Owner reports filed with NHTSA about this vehicle, newest first and reproduced as filed. They are unverified accounts: one proves nothing, and a pattern across many is the thing worth reading. Back to the full 2002 record →
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 HONDA CIVIC. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH IN INCLEMENT WEATHER, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT HAD TO PUSH THE VEHICLE TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD WHERE IT WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL MECHANIC. THE MECHANIC ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE TRANSMISSION WOULD NEED REPLACING. THE MECHANIC REPLACED THE TRANSMISSION. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
I WAS HEADED HOME FROM ATLANTA ON I85 WHEN MY TRANSMISSION STARTED ACTING UP. I WAS ABLE TO GET HOME BUT IT COULD HAVE BEEN REALLY BAD IF IT HAD COMPLETELY STOPPED WORKING. INTERSTATE 85 IS A VERY BUSY INTERSTATE. AS I GOT CLOSER TO HOME THE TRANSMISSION WOULD NOT ENGAGE AND THE ENGINE WOULD JUST REV. I JUST BOUGHT THIS CAR A WEEK AGO. IT ONLY HAS 123,900 MILES ON IT. I ALSO HAD A 2001 CIVIC THAT I HAD TO REBUILD THE TRANSMISSION IN AS WELL. I SHOULD HAVE LEARNED MY LESSON WITH HONDA THEN!! *TR
SHORTLY AFTER PURCHASING, VEHICLE STARTING ACCELERATING AND DRIVING SLUGGISH. VEHICLE A/T FLUIDS SERVICED BEFORE RECOMMENDED AND STILL HAVING POOR ACCELERATION/SHIFTING, WHINING/TICKING NOISE FROM A/T. REPLACED PARTS AS INDICATED BY MIL CODES JUST TO HAVE SAME CODES APPEAR AFTER REPAIRS. FINALLY RESEARCHED PROBLEMS AND MIL CODES ON THE INTERNET TO FIND THAT 2002 CIVICS ARE NOTORIOUS FOR THROWING A/T CODES AND SHIFTING PROBLEMS. THIS VEHICLE IS BEING DRIVEN BY MY TEENAGE DAUGHTER AND WAS PURCHASED BECAUSE IT WAS SUPPOSED TO BE A SAFE, RELIABLE VEHICLE. I HAVE NO CHOICE BUT TO LET MY DAUGHTER DRIVE THIS CAR UNTIL WE CAN FIX THE PROBLEM, AND PRAY IT DOES NOT LEAVE HER STRANDED IN THE MIDDLE OF A BUSY HIGHWAY WITHOUT WARNING! I SPENT THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS PURCHASING THIS VEHICLE USED, AND IT WILL NOW TAKE A FEW THOUSAND MORE (THAT I DON'T HAVE!) TO REPLACE THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION. HONDA MOTOR CORP. IS AWARE OF THE TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS WITH THIS GEN. CIVIC AND WON'T RECALL, WHAT A SIN! SHAME ON HONDA! THEY JUST LOST A LOYAL CUSTOMER OF 30 YEARS AND I WILL BE SURE TO SPREAD THE WORD TO FAMILY AND FRIENDS ON HOW DANGEROUS THIS PROBLEM IS, NOT TO MENTION HOW COSTLY. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2002 HONDA CIVIC. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 25 MPH WHEN THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE AND THE DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED INJURIES TO THE MOUTH, HANDS, FEET AND CHEST AS A RESULT OF THE CRASH. THE POLICE WERE NOTIFIED AND A POLICE REPORT WAS AVAILABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE CONTACT STATED A RECALL NOTICE WAS RECEIVED AFTER THE CRASH UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 11V260000 (AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE INFLATOR MODULE). THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 100,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 HONDA CIVIC EX. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 45 MPH WHEN THE VEHICLE LOST CONTROL WHILE DRIVING OVER ICE AND CRASHED INTO SOME ROCKS. THE AIRBAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE CONTACT WAS NO INJURED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 161,850. AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 161,866.
