27 complaints reported

2003 Honda Civic Engine

Owner-reported problems and safety issues filed with NHTSA. Review common failures, severity levels, and complaint trends over time.

Reports
27
Crashes
1
Fires
1
Injuries
1

Complaint Timeline

Chronological view of owner reports

Jun 2022

2003 HONDA CIVIC. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARD TO ENGINE FAILURE. THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE WAS NOT MOBILE AND, UNABLE TO BE TRANSPORTED TO HAVE THE AIRBAG INFLATOR SAFETY RECALL REPAIR COMPLETED.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2003 HONDA CIVIC, Manufacturer: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.)
Incident: Jun 2022
Mar 2015

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 HONDA CIVIC. WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, SMOKE STARTED TO EMIT FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. AS A RESULT, THE VEHICLE WAS MERGED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE TIMING BELT AND TRANSMISSION COOLER LINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 178,000.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2003 HONDA CIVIC, Manufacturer: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.)
Incident: Mar 2015
Sep 2014

MY VEHICLE HAS BEEN GOING HOT SINCE NOVEMBER 2013. I HAVE REPLACED THE WATER PUMP, RADIATOR, FAN SWITCHES, HEAD GASKET, VALVE GASKET SEAL/COVER, ENGINE. WHEN I'M SITTING IDLE IN TRAFFIC FOR A WHILE IT WILL RUN HOT OR AT LEAST APPEAR TO RUN HOT BECAUSE THE TEMPERATURE GAUGE WILL GO ALL THE WAY TO HOT. I HAVE READ A FEW BLOGS AND SPOKEN TO A HONDA SPECIALIST AND HE CONFIRMED WHAT I READ ABOUT CIVICS RANGING FROM 2001 TO 2004 ARE NOTORIOUS FOR RUNNING HOT. I WAS TOLD THAT YOU HAVE TO REPLACE EVERYTHING LIKE THE WATER PUMP OR RADIATOR AS WELL AS THE HEAD GASKET AT THE SAME TIME TO STOP THIS FROM REOCCURRING. I HAVE SPENT THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS TRYING TO REPAIR THIS ISSUE. I JUST WANT HONDA TO BE TAKE ACCOUNTABILITY BECAUSE IT IS NOT AN ISOLATED INCIDENT. THIS MATTER NEEDS TO BE LOOKED INTO AND A RECALL SHOULD BE CREATED. THESE ARE SOME OF THE BLOGS I HAVE READ. THANK YOU. HTTPS://ANSWERS.YAHOO.COM/QUESTION/INDEX;_YLT=A0LEVJUVDZNT5ZUAUWWPXQT.;_YLU=X3ODMTBYBNV2CXQWBHNLYWNZCGRWB3MDMGRJB2XVA2JMMQR2DGLKAW--?QID=20120131065715AA3DO5N HTTP://WWW.CIVICFORUMS.COM/FORUMS/36-MECHANICAL-PROBLEMS-VEHICLE-ISSUES-FIX-FORUM/329665-2003-CIVIC-EX-OVERHEATING-ISSUES.HTML HTTP://WWW.EHOW.COM/HOW_7714982_OVERHEATING-2003-HONDA-CIVIC-EX.HTML. *TR

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2003 HONDA CIVIC, Manufacturer: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.)
Incident: Nov 2013
Sep 2010

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.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2003 HONDA CIVIC, Manufacturer: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.)
Incident: Jun 2010
Jun 2010

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

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2003 HONDA CIVIC, Manufacturer: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.)
Incident: Nov 2010
Jun 2010

OBD CODE 1240 RECURS DESPITE REPLACEMENT OF CATALYTIC CONVERTER AND REPROGRAMMING OF COMPUTER. IT SEEMS TO BE TRIGGERED BY EXTENDED HIGH SPEED DRIVING. *TR

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2003 HONDA CIVIC, Manufacturer: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.)
Incident: Jan 2005
Jun 2010

