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.

3.5

definitely annoying
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
36,471 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 seat belts / air bags problems

seat belts / air bags problem

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2002 Honda Civic Owner Comments (Page 1 of 2)

problem #21

Apr 172004

Civic

  • 53,000 miles

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

I purchased a 2002 Honda Civic. Within one week the SRS light came on and remains on. When I called the dealership I was told that it is a frequent problem however it is not covered under warranty. If this is a frequent problem then why did they not recall and replace the sensors or defective parts. SRS from what I was told is the sensor for the seatbelt and airbags. Why am I the only one who feels that those are issues so integral to safety that they warrant recall and replacement.

- West Columbia, SC, USA

problem #20

Sep 112008

Civic

  • 95,000 miles
Honda has a serious problem with their SRS sensor located in the driver's seat belt buckle assembly. Any cursory examination of blogs will illuminate that this defect is very common. I have a 2002 Honda Civic ex 5 speed manual transmission and the diagnostics show that a malfunction of the sensor in the belt buckle assembly is causing the SRS light to appear on my panel. It should be noted that the airbag will not deploy with this defect. Honda is routinely refusing to repair this defect free-of-charge even when the car is under warranty. The cost to replace the seat belt assembly + labor ranges from $350 - $600. This is unconscionable. For the safety of occupants and to reduce litigation, it would be judicious for the NHTSA to research this and subsequently instruct Honda to perform a recall of all vehicles with this defect. Interestingly, there are lawyers that specialize in this area; they are called seat belt malfunction attorneys. The favor of a response delineating your course of action will be greatly appreciated!

- Alexandria, VA, USA

problem #19

Mar 042008

Civic 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
2002 Honda Civic, supplemental restraint system red light came on the dashboard. Car taken to leesburg Honda dealer and technician stated SRS control unit internal failure per some sort of code. Unit replaced for around $500 total. I have owned many Honda's for many years and this is the first time this situation has happened. I understand other items on a car do wear out and need replacement. This item, for safety is puzzling.

- Lessburg, VA, USA

problem #18

May 312007

Civic

  • Manual transmission
  • 63,000 miles

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

The SRS light came on while driving. The dealer indicates that the SRS unit has failed and needs to be replaced. The air bag will fail to deploy if in accident.

- West Jordan, UT, USA

problem #17

Feb 182007

Civic 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 33,800 miles
- the contact stated that whenever he got into the 2002 Honda Civic with 33800 failure mileage the airbag dashboard icon light turned on. The light was on if the driver's side and passenger's side seats were occupied or vacant. The driver had an appointment on 3/26/2007. The current mileage was 34034 miles.

- Elk Grove Village, IL, USA

problem #16

Nov 062006

Civic 4-cyl

  • Manual transmission
  • 70,000 miles
I have a 2002 Honda Civic ex sedan. Around 70,000 miles my SRS light turned on. I have taken it to the dealership and they say I have to replace the main unit at a cost of over $500 and it will not be covered under any warranty. I've read about many people having this same problem with the repair not always fixing the problem. Honda is apparently giving excuses such as cell phone or other electrical interference. This is not a "wear" part and is part of the safety system like a seat belt so I expect that it should be covered for life like seat belts are. Please help!!

- Euless, TX, USA

problem #15

Jul 152006

Civic 4-cyl

  • Manual transmission
  • 51,450 miles

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

SRS indicator - SRS computer failure.

- Burlingame, CA, USA

problem #14

May 012005

Civic 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 50,000 miles
SRS airbag warning light on constantly - told by dealer that airbags will not deploy. As car is past warranty, repair is $600+.

- Bristol, CT, USA

problem #13

Aug 262005

Civic 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 43,000 miles
I have a 2002 Honda Civic ex. The SRS light came on. I had it checked at the dealer who charged me $45. The light came back on the next day. They had told me if it did come on the SRS sensor would need to be replaced which would cost approx. $400. Said my problem was probably caused by an air purifier I had plugged into dash. Also told me it could be caused if I put my purse with cell phone (even if not on) on passenger seat. Also, a digital camera could cause this if on passenger seat. Is this bs?

- Belleville, IL, USA

problem #12

Apr 252005

Civic 4-cyl

  • Manual transmission
  • 50,000 miles
At about 50K miles, my SRS indicator light started to illuminate sporadically. Eventually however, it was on all the time. After having my car in the shop 3 times, the dealer informed me there was a short in the electrical mainframe that was causing the light to go on. I was also informed my airbags would no deploy in a crash because of this. To repair this problem would cost me over $500, and I was told this is not something covered under the warranty. Not having this kind of money, I decided not to have it fixed, but the thought of my airbags not deploying in a crash concerns me greatly! something as vital as the airbag system should be covered under warranty or should be recalled!

- Spokane, WA, USA

problem #11

Jul 052005

Civic 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 45,000 miles

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

We bought a new 2002 Honda Civic LX in December of 2002. In chico, calif. It had, I believe, a 30,000 mile warranty. At no more than 45,000 miles, (I have the receipt) the SRS light came on. Two days later, we took it to our local Honda dealer in redding, calif. They said the computer showed that the air bags would not deploy unless the device in the computer was replaced. They also stated that the Honda company did not find that part, which is over $400 dollars, to be under warranty after the 30,000 miles were past. We have kept all the requirements of service on the car. The Honda company stated that if it had been the seat belts inoperable, they would be covered under the safety guarantee. I do not believe that the air bags should be excluded in this safety warranty. Why is one safety device always covered for protection and not the other" is there something that can be done on our behalf" we want to have this done, but cannot afford it at this time. We had a trip planned for less than a week after we discovered this problem and had to honor our reservations or lose more money, consequently, we drove to our planned destination, Alaska, from redding, calif. With no operative air bags and continue to drive the car without them. This concerns me greatly, I know first hand that they work well to keep you from hitting your steering wheel or windshield in conjunction with the seat belts, but it is our only automobile.

