2003 Honda Civic Fuel System Problems

Your fuel pump module's plastic top developed small cracks that caused fuel to spray onto the exhaust pipe, creating a potential fire hazard. You may have noticed a strong fuel smell for weeks before the leak worsened and fuel started dripping from the top of your fuel tank. The fix will require replacing the entire fuel pump module.

Your car is leaking gasoline from the fuel filter that's located on top of the fuel tank under the back seat. This appears to be a known issue affecting multiple Honda Civics of this generation. Replacing the faulty fuel filter should resolve the leak.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 HONDA CIVIC. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE JERKED BACK AND FORTH. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THE VEHICLE AND STATED THAT THE FUEL SYSTEM FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT TO CHECK THE VIN ON THE NHTSA WEBSITE. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 150,000.

THE TOP OF THE FUEL PUMP HOUSING, WHERE IT PROTRUDES FROM THE FUEL TANK, IS MADE OF PLASTIC AND HAS DEVELOPED CRACKS FROM WHICH GASOLINE IS OOZING. THE AMOUNT OF GASOLINE LEAKING IS SUBSTANTIAL, AND IT COLLECTS IN THE DEPRESSION AROUND THE HOUSING. THIS IS AN APPARENT FIRE HAZARD, AS WELL AS A SOURCE OF GASOLINE EVAPORATION AIR POLLUTION. WHILE LOOKING FOR A REPLACEMENT PART ONLINE, IT BECAME APPARENT THAT THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM IN HONDA CIVIC'S. BECAUSE THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM THAT MAY NOT BE READILY OBSERVABLE BY THE OWNER, IT IS LIKELY TO GO UNDETECTED AND THEREFORE UNREPAIRED FOR AN EXTENDED PERIOD, THUS CREATING A LONGTERM POTENTIAL FIRE HAZARD AND AIR POLLUTION RISK.

REGARDING 2003 HONDA CIVIC EX MANUAL TRANS AT TIMES WITHOUT ANY WARNING THE CAR WILL ACT AS THOUGH IT HAS NO FUEL AND ONCE IT STARTS WILL DRIVE FINE THEN AFTER STOPPING FOR EXAMPLE AT A INTERSECTION WHEN READY TO ACCELERATE ONCE AGAIN THE CAR WILL ACT AS IF IT IS GOING TO STALL IN 1ST BUT SEEM TO GET BURST OF FUEL AND PROPEL VERY SUDDENLY DRIVE NORMAL FOR A FEW SECONDS AND THEN DO SAME SCENARIO OF BEING OUT OF GAS IF GAS IS DEPRESSED SOMEWHAT AS THOUGH IM ATTEMPTING TO RACE IT WILL START TO RESOLVE AND IT HAPEENS SO QUICK IM NOT EVEN READY TO GO TO 2ND GEAR ONCE I DO IT ACTS SLIGHTLY THE SAME WAY BUT NOT AS BAD MAYBE 25% LESS I THEN MAKE IT TO THIRD AND THEN 4TH WITH NO PROBLEMS. AND ALSO LET ME ASSURE YOU THE CAR IS NEVER AT ANYTHING LOWER THAN 1/2 TANK TO FULL FUEL WISE. ALONG WITH THESE SYMPTOMS DESCRIBED TWICE FOR 3 DAYS IT HAS JUST NOT STARTED AGAIN AS THOUG H IT WERE EMPTY AND THEN IM READY TO HAVE IT TOWED AFTER CHECKIMG IT EVERY DAY AND BOTH TIMES ON THE 3RD DAY IT STARTS AS THOUGH THERE WAS NO PROB WITH IT.

I REAR ENDED A VEHICLE THAT CAME TO A SUDDEN COMPLETE STOP, I WAS GOING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, (THE ROADWAY WAS 45 BUT I HAD STARTED TO SLOW AS I SLAMMED ON MY BRAKES). THE COLLISION WAS FULL FRONTAL IMPACT AND MY AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. I HIT MY HEAD ON THE STEERING WHEEL DESPITE HAVING A SEAT BELT ON. I AM HAVING A MECHANIC INVESTIGATE WHY MY AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY, BUT IT CONCERNS ME AS I WAS INJURED IN THE CRASH. I WENT TO THE EMERGENCY ROOM AND I HAVE WHIP LASH, MUSCLE SPASMS AND MUSCLE TENSION IN MY NECK AND BACK. I FEEL THAT THESE INJURIES COULD HAVE BEEN AVOIDED IF THE AIR BAGS HAD DEPLOYED. MY LAWYER ADVISED ME TO FILE A COMPLAINT HERE AS WELL AS WITH HONDA ABOUT THIS INCIDENT. *TR

