Reliability
Honda

Civic (7th)

2001-2005 · Compact Sedan · 7 engines
2,357 NHTSA Complaints
31 Recalls
37 Fire Reports
370 Crash Reports
Data covers 4 NHTSA model names
CIVICCIVIC GXCIVIC HYBRIDCIVIC SI
View all 7 generations of the Honda Civic → Inspection checklist

Reliability Score

6.1 / 10

Reliability score

More owner complaints than similar compact sedans

The class average is 7.0. Based on complaints owners filed with NHTSA about the engine, transmission or drivetrain.

Complaints of a failed or replaced engine, transmission or drive unit run well above similar vehicles. They set this score.

Owners filed 844 powertrain complaints. A typical compact sedan fleet of this size and age would have drawn about 1,456.

Scores this low have often eased: the three years after looked about 1.5 points better in the typical case.

Breakdown
Complaints overall844 complaints against about 1,456 for similar vehicles
8.2
Last three years
n/aNot enough data
Engine, transmission or drive unit failed or replaced379 complaints against about 265 for similar vehicles
6.0
Oil consumption, fuel in the oil or overheating25 complaints against about 69 for similar vehicles
9.0

Each line scores one view of the same complaints the same way, so the lines overlap. The mark on each bar is the class average. A line needs 20 expected complaints to show a number.

By model year
  • 20014.0
  • 20025.8
  • 20038.1
  • 20048.3
  • 20058.4

Similar vehicles are others in the same class, compared at the same age and in the same years. The score counts complaints owners filed with NHTSA, per vehicle built, which is different from the share of vehicles that fail. How the score is worked out

On the record

No serious powertrain recall covering 5% or more of this generation and no escalated investigation in NHTSA's files. Warranty extensions and settlements have not been researched.

Complaints by Engine Code

D17A2

1.7L 4-cyl / 127 hp
875 complaints 175.0 per year Gasoline
15 fire reports 9 fatalities
View details

Complaint Breakdown

safety systems
324
transmission
226
interior
71
electrical
68
engine
59

Honda Civic Unidentified Engine

661 complaints 132.2 per year
5 fire reports 4 fatalities
View details

Complaint Breakdown

safety systems
186
transmission
184
engine
55
other
50
interior
44

D17A1

1.7L 4-cyl / 115 hp
470 complaints 94.0 per year Gasoline
9 fire reports 13 fatalities
View details

Complaint Breakdown

safety systems
191
transmission
71
engine
47
body
42
electrical
37

Same engine used in

LDAI

1.3L 4-cyl / 85 hp
268 complaints 67.0 per year Gasoline
2 fire reports
View details

Complaint Breakdown

transmission
129
safety systems
48
electrical
43
engine
27
cooling
21

Same engine used in

2.0-I4-Gas

2.0L 4-cyl / 160 hp
57 complaints 13.8 per year Gasoline
6 fire reports
View details

Complaint Breakdown

safety systems
12
exterior
11
engine
8
cooling
6
other
6

Same engine used in

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D17A6

1.7L 4-cyl / 117 hp
11 complaints 5.5 per year Gasoline
View details

Complaint Breakdown

transmission
5
safety systems
3
interior
1
electrical
1
exterior
1

Same engine used in

D17A7

1.7L 4-cyl / 100 hp
11 complaints 2.2 per year Compressed Natural Gas (CNG)
View details

Complaint Breakdown

transmission
7
electrical
1
brakes
1
exterior
1
suspension
1
Show 2 additional engine variants with limited data
These engines appear in fewer than 10 owner complaints. A low count can mean a clean record, and it can also be a VIN-decode anomaly in NHTSA's data.

D16Y8

1.6L 4-cyl / 127 hp
2 complaints 2.0 per year Gasoline
View details

Complaint Breakdown

transmission
1
fuel system
1

R18A1

1.8L 4-cyl / 140 hp
2 complaints 2.0 per year Gasoline
View details

Complaint Breakdown

other
2

Battery & Propulsion Reliability

Hybrid (HEV)

Battery & propulsion complaint analysis for the 2001-2005 Honda Civic

21 battery-related complaints 7.0 per year 0 battery-related recalls

That's near the typical rate for hybrids in this dataset (median 7.0 per year). Within the normal range for the category.