S10 DIRECT REPLY LETTER FROM REQUESTING ASSISTANCE IN GETTING REIMBURSE FOR THE INSTALLATION OF A NEW SWITCH FOR A DEFECTIVE DRIVER SIDE WINDOW SWITCH ON A 2002 HONDA CIVIC. *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED THE WINDOW SWITCH WOULD GET HOT AND THEN STOP WORKING. *JB
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 HONDA CIVIC. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 45 MPH WHEN THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC WHERE THE MECHANIC ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE MOTOR FOR THE WIPERS NEEDED TO REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 75,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 HONDA CIVIC. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS WERE INOPERABLE. ALSO, THE WIRING HARNESS BEHIND THE BULB AND THE STEERING COLUMN WAS MELTED. THE DEALER ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT HIS VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 04V086000 ( EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS) AND OFFERED NO FURTHER ASSISTANCE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS AWARE OF THE FAILURE BUT FAILED TO OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE. NO REPAIRS WERE PERFORMED. THE CURRENT AND THE FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 163,000.
BOTH LOW BEAMS FAILED AT THE SAME TIME. HIGH BEAMS UNAFFECTED. INSPECTED COMBINATION SWITCH AND CONNECTOR, SWITCH IS FAILING AND LOW BEAM WIRE AND CONNECTOR IS DISCOLORED INDICATING OVERHEATING. IT IS OBVIOUS THAT NHTSA RECALL 04V086000 / HONDA SERVICE BULLETIN 04-015 APPLIES TO THIS VEHICLE EVEN THOUGH THE HONDA SERVICE BULLETIN AND DEALER CLAIMS IT IS OUT OF RANGE... UPDATED 02/06/12*BF . *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 HONDA CIVIC. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FUEL PUMP ASSEMBLY WAS LEAKING FUEL AND THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED THAT THE FAILURE COULD POSSIBLY RESULT IN A FIRE. NEITHER THE DEALER NOR THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE, NOR WAS THE VEHICLE DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 160,000 AND THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 159,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 HONDA CIVIC. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS WERE ACTIVATED BUT BOTH HEADLIGHTS FAILED TO ILLUMINATE. THE CONTACT ACTIVATED THE HIGH BEAM HEADLIGHTS IN ORDER TO RESUME DRIVING WITH ILLUMINATION OF THE ROADWAY. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 04V086000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS) BUT THE CONTACT'S VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE MALFUNCTION. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNAVAILABLE.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 HONDA CIVIC. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 40 MPH WHEN THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO THE REAR OF ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY AND THE ALTHOUGH THE PASSENGER WAS RESTRAINED IN A SEAT BELT, THE PASSENGER STRUCK THE DASHBOARD ABRUPTLY AND SUFFERED INJURIES TO THE CHEST. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER AND THE MANUFACTURER ADVISED THE CONTACT TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR INVESTIGATION. THE CONTACT DID NOT TAKE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 180,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 HONDA CIVIC. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH WHEN THE TRANSMISSION BEGAN TO SLIP GEARS UNINTENDEDLY WITH HESITATION. IN ADDITION, THE ENGINE EXHIBITED AN ABNORMAL INCREASE IN RPMS TO 5,000. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE TORQUE CONVERTER WAS COMPLETELY DAMAGED. THE CONTACT PLANNED TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO AN AUTO CENTER WHO SPECIALIZES IN TRANSMISSIONS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 109,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 HONDA CIVIC. