2003 Honda Civic Complaint Log

THE TRANSMISSION SUDDENLY FAILS EVERY 30-40K MILES CREATING A TRAFFIC HAZARD THAT WILL RESULT IN A CRASH WITHOUT WARNING. ALSO, THE IMA BATTERY DOES NOT HOLD A SUFFICIENT CHARGE CREATING A LOSS IN POWER AND A POSSIBLE ACCIDENT. *TR

2003 CIVIC HYBRID WITH CVT HAS TRANSMISSION ISSUES. UPON ACCELERATING FROM A STOP (EVEN SLIGHT ACCELERATION), THE WHOLE CAR WILL SHUDDER AND HARSH SLIPPING FEEL WILL START UNTIL THE CAR GETS MOVING A BIT. FAR WORSE WHEN STARTING ON AN INCLINE FROM A STOP. HONDA REPLACED MY TRANSMISSION WHILE UNDER WARRANTY AT ABOUT 40K MILES, BUT IT QUICKLY BEGAN HAVING THE SAME ISSUE AT AROUND 70K MILES AND HAS BEEN HAVING THE ISSUE EVER SINCE. GETTING A TRANSMISSION FLUID CHANGE HELPED A BIT, BUT IT IS COSTLY TO CONTINUE CHANGING THAT FLUID AT EARLIER THAN THE MANUAL RECOMMENDED 30K MILE INTERVALS. *TR

TRANSMISSION FAILURE. THERE IS A VIBRATION AND FORWARD JOLT DURING TAKE OFF FROM A STOP. HONDA EXTENDED THE WARRANTY BUT I PASS IT BY ONE YEAR. THEY RECALLED THE TRANSMISSIONS IN JAPAN BUT FAIL TO ACCEPT RESPONSIBILITY IN THE US. THEY SUGGESTED PERFORMING "BURNISHING" AND IT SHOULD LAST ANOTHER 20K MILES. I HAD THIS DONE TWO DAYS AGO AT THE DEALERSHIP AND CAN STILL FEEL THE VIBRATION AND JOLT. HONDA USED THIS TRANSMISSION FOR THE 03 AND 04 CIVIC HYBRIDS AND FAIL TO ACCEPT RESPONSIBILITY FOR THEIR ERROR AND NOW THOUSANDS OF OWNERS, INCLUDING MYSELF, WILL BE FORCED TO PURCHASE ANOTHER VEHICLE BECAUSE THE REPAIR COST IN $4500 AND THERE IS A 6-WEEK WAITING PERIOD. THIS IS IRRESPONSIBLE OF HONDA TO PLACE THIS BURDEN ON THEIR CUSTOMERS, ESPECIALLY IN THIS RECESSION, BECAUSE THEY PUT OUT A FAULTY PRODUCT. IT IS SAID THAT YOU HAVE TO HAVE LIVES TAKEN, SUCH AS THE TOYOTA RECALL, FOR A US COMPANY TO ADMIT AND CORRECT A MISTAKE THEY MADE IN THEIR DESIGN. *TR

MY 2003 HONDA CIVIC VIN #[XXX] PURCHASED NEW IN 2003., NOW HAVE 79,449 ODOMETER READING. SINCE I GOT IT, SOMETIMES WHEN I INSERT THE IGNITION KEY TO START THE CAR THE KEY WOULD NOT TURN TO STARTING POSITIION IT JUST STUCKED IN THE KEYHOLE. I REMOVE THE KEY AND TRY TO SHAKE AND TURN THE STEERING WHEEL AND/OR STEP ON THE GAS PEDAL, THEN REINSERT THE KEY TO START THE CAR. SOMTIMES IT START , AT TIMES IT TAKES 2-4 TIMES THEN THE KEY TURNS TO START THE CAR. THIS HAPPENS OCASSIONALLY BUT LATELY MORE FREQUENTLY ABOUT 80% EVERY TIME . I READ IN THE OCTOBER 2010 CONSUMER REPORTS MAGAZINE THAT THERE IS A RECALL OF 2003-04 HONDA ACCORD, CIVIC AND ELEMENT WITH THE PROBLEM THAT THE INTERLOCK LEVER OF THE IGNITION SWITCH MIGHT DEFORM INTERFERING WITH THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION. I CALLED DICK HANNAH HONDA WHERE I BOUGHT MY CAR AND ASKED THEM ABOUT THIS RECALL. THEY INFORMED ME THAT THEY DO NOT HAVE THE LIST OF RECALLED 2003 CIVICS AT THIS TIME. I WOULD LIKE TO FILE THIS SAFETY PROBLEMTO YOUR OFFICE THAT MY VEHICLE HAVE THIS "IGNITION SWITCH" PROBLEM. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