2 fire reports

What kind of battery complaint?

Among the 21 battery-related complaints, here's the type mix. These percentages describe what the complaints are about — not how reliable the vehicle is overall.

Hybrid Drivetrain 8 (38%)

Hybrid system warnings, eCVT, motor-generator, hybrid transaxle.

High-Voltage Battery 7 (33%)

Propulsion battery defects, capacity loss, BMS faults, replacement claims.

Electric Propulsion 4 (19%)

Loss of power, drive unit, inverter, traction motor, DC-DC converter.

Thermal Events 2 (10%)

Battery fires, smoke, thermal runaway. Includes any complaint with fire reported.

Regenerative Braking 1 (5%)

Regen brake feel, one-pedal driving, B-mode complaints.

Charging System 1 (5%)

Charge port, cable, mobile connector, or session failures.

Sample complaint excerpts
Hybrid Drivetrain
  • [2003] THIS PROBLEM HAS BEEN HAPPENING SINCE THE CAR WAS BRAND NEW, AND CONTINUES TO THIS DAY. WHILE SLOWING DOWN, AND IF THE CAR GOES OVER A BUMP OR ROUGH PATCH IN THE ROAD, THE ELECTRICAL BRAKING BY THE HYBRID SYSTEM TURNS OFF. THIS CAUSES THERE TO BE NO BRAKING AT ALL ON THE CAR FOR A BRIEF PERIOD OF TIME. THE REGULAR BRAKING SYSTEM WILL ENGAGE BUT IT REQUIRES MORE FORCE AND TIME THAN NORMAL TO S
  • [2003] I WISH TO MAKE NOTICE TO NHTSA THAT THE ISSUE IN BRAKING FOR PRIUS VEHICLES WOULD SEEM TO ME TO BE RELATED, IN GENERAL, TO HYBRIDS, BUILT IN JAPAN, AND NOT JUST TOYOTA. I HAVE AN '03 HONDA CIVIC HYBRID, AND IT HAS ISSUES. IT HAS BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT BACK IN '05 AND WHAT WAS THE ISSUE? BRAKING! THE CAR WENT OUT OF CONTROL UNDER HEAVY BRAKING (THOUGH ALL THESE VEHICLES HAVE 4 WHL ABS) IN AN "ANIMAL-A
  • [2003] THE PROBLEM IS INTERMITTENT, ONGOING FOR THE PAST 2 YEARS. THE FAILURE IS THAT THE TRANSMISSION WILL NOT COME OUT OF PARK, THERE ARE NO BRAKE LIGHTS, THERE IS NO BRAKE REGENERATION IN THE HYBRID SYSTEM, AND THE AUTO STOP FUNCTION DOES NOT WORK. OVER THE LAST 24 DAYS THERE THE CAR HAS BEEN STARTED 75 TIMES WITH 24 TIMES FAILURE OF THE BRAKE SYSTEM TO WORK. I'VE KEPT A LOG SINCE THE LAST DEALER V
High-Voltage Battery
  • [2003] WE PURCHASED A 2003 HONDA CHC IN 2006 WITH APPROXIMATELY 34,000 MILES. AS OF JANUARY 2010, THE CAR HAS 155,010 MILES. FROM THE DATE OF PURCHASE, THERE HAS BEEN A SHUDDER WHEN DECELERATING FROM 40+ MPH. WE HAVE ONLY TAKEN THE CAR TO OUR LOCAL HONDA DEALERSHIP FOR REPAIR AND MAINTENANCE AND HAVE BEEN REPEATEDLY TOLD THAT THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE CAR AND THAT SHUDDER IS FROM AN "OVERLOAD".
  • [2003] I HAVE A 2003 HONDA HYBRID WITH 146K ON IT...THE CAR STARTED MAKING SLIPPING AND GRINDING NOISES WHEN COMING OUT OF A FULL STOP. I NOTICED THAT A LOT OF OTHER PEOPLE ARE HAVING THE SAME EXACT ISSUE AT VARIOUS INTERVALS AND ARE GETTING THE RUN AROUND FROM HONDA DEALERSHIPS-REPLACING TRANSMISSION FLUIDS, BRANDISHING, ETC. ONLY FOR THE PROBLEM TO RETURN. AT THIS POINT I HAVE A VEHICLE THAT COSTS ENOR
