Honda Civic 2001–2005 problems by year and mileage
7th generation · ES (sedan) / EM2 (coupe) / EP3 (Si hatchback)
NHTSA data through 24 September 20263,086 complaints, 2,109 with mileageMethod
Which year is yours? Tap it to see what breaks on it.
The 2001 Honda Civic
Close- Median failure report
- 89,000 mi
- Complaints filed
- 1,079
- Recalls naming this year
- 14
Most reported on the 2001
- Transmission and driveline403 reports · median 98,000 mi
- Airbag system310 reports · median 80,000 mi
- Engine and its cooling system64 reports · median 80,000 mi
14 recall campaigns name the 2001: Air bags — frontal; Air bags; Fuel system, other — storage. Not every car in a campaign is affected — check the VIN at NHTSA. Recall repairs are free.
The 2002 Honda Civic
Close- Median failure report
- 90,000 mi
- Complaints filed
- 705
- Recalls naming this year
- 11
Most reported on the 2002
- Airbag system243 reports · median 77,000 mi
- Transmission and driveline185 reports · median 103,000 mi
- Exterior lighting53 reports · median 131,000 mi
11 recall campaigns name the 2002: Air bags — frontal; Air bags; Exterior lighting — headlights. Not every car in a campaign is affected — check the VIN at NHTSA. Recall repairs are free.
The 2003 Honda Civic
Close- Median failure report
- 80,000 mi
- Complaints filed
- 551
- Recalls naming this year
- 11
Most reported on the 2003
- Airbag system150 reports · median 106,000 mi
- Transmission and driveline127 reports · median 78,000 mi
- Electrical system57 reports · median 84,000 mi
11 recall campaigns name the 2003: Air bags — frontal; Air bags; Exterior lighting — headlights. Not every car in a campaign is affected — check the VIN at NHTSA. Recall repairs are free.
The 2004 Honda Civic
Close- Median failure report
- 85,000 mi
- Complaints filed
- 386
- Recalls naming this year
- 10
Most reported on the 2004
- Airbag system143 reports · median 92,000 mi
- Transmission and driveline74 reports · median 92,000 mi
- Electrical system35 reports · median 92,000 mi
10 recall campaigns name the 2004: Air bags — frontal; Air bags; Fuel system, other — storage. Not every car in a campaign is affected — check the VIN at NHTSA. Recall repairs are free.
The 2005 Honda Civic
Close- Median failure report
- 75,000 mi
- Complaints filed
- 365
- Recalls naming this year
- 10
Most reported on the 2005
- Airbag system144 reports · median 92,000 mi
- Transmission and driveline57 reports · median 78,000 mi
- Electrical system37 reports
10 recall campaigns name the 2005: Air bags — frontal; Air bags; Fuel system, other — storage. Not every car in a campaign is affected — check the VIN at NHTSA. Recall repairs are free.
Each tile shows the median mileage at which that model year’s failures were reported. The 2002 reports latest and the 2005 earliest, but part of that gap is age: the 2002 has had 3 more years on the road to accumulate mileage.
The short answer
“Is the 2001–2005 Honda Civic reliable?”
- Median of reported failures
- 87,000 mi
- 90% of reports came by
- 162,000 mi
- Reports with mileage
- 2,109
- Recalls
- 18
Most reported
- Airbag system32.1% of complaints · median 86,000 mi
- Transmission and driveline27.4% of complaints · median 95,000 mi
- Electrical system7.7% of complaints · median 95,000 mi
Documented problems
- Transmission2001–2005
- Airbags (takata Inflator)2001–2005
- Engine Mounts2001–2005
Owners filed 3,086 complaints with NHTSA about the 2001–2005 Honda Civic; the airbag system leads with 32.1% of them, and half of the 2,109 that record an odometer reading came by 87,000 miles. A count like this can’t rate reliability on its own: NHTSA records what owners chose to report, not how many of each car were sold.
Failures are spread across the mileage range, with the middle half between 50,000 and 126,000 miles.