MY SRS LIGHT HAS BEEN ON FOR A FEW MONTHS. IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT MY SRS UNIT IS BROKEN, WHICH I FIND HARD TO BELIEVE THAT SOMETHING CAN BE BROKEN IF IT IS HAS NEVER BEEN USED. NOW MY AIR BAGS WILL NOT DEPLOY IF I CRASH. I HAVE TO ASK HONDA WHY THIS IS NOT A SAFETY WARRANTY LIKE A SEAT BELT? THIS IS THREATENING TO ANY HONDA DRIVER AND QUITE FRANKLY, SCARY. I HAVE READ BEYOND NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS REGARDING THE SAME ISSUE. *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. WHEN THE KEY WAS PLACED INTO THE IGNITION HE NOTICE THAT IT WOULD NOT TURN. HE EXPERIENCED THE FAILURE SEVERAL TIMES BUT EVENTUALLY THE KEY TURNED. ON AUGUST 31, 2010 THE IGNITION FAILED; YET, THE KEY NO LONGER TURNED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER AND WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WILL BE CONTACTED. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 76,000.

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

1. )I BOUGHT MY USED 2003 HONDA CIVIC LX ALMOST A YEAR AGO AND ABOUT 3 MONTHS LATER, THE TRANSMISSION STARTED TO HAVE ISSUES. I HEAR IT IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS MODEL FOR THE TORQUE CONVERTER TO FAIL. EVERY TIME MY CAR IS ABOUT TO SHIFT, THE RPMS JUMP VERY HIGH, AND THEN PULLS BACK HARD WHEN THE TRANSMISSION SHIFTS. THIS OCCURS EVERY SINGLE TIME A DRIVE AND HAS GOTTEN WORSE OVER TIME. I TRAVEL 2 HOURS EVERY WEEK TO VISIT MY GIRLFRIEND AND I AM AFRAID THE TRANSMISSION WILL FAIL WHILE I AM DRIVING 70MPH LEAVING ME IN THE DUST...OR WORSE. HONDA HAS RECALLED VEHICLES WITH SIMILAR PROBLEMS AT OR AROUND THE YEAR OF MY VEHICLE, BUT FOR WHATEVER REASON (MONEY) THEY DID NOT RECALL MINE. THE FAILURE HAS YET TO BE FIXED AS I CAN'T AFFORD TO FIX THE ISSUE. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 HONDA CIVIC HYBRID. THE CONTACT STATED THAT A VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE REAR OF HER VEHICLE WHILE SHE WAS SITTING IDLE WHICH RESULTED IN A FIVE VEHICLE CRASH. THE VEHICLE THAT CRASHED INTO HER WAS TRAVELING 60 MPH. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE CONTACT AND A PASSENGER WERE INJURED AND SUSTAINED BRUISES, ABRASIONS AND HEAD INJURIES. THE CONTACT AND PASSENGER WERE TRANSPORTED TO THE HOSPITAL VIA AMBULANCE. A POLICE REPORT WAS AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 100,000.

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. *TR UPDATED 01/04/2012 *LN *TR

BRIDGESTONE TIRES 026325 INSIGNIA SE200 BL P185/65R15 86/S 65,000 MILE TIRES TORE AT 57,000 MILES CAUSING WHEEL TO SHAKE AND ALMOST HAVE SEVERAL ACCIDENTS. I TOOK CAR IN TO MECHANIC THINKING I NEEDED A BALANCE AND HE TOOK OFF MY TIRES SHOWING THAT 3 OUT OF 4 THEM WERE TEARING. THESE TIRES WERE MANUFACTURED IN 2006 AND SHOULD NOT BE TEARING BY THEMSELVES. MECHANIC SAID THE WEAR ON THE TREAD AND EVERYTHING ELSE WAS NORMAL AND TEARING WAS NOT CAUSED BY ANY MECHANICAL OR VEHICLE MALFUNCTION. I CONTACTED FIRESTONE AND BRIDGESTONE AND WAS NOT ASSISTED. I WAS ABLE TO KEEP ONE TIRE AND HAVE IT IN MY GARAGE FOR EVIDENCE. THESE TIRES WERE PURCHASED AFTER I ALREADY HAD MY VEHICLE AND DID NOT ORIGINALLY COME WITH THE VEHICLE. *TR

2003 HONDA CIVIC. CONSUMER STATES VEHICLE FAILED TWO MONTHS PRIOR TO ANNOUNCEMENT OF RECALL AND WRITES IN REGARDS TO DEALER REFUSAL TO PAY THE BILL FOR REPAIRS *TGW CONSUMER WROTE IN ON BEHALF OF MOTHER-IN-LAW. RECALL # 10V364000. *JB

SRS LIGHT STAYS ON, HONDA SERVICE DEPARTMENT CLAIMS THE AIR BAG COMPUTER IS BAD AND NEEDS TO BE REPLACED, $700 + AND IT IS NOT COVERED BY ANY WARRANTY. THE CAR IS A 2003 HONDA CIVIC HYBRID THAT HAS NEVER BEEN IN ANY ACCIDENT. I HAVE REPLACED THE HYBRID BATTERY (AT 95,000 MILES), AND THE CAR NOW HAS ABOUT 120,000 MILES ON IT. *TR

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.