  • [2003] WHEN COMING TO A SLOW STOP, WITH BRAKE LIGHTLY APPLIED, THE VEHICLE IS DESIGNED TO TURN OFF THE ENGINE AND DISENGAGE THE TRANSMISSION WHILE THE VEHICLE IS STILL MOVING. DUE TO USE OF THE ENGINE AS A GENERATOR TO CHARGE THE PROPULSION BATTERY AT THIS POINT, THE FRICTION IS SUBSTANTIAL AND CONTRIBUTES GREATLY TO BRAKING. WHEN THE ENGINE SHUTS OFF AND THE TRANSMISSION DISENGAGES SIMULTANEOUSLY, THE
Electric Propulsion
  • [2003] THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG INFLATOR HAS BEEN RECALLED. I CAN REPLACE IT FREE. BUT THE REPLACEMENT WILL BE AN ACT OF FUTILITY BECAUSE THE SRS LIGHT IS ON, THE SENSOR IS PROBABLY BROKEN, AND IF THERE IS AN ACCIDENT THE AIR BAG WON'T GO OFF. (I HAVE NOT SCHEDULED THE POINTLESS ACT.) I SPOKE TO SOMEONE IN COMPLAINTS. IF THE SRS LIGHT IS DUE TO A SENSOR PROBLEM, REPLACEMENT WILL COST ANOTHER $190
  • [2004] I WAS DRIVING IN THE MORNING COMMUTE AS USUAL, LEFT LANE, STOP AND GO TRAFFIC. AFTER, SOME SLOW DOWN I ACCELERATED BUT THE CAR DID NOT RESPOND TRIED TO SHIFT TO THE LOWER GEAR DID NOT WORK ETHER. I HAD TO CUT THROUGH TWO LANES OF TRAFFIC (BARELY MISSED A CAR) TO GET TO THE SHOULDER. THE TRANSMISSION IS OUT AND DOESN'T RESPOND TO ANY GEAR (R, D, S, L). THE ENGINE REVS WHEN PUT ON ANY GEAR, BUT T
  • [2005] WHILE TRAVELING DOWN THE HIGHWAY I HIT A DEER HEAD ON. THE DEER DESTROYED MUCH OF MY FRONT END BUT THE MOTOR WAS STILL GOING . I APPLIED THE BRAKES AND AFTER ABOUT 15 SECONDS THE CAR STARTED TO ACCELERATE AND COULDN'T BE STOPPED. SINCE IT WAS A HYBRID IT FELT LIKE THE ELECTRIC MOTOR KICKED IN FOR SOME STRANGE REASON AND THE CAR COULDN'T BE STOPPED. IN ORDER TO STOP THE CAR I PUT IT IN TO PARK WHIL
Thermal Events
  • [2004] WHILE PARKED, THE VEHICLE'S TRUNK CAUGHT FIRE WITHOUT WARNING. *JB IT WAS LATER DETERMINED THAT THE BATTERIES ELECTRICAL WIRING AND CABLES ARC CAUSING THE FIRE. *NM
  • [2005] This car had not been driven or started in 36 hours. it was sitting at the end of my driveway . there were no vehicles near it or close to any traffic. i noticed a black smoke coming from rear seat/trunk area of drivers side. This is where the batteries were located..I called fire dept. It suddenly burst into flames. The car burned up. The fire was so hot the doors blew open. Glass exploded and s
Regenerative Braking
  • [2003] I WISH TO MAKE NOTICE TO NHTSA THAT THE ISSUE IN BRAKING FOR PRIUS VEHICLES WOULD SEEM TO ME TO BE RELATED, IN GENERAL, TO HYBRIDS, BUILT IN JAPAN, AND NOT JUST TOYOTA. I HAVE AN '03 HONDA CIVIC HYBRID, AND IT HAS ISSUES. IT HAS BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT BACK IN '05 AND WHAT WAS THE ISSUE? BRAKING! THE CAR WENT OUT OF CONTROL UNDER HEAVY BRAKING (THOUGH ALL THESE VEHICLES HAVE 4 WHL ABS) IN AN "ANIMAL-A
Charging System
  • [2005] COMPONENT 1 IMA (HYBRID) BATTERY ASSEMBLY FAILURE, NOT CHARGING PROPERLY COMPONENT 2 CVT TRANSMISSION, 'START CLUTCH' SLIPPING & GRINDING WHEN STARTING UP FROM A STOP