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN DRIVING AT ANY SPEED, THE TRANSMISSION WOULD DISENGAGE WITHOUT WARNING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE BUT DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC WHO INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS EXHIBITING NO PRESSURE TO THE TRANSMISSION AND ADVISED HIM TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 171,113 AND THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 130,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 HONDA CIVIC. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE IN IDLE MODE, SHE WOULD HEAR A LOUD NOISE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER AND THEY INFORMED HER THAT THE INTAKE SHAFT BEARING FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 103,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. UPDATED 12/20/11*LJ
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION STARTED SLIPPING BETWEEN 2 & 3 GEAR YOU HAVE TO LIFT OFF OF THE THROTTLE TO LOWER THE RPM'S SO THE TRANS WILL SHIFT INTO 3RD GEAR, ALL THE OTHER SHIFT POINTS ARE FINE. I BELIEVE THERE IS A DEFECT IN THIS TRANSMISSION ARE MANY COMPLAINTS ON ONLINE FORUM'S ABOUT THESE TRANSMISSIONS. 2001 TO 2005 CIVIC'S. *TR
I HAVE A 2002 HONDA CIVIC - LX 2-DR COUPE. APPROX. 166606 MILES. FOR THE LAST 2 WEEKS A SRS STAYS LIT IN RED. PERIODICALLY, THE LIGHT WOULD COME ON IF I HAD A HEAVY POCKETBOOK IN THE PASSENGER SEAT. I CONTACTED THE DEALERSHIP VIA THEIR ONLINE INQUIRY AND VOICEMAIL. NO ONE RESPONDS OR RETURNS MY CALLS TO THE SERVICE MANAGER. MY QUESTION TO JOYCE HONDA SVC. MGR. WAS DO I NEED TO MAKE AN APPOINTMENT AS I UNDERSTAND FROM THE MANUAL THIS IS A LIFETIME WARRANTY OF THE SAME OWNER VEHICLE. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 HONDA CIVIC. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 60 MPH WHEN THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE A DIAGNOSTIC WAS PERFORMED BUT THE RESULTS WERE UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 96,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 HONDA CIVIC SI. THE CONTACT WAS TRAVELING 45 MPH WHEN A BURNING ODOR EMITTED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT LATER NOTICED WIRES FROM THE STEERING COLUMN WERE MELTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER BUT THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND THEY ADVISED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 04V086000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING: HEADLIGHTS). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 140,000.
I OWN A 2002 HONDA CIVIC LX WHICH IS NOTORIOUS FOR TRANSMISSION FAILURES. I BECAME PRO ACTIVE ABOUT IT WHEN THE AUTOMATIC SHIFTING STARTED TO SLIP. I HAD IT LOOKED AT AND TESTED SEVERAL TIMES, INCLUDING AN ENTIRE DAY WITH THE HONDA DEALERSHIP THAT I PURCHASED IT FROM. I EVEN SENT A LETTER IN 2009 TO AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO.THEY ALL INSISTED IT WAS FINE. ON JULY 8, 2011 WHILE DRIVING ON A NARROW MOUNTAIN ROAD IN THE ROCKIES, THE TRANSMISSION WENT. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED AND REPLACED AND REBUILT. I DO HAVE THE OLD PARTS. HONDA, WHEN CONTACTED BASICALLY SAID THEY WOULD DO NOTHING. THIS IS A LONG STANDING PROBLEM AND HONDA HAS KNOWN ABOUT IT FOR MANY YEARS. DOES NOT SIT WELL WITH ME NOR SHOULD IT FOR ANYONE ELSE THAT WOULD WANT A HONDA. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 HONDA CIVIC. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 30 MPH WHEN THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED ABNORMALLY AT A RAPID PACE. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO CONTROL THE VEHICLE AND SHIFTED INTO PARK IN ORDER TO STOP THE UNINTENDED ACCELERATION. THE VEHICLE DID NOT STOP UNTIL CRASHING INTO THE REAR OF ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE POLICE ARRIVED TO THE SCENE AND ADVISED THAT THE ACCELERATOR WAS STUCK. