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Research · Compact Cars · 2 NHTSA variants

2003 Honda CivicRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 24 safety recalls and 525 owner complaints for the 2003 Honda Civic. Most complaints involve air bags (147) and power train (103). The EPA rates it 25–34 mpg combined.

Check a VINAdd to my garage
Combined MPG
25–34mpg
EPA · 8 versions
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
24campaigns
Latest Jun 2019
Owner complaints
525
Top: air bags
Fuel cost / yr
$1,650est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

24 NHTSA campaigns · applies to some vehicles, check your VIN

Air bags: inflator module

Free remedy

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2003 Acura 3.2CL, 2002-2003 3.2TL, 2003-2006 MDX, 2001-2007 Honda Accord, 2001-2005 Civic, 2003-2005 Civic Hybrid, 2001-2005 Civic GX NGV, 2002-2006 CR-V, 2003-2011 Element, 2002-2004 Odyssey, 2003-2008 Pilot and 2006 Ridgeline vehicles. These vehicles are equipped with driver frontal air bag inflators assembled as a recall remedy part or replacement service part, that may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.

Air bagsReported Jun 27, 2019NHTSA 19V499000

Air bags: inflator module

Free remedy

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2003-2006 Acura MDX, 2005-2012 RL, 2003-2007 Honda Accord, 2001-2005 Civic, 2003-2005 Civic Hybrid, 2001-2005 Civic GX NGV, 2002-2006 CR-V, 2003-2011 Element, 2007-2008 Fit, 2002-2004 Odyssey, 2003-2008 Pilot, and 2006-2014 Ridgeline vehicles. The vehicles are equipped with passenger frontal air bag inflators assembled as a recall remedy part or replacement service part, that may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.

Air bagsReported Jun 27, 2019NHTSA 19V501000

Air bags: inflator module

Free remedy

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling specific 2003 Acura 3.2CL, 2013-2016 ILX, 2013-2014 ILX Hybrid, 2003-2006 MDX, 2007-2016 RDX, 2002-2003 3.2TL, 2004-2006, and 2009-2014 TL, 2010-2013 ZDX and 2001-2007 and 2009 Honda Accord, 2001-2005 Civic, 2003-2005 Civic Hybrid, 2001-2005 Civic GX NGV, 2002-2007 and 2010-2011 CR-V, 2003-2011 Element, 2007 Fit, 2002-2004 Odyssey, 2003-2008 Pilot, and 2006-2014 Ridgeline vehicles. The affected vehicles received a replacement driver air bag inflator as part of a previous Takata inflator recall remedy or a replacement driver air bag module containing the same inflator type as a service part. Due to a manufacturing error, in the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver frontal air bag, these inflators may explode.

Air bagsReported Mar 6, 2019NHTSA 19V182000
See all 24 recalls with remedies
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 6, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

525 complaints filed with NHTSA · Apr 2002 – Sep 2024
  1. Air bags147
  2. Power train103
  3. Electrical system52
  4. Engine and engine cooling37
  5. Vehicle speed control34
  6. Structure28
  7. Exterior lighting23
  8. Service brakes, hydraulic23
  9. Seat belts20

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

By model year

Complaints for each Civic model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
1996314
1997383
1998450
1999348
2000297
20011,089
2002717
2003525
2004351
2005316
20061,411
20071,212
2008923
2009398
2010400
2011170
2012462
2013320
2014293
2015389
20161,083
2017608
2018602
2019460
2020240
2021162
2022962
2023338
2024144
202588
202632
Crashes reported
94
Fires reported
6
Injuries reported
73
Deaths reported
13
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 6, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Air bags

147 reports51 crashes1 fire
“The contact owned a 2003 Honda Civic. The contact stated while driving at approximately 30 MPH and attempting to proceed at a green light, the front passenger side of the vehicle crashed into the front driver-side of another vehicle. The air bags were not deployed. The contact noticed that there were bruises on both of her knees and endured neck and back pain from the impact. Medical attention was sought. No one else was injured that was not in the vehicle. No warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that the vehicle stopped in the middle of the intersection. The vehicle was not drivable and was towed to a dealer; the vehicle received a diagnosis stating that the vehicle was totaled. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 154,311.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 25, 2024Air bagsCrash reportedODI 11616517

Power train

103 reports7 crashes
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2003 HONDA CIVIC. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO HUNTINGTON HONDA (1055 JERICHO TURNPIKE, HUNTINGTON, NY 11743, PHONE NUMBER: (631) 423-6000) TO BE REPAIRED FOR AN UNKNOWN AIR BAG RECALL. WHILE DRIVING FROM THE DEALER, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE AIR BAG WAS STICKING OUT OF THE STEERING WHEEL AND THE HORN FAILED TO FUNCTION. WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE GEAR SHIFTER FAILED TO SHIFT OUT OF PARK, THE RADIO FAILED, AND THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED. THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. WHILE MAKING A LEFT TURN, THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO A HIGH CURB, WHICH PUSHED THE ENGINE BACK. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED A BROKEN FOOT THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO NARDY HONDA SMITHTOWN (559 MIDDLE COUNTRY RD, ST JAMES, NY 11780, PHONE NUMBER: (855) 738-2920). THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 131,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 5, 2017Steering, Power train, Electrical system, Air bagsCrash reportedODI 11031963