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

HONDA CIVIC 2003. BRAKE PROBLEM WAS FOUND. CHECKED WITH METRO HONDA REPAIR CENTER, FOUND NO PROBLEM; CHECKED WITH PENSKE HONDA REPAIR CENTER, THEY CHANGED FRONT PADS. THIS CAR BRAKE THEN COMPLETELY DID NOT WORK ON 105 FREEWAY AND I ALMOST LOST MY LIFE. THE CAR WAS TOWED TO DCH HONDA REPAIR CENTER. THEY FOUND THE MASTER BRAKE CYLINDER WAS DOWN AND THE BRAKE OIL TEST WAS FAILED. CALLED HONDA CORP, THE ANSWER IS NO ONE TO ANSWER MY SAFETY QUESTION. WHO SHOULD ANSWER MY QUESTION? *TR

WHILE ATTEMPTING TO ENTER AN INTERSECTION MY 2003 HONDA CIVIC HYBRID WAS UNABLE TO ACCELERATE DUE TO A SLIPPING TRANSMISSION. I WAS ALMOST HIT BY ANOTHER VEHICLE WHO WAS ABLE TO AVOID ME. *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

CAN NOT LOCK/UNLOCK DRIVER SIDE DOOR USING KEY. OTHER HONDA OWNER IS COMPLAINING AS WELL. HONDA DEALER WANT TO CHARGE TO REPLACE ACTUATOR WHEN THEY ARE FACULTY AND NEED TO BE RECALLED AND REPLACED. *TR

THE KEY WILL NOT GO INTO THE DOOR LOCK CYLINDER, OR IF IT GOES IN, IT WILL NOT TURN. HONDA HAS A SERVICE BULLETIN ABOUT THIS PROBLEM - 03-068 BUT DOES NOT FIX THEM FOR FREE UNLESS YOU ARE UNDER WARRANTY. CARS NEED TO BE RECALLED AND DOOR FIXED FOR FREE. *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

2003 HONDA CIVIC HYBRID PURCHASED AT 66,000 MILES AT 90,359 MILES SLIGHT SHUTTER/JUDDER WHEN MOVING FROM A COMPLETE STOP. HONDA DIAGNOSED (04/08)CVT FOR JUDDER. ADDED ONE START CLUTCH BURNISHING PROCEDURE/ADD TWO START CLUTCH BURNISHING AS A RECALL SERVICE. NOW SAME PROBLEM AGAIN. NOW AT 120,000 MILES EXPERIENCING SAME PROBLEM VEHICLE SLIPS, SHUDDERS ON TAKE OFF FROM FULL STOP. REPAIR WILL BE $1200 TO REPLACE START CLUTCH. WHEN STARTING FROM A DEAD STOP I HOPE THE VEHICLE WILL MOVE. I HAVE TO REALLY PRESS DOWN ON THE GAS PETAL TO GET THE VEHICLE GOING AND I DO THINK THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD WITH MY VEHICLE. HAD THE EGR VALVE CHANGED AT $400 REPAIR(0708). *TR

THE DOOR WILL NOT LOCK USING THE KEY. THE KEY EITHER GETS JAMMED IN THE DOOR OR WONT GO IN. WHEN IT DOES GO IN, IT WONT COME BACK OUT. FRUSTRATED BECAUSE I CANT LOCK/UNLOCK MY CAR WITHOUT A BREAK-IN KIT. *TR

THIS PROBLEM HAS BEEN HAPPENING SINCE THE CAR WAS BRAND NEW, AND CONTINUES TO THIS DAY. WHILE SLOWING DOWN, AND IF THE CAR GOES OVER A BUMP OR ROUGH PATCH IN THE ROAD, THE ELECTRICAL BRAKING BY THE HYBRID SYSTEM TURNS OFF. THIS CAUSES THERE TO BE NO BRAKING AT ALL ON THE CAR FOR A BRIEF PERIOD OF TIME. THE REGULAR BRAKING SYSTEM WILL ENGAGE BUT IT REQUIRES MORE FORCE AND TIME THAN NORMAL TO SLOW AND STOP THE CAR. THE STOPPING DISTANCE IS DEFINITELY INCREASED AND COULD LEAD TO AN ACCIDENT. IT OCCURS OFTEN, AND CAN BE RECREATED OVER THE SAME ROUGH PATCH IN THE ROAD. THE AMOUNT OF ROUGHNESS REQUIRED TO CAUSE THIS IS LOW AND THERE IS NO WAY TO PREDICT BY LOOKING AT THE ROAD. IT IS ACTUALLY QUITE SHOCKING HOW LITTLE IT TAKES AND HOW DIFFERENT THE BRAKING IS AFTER IT HAPPENS. I COMPLAINED TO THE DEALER BUT THEY SAID THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO, THAT IS JUST THE WAY IT IS. *TR