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TOWED TO A LOCAL DEALER WHERE THEY WERE UNABLE TO LOCATE OR DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS LATER INSPECTED BY A PERSONAL FRIEND WHO DISCOVERED AN ALUMINUM NAME PLATE FROM THE SPECTRE AIR FILTER (MODEL NUMBER: 888911) (NA) WAS LODGED BETWEEN THE HOUSING AND THE BUTTERFLY, CAUSING THE THROTTLE TO BECOME STUCK OPEN AND THE VEHICLE TO ACCELERATE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 96,000. THE NAME PLATE WAS GLUED ONTO THE AIR FILTER. SAFETY PROBLEM IS WITH THE AIR FILTER NOT THE CAR. UPDATED 11/16/2011 *LN *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 HONDA CIVIC. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 TO 40 MPH THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY SLOWED DOWN ON IT'S OWN. HE TRIED TO ACCELERATE, BUT THE SPEED WOULD NOT INCREASE. THE FOLLOWING DAY THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO A DEALER WHO ADVISED HIM THAT HE NEEDED A TRANSMISSION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 110,000. UPDATED 09/15/11 *BF UPDATED 09/26/11
2002 HONDA CIVIC LX THE CAR WILL SHUT DOWN WITH NO INDICATION THAT ANYTHING IS WRONG. THE ENGINE SHUTS DOWN, BUT ALL OTHER OPTIONS WORK-RADIO,A/C, LIGHTS, ETC. AFTER LETTING THE CAR SIT FOR 10-20 MINUTES THE CAR FIRES UP AS NOTHING IS WRONG AT ALL. THIS HAS HAPPENED 5 TIMES IN THE LAST 4 WEEKS (500 MILES OF DRIVING) 142,000 MILES ON CAR. I HAVE REPLACED COIL PACKS, RELAYS AND FUEL PUMP. I BELIEVE, AFTER RESEARCHING ONLINE, THAT THIS ISSUE IS RELATED TO THE IGNITION SWITCH JUST LIKE THE 1997-2000 HONDA RECALL ON 3.3 MILLION HONDA PRODUCTS IN MAY 2002. WE HAVE BEEN FORTUNATE ENOUGH TO SAFELY GET THE CAR TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AT 70 MPH (COASTING). I WILL BE REPLACING MY IGNITION SWITCH TO SOLVE THIS PROBLEM ASAP.. *TR
THE TRANSMISSION FAILED WHEN I WAS DRIVING ON A BUSY ROAD. I JUST BOUGHT THIS CAR ONE YEAR AGO, AND DO THE REGULAR MAINTENANCE. I DID THE TRANSMISSION FLUSH BEFORE 100,000 MILES. BUT WHEN IT REACHED JUST OVER 110,000 MILES, THE CAR JUST CAN'T BE MOVED. ON THE SECOND MORNING, THE CAR CAN BE SLOWLY DRIVEN, SO I SLIPPED IT TO A TRANSMISSION GARAGE. THEY TOLD ME IT WILL COST OVER $2000 TO FIX IT. I THOUGHT IT'S IMPOSSIBLE TO ME. THEN I DROVE IT BACK TO MY PARKING SPACE. I CALLED HONDA CUSTOMER SERVICE AND THEY REFUSED TO DO ANYTHING. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 HONDA CIVIC. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE SEAT BELT WOULD NOT REACH THE SEAT BELT BUCKLE WHILE RESTRAINING A CONVERTIBLE CHILD SEAT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTICS NOR REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 185,300.
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 HONDA CIVIC. THE CONTACT NOTICED THE SRS AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT HAD ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE TECHNICIANS STATED THE SRS AIR BAG CONTROL UNIT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 11V260000 (AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE INFLATOR MODULE) AND WAS REPAIRED. THE CONTACT HAD CONCERNS BECAUSE THE AIR BAGS WOULD NOT FUNCTION PROPERLY EVEN AFTER THE RECALL REPAIRS WERE PERFORMED SINCE THE SRS UNIT WAS DEFECTIVE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 34,000. UPDATED 07/20/11*LJ THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONSUMER, THAT THE SRS CONTROL UNIT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED.UPDATED 02/28/12
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 HONDA CIVIC EX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION WAS SMOKING. THE DEALERSHIP DIAGNOSED THE FAILURE AND TOLD THE CONTACT THAT HE NEEDED TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION; THE FAILURE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 190,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 200,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 HONDA CIVIC LX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN STARTING THE IGNITION, HE WAS UNABLE TO FULLY MANEUVER THE GEARS INTO ANY SELECTED GEAR. IN ADDITION, THE KEY WOULD SOMETIMES BECOME STUCK IN THE IGNITION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INSPECTED BY A DEALER NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND THEY ADVISED THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS ON THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 88,500.
