10.0
really awful- Crashes / Fires:
- 1 / 1
- Injuries / Deaths:
- 0 / 0
- Average Mileage:
- 55,950 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.
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.
- Glenwood, NY, USA
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.
- Coopersburg, PA, USA
Catalytic converter and O2 sensors continually need replacement.
- Kenosha, WI, USA
Transmission hesitates. Manufacturer changes the transmission fluid, but does not repair. Manufacturer will not solve the problem only bandaids this recurring problem. Vehicle hesitates and shutters during acceleration which can be dangerous in intersections and in general traffic. This is occurring on several years of this vehicle according to websites I have read. The vehicle has also gone through two replacement of the catalytic converter.
- Ridgefield, WA, USA
The contact owns a 2003 Honda Civic-hybrid. The vehicle lunges forward when the contact removes and reapplies his foot from the accelerator pedal. The dealer stated that the egr valve was faulty. The fuel system was unknown. The current mileage is 39,000 and failure mileage was 38,500.
- Bremerton, WA, USA
A/C condenser leak due to design flaw that allows road debris to hit condenser directly and cause damage, leak, and failure for cold A/C flow.
- Clifton Park, NY, USA
- contact stated that on the evening of April 9, 2007 while driving at 35 to 40 mph in light highway traffic, the contact heard a loud noise from under the 2003 Honda Civic hybrid. The check engine light turned on, and transmission gear shifted from drive to neutral. The contact noticed that the rpms went up to 4000, but the vehicle was not accelerating. The vehicle lost power, and would only drive at about 15 to 20 mph. The contact was waiting for Honda to inspect the vehicle. The current and failure mileage were 83,000.
- Columbia, SC, USA
My 03 Honda Civic hybrids electric (hybrid) motor needed replacing.
- Whitefish Bay, WI, USA
2003 Honda Civic caught on fire in the engine compartment.
- San Francisco , CA, USA
2003 Civic, highway miles of 49,800. Car overheated very quickly on the highway, pulled over, got hotter and hotter with steam everywhere. Dealership towed it to their garage and gave us loaner car. Dealership extended 36000/3year warranty to 50000 by the way. Techs said they had never seen such a mess. Radiator literally *melted into the engine*, they said. I read about head gasket problems on some online Honda owner groups, so I asked if that is what happened, and they said it was definitely blown, but can't determine if that happened first or the radiator failed. It took them four days to determine that *maybe* a rock hit the radiator on the highway causing a slow leak. My insurance guy looked at the car and will not pay because Honda cannot prove any kind of highway *accident* happened. They can't even get it to leak or find a hole, but with pressure they can see a spot* on the radiator. And... they will not honor the 50000 extended warranty because I did not get every oil change and recommended service at the dealership. This car is not even 2 years old. We bought a Honda because it can take the high highway mileage. We even just bought a Honda van last month because of Honda's longevity and reputation. This car should not be blowing an engine at this age. This has to be some kind of defect.
- Auburn, MA, USA
While driving 55 mph vehicle stalled. Consumer tried to restart vehicle but was unable to do so. Consumer had the vehicle towed to the dealer for inspection, and mechanic could not duplicate the problem. Consumer informed the mechanic that this problem occurred more than once.
- Taneytown, MD, USA
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.
- Whitby, 00, USA
Consumer states that when the vehicle is cold the vehicle will not idle. Dealer notified.
- Buffalo, NY, USA
- Miami, FL, USA