Owners have filed 67 complaints
about the 2003 Honda Civic Hybrid with NHTSA between 2011 and 2019.
The largest single group is the transmission & drivetrain.
Across this model's run it ranks 7 of 11 worst.
The letter says how bad. This says what kind — whether this year drew
an unusual number of complaints, unusually dangerous
ones, or failures that arrived unusually early.
The dashed ring is 50 — the national norm. Further out is worse.
Complaint volume — 63
Against the median year of the Honda Civic Hybrid. 50 means typical for this
model; 100 means roughly double.
Severity — 62
11.9% of these complaints
involved a crash, fire, injury or death, against a national rate of
9.7%.
Early failure — 15
9% of failures with a mileage on record happened under
36,000 miles, against a national rate of
29%.
How 2003 compares with every other Honda Civic Hybrid
Odometer readings owners gave when they filed. About half of all
complaints include one.
Under 1,000 miles
47.0%
10,000 – 24,999 miles
11.8%
25,000 – 49,999 miles
47.0%
50,000 – 74,999 miles
610.5%
75,000 – 99,999 miles
610.5%
100,000 – 149,999 miles
2645.6%
150,000+ miles
1017.5%
When owners complained
A spike years after the car went on sale usually means a part wearing
out on schedule across the whole fleet — the kind of pattern no single
owner can see from inside their own car.
Oct 2011peak 4Jun 2019
NHTSA investigations into the 2003 Honda Civic Hybrid
An investigation is the step before a recall: the agency has seen enough
complaints to look into a pattern itself. An open one means it thinks
something may be wrong and nothing has been fixed yet.
From 2000 through 2017, Takata produced millions of air bag inflators using two types of phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate ("PSAN") propellant -- propellant 2004 and propellant 2004L. After prolonged exposure to high temperature cycles and humidity, inflators using propellant 2004 can degrade, causing the propellant to burn too quickly when ignited. The rapid burning can cause the inflator to rupture during deployment, potentially causing serious or even fatal injury to vehicle occupants. See 2016 Blomquist Report at www.nhtsa.gov/sites/nhtsa.gov/files/documents/expert_report-hrblomquist.pdf.C...
EA15001Opened 24 Feb 2015Still openAIR BAGS:FRONTAL
Air Bag Inflator Rupture
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened PE14-016 in June 2014 based on six inflator rupture incidents involving consumer owned vehicles produced by five vehicle manufacturers.All six vehicles were operated in Florida or Puerto Rico at the time of the rupture and for the majority of their service life, and were equipped with inflators produced by Takata, a tier-one supplier of automotive air bag systems.During the course of PE14-016, ODI determined that five additional vehicle manufacturers used inflators of a similar design and vintage also supplied by Takata. No evidence of field fai...
DP22005Opened 27 Jan 2023Closed 7 Aug 2023ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:PROPULSION SYSTEM
Pedestrian alert sounds
NHTSA received a petition on or about July 18, 2022, requesting that Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) 141 be applied to all electric and hybrid vehicles operating in the United States. The petition can be reviewed at NHTSA.gov under ODI Number 11486072. FMVSS 141 establishes performance requirements for pedestrian alert sounds for motor vehicles. The standard applies to hybrid and electric vehicles that have a gross vehicle weight rating of 4,536 KG or less or are defined as low-speed vehicles. The standard became fully applicable to all such vehicles manufactured on or after Marc...
PE14016Opened 11 Jun 2014Closed 2 Mar 2015AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
Air Bag Inflator Rupture
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened PE14-016 in June 2014 based on six inflator rupture incidents involving consumer owned vehicles produced by five vehicle manufacturers.All six vehicles were operated in Florida or Puerto Rico at the time of the rupture and for the majority of their service life, and were equipped with inflators produced by Takata, a tier-one supplier of automotive air bag systems.During the course of PE14-016, ODI determined that five additional vehicle manufacturers used inflators of a similar design and vintage also supplied by Takata. No evidence of field fai...
Recalls on the 2003 Honda Civic Hybrid
A complaint is one owner's allegation. A recall is the point at which
the manufacturer or a regulator agreed the defect is real and dangerous
enough to fix for free — however old the car is.
United States — NHTSA
19V499000
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2003 Acura 3.2CL, 2002-2003 3.2TL, 2003-2006 MDX, 2001-2007 Honda Accord, 2001-2005 Civic, 2003-2005 Civic Hybrid, 2001-2005 Civic GX NGV, 2002-2006 CR-V, 2003-2011 Element, 2002-2004 Odyssey, 2003-2008 Pilot and 2006 Ridgeline vehicles. These vehicles are equipped with driver frontal air bag inflators assembled as a recall remedy part or replacement service part, that may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.
Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
19V501000
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2003-2006 Acura MDX, 2005-2012 RL, 2003-2007 Honda Accord, 2001-2005 Civic, 2003-2005 Civic Hybrid, 2001-2005 Civic GX NGV, 2002-2006 CR-V, 2003-2011 Element, 2007-2008 Fit, 2002-2004 Odyssey, 2003-2008 Pilot, and 2006-2014 Ridgeline vehicles. The vehicles are equipped with passenger frontal air bag inflators assembled as a recall remedy part or replacement service part, that may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.
Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
19V182000
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling specific 2003 Acura 3.2CL, 2013-2016 ILX, 2013-2014 ILX Hybrid, 2003-2006 MDX, 2007-2016 RDX, 2002-2003 3.2TL, 2004-2006, and 2009-2014 TL, 2010-2013 ZDX and 2001-2007 and 2009 Honda Accord, 2001-2005 Civic, 2003-2005 Civic Hybrid, 2001-2005 Civic GX NGV, 2002-2007 and 2010-2011 CR-V, 2003-2011 Element, 2007 Fit, 2002-2004 Odyssey, 2003-2008 Pilot, and 2006-2014 Ridgeline vehicles. The affected vehicles received a replacement driver air bag inflator as part of a previous Takata inflator recall remedy or a replacement driver air bag module containing the same inflator type as a service part. Due to a manufacturing error, in the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver frontal air bag, these inflators may explode.
Risk: An explosion of an inflator within the driver frontal air bag module may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver, front seat passenger or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
15V370000
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain model year 2001-2005 Honda Civic vehicles manufactured March 21, 2000, to January 20, 2005, 2001-2004 Honda Civic GX vehicles manufactured June 14, 2000, to August 19, 2004, 2003-2005 Honda Civic Hybrid vehicles manufactured February 24, 2002, to January 18, 2005, 2003-2007 Honda Accord vehicles manufactured February 21, 2002, to August 28, 2007, 2002-2004 Honda CR-V vehicles, 2002-2003 Honda Odyssey vehicles manufactured June 19, 2001, to July 12, 2003, 2003 Acura MDX vehicles manufactured September 19, 2002, to June 19, 2003, 2003 Honda Element vehicles manufactured June 25, 2002, to July 31, 2003, and 2003 Honda Pilot vehicles manufactured November 26, 2001, to August 21, 2003. The affected vehicles have a passenger side frontal air bag that may be susceptible to moisture intrusion which, over time, could cause the inflator to rupture upon its deployment.
Risk: In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the passenger seat occupant or other occupants possibly causing serious injury or death.
15V320000
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain model year 2001-2007 Accord, 2001-2005 Civic, 2001-2004 Honda Civic GX, 2003-2005 Honda Civic Hybrid, 2002-2006 CR-V, 2003-2011 Element, 2002-2004 Odyssey, 2003-2008 Pilot, 2006 Ridgeline, 2003 Acura 3.2CL, 2003-2006 Acura MDX, and 2002-2003 Acura 3.2TL vehicles. The affected vehicles are equipped with a dual-stage driver frontal air bag that may be susceptible to moisture intrusion and other factors, including manufacturing variability that, over time, could cause the inflator to rupture.
Risk: In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
14V700000
AIR BAGS
American Honda Motor Co. (Honda) is recalling certain model year 2001-2005 Honda Civic, 2003-2004 Civic CNG and Element, 2002-2005 CR-V, 2002-2004 Odyssey, 2003-2005 Accord, Pilot, Civic Hybrid, and Acura MDX, 2005 Acura RL and 2006 Honda Ridgeline vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in geographic locations associated with high absolute humidity. Specifically, vehicles sold, or ever registered, in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands, Saipan, Guam, and American Samoa are addressed by this recall. Upon deployment of the passenger side frontal air bag, excessive internal pressure may cause the inflator to rupture.
Risk: In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passengers frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants potentially resulting in serious injury or death.
Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.
at 91,000 milesLOS Angeles, CACrash1 injured
AIR BAGS
MY TEEN AGED CHILD WAS DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE 5 FREEWAY GOING 65 MPH AND TRAFFIC CAME TO A SUDDEN STOP AND HE IMMEDIATLY STEPPED ON HIS BRAKE PEDAL TO TRY TO AVOID HITTING THE CAR IN FRONT OF HIM BUT THE CAR IN FRONT OF HIM HIT THE CAR AHEAD AND THEN MY CHILD HIT THE SECOND CAR IN A CHAIN REACTION. WHEN THE POLICE ARRIVE HE NOTED THAT THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY DESPITE THE IMPACT. THE OFFICER SIAD THAT IT SHOULD HAVE. THIS WEEK I RECIEVED A NOTICE FROM HONDA SAYING THAT THIS VEHICLE HAS A RECALL FOR THE AIR BAG ISSUE. THIS IS WHY THE AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY? MY CHILD WENT TO SANTA CLARITA HOSPITAL EMERGENCY SERVICE BUT HAS SINCE CHECKED OUT. THERE IS A POLICE REPORT AND OF COURSE THE CAR WAS INSURED BUT THERE IS FRONT DAMAGE TO THE CAR. PLEASE LET ME KNOW IF THE DAMAGES TO THE CAR CAN BE FIXED DUE TO THE RECALL. THANKS
NHTSA complaint #10694154 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 72,000 milesFairbanks, AKCrash1 injured
AIR BAGS
I WAS INVOLVED IN A NEARLY HEAD ON CRASH IN WHICH THE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. BOTH OF MY HANDS WERE ON THE STEERING WHEEL AT THE TIME. AS THE AIRBAGS INFLATED, I WAS BURNED ON MY RIGHT FOREARM. I WAS WEARING A FLEECE JACKET AND A SWEATSHIRT. THEY WERE BURNED THROUGH AND I SUSTAINED A SIGNIFICANT BURN ON MY ARM WHICH REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION.
