2003 Honda Civic Hybrid Exterior lighting Problems
- Complaints
- 4about this part
- Share
- 8%of 51 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 117,500miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 4 complaints about the exterior lighting of the 2003 Honda Civic Hybrid, 8% of the 51 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 117,500 miles.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“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, filed 2016-05, 135,000 miles“In august of 2011, I noticed a burning smell while using the low beam headlights. Sometimes the smell was quite strong, but I could not find where it was coming from. Until I could find the problem, I decided only to use the car when I did not need to use the headlights. A couple of times I had to use the lights. Eventually, they stopped working and I had to find the problem. When I took the collar off of the steering column, I noticed that the connector to the headlight (combination switch) was melted. …”
NHTSA complaint #10433076, filed 2011-10, 98,345 miles“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, filed 2016-05, 215,000 miles“The contact owns a 2003 Honda Civic Hybrid. The contact stated that the plastic that covered the headlight became foggy, preventing the light from illuminating. The contact stated that he believed that the failure was a safety hazard since it prevented him from seeing when driving the vehicle at night time. The vehicle was taken to the dealer. The technician verified the failure but failed to provide a remedy. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 100,000 and the current mileage was 170,000.”
NHTSA complaint #10493416, filed 2013-01, 100,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10044784Apr 17, 2012Honda: to determine if headlight switches need to have connectors, and harness wires replaced, on certain vehicles, an inspection is required, with permission from owners. Models…
Exterior lighting: other model years
Other parts of the 2003 Honda Civic Hybrid
26 complaintsAir bags
9 complaintsEngine
8 complaintsElectrical system
6 complaintsVehicle speed control
4 complaintsOther or unknown
2 complaintsBrakes
1 complaintsElectronic stability control
1 complaintsEngine cooling
1 complaintsFuel system
1 complaintsSteering
1 complaintsBody and structure
1 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2003 Honda Civic Hybrid
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology