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EnginePart report

2002 Honda Civic Engine Problems

Complaints
17about this part
Share
2%of 702 total for the year
Median mileage
92,000miles
Trend
FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.

NHTSA recorded 17 complaints about the engine of the 2002 Honda Civic, 2% of the 702 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 92,000 miles. 2 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.

Example complaints

Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.

“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, filed 2015-01, 220,000 miles

“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, filed 2017-06, 93,000 miles

“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…”

NHTSA complaint #11384291, filed 2020-12, 180,000 miles

“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, filed 2012-07, 78,530 miles

“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, filed 2017-09, 55 miles

Related service bulletins

Engine: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
2026516%
202557%
202432%
202383%
2022111%
202153%
2020136%
2019327%
2018578%
20176611%
2016959%
2015318%
2014238%
2013227%
2012327%
201174%
2010195%
2009277%
200815617%
200717014%
200622716%
2005144%
2004103%
200382%
2002172%
2001192%
200041%
1999144%
199831%
199731%
199621%

Other parts of the 2002 Honda Civic

Air bags
241 complaints
Transmission and drivetrain
185 complaints
Exterior lighting
53 complaints
Seat belts
51 complaints
Electrical system
49 complaints
Suspension
35 complaints
Engine cooling
31 complaints
Other or unknown
26 complaints
Vehicle speed control
25 complaints
Brakes
24 complaints
Steering
23 complaints
Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
21 complaints

← All problems reported for the 2002 Honda Civic

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 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