NHTSA complaint #10684346 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 130,000 milesManhattan, KSCrash
AIR BAGS
FRONT AND SIDE IMPACT TO CAR, TOTALING CAR, WITHOUT SIDE OR FRONT AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT. IMPACT WAS GREAT ENOUGH THAT AIRBAGS SHOULD HAVE DEPLOYED. CAR WAS LAST SERVICED BY A CERTIFIED HONDA SERVICE PROVIDER FOR DEFECTIVE SEATBELT AND ROUTINE MAINTENANCE IN MAY 2013.
NHTSA complaint #10557970 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 130,000 milesManhattan, KSCrash
STRUCTURE:BODY
FRONT AND SIDE IMPACT TO CAR, TOTALING CAR, WITHOUT SIDE OR FRONT AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT. IMPACT WAS GREAT ENOUGH THAT AIRBAGS SHOULD HAVE DEPLOYED. CAR WAS LAST SERVICED BY A CERTIFIED HONDA SERVICE PROVIDER FOR DEFECTIVE SEATBELT AND ROUTINE MAINTENANCE IN MAY 2013.
NHTSA complaint #10557970 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 128,162 milesSAN Diego, CACrash
STEERING
I WAS DRIVING NORTH IN THE # 3 OR 4 LANE ON I-405 JUST NORTH OF IRVINE, CA IN INTERMITTENT RAIN, WHEN THE CAR BEGAN SWERVING TO THE LEFT. MY EFFORTS TO COUNTER-STEER FAILED TO REGAIN CONTROL OF THE CAR, AND THE CAR SPUN COUNTER-CLOCKWISE TO THE LEFT UNTIL I HIT THE CENTER DIVIDER FACING BACKWARD WITH THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE CAR AND CONTINUED TO SPIN UNTIL FACING FORWARD. I MANAGED TO PULL THE CAR TO A SHOULDER ON THE CENTER DIVIDE AND STOP. TRYING TO MOVE THE CAR FORWARD MET WITH CONSIDERABLE FRICTION. SOON THE HIGHWAY PATROL ARRIVED AND BLOCKED TRAFFIC AND ASKED ME IF I WAS OK AND ABLE TO MOVE THE CAR TO THE RIGHT SIDE. DESPITE THE FRICTION, I WAS ABLE TO MOVE THE CAR TO THE RIGHT, ENCOUNTERING DIFFICULTY STEERING THE CAR PARALLEL TO THE ROADWAY. I TOLD THE OFFICER THAT I THOUGHT THE CAR HAD HYDROPLANED AND SPUN OUT. BECAUSE NO OTHER VEHICLES WERE INVOLVED AND I WAS NOT INJURED, THE OFFICER OFFERED ME THE OPTION TO FILE A REPORT OR NOT, AND I DECIDED NOT TO FILE A REPORT. THE CAR WAS TOWED (FLATBED) OUTSIDE A BODY SHOP NEAR MY HOME. THE RF WHEEL WAS SEVERELY TOED-IN, AND WHEN I EXAMINED IT, THE SWAY BAR END LINK WAS DISCONNECTED. I DROVE SLOWLY A FEW BLOCKS HOME, NOTICING THE DIFFICULTY IN CONTROLLING THE STEERING, EVEN AT LOW SPEED, AND THE SIMILARITY TO HOW THE CAR SUDDENLY WAS HANDLING ON THE FREEWAY. THIS MADE ME CONCERNED THAT THE FAILURE OF THE END-LINK AND/OR STEERING MAY HAVE CAUSED THE LACK OF CONTROL, RATHER THAN RESULTING FROM THE IMPACT WITH THE CENTER DIVIDE. NEVER IN OVER 20 YEARS OF DRIVING HAVE I EXPERIENCED, IN ANY WEATHER CONDITIONS, THE COMPLETE LACK OF RESPONSIVENESS TO STEERING INPUT THAT SUDDENLY OCCURRED. THE CAR IS STILL IN MY DRIVEWAY. IF IT WOULD BE HELPFUL TO EXAMINE THE CAR, PLEASE LET ME KNOW ASAP.
