10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
30 / 1
Injuries / Deaths:
34 / 1
Average Mileage:
24,687 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 #23

Jul 012004

Civic 4-cyl

  • 40,430 miles
While driving a collision occurred at 25 mph. The consumer's vehicle rear ended the other vehicle, which totally destroyed the front end. Upon impact, the air bags did not deploy. Also, the seat belts did not lock. The consumer sustained serious injuries, a broken foot and ribs.

- Phoenix, AZ, USA

problem #22

Sep 052004

Civic 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 37,000 miles
I was in a car accident and my driver airbag did not deploy and only the passenger airbag deployed. At the time of the accident I was not able to breath and I was in pain. My chest and my right ribs still hurt. I believe the airbag is defective and manufacturer of the car should be accountable for part of my injuries. I think my car is totaled and I hope that you investigate. I had my seat belt on and I was the only one in the car, I had no passenger in the car.

- San Diego, CA, USA

problem #21

Dec 142003

Civic 4WD 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
I bought a brand new 2002honda Civic. The car came with frotnal air bags. I had an auto accident on 12/14/03, lost control of my car on blackice and I was going 25 mph on I-495 eastbound (Lincoln tunnel/kennedy blvd exit). My car crashed frontally into the guard rails of the highway. I had my seat belt on, but surprisingly the air bags did not go off. I was surprise that the air bags did not work, and make me think that if I would have been driving at a higher speed, I could have been injured severely. I know that these air bags are suppose to work at an impact at a minimum speed of 10 mph and if the crash is frontal. I am currently going for therapy since I ijured my neck, shoulder and back due to the impact of the accident.

- Weehawken, NJ, USA

problem #20

Dec 152001

Civic

  • miles
The SRS light is activated and requires a visit to the dealer to re-activate the SRS system if a cell phone is left on the front passenger seat. Per the dealer, the cell phone interferes with the SRS sensors that measure seat vs seatback pressure and tells the system to shut off. Additionally, if a small package is placed on the front seat, the SRS deactivates - which is fine, but it may remain deactivated after the package is removed.

- Springboro, OH, USA

problem #19

Dec 112003

Civic

  • 28,000 miles
While driving between 45 to 55-mph vehicle was involved in a frontal collision and driver's air bag did not deploy. No air bag warning light appeared prior to the crash. Driver was wearing the seat belt.

- Commerce, CA, USA

problem #18

Nov 212003

Civic

  • 50,000 miles
Vehicle was involved in a rear end collision. And only the passenger's side air bag deployed.

- Fenton, MI, USA

problem #17

Sep 142003

Civic 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 21,000 miles
While driving, the consumer made a left turn and was hit head on by another vehicle. Upon impact, the left front air bag failed to deploy. The driver sustained a broken neck and was hospitalized. Driver was wearing her seatbelt. The front passengers seat was unoccupied. Making a turn at 15 mph the vehicle was hit on the driver's side front. The driver is 5ft tall and sustained a broken sternum and broken neck from crash. Will fax photos of the crashed vehicle. The 80 year old driver did not strike the steering wheel. The sternum fractures are believed to be the result of the seat belt locking up during the event.cw

- Cape Coral, FL, USA

problem #16

Jul 312003

Civic 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 5,000 miles
My SRS indicator light comes on with error code 15-3, which effectively turns off my air-bags on my 2003 Civic ex. I've been to the dealership for what is now the third time. The first time they reset the front passenger side opds unit. The second time they replaced the opds unit and now for the third time they are going to replace it again. In the meantime I have to drive a $20,000 vehicle with airbags that don't work. Mechanic blamed electrical interference, but I don't have a cell phone or laptop or anyone sitting in the front-side passenger seat that has caused the trip. It seems to me that the car does not meet its design specs. And is a lemon. And whoever heard of not being able to take a cell phone in a car ?

