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.

10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 1
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
92,625 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2002 Honda Civic electrical problems

electrical problem

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2002 Honda Civic Owner Comments (Page 1 of 3)

problem #41

Jun 032021

Civic

  • miles

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

SRS Light on for a while in Honda Civic, Contacted Dealer as this car was messed with by another dealership last year during light swsitch recall, so wanted only other Dealership to diagnose the issue with SRS but diagnosis alone is $157 and since my auto mechanic cannot read the diagnosis Honda has put or installed this restricted setting on the car. Seat belts and seat bekt sensors may be bad and seat belt cant stick on driver's side, indicating a safety issue, Transmission exhibiting trouble and revs up when shifting, hard to shift gears with automatic gear shift problems. This should not be happening and brand new engine had to be competely installed with new engine blocks, and new radiator and watter pump need due to failing.

- Tucson, AZ, USA

problem #40

Nov 232020

Civic

  • 200,000 miles
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.

- Live Oak, FL, USA

problem #39

Jul 182020

Civic

  • 170,000 miles
My 2002 Honda Civic is having an electrical problem to where my bran new just bought battery is draining withing 10 minutes of driving and all of a sudden my car just turns off while driving in traffic and cause it to where it is hard to stear and even to where I cant get out of the middle of dead traffic. The whole car just shuts off and won't let me start it again. This has now happend to me on the freeway and on a 55mph street as well.

- Riverside, CA, USA

problem #38

Jun 112020

Civic 4-cyl

  • miles

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

My car shouldn't car with an unprogrammed key. Meaning the chop is not programmed and it starts anyway. Without an properly coded key it shouldn't start period. But yet I can't use a dummy key which also defects the purpose. Meaning anyone can take my key. Take it to the dealership and make a cut and that's how cars get stolen. I still have the car. Also got to start it in the on position in the ignition in order to start it. If you don't and it's still warm. It'll keep cranking for a while than fire right up. It takes longer to crank when it's warm and when you turning it from zero to three and it'll crank longer but it won't if I start it in the on position.

- Jackson, MI, USA

problem #37

Jan 232020

Civic

  • 0 miles
Takata recall. The contact owns a 2002 Honda Civic. The contact stated the vehicle serviced at local dealer autonation Honda 104 located at 2999 w 104th ave, westminster, co 80234, (303) 578-6112 for unknown air bag recall and since then the air bags warning light was illuminated. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 19V501000 and 19V182000 (air bags) and was being service for repairs at dealer. The vehicle had not been repaired at of yet. The manufacturer had not been made aware of the issue. The part was not available for the repair. Parts distribution disconnect.

- Commerce City, CO, USA

problem #36

Oct 102018

Civic

  • miles
SRS light stays on car dash. Air bags in vehical will not deploy if involved in car accident. Dealers said it is SRS code #15-3 opds control unit a. electrical problem underneth passanger seat that sets off SRS light is what I was told. This is very expensive safety part to repair.

- Citrus Heights, CA, USA

problem #35

Dec 112018

Civic

  • miles

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

The information you have listed is incorrect. The airbags have been replaced and wiring harness has been fixed. I have the paperwork to prove it!

- Atlanta, GA, USA

problem #34

Oct 032018

Civic

  • 200,000 miles
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 one mating pin in the coupler. Owner notification began on April 5, 2004. Owners should contact Honda at 1-800-999-1009.

- Paso Robles, CA, USA

problem #33

Mar 192018

Civic

  • 140,000 miles
Transmission - car died on the highway. Had it towed to the mechanic. Service code that appeared was P0730, and I need a new transmission. Car has 140K on it, is a 2002 Honda Civic, I'm the only owner, and I have serviced this car completely by the book. I just spent $1200 for the timing belt and water pump last month as a preventive measure, $150 on the battery in Jan 2017, tires <7K miles ago, brakes last Nov, and now a $5000 estimate given to me by the dealership in order for them to replace the transmission.

- West Hollywood, CA, USA

problem #32

Sep 112017

Civic

  • 55 miles
Driving home from long way in. Lake county illinios. Shift in gear and jump out of gear while driving and power N steering and engine shut down could of been an bad accident then car stuck in one gear and completely won't move. At all especially in winter

- Rockford, IL, USA

problem #31

Aug 312017

Civic

  • 200,000 miles

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

The contact owns a 2002 Honda Civic. When the vehicle was taken to be inspected, it was diagnosed that an electrical failure occurred with the seat belt that caused the SRS warning indicator to illuminate. The dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and informed the contact that the VIN was not included in a recall. No further assistance was offered. The approximate failure mileage was 200,000.

