2003 HONDA CIVIC Engine And Engine Cooling Problems

CAR WAS IN A FRONTAL COLLISION. THE BACKSEAT OF THE 2003 HONDA CIVIC CAUGHT FIRE UPON THE FRONT IMPACT. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT COULD NOT DETECT WHY OR HOW THE FIRE STARTED. *TR

Mileage: 120,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 HONDA CIVIC. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS BEING SERVICED AT AN AUTHORIZED DEALER, THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED BY THE MECHANIC THAT THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER WAS FRACTURED AND LEAKING EXHAUST INTO THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MECHANIC ADVISED HER TO DRIVE WITH THE WINDOWS DOWN TO HELP KEEP OUT THE EXHAUST FUMES. SHE THEN CALLED THE MANUFACTURER AND WAS ADVISED THAT HER VEHICLE WAS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY AND NO ASSISTANCE WOULD BE PROVIDED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 155,700 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 162,000.

Mileage: 155,700

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 HONDA CIVIC HYBRID. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 5 MPH WHEN THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO JERK ABNORMALLY AND STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WENT STRAIGHT TO THE FLOORBOARD WHEN DEPRESSED AND THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT ACCELERATE. THE CONTACT THEN RELEASED THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL AND THE VEHICLE PROCEEDED WITHOUT STALLING. THE DEALER WAS INFORMED OF THE FAILURE AND THEY DIAGNOSED AND REPLACED A VALVE. THE FAILURE PERSISTED AFTER THE REPAIRS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT FURTHER REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 52,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 53,000.

Mileage: 52,000

THE AIR CONDITIONER ON MY 2003 HONDA CIVIC SI STOPPED WORKING SUDDENLY AFTER A LOUD BREAKING SOUND CAME OUT OF THE CAR. I TOOK IT TO THE HONDA DEALERSHIP AND THE DIAGNOSIS IS THAT THE COMPRESSOR EXPLODED AND CAUSED METAL SHAVING TO GO INTO THE ENTIRE AIR CONDITIONER SYSTEM. THE DEALERSHIP HAS TOLD ME THAT THE AIR CONDITIONER SYSTEM WILL NEED TO BE TOTALLY REPLACED. THE ESTIMATE FOR THE WORK IS $2600.00. *TR

Mileage: 109,988

MY AIR CONDITION JUST DIED , ITS NOT A FUSE , MIGHT BE ELECTRICAL , MY MECHANIC SAYS EVEN AFTER 7YRS IT SHOULD NOT HAVE DIED. DRIVING AROUND IN 95 DEGREE WEATHER , LOTS OF RAIN WITH NO DEFROST EITHER. WIPERS WORK, NEED HELP TO FIX THIS PROBLEM -EXPENSIVE IF ITS A SENSOR?DO NOT KNOW THE PROBLEM AT ALL. *TR

Mileage: 61

2003 HONDA CIVIC EX. NO HEAT IN WINTER. OVERHEATS IN SUMMER. COOLANT OVERFLOWS THROUGH RESERVOIR. SEVERAL OTHERS WITH THIS SAME PROBLEM. ITS NOT THE WATER PUMP, RADIATOR, THERMOSTAT, OR LINES. HONDA MUST FIX THIS PROBLEM. *TR

Mileage: 101,000

2003 HONDA CIVIC EX. NO HEAT IN WINTER. OVERHEATS IN SUMMER. COOLANT OVERFLOWS THROUGH RESERVOIR. SEVERAL OTHERS WITH THIS SAME PROBLEM. ITS NOT THE WATER PUMP, RADIATOR, THERMOSTAT, OR LINES. HONDA MUST FIX THIS PROBLEM. *TR

Mileage: 101,000

2003 HONDA CIVIC EX. NO HEAT IN WINTER. OVERHEATS IN SUMMER. COOLANT OVERFLOWS THROUGH RESERVOIR. SEVERAL OTHERS WITH THIS SAME PROBLEM. ITS NOT THE WATER PUMP, RADIATOR, THERMOSTAT, OR LINES. HONDA MUST FIX THIS PROBLEM. *TR

Mileage: 101,000

OBD CODE 1240 RECURS DESPITE REPLACEMENT OF CATALYTIC CONVERTER AND REPROGRAMMING OF COMPUTER. IT SEEMS TO BE TRIGGERED BY EXTENDED HIGH SPEED DRIVING. *TR