2003 HONDA CIVIC HYBRID- STARTER CLUTCH HAS FAILED AT 57,000 MILES. CAR SURGES UNEXPECTEDLY. MUST HAVE IT REPLACED OR WILL ADVERSELY AFFECT SAFE DRIVING OF THE VEHICLE. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 HONDA CIVIC HYBRID. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO TAKE THE KEY OUT OF THE IGNITION WITH THE VEHICLE IN DRIVE. THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED AND INFORMED HIM THAT HIS VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA RECALL CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 10V364000, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: IGNITION. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND A COMPLAINT WAS FILED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,000. UPDATED 5/9/11 *CN UPDATED 05/18/11

I HAVE A 2003 HONDA CIVIC. I HAD PULLED OUT OF MY SMALL ROAD ONTO A RURAL HIGHWAY HEADING INTO TOWN TO TAKE MY 14 YEAR-OLD SON TO SCHOOL. I HAD ACCELERATED TO ABOUT 45 MPH AND NEEDED TO SLOW FOR A CAR IN FRONT OF ME. I TOOK MY FOOT OFF OF THE PEDAL AND THE CAR CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE. IT DIDN'T JUST STAY STUCK AT THE SPEED I WAS GOING IT TOOK OFF LIKE I HAD IT FLOORED. I HAD MY SON LOOK DOWN AND CHECK THE MAT AND HE EVEN PULLED ON THE PEDAL BUT IT MADE NO DIFFERENCE. I CONTROLLED THE SPEED SOMEWHAT BY PUSHING ON THE BRAKES WITH BOTH FEET VERY HARD AND WAS ABLE TO KEEP FROM OVERTAKING OTHER CARS. LUCKILY, THE INTERSECTION I CROSSED DID NOT REQUIRE ME TO STOP AND I WAS ABLE TO PUSH ON THE BRAKES HARD ENOUGH TO BE ABLE TO PULL OVER AND TURN THE CAR OFF IN THE PARKING LOT OF A LOCAL MECHANIC. THE BRAKES WERE SMOKING BADLY. THE MECHANIC SAW HOW FRIGHTENED I WAS AND CAME OUT AND STARTED THE CAR AND IT WAS STILL REVVING AT FULL THROTTLE. HE SHUT IT OFF AND SAID THEY WOULD PUSH IT IN LATER. WHEN THEY DID LOOK AT IT LATER, IT WASN'T DOING IT ANYMORE. THEY DROVE IT AND IT DIDN'T DO IT AGAIN. I CALLED THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP(IKE'S HONDA IN MARION IL) AND THEY BRUSHED ME OFF. I THEN CALLED THE HONDA COMPANY. THEY CALLED ME THE NEXT DAY AND OFFERED TO DO DIAGNOSTICS FOR FREE IF I BROUGHT IT TO THE DEALER. THEY WOULDN'T COMMIT TO FIXING IT. I HAD IT TOWED THERE(ON MY INSURANCE BECAUSE THEY REP. NEVER CALLED ME BACK EVEN THOUGH I LEFT 2 MESSAGES) BECAUSE I WAS AFRAID TO DRIVE IT. THAT WAS FRI., FEBRUARY 26,2010 AND I HAVE NOT HEARD FROM THEM YET. WHAT HAPPENS IF THEY DON'T FIND ANYTHING? I AM AFRAID TO DRIVE THE CAR AGAIN. I WAS VERY LUCKY THE FIRST TIME. WHAT HAPPENS IF THEY SAY THE FOUND SOMETHING? ARE THEY REALLY GOING TO LET ME DRIVE OFF IN IT IF I CAN'T AFFORD TO FIX IT? *TR

ON GOING PROBLEM WITH SRS LIGHT ON AT 102,000 MILES,HONDA REPLACED FRONT SHOULDER BELT/RETRACTOR TENSIONER AT 103,375 MILES. SRS LIGHT ON AT 107,948 MILES FAILED DRIVER SIDE SEAT BELT TENSIONER, REPLACED BY HONDA. AT 121,223 SRS LIGHT ON AGAIN THIS TIME NOT SEATBELT TENSIONER. I WAS TOLD THIS IS AN AIRBAG PROBLEM AND THE STARTING COST IS $800. I WAS TOLD THE SEATBELT WILL HOLD IN AN ACCIDENT, BUT THE AIRBAGS WILL NOT DEPLOY AND THIS NEEDS TO BE REPAIRED. I CAN'T AFFORD THE REPAIR COST INVOLVED. I REALLY DON'T WANT TO DRIVE AROUND IN A SMALL VEHICLE WITHOUT AIRBAGS, BUT NO OPTION. *TR