- Del Mar, CA, USA

problem #15

Aug 242002

Civic

  • miles
The consumer was involved in an accident and none of the air bags deployed. The consumer's vehicle was struck by another vehicle which was traveling at 45 mph. The driver sustained a broken sternum and has experienced both jaw and eye problems since the accident. The passenger had a contusion to her right leg from the glove box and suffered neck problems.

- Jackson, GA, USA

problem #14

May 112003

Civic

  • 7,000 miles
The vehicle was involved in a head-on collision traveling approximately 30 mph, but neither the driver or passenger air bags deployed.

- Staten Island, NY, USA

problem #13

Mar 312003

Civic

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
The frontal airbags did not deploy after an impact. I was going between 35 and 40 miles per hour when I broad sided a van. My car is totaled. The front end is demolished. Both myself and my passenger were transported to the hospital and received chest injuries and neck injuries. The sensor for the airbags is completely exposed and crushed where the front end of the car used to be. I did call Honda expecting them to be at least interested but they were less than interested. I called back and asked to speak to a supervisor but they refused to let me do so. They did say the airbags only deploy during a "severe" impact. I pointed out to the guy that the owner's book says "moderate to severe". he just said "really?". I trusted Honda like most consumers do. I don't anymore.

- Courtland, CA, USA

problem #12

Feb 212003

Civic

  • miles
Consumer's vehicle rear ended another motorist, and the air bags did not deploy.

- Corona, CA, USA

problem #11

Dec 052002

Civic

  • miles
While traveling about 50mph on the highway without prior warning. Another vehicle made a sudden stop and she hit the vehicle from behind. The dual airbags didn't deploy at all. Please provide additional information, dealer is aware of the problem.

- Wash, DC, USA

problem #10

Nov 012002

Civic

  • miles
While traveling at 70 mph, consumer states the vehicle was struck by a tractor trailer on the front drivers side. None of the vehicles airbags deployed.

- Apg, MD, USA

problem #9

May 312002

Civic

  • miles
Consumer states that in a frontal left end collison, the impact was so severe it bent the main beam from the front to the rear of vehcile, and none of the air bags deployed on impact.

- Union Grove, WI, USA

problem #8

Oct 012002

Civic

  • miles
Consumer states had a front impact collision at approx 15-20mph. The driver's air bag did not deploy.

- San Antonio, TX, USA

problem #7

Sep 152002

Civic

  • miles
Car impacted head-on to jersey wall at 50 mph, followed by imact on passenger side. Car totaled. No airbag deployment.

- Arlington, VA, USA

problem #6

Nov 202001

Civic

  • miles
Consumer exited the freeway behind another vehicle, the vehicle in front of the consumer suddenly moved to the right lane, and consumer braked and swerved right due to the sudden emergency, consumer hit steering wheel very hard, driver side airbag did not deploy but passenger side airbag did and the consumer was transported to the hospital, with severe chest contusions and neck injuries.

- Sugar Land, TX, USA

problem #5

May 032002

Civic

  • miles
We were traveling on sr 540 when a drunk driver (driving a Ford F150 extented cab) pulled out in front of us. Our Honda Civic broadsided the Ford at a speed of roughly 45mph crushing the front end of the Honda without either air bag deploying. The impact of the accident was so severe the Ford flipped. The driver of the Honda sustained a concusion and brusing from hitting the driver's side window assembly. Driver also substained brusing of the chest from the seatbelt, neck and back soreness. The passenger substained a cut on right leg and brusing from underneath the glovebox assembly. Passenger also has whiplash and brusing from seatbelt. Both occupants were taken to the hospital for evaluation. How does the entire front end of a car crush upon impact and the two front air bags don't deploy! this needs the attention of the manufacturer so this problem is fixed.

- Winter Haven, FL, USA

problem #4

Mar 292002

Civic

  • miles
While driving at 30-35 mph consumer was trying to slowdown and without any notice two front air bags deployed. Consumer then ran into a tree. Contacted dealer, and dealer was not willing to do anything. There was some injuries to the consumer's hands and back.

- Springhill, FL, USA

Read the next 3 complaints »