- Anderson, CA, USA

problem #10

Aug 172005

Civic 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 42,000 miles
SRS light came on at 42,000 miles in 2002 Honda Civic dx L4 1.7L 1700cc. Required replacement of failed SRS unit/module. (part-77960-S5A-A84)

- Commerce Twp, MI, USA

problem #9

Jul 282005

Civic

  • miles
I have had my SRS light come on 3 times. The first time the dealer said all they could find was "soft codes" and reset it, costing me $87.50 for the diagnostic check. A day later the SRS light came on again, this time they said the battery showed low voltage and needed to be replaced. I asked if I could pickup the vehicle and replace the battery myself, the answer was yes, but there would be another $87.50 diagnostic charge and after I replaced the battery, they would have to reset the code and run another diagnostic, once again another $87.50 for a total of $187. They said they would replace the battery and reset the SRS to the tune of $160.81. I felt screwed either way, so I opted to have them change the battery. When I picked up my 2002 Honda CRV, the service advisor said if the SRS light comes back on, let them know. The following day, it as back on again. How did they know it would be back. When I called about the SRS light, I was told that the control unit had probably failed and would need to be replaced, but that they could not do that until the battery had been changed. This sounds like a rip off to me. Why didn't they replace the SRS control unit to start with since they obviously knew that was the problem. The CRV goes back in this Friday to be checked again. I do not feel that Honda is admitting that there is a failure of the SRS control unit and instead charges the customer needlessly.

- Smithville, TX, USA

problem #8

Jun 282005

Civic 4-cyl

  • Manual transmission
  • miles
The SRS indicator on the dashboard of my 2002 Honda Civic indicates a problem with the safety restraint system, and has been on since June. The car has been in the dealers shop seven times and each time I was assured that the problem was fixed. I am now in the process of going back for the 8th time on the same issue. There have been other numerous problems with this car and I have explained to the dealer that I would prefer to get into a new vehicle at this point but they have not been very cooperative. I am concerned that I am presently driving a vehicle that has a potential safety issue.

- North Adams, MA, USA

problem #7

Jul 282005

Civic 4-cyl

  • Manual transmission
  • 52,000 miles
SRS indicator light stays on. Failure in the opds unit (side occupant sensor for side airbags). I have seen many complaints on this on many sites and this is the best site to lodge the complaint. Now since I cannot afford $800 for a replacement part at this time and they will not honor it under warranty (I guess safety systems should fail at 50,000 miles), I will have no airbag system since the sides are tied to the front system. This needs to be looked at for a recall. Very unsafe. I hate thinking my pregnant wife is driving in a car with no airbags.

- Troy, IL, USA

problem #6

Jun 072005

Civic 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 34,300 miles
SRS light on dashboard remains lit all the time. Went to 2 Honda dealers in union county (route22 Honda and planet Honda) was charged with diagnostic fees but problem was never resolve. SRS light is still on while car is in motion or when driven (SRS lght on continously)

- Union, NJ, USA

problem #5

Apr 152004

Civic

  • Automatic transmission
  • 38,900 miles
SRS indicator light came on for no apparent reason in my 2002 Honda Civic ex, which was purchased new. The failure of the part in question causes the airbags to fail in the event of a collision. I have been assured that this is a common failure in the SRS control unit, and is not due to any negligence of the car owner (when the vehicle has not been involved in an accident). I have come across many people with the same complaints, and I can not understand how such a vital part failing can not be grounds for a safety recall. Due to the high failure rate of this part, the expense to correct it, the abundance of complaints, and the safety-related concerns arising from such failure, I ask that this be investigated and a safety recall be issued. Thank you.

- Cherry Hill, NJ, USA

problem #4

Mar 252005

Civic

  • Automatic transmission
  • 44,450 miles
We believe our 2002 Honda CRV has an electrical malfunction. The first year after we bought the car the malfunction light would turn on and stay on. We took it to the dealer at least 3 or 4 times, but they said there was nothing wrong with it and just turned the light off. Well a couple of weeks ago the SRS light turned on. The car only has 44,000 miles. Fairfax Honda said that their diagnostic test didn't show anything wrong, that the light must have turned on by electrical interferance. They just turned the light off. Well it is know a week later and the light is back on. This time the dealer said that they got a diagnostic code that the left side passenger sensor was not working properly. If this is true, why didn't they get the diagnostic code the first time. If the airbag sensor was really not working we could have had an accident and had no airbag. Of course, they also informed us that the extended warranty we bought does not cover this and that it would cost us $700 to fix. They said that this was one of the few things that was not covered under the extended warranty. What a coincidence!! needless to say we are very dissatisfied with the car, the extended warranty and the service department. I believe the car is to new to be having all this problems. I contacted the Honda care department, but they were rude and basically told me to read the fine print. Not much customer service. We would not buy another Honda again and would encourage anyone against doing so.

- Centreville, VA, USA

problem #3

Nov 202004

Civic 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Air bag check light stayed on. Consumer checked owner's manual to check problem, and found out that the air bag was off. Dealer will repair air bag at consumer's expense.

- Winchester, VA, USA

problem #2

Jan 312003

Civic 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
On January 31 2003 I reported to the Honda dealership that my SRS light was on my 2002 Honda Civic ex which is still under warranty. They replaced the seatbelt buckle sensor stating that it was the problem. I have since returned on December 12 2003 and on May 17 2004 for the same problem and they allegedly fixed it by replacing the passenger seatbealt sensor everytime. On June 5 2004 the SRS light has come on again. So my only recourse is to write you and contact the dealership once again!!

- Neptune Beach, FL, USA

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