24 of the
876 complaints about the 2002 Honda Civic are about the
braking system — 3% of everything
reported for this model year.
Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before
41,000 miles.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2002 HONDA CIVIC. WHILE DRIVING UP A HILL AND MAKING A RIGHT TURN INTO A PARKING SPACE, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO A TREE. THE SEAT BELT RESTRAINED THE CONTACT, BUT THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE AIR BAG FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED INJURIES TO THE LEFT ROTATOR CUFF, STERNUM, AND NECK AND WAS TRANSPORTED TO THE HOSPITAL BY AMBULANCE. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A TOW LOT AND DEEMED A TOTAL LOSS BY THE INSURANCE COMPANY. SEVERAL MONTHS PRIOR TO THE CRASH, THE AIR BAGS WERE REPLACED PER AN UNKNOWN RECALL. THE CONTACT HAD AN ENGINEERING REPORT, WHICH INDICATED THAT THE AIR BAGS SHOULD HAVE DEPLOYED, ALONG WITH COPIES OF SUPPORTING DOCUMENTATION AND PICTURES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE VIN AND FAILURE MILEAGE WERE UNKNOWN.
NHTSA complaint #10928277 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 107,000 milesColumbia, MD
SERVICE BRAKES
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 HONDA CIVIC. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED AND THE VEHICLE FAILED TO RESPOND WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A MECHANIC. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE ALL THE BRAKE LINES NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 107,000.
NHTSA complaint #10652821 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 35 milesRoanoke, VACrash1 injured
SERVICE BRAKES
DRIVER ATTEMPTED TO STOP FOR A STOPPED VEHICLE BY PUTTING ON BRAKE. BRAKE DID NOT ENGAGE. DRIVER SLAMMED BRAKE, STILL DID NOT WORK. DRIVER RAN INTO STOPPED CAR AT APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH. AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY. DRIVER SUFFERED HEAD, RIB AND LEG INJURY FROM HITTING STEERING WHEEL.
NHTSA complaint #10551329 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 90,000 milesCharlottesville, VA
SERVICE BRAKES
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 HONDA CIVIC. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHENEVER THE BRAKES WERE ENGAGED, THE VEHICLE WOULD SHAKE VIOLENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE FRONT CALIPERS AND ROTORS WERE DEFECTIVE AND AS A RESULT, THE FRONT BRAKING SYSTEM NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 120,000. *TR...UPDATED 05/08/13 *BF UPDATED 05/23/2013
NHTSA complaint #10504680 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 42,000 milesAsbury, NJ
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 HONDA CIVIC. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN LARGE AMOUNTS OF MORNING DEW WERE ON THE WINDSHIELD AND REAR WINDOW, IT WAS HARD TO REMOVE. THE FAILURE ONLY OCCURRED ON COLD MORNINGS. THE CONTACT USED THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS, BUT THE DEW REMAINED. THE DEFROSTER WOULD TAKE A LONG TIME TO ACTIVATE AND THE INTERIOR GLASS WOULD CLEAR UP, BUT THE OUTSIDE GLASS WOULD REMAIN FOGGED. THE CONTACT CALLED HONDA CARE AND TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER, BUT NEITHER COULD CORRECT THE FAILURE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 42,000. UPDATED 01-14-08. *KB THE BRAKES MADE A NOISE WHEN THE CONSUMER APPLIED THE BRAKES, THE SUSPENSION FELT ROUGH. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE CONSUMER CONCERNS. UPDATED 12/12/07.
