50 of the 876 complaints about the 2002 Honda Civic are about the engine — 6% of everything reported for this model year. Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before 74,700 miles.
50
Complaints
6
Crashes
3
Fires
3
Injuries
Filed with NHTSA, in their own words.
ENGINE
OVERHEATING, LEAKING COOLANT, WATER PUMP FAILURE. WHEN DRIVING AND AT IDLE.
NHTSA complaint #11405463 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE
FIRST WEEK I PURCHASED THE CAR IN TALLAHASSEE I HAD A MAJOR OIL LEAK LOOSE SCREWS AND AND COULDN'T STEER . FIRST WEEK I RAN INTO THE BACK OF A SAFETY POLICE OFFICE WHILE ON CAMPUS AT TALLAHASSEE COMMUNITY COLLEGE WE DID THE INITIAL INSURANCE REPORT BUT SHE CLAIM SHE WASN'T HURT , I COULDN'T STOP AND WHEN I HIT HER REAR END I GOT WHIPLASHED , THIS WAS MY FIRST CAR I DIDN'T KNOW ANYTHING ABOUT CARS , THE MAN JUST SOLD I TO ME WITH NO WARNINGS MONTHS LATER START RECEIVING MAIL ABOUT A RECALL I SQUEDULED BUT THEY NEVER CAME AND GOT THE CAR SO YEARS LATER I JUST SOLD IT TO PICK AND PULL CAUSE IT WAS IN OPERABILITY. ON SCHOOL CAMPUS
NHTSA complaint #11384291 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE
ENGINE RUNS SLOW AND ACCELARATING MAKES IT SLOWER WINDSHIELD BROKE BY ITSELF WHEN DOING CARWASH
NHTSA complaint #11318917 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE
NUMEROUS OIL LEAKS ALL HAPPENING SIMULTANEOUSLY - SOLENOID SEAL, FRONT CRANKSHAFT SEAL, VALVE COVER, TIMING COVER , REAR MAIN SEAL, AND OTHERS UNIDENTIFIED YET -- I CANNOT AFFORD ALL OF THESE REPAIRS
NHTSA complaint #11172533 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE
DRIVING HOME FROM LONG WAY IN. LAKE COUNTY ILLINIOS. SHIFT IN GEAR AND JUMP OUT OF GEAR WHILE DRIVING AND POWER N STEERING AND ENGINE SHUT DOWN COULD OF BEEN AN BAD ACCIDENT THEN CAR STUCK IN ONE GEAR AND COMPLETELY WON'T MOVE. AT ALL ESPECIALLY IN WINTER
NHTSA complaint #11030618 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE
TRANSMITION WENT OUT AT 74400 MILES WITH NO WARNING ⚠️ TOWN DRIVING TOOK CORNER NO 3RD OR 4TH GEAR ON AUTOMATIC TRANSMITION COULD ONLY GO20 MILES AN HOUR GOT IT BACK HOME COST 2500 BUCK S TO FIX WITH HONDAS "GOOD WILL " POLICY. NOW IT HAS BLOWN CYLINDER HEAD AT 1400000 CAR LOSES COOLANT AND COMES OUT OVER FLOW TANK
NHTSA complaint #11013833 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE
I KEEP HAVING OIL SEEPAGE -- REPLACED GASKET COVER, MAIN OIL SEAL, OIL PAN, ETC IS THERE A RECALL OR SERVICE BULLETIN ON MY 2002 HONDA CIVIC DX
NHTSA complaint #11003813 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE
"TAKATA RECALL" I HAVE A HONDA AND IT HAS LESS THAN 100,000 MILES ON IT AND MY TRANSMISSION IS NOT WORKING. I HAVE TAKEN IT TO TWO DIFFERENT MECHANICS BOTH SAY THE SAME. TO GET IN CONTACT WITH HONDA AND TO MAKE A COMPLAINT THAT MY CAR IS LOW ON MILES TO BE GIVING ME THIS KIND OF PROBLEMS.I TAKE REALLY GOOD CARE OF MY CAR AND IT IS VERY DISAPPOINTED TO HAVE THIS KIND OF A PROBLEM ON A WELL TAKEN CAR.
