CarComplaints.com Notes: Yes, the Honda Civic receives a lot of complaints because so many were sold. And sure, car parts only last so long and things eventually break. But it's never good to see this many transmission complaints, especially when the average mileage at failure is just north of 100,000 miles.

Especially when you consider that it's predecessor also has a nasty history with transmission complaints.

6.0

fairly significant
Typical Repair Cost:
$2,200
Average Mileage:
107,800 miles
Total Complaints:
16 complaints

Most Common Solutions:

  1. repaint car (9 reports)
  2. not sure (7 reports)
2002 Honda Civic body / paint problems

body / paint problem

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2002 Honda Civic Owner Comments

problem #16

May 292021

Civic 4

  • Automatic transmission
  • 68,300 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Had to replace the back window since the defroster no longer worked and took it to a reputable repair shop in town since Honda wanted $825 (the place I took it said Honda gets their glass from them). The two pieces of tape on either side were left on for 24 hours per their instructions before I removed them and the paint came off with the tape. Also paint is 'flaking' from around the window and when I went back to the dealer they just said 'Oh yeah, it's the Honda paint so we can't do anything about it.' It's down to the metal and since I don't have a garage I'm worried about rust and since I'm 69 years old, it's not like I have the funds to have it repainted. Nowhere else on the car is any paint missing, peeling, etc. This is just not right!

- Jean H., Springfield, US

problem #15

Aug 142017

Civic 1.7L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 133,366 miles

click to see larger images

paint/clear coat bubbling, peeling off paint/clear coat bubbling, peeling off paint/clear coat bubbling, peeling off paint/clear coat bubbling, peeling off paint/clear coat bubbling, peeling off

Not much I want to say. A lady commented about the hood of my car having this topcoat issue and told me I could get it taken car of, at no cost to myself so I'm taking the steps to get it taking care of.

- Ryan W., Harpursville, US

problem #14

Mar 042013

Civic DX

  • Automatic transmission
  • 101,888 miles

Embarrassing to be driving around it a car that looks so bad. First top, then hood, now slowly fading from top down. Painting costs more than car is worth.

- Monica B., Davis, US

problem #13

Sep 012016

Civic

  • Automatic transmission
  • 135,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Clear coat started peeling off the front and back of the hood. Now I am seeing it on the trunk.

Original owner, taken really good care of the car. Just sucks that I have this unsightly thing to look at!

- Dk S., Irvine, CA, US

problem #12

Sep 222016

Civic LX V4

  • Automatic transmission
  • 212,000 miles

Paint just started peeling. No specific reason or cause.

- Barry S., Manhattan Beach, US

problem #11

Jan 012014

Civic EX 1.7L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 117,000 miles

click to see larger images

paint/clear coat bubbling, peeling off paint/clear coat bubbling, peeling off

Clear coat problem on roof of the car as well as peeling laminate from the hood.

- bsanghani, Simpsonville, SC, US

problem #10

Jun 032013

Civic EX 1.7L 4 cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 72,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The paint is fading and peeling very badly on my 2002 Honda Civic...almost to the point where the truck, roof, and other areas of my red vehicle are almost white!!! I know the car is old but I have a silver 2003 Lincoln Navigator with double the miles on it and no paint issues whatsoever. From all the information available on the Internet, there is a known issue with inferior quality paint jobs that Honda refuses to correct. I have washed and waxed the vehicle regularly and do not understand why the paint would fade and peel like it has. To top it off, the vehicle was kept in an inside storage facility for three years while I was stationed in Japan. I really feel that Honda needs to stand by its products and restore the quality that their name was built upon.

- Corey H., Montgomery, AL, US

problem #9

Jun 012015

Civic DX 1.6L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 39,500 miles

click to see larger images

paint/clear coat bubbling, peeling off paint/clear coat bubbling, peeling off paint/clear coat bubbling, peeling off

i have seen many older honda vehicles that have that green paint on, and they all look terrible. There must be issues with it.

- Dan S., St. Benedict, PA, US

problem #8

Apr 012013

Civic SI

  • Manual transmission
  • 143,500 miles

My 2002 Civic Si has had paint chipping and peeling off the driver's side for quite a while, and now the passenger side is starting to do the same thing. It is just under the window, and the rubber coating on the window edge is peeling as well. There didn't seem to be anything in particular causing the issue...it just started to chip off and now it is peeling away.

- unhappylady, Holland, MI, US

problem #7

May 032012

Civic LX 1.7L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 115,000 miles

Car paint is totally damaged. A friend told me there was a recall for her Honda Accord, not same year, and Honda will cover the cost. My car has same issues and I do not understand why this is not covered.

I was told it was sun, years old, etc etc, I do not believe it. I have other cars and they have no problem.

- Maria T., Plantation, FL, US

problem #6

Jun 012013

Civic DX V4

  • Automatic transmission
  • 77,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

I have a 2002 Honda Civic DX -- I purchased a Honda Civic because of its reputation of being a reliable vehicle. Reliable, yes. Unbearable to look at? everything still runs great, but it looks like crap. The clear coat is peeling everywhere, to the point where it's embarrassing to tell people it's my car. After researching this issue and finding out its a common issue with honda's I am thinking twice about getting another one.

- raghuz, Stockton, CA, US

problem #5

Apr 112011

Civic EX 1.7L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 120,000 miles

The protective coating I was sold by the Honda dealership when I purchased the car (leased, then purchased) is peeling off on the driver's side, behind the back seat passenger door. There was no ding, crash, or any damage, it simply started peeling off.

- laurak, San Diego, CA, US

problem #4

Jun 012005

Civic EX

  • Automatic transmission
  • 70,000 miles

I have a 2002 Honda Civic EX -- everything still runs great, but it looks like crap. The clear coat is peeling everywhere, to the point where it's embarrassing to tell people it's my car. I'm fed up with it.

- Josh D., Joplin, MO, US

problem #3

Nov 302011

Civic LX V4

  • Manual transmission
  • 95,000 miles

I have had the Honda since 02. Car runs great never have had any serious issues even after driving it from California to new york and back. The only issue is the paint job. Now i have started considering purchasing a new car and after researching this issue and finding out its a common issue with honda's I am thinking twice about getting another one.

- Nina O., Westminster, CA, US

problem #2

May 012012

Civic LX

  • Automatic transmission
  • 95,000 miles

Disappointed is a subtle way to describe how I feel about the clear coat issue. I purchased a Honda Civic because of its reputation of being a reliable vehicle. Reliable, yes. Unbearable to look at? YES. The clear coat began "oxidizing" sometime last spring and has been spreading like a disfiguring VD since. After 5 years of making monthly payments, I am now the proud owner of a car that looks like it's molting. Bravo, Honda. BRAVO.

- breecarey, San Diego, CA, US

problem #1

Oct 012011

Civic EX V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 130,000 miles

The clear coat on 2002 Honda Civic EX is defective. It has been bubbling and peeling off, gradually expanding over the top off the car over time. The factory coat product seems defective, of questionable quality to withstand normal range of exposure to environment, with normal wash/waxing. The service advisor at the local dealer seemed to ignore the problem, did not search in the Honda system, just saying he did not know what the problem was. He did not seem to care.

- Ray S., Corpus Christi, TX, US

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