Source: classified from NHTSA complaint and recall data. "Battery-related" includes high-voltage propulsion battery, charging system, hybrid drivetrain, electric propulsion, regenerative braking, 12V auxiliary battery, and thermal-event complaints. Other complaints (suspension, steering, brakes, infotainment) appear in the engine and vehicle-level sections. Rates are absolute counts, not normalized per-VIN — high-volume models naturally produce more raw complaints than low-volume ones. Self-reported death and injury counts are capped per complaint to limit form abuse.

Owner Complaints by System

Complaints owners filed with NHTSA about the Honda Civic, counted across every engine. A complaint can name more than one system.

Safety Systems: 764 owner complaints
Transmission: 629 owner complaints
Engine: 197 owner complaints
Electrical System: 190 owner complaints
Interior: 161 owner complaints

What to check on a used 2001-2005 Honda Civic

On a used 2001-2005 Honda Civic, the systems with the most NHTSA owner complaints are the airbags and driver-assist systems (764), the transmission and drivetrain (629) and the engine (197). Each one has an inspection step below, with counts as of 2026-10-12. A complaint is an owner report, not a confirmed defect, and counts rise with sales.

  1. Switch the ignition on and watch the airbag light. On the drive, check the backup camera and any collision or lane warning.Safety. NHTSA has 764 owner complaints on the 2001-2005 Honda Civic about the airbags and driver-assist systems.
  2. Accelerate gently through every gear, then once at full throttle. Shift into Reverse and back to Drive.Costly repair. NHTSA has 629 owner complaints on the 2001-2005 Honda Civic about the transmission and drivetrain, all engines combined.
  3. Start the engine cold and listen for the first 30 seconds, then again at idle once it is warm.Costly repair. NHTSA has 197 owner complaints on the 2001-2005 Honda Civic about the engine, all engines combined.
  4. Switch on every electrical item in turn: lights, windows, locks, wipers, climate fan, screen and power outlets.Costly repair. NHTSA has 190 owner complaints on the 2001-2005 Honda Civic about the electrical system.
  5. Latch and tug every seat belt, move every seat through its full travel and lock each seatback.Safety. NHTSA has 161 owner complaints on the 2001-2005 Honda Civic about the seats, seat belts and interior.
Open the full inspection checklist for the 2001-2005 Honda Civic

Recalls (31)

19V499000Jun 27, 2019critical
Air Bags

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.

19V501000Jun 27, 2019critical
Air Bags

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.

19V182000Mar 6, 2019critical
Air Bags

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.

18V268000Apr 26, 2018serious
Air Bags

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 Ridgeline vehicles. The front passenger air bag may have been installed incorrectly during replacement.

15V370000Jun 15, 2015critical
Air Bags

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 vehicles manufactured February 24, 2002, to January 18, 2005, 2003-2007 Honda Accord vehicles manufactured February 21, 2002, to August 28, 2007, 2002-2004 Honda CR-V vehicles, 2002-2003 Honda Odyssey vehicles manufactured June 19, 2001, to July 12, 2003, 2003 Acura MDX vehicles manufactured September 19, 2002, to June 19, 2003, 2003 Honda Element vehicles manufactured June 25, 2002, to July 31, 2003, and 2003 Honda Pilot vehicles manufactured November 26, 2001, to August 21, 2003. The affected vehicles have a passenger side frontal air bag that may be susceptible to moisture intrusion which, over time, could cause the inflator to rupture upon its deployment.