I WAS DRIVING MY CAR ON THE FREEWAY UP A SLIGHT INCLINE. MY HONDA WAS USUALLY SLUGGISH GOING UPHILL AND WOULD REV TO ABOUT 3000 RPMS BEFORE SHIFTING INTO 4TH GEAR AT APPROX 55MPH. HOWEVER, ON THIS PARTICULAR OCCASION, I KEPT ACCELERATING THE CAR UP THE INCLINE, BUT AT 60MPH THE CAR'S RPMS WERE INCREASING TO THE RED LINE ZONE MEANING THE CAR WAS NOT SHIFTING. SINCE MY CAR HAD NEVER DONE THIS BEFORE, I WAS CONFUSED AND ALSO I WAS CONCERNED THE RPMS WOULD INCREASE TOO MUCH SO I ATTEMPTED TO APPLY THE BRAKES TO SLOW THE SPEED OF THE CAR. THE BRAKES FELT AS IF THEY HAD LOCKED UP, WOULD NOT PRESS DOWN, AND BARELY SLOWED THE CAR TO 55MPH. I TOOK MY FOOT OFF OF THE BRAKE PEDAL AND WITHOUT MY FOOT PRESSING DOWN ON THE ACCELERATOR OR THE BRAKE PEDAL, THE CAR QUICKLY ACCELERATED ON IT'S OWN TO 70MPH AND THE RPMS WERE RED LINING. I QUICKLY APPLIED THE BRAKES AGAIN, WHICH WERE DOING LITTLE TO SLOW MY CAR. THE BRAKES WERE COMPETING WITH THE ACCELERATION AND MYSELF AND MY TWO PASSENGERS COULD SMELL THE BRAKES BURNING. I CHECKED THAT THE FLOOR MAT WAS OUT OF THE WAY AND IT WAS. I CHECKED THAT CRUISE CONTROL WASN'T TURNED ON AND IT WASN'T. I APPLIED THE BRAKES AS HARD AS I COULD AND WAS ABLE TO DECELERATE THE CAR TO 40MPH WITH THE RPMS STILL RED LINING. THEN I SHIFTED THE CAR INTO NEUTRAL, AND ALTHOUGH THE CARS RPMS WERE OUT OF CONTROL, THE SHIFT INTO NEUTRAL DECELERATED THE CAR TO ABOUT 10 MPH. I PULLED THE E-BRAKE AND SHUT OFF THE ENGINE. AT THIS TIME THE BRAKES WERE VISIBLY SMOKING. I CONT
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 HONDA CIVIC. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SRS LAMP WAS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE CONTROL UNIT WAS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE BUT OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN ANY RECALLS. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 91,836. UPDATED 07/08/11 *BF UPDATED 3/1/12 *CN
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 HONDA CIVIC. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, THE HEADLIGHTS FAILED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT STATED THE FAILURE WAS A CONSTANT OCCURRENCE. THE CONTACT HAD TO ENGAGE THE HIGH BEAM LIGHTS WHENEVER OPERATING THE VEHICLE AT NIGHT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THEY WERE UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE MECHANIC INFORMED THE CONTACT THERE WAS A RECALL UNDER THE NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 04V086000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS) WHICH MIGHT HAVE CAUSED THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND ADVISED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 140,000. UPDATED 06/17/11 *BF UPDATED 07/11/11
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 HONDA CIVIC. THE CONTACT STATED THE SRS WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATING ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL FOR APPROXIMATELY FOUR DAYS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE BUT OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000.
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 HONDA CIVIC. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE INTO THE DEALER FOR ROUTINE MAINTENANCE AND WAS TOLD THAT THE AIR CLEANER ASSEMBLY COULD CAUSE PROBLEMS WITH THE THROTTLE BODY AND PREVENT THE VEHICLE FROM SLOWING DOWN. THE DEALER STATED NHTSA RECALL CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 01V329000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE), WHICH WAS RELATED TO THE FAILURE, BUT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN, BUT THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 135,000. UPDATED 06/03/11 *B UPDATED 07/08/11
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 HONDA CIVIC. THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE WOULD MOMENTARILY HESITATE BEFORE JERKING INTO GEAR WHEN DRIVING FORWARD OR IN REVERSE. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE FAILURE WOULD OCCUR WHEN ACCELERATING FROM A COMPLETE STOP. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED THAT THE TRANSMISSION WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 37,000.