NHTSA complaint #10202879 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Burtonsville, MDCrash1 injured
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
VEHICLE IN FRONT SUDDENLY STOPPED CONSUMER APPLIED THE BRAKES AND PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR. CONSUMER WAS UNABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, AND IT CRASHED INTO A CONCRETE BARRIER. THE VEHICLE BOUNCED OFF THE BARRIER. DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY, BUT THE PASSENGER'S SIDE AIR BAG DID DEPLOY. DRIVER SUSTAINED HEAD AND BACK INJURIES, AND WAS TRANSPORTED BY AMBULANCE TO A HOSPITAL. VEHICLE WAS TOWED AND TOTALED BY THE INSURANCE COMPANY. *AK THIS CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO TURNED BACKWARDS FACING TRAFFIC IN THE OPPOSITE DIRECTION, AND WAS HIT TWICE HEAD ON. THE DRIVER SIDE AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY, BUT THE PASSENGER SIDE DID DEPLOY. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED HEAD AND BACK INJURIES AND WAS TRANSPORTED BY AMBULANCE TO THE HOSPITAL. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED AND TOTALED OUT BY THE INSURANCE COMPANY. PLEASE FILL IN ADDITIONAL INFORMATION.
NHTSA complaint #10101851 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 40,000 milesYucaipa, CA
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR
WHILE APPLYING THE BRAKES VEHICLE VIBRATED. CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, AND DROVE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION, AND MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE ROTORS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED DUE TO WORN PARTS, AND REPLACED THEM FOUR TIMES. HOWEVER, PROBLEM RECURRED.
NHTSA complaint #10073673 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Collinsville, OK
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
I BOUGHT THE 2002 HONDA CIVIC NEW IN OCTOBER. THE FIRST WEEK I HAD IT THEY HAD TO REPLACE THE POWER STEERING RACK AS THE CAR WAS MAKING A HORRIBLE NOISE AND WAS HARD TO TURN. THEN, ON THREE DIFFERENT OCCASIONS THE CAR SIMPLY WOULD NOT START. IT WAS PARKED ALL THREE TIMES, I WOULD GET INTO THE CAR AND IT WOULD TURN BUT NOT START. AFTER SITTING IDLE FOR ABOUT 30 MINUTES, IT WOULD FINALLY START. THE DEALERSHIP COULD NEVER DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM, SO CONSEQUENTLY IT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THEN THE CAR STARTING HAVING PROBLEMS WITH WHAT I THOUGHT WERE THE BRAKES. WHEN I WOULD SLOW DOWN, THE BRAKES WOULD GRAB AND I COULD FEEL A JOLT. THE BRAKES ALSO FELT SPONGY. I TOOK THE CAR IN, AND AGAIN, THE DEALERSHIP SAID THEY COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. I FINALLY INSISTED THE DEALERSHIP KEEP THE CAR FOR A FEW DAYS AND DRIVE IT. AS THEY WERE DRIVING IT OUT OF THEIR GARAGE, THE BRAKES TOTALLY FAILED. THEY REPLACED THE MASTER CYLINDER 2 TIMES. THE BRAKES STILL GRABBED, SO HARD IN FACT, THAT BOTH MY HUSBAND AND I HAVE HAD DRINKS IN OUR HANDS WHILE DRIVING AND THE DRINKS SPILLED ON US. THE DEALERSHIP DECIDED THE GRABBING WAS AN ERRATIC DOWNSHIFT OF THE TRANSMISSION. HONDA SAID AND I QUOTE: THIS IS A NORMAL PROBLEM WITH THE HONDA 2002 CIVICS. THE