO REDLINE, AND I MUST MANUALLY KILL CRUISE CONTROL BY TAPPING BRAKES, OR I CAN LEAVE CRUISE CONTROL ON, AND SHIFT INTO DESIRED GEAR. THE POINT IS, THE CAR IS EITHER SUPPOSE TO KILL THE CRUISE CONTROL OPERATION AUTOMATICALLY, OR AT THE LEAST, NOT REV THE ENGINE UP IN AN UNCONTROLLED METHOD. THIS HAS BEEN HAPPENING SINCE I PURCHASED THE CAR BRAND NEW (WITH 0 MILES ON IT, RIGHT OFF THE DELIVERY TRUCK). I THOUGHT NOTHING OF IT UNTIL I READ THAT THE TOYOTA COMPUTER SYSTEM MAY BE THE SOURCE OF UNINTENTIONAL ACCELERATION. *TR

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. AS A RESULT, I DID REAR END THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME. *AK

THE ENGINE SHUT OF WHEN THE VEHICLE STOPPED OR SLOWED DOWN AT 10 MPH. ENGINE WILL NOT RESTART UNLESS CLUTCH IS DEPRESSED ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR. *TT *JB

LARGE SANDER MARK IN CENTER OF HOOD FROM UNSUCESSFUL REPAIR ATTEMPT AT FACTORY. SCRATCH ON PASSENGER QUARTER PANNEL. SCRATCH ON REAR TAILIGHT LENS. SCRATCH ON CLEAR COVER OF INSTRUMENT PANEL GUAGES

GEAR SHIFT FAILED TO SHIFT INTO FIRST GEAR. THERE WAS ALSO A LOUD TICKING COMING FROM THE ENGINE. PH *JB

WHILE DRIVING MY 2003 HONDA CIVIC MY AIRBAG SENOR LIGHT CAME ON AND STAYS ON ,I WAS TOLD IT WAS THE DRIVER SIDE SEAT BELT BUCKLE AND IT WOULD NEED TO BE REPAIRED AT A COST OF $500 DOLLAR SHOULD THIS BE A PROBLEM FOR HONDA

COMPLAINTS WITH 2003 HONDA CIVIC ALARM SYSTEM. *MR THE ALARM WOULD NOT SHUT WHEN USING THE VALET KEY, THE DOOR DID NOT LOCK PROPERLY. THE REMOTE WAS REPLACED AND THE PROBLEM REMAINED THE SAME. THE VEHICLE DID NOT POSSESS AND OPEN DOOR INDICATOR. THE CONSUMER SEEKED A REQUEST FOR ARBITRATION AND REIMBURSEMENT. *SC

PROBLEMS WITH 2003 HONDA CIVIC LX REMOTE/ALARM SYSTEM.*MR THE CONSUMER HAD A REMOTE/ALARM SYSTEM INSTALLED IN THE VEHICLE. THE CAR ALARM SOUNDS OFF A DISTURBING PIERCING SOUND EACH TIME THE DOORS OPEN AND CLOSE. WHEN THE CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE DEALER TO HAVE THE SOUND TURNED OFF THE ENTIRE SYSTEM FAILED AND THE DOORS WOULD NOT LOCK PROPERLY. THE VEHICLE WAS RETURNED TO THE DEALER AND THE SOUND WAS TURNED BACK ON. WHILE DRIVING THE CONSUMER BECAME AWARE THAT THE VEHICLE IS NOT EQUIPPED WITH A DOOR AJAR INDICATOR. *NM

EXCESSIVE BRAKE FLUID IS LEAKING FROM THE VEHICLE. THE MASTER CYLINDER HAS TO BE REFILLED APPROXIMATELY EVERY TWO MONTHS. DEALER WAS NOTIFIED, AND HAD NOT DETERMINED THE LOCATION. *AK

THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED SUDDEN ACCELERATION, WHEN THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED. *JB THE WAS NO WAY TO ENGAGE THE BRAKE PEDAL AND THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL AT THE SAME TIME, AND WAS TRAVELING AT A LOW SPEED WHEN THE BRAKE WAS ENGAGED. THE ENGINE HAD GONE UP TO OVER 3K RPM'S. THE DEALER COULDN'T DUPLICATE. SCC

