CarComplaints.com Notes: Yes, the Honda Civic receives a lot of complaints because so many were sold. And sure, car parts only last so long and things eventually break. But it's never good to see this many transmission complaints, especially when the average mileage at failure is just north of 100,000 miles.

Especially when you consider that it's predecessor also has a nasty history with transmission complaints.

10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
2 / 3
Injuries / Deaths:
2 / 0
Average Mileage:
106,178 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2002 Honda Civic lights problems

lights problem

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2002 Honda Civic Owner Comments (Page 1 of 2)

problem #35

Mar 282023

Civic

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

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 and following vehicles with ultra bright lights, including low beams. And if the offending vehicle is a SUV or a pickup it feels like I'm flirting with the distinct possibility of an accident and or injury.

- Superior , WI, USA

problem #34

Mar 022021

Civic

  • 220,000 miles
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

- Maricopa, AZ, USA

problem #33

Nov 232020

Civic

  • 200,000 miles
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. Exactly when these failures occurred are hard to pin point but so far I have avoided property and bodily harm but not great inconvenience and repair cost. Please act to prevent this problem from causing harm or loss of life.

- Live Oak, FL, USA

problem #32

Oct 032018

Civic

  • 200,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Failure of headlights which may result in a crash. My headlights have failed, however only my high-beams work at this time. This resulted in extreme safety issues while driving on the highway at a high rate of speed and what could have become fatal crash. I have contacted Honda regarding this issue and was told my vehicle does not fall under this recall (recall info listed below.) I was told I would have to pay out of pocket to get my vehicle fixed, even though my vehicle falls under the exact specifications of their recall. I have small children and am in dire need of a safe vehicle. Please help. Recall number 04V086000 recall date 02/24/2004 component exterior lighting:headlights summary 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. Consequence an unexpected loss of low beams could result in a crash. What owners should do 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.

- Paso Robles, CA, USA

problem #31

Mar 052018

Civic 4-cyl

  • 115,000 miles
I have now read more than one article regarding 2002 Honda Civic recalls for faulty headlight wiring causing headlight failure. Both of my headlights failed, causing very dangerous driving conditions, in the dark, on the freeway, on city streets, that I was unaware of! now Honda tells me that my VIN number is not included in this recall!! the consumer stated the issue has been resolved and requested to withdraw the complaint.

- Glendale, CA, USA

problem #30

May 152017

Civic

  • 216,000 miles
Takata recall. My SRS light has been on my dashboard since I got my car no one seems to know why they said I have air bags. So I did some reasurch and my passenger and drivers airbags are recalled and there is also a recall on my lo beams on my headlights. No incident has occurred but I would like to get the recall fixed on my car.

- Chapin, SC, USA

problem #29

Sep 202015

Civic

  • 140,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

I was recently driving and my headlights stop working low beams the high beams still work perfectly but the low beam don't know I been reading and on this website there is a recall for my model and make but when I out my VIN nothing pops out...how can I get it fixed like other drivers

- Los Angeles, CA, USA

problem #28

Apr 012015

Civic

  • miles
The contact owns a 2002 Honda Civic. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 15V370000 (air bags), NHTSA campaign number: 15V320000 (air bags), and NHTSA campaign number: 12V136000 (exterior lighting). The contact mentioned that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for repair. The dealer stated the part needed for repair was unavailable and that the vehicle would need to be inspected prior to the part order being placed to the manufacturer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the delay. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact had not experienced a failure.

- Edingburg , TN, USA

problem #27

Feb 122015

Civic 4-cyl

  • 300,000 miles
The contact owns a 2002 Honda Civic. The contact stated that the passenger side low beam headlight failed to illuminate. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who replaced the head lamp and fuse. The failure recurred after the repair. In addition, an unknown warning indicator illuminated and the air conditioner became inoperable. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 300,000. MA 09/25 updated 11/08/2017

- Baton Rouge, LA, USA

problem #26

Feb 162015

Civic 4-cyl

  • 80,000 miles
I was on my way home from work and I had a horrible car accident I hit a 80,000 lb steel truck my air bags deployed so hard it broke my sternum come up hit my chin busting it open and chipping my front tooth. It also broke my shoulder in 3 places from the seat belt and air bag together. I have bad injuries from the accident and cannot work for a year or more.

- Jesup, GA, USA

problem #25

Feb 202015

Civic

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The contact owns a 2002 Honda Civic. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign numbers: 12V136000 (exterior lighting), 14V351000 (air bags), and 14V349000 (air bags). The parts were unavailable to repair the vehicle. The dealer did not provide a specific date for when the parts would become available. The manufacturer could not provide an estimated date for when the vehicle would receive the recall repairs. The contact had not experienced a failure.