NHTSA complaint #10488890 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 5 milesMontclair, CACrash
POWER TRAIN
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 HONDA CIVIC HYBRID. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD VIOLENTLY JERK WHEN ACCELERATING FROM A STOP AND ALSO WHEN DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON AN INTERMITTENT BASIS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER NUMEROUS TIMES WHERE VARIOUS TRANSMISSION AND ENGINE REPAIRS WERE PERFORMED, BUT THE FAILURE CONTINUED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 5. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.
NHTSA complaint #10444938 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The most recent complaints
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
at 59,800 milesLawrence Township, NJ
AIR BAGS
AFTER THE RECALL APPOINTMENT ON 5/3/2019,THE SIGN "ABS" STILL COMES ON ALL THE TIME IN THE PANEL.BESIDES,THE AUTO AUDIO SYSTEM FAILS WHEN THE IGNITION IS ON. WHEN THE CAR IS NOT ON THE AUDIO SYSTEM COMES ON AGAIN. THIS MAY BE CHECKED BESIDES THE ABS SIGN.
NHTSA complaint #11228243 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 182,670 milesCrestview, FL
POWER TRAIN
I WAS DRIVING MY CAR ON ANTIOCH RD. CRESTVIEW, FL AND HAD STOPPED AT THE STOP SIGN TO JUMP ONTO P.J. ADAMS RD. WHEN TRAFFIC PERMITTED I TIRED TO PULL OUT THE CAR LUNGED FORWARD A FEW FEET PUTTING THE HOOD AREA COMPLETELY IN THE ROAD WHEN THE D LIGHT STARTED FLASHING AND THE CAR STOPPED MOVING . THE MOTOR REVES UP BUT THE CAR WONT MOVE. I WAS ALMOST HIT BYE A SEMI TRUCK . AFTER REPLACING ATT SENSORS THE D LIGHT IS STILL FLASHING AND THE CAR WONT MOVE . I HAVE EXQHAUSTED ALL REPAIRS THAT I CAN DO AND WAS FORCED TO SCRAPE THE CAR BECAUSE IT WAS MY ONLY WAY OF GOING AND AFTER SPENDING ALMOST 1000BUCKS WAS STILL UNABLE TO FIX THIS CAR. ITS VERY DANGEROUS IN THE FACT THAT I COULD HAVE BEEN HIT AND KILLED DUE TO THIS UNEXPECTED AND SUDDEN SHUT DOWN WITH NO WARNING
NHTSA complaint #11217763 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 180,000 milesFremont, NE
POWER TRAIN
WHEN STARTING FROM AT STOP THE CAR HESITATES AND SHUDDERS WHEN YOU PRESS THE GAS PEDAL UNLESS YOU LET THE CAR IDLE AND ROLL FORWARD FIRST. IT ALSO HAS PROBLEMS WHEN YOU HAVE THE CRUISE CONTROL ON FOR MORE THAN 10 MIN. AFTER APPROX 10MIN IT ACTS LIKE I HAVE TURNED OFF AND BACK ON THE CRUISE CONTROL SEVERAL TIMES BEFORE IT DOES TURN OFF AND THEN YOU CAN TURN THE MAIN CRUISE CONTROL SWITCH OFF AND BACK ON AND THEN RESET THE CRUISE BUT IT ONLY STAYS WORKING FOR 1-2 MIN BEFORE SHUTTING ITSELF BACK OFF.
NHTSA complaint #11172995 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 138,000 milesKentwood, MI
POWER TRAIN
THERE IS A SHUTTERING IN THE TRANSMISSION THAT OCCURS WHEN THE CAR IS ATTEMPTING TO GET OUT OF FIRST GEAR. THE SHUTTERING IS BECOMING MORE VIOLENT. THE CAR HAS ALSO SLIPPED OUT OF DRIVE (WHILE ON THE ROAD) AND WOULDN'T ACCELERATE. I'VE READ THAT THE SHUTTERING ISN'T FAIRLY COMMON IN THIS MODEL AND/OR TYPE OF TRANSMISSION.
NHTSA complaint #11129739 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 106,000 milesCincinnati, OH
POWER TRAIN
I DROVE THIS 2003 HONDA CIVIC HYBRID TOOK MY BABY HONESTLY FROM THE SHOPPING MARKET. IT WAS JUST AT THE RIGHT TURNING CORNER, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY LOST POWER TO MOVE, I IMMEDIATELY PRESS THE EMERGENCY BUTTON, GOT OUT OFF THE VEHICLE LET OTHER AUTOS PASSED ME AHEAD BY THE SIDE WAY. LATER SOME KINDLY GUYS HELP ME PUSHED THE CAR TO A PARKING LOT NEAR BY. THE TRANSMISSION WAS OUT OF WORK. AFTER MY FRIEND HELP ME TOOK BABY HOME, THE VEHICLEL WAS TOWED BACK. GLAD IS NOT ON THE HIGHWAY. IT ONLY JUST PASSED 100K MILES. THE TRANSMISSION FLUID WAS GOOD, OUTPUT SPEED SENSOR IS OK. I THINK NOT ONLY ME HAVE THIS QUALITY PROBLEM. IT IS TOO DANGEROUS FOR US WITHOUT A SIGN.