NHTSA complaint #10992891 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE
VEHICLE STALLS WHILE DRIVING (MOVING AND AT STOPS). RESTARTS ARE IMMEDIATELY POSSIBLE HOWEVER PROBLEM REOCCURS AND LEAVES MOTORISTS POTENTIALLY STRANDED AND IMPEDING TRAFFIC. VEHICLE HAS 175000 MILES AND HAS BEEN METICULOUSLY MAINTAINED. ENGINE LIGHT IS INTERMITTENT WITH THE PROBLEM AND HAS INDICATED THAT THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER HAS FAILED, CODE P0420. HOWEVER THE ENGINE LIGHT CLEARS WITH DRIVE AND START CYCLES. ONLINE RESEARCH POINTS MORE DIRECTLY AT A WORN IGNITION SWITCH ISSUE. VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED NEW IN CA, RELOCATED TO AZ IN 2003 AND HAS BEEN THERE EVER SINCE. ITEMS THAT HAVE BEEN REPLACED ARE, TIMING BELT, WATER PUMP, RADIATOR, THERMOSTAT, A/C SYSTEM, ALTERNATOR, IGNITION COIL AND SPARK PLUGS, SUSPENSION BUSHINGS, FRONT STRUTS AND COILS, FUEL PUMP, CAMSHAFT POSITIONING SENSOR. ALL RECALLS HAVE BEEN COMPLIED WITH.
NHTSA complaint #10979249 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 HONDA CIVIC. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE INDEPENDENTLY SHIFTED OUT OF GEAR WHILE BEING OPERATED AT VARIOUS SPEEDS. THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE TECHNICIAN FLUSHED THE TRANSMISSION FLUID HOWEVER THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE CONTACT REPLACED THE TRANSMISSION HOWEVER AFTER BEING OPERATED FOR 60,000 MILES, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 60,000.
NHTSA complaint #10946984 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE
DEFECTIVE CAR.
NHTSA complaint #10910662 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE
HEADERS ARE CRACKED CAR LOST POWER, SUSPENSION IS NOT DURABLE. STEERING COMPONENTS NOT DURABLE
NHTSA complaint #10820130 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 HONDA CIVIC. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE STALLED AND UNKNOWN WARNING LIGHTS FLICKERED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE RELAY SWITCH NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 92,000.
NHTSA complaint #10724225 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE
THE FIRST THING WAS I NOTICED THE TEMP STARTING TO RISE, IMMEDIATELY WAS SHUT OFF AND RADIATOR REPLACED. FEW MONTHS LATER NOVEMBER OF 2013, TEMP STARTED TO RISE, DIDN'T EVEN GET HOT. BLOWN HEAD GASKET. IT SAT TILL JULY 2014, WHEN A NEW MOTOR WAS INSTALLED. DROVE GOOD UNTIL OCTOBER 2014 WHEN OUT OF NO WHERE MY TRANSMISSION QUIT WORKING!
NHTSA complaint #10672854 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE
DURING SCHEDULE MAINTENANCE ON MARCH 26, 2009, A HONDA SERVICE TECHNICIAN DETECTED AN OIL LEAK. THE HEAD COVER GASKET WAS REPLACED. DURING SCHEDULE MAINTENANCE ON JANUARY 24, 2013, A HONDA SERVICE TECHNICIAN DETECTED AN OIL LEAK. THE HEAD COVER GASKET WAS REPLACED. DURING SCHEDULE MAINTENANCE ON APRIL 19, 2014, A HONDA SERVICE TECHNICIAN DETECTED AN OIL LEAK. THE RECOMMENDATION WAS TO REPLACE HEAD COVER GASKET.