Before-you-buy checklist ↓At your mileage ↓Check this VIN — NHTSA ↗
How many miles does a 2001–2005 Honda Civic last?
Complaint records can’t measure how long a car lasts; they show when reported failures happened. On the 2001–2005 Honda Civic, half of the 2,109 complaints that record an odometer reading were filed by 87,000 miles and 90% by 162,000 miles.
298 reports came in past 150,000 miles and 85 past 200,000 — each one proof that a Civic reached that mileage, not that it failed there.
Figure 1 · Honda Civic 2001–2005 · 2,109 reports with mileage
Mileage at failure
Complaints per 5,000-mile bin, 0 to 200,000 miles, equal bins on a linear scale. Tallest bar = 124 complaints.
- Rest of the range
- Median
- 200,000+ — 85 complaints (4.0%), plotted separately
- 10%
- 15,000
- 25%
- 49,800
- Median
- 86,700
- 75%
- 125,700
- 90%
- 162,000
Show the numbers
| Mileage | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| 0–5,000 | 124 | 5.9% |
| 5,000–10,000 | 42 | 2.0% |
| 10,000–15,000 | 43 | 2.0% |
| 15,000–20,000 | 34 | 1.6% |
| 20,000–25,000 | 51 | 2.4% |
| 25,000–30,000 | 39 | 1.8% |
| 30,000–35,000 | 45 | 2.1% |
| 35,000–40,000 | 49 | 2.3% |
| 40,000–45,000 | 48 | 2.3% |
| 45,000–50,000 | 54 | 2.6% |
| 50,000–55,000 | 63 | 3.0% |
| 55,000–60,000 | 58 | 2.8% |
| 60,000–65,000 | 78 | 3.7% |
| 65,000–70,000 | 72 | 3.4% |
| 70,000–75,000 | 61 | 2.9% |
| 75,000–80,000 | 68 | 3.2% |
| 80,000–85,000 | 86 | 4.1% |
| 85,000–90,000 | 85 | 4.0% |
| 90,000–95,000 | 72 | 3.4% |
| 95,000–100,000 | 62 | 2.9% |
| 100,000–105,000 | 94 | 4.5% |
| 105,000–110,000 | 57 | 2.7% |
| 110,000–115,000 | 52 | 2.5% |
| 115,000–120,000 | 48 | 2.3% |
| 120,000–125,000 | 75 | 3.6% |
| 125,000–130,000 | 59 | 2.8% |
| 130,000–135,000 | 73 | 3.5% |
| 135,000–140,000 | 31 | 1.5% |
| 140,000–145,000 | 55 | 2.6% |
| 145,000–150,000 | 33 | 1.6% |
| 150,000–155,000 | 42 | 2.0% |
| 155,000–160,000 | 24 | 1.1% |
| 160,000–165,000 | 36 | 1.7% |
| 165,000–170,000 | 24 | 1.1% |
| 170,000–175,000 | 21 | 1.0% |
| 175,000–180,000 | 16 | 0.8% |
| 180,000–185,000 | 19 | 0.9% |
| 185,000–190,000 | 12 | 0.6% |
| 190,000–195,000 | 13 | 0.6% |
| 195,000–200,000 | 6 | 0.3% |
| 200,000+ | 85 | 4.0% |
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation, public domain. Complaint counts reflect what owners reported and are not a measure of failure rate per vehicle sold.
What this can and cannot tell you: these are complaints owners chose to file, not a failure rate. Popular models accumulate more of them simply by being common. How this is built.
Common Civic problems, and when they happen
Figure 2 · Honda Civic 2001–2005
When each system fails
Bar spans the middle half of reports; the notch inside each bar is the median. Miles at failure on a proportional scale — equal distances are equal ratios, not equal miles.
- Engine and its cooling system171 reports74,00026,000–104,000Engine and its cooling system: 171 reports, median 74,000 miles, middle half 26,000 to 104,000 miles.
- Throttle and speed control149 reports76,00024,000–123,000Throttle and speed control: 149 reports, median 76,000 miles, middle half 24,000 to 123,000 miles.