NHTSA complaint #11082323 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 38,600 milesLawrenceville, NJ
POWER TRAIN
WHEN DRIVING AT 50MPH ON A NATIONAL HIGHWAY 95S HEADING TO PHILADELPHIA AROUND 11AM,THE SPEED OF THE CAR SUDDENLY REDUCE TO 20MPH AND THEN STALLED AND STOPPED MOVING. I HAD TO PULL ASIDE TO CHECK THE ENGINE. AFTER SOME THIRTY MINUTES OF REST,I HAD TO RETURN HOME WITH AN IDEA OF GETTING THE CAR CHECKED BY THE DEALER.THE DEALER REORTED OF HAVING NO PROBLEM IN THE ENGINE AND I HAD TO TAKE THE CAR BACK AND RUNNING AS CAREFULLY AS POSSIBLE WITHOUT USING FOR A LONG TRIP. I HAD SOME DENTS DUE TO OTHER DRIVER WITH RASH DRIVING AND HITTING THE CAR.I NEED TO GET THE DENTS FIXED AS SOON AS THE PRESENT WINTER SEASON TURNS FEASIBLE FOR EASY RUNNING.
NHTSA complaint #11058530 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 38,600 milesLawrenceville, NJ
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
WHEN DRIVING AT 50MPH ON A NATIONAL HIGHWAY 95S HEADING TO PHILADELPHIA AROUND 11AM,THE SPEED OF THE CAR SUDDENLY REDUCE TO 20MPH AND THEN STALLED AND STOPPED MOVING. I HAD TO PULL ASIDE TO CHECK THE ENGINE. AFTER SOME THIRTY MINUTES OF REST,I HAD TO RETURN HOME WITH AN IDEA OF GETTING THE CAR CHECKED BY THE DEALER.THE DEALER REORTED OF HAVING NO PROBLEM IN THE ENGINE AND I HAD TO TAKE THE CAR BACK AND RUNNING AS CAREFULLY AS POSSIBLE WITHOUT USING FOR A LONG TRIP. I HAD SOME DENTS DUE TO OTHER DRIVER WITH RASH DRIVING AND HITTING THE CAR.I NEED TO GET THE DENTS FIXED AS SOON AS THE PRESENT WINTER SEASON TURNS FEASIBLE FOR EASY RUNNING.
NHTSA complaint #11058530 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 38,600 milesLawrenceville, NJ
ENGINE
WHEN DRIVING AT 50MPH ON A NATIONAL HIGHWAY 95S HEADING TO PHILADELPHIA AROUND 11AM,THE SPEED OF THE CAR SUDDENLY REDUCE TO 20MPH AND THEN STALLED AND STOPPED MOVING. I HAD TO PULL ASIDE TO CHECK THE ENGINE. AFTER SOME THIRTY MINUTES OF REST,I HAD TO RETURN HOME WITH AN IDEA OF GETTING THE CAR CHECKED BY THE DEALER.THE DEALER REORTED OF HAVING NO PROBLEM IN THE ENGINE AND I HAD TO TAKE THE CAR BACK AND RUNNING AS CAREFULLY AS POSSIBLE WITHOUT USING FOR A LONG TRIP. I HAD SOME DENTS DUE TO OTHER DRIVER WITH RASH DRIVING AND HITTING THE CAR.I NEED TO GET THE DENTS FIXED AS SOON AS THE PRESENT WINTER SEASON TURNS FEASIBLE FOR EASY RUNNING.
NHTSA complaint #11058530 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 133,000 milesPortland, OR
POWER TRAIN
JERKING AND NOISES GOT WORSE OVER A ONE WEEK PERIOD. DEALERSHIP, WHERE ALL SERVICE HAS OCCURRED FOR THIS CAR, SAYS IT NEEDS A NEW TRANSMISSION ($4800) AND IS NOT WORTH REPAIRING. THE MILEAGE IS QUITE LOW FOR THIS PROBLEM, 133,000. WE'VE HEARD THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM FOR THESE HYBRIDS 2002-2005.