TRANSMISSION ON 2003 HONDA CIVIC STOPPED WORKING ON THE HIGHWAY IN THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT (ABOUT 11:30PM ON A FRIDAY NIGHT). THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE, BECAUSE WHAT IF I WAS REAR-ENDED BY SOMEONE ON THE HIGHWAY & I AND A FRIEND (GIRLS) WERE ALONE IN THE CAR AT NIGHT & IF I HAD BEEN UNABLE TO GET HOME, WE WOULD HAVE BEEN SUSCEPTIBLE TO ATTACK BY LATE-NIGHT MISCREANTS - WE WERE ON OUR WAY HOME FROM A CHURCH YOUTH MEETING - SINCE WE WERE IN THE MIDDLE ON THE HIGHWAY IN QUEENS, NY. I WAS ABLE TO FEEL SOMETHING WAS WRONG & MANEUVER THE CAR OVER WHERE WE COLLIDED WITH THE CURB AND MANAGED TO GET THE CAR OFF THE ROAD, BUT IT DIED WITH THE CORNER OF THE REAR, DRIVER'S SIDE BUMPER STICKING OUT ONTO THE HIGHWAY WHERE IT COULD HAVE POTENTIALLY BEEN HIT BY ANOTHER CAR. *TR

VEHICLE IS LOSING POWER ON ACCELERATION AT RANDOM MOMENTS. *TR

WE PURCHASED A 2003 HONDA CHC IN 2006 WITH APPROXIMATELY 34,000 MILES. AS OF JANUARY 2010, THE CAR HAS 155,010 MILES. FROM THE DATE OF PURCHASE, THERE HAS BEEN A SHUDDER WHEN DECELERATING FROM 40+ MPH. WE HAVE ONLY TAKEN THE CAR TO OUR LOCAL HONDA DEALERSHIP FOR REPAIR AND MAINTENANCE AND HAVE BEEN REPEATEDLY TOLD THAT THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE CAR AND THAT SHUDDER IS FROM AN "OVERLOAD". TAKING THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT AT THEIR WORD, WE HAVE NEVER HAD ANY REPAIR WORK DONE TO REMOVE THE SHUDDER OR TAKEN THE CAR TO ANOTHER DEALER. OVER TIME THE SHUDDER HAS GOTTEN WORSE. WE HAVE ALSO EXPERIENCED A HESITATION WHEN ACCELERATING AND THEN THE CAR WILL SUDDENLY LURCH FORWARD WHEN IT HITS GEAR. AGAIN, WE WERE TOLD THAT THERE WASN'T ANYTHING WRONG WITH THE CAR AND THAT WE SHOULD EXPECT HESITATION WHEN THE CAR IS SWITCHING FROM BATTERY POWER TO ENGINE POWER. ABOUT 4 MONTHS AGO, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND WE WERE TOLD THAT THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER WAS IN NEED OF REPLACEMENT. WE WERE GIVEN TWO OPTIONS-IMMEDIATE REPAIR OR DRIVE UNTIL THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER COMPLETELY FAILS. RECENTLY THE IMA LIGHT CAME ON AND WE TOOK THE CAR FOR DIAGNOSIS. THE RESPONSE WAS THAT THE BATTERY PACK NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. IN ADDITION, WE WERE TOLD THAT THE TRANSMISSION IS BEGINNING TO FAIL. TO REPLACE THE CVT TRANSMISSION, BATTERY PACK AND CATALYTIC CONVERTER WILL COST APPROXIMATELY $7,500. AS I HAVE READ THE OTHER COMPLAINTS NOT ONLY FROM THIS SITE, BUT ALSO OTHER SITES ON THE INTERNET, I NOW SUSPECT THAT WE HAVE BEEN EXPERIENCING TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS ALL ALONG. WE HAVE HAD SEVERAL OTHER HONDA VEHICLES. WE PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE BECAUSE OF THE RELIABILITY WE HAVE COME TO EXPECT FROM HONDA. $7,500 OR MORE IN REPAIRS IS UNREASONABLE FOR ANY CAR UNDER 8 YEARS OLD, ESPECIALLY A HONDA. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 HONDA CIVIC. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO PROVIDE THE DETAILS OF THE REPAIR. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V349000 (AIR BAGS) AFTER THE REPAIR WAS PERFORMED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 HONDA CIVIC HYBRID. WHILE DRIVING 75 MPH ON THE INTERSTATE WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL EXTENDED TO THE FLOOR WITHOUT THE CONTACT APPLYING PRESSURE TO IT, THEN THE RPMS INCREASED. HE THEN FIRMLY PRESSED ON THE BRAKE PEDAL AND THE VEHICLE STARTED TO SLOW DOWN. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO CONTINUE DRIVING. THE FAILURE HAS OCCURRED APPROXIMATELY 7 TO 8 TIMES. HONDA WAS CONTACTED AND STATED THAT THEY WERE NOT GOING TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE SINCE THE FAILURE WAS RELATED TO THE CRUISE CONTROL. THEY ALSO ADVISED THE CONTACT TO HAVE THE VEHICLE DIAGNOSED BY THE DEALER. NO REPAIRS WERE MADE TO THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 130,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 207,496. THE CONSUMER ALSO STATED THE BRAKES DID NOT WORK WELL ON A ROUGH ROAD WHEN GOING DOWN A HILL. UPDATED 05/13/10.*JB