MY DAUGHTER HAS 2002 HONDA CIVIC AND ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON WHILE DRIVING - IT THEN STARTED WITH GRINDING NOISE AND CAR WOULD THEN NOT GO OVER 15 MPH. SHE WAS ABLE TO GET CAR INTO PARKING LOT BEFORE IT DIED - I WAS ABLE TO START BACK UP BUT DID SAME THING TO ME. I THEN LOOKED UP KNOWN HONDA CIVIC PROBLEMS AND THERE WERE 160 COMPLAINTS HERE WITH SIMILAR PROBLEM WITH 2001 AND 2002 TRANSMISSION FAILURES WHILE DRIVING. IN MY ESTIMATION THIS IS A VERY SERIOUS PROBLEM WHICH CAN EASILY RESULT IN ACCIDENTS INJURY OR EVEN DEATH. IT DOES NOT JUST GRADUALLY HAPPEN BUT JUST APPEARS WITH MOST OF THE STORIES I HAVE READ ON-LINE. I FEEL HONDA SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE TO CORRECT THIS PROBLEM SINCE MOST PEOPLE LIKE MYSELF DO NOT HAVE $2400 TO $3600 LAYING AROUND TO FIX AND POSSIBLY HAPPEN AGAIN. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 HONDA CIVIC. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION WAS SLIPPING BETWEEN SECOND AND THIRD GEARS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INSPECTED OR REPAIRED FOR THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN ABD THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 200,000. UPDATED 06/16/11*LJ UPDATED 08/18/11
THE TRANSMISSION STARTED SLIPPING WHEN SHIFTING FROM 2ND TO 3RD AND 2 DAYS LATER IT FAILED ALTOGETHER IN TRAFFIC. I WAS ABLE TO PULL TO THE SIDE, BUT IT COULD HAVE BEEN MUCH WORSE IF I HAD BEEN UNABLE TO PULL OVER. *TR
CAR WOULD NOT ACCELERATE WHEN GAS PEDAL IS PRESSED AND WOULD BASICALLY "COAST" MAKING IT VERY SCARY WHEN YOU'RE ON THE FREEWAY ONRAMP WITH CARS BEHIND YOU. HAVE THANKFULLY NOT HAD AN ACCIDENT BUT OBVIOUSLY HAS THE POTENTIAL FOR ONE. WAS TOLD TRANSMISSION IS SLIPPING AND WOULD COST $1800 FOR A REBUILD. HAPPENS EVERYTIME I DRIVE. INTERNET SEARCH SHOWS OTHER SIMILAR COMPLAINTS AND IS COMMON TO THIS VEHICLE. *TR
IGNITION KEY SWITCH FAILS/ JAMS, CANNOT TURN KEY TO START POSTION. WEB SEARCH TURNS UP NUMEROUS RECALLS FROM HONDA ABOUT FAULTY IGNITION KEY SWITCHS. HONDA DEALER REFUSED TO FIX PROBLEM. MONEY FROM ME WAS THEIR ONLY SOLUTION
2002 HONDA CIVIC. CONSUMER STATES AIR BAG ON DRIVER'S SIDE DID NOT DEPLOY UPON IMPACT DURING A COLLISION *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED HER FATHER WAS THE DRIVER OF THE VEHICLE AND SUBSEQUENTLY DIED FROM HIS INJURIES. *JB
2002 HONDA CIVIC EX AUTOMATIC TRANS 88K MILES. TRANS STARTED MAKING NOISE, AFTER REVIEWING THIS SITE I REALIZED THAT IT WAS NOT SAFE FOR MY 18 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE READING HOW QUICKLY THE TRANS APPEAR TO GIVE WAY AND BREAK DOWN. I BROUGHT THE VEHICLE INTO A TRANSMISSION CENTER WHERE IT WAS TAKEN ON A TEST DRIVE (THE TRANSMISSION FAILED) TALK ABOUT GOOD TIMING AND A GOOD CALL... HONDA MUST RECALL FOR SAFETY REASON AND REPAY THOSE OF US HAVING TO FOOT THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS ON AN OBVIOUS FAULTY TRANSMISSION. *TR