NHTSA complaint #11030598 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 3 milesSAN Jose, CA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
"TAKATA RECALL" 2003 HONDA CIVIC HYBRID WITH IMA AND ENGINE LIGHTS WENT OFF. NO CHARGE TO BATTERY CAUSE THE CAR TO MALFUNCTIONS. SUCH AS ELECTRICAL STEERING WHEEL STOP WORKING. ENGINE LOST POWER AND STOP WHILE DRIVING ON CITY STREET AT STOP SIDE. I CHANGED NEW DIEHARD 12V BATTERY AND ALSO CHECKED AND VERIFIED THE IMA BATTERY IS GOOD (EACH CELL ABOVE 7 VOLTS). I THINK THE CAR NEED TO UPDATE SOFTWARE FROM HONDA. PLEASE HELP US FOR THE RECALL TO UPDATE SOFTWARE. MANY PEOPLE HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM AND THEY POST THEIR STORY ON YOUTUBE
NHTSA complaint #11021023 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 3 milesSAN Jose, CA
ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)
"TAKATA RECALL" 2003 HONDA CIVIC HYBRID WITH IMA AND ENGINE LIGHTS WENT OFF. NO CHARGE TO BATTERY CAUSE THE CAR TO MALFUNCTIONS. SUCH AS ELECTRICAL STEERING WHEEL STOP WORKING. ENGINE LOST POWER AND STOP WHILE DRIVING ON CITY STREET AT STOP SIDE. I CHANGED NEW DIEHARD 12V BATTERY AND ALSO CHECKED AND VERIFIED THE IMA BATTERY IS GOOD (EACH CELL ABOVE 7 VOLTS). I THINK THE CAR NEED TO UPDATE SOFTWARE FROM HONDA. PLEASE HELP US FOR THE RECALL TO UPDATE SOFTWARE. MANY PEOPLE HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM AND THEY POST THEIR STORY ON YOUTUBE
NHTSA complaint #11021023 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Henrico, VA
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
THIS CAR WAS TOTALED IN 2009! BUT I KEEP GETTING RECALL NOTICES. I CHECK THE "DESTROYED" BOX, BUT THE RECALL NOTICES KEEP COMING. HOW CAN I CONVINCE YOUR DATABASE THAT THIS CAR NO LONGER EXISTS?
NHTSA complaint #11012702 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Downey, CA
SERVICE BRAKES
VEHICLE BRAKES WON'T WORK WHEN BRAKING ON A BUMPY ROAD OR HIGHWAY. VEHICLE WONT STOP ON TOP ON A BUMP THAT IS ON THE ROAD. WHEN IN MOTION, WHEN TRYING TO MAKE A SUDDEN STOP ON A BUMP THAT IT IS ON THE ROAD, VEHICLE BRAKES WILL SLIDE AND NOT STOP. EITHER ON CITY OR HIGHWAY ROADS. I AM CONCERNED THAT WHEN I AM SPEEDING AND I HAVE TO MAKE A SUDDEN STOP TO AVOID HITTING ANOTHER CAR IN FRONT OF ME I WILL END UP CRASHING INTO THEM IF THERE IS A BUMP AHEAD OF ME, MY BRAKES WONT WORK AND BRAKES WILL SLIDE AND NOT WORK. IT HAS HAPPEN MANY TIMES SINCE I PURCHASED THE VEHICCE IN 2003 BUT MY COMPLAINTS HAVE BEEN IGNORED BY THE HONDA DEALERSHIP.
NHTSA complaint #10966418 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Frankfort, KY
POWER TRAIN
CAR CAME OUT OF PARKING AND WHEN IT REACHED ON CITY STREET TRANSMISSION STARTED SLIPPING ON STREET NEXT (CITY STREET) TO CINEMA HALL AND THEN CAR COMPLETELY HALTED. FOR A MOMENT IT FELT LIKE TIRE'S WERE PUNCTURED AS IT WAS LOOSING DIRECTION.
NHTSA complaint #10905840 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Naperville, IL
POWER TRAIN
MY TRANSMISSION FAILING AT MILE 90.000.
NHTSA complaint #10874609 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 215,000 milesChandler, AZ
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 HONDA CIVIC HYBRID. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE HEADLIGHTS SHUT OFF WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT DROVE WITH THE HIGH BEAMS ILLUMINATED FOR THE REMAINDER OF THE TRIP. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 215,000.
NHTSA complaint #10870344 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 135,000 milesLevittown, PA
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
WHILE DRIVING THE LOW BEAM SPUTTER AND THEN WHEN OUT MY HUSBAND REPLACED THE BULB AND AFTER A DAY IT JUST WENT OUT. HE REPLACED AGAIN FOR IT WAS TO BE INSPECTED THE FOLLOWING WEEK. HONDA PREFORMED OUR STATE INSPECTION AND TO OUR DISMAY THEY LET US KNOW THAT WE NEEDED A NEW BULB. 3 BULBS IN UNDER TWO WEEKS. I NOTICED THERE WAS A RECALL, NOW MY VEHICLE IS LISTED BUT MY NUMBER IS NOT AND IT IS SHOWING SYMPTOMS?