- Seat belts154 reports79,00052,000–110,000Seat belts: 154 reports, median 79,000 miles, middle half 52,000 to 110,000 miles.
- Airbag system990 reports86,00050,000–133,000Airbag system: 990 reports, median 86,000 miles, middle half 50,000 to 133,000 miles.
- Transmission and driveline846 reports95,00069,000–125,000Transmission and driveline: 846 reports, median 95,000 miles, middle half 69,000 to 125,000 miles.
- Electrical system238 reports95,00060,000–135,000Electrical system: 238 reports, median 95,000 miles, middle half 60,000 to 135,000 miles.
- Exterior lighting161 reports115,00073,000–162,000Exterior lighting: 161 reports, median 115,000 miles, middle half 73,000 to 162,000 miles.
- Your odometer — appears after you enter it in “Where your car sits”
Ordered by median mileage, earliest first. The first 12,000 miles are shaded: that is the boundary this site uses between a manufacturing defect and ordinary wear, not a property of the world.
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation, public domain.
All systems in a table
| System | Complaints | Share | Median | 25–75% |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Airbag system | 990 | 32.1% | 86,000 | 50,000–133,000 |
| Transmission and driveline | 846 | 27.4% | 95,000 | 69,000–125,000 |
| Electrical system | 238 | 7.7% | 95,000 | 60,000–135,000 |
| Engine and its cooling system | 171 | 5.5% | 74,000 | 26,000–104,000 |
| Exterior lighting | 161 | 5.2% | 115,000 | 73,000–162,000 |
| Seat belts | 154 | 5.0% | 79,000 | 52,000–110,000 |
| Throttle and speed control | 149 | 4.8% | 76,000 | 24,000–123,000 |
| Suspension | 124 | 4.0% | 29,000 | 15,000–78,000 |
| Body structure | 122 | 4.0% | 120,000 | 64,000–160,000 |
| Problems owners could not categorise | 98 | 3.2% | 111,000 | 70,000–170,000 |
System by system, in words
Complaints about this generation are not spread evenly across the vehicle, and the systems that generate the most of them do not all fail at the same point in a car's life. The median failure across all systems here is 87,000 miles; the figures below show which parts of the car run ahead of that and which run behind.
The airbag system accounts for 32.1% of complaints (990 reports, 573 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 86,000 miles, close to the vehicle's overall pattern. The middle half of these reports falls between 50,000 and 133,000 miles.
A single system taking 32.1% of all complaints is a concentration worth noting. It means that for this generation, most of what owners reported came back to one area of the car rather than being distributed across many small faults.
The transmission and driveline accounts for 27.4% of complaints (846 reports, 737 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 95,000 miles, close to the vehicle's overall pattern. The middle half of these reports falls between 69,000 and 125,000 miles.
The electrical system accounts for 7.7% of complaints (238 reports, 170 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 95,000 miles, close to the vehicle's overall pattern. The middle half of these reports falls between 60,000 and 135,000 miles.
The engine and its cooling system accounts for 5.5% of complaints (171 reports, 113 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 74,000 miles, close to the vehicle's overall pattern. The middle half of these reports falls between 26,000 and 104,000 miles.
The exterior lighting accounts for 5.2% of complaints (161 reports, 117 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 115,000 miles, close to the vehicle's overall pattern. The middle half of these reports falls between 73,000 and 162,000 miles.
The seat belts account for 5.0% of complaints (154 reports, 99 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 79,000 miles, close to the vehicle's overall pattern. The middle half of these reports falls between 52,000 and 110,000 miles.
Known problems with the 2001–2005 Civic
Transmission 2001–2005
Automatic transmission failure - torque converter lock-up clutch judder progressing to slipping and complete loss of drive. Honda extended the automatic transmission warranty on affected 2001-2002 Civics to 7 years / 100,000 miles.
Airbags (takata Inflator) 2001–2005
Takata ammonium-nitrate inflators on 2001-2003 Civics are among the highest-risk 'Alpha' population, with a documented rupture rate high enough that NHTSA and Honda issued do-not-drive advisories. Inflator rupture propels metal fragments into the cabin.
