2003 Honda Civic Fuel system Problems
- Complaints
- 20about this part
- Share
- 4%of 499 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 82,262miles
- 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 fuel system of the 2003 Honda Civic, 4% of the 499 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 82,262 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved, 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.
“The fuel pump module plastic top developed small stress cracks on it and sprayed fuel onto the exhaust pipe causing a potential fire hazard. I drove this defect for about two months and did not know where the fuel odor was coming from until the leak got worse and leaked onto the ground from the top of the fuel tank. The dealer refused to submit my repair claim for warranty or safety repair consideration nor forward this safety defect investigation request to the factory. I replaced the entire fuel punp module at my expense to remedy the large fuel leak.”
NHTSA complaint #11404940, filed 2021-03, 100,021 miles“I have had horrible health issues the passed years. It came down to long term chemical exposure. My Honda Civic 2003 was leaking gas fumes from the fuel pump under the backseat. I took it to dealership and they confirmed the fuel pump leak. It was cracked on top of the fuel pump, its exactly the same recall issue of the 2011 fuel pump from the Honda Civic 2011. I have high levels of gas on a blood test of ethylbenzene and m,p, xylene, - gasoline chemicals. …”
NHTSA complaint #10456718, filed 2012-04, 160,000 miles“Our 2003 Honda Civic's gas tank cable that locks the filler snapped making it unable to unlock or re-fuel the vehicle. Happened as we were on highway and needed gas and went to gas station, unable to put any gasoline in the vehicle and we were running out of fuel. Went to open road Honda who had to order cable and install it. Waited 5 hrs for them to get the part as it was not in their stockroom. They installed new cable and we were then able to re-fuel.”
NHTSA complaint #10379434, filed 2011-01, 63,700 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“I purchased a Honda Civic hybrid thinking I was going to get good gas milage since I drive 38 miles one way to work. When I was only getting about 35 -26 MPH I contacted the dealer and was told this is a new car and the mileage will improve. So after 35000 miles and many trips to the dealer I still only get 36 mphand they can not explain why, I would like to know how they can say that this car was to get 48 mpgh. …”
NHTSA complaint #10082858, filed 2004-07, 500 milesRelated recalls
- 07V512000Nov 1, 2007On certain compressed natural gas (cng) vehicles, in the event of a severe interior fire in the area of the rear seat, the cng tank may be heated unevenly…Covers: Honda Civic 1998–2007
Related service bulletins
- 10108021Feb 10, 2017"service bulletin - for vehicles with sci compressed natural gas (cng) fuel tanks, honda is no longer replacing the fuel tank and solenoid valve altogether. If you replace the…
- 10086881Oct 4, 2016Service bulletin - the fuel gauge does not work and the low fuel indicator blinks with fuel in the tank. The pcm may need to be replaced.
- 10108038Jun 24, 2015"service bulletin - for vehicles with sci compressed natural gas (cng) fuel tanks, honda is no longer replacing the fuel tank and solenoid valve altogether. If you replace the…
- 10108113Jun 16, 2015"dealer message - this is to inform you that honda service bulletin 06-015, natural gas fuel tank and fuel line inspection, has been revised to include instructions for ordering…
- 10108204Jun 2, 2015"dealer message - this is to inform you that honda service bulletin 06-015, natural gas fuel tank and fuel line inspection, has been revised to include instructions for ordering…
- 10108481May 7, 2015"service bulletin - the fuel tank in all honda natural gas vehicles must be inspected for deterioration or damage every 3 years or 36,000 miles, whichever comes first. This is a…
- 10058371Mar 31, 2015Fuel gauge out of order; low fuel indicator flashes while the tank has fuel
- 10128547Jul 24, 2014Dealer message - American Honda (AHM)is investigating certain 2001-2005 Civics with fuel pump issues that require the fuel pump to be replaced. To fully understand the cause of…
- 10128857Jul 7, 2014Dealer message - American Honda (AHM)is investigating certain 2001-2005 Civics with fuel pump issues that require the fuel pump to be replaced. To fully understand the cause of…
- 10129278Jun 12, 2014Dealer message - American Honda (AHM) is investigating certain 2001-2005 Civics with fuel pump issues that require the fuel pump to be replaced. To fully understand the cause of…
Fuel system: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 2 | 6% |
| 2025 | 14 | 18% |
| 2023 | 2 | 1% |
| 2022 | 10 | 1% |
| 2021 | 4 | 3% |
| 2020 | 31 | 13% |
| 2019 | 135 | 30% |
| 2018 | 174 | 23% |
| 2017 | 34 | 6% |
| 2016 | 30 | 3% |
| 2015 | 11 | 3% |
| 2014 | 13 | 4% |
| 2013 | 17 | 5% |
| 2012 | 25 | 5% |
| 2011 | 7 | 4% |
| 2010 | 4 | 1% |
| 2009 | 12 | 3% |
| 2008 | 14 | 2% |
| 2007 | 19 | 2% |
| 2006 | 19 | 1% |
| 2005 | 12 | 4% |
| 2004 | 18 | 5% |
| 2003 | 20 | 4% |
| 2002 | 10 | 1% |
| 2001 | 51 | 5% |
| 2000 | 6 | 2% |
| 1999 | 5 | 1% |
| 1998 | 11 | 3% |
| 1997 | 4 | 1% |
| 1996 | 2 | 1% |
| 1995 | 3 | 2% |
| 1993 | 4 | 3% |
| 1992 | 1 | 1% |
| 1991 | 7 | 6% |
| 1990 | 3 | 3% |
| 1989 | 7 | 10% |
| 1988 | 7 | 15% |
| 1987 | 2 | 5% |
| 1986 | 3 | 9% |
| 1985 | 2 | 13% |
| 1984 | 2 | 40% |
| 1983 | 7 | 78% |
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 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 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