2005 Honda Civic Exterior lighting Problems
- Complaints
- 6about this part
- Share
- 2%of 316 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 131,885miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 6 complaints about the exterior lighting of the 2005 Honda Civic, 2% of the 316 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 131,885 miles.
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.
“I first noticed the problem with the head lights dim from regular brightness to really low while driving. Then I noticed the lights inside the car doing the same dim while the engine is off. And today, on my dashboard I noticed the srs indicator light turned on red, and stays on red as I drive it. Everything is original on the vehicle, no after market. Vehicle has never been in an accident and no repairs have been made, minor or major.”
NHTSA complaint #10667835, filed 2014-12, 177,000 miles“Tag and rear running lights failed 11/28/2012. Rick case Honda dealer said the entire rear tail light harness was brittle due to age and required replacement at a cost of $ 228 labor and $186 for the parts. In my mind this main harness is poorly designed for the life time of the vehicle and should have connectors that allow repair for less cost to consumer since tail lights are safety issue and I observe a number of Honda civics on the highway with failed or failing tail lights. …”
NHTSA complaint #10490453, filed 2012-12, 131,885 miles“I purchased a 2005 Honda Civic new. The vehicle now belongs to my son. The vehicle was taken to the Honda dealer for maintenance since I purchased it. Approx. 6 months ago my son was stopped by the police on several occasions due to the license plate light and all of the tail lights being in-op. It was taken immediately to the dealer. They replaced the bulbs did a diagnostic check and the light still did not work. They could not figure it out. He took the vehicle to meineke for state inspection and of course it could not pass due to the lights. …”
NHTSA complaint #10324181, filed 2010-04“The contact owns a 2005 Honda Civic ex. The contact stated that the low beam headlights would not illuminate. The vehicle was inspected by the dealer and they advised that they were unable to diagnose the failure. The manufacturer was contacted and they offered no assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 7,000.”
NHTSA complaint #10407077, filed 2011-06, 7,000 miles“New vehicles turn signals are red in color and seem to have become more difficult to determine the drivers intentions during inclement weather situations. What ever allowed this change from the amber/yellow color of the turn signal to the current red color on newer model vehicles is a wrong decision, in my opinion, on the part of a drivers saftey while operating a motor vehicle.”
NHTSA complaint #10112794, filed 2005-03Exterior lighting: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 1 | 3% |
| 2024 | 1 | 1% |
| 2023 | 4 | 2% |
| 2022 | 2 | 0% |
| 2021 | 2 | 1% |
| 2020 | 2 | 1% |
| 2019 | 1 | 0% |
| 2018 | 3 | 0% |
| 2017 | 4 | 1% |
| 2016 | 30 | 3% |
| 2015 | 1 | 0% |
| 2014 | 7 | 2% |
| 2013 | 5 | 2% |
| 2012 | 10 | 2% |
| 2011 | 3 | 2% |
| 2010 | 5 | 1% |
| 2009 | 10 | 3% |
| 2008 | 6 | 1% |
| 2007 | 14 | 1% |
| 2006 | 23 | 2% |
| 2005 | 6 | 2% |
| 2004 | 12 | 3% |
| 2003 | 23 | 5% |
| 2002 | 53 | 8% |
| 2001 | 62 | 6% |
| 2000 | 9 | 3% |
| 1999 | 2 | 1% |
| 1998 | 5 | 1% |
| 1997 | 6 | 2% |
| 1996 | 13 | 4% |
| 1995 | 2 | 1% |
| 1994 | 1 | 1% |
| 1991 | 7 | 6% |
| 1990 | 4 | 4% |
| 1989 | 1 | 1% |
| 1986 | 4 | 11% |
Other parts of the 2005 Honda Civic
129 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
36 complaintsElectrical system
26 complaintsBody and structure
25 complaintsVehicle speed control
25 complaintsSeat belts
21 complaintsEngine cooling
19 complaintsBrakes
16 complaintsEngine
14 complaintsFuel system
12 complaintsOther or unknown
12 complaintsSuspension
8 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2005 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