CATALYTIC CONVERTER ISSUES HAD TO REPLACE IT TWICE IN THE LAST YEAR. *TR

Mileage: 80,000

THE FAILURE IS A SOFTWARE DEFECT, WHICH CAUSES THE ENGINE TO STOP RUNNING AT RANDOM, UNPREDICTABLE TIMES, UNDER UNPREDICTABLE CONDITIONS. IT HAS OCCURRED FOUR TIMES WITH MY VEHICLE, AND LUCKILY, NOT IN DANGEROUS CIRCUMSTANCES. THE ONLY WAY TO RESTART THE ENGINE IS TO BRING THE VEHICLE TO A COMPLETE STOP, PUT IT IN PARK, TURN OFF THE KEY COMPLETELY, WAIT A MINUTE, THEN TURN THE IGNITION TO START. IF IT WERE TO OCCUR IN TRAFFIC, AS ON THE INTERSTATE, THIS WOULD BE A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION. I HAVE TAKEN THE CAR TO THE DEALER FOR THIS PROBLEM, WHO SAYS HE CANNOT ADDRESS IT BECAUSE HE CANNOT OBSERVE IT OCCURRING, HE ALSO SAYS THAT THE PROBLEM IS THE RESPONSIBILITY OF HONDA CORP, SINCE IT IS A DESIGN ISSUE. *TR

Mileage: 105,000

AIR CONDITIONING CONDENSER IS TOO LOW TO THE GROUND AND FULLY EXPOSED TO STONES, SAND AND ROAD DEBRIS THAT KICKS UP FROM THE HIGHWAY. MY CONDENSER ORIGINALLY HAD BLACK PAINT ON IT BUT IT NOW IS DENTED, LEAKS AND LOOKS SANDBLASTED AND IS BLOCKED FULL OF ROAD SALT CAUSING THE DEFROST FUNCTION AND THE AIR CONDITIONING TO FAIL AND FREON 134A TO BE EXHAUSTED INTO THE ATMOSPHERE CAUSING ENVIRONMENTAL DAMAGE BECAUSE OF THIS POOR UNPROTECTED DESIGN. RECOMMEND THE MANUFACTURER BE COMPELLED TO MAKE AVAILABLE SOME FORM OF PROTECTIVE MEASURE TO PREVENT THIS PREMATURE FAILURE OF THE WINDSHIELD DEFROST FUNCTION AND AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEM. *TR

Mileage: 143,000

CATALYTIC CONVERTER AND O2 SENSORS CONTINUALLY NEED REPLACEMENT. *TR

Mileage: 104,000

TRANSMISSION HESITATES. MANUFACTURER CHANGES THE TRANSMISSION FLUID, BUT DOES NOT REPAIR. MANUFACTURER WILL NOT SOLVE THE PROBLEM ONLY BANDAIDS THIS RECURRING PROBLEM. VEHICLE HESITATES AND SHUTTERS DURING ACCELERATION WHICH CAN BE DANGEROUS IN INTERSECTIONS AND IN GENERAL TRAFFIC. THIS IS OCCURRING ON SEVERAL YEARS OF THIS VEHICLE ACCORDING TO WEBSITES I HAVE READ. THE VEHICLE HAS ALSO GONE THROUGH TWO REPLACEMENT OF THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER. *TR

Mileage: 80,000

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 HONDA CIVIC. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30MPH HE NOTICED THAT THE ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE LOCAL DEALER STATED THAT THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER MALFUNCTIONED; HOWEVER, THEY WERE UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF FAILURE. HONDA ALSO MAILED HIM A NOTICE REQUESTING TO RANDOMLY TEST HIS VEHICLE TO MEASURE THE EMISSION CONTROL SYSTEMS PERFORMANCE. HE HAS FILED A FORMAL COMPLAINT WITH THE MANUFACTURER. HE HAS NOT REPAIRED THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 78,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 82,100.

Mileage: 82,100

MY NEW CAR, ONCE SMOKED FOR NO REASON, LAST YEAR, NOW AT 40,000 MILES MY RADIATOR MOTOR WAS BAD ONLY 3 YRS OLD-OUT OF WARRANTY,HONDA DID NOTHING-GET IT SERVICED. MY OTHER HONDA LASTED 10YRS- I DO NOT GET IT-AFTER BEING HIT BY 18 WHEELER. *TR

Mileage: 40

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 HONDA CIVIC-HYBRID. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD TAKE APPROXIMATELY FIVE SECONDS TO SHIFT INTO GEAR WHEN ENGAGED. THE DEALER INSPECTED THE VEHICLE ON THREE OCCASIONS BUT WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE CAUSE OF FAILURE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD MAKE AN UNFAMILIAR NOISE WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH OR GREATER. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE CAUSE OF THIS FAILURE AS WELL. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 45,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 10,000.