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.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2003 HONDA CIVIC, Manufacturer: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.)
Incident: Aug 2010
Jun 2010

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

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2003 HONDA CIVIC, Manufacturer: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.)
Incident: Mar 2010
May 2010

CATALYTIC CONVERTER ISSUES HAD TO REPLACE IT TWICE IN THE LAST YEAR. *TR

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2003 HONDA CIVIC, Manufacturer: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.)
Incident: Aug 2009
Aug 2009

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

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2003 HONDA CIVIC, Manufacturer: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.)
Incident: Jul 2009
Aug 2008

CATALYTIC CONVERTER AND O2 SENSORS CONTINUALLY NEED REPLACEMENT. *TR

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2003 HONDA CIVIC, Manufacturer: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.)
Incident: Jan 2008
Dec 2007

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 HONDA CIVIC. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30MPH HE NOTICED THAT THE ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE LOCAL DEALER STATED THAT THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER MALFUNCTIONED; HOWEVER, THEY WERE UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF FAILURE. HONDA ALSO MAILED HIM A NOTICE REQUESTING TO RANDOMLY TEST HIS VEHICLE TO MEASURE THE EMISSION CONTROL SYSTEMS PERFORMANCE. HE HAS FILED A FORMAL COMPLAINT WITH THE MANUFACTURER. HE HAS NOT REPAIRED THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 78,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 82,100.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2003 HONDA CIVIC, Manufacturer: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.)
Incident: Sep 2007
Dec 2007

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 HONDA CIVIC-HYBRID. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD TAKE APPROXIMATELY FIVE SECONDS TO SHIFT INTO GEAR WHEN ENGAGED. THE DEALER INSPECTED THE VEHICLE ON THREE OCCASIONS BUT WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE CAUSE OF FAILURE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD MAKE AN UNFAMILIAR NOISE WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH OR GREATER. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE CAUSE OF THIS FAILURE AS WELL. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 45,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 10,000.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2003 HONDA CIVIC, Manufacturer: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.)
Incident: Jan 2004
May 2007

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. *TR

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2003 HONDA CIVIC, Manufacturer: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.)
Incident: May 2006
Feb 2007

TL*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.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2003 HONDA CIVIC, Manufacturer: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.)
Incident: Jul 2007
Feb 2007

NEW YEARS DAY, I GOT OFF THE FREEWAY AND MY STEERING WHEEL LOCKED AND MY CLUTCH STIFFENED. SECONDS LATER THEY RESUMED THEIR NORMAL FEEL BUT MY BATTERY AND TEMP LIGHT CAME ON AND SMOKE/STEAM CAME OUT OF MY HOOD. I PULLED OVER AND OPENED THE HOOD...COOLANT RESEVOIR WAS ALMOST COMPLETELY EMPTY AND COOLANT HAD EXPLODED ALL OVER THE ENGINE. I HAD THE CAR TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR WARRANTY REVIEW. THEY CALLED AND SAID NO COVERAGE, THEY BELIEVE THAT A ROCK HAD PUNCTURED THE RADIATOR AND HENCE IT WAS NOT A PARTS PROBLEM. SINCE, I HAVE REVIEWED NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS ABOUT ROCKS PUNCTURING CAR INTERNAL PARTS, SPECIFICALLY HONDA'S. THIS IS A POOR DESIGN AND IN OTHER CIRCUMSTANCES THIS COULD HAVE BEEN A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION. IT SHOULD NOT TAKE A DEATH TO CALL ATTENTION TO A COMPANY WHO IS SELLING CARS WHICH ARE NOT PROPERLY DESIGNED FOR HIGHWAY DRIVING CONDITIONS. SINCE I HAD JUST GOTTEN OFF THE FREEWAY, I WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER RIGHT AWAY AND CEASE ANY FURTHER DAMAGE. PARTS AND LABOR WILL COST ME 1000.00 FOR A 3 YEAR OLD CAR THAT WAS BOUGHT WITH AN EXTENDED WARRANTY (WHICH COST A COUPLE THOUSAND DOLLARS AT TIME OF PURCHASE). I AM OUTRAGED AND DISAPPOINTED WITH HONDA. *JB

