2003 Honda Civic Lights Problems
16 owner-reported lights complaints from NHTSA data
Data sourced from NHTSA public database. For informational purposes only. Always consult a qualified mechanic.
Lights Recalls (13)
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS:SWITCH
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.
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 VEHICLES INVOLVED IN THE SEPTEMBER 2012 EXPANSION WILL BE NOTIFIED IN SEPTEMBER 2012. OWNERS MAY CONTACT HONDA CUSTOMER SERVICE AT 1-800-999-1009.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
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."
Fix: K2 MOTOR WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND. THE RECALL BEGAN ON DECEMEBER 17, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT K2 MOTOR AT 1-909-839-2992.
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."
Fix: AAI MOTORSPORTS WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE LAMPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 1, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT AAI MOTORSPORTS AT 909-923-9188.
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.
Fix: ALFAOTTO WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE HEADLAMPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 10, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT ALFAOTTO AT 626-656-2992 OR VISIT THEIR WEBSITE AT WWW.ALFAOTTO.COM.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
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.
Fix: DOPE, INC. WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 28, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DOPE, INC. AT 1-626-272-1798.
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.
Fix: E SPEED RACING WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER TO REPURCHASE THE LAMPS. THE RECALL BEGAN MAY 10, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT E SPEED RACING 909-923-3636.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
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."
Fix: ANZO WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE HEADLAMPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN MAY 9, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT ANZO USA AT 909-468-3688.
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.
Fix: TRADESONIC WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE LAMPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING JULY 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT TRADESONIC AT 626-934-8884.
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.
Fix: SABERSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 11, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SABERSPORT AT 1-909-598-7589.
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.
Fix: PRO-A MOTORS WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER TO REPURCHASE THE LAMPS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 3, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT PRO-A MOTORS AT 323-838-2988.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
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."
Fix: POLI-AUTO WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER TO REPURCHASE THE HEADLAMPS AT ITS ORIGINAL PURCHASE PRICE. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING APRIL 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT POLI-AUTO AT 305-477-1356.
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.
Fix: TOM MOTORSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER REIMBURSEMENT FOR THE PURCHASE OF NONCOMPLIANT LIGHTS. THE RECALL BEGAN APRIL 17, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT TOM MOTORSPORT AT 626-968-4007.
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.
Fix: J & A AUTO ACCESSORIES WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER TO REPURCHASE THE HEADLAMPS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 10, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT J & A AUTO ACCESSORIES AT 310-327-4981.
Owner Complaints (16)
I HAD TO REPAIR A KNOWN HEADLIGHT ISSUE FOR 2003 CIVICS. THE LIGHTS STOPPED WORKING ON DIM, AND THE WIRES HAD COMPLETELY MELTED AS DESCRIBED IN THE RECALL INFORMATION FOR AFFECTED CIVICS. MY VIN IS NOT LISTED AS PART OF THE RECALL. ALSO, MY GEAR SELECTOR CAN BE ACCIDENTALLY PLACED INTO NEUTRAL WITHOUT PRESSING A BRAKE OR BUTTON ON THE KNOB. FOR EXAMPLE, MY DAUGHTER REACHED TO CHANGE THE RADIO STATION, AND ACCIDENTALLY HIT THE GEAR SELECTOR. THE CAR SHIFTED TO NEUTRAL (AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION) WITHOUT PRESSING OF BREAK OR BUTTON. WE WERE IN MOTION, AND AT FIRST, I THOUGHT SOMETHING WAS WRONG WITH THE CAR, AND I LOOKED DOWN TO REALIZE IT HAD BEEN PLACED INTO NEUTRAL. THIS HAS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES ON ACCIDENT. I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE IN 2003 BRAND NEW FROM A HONDA DEALERSHIP, AND I AM THE ONLY OWNER.
THE AIRBAG DOES NOT WORK AT ALL..AND IVE ALWAYS HAD A PROBLEM WITH THE HEADLIGHTS FOGGING ALL THE TIME....
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 HONDA CIVIC. WHILE DRIVING, THE EXTERIOR LIGHTING BECAME INOPERABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED PER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 12V136000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING), BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 171,000.