MY WIFE AND I HAVE OWNED OUR 2003 HONDA CIVIC SINCE IT WAS NEW. ANYHOW, A COUPLE OF WEEKS AGO MY WIFE NOTICED A VERY STRONG ODOR OF GASOLINE FROM BOTH IN AND AROUND THE VEHICLE. AFTER A FEW DAYS OF LOOKING UNDER THE CAR AND NOT ABLE TO DETECT THE PROBLEM, I REMOVED THE REAR SEAT AND NOTICED A LARGE AMOUNT OF GASOLINE UNDER THE SEAT. I REMOVED THE HATCH TO THE FUEL PUMP AND NOTICED THAT THE FUEL PUMP ASSEMBLY HAD NUMEROUS HAIR LINE CRACKS ON THE TOP AREA AND WHEN THE CAR WAS IN THE ON POSITION, FUEL WAS POURING OUT AND GOING UNDER THE REAR SEAT BOTTOM. I HAVE SINCE ORDERED A REPLACEMENT FUEL PUMP ASSEMBLY UNIT. ANYHOW, THIS A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION AND COULD HAVE HAD DEADLY EFFECTS AS THE ELECTRONICS THAT CHARGE THE FUEL PUMP ARE RIGHT WHERE THE GAS WAS LEAKING. ADDITIONALLY, IF THE DRIVER OF THE CAR WAS A SMOKER, WHO KNOWS WHAT MAY HAVE TAKEN PLACE. THIS ISSUE IS CLEARLY A DESIGN FLAW AND I'M SURE ADDITIONAL YEARS OF THIS MODEL CIVIC HAVE THIS SAME FUEL PUMP ASSEMBLY UNIT. THE PART NUMBER IS: 17045-S5A-A31 (KAUTEX. *TR

I HAVE HAD HORRIBLE HEALTH ISSUES THE PASSED YEARS. IT CAME DOWN TO LONG TERM CHEMICAL EXPOSURE. MY HONDA CIVIC 2003 WAS LEAKING GAS FUMES FROM THE FUEL PUMP UNDER THE BACKSEAT. I TOOK IT TO DEALERSHIP AND THEY CONFIRMED THE FUEL PUMP LEAK. IT WAS CRACKED ON TOP OF THE FUEL PUMP, ITS EXACTLY THE SAME RECALL ISSUE OF THE 2011 FUEL PUMP FROM THE HONDA CIVIC 2011. I HAVE HIGH LEVELS OF GAS ON A BLOOD TEST OF ETHYLBENZENE AND M,P, XYLENE, - GASOLINE CHEMICALS. I THINK ALL HONDA CIVIC OWNERS NEED TO BE AWARE OF THE CRACKING OF THE FUEL PUMPS, THAT CAN START A FIRE OR LIKE MYSELF CAUSE HEALTH ISSUES FROM BREATHING IT IN FOR A LONG TIME. IF IT IS ALREADY AN ISSUE ON THE 2011 MODELS, I'M LIVING PROOF ITS A HEALTH ISSUE AND DANGER FOR THE 2003. THIS SHOULD BE LOOKED INTO AND A POSSIBLE RECALLED. THANK YOU, *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 HONDA CIVIC. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE FUEL DOOR RELEASE CABLE WAS BROKEN AND HE WAS UNABLE TO ADD FUEL INTO THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED AND PROVIDED HIM WITH A PRICE QUOTE, BUT DID NOT OFFER ANY ADDITIONAL ASSISTANCE. THE MANUFACTURER INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THERE WERE NO RELATED RECALLS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WAS 86,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. UPDATED 03/07/11*LJ UPDATED 05/02/11

