10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 1
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
92,625 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

The NHTSA is the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints can be spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem. See the Back button — blue bar at the very top of the page — to explore more.

Get notified about new defects, investigations, recalls & lawsuits for the 2002 Honda Civic:

Unsubscribe any time. We don't sell/share your email.

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #21

Dec 192011

Civic 4-cyl

  • 134,865 miles
This car was purchased by me brand new in September 2002 and has been maintained following manufacturers recommended schedule at Honda and at 134,000+ miles, the transmission is shot due to a bad torque converter. I want this corrected by Honda especially because I was victim to a hit and run at a red light and fixed the car out of pocket for over 5,000 and would have like to know by Honda that there was an issue with this car so I could have bought a new car rather than fix it. It is so dangerous for me as an only parent to have my transmission fail while making a left turn with oncoming traffic or while driving over train tracks!!!! this is scary to me and I want resolution for their failure to admit the torque converter lemon in my car caused the failure!!!!

- Oakland Park, FL, USA

problem #20

Apr 052013

Civic 4-cyl

  • 98,860 miles
I was driving today and suddenly the SRS light came on. The radio shut off for a few seconds while the light came on. When the SRS light shut off, the radio went back to working properly. A few minutes later, the SRS light came on again when I was at a red light and the vehicle stalled. I brought the vehicle to my mechanic who ran a diagnostic test. He stated that the problem I had experienced did not register; thus, he couldn't find an underlying cause. After researching this topic further on google.com, I discovered that many other people have had similar problems with the same make and model.

- Stoneham, MA, USA

problem #19

Nov 082012

Civic 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 173,462 miles
The contact owns a 2002 Honda Civic. The contact stated that while traveling 35 mph, the vehicle erroneously accelerated. The contact was able to get the vehicle to function normally by applying the brakes. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where the failure could not be replicated. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted about the issue. The failure and current mileages were 173,462. Updated 12/21/12 the consumer stated the dealer replaced the fuse box assembly claiming it was defective. The dealer found a mouse nest in the linkage to the throttle. The dealer claimed that the fuse box and mouse nest were not related but, that defective fuse box could affect the throttle sensor. Updated 1/9/2013

- Avon Lake, OH, USA

problem #18

Oct 162012

Civic 4-cyl

  • 150,000 miles
I took my Honda Civic 2002 into condon auto in sioux city, Iowa, for a light switch recall. The recall was completed. I drove the car home. Tried to start the car again and no starter. $350 later they replaced wires to the starter and the car runs again. It is possible this was a coincidence but beware having recalls done at this location.

- Dakota Dunes, SD, USA

problem #17

Oct 242012

Civic

  • miles
The contact owns a 2002 Honda Civic. The contact stated that the vehicle was repaired under NHTSA campaign id number 12V136000 (exterior lighting: Headlights: Switch) and since then have lost functionality of the gear shift indicator. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure and current mileage was unknown.

- Hyattsville, MD, USA

problem #16

Feb 072012

Civic 4-cyl

  • 131,000 miles
I bought this car from a used car dealer. The horn works intermittently about 10% of the time. I was nearly run off the road on several occasions since then because I could not honk at people drifting into my lane. I have spent over $300 investigating this issue and replacing parts that I was told were the culprit. I do not know where else to turn. This is a serious safety issue, and it should be a recall with all Honda/Acura since they all use the same assembly.

- Jenison, MI, USA

problem #15

May 242012

Civic 4-cyl

  • 132,895 miles
Low beam headlights failed to work when driver switched from high to low beam. American Honda motor company and local dealer contacted. I was informed that this individual vehicle was not a part of NHTSA campaign 04V086000. I would like to register my complaint as I find it ironic that the same problem would occur on vehicles not included in the original recall.

- Moore, SC, USA

problem #14

Jan 012012

Civic 4-cyl

  • 90,000 miles
The driver side window does not go up as fast as it used to. When it gets close to the top, it goes very slow. I suspect that this may be the modulator. At this current rate, my driver side window probably won't be operational by the end of this year.

- Toms River, NJ, USA

problem #13

Apr 152012

Civic 4-cyl

  • 100,000 miles
There are so many electrical problems with my Honda that it just seems to underscore a much greater problem - Honda using subpar components - that I find this one also important to note. There is a problem with one of the interior lights in the car. When in the "on" position, the light may not turn on. However, it will eventually turn on (sometimes immediately, sometimes hours later), but when illuminated, the light will just cut out (sometimes immediately, sometimes minutes later). The issue is that the "on" and "off" position for the light is the same position; the only difference being whether there's light. Basically, someone can't tell what position the light is in if there is no light to begin with. This could cause the battery to die if someone leaves it in the "on" position, not realizing that it would most likely turn on later.