NHTSA complaint #10862540 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 115,907 milesFort Riley, KS
POWER TRAIN
2003 HONDA CIVIC HYBRID TRANSMISSION ISSUES AT ONLY 115,907 MILES HAVE BEEN A HUGE PROBLEM WITH THIS COMPANY. I JUST HAD TO BE EXCUSED FROM MY SHIFT OF WHERE I PERFORM LAW ENFORCEMENT DUTIES SO I COULD PICK UP MY WIFE AND TWO TEENAGERS FROM THE CAR THAT HAS BEEN THE BANE OF MY EXISTENCE AND THE BANE OF OTHERS' AS WELL FROM WHAT I HAVE READ IN THE UMPTEEN DIFFERENT FORUMS AND SITES ACROSS THE WORLD. ASIA DID IT RIGHT BY TREATING THEIR PEOPLE AND HONDA OWNERS RIGHT BY RECALLING THEIR TRANSMISSIONS ACROSS THE BOARD DUE TO THE LACK OF PERFORMANCE AND DURABILITY IN THE CVT POWERTRAIN. THIS VEHICLE LEFT MY FAMILY STRANDED ALONG A VERY BUSY HIGHWAY AFTER HAVING TO COAST TO A STOP FROM THE FAR RIGHT LANE BECAUSE THE TRANSMISSION STOPPED ACCELERATING WHILE OPERATING PERFECTLY FINE AT 70 MPH. THEN WE HAD TO WAIT ALONG THE HIGHWAY FOR AN HOUR BEFORE A TOW TRUCK COULD COME AND PICK UP THE CAR AND TOW IT TO THE NEAREST HONDA DEALERSHIP WHICH I'M IT WILL COST AN ARM AND A LEG TO GET THIS FIXED! IN TOWN IT SOUNDS LIKE IT'S ALWAYS MAD AS IT SHUTTERS ON TAKE OFF AND SLOW ROLLING ACCELERATIONS MAKING IT A BIT HARRY TO GET INTO TRAFFIC OR GET THROUGH AN INTERSECTION OF ANY KIND. THE CAR ALSO JUMPS OR SURGES FORWARD WHILE STOPPED AT INTERSECTIONS AS WELL. NOT COOL WHEN YOU HAVE YOUR TEENAGER OPERATING THIS. I'M JUST GLAD SHE IS SMART ENOUGH TO STAY ON THE BRAKES! NOT TO MENTION THAT THE AC SUCKS DURING DAYS IT GETS TO 90 AND 100 DEGREES HERE IN KANSAS. WHO PUTS A RUBBER BELT IN A TRANSMISSION ANY WAY. GET THIS FIXED!!!! IF YOU WILL NOT GET IT FIXED, YOU WILL LOSE YET ANOTHER CUSTOMER!
NHTSA complaint #10823646 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 156,819 milesJenison, MI
POWER TRAIN
"JUDDERING" HAPPENS WITH MY CONTINUOUSLY VARIABLE TRANSMISSION (CVT) WHEN TAKING OFF FROM A STOP AND WHEN ACCELERATING TO ENTER AN EXPRESSWAY. "JUDDERING" MEANS THAT THE TRANS IS SLIPPING AND MAKING NOISE (LOSES POWER WHEN YOU NEED IT THE MOST- VERY DANGEROUS). RIVER TOWN HONDA GRANDVILLE, MI STATED THAT IT WOULD COST ME $2,100.00 TO REPLACE IT WITH A NEW ONE. HONDA JAPAN HAS RECALLED THESE TRANSMISSIONS IN THEIR HCH MODEL YEARS 2003 THROUGH 2005. WHAT CAN WE DO TO GET HONDA AMERICA TO TREAT US TO THE SAME RECALL THAT JAPAN HAS? THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM, DEFECT WITH THE CVT. HONDA MAKES QUALITY VEHICLES WITH VERY GOOD RELIABILITY, MY OTHER CAR IS ALSO A HCH 2005 WITH A MANUAL TRANS AND ABSOLUTELY NO PROBLEMS. PLEASE CHECK INTO THE PROBLEM (I AM NOT ALONE WITH THIS) AND GET HONDA AMERICA TO STAND BEHIND THEIR REPUTATION AND RECALL THE CVTS OR REIMBURSE THE $2,100.00 COST TO GET THEM REPLACED. THIS IS AN ONGOING, EVERYDAY OCCURANCE NOT LIMITED TO JUST ONE TIME. PLEASE HELP!
