2002 Honda Civic Body and structure Problems
- Complaints
- 20about this part
- Share
- 3%of 702 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 108,000miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 20 complaints about the body and structure of the 2002 Honda Civic, 3% of the 702 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 108,000 miles. 6 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.
“#1) overheats/boils reservoir lost 3 caps #2)water pump failure #3)trunk latch doesn't work all time #4)cruise control never worked #5) window washer motor fried #6) can't run AC sometimes heater causes to overheat it will idle for hours but once its driven down hwy it starts to over heat. #7) transmission failure while driving in to library to get my son it was like it went into neutral while I was driving no speed all rpms. …”
NHTSA complaint #11110140, filed 2018-07, 176,000 miles“Paint from car is peeling. At the beginning was small parts and I was told it is because of environment..... Now the entire car is peeling. I know there has been same issues with other Honda cars, but my Civic 2002 has no recall. I will need to pay to cover this expense. Money I cannot afford and it is not our fault.”
NHTSA complaint #10605033, filed 2014-06, 110,000 miles“My 2002 paint is starting to come off the hood and top of car. Started a little spot here and there and is quickly taking off if larger spots. I have see the exact same complain on same car on this site. I would like hood and top of car repaired for no expense from Honda and would like information on this.”
NHTSA complaint #10652879, filed 2014-11, 151,000 miles“2002 Honda Civic ex 4 door the indoor door handles are peeling very sharp metal that cuts your hand when you try to open the door. I have cut my hand several times. Once almost needing stitches. Honda informed me that there were recalls for other models for this problem, but not this year/make/model. This is surely a safety defect, though not life threatening.”
NHTSA complaint #10332258, filed 2010-05, 98,000 miles“I was driving on highway 101 in california in moderate traffic when there was an unexpected slowdown. I braked in time, but the vehicle behind me did not. I was rear-ended and my car was totaled. I was not injured. However, the person in the passenger seat, who was wearing her seat belt, was thrown forward. She struck her head on the dashboard (possibly the grill) and incurred a serious eye injury that required surgery to repair. I am reporting this because although the lap portion of the seat belt restrained her, apparently the shoulder portion did not. …”
NHTSA complaint #11300507, filed 2020-01, 186,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10014248Feb 16, 2004Water leak at doors and/or floor.
Body and structure: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 4 | 5% |
| 2024 | 2 | 2% |
| 2023 | 4 | 2% |
| 2022 | 13 | 1% |
| 2020 | 6 | 3% |
| 2019 | 13 | 3% |
| 2018 | 22 | 3% |
| 2017 | 37 | 6% |
| 2016 | 48 | 4% |
| 2015 | 17 | 4% |
| 2014 | 7 | 2% |
| 2013 | 23 | 7% |
| 2012 | 35 | 8% |
| 2011 | 10 | 6% |
| 2010 | 43 | 11% |
| 2009 | 45 | 11% |
| 2008 | 85 | 9% |
| 2007 | 70 | 6% |
| 2006 | 78 | 6% |
| 2005 | 25 | 8% |
| 2004 | 17 | 5% |
| 2003 | 26 | 5% |
| 2002 | 20 | 3% |
| 2001 | 29 | 3% |
| 2000 | 9 | 3% |
| 1999 | 16 | 5% |
| 1998 | 26 | 6% |
| 1997 | 18 | 5% |
| 1996 | 19 | 6% |
| 1995 | 12 | 6% |
| 1994 | 5 | 4% |
| 1993 | 7 | 5% |
| 1992 | 4 | 4% |
| 1991 | 13 | 12% |
| 1990 | 5 | 5% |
| 1989 | 2 | 3% |
| 1988 | 2 | 4% |
| 1987 | 1 | 3% |
| 1986 | 5 | 14% |
| 1984 | 2 | 40% |
Other parts of the 2002 Honda Civic
241 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
185 complaintsExterior lighting
53 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 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2002 Honda Civic
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 28, 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