2003 Honda Civic Electrical system Problems
- Complaints
- 51about this part
- Share
- 10%of 499 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 101,222miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 51 complaints about the electrical system of the 2003 Honda Civic, 10% of the 499 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 101,222 miles. 5 of these say a crash was involved and 2 a fire, according to the filers. 1 recall campaign on record is filed under a similar system.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“Took car in for airbag failure recall and was told the srs unit in the airbag system had an internal failure. However, this was not covered under any type of warranty or recall. This is an integral part of a safety system that should not fail under normal wear an tear. The part was on back order and required a deposit of $800 to order. We left the dealership not knowing if our airbags would work or not.”
NHTSA complaint #10761671, filed 2015-09, 141,000 miles“My windows sporadically get stuck open, very difficult driving when the elements of the weather or not good. I've had to drive with the rain driving through my window. Trying to hold a plastic bag in place so I did not get wet.”
NHTSA complaint #11094080, filed 2018-05, 35,000 miles“The door will not lock using the key. The key either gets jammed in the door or wont go in. When it does go in, it wont come back out. Frustrated because I cant lock/unlock my car without a break-in kit.”
NHTSA complaint #10701641, filed 2015-03, 150,000 miles“Window switch meltdown happens in earlier Honda civics. I recently read that Honda was recalling cars for a window master switch that melted when it got moisture in it like when it rains with the window down. This problem has persisted for years. My 2003 Civic melted and could have caused a fire three years ago after a little moisture. Where was the recall back then if we were really concerned about this problem?”
NHTSA complaint #10310971, filed 2010-02, 60,000 miles“Takata recall: there have been numerous times where I have either called or went to a Honda dealership to have the airbag inflators on both the driver and passenger side, fixed to avoid harm to myself or others. In almost three years, I have not once heard back about the dealership receiving parts to fix the issue. I have never received notice, nor was I told about the recall with the wiring harness terminal for the low beam headlights. Honda needs to fix this issue because it is a huge safety hazard that can get people killed or seriously injured.”
NHTSA complaint #11053360, filed 2017-12, 176,000 milesRelated recalls
- 10V364000Aug 5, 2010Honda is recalling certain model year 2003 honda accord, civic two and four door, and model year 2003-2004 honda element vehicles. The interlock lever of the…Covers: Honda Civic 2003, Element 2003–2004, Accord 2003
Related service bulletins
- 10107355Jul 10, 2015"background american honda is extending the warranty coverage on the ima battery module for some 200308 civic hybrids an additional 12 months or 12,000 miles, whichever comes…
- 10040484Jan 18, 2014Honda: there are new battery software and hardware updates. *rm updated 3/06/12. *pe updated 02/26/2014
- 10024565Aug 20, 2012Honda service campaign: see document search button for owner letter. Warranty extension: opds unit or opds sensor triggers srs. Csc was received. *nj updated 9/12/12.
- 10040487Apr 24, 2012Honda: hybrid vehicle battery exchange information. *rm updated 5/2/12
- 10037384Aug 4, 2010Honda: the ignition lock becomes worn and allows the key to be removed in positions other than park. This could cause the vehicle to roll if it's not in park.
- 10026884Aug 6, 2008Honda: hybrid batteries can be affected and damaged by excessively high temperatures.
- 10032953May 9, 2008Honda: warranty extension-vehicle warranty mileage. Class action lawsuit alleging that the odometers on certain 2002-2006 honda models were overstating mileage. Federal court…
- 10018869Dec 16, 2005P1790, p1792 or p1793 or malfunction indicator lamp on, no diagnostic trouble code.
- 10018472Sep 1, 2005Mil on with dtc p0128.
- 10017632Aug 13, 2005Product update: ecm update to prevent catalyst dtc p0420 and/or vps dtc p1021, mcm update to current specifications.
Electrical system: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 5 | 16% |
| 2025 | 6 | 8% |
| 2024 | 8 | 6% |
| 2023 | 17 | 7% |
| 2022 | 38 | 4% |
| 2021 | 18 | 12% |
| 2020 | 37 | 16% |
| 2019 | 37 | 8% |
| 2018 | 61 | 8% |
| 2017 | 103 | 17% |
| 2016 | 119 | 11% |
| 2015 | 28 | 7% |
| 2014 | 39 | 13% |
| 2013 | 39 | 12% |
| 2012 | 60 | 13% |
| 2011 | 16 | 9% |
| 2010 | 23 | 6% |
| 2009 | 36 | 9% |
| 2008 | 51 | 6% |
| 2007 | 67 | 6% |
| 2006 | 100 | 7% |
| 2005 | 26 | 8% |
| 2004 | 32 | 9% |
| 2003 | 51 | 10% |
| 2002 | 49 | 7% |
| 2001 | 59 | 5% |
| 2000 | 38 | 13% |
| 1999 | 118 | 35% |
| 1998 | 88 | 20% |
| 1997 | 30 | 8% |
| 1996 | 17 | 6% |
| 1995 | 12 | 6% |
| 1994 | 2 | 1% |
| 1993 | 25 | 17% |
| 1992 | 28 | 29% |
| 1991 | 22 | 20% |
| 1990 | 18 | 20% |
| 1989 | 11 | 16% |
| 1988 | 7 | 15% |
| 1986 | 4 | 11% |
Other parts of the 2003 Honda Civic
140 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
101 complaintsEngine cooling
37 complaintsBrakes
34 complaintsVehicle speed control
34 complaintsBody and structure
26 complaintsExterior lighting
23 complaintsOther or unknown
21 complaintsFuel system
20 complaintsSeat belts
20 complaintsTires
17 complaintsSteering
15 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2003 Honda Civic
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 29, 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