NHTSA complaint #10584669 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 HONDA CIVIC. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER STARTING THE VEHICLE, THE ENGINE RPMS INCREASED OVER 3000 UNTIL THE VEHICLE WAS SHUT OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 171,000.
NHTSA complaint #10573267 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE
MY CARS TRANSMISSION IF FAILING AGAIN, BACK IN 2010 IS WHEN IT FIRST STARTED, I WAS ON MY WAY TO WORK, THEN ALL OF A SUDDEN MY CAR WOULDN'T MOVE AND I WAS PRESSING DOWN ON THE GAS PEDAL, ONLY THE ACCELERATION GAUGE WAS MOVING. I CALLED MY DAD AND TOLD HIM WHAT HAD HAPPENED, SO HE TOOK IT TO A MECHANIC AND HE SAID I NEEDED A NEW TRANSMISSION, SO I HAD IT REPLACED AND THE COST CAME OUT OF MY OWN POCKET, AND NOW TWO YEARS LATER THE SAME THING IS HAPPENING AGAIN, THE CAR JERKS WHEN SHIFTING GEARS AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS ON AGAIN....
NHTSA complaint #10464368 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AT 60 MPH, MY CAR RAPIDLY SLOWED DOWN TO 15MPH. I WAS ALMOST SERIOUSLY INJURED DUE TO THE NATURE THAT THERE WAS CARS BEHIND ME. ON THE ROAD THE CAR WOULD NOT ACCELERATE OVER 20 MPH. THERE WAS PLENTY OF REVVING ONCE IT HIT 20MPH. THERE WAS NO WARNING LIGHTS TO LET ME KNOW THERE WAS SOMETHING WRONG WITH THE CAR. THE CAR ALWAYS DROVE IN GREAT CONDITION AND ALL OF A SUDDEN A MAJOR FAILURE OF THE TRANSMISSION OCCURRED WITHOUT WARNING. AND HONDA SEEMS NOT TO ACKNOWLEDGE THE PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #10457917 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
ONE DAY WHEN I WAS GETTING BACK FROM SCHOOL, THE CAR MAD AN ABNORMAL SOUND WHILE SHIFTING. BUT THEN IT WAS FINE I GOT HOME NO PROBLEM AND THE NEXT TIME I GOT IN THE CAR TO DRIVE (2 DAYS LATER), THE CAR STARTED BUT WHEN I PUT IT INTO DRIVE IT DIDN'T MOVE. MY CAR IS AT 110,000 MILES AND IT HAS BEEN WELL MAINTAINED. I HAVE HAD ALL MY OIL CHANGES DONE ONE TIME AND I CAN PROVE THAT. AFTER DOING SOME RESEARCH I FOUND OUT THIS IS A COMMON OCCURRENCE AMONG THESE MODELS.
NHTSA complaint #10451491 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 HONDA CIVIC. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 60 MPH WHEN THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE A DIAGNOSTIC WAS PERFORMED BUT THE RESULTS WERE UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 96,000.