- Chicago, IL, USA

problem #24

Feb 172015

Civic 4-cyl

  • 130,000 miles
My passenger head light is out again. It hasn't happened in a year but in the past both lamps have went out multiple times. I saw there was a "silent " recall on the head lights in 2012, how do I find out if this is the problem? I'm the only owner.

- Newnan, GA, USA

problem #23

Nov 182014

Civic 4-cyl

  • 170,000 miles
My daughter (18 yrs. Of age) recently purchased a 2002 Honda Civic and was involved in an automobile accident. In this accident the unfortunate thing was her air bag did not deploy and her chest hit the steering wheel. She was taken by ambulance to a local hospital. X-rays were done and she was just bruised and no broken bones. She may have not sustained any injuries if the air bag would have deployed. I know Honda has had law suits filed against them because of air bags deploying and causing injury, but in her case it caused injury that maybe could have been avoided if it had deployed. Thanks

- Louisville, KY, USA

problem #22

Jun 142012

Civic

  • 82,920 miles
The contact owns a 2002 Honda Civic. While driving approximately 45 mph, the low beam headlights became inoperable without warning. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer stated that the VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 12V136000 (exterior lighting). The failure mileage was 82,920.

- San Francisco , CA, USA

problem #21

Sep 052014

Civic 4-cyl

  • miles
I received a recall notice in Sept. Of 2012 for the wiring on the low beam headlights, at that time the dealer didn't have the parts for repairs.finally I am getting around to getting it corrected.but when I called the dealer they refused to schedule this repair because they said this VIN# does not exist.I called Honda of usa but they wouldn't say what the problem is, but if isend a copy of my license and registration they would review & advise. My car is titled, tagged, registered with this VIN. Now it is recalled.how am I supposed to proceed with recall 12V-136 if the dealer refuses service.

- Rohrersville, MD, USA

problem #20

Jul 012014

Civic 4-cyl

  • 155,000 miles
My Civic was previously repaired under a recall to fix a problem with the headlights failing. At that time, the lights had not shown any problems. The dealer replaced the terminal and wiring under the recall, but did not replace the combination switch for the headlights. Then in July the lowbeam headlights both failed. The dealer said the previous recall would not cover the combination switch replacement so I replaced the combination switch myself which resolved the problem. This problem is identical to the one that the recall was for originally and since the combination switch was not replaced at that time I think the recall should have covered the replacement of the switch now.

- Louisville, KY, USA

problem #19

Sep 012013

Civic 4-cyl

  • 150,000 miles
Low beam headlights went out without warning. Headlight bulbs are not burnt out but will not come back on. Hi beam headlights are operative. Failure is similar to the campaign number 04V086000 but Honda will not repair because they say my VIN number is not in the recall. Not sure why, but at high speed this could have very easily caused a serious accident.

- Camas, WA, USA

problem #18

Jan 032013

Civic 4-cyl

  • miles
2002 Honda Civic LX. Consumer writes in regards to problem with low beam lights recall notice. The consumer stated his complaint, was with the extent of the recall by Honda. The left side low beam had already been replaced earlier in the year. When he inspected the light, the end socket which attached to the light bulb had melted on the low beam side. He cleaned the melted plastic from the inside of the freely swinging low beam terminal and from around the ground terminal and re-attached the socket. The low beam worked again. The consumer then checked on buying a replacement socket from Honda, but he discovered Honda only offered the entire wiring harness. The consumer was hoping, the recall addressed the socket, but he stated the main problem was at another connection. Also, the air bag light illuminated at the beginning of the year. A recall had been issued for the air bag and the consumer had the procedure done on 03/15/12. The air light went off for about a week, and then came back on. The maintenance required light also illuminated. The consumer stated it would not turn off, because the knob on the odometer had bad contacts.

- San Antonio, TX, USA

problem #17

Oct 162012

Civic 4-cyl

  • 150,000 miles
I took my Honda Civic 2002 into condon auto in sioux city, Iowa, for a light switch recall. The recall was completed. I drove the car home. Tried to start the car again and no starter. $350 later they replaced wires to the starter and the car runs again. It is possible this was a coincidence but beware having recalls done at this location.

- Dakota Dunes, SD, USA

problem #16

Jul 182012

Civic

  • 105,000 miles
The contact owns a 2002 Honda Civic. The contact stated that while driving the vehicle, the head lights failed. The contact took the vehicle to a mechanic where they stated that the light bulb was fine but there was a wiring issue. The contact had previously received notification of NHTSA campaign id number: 12V136000 (exterior lighting:headlights:switch) and took the vehicle to the dealer where they stated that the head lights had burned out but the repair was not covered under the recall campaign. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the issue. The failure mileage was 105,000.

- Santa Clarita, CA, USA

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