Electrical system

52 reports6 crashes2 fires
“The contact owns a 2003 Honda Civic Hybrid. The contact stated that the vehicle would not immediately start up. On several occasions, while driving, the vehicle lost motive power and stalled without warning. The vehicle was diagnosed by an independent mechanic who was unable to determine the cause of the failure. The local dealer and manufacturer were notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 164,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled May 21, 2021Electrical systemODI 11418063
All 2003 Civic problemsSend a problem to a mechanic on findmechanic.ai
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 6, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

8 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Compact Cars
Engines
1.7L 4-cyl · 1.7L 4-cyl cng · 2.0L 4-cyl
Transmissions
Manual 5-spd · Automatic (variable gear ratios) · Automatic 4-spd
Drive
Front-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Regular Gasoline · Natural Gas

Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.

Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 6, 2026EPA listing
05 —Fuel economy

EPA fuel economy by version

City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
VersionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
Civic
Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 1.7 L, LEAN-BURN · Front-Wheel Drive
313934$1,900261
Civic
Auto (variable gear ratios), 4 cyl, 1.7 L, LEAN-BURN · Front-Wheel Drive
293632$2,000278
Civic
Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 1.7 L · Front-Wheel Drive
273530$2,150296
Civic
Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 1.7 L, VTEC · Front-Wheel Drive
273530$2,150296
Civic
Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 1.7 L · Front-Wheel Drive
253429$2,200306
Civic
Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 1.7 L, VTEC · Front-Wheel Drive
263429$2,200306
Civic CNG
Auto (variable gear ratios), 4 cyl, 1.7 L · Front-Wheel Drive
263128$1,650251
Civic
Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L, VTC/VTEC · Front-Wheel Drive
222825$2,550355
  • Civic
    Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 1.7 L, LEAN-BURN
    31 city · 39 hwy · $1,900/yr
    34
    mpg comb.
  • Civic
    Auto (variable gear ratios), 4 cyl, 1.7 L, LEAN-BURN
    29 city · 36 hwy · $2,000/yr
    32
    mpg comb.
  • Civic
    Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 1.7 L
    27 city · 35 hwy · $2,150/yr
    30
    mpg comb.
  • Civic
    Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 1.7 L, VTEC
    27 city · 35 hwy · $2,150/yr
    30
    mpg comb.
  • Civic
    Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 1.7 L
    25 city · 34 hwy · $2,200/yr
    29
    mpg comb.
  • Civic
    Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 1.7 L, VTEC
    26 city · 34 hwy · $2,200/yr
    29
    mpg comb.
  • Civic CNG
    Auto (variable gear ratios), 4 cyl, 1.7 L
    26 city · 31 hwy · $1,650/yr
    28
    mpg comb.
  • Civic
    Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L, VTC/VTEC
    22 city · 28 hwy · $2,550/yr
    25
    mpg comb.
Estimate your fuel costCost of ownership
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 6, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

5 tested variants
NHTSA has not published 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2003 Honda Civic as of Nov 6, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Nov 6, 2026Vehicle 4874Vehicle 4873Vehicle 4859
07 —Maintenance

Maintenance basics

General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
ItemMilesTimeNote
Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi6–12 monthsFollow the oil-life monitor if fitted
Tire rotation5,000–7,500 miEvery oil changeCheck pressure monthly
Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi1–2 yearsSooner in dusty areas
Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi1–2 years
Brake fluid—2–3 yearsAbsorbs moisture over time
Coolant60,000–100,000 mi5–10 yearsLong-life coolants last longer
Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi—Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end
12V battery—3–5 yearsHeat shortens battery life
  • Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi
    6–12 months
  • Tire rotation5,000–7,500 mi
    Every oil change
  • Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Brake fluid—
    2–3 years
  • Coolant60,000–100,000 mi
    5–10 years
  • Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi
    —
  • 12V battery—
    3–5 years
Typical intervals for modern cars. Severe service (towing, short trips, extreme heat or cold) shortens them.
09 —FAQ

2003 Civic questions

How many recalls does the 2003 Honda Civic have?

24 safety recalls as of Nov 6, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.

What are the most common 2003 Honda Civic problems?

Owners filed 525 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are air bags (147), power train (103), electrical system (52). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2003 Honda Civic get?

The EPA rates the 2003 Honda Civic at 25–34 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (8 versions rated).

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 6, 2026