VEHICLE HAS HAD A CONSTANT "JUDDERING" (VIBRATION) ISSUE WHEN ACCELERATING FROM A STOP. THE CAR WAS TAKEN TO BE SERVICED SEVERAL TIMES WITH NO DEFECTS FOUND BY THE DEALER. THE "JUDDERING" HAS FINALLY RESULTED IN A COMPLETE TRANSMISSION FAILURE WITH A REQUIRED REPLACEMENT. I HAVE READ OF SEVERAL PROBLEMS OF THE SAME NATURE WITH THIS PARTICULAR YEAR, MAKE , AND MODEL. *TR

I AM THE ORIGINAL OWNER OF A 2003 HONDA CIVIC SI THAT HAS APPROXIMATELY 58,000 MILES. THE CAR HAS ALWAYS BEEN GARAGED AND HAS ALWAYS BEEN MAINTAINED BY HONDA DEALERS. I HAVE ALWAYS MET AND IN SOME CASES EXCEEDED THE RECOMMENDED MAINTENANCE INTERVALS. IN NOVEMBER OF 2009, THE SRS LIGHT APPEARED ON MY DASH AFTER STARTING THE VEHICLE ONE MORNING. THIS OCCURRED ABOUT 2 WEEKS AFTER A ROUTINE OIL/FILTER SERVICE VISIT AT MY LOCAL HONDA DEALER. I RETURNED TO THE DEALER AND PAID APPROXIMATELY $85 FOR THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT TO EVALUATE WHY THIS SRS INDICATOR LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. I WAS TOLD MY VEHICLE HAD A "BAD INFLATER" THAT "WOULD NOT INFLATE THE AIR BAGS DURING A [COLLISION]" AND THAT I NEEDED TO ORDER/PURCHASE A NEW CABLE REEL ASSEMBLY. THE ESTIMATED PARTS AND LABOR CHARGES WOULD BE $540. THE SERVICE PERSONNEL TOLD ME THAT THEY WEREN'T SURE IF THE NEW CABLE REEL ASSEMBLY WOULD RESOLVE THE SRS ISSUE BUT THEY BELIEVED THAT IT WAS AT LEAST PARTLY TO BLAME FOR THE SRS LIGHT BEING ILLUMINATED ON THE DASH. I AM PRESENTLY AWARE OF THE RECALL OF A NUMBER OF MANY 2003 HONDA CIVICS BUT MINE HAS NOT BEEN INCLUDED. THE ISSUE WITH MY VEHICLE REPRESENTS AN UNEXPLAINED FAILURE OF A CRITICAL SAFETY SYSTEM THAT IS UNACCEPTABLE GIVEN THE AGE AND USAGE OF THIS VEHICLE. I AM CONCERNED THAT THE CURRENT RECALL ANNOUNCED ON FEBRUARY 9TH DOES NOT REACH FAR ENOUGH. *TR

HONDA CIVIC HYBRID 2003 TRANSMISSION SLIPPAGE AT 60,000 AND 90,000 MILES. DEALER CHANGES FLUID AND 'BURNISHES THE STARTER CLUTCH', BUT IT DOES NOT SOLVE THE PROBLEM OF A FAULTY TRANSMISSION. NOW THEY SAY THAT IT IS A FAULTY EGR TO DEFLECT THE HEAT FROM THE FAULTY TRANSMISSION. THERE ARE MANY POSTS THAT REFER TO OTHER OWNERS WITH THIS SAME PROBLEM. HONDA NEEDS TO FACE THE PROBLEM AND DEAL FAIRLY WITH IT. *TR

