2003 Honda Civic Body and structure Problems
- Complaints
- 26about this part
- Share
- 5%of 499 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 123,000miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 26 complaints about the body and structure of the 2003 Honda Civic, 5% of the 499 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 123,000 miles. 5 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.
“I noticed a few weeks ago that the hood had started to bounce somewhat while car was in operation, upon investigating I found the support that the hood latch assembly is attached ( bulkhead / cross member) had a hairline crack appearing. Within a matter of a few weeks the entire latch assembly had broken loose. …”
NHTSA complaint #10822017, filed 2016-01, 158,000 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“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“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“My blue 2003 Honda Civic lx's clear coat is fading. There is white blotches on 50 percent of my roof, 20 percent of my trunk and is spreading to my hood. An independent paint shop said to make it look like a factory paint job it would cost around $3,000. I then took it to the dealership and the service manager set up a meeting with a representative for me. The rep looked at my car and told me that her rule is to look for factory defects only. She said that the coat is fading because of weather and has faded faster because the dark blue absorbs heat. …”
NHTSA complaint #10268606, filed 2009-05, 120,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10014140Jul 16, 2004Bumper paint defects.
- 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 2003 Honda Civic
140 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
101 complaintsElectrical system
51 complaintsEngine cooling
37 complaintsBrakes
34 complaintsVehicle speed control
34 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 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