MY 2003 HONDA CIVIC HYBRID HAS A FAULTY SEAT BELT. THE BELT LOCKS UP AS THE PASSENGER TRIES TO BRING IT FORWARD. THIS CONDITION ALSO OCCURRED IN MY OTHER 4 HONDA CARS. THE SEAT BELTS ALSO TEND TO RATCHET UP AFTER BEING CONNECTED AND CAUSE DISCOMFORT TO THE PASSENGER AS THEY BECOME EXCESSIVELY TIGHT. THE DEALER CLAIMS THAT (1) THE RATCHETING OF THE SEAT BELTS IS ASSOCIATED WITH CHILD SAFETY PROTECTION AND (2) THE RATCHETING SHOULD ONLY OCCUR WHEN THE BELT IS EXTENDED FAR OUT FOR ATTACHING TO A CHILD SAFETY SEAT. I HAVE DUPLICATED THE PROBLEM IN THE PRESENCE OF THE SERVICE MGR. THE DEALER ALLEGES TO HAVE REPLACED THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT BELT; HOWEVER THE PROBLEM CONTINUES. I HAVE HAD OTHER EXPERIENCES WITH AMERICAN HONDA ALLEGEDLY REPLACING A PART (REFERENCE COMPLAINT # 10008215, IGNITION SWITCH RECALL) ONLY TO FIND THAT HONDAS STATEMENTS AND CLAIMS ARE HIGHLY QUESTIONABLE. I NOW ASK MYSELF WHETHER HONDA MIGHT BE ENGAGING IN DECEPTIVE AND FRAUDULENT PRACTICES TO PROTECT ITS PROFIT LINE IN DISREGARD OF THE SAFETY OF ITS CUSTOMERS. HONDA HAS FAILED TO RESPOND TO MY CONCERNS ABOUT THE ADVERTISED FUEL ECONOMY OF THE HYBRID. AFTER MEETING WITH A CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE, ERIC CATHERINE, FROM AMERICAN HONDA ON 3/24/03, THE REPRESENTATIVE MADE CERTAIN COMMITMENTS TO ADDRESS MY CONCERNS AND PROMISED TO GET BACK WITH ME IN A COUPLES OF DAYS. ONE OF THE COMMITMENTS WAS TO PERFORM A FUEL CONSUMPTION TEST ON MY HYBRID. AS OF 6/12/03, NEITHER THE REPRESENTATIVE NOR ANYONE FROM AMERICAN HONDA HAS LIVED UP TO THEIR COMMITMENTS. ACCORDING TO THE FUEL ECONOMY GUIDE POSTED ON THE VEHICLE, THE HYBRID IS SUPPOSED TO GET 48 MPG/CITY AND 47 MPG/HIGHWAY. EVEN THE FINE PRINT STATES THAT THE ACTUAL MILEAGE SHOULD RANGE BETWEEN 40 56 IN THE CITY AND 39-55 ON THE HIGHWAY. I HAVE BEEN TRACKING/DOCUMENTING MY ACTUAL MPG. MY MPG HAS NEVER EXCEEDED 35. SINCE FUEL ECONOMY IS THE PRIMARY REASON FOR PURCHASING THE HYBRID, POTENTIAL CUSTOMERS SHOULD BE EXTREMELY SKEPTICAL OF THE CLAIMS. *JB

NORMAL FREEWAY DRIVING, SMALL SAND/GRAVEL INPACT ON WINDSHIELD RESULTED IN 8 INCH CRACK DEVELOPING WITHIN HOURS. PAST EXPERIENCE OVER 10 YEARS OF DRIVING SAME ROAD IMPACTS OF THIS SIZE (HEAD OF A PIN SIOZE IMPACT MARK)) HAVE ONLY RESULTED IN MINOR WINDSHIELD PITTING. SUSPECT WINDSHIELD QUALITY OR DESIGN ARE PROBLEM AREAS. VEHICLE IS 2003 HONDA ELEMENT. I WAS WARNED PRIOR TO PURCHASE OF SIMILAR EXPERIENCE FROM OTHER HONDA ELEMENT OWNER IN THIS AREA. THIS IS A QUALITY AND POTENTIAL SAFETY ISSUE.

WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS HIT IN THE FRONT CENTER THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY AND CAUSED MINOR INJURIES TO THE CONSUMER. DEALER NOTIFIED. *NLM

THIS IS A CORRECTED INPUT TO MY ODI # 10011014 SUBMITTED 3/25/03 DURING NORMAL FREEWAY DRIVING, SMALL SAND/GRAVEL IMPACT ON WINDSHIELD RESULTED IN 8 INCH CRACK DEVELOPING WITHIN HOURS. PAST EXPERIENCE OVER 10 YEARS OF DRIVING TWO OTHER VEHICLES ON THE SAME ROAD IMPACTS OF THIS SIZE (HEAD OF A PIN SIZE IMPACT MARK) HAVE ONLY RESULTED IN MINOR WINDSHIELD PITTING. SUSPECT WINDSHIELD QUALITY OR DESIGN ARE PROBLEM AREAS. VEHICLE IS 2003 HONDA ELEMENT. I WAS WARNED PRIOR TO PURCHASE OF SIMILAR EXPERIENCE FROM OTHER HONDA ELEMENT OWNER IN THIS AREA. THIS IS A QUALITY AND POTENTIAL SAFETY ISSUE.*JB