THE TRANSMISSION FOR MY HONDA CIVIC HYBRID IS FAILING. IT'S NOW AT ABOUT 170,000 BUT THE PROBLEMS I'VE BEEN EXPERIENCING HAVE BEEN OCCURRING SINCE I BOUGHT THE CAR. THE PROBLEMS HAVE TO DO WITH BUCKING ON ACCELERATION, JUDDERING ON ACCELERATION, AND THE CAR MOVING IN REVERSE WHEN THE GEAR IS IN DRIVE AND NOW A NOISE IS COMING FROM INSIDE THE TRANSMISSION. I PURCHASED THIS CARE NEW IN 2003 AND HAVE BEEN TAKING IT IN FOR SERVICE EVERY 10K MI. THIS IS MY FIRST CAR SO I THOUGHT THE "BUCKING", JUDDERING AND "REVERSING WHILE IN DRIVE" WAS BY DESIGN, BUT IT WASN'T UNTIL YEARS LATER THAT I GOOGLED MY CAR AND NOTICED OTHER PEOPLE HAD SIMILAR PROBLEMS. JUST GOOGLE "CIVIC HYBRID TRANSMISSION". I'M NOW FACED WITH PAYING ALMOST 4000 TO REPLACE MY TRANSMISSION. INTERESTINGLY, THERE HAVE BEEN TRANSMISSION COMPLAINTS FOR OTHER HONDA PRODUCTS OF THE SAME YEAR (ACURA TL, HONDA ACCORD). I REALLY THINK THERE'S A FLAW IN TRANSMISSION COMPONENTS OF AT LEAST SOME HONDA MODELS FROM THE 2002-2006 PRODUCTION YEAR. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 HONDA CIVIC HYBRID. WHILE PARKING THE RPM'S BEGAN TO INCREASE RAPIDLY AND THE VEHICLE LUNGED FORWARD. THE CONTACT WAS FORCED TO SHIFT GEARS INTO PARK TO AVOID CRASHING INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE CONTACT CONFIRMED THAT THE PEDAL WAS NOT STUCK WHEN THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THE VEHICLE AND STATED THAT THERE WERE NO FAILURES. THE DEALER CONCLUDED THAT THE FLOOR MAT PUSHED THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL DOWN CAUSING THE RPM'S TO INCREASE; HOWEVER THEY TRIMMED THE FLOOR MATS AROUND THE PEDAL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 47,531. THE CONSUMER STATED SHE PUT THE VEHICLE IN REVERSE WHILE ATTEMPTING TO PARALLEL PARK, THE VEHICLE LURCHED BACKWARDS ON A FLAT STEER AFTER HER FOOT WAS OFF THE ACCELERATOR. SHE QUICKLY BRAKED TO AVOID HITTING THE PARKED CAR THAT WAS BEHIND HER. THE VEHICLE DID STOP, BUT SIMULTANEOUSLY THE ENGINE ACCELERATED GREATLY TO AN RPM FAR GREATER THAN FLOORING THE ACCELERATOR. SHE QUICKLY OUT THE GEAR SHIFT IN PARK AND TURNED THE IGNITION OFF, WHICH STOPPED EVERYTHING. THE CONSUMER STATED THE SUDDEN ACCELERATION, OCCURRED THREE SEPARATE TIMES. ALL THREE INCIDENTS HAPPENED, AT VERY LOW SPEEDS. THE CONSUMER HAS SINCE SOLD THE VEHICLE. UPDATED 12/02/14

MY HONDA CIVIC HYBRID 2003. THE ACCELERATOR SOMETIME INCREASES BY ITSELF. YOU CAN ACTUALLY SEE AND FEEL THE PEDAL LEAVE YOUR RIGHT FOOT BY ITSELF. MY CAR WENT AS HIGH AS 90MI. THE ONLY SOLUTION IS TO STEP ON THE BRAKE AND SHIFT TO LOW GEAR. SO THE CAR WILL SLOW DOWN. *TR

FOR SEVERAL YEARS NOW MY CAR HAS BEEN VIBRATING AND JOLTING WHEN I ACCELERATE FROM A STOP. ESPECIALLY WHEN GOING UPHILL. I TOOK IT IN TO A HONDA DEALER FOR REPAIRS AND WAS TOLD THE ONLY SOLUTION WAS TO "BURNISH" IT AND IT SHOULD HELP, ALTHOUGH ONLY TEMPORARILY. THE BURNISHING HELPED ONLY SLIGHTLY, AND BEFORE LONG MY CAR WAS BACK TO VIBRATING AND JOLTING JUST AS BADLY AS BEFORE. I WAS TOLD THIS WAS NOT A HAZARDOUS CONDITION, SO I HAVE JUST LIVED WITH IT FOR AWHILE NOW, BUT IT WOULD BE NICE TO FIX! IT SEEMS THIS IS SOMETHING THAT HONDA SHOULD ADDRESS IF IT IS IN FACT SUCH A COMMON CONDITION AND HAS BEEN ADDRESSED OVERSEAS. PLEASE HELP CONVINCE HONDA TO ADDRESS THIS PROBLEM!