Show 26 older recalls
15V320000May 28, 2015critical
Air Bags

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 3.2CL, 2003-2006 Acura MDX, and 2002-2003 Acura 3.2TL vehicles. The affected vehicles are equipped with a dual-stage driver frontal air bag that may be susceptible to moisture intrusion and other factors, including manufacturing variability that, over time, could cause the inflator to rupture.

14V700000Nov 4, 2014critical
Air Bags

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 originally sold, or ever registered, in geographic locations associated with high absolute humidity. Specifically, vehicles sold, or ever registered, in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands, Saipan, Guam, and American Samoa are addressed by this recall. Upon deployment of the passenger side frontal air bag, excessive internal pressure may cause the inflator to rupture.

14V353000Jun 20, 2014critical
Air Bags

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 vehicles originally sold, or ever registered in California, and equipped with Takata-brand air bag inflators. Upon deployment of the passenger side frontal air bag, excessive internal pressure may cause the inflator to rupture.

12V136000Mar 30, 2012serious
Exterior Lighting

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 YEAR 2003 PILOT VEHICLES. IN AUGUST 2012, HONDA INFORMED THE AGENCY THAT IT WAS INCLUDING AN ADDITIONAL 820,789 VEHICLES INCLUDING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2004 AND 2005 PILOTS AND MODEL YEAR 2002 AND 2003 CIVICS. THE TOTAL NUMBER OF VEHICLES BEING RECALLED IS NOW 1,375,217. DUE TO TENSION FROM THE COMBINATION SWITCH WIRING HARNESS, WEAR ON THE SURFACE OF THE ELECTRICAL TERMINAL CAN OCCUR, YIELDING COPPER OXIDE, WHICH INCREASES ELECTRICAL RESISTANCE. INCREASED ELECTRICAL RESISTANCE MAY CAUSE THE TERMINAL ENDS TO MELT WITHIN THE WIRING HARNESS CONNECTOR.

10V364000Aug 5, 2010serious
Electrical System

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 AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION TO BE DEFEATED.

09E025000May 11, 2009serious
Exterior Lighting

DOPE, INC. IS RECALLING 42,540 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.

09E012000Apr 7, 2009serious
Exterior Lighting

SABERSPORT IS RECALLING 16,270 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.

08E050000Aug 11, 2008serious
Exterior Lighting

K2 MOTOR IS RECALLING 1,921 AFTERMARKET HEADLAMPS OF VARIOUS MODELS SOLD FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LISTED VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS ARE MISSING THE AMBER SIDE REFLEX REFLECTOR WHICH FAILS TO CONFORM WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT."

07E104000Dec 11, 2007serious
Visibility

CERTAIN CURVED TEMPERED REPLACEMENT GLASS MANUFACTURED BY HANGZHOU SAFETY GLASS LTD AND SUPPLIED TO SAFELITE BY AUTO TEMP INC., IDENTIFIED AS DOT-430, AND SOLD FOR USE ON CERTAIN DOMESTIC AND FOREIGN VEHICLES MAY NOT BREAK INTO SMALL PIECES AS EXPECTED OF TEMPERED GLASS AND FAILS TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 205, "GLAZING MATERIALS."

07V512000Nov 1, 2007serious
Fuel System, Other

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.

06E064000Jul 17, 2006serious
Exterior Lighting

CERTAIN TRADESONIC COMBINATION LAMPS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LISTED PASSENGER VEHICLES. COMBINATION LAMPS NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.

06E060000Jun 29, 2006serious
Exterior Lighting

CERTAIN AAI MOTORSPORTS COMBINATION LAMPS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LIST PASSENGER VEHICLES. COMBINATION LAMPS NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT."