DEALERSHIP WOULD NOT FIX THE CAR SINCE IT WAS A NORMAL PROBLEM. I STILL DON'T KNOW WHAT A NORMAL PROBLEM IS! DURING THIS TIME, I BEGAN PURSING THE OKLAHOMA LEMON LAW. I TRIED TO HAVE THE DEALERSHIP BUY MY CAR BACK AND THEY SAID THEY COULDN'T BECAUSE IT HAD SO MANY PROBLEMS AND THEY COULDN'T SELL IT AS A CERTIFIED USED HONDA. SO, I HAVE A NEW CAR THAT WAS A LEMON FROM THE DAY I BOUGHT IT AND THE DEALERSHIP NOR HONDA WILL BUY IT BACK!!!!!!!! HONDA DID GIVE ME THEIR 100,000 MILE WARRANTY FOR FREE. TODAY, I TOOK THE CAR BACK IN TO THE DEALERSHIP AS THE BRAKES ARE GRABBING HARDER. TONDA L. AMES, APR BARTLESVILLE PUBLIC SCHOOLS COMMUNITY RELATIONS SUPERVISOR 1100 S. JENNINGS BARTLESVILLE, OK 74003 918-336-8600
NHTSA complaint #10070069 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Glen Burnie, MD
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
THE ABS LIGHT HAS BEEN COMING ON IN MY CAR FOR A COUPLE OF MONTHS. I HAVE TAKEN MY CAR TO THE DEALER (ITS STILL UNDER WARRANTY) 4 TIMES. THE LAST TIME WHICH WAS THIS WEEK THEY TOLD ME THAT THERE WAS A CODE IN THE SYSTEM AND THEY CLEARED IT OUT SO THE LIGHT WOULD GO OFF BECAUSE IF THEY TAKE THE WHOLE SYSTEM OUT AND REPLACE WHAT THE CODE SAYS THE PROBLEM IS AND THE LIGHT COMES BACK ON IT WILL END UP COSTING THEM ABOUT $500.00 TO REPLACE THE PART. THIS MORNING I WAS COMING TO WORK AND THE LIGHT CAME BACK ON AND I CALLED HONDA AND AGAIN HE TALKED ABOUT IT MAY COST THEM $500.00 IF THEY REPLACE THE WRONG PART BUT TO BRING MY CAR IN AND THEY WILL LOOK AT IT, I TOLD HIM THAT I COULD NOT LEAVE MY CAR RUNNING BECAUSE I HAD TO COME TO WORK THIS MORNING SO THE LIGHT WILL PROBABLY BE OFF WHEN I GET BACK IN IT BECAUSE WHEN THE LIGHT COMES ON IF YOU TURN THE CAR OFF AND BACK ON IT GOES OUT. I ASKED HIM IF I COULD DROP IT OFF AND THEY COULD TAKE IT FOR A TEST DRIVE TO SEE IF IT COMES BACK ON SO THEY CAN GET THE CODE OUT OF IT AND HE TOLD ME TO DRIVE IT AROUND AND I TOLD HIM THAT IT WAS IMPOSSIBLE BECAUSE I HAVE TO WORK, SO AGAIN I AM DRIVING WITH PARTIAL BRAKES.
NHTSA complaint #10064374 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Greensboro, NC
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:PADS
I HAVE 30,000 MILES ON MY CAR AND ALREADY MY TIRE TREAD HAS WORN DOWN COMPLETELY. I WAS UNDER THE IMPRESSION THAT TIRES ARE SUPPOSED TO LAST 50-70,000 MILES? ALSO, MY FRONT BRAKE PADS ARE ALREADY IN NEED OF REPLACING. I DO MOSTLY INTERSTATE DRIVING AND RARELY USE MY BRAKES, WHAT IS THE DEAL?
NHTSA complaint #10061860 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SAN Antonio, TX
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR
WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH DRIVER APPLIED THE BRAKES AND VEHICLE STALLED. CONSUMER HAD VEHICLE TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION, AND MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT ROTORS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED DUE TO CORROSION.
NHTSA complaint #10059884 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Katy, TX
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
WHEN THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED, THE PEDAL TRAVELED TO THE FLOOR AND A NOISE WAS HEARD.