Mileage: 10,000

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 HONDA CIVIC-HYBRID. THE VEHICLE LUNGES FORWARD WHEN THE CONTACT REMOVES AND REAPPLIES HIS FOOT FROM THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE EGR VALVE WAS FAULTY. THE FUEL SYSTEM WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 39,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 38,500.

Mileage: 38,500

A/C CONDENSER LEAK DUE TO DESIGN FLAW THAT ALLOWS ROAD DEBRIS TO HIT CONDENSER DIRECTLY AND CAUSE DAMAGE, LEAK, AND FAILURE FOR COLD A/C FLOW. *TR

Mileage: 60,000

TL* - CONTACT STATED THAT ON THE EVENING OF APRIL 9, 2007 WHILE DRIVING AT 35 TO 40 MPH IN LIGHT HIGHWAY TRAFFIC, THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD NOISE FROM UNDER THE 2003 HONDA CIVIC HYBRID. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT TURNED ON, AND TRANSMISSION GEAR SHIFTED FROM DRIVE TO NEUTRAL. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE RPMS WENT UP TO 4000, BUT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT ACCELERATING. THE VEHICLE LOST POWER, AND WOULD ONLY DRIVE AT ABOUT 15 TO 20 MPH. THE CONTACT WAS WAITING FOR HONDA TO INSPECT THE VEHICLE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGE WERE 83,000.*AK

Mileage: 83,000

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 HONDA CIVIC HYBRID. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO ACCELERATE FROM IDLE AT A STOP LIGHT THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO VIBRATE AND THEN SHUT OFF. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED INTERMITTENTLY PRIOR TO THIS FAILURE. THE DEALER REPLACED THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER. PRESENTLY, THE VEHICLE WILL START,BUT WAS NOT DRIVABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A HONDA DEALER, AND DIAGNOSED AS NEEDING A NEW TRANSMISSION. THE DEALER FOUND A SALVAGED TRANSMISSION. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGE WERE 158,000.*AK

Mileage: 158,000

TL*- THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING THE 2003 HONDA CIVIC HIBRID ( AT 50 MPH AND MERGING ONTO THE INTERSTATE THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO LOSE POWER. IT REGAINED POWER BY ACCELERATING, BUT THE VEHICLE JERKED BACK AND FORWARD. THE VEHICLE HAD TO BE DRIVEN SLOWLY UNTIL IT GOT UP TO PROPER SPEED. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE EGR VALVE, THE STARTER GEAR AND THE FLYWHEEL FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS STILL NOT WORKING PROPERLY. *AK

Mileage: 70,000

IN AUGUST OF 2006 MY VEHICLE OVERHEATED FOR THE FIRST TIME. I PROMPTLY TOOK IT IN AND THEY FIXED AN "AIR HOSE LEAK". AFTER THAT MY CAR OVERHEATED EVERY FEW WEEKS WITHOUT WARNING AND AFTER COOLANT HAD BEEN FOUND LEAKED INTO THE ENGINE A NEW THERMOSTAT WAS INSTALLED. IT OVERHEATED A MONTH LATER AND THE WHOLE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *NM