Engine Mounts 2001–2005
Front and rear engine mount collapse causing vibration at idle and driveline clunk; a routine failure item on this generation.
Before you buy a 2001–2005 Civic: the 3-minute check
Generated from 2,109 mileage-tagged complaints, 18 recall campaigns, 3 documented problem areas. Print this page — the checklist survives print.
- Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 18 campaigns cover this generation; an open recall is a free repair you can make the seller's problem.
- Check transmission on 2001–2005 (extended coverage on 2001–2002) cars. Automatic transmission failure - torque converter lock-up clutch judder progressing to slipping and complete loss of drive. Honda extended the automatic transmission warranty on affected 2001-2002 Civics to 7 years /…
- Check airbags (takata inflator) on 2001–2005 (2001–2003 highest risk) cars. Takata ammonium-nitrate inflators on 2001-2003 Civics are among the highest-risk 'Alpha' population, with a documented rupture rate high enough that NHTSA and Honda issued do-not-drive advisories. Inflator rupture…
- Check engine mounts on 2001–2005 cars. Front and rear engine mount collapse causing vibration at idle and driveline clunk; a routine failure item on this generation.
- End with a pre-purchase inspection of this car. Aggregate data describes the population; the example in front of you has its own history.
For a buyer, failures on this generation are spread rather than concentrated: the middle half falls between 50,000 and 126,000 miles, with a median of 87,000. There is no single mileage threshold to watch, which means condition and maintenance records are more informative than the odometer.
On inspection, the airbag system and the transmission and driveline are where this generation's reports concentrate, so those are the areas worth a specific look. The airbag system in particular shows a median failure mileage of 86,000, which gives a concrete number to compare against the odometer of any car you are considering.
None of this is a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection on the individual car. Aggregate patterns describe a population; the example in front of you has its own history.
Civic problems by mileage: where your car sits
Type your odometer reading, or read the common mileages in the table. Your marker lands on the timing chart above and on the curve below.
| System | Middle half of reports, mi | At 60k mi31% below | At 90k mi52% below | At 120k mi70% below | At 150k mi86% below | At 200k mi96% below |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Airbag system | 50,000–133,000 | in window | in window | in window | earlier | earlier |
| Transmission and driveline | 69,000–125,000 | later | in window | in window | earlier | earlier |
| Electrical system | 60,000–135,000 | in window | in window | in window | earlier | earlier |
| Engine and its cooling system | 26,000–104,000 | in window | in window | earlier | earlier | earlier |
| Exterior lighting | 73,000–162,000 | later | in window | in window | in window | earlier |
| Seat belts | 52,000–110,000 | in window | in window | earlier | earlier | earlier |
| Throttle and speed control | 24,000–123,000 | in window | in window | in window | earlier | earlier |
Figure 3 · Honda Civic 2001–2005 · 2,109 reports with mileage
Share of reports below each mileage
Share of mileage-tagged reports filed at or below each odometer reading. Steps rise only at bin edges, by exact counted shares.
- 60,000 mi — 31% of reports below
- 90,000 mi — 52% of reports below
- 120,000 mi — 70% of reports below
- 150,000 mi — 86% of reports below
- 200,000 mi — 96% of reports below
- Median — the staircase crosses the 50% line here
- Your odometer — appears after you enter it above
The staircase tops out at 96%: the remaining 4.0% of reports (85) came above 200,000 miles.
Nothing is smoothed or interpolated. Linear axis, same as Figure 1.
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation, public domain.
2001–2005 Honda Civic recalls (18)
NHTSA records 18 recall campaigns covering vehicles in this generation. A recall means the manufacturer or the regulator concluded there was a safety defect or a standard was not met, and that a free remedy is owed to owners — including second and later owners.
The campaigns cluster around the airbag system (8), the seat belts (3), the exterior lighting (2). Several campaigns against one area can mean a remedy that did not hold, or separate defects in parts filed under the same heading; the summaries below name each defect.