- Toms River, NJ, USA

problem #12

Feb 012012

Civic

  • 67,500 miles
The contact owns a 2002 Honda Civic. The contact stated that the brake warning light illuminated. After the failure occurred, the driver's side door was unable to be opened manually or using the electronic key fob. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who advised the contact that the multiplex for the fuse box assembly needed to be replaced. The failure and the current mileage was 67,500.

- Maddisson Heights , VA, USA

problem #11

Jan 132012

Civic 4-cyl

  • 96,000 miles
Both low beams failed at the same time. High beams unaffected. Inspected combination switch and connector, switch is failing and low beam wire and connector is discolored indicating overheating. It is obvious that NHTSA recall 04V086000 / Honda service bulletin 04-015 applies to this vehicle even though the Honda service bulletin and dealer claims it is out of range... updated 02/06/12.

- Renton, WA, USA

problem #10

Jun 012011

Civic 4-cyl

  • 142,000 miles
2002 Honda Civic LX the car will shut down with no indication that anything is wrong. The engine shuts down, but all other options work-radio, A/C, lights, etc. After letting the car sit for 10-20 minutes the car fires up as nothing is wrong at all. This has happened 5 times in the last 4 weeks (500 miles of driving) 142,000 miles on car. I have replaced coil packs, relays and fuel pump. I believe, after researching online, that this issue is related to the ignition switch just like the 1997-2000 Honda recall on 3.3 million Honda products in May 2002. We have been fortunate enough to safely get the car to the side of the road at 70 mph (coasting). I will be replacing my ignition switch to solve this problem asap..

- Spring, TX, USA

problem #9

Mar 102011

Civic

  • 98,000 miles
Ignition key switch fails/ jams, cannot turn key to start postion. Web search turns up numerous recalls from Honda about faulty ignition key switchs. Honda dealer refused to fix problem. Money from me was their only solution

- Lewisville, TX, USA

problem #8

Apr 232009

Civic

  • miles
I was driving from san diego to my house in riverside in rush hour traffic and with no warning all power shut down. There was nothing except other cars going at least 70 on the 15 freeway. Luckily I was in the lane next to the slow lane and made it to the shoulder without incident. My mechanic did process of elimination and he said it was the ECU. We towed it to the shop where repairs were going to be made and the shop said maybe before you put that much money into it I'll have my auto electrical mechanic look at it first. So come to find out the main wire that leads off of the engine block snapped right off. May car had to be re-wired! talk about a pretty penny. $900 bucks.

- San Diego, CA, USA

problem #7

Jul 152010

Civic

  • 110,000 miles
The contact owns a 2002 Honda Civic. While driving 3 mph in reverse, the contact was able to pull the key from the ignition. The failure occurred three times. The contact called the dealer who stated that there were no related recalls and offered no assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 110,000 and the current mileage was 119,554.

- Odell, PA, USA

problem #6

Jan 112010

Civic

  • 80,000 miles
Low beam terminal on head light wire harness overheated causing smoke in the interior of the vehicle. Low beams lights not functioning which may cause an accident.

- San Diego, CA, USA

problem #5

Nov 152009

Civic

  • 75,000 miles
I am having the same issue related to Honda recall bulletin[04-015]. my headlight switch and harness is overheating and smoking. This can result in a loss of headlights and fire in the cockpit. Honda says my vehicle was not part of the recall. However, I am experiencing the same issues as on recalled vehicles. Dealers will inspect the head light switch and coupler for signs of heat damage. If heat damage is present, the dealer will replace the switch and coupler. If no heat damage is present, the dealer will replace the head light switch and one mating pin in the coupler. My issue is that the dealer and Honda Motors America state my vehicle was not under recall and will not replace the part under the recall. However the part and issue are the exact same attached to the recall.

- Columbus, OH, USA

problem #4

Jan 112007

Civic

  • 100,000 miles
Whenever the contact drives the vehicle she noticed that the interior lights and air conditioner had stopped working, also the contact noticed that all of the electrical features in the vehicle had began to malfunction. The vehicle has not been diagnosed by the dealership and the contact noticed beforehand that the door locks rear defroster had stop working. The current mileage is 131000, failure mileage was at 100000. Bml

- Chester, NY, USA

problem #3

Jul 022009

Civic

  • 75,000 miles
The contact owns a 2002 Honda Civic. The contact stated that the ABS light illuminated on the dashboard. The vehicle suddenly stalled and shivered before shutting off. The contact had to wait a couple of minutes before the vehicle would restart. The failure occurred intermittently. The dealer stated that a diagnostic would cost $100. The manufacturer stated that the cause of the failure may have been due to the internal capacitors, but offered no assistance. The current and failure mileages were approximately 75,000.

- New York City, NY, USA

problem #2

Apr 202009

Civic

  • miles
The SRS light came on recently and did not go off. The diagnosis by Honda costs $90 if the problem is not cover by the extended warranty, which deters people to take the risk to check the problem. Honda should cover the whole diagnosis cost because it is related to safety issue.

- Gainesville, FL, USA

Read the next 1 complaints »