CALLED THE DEALERSHIP FOR AN APPOINTMENT AND WAS GIVEN ONE OVER 60 DAYS BEYOND THE DAYS DATE. THE RECALL IS FOR AIRBAGS AND IS A CLEAR SAFETY RISK TO DRIVERS. THEY WILL SELL VEHICLES BUT WILL NOT REPAIR THEIR MISTAKES IN A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 HONDA CIVIC. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 15V320000 (AIR BAGS), NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 12V136000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING), AND NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V370000 (AIR BAGS) AND FELT THAT THEY EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR REPAIR. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE PARTS NEEDED WERE NOT AVAILABLE. THE DEALER ALSO STATED THAT THEY WOULD CONTACT THE CONTACT BACK TO SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 HONDA CIVIC. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 12V136000, 14V349000 AND 14V351000 (AIR BAGS, EXTERIOR LIGHTING); HOWEVER, THE PARTS TO DO THE REPAIRS WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 HONDA CIVIC. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V70000 (AIR BAGS,EXTERIOR LIGHTING) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 HONDA CIVIC. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATIONS FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V351000 (AIR BAGS), NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V394000 (AIR BAGS) AND NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 12V136000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING). HOWEVER, THE PARTS NEEDED WERE UNAVAILABLE TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO INFORM WHEN THE PARTS WOULD BECOME AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.
ONE OR MORE HEADLIGHTS OFTEN DO NOT LIGHT WHEN TURNED ON. PLUG ON HEADLIGHT IS NOT LOOSE, FUSES AND RELAYS HAVE BEEN REPLACED. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 HONDA CIVIC. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, WITH THE HEADLIGHTS ACTIVATED THE DRIVER'S SIDE LOW BEAM HEADLIGHT FAILED TO ILLUMINATE. THE FAILURE OCCURRED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHICH MADE THE REPAIRS UNDER A RECALL ASSOCIATED WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 12V136000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS:SWITCH). THE CONTACT STATED LESS THAN TWENTY FOUR HOURS AFTER THE REPAIR WAS PERFORMED THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR BEGAN TO ILLUMINATE CONTINUOUSLY AND THE DRIVER'S SIDE LOW BEAM HEADLIGHT MALFUNCTION CONTINUED TO OCCUR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER WHO INFORMED THE OWNER WOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE REPAIR EXPENSE; EVEN THOUGH THE RECALL REMEDY FAILED TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE DEFECT. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 HONDA CIVIC. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HEADLIGHT FAILED WHILE LEAVING A PARKING AREA AND CAUSED THE CONTACT TO CRASH INTO A PROCEEDING VEHICLE. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED AND NO INJURIES WERE REPORTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE LOCAL MECHANIC WHOM LOCATED THE FAILURE AT THE HEADLIGHT WIRING SYSTEM. THE HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLY WAS REPLACED. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT RECALL NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 12V136000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING: HEADLIGHTS: SWITCH) WAS RECEIVED AFTER THE FAILURE OCCURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 115,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 130,222.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 HONDA CIVIC. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE TRAVELING 30 MPH, THE HEADLIGHTS FAILED AND THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO A YIELD SIGN. THERE WERE NO INJURIES AND THE POLICE WERE CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO CONFIRMED THAT THE VIN QUALIFIED FOR REPAIRS UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER:12V136000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS:SWITCH). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 133,000.
DRIVING VEHICLE, (2003 HONDA CIVIC), DURING PREDAWN HOURS ON UNLIT PORTION OF TOWN ROAD. PROCEEDING AROUND A BEND IN THE ROAD, VEHICLE SUDDENLY LOST BOTH LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS. FORTUNATELY, WAS ABLE TO SAFELY PULL VEHICLE TO A STOP WITHOUT GOING OFF THE ROAD. THIS NEEDS TO BE INVESTIGATED!!! VEHICLE HIGH BEAMS WORK AND ALL OTHER LIGHTING APPEARS TO BE FINE.
LEFT AND RIGHT LOW BEAM HEADLIGHT FAILURE, HIGH BEAM HEADLIGHTS OPERATIONAL. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 HONDA CIVIC. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE LOW BEAMS WERE INOPERABLE AND HAD TO UTILIZE THE HIGH BEAM LIGHT FOR ILLUMINATION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INSPECTED OR REPAIRED. . THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 140,000. UPDATED 10/12/11*LJ UPDATED 02/24/12 ...UPDATED 03/30/12 *BF
2003 HONDA CIVIC EX OVER 125K MILES LOW BEAMS WILL TURN OFF BY THEMSELVES WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT ANY SPEED. HIGH BEAMS AND INTERIOR LIGHTS ARE NOT AFFECTED. THIS IS NOT THE FIRST TIME THIS HAPPENED, BUT I DO NOT DRIVE IN THE EVENING VERY OFTEN. ON JULY 10, 2010 MY LIGHTS SHUT OFF 4 TIMES IN A 210 MILE TRIP AT SPEEDS RANGING FROM 40 - 70 MPH. THE FIRST TIME I EXPERIENCED THIS WAS IN JANUARY 2009. *TR UPDATED 01/04/2012 *LN *TR