Recall status is specific to the individual vehicle, not the model. Checking a VIN against NHTSA's lookup is free and takes under a minute, and it is the only way to know whether a particular car has had the work done.
Jun 2019 · 2001–2005 · Air BagsAn inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in…
The defect. 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…
What can happen. An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
The free fix. Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal airbag inflator, free of charge. The recall began August 12, 2019. Owners may contact Honda customer service at…
Jun 2019 · 2001–2005 · Air BagsAn inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in…
The defect. 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…
What can happen. An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
The free fix. Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began August 12, 2019. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138.…
Mar 2019 · 2001–2005 · Air BagsAn explosion of an inflator within the driver frontal air bag module may result in sharp metal fragments…
The defect. 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…
What can happen. An explosion of an inflator within the driver frontal air bag module may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver, front seat passenger or other occupants resulting in serious injury or…
The free fix. Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's air bag inflator with an alternate inflator, free of charge. The recall began April 10, 2019. Honda owners may contact customer service…
Apr 2018 · 2001–2005 · Air BagsAn incorrectly installed air bag may deploy improperly in the event of a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
The defect. Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2003-2012 Honda Accord and Pilot, 2010 Accord Crosstour, 2001-2011 Civic, 2002-2011 CR-V, 2003-2004, 2006-2008 and 2011 Element, 2007 and 2009-2013 Fit, 2010-2012 Insight, 2002-2004 Odyssey, and 2012…
What can happen. An incorrectly installed air bag may deploy improperly in the event of a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
The free fix. Honda will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and, if necessary, replace the passenger frontal air bag module assembly, free of charge. The recall began June 22, 2018. Owners may contact Honda…
Jun 2015 · 2001–2005 · Air BagsIn the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger's frontal air bag, the inflator could…
The defect. Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain model year 2001-2005 Honda Civic vehicles manufactured March 21, 2000, to January 20, 2005, 2001-2004 Honda Civic GX vehicles manufactured June 14, 2000, to August 19, 2004, 2003-2005 Honda Civic Hybrid…
What can happen. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the passenger seat occupant or other occupants possibly…
The free fix. Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began on July 1, 2015. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138.…
May 2015 · 2001–2005 · Air BagsIn the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture…
The defect. Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain model year 2001-2007 Accord, 2001-2005 Civic, 2001-2004 Honda Civic GX, 2003-2005 Honda Civic Hybrid, 2002-2006 CR-V, 2003-2011 Element, 2002-2004 Odyssey, 2003-2008 Pilot, 2006 Ridgeline, 2003 Acura…
What can happen. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or…
The free fix. Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began on July 1, 2015. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138.…
Nov 2014 · 2001–2005 · Air BagsIn the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger’s frontal air bag, the inflator could…
The defect. American Honda Motor Co. (Honda) is recalling certain model year 2001-2005 Honda Civic, 2003-2004 Civic CNG and Element, 2002-2005 CR-V, 2002-2004 Odyssey, 2003-2005 Accord, Pilot, Civic Hybrid, and Acura MDX, 2005 Acura RL and 2006 Honda Ridgeline vehicles…
What can happen. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger’s frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants potentially resulting in serious…
The free fix. Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger side air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began January 26, 2015. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-800-999-1009.
Jun 2014 · 2003–2005 · Air BagsIn the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger’s frontal air bag, the inflator could…
The defect. American Honda Motor Company, Inc.'s (Honda) is conducting a limited regional recall for certain model year 2003-2005 Accord, Civic, CR-V, Pilot and Acura MDX, model year 2003-2004 Odyssey and Element, and model year 2005 Acura RL, and 2006 Honda Ridgeline…
What can happen. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger’s frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants potentially resulting in serious…
The free fix. Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the inflators in all affected vehicles, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin during August 2014. Owners may contact Honda customer…
Mar 2012 · 2002–2003 · Exterior LightingIf the terminal ends melt within the wiring harness connector, the low beam headlights may become…
The defect. 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…
What can happen. If the terminal ends melt within the wiring harness connector, the low beam headlights may become inoperative, reducing driver visibility and increasing the risk of a crash.