OUR 2003 HONDA CIVIC'S GAS TANK CABLE THAT LOCKS THE FILLER SNAPPED MAKING IT UNABLE TO UNLOCK OR RE-FUEL THE VEHICLE. HAPPENED AS WE WERE ON HIGHWAY AND NEEDED GAS AND WENT TO GAS STATION, UNABLE TO PUT ANY GASOLINE IN THE VEHICLE AND WE WERE RUNNING OUT OF FUEL. WENT TO OPEN ROAD HONDA WHO HAD TO ORDER CABLE AND INSTALL IT. WAITED 5 HRS FOR THEM TO GET THE PART AS IT WAS NOT IN THEIR STOCKROOM. THEY INSTALLED NEW CABLE AND WE WERE THEN ABLE TO RE-FUEL. *TR

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". TAKING THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT AT THEIR WORD, WE HAVE NEVER HAD ANY REPAIR WORK DONE TO REMOVE THE SHUDDER OR TAKEN THE CAR TO ANOTHER DEALER. OVER TIME THE SHUDDER HAS GOTTEN WORSE. WE HAVE ALSO EXPERIENCED A HESITATION WHEN ACCELERATING AND THEN THE CAR WILL SUDDENLY LURCH FORWARD WHEN IT HITS GEAR. AGAIN, WE WERE TOLD THAT THERE WASN'T ANYTHING WRONG WITH THE CAR AND THAT WE SHOULD EXPECT HESITATION WHEN THE CAR IS SWITCHING FROM BATTERY POWER TO ENGINE POWER. ABOUT 4 MONTHS AGO, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND WE WERE TOLD THAT THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER WAS IN NEED OF REPLACEMENT. WE WERE GIVEN TWO OPTIONS-IMMEDIATE REPAIR OR DRIVE UNTIL THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER COMPLETELY FAILS. RECENTLY THE IMA LIGHT CAME ON AND WE TOOK THE CAR FOR DIAGNOSIS. THE RESPONSE WAS THAT THE BATTERY PACK NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. IN ADDITION, WE WERE TOLD THAT THE TRANSMISSION IS BEGINNING TO FAIL. TO REPLACE THE CVT TRANSMISSION, BATTERY PACK AND CATALYTIC CONVERTER WILL COST APPROXIMATELY $7,500. AS I HAVE READ THE OTHER COMPLAINTS NOT ONLY FROM THIS SITE, BUT ALSO OTHER SITES ON THE INTERNET, I NOW SUSPECT THAT WE HAVE BEEN EXPERIENCING TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS ALL ALONG. WE HAVE HAD SEVERAL OTHER HONDA VEHICLES. WE PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE BECAUSE OF THE RELIABILITY WE HAVE COME TO EXPECT FROM HONDA. $7,500 OR MORE IN REPAIRS IS UNREASONABLE FOR ANY CAR UNDER 8 YEARS OLD, ESPECIALLY A HONDA. *TR

2003 CIVIC HYBRID THROW P1491 CODE FOR CLOGGED EGR. HONDA HAS ISSUED A WARRANTY EXTENSION FOR THE SAME CODE FOR THE ODYSSEY, BUT WON'T ACKNOWLEDGE THE SAME PROBLEM WITH THE HYBRID. I CAN'T FIND THE DEALER SERVICE BULLETIN DETAILS FOR THE ROOT CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM WITH THE ODYSSEY. *TR

CATALYTIC CONVERTER FAILURE 73,860 MILES MY CAR NEEDED THE FIRST CATALYTIC CONVERTER REPLACED, COVERED UNDER WARRANTY 93,807 MILES MY CAR NEEDED THE SECOND CATALYTIC CONVERTER REPLACED, HONDA HELPED WITH COST 113654 MILES, MY CARS CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON WITH THE SAME DIAGNOSTIC CODE P1420, DEALER DID SOFTWARE UPDATE AND SAID EVERYTHING WAS FINE. 118,000 MILES, MY CAR IS BACK IN THE SHOP NEEDING A NEW CATALYTIC CONVERTER ALL THIS WORK PERFORMED AT DEALER SOMETHING MUST BE WRONG, CAUSING CATALYTIC CONVERTER FAILURE. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 HONDA CIVIC. THE CONTACT PUSHED THE RELEASE BUTTON FOR THE FUEL DOOR ON HIS VEHICLE, BUT IT WOULD NOT OPEN. AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS, SHE WAS STILL UNABLE TO OPEN THE FUEL DOOR. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS THE FUEL DOOR RELEASE CABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS OUT OF WARRANTY; THEREFORE, THE CONTACT WOULD HAVE TO PAY $190.03 FOR THE REPAIRS. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 33,813 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 33,800.