NHTSA complaint #10419217 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 HONDA CIVIC. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 30 MPH WHEN THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED ABNORMALLY AT A RAPID PACE. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO CONTROL THE VEHICLE AND SHIFTED INTO PARK IN ORDER TO STOP THE UNINTENDED ACCELERATION. THE VEHICLE DID NOT STOP UNTIL CRASHING INTO THE REAR OF ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE POLICE ARRIVED TO THE SCENE AND ADVISED THAT THE ACCELERATOR WAS STUCK. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TOWED TO A LOCAL DEALER WHERE THEY WERE UNABLE TO LOCATE OR DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS LATER INSPECTED BY A PERSONAL FRIEND WHO DISCOVERED AN ALUMINUM NAME PLATE FROM THE SPECTRE AIR FILTER (MODEL NUMBER: 888911) (NA) WAS LODGED BETWEEN THE HOUSING AND THE BUTTERFLY, CAUSING THE THROTTLE TO BECOME STUCK OPEN AND THE VEHICLE TO ACCELERATE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 96,000. THE NAME PLATE WAS GLUED ONTO THE AIR FILTER. SAFETY PROBLEM IS WITH THE AIR FILTER NOT THE CAR. UPDATED 11/16/2011 *LN
NHTSA complaint #10412441 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 HONDA CIVIC. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE INTO THE DEALER FOR ROUTINE MAINTENANCE AND WAS TOLD THAT THE AIR CLEANER ASSEMBLY COULD CAUSE PROBLEMS WITH THE THROTTLE BODY AND PREVENT THE VEHICLE FROM SLOWING DOWN. THE DEALER STATED NHTSA RECALL CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 01V329000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE), WHICH WAS RELATED TO THE FAILURE, BUT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN, BUT THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 135,000. UPDATED 06/03/11 *B UPDATED 07/08/11
NHTSA complaint #10398898 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
I OWN A 2002 HONDA CIVIC SI AND WAS CHECKING ON THE VALVE ADJUSTMENT IN MY ENGINE TODAY. I NOTICED ONE OF THE CAM LOBES (CYLINDER #3 ON THE EXHAUST SIDE) HAD SOME SEVERE GALLING AND PITTING. ALL OF THE OTHER CAM LOBES WERE IN PERFECT CONDITION. AFTER DOING SOME SEARCHING ON THE INTERNET (SEARCH FOR "CAM GALLING" OR "HONDA GALLING" OR SOMETHING SIMILAR) I HAVE FOUND THIS SEEMS TO BE A KNOWN ISSUE TO MANY WHO OWN THIS YEAR CIVIC SI. I ALSO FOUND SOME SITES STATING IT IS ALSO A PROBLEM IN OTHER K SERIES ENGINES (MY CAR HAS A K20A3 ENGINE) AND POSSIBLY A PROBLEM IN OTHER HONDA CARS/SUVS. MY FEAR IS THAT THE LOBE COULD DISINTEGRATE WHILE DRIVING AT HIGH SPEEDS AND CAUSE TOTAL ENGINE FAILURE AND POSSIBLY INJURY OR AN ACCIDENT. I PLAN ON TAKING PICTURES TOMORROW AND SEEING WHAT HONDA RECOMMENDS. SINCE THE MAINTENANCE INTERVAL ON ADJUSTING VALVES IS 110,000 MILES ON MY HONDA, IT'S DIFFICULT TO CATCH A PROBLEM LIKE THIS BEFORE THE WARRANTY IS UP SINCE REMOVING A VALVE COVER IS NOT A STANDARD PROCEDURE...ALTHOUGH I WOULD VENTURE TO GUESS THE PROBLEM HAD BEGUN DURING THE WARRANTY PERIOD. AND, LOOKING AT THE NUMBER OF POSTS ON THE ISSUE, SOMETHING HONDA SHOULD BE RECALLING OR HELPING WITH.
NHTSA complaint #10335759 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 HONDA CIVIC LX. WHILE DRIVING AT SPEEDS OF 80 MPH, HE HEARD AN UNUSUAL NOISE AND SHIFTED INTO THIRD GEAR. HE THEN ENGAGED THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL AND SHIFTED INTO SECOND GEAR. THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED AND AS HE SHIFTED INTO DRIVE, THE ENGINE EXPLODED AND FLAMES WERE UNDER THE HOOD. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO MOVE THE VEHICLE OFF OF THE ROAD AND EXIT THE VEHICLE WITHOUT INCIDENT. HE THEN OBSERVED FLUIDS LEAKING FROM UNDER THE VEHICLE. THE FIRE WAS EXTINGUISHED AND THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO HIS RESIDENCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 133,000.