The free fix. Honda will notify owners, and dealers will repair the low beam terminal harness or replace the lighting switch as necessary, free of charge. The original recall began in april 2012. Owners of…
Aug 2010 · 2003 · Electrical SystemRemoval of the ignition key when the gear selector of a vehicle with an automatic transmission has not been…
The defect. Honda is recalling certain model year 2003 Honda accord, Civic two and four door, and model year 2003-2004 Honda element vehicles. The interlock lever of the ignition switch may unexpectedly deform, which can allow the interlock function of a vehicle with an…
What can happen. Removal of the ignition key when the gear selector of a vehicle with an automatic transmission has not been shifted to the park position can allow the vehicle to roll away, increasing the risk of a…
The free fix. Dealers will remove the original interlock pin and lever within the ignition switch, and replace them with new, designed components. This service will be performed free of charge. The safety recall…
Nov 2007 · 2001–2005 · Fuel System, OtherThis could result in a tank rupture, explosion, and ejection of the tank from the vehicle.
The defect. On certain compressed natural gas (cng) vehicles, in the event of a severe interior fire in the area of the rear seat, the cng tank may be heated unevenly, preventing the pressure relief device from venting the contents of the tank as designed.
What can happen. This could result in a tank rupture, explosion, and ejection of the tank from the vehicle.
The free fix. Dealers will install a heat insulator material to the rear seat back. An interim owner letter was mailed to owners beginning november 26, 2007. When parts are available, owners will be renotified…
Nov 2004 · 2004–2005 · Seat BeltsAn improperly positioned belt could increase the risk of injury in the event of a crash.
The defect. On certain passenger vehicles, some front seat belt anchors may have been installed with an incorrect washer, which could restrict anchor movement. As a result, the seat belt may be improperly positioned for certain occupants.
What can happen. An improperly positioned belt could increase the risk of injury in the event of a crash.
The free fix. Dealers will inspect the front seat belt anchors for restricted movement. If an anchor does not rotate freely, the dealer will replace the washer with a countermeasure washer. The recall began on…
Feb 2004 · 2001–2002 · Exterior LightingAn unexpected loss of low beams could result in a crash.
The defect. 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.
What can happen. An unexpected loss of low beams could result in a crash.
The free fix. 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…
Feb 2002 · 2001 · Seat BeltsThe rear seat belts will work properly and provide protection in a crash, but the owner may experience…
The defect. Certain sedans and coupes fail to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 209, "Seat belt assemblies." Certain rear seat belt buckles were improperly manufactured.
What can happen. The rear seat belts will work properly and provide protection in a crash, but the owner may experience difficulty unfastening the belt after the crash.
The free fix. In a previous recall (01v-380), only right and left buckles were inspected. The rear center buckle should also be inspected and corrected if necessary. This recall is being conducted only for the…
Dec 2001 · 2001 · Seat BeltsThe rear seat belts will work properly and provide protection in a crash, but the owner may experience…
The defect. Vehicle description: certain sedans and coupes fail to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 209, "Seat belt assemblies." Certain rear seat belt buckles were improperly manufactured.
What can happen. The rear seat belts will work properly and provide protection in a crash, but the owner may experience difficulty unfastening the belt after the crash.
The free fix. Dealers will inspect the vehicles and replace the seat belt assemblies that were improperly manufactured. Only buckles that are marked (on the back side of the buckle) with an assembly number…
Oct 2001 · 2001–2002 · Engine and Engine CoolingIf the plastic piece lodges in the throttle body, the throttle could stick in a partially open position.
The defect. Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. During the assembly process, the air cleaner box cover may have been damaged, and a broken plastic piece could travel into the intake chamber.
What can happen. If the plastic piece lodges in the throttle body, the throttle could stick in a partially open position. Although the driver can always stop the car by applying additional brake force, or by taking…
The free fix. Dealers will inspect the air cleaner box for damage. If damage is found, the dealer will locate and remove the broken plastic piece, and replace the air cleaner box lid. Owner notification began on…
Jun 2001 · 2001 · Fuel System, GasolineIf the pump stops working, the engine will stall without warning, increasing the risk of a crash.
