2003 Honda Civic Engine Problems
- Complaints
- 8about this part
- Share
- 2%of 499 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 175,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 8 complaints about the engine of the 2003 Honda Civic, 2% of the 499 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 175,000 miles. 3 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.
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.
“My Honda Civic suddenly went dead with no indication of failure. The transmission went dead and the repair shop said that it was a incorrect gearbox ratio. It is a known problem with transmission failure and I feel that I shouldn't have to pay for something that is a known problem.”
NHTSA complaint #10662677, filed 2014-12, 117,650 miles“My vehicle has been going hot since november 2013. I have replaced the water pump, radiator, fan switches, head gasket, valve gasket seal/cover, engine. When I'm sitting idle in traffic for a while it will run hot or at least appear to run hot because the temperature gauge will go all the way to hot. I have read a few blogs and spoken to a Honda specialist and he confirmed what I read about civics ranging from 2001 to 2004 are notorious for running hot. …”
NHTSA complaint #10637215, filed 2014-09, 238,000 miles“I was driving south bound on the 215 shortly before the exit, mills, there was a cone laying on its side in the middle of the road that I was not able to see from a distance because the color of the cone was facing forward . By the time I was able to realize what it was, I could not avoid it and go to another lane because I was in the middle of two cars, which probably would have caused much more damage then there is if I attempted to do so. …”
NHTSA complaint #10542548, filed 2013-09, 141,072 miles“I rear ended a vehicle that came to a sudden complete stop, I was going approximately 30 MPH, (the roadway was 45 but I had started to slow as I slammed on my brakes). The collision was full frontal impact and my airbags did not deploy. I hit my head on the steering wheel despite having a seat belt on. I am having a mechanic investigate why my airbags did not deploy, but it concerns me as I was injured in the crash. I went to the emergency room and I have whip lash, muscle spasms and muscle tension in my neck and back. …”
NHTSA complaint #10585157, filed 2014-04, 167,000 miles“On halloween night 10/31/2015, after getting home from taking kids trick-or-treating I was leaving to go to store. While I was backing out of the drive-way I realized I forgot my wallet inside. So I opened the door & went to step out, then noticed I was sticking out in the street a little bit. So I left my left leg out & door open because I was only going to pull forward a couple feet. When I put the car in drive & barely pushed the gas pedal, the gas pedal forced itself to the floor & the car accelerated very quickly. I had no control of the car & tried everything I could to stop it! …”
NHTSA complaint #10862742, filed 2016-05, 175,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10099948Dec 4, 2015"service news article - troubleshooting a vehicle for any or all of these symptoms? the engine cranks, but wont start. the mil comes on. the immobilizer system indicator…
- 10098946Sep 16, 2015"service bulletin - the mil comes on with one of these dtcs: p2646/p2651 (rocker arm oil pressure switch circuit low voltage). p2647/p2652 (rocker arm oil pressure switch…
Engine: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 5 | 16% |
| 2025 | 5 | 7% |
| 2024 | 3 | 2% |
| 2023 | 8 | 3% |
| 2022 | 11 | 1% |
| 2021 | 5 | 3% |
| 2020 | 13 | 6% |
| 2019 | 32 | 7% |
| 2018 | 57 | 8% |
| 2017 | 66 | 11% |
| 2016 | 95 | 9% |
| 2015 | 31 | 8% |
| 2014 | 23 | 8% |
| 2013 | 22 | 7% |
| 2012 | 32 | 7% |
| 2011 | 7 | 4% |
| 2010 | 19 | 5% |
| 2009 | 27 | 7% |
| 2008 | 156 | 17% |
| 2007 | 170 | 14% |
| 2006 | 227 | 16% |
| 2005 | 14 | 4% |
| 2004 | 10 | 3% |
| 2003 | 8 | 2% |
| 2002 | 17 | 2% |
| 2001 | 19 | 2% |
| 2000 | 4 | 1% |
| 1999 | 14 | 4% |
| 1998 | 3 | 1% |
| 1997 | 3 | 1% |
| 1996 | 2 | 1% |
Other parts of the 2003 Honda Civic
140 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
101 complaintsElectrical system
51 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 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2003 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