NHTSA complaint #10326655 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 HONDA CIVIC. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ABS LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE DASHBOARD. THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY STALLED AND SHIVERED BEFORE SHUTTING OFF. THE CONTACT HAD TO WAIT A COUPLE OF MINUTES BEFORE THE VEHICLE WOULD RESTART. THE FAILURE OCCURRED INTERMITTENTLY. THE DEALER STATED THAT A DIAGNOSTIC WOULD COST $100. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE MAY HAVE BEEN DUE TO THE INTERNAL CAPACITORS, BUT OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 75,000.
NHTSA complaint #10277155 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
HAD BELTS AND WATER PUMP CHANGED. THE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON SO I TOOK IT TO A MECHANIC. HE SAID IT WAS MY ELECTRONIC LOAD DETECTOR. SO I PAID AROUND $400.00 IN REPLACEMENT PARTS AND THE CAR WILL NOT PASS EMISSION TEST. NO ONE CAN FIGURE OUT WHAT IS WRONG WITH IT.
NHTSA complaint #10260942 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM
HEATING- OUTSIDE WINDSHIELD FREEZES WITH CHUNKS OF ICE AFTER DEFROSTING. INSIDE WINDSHIELD FOGS UP ALL THE TIME MEANING YOU NEED TO KEEP ADJUSTING KNOBS AND TURNING DEFROSTERS AND AIR CONDITIONER BACK ON AND THEN OFF TO GET SOME HEAT BACK. REAR DEFOGGER LEAVE CHUNKS OF ICE ON REAR BACK WINDOW . VISION SAFETY CONCERNS.
NHTSA complaint #10256256 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
I OWN A 2002 HONDA CIVIC EX. THE TRANSMISSION WAS SLIPPING A LITTLE SO I TOOK IT TO MY HONDA DEALER FOR SERVICE. THEY CALLED AND SAID THE TRANSMISSION FLUID WAS BLACK AND SMELLED BURNT. THEY CHANGED IT AS WELL AS GIVING ME A TIMING BELT SERVICE PACKAGE ($635) AND SPARKPLUG CHANGE ($200). UPON TAKING IT FOR A TEST DRIVE, IT STOPPED WORKING. AFTER A RESTART THEY MANAGED TO GET IT BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP WHERE IT GAVE THE ERROR CODE CORRESPONDING TO "IMPROPER GEAR RATIO" WHICH IN TURN TRANSLATED TO COMPLETE AND TOTAL TRANSMISSION FAILURE. I DID SOME DIGGING AND FOUND VERY SIMILAR PROBLEMS WITH OTHER CIVICS AND ACCORDS WITH MODELS IN THE EARLY 2000S. I FILED A COMPLAINT WITH HONDA OF AMERICA AND AFTER A WEEK OF REVIEW THEY CALLED TO TELL ME THAT THEY WOULD DISCOUNT $700 OFF OF A NEW TRANSMISSION...SO I'M STILL OUT $2,500.
NHTSA complaint #10253850 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 HONDA CIVIC. WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE VEHICLE LOST ALL BRAKING AND STEERING POWER. THE VEHICLE WOULD RESTART, BUT WOULD SHUT OFF IMMEDIATELY AFTERWARDS. THE VEHICLE HAD TO BE TOWED. THE DEALER PROVIDED THE CONTACT WITH ERROR CODE P0341. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS DUE TO A FAULTY ECM, WHICH THE DEALER THEN UPDATED. HE WAS CONCERNED THAT HE WAS SOLD A VEHICLE WITHOUT BEING INFORMED OF THE ECM UPGRADE. HONDA OFFERED TO PAY 50% OF THE LABOR COST. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 69,960.
NHTSA complaint #10226399 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
MOTOR MOUNT FAILURE PRIOR TO 60,000 MILES; TIMING BELT SIDE/LEFT MOTOR MOUNT BROKEN CAUSING ENGINE VIBRATION AT SPEED AND IDLE; CAUSE WAS DETERMINED DURING TIMING BELT CHANGE.
NHTSA complaint #10178478 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.