NEW YEARS DAY, I GOT OFF THE FREEWAY AND MY STEERING WHEEL LOCKED AND MY CLUTCH STIFFENED. SECONDS LATER THEY RESUMED THEIR NORMAL FEEL BUT MY BATTERY AND TEMP LIGHT CAME ON AND SMOKE/STEAM CAME OUT OF MY HOOD. I PULLED OVER AND OPENED THE HOOD...COOLANT RESEVOIR WAS ALMOST COMPLETELY EMPTY AND COOLANT HAD EXPLODED ALL OVER THE ENGINE. I HAD THE CAR TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR WARRANTY REVIEW. THEY CALLED AND SAID NO COVERAGE, THEY BELIEVE THAT A ROCK HAD PUNCTURED THE RADIATOR AND HENCE IT WAS NOT A PARTS PROBLEM. SINCE, I HAVE REVIEWED NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS ABOUT ROCKS PUNCTURING CAR INTERNAL PARTS, SPECIFICALLY HONDA'S. THIS IS A POOR DESIGN AND IN OTHER CIRCUMSTANCES THIS COULD HAVE BEEN A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION. IT SHOULD NOT TAKE A DEATH TO CALL ATTENTION TO A COMPANY WHO IS SELLING CARS WHICH ARE NOT PROPERLY DESIGNED FOR HIGHWAY DRIVING CONDITIONS. SINCE I HAD JUST GOTTEN OFF THE FREEWAY, I WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER RIGHT AWAY AND CEASE ANY FURTHER DAMAGE. PARTS AND LABOR WILL COST ME 1000.00 FOR A 3 YEAR OLD CAR THAT WAS BOUGHT WITH AN EXTENDED WARRANTY (WHICH COST A COUPLE THOUSAND DOLLARS AT TIME OF PURCHASE). I AM OUTRAGED AND DISAPPOINTED WITH HONDA. *JB

Mileage: 74,000

1- 2003 HONDA CIVIC 4 DOOR,17000 MILES, UNEXPLAINED SPINNING, CRASH, AND SUBSEQUENT FIRE BURNED CAR TO A CRISP. DRIVER PULLED FROM CAR SUFFERING SHOCK AND INHALATION OF FUMES. *NM

Mileage: 17,000

DT*: THE CONSUMER STATED THE CHECK MAINTENANCE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP TO DETERMINE THE PROBLEM. THE DEALERSHIP DISCOVERED THE BATTERY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. AFTER THE BATTERY REPLACEMENT, THE CHECK MAINTENANCE LIGHT WENT OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN FOR A FEW DAYS AND THE CHECK MAINTENANCE LIGHT ILLUMINATED ONCE AGAIN. LATER, THE CONSUMER WAS INVOLVED IN A REAR END COLLISION WHILE TRAVELING AT 35 MPH ON A WET ROAD. THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED, BUT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO STOP BEFORE STRIKING ANOTHER VEHICLE IN THE REAR END. THE SEAT BELTS WERE IN USE AND NO INJURIES WERE SUSTAINED. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED AND DIAGNOSTICS WERE PERFORMED TO DETERMINE WHY THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE CODES SHOWED FAULTY SENSORS IN THE AIR BAGS. THE DEALER DETERMINED FURTHER TESTING WOULD BE REQUIRED BEFORE A FINAL DECISION COULD BE MADE ON THE AIR BAG FAILURE. *JB UPDATE 2/24/2006 - *NM

Mileage: 32,100

MY 03 HONDA CIVIC HYBRIDS ELECTRIC (HYBRID) MOTOR NEEDED REPLACING. *NM

Mileage: 40,000

2003 HONDA CIVIC CONCERNS REGARDING THE CHANGE IN THE CARS PERFORMANCE.***NO ANSWER REQUIRED***.*MR EVER SINCE THE ECM UPDATE WAS PERFORMED ON THE CONSUMERS VEHICLE, THE GAS MILEAGE HAS DROPPED TO 41 MPG, THEN TO 38 MPG AD NOW 37 MPG. IN ADDITION, THE VEHICLE NOW LABORS AND LAGS TERRIBLY. *JB