- Williamsburg, VA, USA

problem #30

Apr 182017

Civic

  • 175,000 miles
Vehicle stalls while driving (moving and at stops). Restarts are immediately possible however problem reoccurs and leaves motorists potentially stranded and impeding traffic. Vehicle has 175000 miles and has been meticulously maintained. Engine light is intermittent with the problem and has indicated that the catalytic converter has failed, code P0420. However the engine light clears with drive and start cycles. Online research points more directly at a worn ignition switch issue. Vehicle was purchased new in ca, relocated to AZ in 2003 and has been there ever since. Items that have been replaced are, timing belt, water pump, radiator, thermostat, A/C system, alternator, ignition coil and spark plugs, suspension bushings, front struts and coils, fuel pump, camshaft positioning sensor. All recalls have been complied with.

- Tempe, AZ, USA

problem #29

Jun 022016

Civic

  • 153,000 miles
While driving the low beam exterior headlights go dark leaving the high beams operable. I contacted Honda about this issue and am being told that it was fixed back in 2004 and in the same breath also I am being told that it does not apply to my vehicle. Then I was told I have to pay to have a diagnoses done when there is a recall notice for this issue. This has happened quite a few times over the last few months or so but as it is the high beams were operable and I didn't bother too much until now. I was going for an inspection and as the vehicle is being tested for inspection the low beams would go on and off and not stay lit as designed failing inspection. After this is when I contacted Honda knowing there was some sort of recall on this problem. So now what do I do?

- Brewster, NY, USA

problem #28

Feb 122015

Civic 4-cyl

  • 300,000 miles
The contact owns a 2002 Honda Civic. The contact stated that the passenger side low beam headlight failed to illuminate. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who replaced the head lamp and fuse. The failure recurred after the repair. In addition, an unknown warning indicator illuminated and the air conditioner became inoperable. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 300,000. MA 09/25 updated 11/08/2017

- Baton Rouge, LA, USA

problem #27

Sep 052014

Civic

  • 92,000 miles
The contact owns a 2002 Honda Civic. The contact stated that the vehicle stalled and unknown warning lights flickered. The vehicle was taken to a dealer who diagnosed that the relay switch needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 92,000.

- West Palm Beach, FL, USA

problem #26

Dec 242014

Civic 4-cyl

  • miles
Ignition key suddenly will no longer go into ignition. Couldn't get key to go into ignition. Finally got key to go in but feels sticky and clunky and will not turn in lock so vehicle will no longer start. Stranding driver and passengers.

- Oakland, CA, USA

problem #25

Oct 152009

Civic 4-cyl

  • 69,100 miles
The SRS (secondary restraint system) light came on. It originally happened while the was under warranty with the previous owner. Under 36,000 miles. The Honda dealer where the car was serviced reset the light, replaced the seatbelt buckle but were unable to determine the cause of the SRS light coming back on. Multiple times. I believe this means the airbags are not working. Honda accepts no responsibility for this defect. And claim that since it occurred under warranty under the former owners of the car they are not responsible for fixing it.

- Durango, CO, USA

problem #24

Feb 142014

Civic

  • 165,000 miles
The contact owns a 2002 Honda Civic. The contact stated that a burning odor was present inside the vehicle. The contact exited the vehicle and returned to discover flames and smoke coming from the cruise control switch. The contact was able to extinguish the fire. There were no injuries. The fire caused damage to the driver's side of the dashboard. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact notified the manufacturer of the defect. The failure mileage was 165,000.

- Massillon, OH, USA

problem #23

Jun 142012

Civic 4-cyl

  • 78,000 miles
In June 2012 I experienced on my 2002 Honda Civic an odd behavior, ac stopped working (light would be on but no cold air), power locks also failed, door chime/key left in ignition switchreminder stopped working at the same time, remote entry via key fob was somehow disabled and the most important and somehow terrifying experience is that the windshield washer and wipers do not work properly, I was splashed some muddy water on the windshield and activated the windshield washer/wiper to clear the muddy water; the wipers failed and my vision was completely blurred so I had to look out the drivers window and safely stop. I'm aware of two recall notices for my vehicle model year, one of them involving the low beam lights (I experienced that as well and thought both bulbs, low beams had gone out at the same time) this particular recall is for the defective and/or low quality of the electrical contacts/circuitry of the headlight switch. For a couple of weeks the electrical issue was gone but came back and has stayed, same electrical issues that I think might have something to do with low quality materials (as the ones used on the headlight switch recall notice) at the fuse panel inside the cabin; I'm no expert but my family's safety and the safety of the people on the road is my concern, what if the materials used on this unit (fuse panel/multiplex connector?) overheat and start a fire in the cabin or what I've experienced, a sudden splash on the windshield that prompts a quick response to stop due to null vision? I've searched online and seems the culprit of the electrical issues all at once is a poorly designed/constructed fuse panel. I should feel safe when driving not "taking a risk" hoping nothing bad happens.

- San Francisco, CA, USA

problem #22

Aug 032013

Civic 4-cyl

  • miles
My car was recalled by the Honda due to the front airbag inflator in this year. The Honda dealer helped us to replace it at August. But the warning light still be on after fixation. So I believe that the problem is not fixed.

- St Louis, MO, USA

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