I JUST TOOK OFF FOR WORK AND MY CAR WOULDN'T ACCELERATE AND MADE A TERRIBLE WHINING SOUND. IT WOULD NOT GO ABOVE 4. I TRY TO TAKE GOOD CARE OF MY CAR AND SINCE HONDAS SUPPOSEDLY LAST A LONG TIME I DID NOT THINK SOMETHING LIKE THIS WOULD HAPPEN AROUND 143,500 MILES. I COULD HAVE BEEN HIT SINCE I LIVE RIGHT ON A ROAD WHERE PEOPLE ARE CONSTANTLY SPEEDING BY, BUT WAS LUCKY IT WAS NOT A BUSY TIME OF DAY. I HAVE EVEN BROUGHT THE CAR INTO HONDA TO LOOK AT THE TRANSMISSION FOR SLIPPING. THEY SAID THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO ABOUT IT I JUST NEED TO WARM THE CAR UP BEFORE I DRIVE IT. CLEARLY THAT WASN'T HELPFUL AT ALL. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 HONDA CIVIC. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SRS UNIT FOR THE AIR BAGS FAILED WHICH COULD CAUSE THE AIR BAG TO DEPLOY INDEPENDENTLY, WITH OR WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO INFORMED HER THAT THE SRS UNIT WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED BUT OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 183,000. UPDATED 03/15/11 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED THE SRS WILL NOT SEND A MESSAGE FOR THE AIR BAG TO DEPLOY, SHOULD THERE BE AN ACCIDENT. UPDATED 04/28/11
OWNER OF A 2002 HONDA CIVIC WITH 57,471 MILES ON IT. MAINTENANCE SCHEDULE IS FOLLOWED REGULARLY. THE TRANSMISSION WENT OUT WITH NO PRIOR WARNING ON A BUSY BOULEVARD. STOPPED ONE LANE OF TRAFFIC UNTIL SOME CITIZENS GOT OUT OF THEIR CARS, RAN ACROSS 4 LANES OF TRAFFIC, AND HELPED ME PUSH IT TO WHERE IT WAS SAFE. REFURBISHED THE TRANSMISSION AND PAID A TOTAL OF $2,100.00. CONTACTED HONDA CUSTOMER SERVICE AND WAS TOLD NOTHING WOULD BE DONE TO FIX IT BECAUSE I DIDN'T HAVE IT DIAGNOSED AT THE DEALERSHIP. *TR
I BOUGHT A NEW 02 HONDA CIVIC EX. ON AUG 31 03 IT HAD BEEN RAINING AND I LOOKED DOWN FOR A MOMENT AND WHEN I LOOKED UP I WAS ON THE EDGE OF THE ROAD JERKING MY CAR BACK ONTO THE ROAD MY CAR SLID IMPACTING A MAILBOX ON MY PASSENGER FRONT SIDE THEN PRECEDED TO FLIP SEVERAL TIMES. NEITHER AIRBAG DEPLOYED (I WAS TOLD DUE TO THE FIRST IMPACT WAS NOT TO THE FRONT). WHILE FLIPPING MY SEATBELT RELEASED ME THROWING ME OUT OF THE DRIVER WINDOW LANDING FACE FIRST IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD. MY INJURIES MY LEFT ARM WAS SEVERELY BURNED DOCTORS CONCLUDE MY SEATBELT WRAPPED AROUND MY ARM DUE TO THE FLIPPING THE SEATBELT CUT MY ARM 3/4 OF THE WAY ALMOST AMPUTATING IT. I WENT THROUGH 6 SURGERIES AND NOW HAVE RADIAL NERVE DAMAGE AND LIMP WRIST. I CAN NOT EXTEND MY FINGERS AND WILL NEVER BE ABLE TO.I ALSO BROKE THAT ARM HAVING AN EXTERNAL CAST SINCE MY ARM WAS CUT. I FRACTURED MY FRONT & BACK HIP ON MY RIGHT SIDE, MY LEFT PELVIC BONE AND THE LEFT FRONT HIP BONE. I SPENT OVER A MONTH IN THE HOSPITAL. I WAS DETERMINED AT 25 DISABLED! I WAS TOLD BY ATTORNEYS THE WRECK WAS MY FAULT SO THEREFORE MY CAR MALFUNCTIONING AND MY INJURIES RECEIVED WAS MY FAULT TO DEAL WITH IT. WHICH I HAVE AND WILL FROM NOW ON. I HOPE ONE DAY SOMEONE WILL DO SOMETHING ABOUT WHAT HAS HAPPENED TO PEOPLE. THE WRECK WAS MY FAULT, BUT THE INJURIES I RECEIVED WAS NOT! *TR