2003 HONDA CIVIC CAUGHT ON FIRE IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. *MR *SC

2003 CIVIC, HIGHWAY MILES OF 49,800. CAR OVERHEATED VERY QUICKLY ON THE HIGHWAY, PULLED OVER, GOT HOTTER AND HOTTER WITH STEAM EVERYWHERE. DEALERSHIP TOWED IT TO THEIR GARAGE AND GAVE US LOANER CAR. DEALERSHIP EXTENDED 36000/3YEAR WARRANTY TO 50000 BY THE WAY. TECHS SAID THEY HAD NEVER SEEN SUCH A MESS. RADIATOR LITERALLY *MELTED INTO THE ENGINE*, THEY SAID. I READ ABOUT HEAD GASKET PROBLEMS ON SOME ONLINE HONDA OWNER GROUPS, SO I ASKED IF THAT IS WHAT HAPPENED, AND THEY SAID IT WAS DEFINITELY BLOWN, BUT CAN'T DETERMINE IF THAT HAPPENED FIRST OR THE RADIATOR FAILED. IT TOOK THEM FOUR DAYS TO DETERMINE THAT *MAYBE* A ROCK HIT THE RADIATOR ON THE HIGHWAY CAUSING A SLOW LEAK. MY INSURANCE GUY LOOKED AT THE CAR AND WILL NOT PAY BECAUSE HONDA CANNOT PROVE ANY KIND OF HIGHWAY *ACCIDENT* HAPPENED. THEY CAN'T EVEN GET IT TO LEAK OR FIND A HOLE, BUT WITH PRESSURE THEY CAN SEE A *WET SPOT* ON THE RADIATOR. AND... THEY WILL NOT HONOR THE 50000 EXTENDED WARRANTY BECAUSE I DID NOT GET EVERY OIL CHANGE AND RECOMMENDED SERVICE AT THE DEALERSHIP. THIS CAR IS NOT EVEN 2 YEARS OLD. WE BOUGHT A HONDA BECAUSE IT CAN TAKE THE HIGH HIGHWAY MILEAGE. WE EVEN JUST BOUGHT A HONDA VAN LAST MONTH BECAUSE OF HONDA'S LONGEVITY AND REPUTATION. THIS CAR SHOULD NOT BE BLOWING AN ENGINE AT THIS AGE. THIS HAS TO BE SOME KIND OF DEFECT.*AK

Mileage: 49,800

THE VEHICLE WAS SMOKING FROM THE MUFFLER, THE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON, AND IT FELT LIKE IT WAS STALLING. THE MANUFACTURER TOLD THE CONSUMER TO GET A SECOND OPINION. THE DEALER MAINTAINED THAT NO DEFECTS WERE FOUND. *AK THE VEHICLE OVERHEATED. *SC

Mileage: 15,534

HONDA CRV VEHICLE FIRES AFTER OIL CHANGES. *MR THE CONSUMER NOTICED OIL LEAKING FROM THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER EXPLAINED THAT WHEN THE OIL IS CHANGED, OIL WOULD SOMETIME GET TRAPPED UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE CAUSING THE LEAK. *SC *JB

OIL LEAKING FROM UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE. *LA WHEN THE OIL WAS CHANGED ON TWO OCCASIONS, THE CONSUMER NOTICED WHEN HE GOT HOME, OIL LEAKED FROM UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER EXPLAINED THAT OIL COLD HAVE BEEN LEAKING THROUGH THE FRAME AND DROPPING ONTO VITAL PARTS AND THAT THEY WOULD NORMALLY CLEAN THE EXCESS OIL TO THE BEST OF THEIR ABILITY. *SC THE CONSUMER WAS TOLD THAT THE OIL FILTER FOR THIS VEHICLE WAS LOCATED NEAR THE TOP OF THE ENGINE, BUT BEHIND THE ENGINE. *JB

WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH VEHICLE STALLED. CONSUMER TRIED TO RESTART VEHICLE BUT WAS UNABLE TO DO SO. CONSUMER HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION, AND MECHANIC COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. CONSUMER INFORMED THE MECHANIC THAT THIS PROBLEM OCCURRED MORE THAN ONCE. *AK

1. WHIRRING NOISE THAT INCREASES WITH SPEED. 2. OCCASIONAL CLUNKING WHEN BRAKING. 3. RIGHT SIDE DOOR SPEAKER VIBRATES ON LEVEL 3+. 4. CLICKING NOISE WHEN HEATER IS ON. IS THIS NORMAL? 5. I FIND THE CAR A VERY LOUD RIDE..A LOT OF ECHO UNDERNEATH WITH EVERY BUMP..I SUSPECT THE TIRES MAYBE. THEY ARE FIRESTONE.*JB

Mileage: 2,000

AFTER A COMING TO A COMPLETE STOP VEHICLE STALLS AND HESITATES WHEN ACCELERATING. DEALER CANNOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM OR DETERMINE THE CAUSE. *AK

CONSUMER STATES THAT VEHICLE STALLED INTERMITTENTLY WHILE DRIVING. DEALER HAS BEEN UNABLE TO DETERMINE CAUSE.*AK

Mileage: 16,000

GEAR SHIFT FAILED TO SHIFT INTO FIRST GEAR. THERE WAS ALSO A LOUD TICKING COMING FROM THE ENGINE. PH *JB

Mileage: 240

CONSUMER STATES THAT WHEN THE VEHICLE IS COLD THE VEHICLE WILL NOT IDLE. DEALER NOTIFIED.*AK