06E044000May 22, 2006serious
Exterior Lighting

CERTAIN J & A AUTO ACCESSORIES COMBINATION HEADLAMPS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LISTED PASSENGER VEHICLES. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS THAT ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.

06E040000May 15, 2006serious
Exterior Lighting

CERTAIN E SPEED RACING COMBINATION LAMPS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT FOR USE ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS THAT ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.

06E038000May 8, 2006serious
Exterior Lighting

CERTAIN ALFAOTTO COMBINATION HEADLAMPS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LISTED PASSENGER VEHICLES. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS THAT ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.

06E032000Apr 18, 2006serious
Exterior Lighting

CERTAIN EAGLE EYES AND SONAR HEADLIGHTS AND CORNER LIGHTS SOLD AS AFTERMARKET FOR USE ON 1988-2005 HONDA CIVIC, 1990-2005 HONDA ACCORD, AND 1990-2001 ACURA INTEGRA PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. HEADLIGHTS AND CORNER LIGHTS THAT ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.

06E026000Mar 23, 2006serious
Exterior Lighting

CERTAIN PRO-A MOTORS CORNER LAMPS, TURN SIGNALS, AND HEADLIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS THAT ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.

06E025000Mar 21, 2006serious
Exterior Lighting

CERTAIN POLI-AUTO COMBINATION HEADLAMP ASSEMBLIES, P/NOS. 11-728, 11-728D, 11-710, 11-419, 11-713, 11-703, 11-704, 11-708P, 11-735, 11-725, 11-726, 11-716 (P&C), 11-721-1, 11-733, 11-729, 11-730, AND 11-732, SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS THAT ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT."

06E023000Mar 13, 2006serious
Exterior Lighting

CERTAIN ANZO COMBINATION HEADLAMP ASSEMBLIES SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS WHICH FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT."

04V550000Nov 18, 2004serious
Seat Belts

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.

04V086000Feb 24, 2004serious
Exterior Lighting

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.

02V051000Feb 8, 2002serious
Seat Belts

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.

01V380000Dec 13, 2001serious
Seat Belts

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.

01V329000Oct 22, 2001serious
Engine & Cooling

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.

01V183000Jun 6, 2001serious
Fuel System

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.

01V182000Jun 6, 2001serious
Fuel System

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: SEDANS AND COUPES. THE HOSE CLAMPS ON THE FILLER NECK TUBE HAVE INSUFFICIENT CLAMPING FORCE.

Alternatives in Compact Sedan

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the most common 2001-2005 Honda Civic complaints?

Owners have filed 2,357 complaints with NHTSA about the 2001-2005 Honda Civic. The systems they name most often are the safety systems, the transmission and the engine.

Is the 2001-2005 Honda Civic a good used car?

That depends on the model year, the mileage and the maintenance history of the car in front of you. Owners have filed 2,357 complaints with NHTSA about the 2001-2005 Honda Civic. Check which systems they name most often and whether a recall is still open on that car.

How many NHTSA complaints does the 2001-2005 Honda Civic have?

NHTSA has 2,357 owner complaints on file for the 2001-2005 Honda Civic as of the latest data pull. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect, and counts rise with sales.

What recalls affect the 2001-2005 Honda Civic?

NHTSA lists 31 recalls covering some 2001-2005 Honda Civic vehicles. Which ones apply depends on the VIN: enter it at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see the open campaigns on a specific car.

What should I check before buying a used Honda Civic?

Run the VIN through NHTSA's recall lookup and confirm every open recall has been done. Look hardest at the safety systems, the transmission and the engine, the systems owners complain about most. Ask for maintenance records, have an independent mechanic inspect the car and run a vehicle history report for prior accidents and title issues.

Does the Civic have NHTSA crash test ratings?

NHTSA has not published crash test ratings for the 2001-2005 Honda Civic. Not all vehicles are tested each year. For the latest NHTSA safety information, visit nhtsa.gov/ratings.

Data from NHTSA federal complaints database. 2,357 complaints analyzed. Data confidence: high. Last updated: 2026-10-12.

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