NHTSA complaint #10020445 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Mentor, OHCrash1 injured
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
TRAVELING ABOUT 35-40 MPH ON HIGHWAY RAMP, HIT BRAKES TO ENTER CURVE, FELT TRACTION SLIPPING, CAR LOSS CONTROL & SLID ALL OVER ROAD. HIT SIDE CONCRETE BARRIER AT ABOUT 20-25 MPH, AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY, MY HUSBAND SMASHED THE WINDSHIELD WITH HIS HEAD AND GOT A CONCUSSION. ROAD WAS WET BUT HAD NO STANDING WATER, OUTSIDE TEMP MID TO UPPER 40'S. THIS APPEARS UNEXPLAINABLE BASED ON CONDITIONS- WE FEEL THERE MUST HAVE BEEN A MECHANICAL FAILURE, OTHERWISE SOMETHING WASN'T DESIGNED PROPERLY. NO CAR, ESPECIALLY WITH ANTI-LOCK BRAKES, SHOULD'VE REACTED THIS WAY UNDER THE CIRCUMSTANCES. WE HAVE NO CONFIDENCE IN THE VEHICLE AND PLAN TO GET RID OF IT IMMEDIATELY. *JB ****DIMSII IVOQ ENTRY POSTED AFTER 12/12/02 CUT-OVER TO ARTEMIS****769310
NHTSA complaint #10007156 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 15,000 milesCamarillo, CA
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
WINDSHIELD IS CRACKED WITH NO EVIDENT OF DEBRIS FROM HWY. DEALER WOULD NOT FIX PER THE WARRANTY! THIS IS A 4 MONTHS OLD CAR. ALSO WHEN APPLY BRAKE. LOUD NOISE FROM SOME KIND OF BRAKE LINKAGE SYSTEM UNDERNEATH THE CAR. DEALER SAID IT IS NORMAL FOR HONDA...??? *NLM
NHTSA complaint #10013726 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Kenhorst, PA
PARKING BRAKE
I PUT THE EMERGENCY BRAKE ON AND THE CAR STILL ROLLED BACK ALMOST INTO THE STREET IF I DIDN'T GET THERE ANY LATER.
NHTSA complaint #10005097 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 83,000 milesDannemora, NYCrash1 injured
PARKING BRAKE
WHILE WARMING VEHICLE AND WALKING AWAY FROM VEHICLE CONSUMER NOTICED A NOISE SOON AFTER VEHICLE STARTED ROLLING BACKWARDS INJURING CONSUMER. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. TS
NHTSA complaint #10004772 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 1,200 milesNovi, MI
PARKING BRAKE:CONVENTIONAL:MECHANICAL
I SUSPECT THE PARKING BRAKE FOR THE 02 HONDA CIVIC SI IS DEFECTIVE. WITH THE ENGINE RUNNING AND MY FOOT OFF THE BRAKES BUT WITH THE PARKING BRAKE FULLY ENGAGED, THE CAR ROLLED FORWARD ON MY DRIVEWAY AND ROLLED BACKWARDS WHILE I WAS WAITING FOR A TRAFFIC LIGHT CHANGEOVER. SINCE THESE 2 INCIDENTS, I'VE ALWAYS KEEP MY FOOT ON THE BRAKES WAITING FOR LIGHT CHANGEOVER AND WHEN PARKED, I PUT THE CAR IN GEAR AND USE THE PARKING BRAKE AS WELL. THE TIMES THE CAR ROLLED, I WAS ON A VERY SLIGHT INCLINE. SEVERAL PEOPLE ON EDMUNDS.COM AND EPHATCH.COM FORUM HAVE REPORTED SIMILAR EXPERIENCES.
NHTSA complaint #10000755 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Austin, TXCrash
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
CONSUMER STATES THAT WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES THE VEHICLE BRAKES WILL SKID WHEN WET CAUSING THE VEHICLE ACCIDENT. DEALER NOTIFIED. MR
NHTSA complaint #8020685 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Perris, CA
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
WHILE APPLYING LIT PURSUER TO BRAKE PEDAL BROKE/ GRABBED HARD, THEN RELEASED. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED, AND REPLACED BRAKES FIVE TIMES, BUT PROBLEM RETURNED. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHR INFORMATION.
NHTSA complaint #8018192 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Albuquerque, NM
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
WHILE BRAKING VEHICLE WILL SLOWLY ACCELERATE, AND IT WILL BE HARD TO STOP. DEALER NOTIFIED.
NHTSA complaint #8016425 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Williamstown, NJ
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS
WHEN TAKING FOOT OFF BRAKE WHILE ON A INCLINE VEHICLE WILL ROLL BACK UNLESS CONSUMER PRESSES ON ACCELERATOR. DEALER NOTIFIED.