TRANSMISSION SLIPPING. LOSE OF POWER ON ACCELERATION, ESPECIALLY QUICK ACCELERATION LIKE MAKING A TURN. THIS IS SECOND OCCURRENCE. IN 2007 DEALER "BURNISHED" TRANSMISSION. NOW, SAYS CAN BURNISH FOR $200 (WHICH MAY RESOLVE IT TEMPORARILY) OR CAN TAKE CARE OF PROBLEM, FOR $1200, TO REPLACE STARTER CLUTCH ASSEMBLY. *TR

THE TRANSMISSION IN MY HONDA CIVIC HYBRID 2003 SLIPS WHEN THE CAR IS GOING SLOW OR ON AN INCLINE. *TR

I HAVE A 2003 HONDA CIVIC. THE LAST PART OF LAST YEAR (2009), I TURNED MY CAR ON, AND THE SRS AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON, AND I TOOK MY CAR IN TO ALLEN HONDA IN COLLEGE STATION, TX FOR SERVICE. THE SERVICE TECH ASKED IF I HAD SPILLED ANY WATER ON MY STEERING WHEEL OR HAD ANY FENDER BENDERS RECENTLY, TO WHICH I ANSWERED NO. I WAS THEN INFORMED IT MIGHT COST UP TO FOUR HUNDRED DOLLARS TO COMPLETELY INVESTIGATE AND FIX THE PROBLEM. THE TECHNICIAN SAID IT COULD MEAN THAT THERE IS SOMETHING WRONG WITH EITHER MY DRIVER'S OR PASSENGER'S SIDE AIRBAG THAT WILL CAUSE THEM NOT TO DEPLOY IN THE EVENT OF AN ACCIDENT. I WAS TAKEN ABACK BY THIS BECAUSE IT IS NOT PART OF REGULAR WEAR AND TEAR, BUT A VEHICLE MALFUNCTION AND I DID NOTHING TO CAUSE THE AIRBAG LIGHT TO COME ON. I HAVE NOT YET GOTTEN THIS ISSUE FIXED AND THE AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT IS STILL ON. I DO HAVE SOME CONCERNS ABOUT SAFETY, AND FEEL IT SHOULD NOT BE MY RESPONSIBILITY TO COVER THE COST OF SOMETHING THAT IS NOT CONSIDERED NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR AND IS NOT THE RESULT OF ANY TYPE OF MISUSE OR ACCIDENT. I HAVE SINCE BEEN CONTACTED BY HONDA AND THE REPRESENTATIVE ALLUDED TO THE FACT THAT THE GOVERNMENT HANDLES ANY TYPE OF RECALLS. *TR

I HAVE A VERY COMMON PROBLEM WITH MY 2003 HONDA CIVIC EX. THE SRS WARNING LIGHT COMES ON WHEN I PLUG IN MY GPS, OR USE A CELL PHONE, OR PUT A PACKAGE ON MY PASSENGER SEAT. THIS IS RIDICULOUS AND HONDA REFUSES TO GIVE ME AN ANSWER CONCERNING THIS PROBLEM. WHETHER THE SENSORS ARE TOO SENSITIVE OR DEFECTIVE IS NOT FOR ME TO JUDGE, BUT IT DEFINITELY ANNOYING AND POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS, SINCE NO ONE CAN ANSWER IF MY AIRBAG WILL FAIL. *TR

AIRBAG LIGHT (SRS) TURNS ON, CAN BE RESET, AIRBAG LIGHT WILL TURN BACK ON AFTER ONE WEEK PASSES. *TR

TIRE VALVE STEMS CRACKED,THIS CAUSED A SLOW AIR PRESSURE LEAK TO THE TIRE WHILE DRIVING ONLY. THIS HAS HAPPEN TO ME TWICE IN ONE WEEK, CAUSING DAMAGES TO TWO TIRES AND HAD TO BE REPLACED. THIS IS NOT ONLY A COSTLY EXPENSE,BUT VERY UNSAFE DRIVING. *TR

THERE IS A KNOWN PROBLEM WITH HONDA CIVIC HYBRID CVT TRANSMISSION: "A SHUDDER OR JUDDER UP TO 15 MPH REQUIRES HONDA TO DRAIN AND BURNISH THE 2003-2005 HONDA HYBRID CVT CLUTCH.HONDA WILL CHECK THE EGR VALVE DURING THIS SERVICE TOO. HONDA TECH ARTICLE# ATS06070" MY 2003 CIVIC IS HAVING THIS PROBLEM, WHICH IS UNSAFE BECAUSE THE TRANSMISSION STUTTERS TO ENGAGE WHEN STARTING OUT FROM A STOP, WHICH CAN BE DANGEROUS IF YOU NEED TO GET GOING QUICKLY TO GET OUT OF THE WAY. *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

HESITATION OF CVT TRANSMISSION IN HONDA CIVIC HYBRID 2003 MODEL . THE TRANSMISSION HESITATES AS YOU APPLY GAS ON THE PEDAL. THIS HESITATION IS DANGEROUS WHEN YOU NEED TO MOVE QUICKLY IN CERTAIN TRAFFIC SITUATIONS. *TR