FUEL DOOR ON MY 2003 HONDA CIVIC DOESNT HAVE A EMERGENCY RELASE MECHONISM OR WAY TO OPEN THE FUEL DOOR IN AN EMERGENCY. *NM

CONSUMER STATED A SMELL OF GAS WAS PENETRATING THROUGHOUT THE VEHICLE. CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER ON 4 SEPARATE OCCASIONS. HOWEVER, THE PROBLEM RECURRED. DEALER INDICATED THAT THE GAS USED FROM TEXACO HAD TOO MUCH SULFUR , THUS BURNING OUT THE SENSOR. DEALER DRAINED THE FUEL , CLEANED THE LINE, REMOVED THE SENDING UNIT, AND FILLED THE VEHICLE WITH NEW GASOLINE. HOWEVER PROBLEM RECURRED. *AK

MY 2003 HONDA CIVIC HYBRID HAS A FAULTY SEAT BELT. THE BELT LOCKS UP AS THE PASSENGER TRIES TO BRING IT FORWARD. THIS CONDITION ALSO OCCURRED IN MY OTHER 4 HONDA CARS. THE SEAT BELTS ALSO TEND TO RATCHET UP AFTER BEING CONNECTED AND CAUSE DISCOMFORT TO THE PASSENGER AS THEY BECOME EXCESSIVELY TIGHT. THE DEALER CLAIMS THAT (1) THE RATCHETING OF THE SEAT BELTS IS ASSOCIATED WITH CHILD SAFETY PROTECTION AND (2) THE RATCHETING SHOULD ONLY OCCUR WHEN THE BELT IS EXTENDED FAR OUT FOR ATTACHING TO A CHILD SAFETY SEAT. I HAVE DUPLICATED THE PROBLEM IN THE PRESENCE OF THE SERVICE MGR. THE DEALER ALLEGES TO HAVE REPLACED THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT BELT; HOWEVER THE PROBLEM CONTINUES. I HAVE HAD OTHER EXPERIENCES WITH AMERICAN HONDA ALLEGEDLY REPLACING A PART (REFERENCE COMPLAINT # 10008215, IGNITION SWITCH RECALL) ONLY TO FIND THAT HONDAS STATEMENTS AND CLAIMS ARE HIGHLY QUESTIONABLE. I NOW ASK MYSELF WHETHER HONDA MIGHT BE ENGAGING IN DECEPTIVE AND FRAUDULENT PRACTICES TO PROTECT ITS PROFIT LINE IN DISREGARD OF THE SAFETY OF ITS CUSTOMERS. HONDA HAS FAILED TO RESPOND TO MY CONCERNS ABOUT THE ADVERTISED FUEL ECONOMY OF THE HYBRID. AFTER MEETING WITH A CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE, ERIC CATHERINE, FROM AMERICAN HONDA ON 3/24/03, THE REPRESENTATIVE MADE CERTAIN COMMITMENTS TO ADDRESS MY CONCERNS AND PROMISED TO GET BACK WITH ME IN A COUPLES OF DAYS. ONE OF THE COMMITMENTS WAS TO PERFORM A FUEL CONSUMPTION TEST ON MY HYBRID. AS OF 6/12/03, NEITHER THE REPRESENTATIVE NOR ANYONE FROM AMERICAN HONDA HAS LIVED UP TO THEIR COMMITMENTS. ACCORDING TO THE FUEL ECONOMY GUIDE POSTED ON THE VEHICLE, THE HYBRID IS SUPPOSED TO GET 48 MPG/CITY AND 47 MPG/HIGHWAY. EVEN THE FINE PRINT STATES THAT THE ACTUAL MILEAGE SHOULD RANGE BETWEEN 40 56 IN THE CITY AND 39-55 ON THE HIGHWAY. I HAVE BEEN TRACKING/DOCUMENTING MY ACTUAL MPG. MY MPG HAS NEVER EXCEEDED 35. SINCE FUEL ECONOMY IS THE PRIMARY REASON FOR PURCHASING THE HYBRID, POTENTIAL CUSTOMERS SHOULD BE EXTREMELY SKEPTICAL OF THE CLAIMS. *JB