TRANSMISSION FAILURE. *NLM

2003 HONDA CIVIC HYBRID ON A SNOWY ROAD, COMING OVER A SMALL RISE WHILE GOING AROUND A MODERATE CURVE UNDER 40 MPH, THE BATTERY CHARGING FUNCTION, ACTIVATED BY DRIVER TAKING FOOT OFF THE GAS BEFORE CRESTING THE HILL, PRODUCED PROGRESSIVELY STRONGER ENGINE BRAKING EFFECT ON THE FRONT WHEELS, EQUIVALENT TO AN UNWANTED DOWN SHIFT AND CAUSING FISHTAILING AND POOR RESPONSE TO CORRECTIVE STEERING, SO THAT THE CAR SLID ACROSS THE ROAD AND INTO A SNOW BANK AND CONCRETE ABUTMENT. $6000 DAMAGE. IF ONCOMING TRAFFIC, COULD HAVE BEEN SERIOUS INJURIES OR FATALITY. DUE TO THE STRONG AND VARIABLE [HARD TO PREDICT OR CONTROL] BRAKING ACTION OF THE HYBRID'S CHARGING SYSTEM, THIS CAR SHOULD HAVE A SKID SENSOR ACTIVATING SOME KIND OF TRACTION CONTROL, INCLUDING INTERRUPTION OF THE CHARGING FUNCTION AS SOON AS A SKID IS DETECTED. I THINK THIS SHOULD BE ORDERED TO BE RETROFITTED TO ALL THE HYBRIDS. *JB

I HAVE A 2001 HONDA CIVIC THAT HAS FIRESTONE P185/65XFR690 TIRES ONIT. I HAD CHECK MY TIRE PRESSURE BEFORE LEAVING FOR WORK. ALL WAS FINE. ABOUT 7 MILES INTO MY 9 MILE DRIVE TO WORK MY CAR ACTED LIKE A BIG GUST OF WIND HAD JUST HIT THE FRONT. I PULLED OVER TO CHECK OUT THE CAR. I DISCOUVERED THAT THE 2 LEFT TIRES WERE LOW. BY THE TIME I GOT TO WORK THE FRONT HAD GONE FLAT. WHEN I CHANGE IT WITH THE SPARE I DISCOVERED THAT THE TREAD HAD SEPARATED FROM THE TIRE AT THE INNER SIDE WALL. I THEN CRAWLED UNDER MY CAR TO EXAMINE THE OTHER LOW TIRE TO FIND IT HAD SEPARATED ALSO. WHEN I ARRIVED AT THE TIRE STORE TO HAVE ALL 4 REPLACE ATLEAST ONE OF THE OTHER 2 WAS ALSO SHOWING SIGNS OF SEPARATION. I RETAINED THE TIRES FROM THE DEALER AND HAVE THEM AT MEY HOME IN AURORA.

ENTERING THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE (HONDA ELEMENT) AND PLACING MY KNEE ON THE CENTER OF THE REAR SPACE/SPARE TIRE COVER PRODUCED AN AUDIBLE CRACKING SOUND. READING OTHER CONSUMER STATEMENTS ON THE HTTP://ELEMENTOWNERSCLUB.COM WEB SITE REVEALED THIS TO BE A WIDE SPREAD PROBLEM.

FRONT DRIVERS SEAT COMES LOOSE WHERE IT IS ATTACHED TO THE CAR. HAD FIXED ONCE. GOING IN TO GET FIXED AGAIN. *NLM

HONDA CIVIC HYBRID: WHEN OUTSIDE TEMPERATURE IS VERY LOW AND CAR IS COLD, THE DRIVERS SIDE ELECTRIC WINDOW DOES NOT ROLL BACK UP AFTER IT HAS BEEN ROLLED DOWN. ONCE THE CAR HAS WARMED THE WINDOW WILL ROLL UP BUT THIS CAN TAKE SEVERAL MINUTES. JANUARY IS VERY COLD TO BE DRIVING WITH THE WINDOW DOWN. I HAVE TAKEN THE CAR IN FOR SERVICE ON ANOTHER OCCASION THAT THIS OCCURED BUT THE HONDA DEALER STATED THAT THERE WAS NO DEFECT FOUND AND, SUBSEQUENTLY, MADE NO ADJUSTMENT.