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Problems · by component

2002 Honda Civic exterior lighting problems

53 owner complaints to NHTSA about the 2002 Honda Civic cite exterior lighting, 7% of all 717 complaints for this model year. NHTSA also lists 14 recalls on this component.

All 2002 Civic problems
Complaints
53
7% of all complaints
Crashes
2
Reported by owners
Fires
5
Reported by owners
Injuries
2
Reported by owners
01 —Owner reports

What owners say about the exterior lighting

Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first
“Automatic high beams, etc. Potentially very dangerous to other drivers. Place a limit on the intensity of headlights. Ultra bright lights tend to interfere with me knowing where my own vehicle is on the road.It's getting to be almost a constant anxiety attack driving at night with both on coming and following vehicles with ultra bright lights, including low beams. And if the offending vehicle is a SUV or a pickup it feels like I'm flirting with the distinct possibility of an accident and or injury.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Mar 29, 2023Exterior lightingODI 11514431
“WHILE DRIVING THE LOW BEAMS CUT OUT AND THE SWITCH HARNESS PROVED TO BE FAULTY. OTHER HONDA CIVICS OF THAT YEAR HAD THE HEAD LIGHT SWITCH RECALLED BUT MY VIN DIDN'T QUALIFY FOR THE RECALL. THE RECALL IT SHOULD HAVE GOTTEN BUT IT DIDN'T QUALIFY FOR WAS NHTSARECALL NUMBER:12V-136”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Mar 12, 2021Exterior lightingODI 11402539
“PROGRESSIVE FAILING OF THE MULTIPLEX CONTROL UNIT, PART # 38200-S5P-A11, FOR MY 2002 HONDA CIVIC HX 5SP HAS RESULTED IN VARIOUS PROBLEMS THAT CAN PROVE TO BE VERY DANGEROUS SUCH AS FAILURE OF TURN SIGNALS, TAIL LIGHTS, WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR, DASHBOARD LIGHTS, DOME LIGHT, POWER DOOR LOCKS, ETC. EXACTLY WHEN THESE FAILURES OCCURRED ARE HARD TO PIN POINT BUT SO FAR I HAVE AVOIDED PROPERTY AND BODILY HARM BUT NOT GREAT INCONVENIENCE AND REPAIR COST. PLEASE ACT TO PREVENT THIS PROBLEM FROM CAUSING HARM OR LOSS OF LIFE.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Nov 25, 2020Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Visibility/wiperODI 11376356
“FAILURE OF HEADLIGHTS WHICH MAY RESULT IN A CRASH. MY HEADLIGHTS HAVE FAILED, HOWEVER ONLY MY HIGH-BEAMS WORK AT THIS TIME. THIS RESULTED IN EXTREME SAFETY ISSUES WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AT A HIGH RATE OF SPEED AND WHAT COULD HAVE BECOME FATAL CRASH. I HAVE CONTACTED HONDA REGARDING THIS ISSUE AND WAS TOLD MY VEHICLE DOES NOT FALL UNDER THIS RECALL (RECALL INFO LISTED BELOW.) I WAS TOLD I WOULD HAVE TO PAY OUT OF POCKET TO GET MY VEHICLE FIXED, EVEN THOUGH MY VEHICLE FALLS UNDER THE EXACT SPECIFICATIONS OF THEIR RECALL. I HAVE SMALL CHILDREN AND AM IN DIRE NEED OF A SAFE VEHICLE. PLEASE HELP. RECALL NUMBER 04V086000 RECALL DATE 02/24/2004 COMPONENT EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS SUMMARY ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE LOW-BEAM TERMINAL ON THE HEAD LIGHT WIRE HARNESS CAN OVERHEAT AND COULD CAUSE THE LOW BEAMS TO FAIL WITHOUT WARNING. CONSEQUENCE AN UNEXPECTED LOSS OF LOW BEAMS COULD RESULT IN A CRASH. WHAT OWNERS SHOULD DO DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE HEAD LIGHT SWITCH AND COUPLER FOR SIGNS OF HEAT DAMAGE. IF HEAT DAMAGE IS PRESENT, THE DEALER WILL REPLACE THE SWITCH AND COUPLER. IF NO HEAT DAMAGE IS PRESENT, THE DEALER WILL REPLACE THE HEAD LIGHT SWITCH AND…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 4, 2018Electrical system, Exterior lightingODI 11133286
“I HAVE NOW READ MORE THAN ONE ARTICLE REGARDING 2002 HONDA CIVIC RECALLS FOR FAULTY HEADLIGHT WIRING CAUSING HEADLIGHT FAILURE. BOTH OF MY HEADLIGHTS FAILED, CAUSING VERY DANGEROUS DRIVING CONDITIONS, IN THE DARK, ON THE FREEWAY, ON CITY STREETS, THAT I WAS UNAWARE OF! NOW HONDA TELLS ME THAT MY VIN NUMBER IS NOT INCLUDED IN THIS RECALL!! THE CONSUMER STATED THE ISSUE HAS BEEN RESOLVED AND REQUESTED TO WITHDRAW THE COMPLAINT. *JS”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Mar 7, 2018Exterior lightingODI 11076673
“TAKATA RECALL. MY SRS LIGHT HAS BEEN ON MY DASHBOARD SINCE I GOT MY CAR NO ONE SEEMS TO KNOW WHY THEY SAID I HAVE AIR BAGS. SO I DID SOME REASURCH AND MY PASSENGER AND DRIVERS AIRBAGS ARE RECALLED AND THERE IS ALSO A RECALL ON MY LO BEAMS ON MY HEADLIGHTS. NO INCIDENT HAS OCCURRED BUT I WOULD LIKE TO GET THE RECALL FIXED ON MY CAR.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 18, 2017Exterior lighting, Air bagsODI 11016164

Showing 6 of 53 reports. Read every report on NHTSA.gov.

Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 6, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
02 —Related recalls

14 recalls on this component

Exterior lighting: switch

Free remedy

HONDA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2002 THROUGH 2004 CR-V; MODEL YEAR 2003 THROUGH 2005 PILOT; AND MODEL YEAR 2002 AND 2003 CIVIC VEHICLES. IN MARCH 2012, HONDA FILED A DEFECT REPORT TO RECALL CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2002 THROUGH 2004 CR-V AND CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2003 PILOT VEHICLES. IN AUGUST 2012, HONDA INFORMED THE AGENCY THAT IT WAS INCLUDING AN ADDITIONAL 820,789 VEHICLES INCLUDING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2004 AND 2005 PILOTS AND MODEL YEAR 2002 AND 2003 CIVICS. THE TOTAL NUMBER OF VEHICLES BEING RECALLED IS NOW 1,375,217. DUE TO TENSION FROM THE COMBINATION SWITCH WIRING HARNESS, WEAR ON THE SURFACE OF THE ELECTRICAL TERMINAL CAN OCCUR, YIELDING COPPER OXIDE, WHICH INCREASES ELECTRICAL RESISTANCE. INCREASED ELECTRICAL RESISTANCE MAY CAUSE THE TERMINAL ENDS TO MELT WITHIN THE WIRING HARNESS CONNECTOR.

Exterior lightingReported Mar 30, 2012NHTSA 12V136000

Exterior lighting: headlights

Free remedy

DOPE, INC. IS RECALLING 42,540 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.

Exterior lightingReported May 11, 2009NHTSA 09E025000

Exterior lighting

Free remedy

SABERSPORT IS RECALLING 16,270 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.

Exterior lightingReported Apr 7, 2009NHTSA 09E012000

Exterior lighting: headlights

Free remedy

K2 MOTOR IS RECALLING 1,921 AFTERMARKET HEADLAMPS OF VARIOUS MODELS SOLD FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LISTED VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS ARE MISSING THE AMBER SIDE REFLEX REFLECTOR WHICH FAILS TO CONFORM WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT."

Exterior lightingReported Aug 11, 2008NHTSA 08E050000

Exterior lighting

Free remedy

CERTAIN TRADESONIC COMBINATION LAMPS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LISTED PASSENGER VEHICLES. COMBINATION LAMPS NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.

Exterior lightingReported Jul 17, 2006NHTSA 06E064000

Exterior lighting

Free remedy

CERTAIN AAI MOTORSPORTS COMBINATION LAMPS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LIST PASSENGER VEHICLES. COMBINATION LAMPS NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT."

Exterior lightingReported Jun 29, 2006NHTSA 06E060000

Exterior lighting

Free remedy

CERTAIN J & A AUTO ACCESSORIES COMBINATION HEADLAMPS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LISTED PASSENGER VEHICLES. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS THAT ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.

Exterior lightingReported May 22, 2006NHTSA 06E044000

Exterior lighting

Free remedy

CERTAIN E SPEED RACING COMBINATION LAMPS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT FOR USE ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS THAT ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.

Exterior lightingReported May 15, 2006NHTSA 06E040000

Exterior lighting

Free remedy

CERTAIN ALFAOTTO COMBINATION HEADLAMPS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LISTED PASSENGER VEHICLES. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS THAT ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.

Exterior lightingReported May 8, 2006NHTSA 06E038000

Exterior lighting

Free remedy

CERTAIN EAGLE EYES AND SONAR HEADLIGHTS AND CORNER LIGHTS SOLD AS AFTERMARKET FOR USE ON 1988-2005 HONDA CIVIC, 1990-2005 HONDA ACCORD, AND 1990-2001 ACURA INTEGRA PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. HEADLIGHTS AND CORNER LIGHTS THAT ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.

Exterior lightingReported Apr 18, 2006NHTSA 06E032000

Exterior lighting

Free remedy

CERTAIN PRO-A MOTORS CORNER LAMPS, TURN SIGNALS, AND HEADLIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS THAT ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.

Exterior lightingReported Mar 23, 2006NHTSA 06E026000

Exterior lighting: headlights

Free remedy

CERTAIN POLI-AUTO COMBINATION HEADLAMP ASSEMBLIES, P/NOS. 11-728, 11-728D, 11-710, 11-419, 11-713, 11-703, 11-704, 11-708P, 11-735, 11-725, 11-726, 11-716 (P&C), 11-721-1, 11-733, 11-729, 11-730, AND 11-732, SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS THAT ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT."

Exterior lightingReported Mar 21, 2006NHTSA 06E025000

Exterior lighting: headlights

Free remedy

CERTAIN ANZO COMBINATION HEADLAMP ASSEMBLIES SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS WHICH FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT."

Exterior lightingReported Mar 13, 2006NHTSA 06E023000

Exterior lighting: headlights

Free remedy

ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE LOW-BEAM TERMINAL ON THE HEAD LIGHT WIRE HARNESS CAN OVERHEAT AND COULD CAUSE THE LOW BEAMS TO FAIL WITHOUT WARNING.

Exterior lightingReported Feb 24, 2004NHTSA 04V086000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 6, 2026

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.