NHTSA complaint #8016061 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Seattle, WA
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS
WHILE DRIVING ON AN INCLINE DRIVER REMOVED FOOT FROM BRAKE PEDAL VEHICLE STARTED TO ROLL BACKWARDS. DEALER WAS CONTACTED. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.
NHTSA complaint #8011326 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Davis, CACrash
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
WHILE APPROACHING INTERSECTION ANOTHER VEHICLE MADE A SUDDEN STOP IN FRONT OF CONSUMER'S VEHICLE. CONSUMER APPLIED BRAKES, AND BRAKES LOCKED UP, AND VEHICLE SKIDDED INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE. DEALERSHIP WAS AWARE OF PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #8010195 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Sugar Land, TXCrash1 injured
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS
I EXITED THE FREEWAY BEHIND ANOTHER CAR. WE WENT OVER A SMALL HILL. THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME MOVED SUDDENLY, SWERVING TO THE RIGHT LANE. AT THAT TIME, IT REVEALED TO ME THAT THE TRAFFIC WAS STOPPED. I ALSO BRAKED AND SWERVED RIGHT BUT WAS NOT ABLE TO STOP IN TIME DUE TO THE SUDDEN EMERGENCY. I HIT THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME GOING ABOUT 40MPH. I DO NOT THINK THAT MY SEATBELT LOCKED. MY AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY BUT MY PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG DID. I HIT THE STEERING WHEEL VERY HARD! I HAD TO BE TRANSPORTED TO THE HOSPITAL. I HAVE SEVERE CHEST CONTUSIONS AND NECK AND BACK SPRAIN/STRAIN. MY INSURANCE CO BELIEVES MY CAR MAY BE A TOTAL LOSS BUT MY AIRBAG DID NOT GO OFF??? AND BECAUSE IT DID NOT GO OFF, I WAS INJURED. HONDA WAS CONTACTED THE NEXT DAY. NINE DAYS LATER, THEY SENT AN ADJUSTER OUT TO INSPECT MY CAR (BUT NOT AN ENGINEER). I HAVE BEEN TOLD THERE IS NO REASON TO SEND AN ENGINEER OUT THE ADJUSTER SEEMED TO BE MORE CONCERNED WITH INVESTIGATING ME THAN WHY THE AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY. I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW WHY IT IS THAT I DO NOT HAVE A FRONT END TO MY CAR ON THE DRIVERS SIDE AND MY AIRBAG DID NOT GO OFF, BUT THERE IS NO DAMAGE TO THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE AND THAT AIRBAG WENT OFF!!! THE ADJUSTER THAT HONDA HIRED TO INVESTIGATE THE CLAIM IS DALE S THUMANN, CPCU FOR CSB GROUP. HE SAID THAT IF I DO NOT GIVE HIM MY HEIGHT, WEIGHT, AND SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER THAT HONDA WILL JUST DENY MY CLAIM FOR LACK OF COOPERATION. I AM NOT WHAT SHOULD BE INVESTIGATED THE CAR IS! HE WAS NOT WILLING TO EVEN TAKE THE STEERING WHEEL COVER OFF TO SEE IF THERE WAS EVEN AN AIRBAG IN THE DRIVER SIDE! HE SAID HE WAS SURE THAT WAS AN AIRBAG IN THERE ... "THEY MIGHT MISS ONE EVERY ONCE IN A WHILE. THEY MAKE MISTAKES. " (BUT HE STILL DID NOT FEEL IT WAS NECESSARY TO HAVE HIM OR ANYONE ELSE CHECK TO SEE IF ONE WAS THERE OR NOT). PLEASE HELP ME GET TO THE BOTTOM OF THIS! I HAVE SUFFERED A TREMENDOUS AMOUNT OF PAIN AND AGGREVATION FOR THIS 3 WK OLD CAR.
NHTSA complaint #755425 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.