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2003 HONDA CIVIC, Manufacturer: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.)
Incident: Jan 2007
Jan 2007

IN AUGUST OF 2006 MY VEHICLE OVERHEATED FOR THE FIRST TIME. I PROMPTLY TOOK IT IN AND THEY FIXED AN "AIR HOSE LEAK". AFTER THAT MY CAR OVERHEATED EVERY FEW WEEKS WITHOUT WARNING AND AFTER COOLANT HAD BEEN FOUND LEAKED INTO THE ENGINE A NEW THERMOSTAT WAS INSTALLED. IT OVERHEATED A MONTH LATER AND THE WHOLE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *NM

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2003 HONDA CIVIC, Manufacturer: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.)
Incident: Dec 2006
Aug 2006 Crash Fire Injury

1- 2003 HONDA CIVIC 4 DOOR,17000 MILES, UNEXPLAINED SPINNING, CRASH, AND SUBSEQUENT FIRE BURNED CAR TO A CRISP. DRIVER PULLED FROM CAR SUFFERING SHOCK AND INHALATION OF FUMES. *NM

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2003 HONDA CIVIC, Manufacturer: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.)
Incident: Sep 2005
Dec 2005

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 *WET 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.*AK

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2003 HONDA CIVIC, Manufacturer: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.)
Incident: Apr 2005
Aug 2005

2003 HONDA CIVIC CAUGHT ON FIRE IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. *MR *SC

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2003 HONDA CIVIC, Manufacturer: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.)
Incident: Jan 2005
Nov 2004

THE VEHICLE WAS SMOKING FROM THE MUFFLER, THE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON, AND IT FELT LIKE IT WAS STALLING. THE MANUFACTURER TOLD THE CONSUMER TO GET A SECOND OPINION. THE DEALER MAINTAINED THAT NO DEFECTS WERE FOUND. *AK THE VEHICLE OVERHEATED. *SC

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2003 HONDA CIVIC, Manufacturer: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.)
Incident: Sep 2004
Nov 2004

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. *AK

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2003 HONDA CIVIC, Manufacturer: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.)
Incident: Nov 2004
Sep 2004

OIL LEAKING FROM UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE. *LA WHEN THE OIL WAS CHANGED ON TWO OCCASIONS, THE CONSUMER NOTICED WHEN HE GOT HOME, OIL LEAKED FROM UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER EXPLAINED THAT OIL COLD HAVE BEEN LEAKING THROUGH THE FRAME AND DROPPING ONTO VITAL PARTS AND THAT THEY WOULD NORMALLY CLEAN THE EXCESS OIL TO THE BEST OF THEIR ABILITY. *SC THE CONSUMER WAS TOLD THAT THE OIL FILTER FOR THIS VEHICLE WAS LOCATED NEAR THE TOP OF THE ENGINE, BUT BEHIND THE ENGINE. *JB

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2003 HONDA CIVIC, Manufacturer: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.)
Incident: Jan 2004
Jul 2004

HONDA CRV VEHICLE FIRES AFTER OIL CHANGES. *MR THE CONSUMER NOTICED OIL LEAKING FROM THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER EXPLAINED THAT WHEN THE OIL IS CHANGED, OIL WOULD SOMETIME GET TRAPPED UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE CAUSING THE LEAK. *SC *JB

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2003 HONDA CIVIC, Manufacturer: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.)
Incident: Jan 2004
Nov 2003

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

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2003 HONDA CIVIC, Manufacturer: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.)
Incident: Jun 2003

Trend Over Time

Complaints by year

Quick Summary

The 2003 Honda Civic has 27 Engine complaints on file. 1 crashes have been reported. Review the timeline above for detailed owner experiences.