2002 Honda Civic Exterior Lighting Problems
Owners have filed 53 complaints with NHTSA about exterior lighting problems on the 2002 Honda Civic, 8% of all complaints for this model year. Half of the reports with a mileage happened before 131,448 miles. The words owners use most often: “low beam” (42% of reports).
- 53exterior lighting complaints
- 131,448median miles at failure
- 2mention a crash
- 2mention an injury
- 2related recalls
- 44%of reports with a speed happened at 50+ mph
What owners describe
Phrases that appear unusually often in these complaints compared with complaints about other cars.
- Low beam: mentioned in 22 of 53 complaints (42%)
- Exterior lighting headlights: mentioned in 14 of 53 complaints (26%)
- High beams: mentioned in 8 of 53 complaints (15%)
At what mileage do exterior lighting problems happen?
Based on 40 complaints that reported the odometer reading.
How serious are the reports?
Of 53 complaints, 2 mention a crash, 5 a fire, 2 an injury.
Honda Civic exterior lighting complaints by model year
| Model year | Exterior Lighting complaints | Share of that year | Median miles |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 Civic | 1 | 3% | — |
| 2024 Civic | 1 | 1% | 11,000 |
| 2023 Civic | 4 | 2% | — |
| 2022 Civic | 2 | 0% | — |
| 2021 Civic | 2 | 1% | 101 |
| 2020 Civic | 2 | 1% | 76,000 |
| 2019 Civic | 1 | 0% | — |
| 2018 Civic | 3 | 0% | 30,000 |
| 2017 Civic | 4 | 1% | 52,600 |
| 2016 Civic | 30 | 3% | 500 |
| 2015 Civic | 1 | 0% | 50,000 |
| 2014 Civic | 7 | 2% | 16,000 |
| 2013 Civic | 5 | 2% | 15,000 |
| 2012 Civic | 10 | 2% | 36,866 |
| 2011 Civic | 3 | 2% | 40,000 |
| 2010 Civic | 5 | 1% | 41,000 |
| 2009 Civic | 10 | 3% | 35,000 |
| 2008 Civic | 6 | 1% | 65,000 |
| 2007 Civic | 14 | 1% | 80,000 |
| 2006 Civic | 23 | 2% | 43,000 |
| 2005 Civic | 6 | 2% | 131,885 |
| 2004 Civic | 12 | 3% | 78,210 |
| 2003 Civic | 23 | 5% | 129,300 |
| 2002 Civic | 53 | 8% | 131,448 |
| 2001 Civic | 62 | 6% | 104,073 |
| 2000 Civic | 9 | 3% | 129,000 |
| 1999 Civic | 2 | 1% | — |
| 1998 Civic | 5 | 1% | 45,000 |
| 1997 Civic | 6 | 2% | 23,750 |
| 1996 Civic | 13 | 4% | 125,000 |
| 1995 Civic | 2 | 1% | 224,889 |
When owners reported it
Related recalls (2)
Exterior lighting:headlights:switch
Problem: 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.
Risk: If the terminal ends melt within the wiring harness connector, the low beam headlights may become inoperative, reducing driver visibility and increasing the risk of a crash.
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
Problem: 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.
Risk: An unexpected loss of low beams could result in a crash.
Fix: Dealers will inspect the head light switch and coupler for signs of heat damage. If heat damage is present, the dealer will replace the switch and coupler. If no heat damage is present, the dealer will replace the head light switch and one mating pin in the coupler. Owner notification began on april 5, 2004. Owners should contact honda at 1-800-999-1009.
What owners report
Short excerpts of recent complaints, with personal details removed. Full reports are on NHTSA.gov.
Automatic high beams, etc. Potentially very dangerous to other drivers. Place a limit on the intensity of headlights. Ultra bright lights tend to interfere with me knowing where my own vehicle is on the road.It's getting to be almost a constant anxiety attack driving at night with both on coming…
While driving the low beams cut out and the switch harness proved to be faulty. Other honda civics of that year had the head light switch recalled but my vin didn't qualify for the recall. The recall it should have gotten but it didn't qualify for was nhtsarecall number:12v-136
Progressive failing of the multiplex control unit, part # 38200-s5p-a11, for my 2002 honda civic hx 5sp has resulted in various problems that can prove to be very dangerous such as failure of turn signals, tail lights, windshield wiper motor, dashboard lights, dome light, power door locks, etc…
Frequently asked questions
Do all 2002 Honda Civics have exterior lighting problems?
No. NHTSA has 53 owner complaints about exterior lighting for the 2002 Honda Civic (8% of the 702 complaints for this model year). Complaint data shows that the problem is reported, not how many of all cars sold are affected.
Was there a recall on the 2002 Honda Civic exterior lighting?
Yes: 2 safety recalls list exterior lighting. Check your VIN on NHTSA.gov to see whether the fix was done on your car.
At what mileage do exterior lighting problems start?
The median reported mileage is 131,448 miles: half of the reports with a mileage came before that.
What do owners say about exterior lighting problems on the 2002 Honda Civic?
The most frequent phrase is “low beam”, in 22 of 53 complaints, followed by “exterior lighting headlights” (14).
Other 2002 Honda Civic problems
- Air Bags problems (241)
- Power Train problems (185)
- Seat Belts problems (51)
See all 2002 Honda Civic problems or exterior lighting problems across all Civic years.