The defect. On certain sedans, a small amount of water may have been left in the fuel pump electrical connector after testing. This residual water could cause the fuel pump to fail due to corrosion.
What can happen. If the pump stops working, the engine will stall without warning, increasing the risk of a crash.
The free fix. Dealers will inspect the fuel pump. If corrosion is found, the fuel pump will be replaced. Owner notification began june 29, 2001. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed…
Jun 2001 · 2001 · Fuel System, GasolineIn a collision, the tube could disconnect from the fuel tank, resulting in fuel leakage.
The defect. Vehicle description: sedans and coupes. The hose clamps on the filler neck tube have insufficient clamping force.
What can happen. In a collision, the tube could disconnect from the fuel tank, resulting in fuel leakage. Fuel leakage, in the presence of an ignition source, could result in a fire.
The free fix. Dealers will check the hose clamps for proper torque and tighten them correctly, if necessary. Owner notification began june 4, 2001. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an…
Crashes, fires and injuries owners reported
What owners reported alongside the failure itself, out of 3,086 complaints against this generation:
- Crashes
- 488 (15.8%)
- Fires
- 49
- Injury reports
- 322
- Fatality reports
- 14
These flags are self-reported by complainants and unverified by NHTSA; one report can carry several flags, so the counts overlap and do not sum to a total. They are not adjusted for how many of these vehicles are on the road. No chart is drawn here on purpose: overlapping counts spanning very different magnitudes cannot be honestly encoded as lengths.
Civic problems by model year
The 2001 drew the most complaints of this generation, 1,079, most of them about the transmission and driveline, and the 2005 the fewest, 365. A typical year drew about 551.
The first year of the generation, 2001, drew more complaints than a typical year. A count like this follows how many cars of each year were sold and how long they have been on the road as much as how often they failed, so it is not by itself evidence of a worse year; what each year's reports name, in its card and row, is the useful part.
| Year | Complaints | With mileage | Median miles | Most reported | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2001 | 1,079 | 692 | 89,000 | Transmission and driveline (403) | 14 |
| 2002 | 705 | 484 | 90,000 | Airbag system (243) | 11 |
| 2003 | 551 | 409 | 80,000 | Airbag system (150) | 11 |
| 2004 | 386 | 268 | 85,000 | Airbag system (143) | 10 |
| 2005 | 365 | 256 | 75,000 | Airbag system (144) | 10 |
What Civic owners reported
The contact owns a 2001 Honda Civic. The vehicle was included in a manufacturer recall 19/076 (NHTSA Campaign Number was unknown) regarding the Takata Air Bag, and the remedy was completed on March 28, 2025. When the vehicle was being repaired, the contact stated that they used their personal diagnosis machine and…
2001 · 187,000 miles · Airbag system
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…
2003 · 154,000 miles · Airbag system
The contact owns a 2001 Honda Civic. The contact stated while driving at approximately 70 MPH, the high-beam headlights failed to function as needed. The contact stated that the running lights and low-beam headlights were operable. The contact had taken the vehicle to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed and…
2001 · 218,000 miles · Exterior lighting
The contact owns a 2002 Honda Civic. The contact stated while trying to fasten the driver’s side seat belt, the seat belt failed to release, not allowing the contact to fasten the seat belt. The vehicle was not diagnosed. The dealer was contacted and stated that the vehicle needed to be diagnosed. The manufacturer was…
2002 · 76,000 miles · Seat belts
Built from 2,109 NHTSA complaints with mileage · snapshot 2026-09-26 · open data · how it is built
Other Civic generations
- Civic 1996–2000 504 reports with mileage, most about the airbag system
- Civic 2006–2011 3,503 reports with mileage, most about the airbag system
- Civic 2012–2015 924 reports with mileage, most about the airbag system
- Civic 2016–2021 1,117 reports with mileage, most about the steering
- Civic 2022–2025 118 reports with mileage, most about the steering