MY CAR STARTED REVVING WHILE I WAS DRIVING. TRANSMISSION WAS SLIPPING. CHECKED FLUID, WAS BROWN. CHANGED FLUID. LASTED ABOUT 1000 MILES MORE AND THEN TRANSMISSION FAILED. *TR
THE "SRS" LIGHT STAYED ON WHICH DISABLES THE AIRBAGS. I WAS CHARGED $344 TO REPAIR THIS NEEDED SAFETY FAILURE. ( I HAD TO HAVE THE DRIVER'S SEAT BELT BUCKLE REPLACED.) *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS 2002 HONDA CIVIC. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE INDEPENDENTLY ACCELERATED TO 80 MPH WITHOUT THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL BEING DEPRESSED. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO APPLY THE BRAKES BUT TO NO AVAIL. THE VEHICLE STOPPED INDEPENDENTLY AND WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE DEALER ADVISED THAT THE THROTTLE POSITION SENSOR HAD FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 112,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 HONDA CIVIC. THE CONTACT WAS ATTEMPTING A LEFT TURN AT 10 MPH WHEN HE WAS STRUCK IN THE FRONT AT AN ANGLE BY A VEHICLE COMING FROM THE OTHER DIRECTION. THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED BUT THE DRIVER SIDE AIR BAG DID NOT. THE CONTACT WAS REPORTED AS INJURED. A POLICE REPORT WAS AVAILABLE. THE PASSENGER SEAT WAS UNOCCUPIED AT THE TIME OF THE CRASH. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A REPAIR FACILITY WERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS BEING DEEMED AS DESTROYED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INSPECTED FOR THE AIR BAGS FAILURES. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 69,000.
I WAS DRIVING FROM SAN DIEGO TO MY HOUSE IN RIVERSIDE IN RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC AND WITH NO WARNING ALL POWER SHUT DOWN. THERE WAS NOTHING EXCEPT OTHER CARS GOING AT LEAST 70 ON THE 15 FREEWAY. LUCKILY I WAS IN THE LANE NEXT TO THE SLOW LANE AND MADE IT TO THE SHOULDER WITHOUT INCIDENT. MY MECHANIC DID PROCESS OF ELIMINATION AND HE SAID IT WAS THE ECU. WE TOWED IT TO THE SHOP WHERE REPAIRS WERE GOING TO BE MADE AND THE SHOP SAID MAYBE BEFORE YOU PUT THAT MUCH MONEY INTO IT I'LL HAVE MY AUTO ELECTRICAL MECHANIC LOOK AT IT FIRST. SO COME TO FIND OUT THE MAIN WIRE THAT LEADS OFF OF THE ENGINE BLOCK SNAPPED RIGHT OFF. MAY CAR HAD TO BE RE-WIRED! TALK ABOUT A PRETTY PENNY. $900 BUCKS. *TR
NHTSA publishes every complaint as the owner wrote it and investigates only a fraction. Spelling, capitalisation and judgement are the filer’s own. What carries weight is repetition: the same component failing the same way across many filings, and whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.
Full record for the 2002 Honda Civic → · Every Civic year → · How the figures are calculated →