2003 Honda Civic Electrical System Problems
Owners have filed 51 complaints with NHTSA about electrical system problems on the 2003 Honda Civic, 10% of all complaints for this model year. Half of the reports with a mileage happened before 101,223 miles. The words owners use most often: “ignition switch” (10% of reports).
- 51electrical system complaints
- 101,223median miles at failure
- 5mention a crash
- 3mention an injury
- 1related 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.
- Ignition switch: mentioned in 5 of 51 complaints (10%)
At what mileage do electrical system problems happen?
Based on 36 complaints that reported the odometer reading.
How serious are the reports?
Of 51 complaints, 5 mention a crash, 2 a fire, 3 an injury.
Honda Civic electrical system complaints by model year
| Model year | Electrical System complaints | Share of that year | Median miles |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 Civic | 5 | 16% | 300 |
| 2025 Civic | 6 | 8% | — |
| 2024 Civic | 7 | 6% | 11,000 |
| 2023 Civic | 16 | 6% | 200 |
| 2022 Civic | 38 | 4% | 37,900 |
| 2021 Civic | 18 | 12% | 251 |
| 2020 Civic | 37 | 16% | 9,000 |
| 2019 Civic | 36 | 8% | 9,638 |
| 2018 Civic | 61 | 8% | 11,775 |
| 2017 Civic | 103 | 17% | 19,000 |
| 2016 Civic | 119 | 11% | 26,575 |
| 2015 Civic | 27 | 7% | 32,000 |
| 2014 Civic | 39 | 13% | 40,780 |
| 2013 Civic | 39 | 12% | 35,000 |
| 2012 Civic | 60 | 13% | 40,000 |
| 2011 Civic | 16 | 9% | 31,000 |
| 2010 Civic | 23 | 6% | 50,000 |
| 2009 Civic | 35 | 9% | 13,100 |
| 2008 Civic | 51 | 6% | 33,500 |
| 2007 Civic | 67 | 6% | 40,000 |
| 2006 Civic | 100 | 7% | 53,000 |
| 2005 Civic | 26 | 8% | 78,100 |
| 2004 Civic | 32 | 9% | 91,000 |
| 2003 Civic | 51 | 10% | 101,223 |
| 2002 Civic | 49 | 7% | 110,000 |
| 2001 Civic | 59 | 5% | 91,750 |
| 2000 Civic | 38 | 13% | 122,925 |
| 1999 Civic | 118 | 35% | 149,569 |
| 1998 Civic | 88 | 20% | 128,000 |
| 1997 Civic | 30 | 8% | 85,000 |
| 1996 Civic | 17 | 6% | 170,000 |
| 1995 Civic | 12 | 6% | 115,500 |
When owners reported it
Related recalls (1)
Electrical system:ignition
Problem: 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.
Risk: 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.
Fix: 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
Short excerpts of recent complaints, with personal details removed. Full reports are on NHTSA.gov.
The car was not in an incident it has a lot of recalls I would like fixed
The contact owns a 2003 Honda Civic Hybrid. The contact stated that the vehicle would not immediately start up. On several occasions, while driving, the vehicle lost motive power and stalled without warning. The vehicle was diagnosed by an independent mechanic who was unable to determine the cause…
Horn has stopped working.
Frequently asked questions
Do all 2003 Honda Civics have electrical system problems?
No. NHTSA has 51 owner complaints about electrical system for the 2003 Honda Civic (10% of the 499 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 2003 Honda Civic electrical system?
Yes: 1 safety recall list electrical system. Check your VIN on NHTSA.gov to see whether the fix was done on your car.
At what mileage do electrical system problems start?
The median reported mileage is 101,223 miles: half of the reports with a mileage came before that.
What do owners say about electrical system problems on the 2003 Honda Civic?
The most frequent phrase is “ignition switch”, in 5 of 51 complaints.
Other 2003 Honda Civic problems
- Air Bags problems (140)
- Power Train problems (101)
See all 2003 Honda Civic problems or electrical system problems across all Civic years.