2002 Honda Civic Exterior lighting Problems
- Complaints
- 53about this part
- Share
- 8%of 702 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 131,448miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 53 complaints about the exterior lighting of the 2002 Honda Civic, 8% of the 702 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 131,448 miles. 2 of these say a crash was involved and 5 a fire, according to the filers. 2 recall campaigns on record are filed under a similar system.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“Takata recall. My srs light has been on my dashboard since I got my car no one seems to know why they said I have air bags. So I did some reasurch and my passenger and drivers airbags are recalled and there is also a recall on my lo beams on my headlights. No incident has occurred but I would like to get the recall fixed on my car.”
NHTSA complaint #11016164, filed 2017-08, 216,000 miles“I was on my way home from work and I had a horrible car accident I hit a 80,000 lb steel truck my air bags deployed so hard it broke my sternum come up hit my chin busting it open and chipping my front tooth. It also broke my shoulder in 3 places from the seat belt and air bag together. I have bad injuries from the accident and cannot work for a year or more.”
NHTSA complaint #10705549, filed 2015-04, 80,000 miles“I have now read more than one article regarding 2002 Honda Civic recalls for faulty headlight wiring causing headlight failure. Both of my headlights failed, causing very dangerous driving conditions, in the dark, on the freeway, on city streets, that I was unaware of! Now Honda tells me that my VIN number is not included in this recall!! The consumer stated the issue has been resolved and requested to withdraw the complaint.”
NHTSA complaint #11076673, filed 2018-03, 115,000 miles“While driving at night both low beams went out. Three days later received a letter from Honda concerning recall due to light failure. Took it to Honda and they said that the cause of my failure was not recall related. I find it very odd that I would lose both my headlights at the same time a recall is being issued and they are saying it is unrelated.”
NHTSA complaint #10479432, filed 2012-10, 150,000 miles“I took my Honda Civic 2002 into condon auto in sioux city, iowa, for a light switch recall. The recall was completed. I drove the car home. Tried to start the car again and no starter. $350 later they replaced wires to the starter and the car runs again. It is possible this was a coincidence but beware having recalls done at this location.”
NHTSA complaint #10483354, filed 2012-11, 150,000 milesRelated recalls
- 12V136000Mar 30, 2012Honda is recalling certain model year 2002 through 2004 cr-v; model year 2003 through 2005 pilot; and model year 2002 and 2003 civic vehicles. In march 2012…Covers: Honda Civic 2002–2003, CR-V 2002–2004, Pilot 2003–2005
- 04V086000Feb 24, 2004On certain passenger vehicles, the low-beam terminal on the head light wire harness can overheat and could cause the low beams to fail without warning.Covers: Honda Civic 2001–2002, Insight 2000–2002
Related 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
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 1 | 3% |
| 2024 | 1 | 1% |
| 2023 | 4 | 2% |
| 2022 | 2 | 0% |
| 2021 | 2 | 1% |
| 2020 | 2 | 1% |
| 2019 | 1 | 0% |
| 2018 | 3 | 0% |
| 2017 | 4 | 1% |
| 2016 | 30 | 3% |
| 2015 | 1 | 0% |
| 2014 | 7 | 2% |
| 2013 | 5 | 2% |
| 2012 | 10 | 2% |
| 2011 | 3 | 2% |
| 2010 | 5 | 1% |
| 2009 | 10 | 3% |
| 2008 | 6 | 1% |
| 2007 | 14 | 1% |
| 2006 | 23 | 2% |
| 2005 | 6 | 2% |
| 2004 | 12 | 3% |
| 2003 | 23 | 5% |
| 2002 | 53 | 8% |
| 2001 | 62 | 6% |
| 2000 | 9 | 3% |
| 1999 | 2 | 1% |
| 1998 | 5 | 1% |
| 1997 | 6 | 2% |
| 1996 | 13 | 4% |
| 1995 | 2 | 1% |
| 1994 | 1 | 1% |
| 1991 | 7 | 6% |
| 1990 | 4 | 4% |
| 1989 | 1 | 1% |
| 1986 | 4 | 11% |
Other parts of the 2002 Honda Civic
241 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
185 complaintsSeat belts
51 complaintsElectrical system
49 complaintsSuspension
35 complaintsEngine cooling
31 complaintsOther or unknown
26 complaintsVehicle speed control
25 complaintsBrakes
24 complaintsSteering
23 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
21 complaintsBody and structure
20 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2002 Honda Civic
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