NHTSA complaint #10816422 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 149,220 milesChico, CA
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
HAD TO REPLACE THE HYBRID BATTERY ON MY CIVIC AT 82000 MILES. NOW THE VERY EXPENSIVE ($3-4000) HYBRID BATTERY HAS GONE OUT AGAIN AT 149220 MILES. THE BATTERIES HONDA IS USING FOR THESE VEHICLES ARE LEMONS. THAT'S TWO BATTERIES I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE IN LESS THAN 150000 MILES! THE HYBRID BATTERIES ON THE TOYOTA PRIUS HAVE AVERAGE LIFE SPANS OF 200,000 MILES+. HONDA'S DON'T LAST EVEN HALF OF THAT. CALLED HONDA AND THEY REFUSED ANY HELP. THIS HAS ALSO HAPPENED TO MANY OTHER HONDA CIVIC HYBRID OWNERS. CAN'T DRIVE CAR ANYMORE WITHOUT PAYING THOUSANDS FOR ANOTHER HYBRID BATTERY.
NHTSA complaint #10811606 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 130,000 milesSherman Oaks, CA
POWER TRAIN
FOR NO REASON WHATSOEVER THE TRANSMISSION IS NO LONGER WORKING AND APPARENTLY THERE IS "SHRAPNEL" EVERYWHERE- ACCORDING TO THE MECHANIC. A TOTAL LOSS IN THAT IT COSTS TWICE AS MUCH AS THE CAR IS WORTH TO FIND A NEW TRANSMISSION. WE ARE OUT $800.00 FOR THE MECHANIC TO TELL US THIS NEWS- FOR HE HAD TO TAKE THE TRANSMISSION DOWN TO INSPECT IT. A NEW ONE WOULD BE $4880.00. COULD'VE CAUSED A MAJOR ACCIDENT OR DEATH, HAD THIS OCCURRED ON THE FREEWAY 5 MINUTES EARLIER! NOT FUNNY HONDA! AFTER LOOKING UP SIMILAR INCIDENTS ONLINE- I'M GRATEFUL WE'RE ALIVE.
NHTSA complaint #10767594 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Grand Terrace, CA
AIR BAGS
2003 HONDA CIVIC. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO NO PARTS AVAILABLE TO COMPLETE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG INFLATOR RECALL NOTICE. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED THE DEALER FINALLY CALLED, AND ADVISED HE TO BRING THE VEHICLE IN. HOWEVER, THEY ONLY REPLACED THE DRIVER SIDE AIR BAG AND TOLD HER, THAT WAS THE MOST IMPORTANT ONE AND THEY WOULD CALL AGAIN TO HAVE THE PASSENGER SIDE REPLACED.
NHTSA complaint #10747376 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 50,000 milesCorona, CA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
KEY CAN BE EASILY REMOVED FROM THE IGNITION WHEN THE VEHICLE IS TURNED OFF AND TRANSMISSION IS IN DRIVE. HONDA HAS SAFETY RECALLS FOR THIS CONDITION BUT WILL NOT REPLACE MY VEHICLE AT THEIR COST, AS IT IS NOT SPECIFICALLY PART OF THE RECALL.D
NHTSA complaint #10735837 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Warrenton, VA
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
LOSS AND SURGING DUE TO FAULTY CVT TRANSMISSION PARTS AND THE EGR VALVE IN THE CIVIC HYBRID
NHTSA complaint #10735751 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 104,000 milesLynn, MA
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
I BOUGHT THIS CAR OFF OF A PRIVATE SELLER FEW MONTHS AGO WHEN THE CAR WAS AROUND 99000 MILES, USED IT TO COMMUTE FROM AND TO WORK (6 MILES DRIVE), AND COUPLE OF ROAD TRIPS FROM BOSTON TO RHODE ISLAND. THE CAR WAS WORKING PERFECTLY FINE, I WAS REALLY HAPPY WITH IT, UNTIL LAST WEEK WHEN THE CAR STARTED TO STARTLE WHEN I COME TO A COMPLETE STOP AND HIT THE GAS AGAIN. I JUST FIGURED ITS TIME FOR AN OIL CHANGE SO I TOOK IT IN TO MEINEKE BUT THE JITTER WOULD NOT GO AWAY, THE GUY FROM MEINEKE TOLD ME IT COULD BE A MOTOR PROBLEM. SO I TOOK THE CAR TO A MECHANIC AND THEY SAID ITS THE STARTER CLUTCH. I DID SOME DIGGING AROUND ON THE DIFFERENT FORUMS AND FIGURED OUT THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM FOR FIRST GEN HCH. I WAS ACTUALLY SURPRISED BY THE AMOUNT OF COMPLAINTS I WAS ABLE TO FIND ON EDMUNDS, KBB, AUTRADERS, AND CARS.COM KNOWING HOW RELIABLE HONDAS USUALLY ARE (I PERSONALLY DROVE TWO HONDAS BEFORE, AND NEVER HAD ANY PROBLEMS). SEEING THE AMOUNT OF COMPLAINTS, WHY ISN'T THERE A RECALL BEING ISSUED FOR THIS DILEMMA. HONDA SHOULD REALLY TRY TO FIX THIS ISSUE, OR LOYAL CUSTOMERS SUCH AS MYSELF WOULD START TO WALK.
NHTSA complaint #10724567 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.