VehicleVerdict

2003 Honda Civic electrical system problems

The 2003 Honda Civic has 60 electrical system complaints filed with NHTSA — 10% of the year's total, and roughly flat versus the prior model year.

60

Electrical System complaints

10%

Share of year

6

Crash-involved

1

Related recalls

Electrical System complaints by year

Civic electrical system complaints by model year149 complaints1986: 4 complaints1988: 7 complaints1989: 12 complaints1990: 20 complaints1991: 24 complaints1992: 29 complaints1993: 29 complaints1994: 4 complaints1995: 15 complaints1996: 22 complaints1997: 33 complaints1998: 99 complaints1999: 124 complaints2000: 45 complaints2001: 72 complaints2002: 53 complaints2003: 60 complaints2004: 34 complaints2005: 29 complaints2006: 105 complaints2007: 74 complaints2008: 55 complaints2009: 37 complaints2010: 27 complaints2011: 17 complaints2012: 69 complaints2013: 48 complaints2014: 43 complaints2015: 30 complaints2016: 149 complaints2017: 111 complaints2018: 65 complaints2019: 40 complaints2020: 36 complaints2021: 17 complaints2022: 38 complaints2023: 15 complaints2024: 5 complaints2025: 6 complaints2026: 3 complaints
Civic electrical system complaints by model year. Red bars are years to avoid.

Related recalls

10V364000Electrical SystemAugust 5, 2010 · 551,498 units

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 AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION TO BE DEFEATED.

Consequence

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 CRASH.

Remedy

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 BEGAN ON OCTOBER 7, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT HONDA AT 1-800-999-1009.

What owners report

“THE AIR BAGS IN MY VEHICLE DID NOT DEPLOY IN A FRONT END COLLISION THAT I WAS INVOLVED IN. IT CAUSED ME TO FLY FORWARD AND INJURE MYSELF, ALMOST HITTING THE FRONT WINDSHIELD. IN ADDITION TO THIS PROBLEM, I HAVE DISCOVERED THAT THE CIGARETTE LIGHTER PLUG-IN DOES NOT WORK IN MY VEHICLE. I HAVE FOUND…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · April 4, 2004 · crash

Common questions

How many electrical system complaints does the 2003 Honda Civic have?

NHTSA has 60 complaints about the 2003 Honda Civic electrical system — 10% of all complaints filed for that model year.

Are there recalls for the 2003 Honda Civic electrical system?

Yes — 1 NHTSA recall campaign for this model year is tied to the electrical system: 10V364000.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.