2002 Honda Civic Problems
Shopping for a used 2002 Honda Civic? This page highlights owner-reported complaint patterns and recall history so you can inspect the right systems before buying. Based on 717 real NHTSA owner complaints, with Airbag Malfunctions the most reported area.
Before you buy
This 2002 Honda Civic has 717 NHTSA complaints — top issue: Airbag Malfunctions.
A model-year pattern isn't the car in front of you. Check this exact VIN for accidents, open recalls, odometer rollback, and salvage titles.
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2002 Honda Civic Fuel Economy
✓ EPA Official DataEPA-rated fuel economy across 8 2002 Honda Civic trim configurations. The median figure is shown; range reflects all available trims.
Source: EPA FuelEconomy.gov. Figures reflect EPA lab testing; real-world results vary by driving style, load, and conditions. 8 trims analysed.
2002 Honda Civic Safety Ratings
NHTSA 5-Star Program5 variants tested — showing 2002 Honda Civic 2-DR. HatchbackOfficial crash test results from the NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings program. Stars reflect government-conducted tests; higher is safer.
Overall
Not RatedFrontal Crash
Not RatedSide Crash
Not RatedRollover
Not RatedSource: NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Ratings are based on government crash tests and may not reflect all trim levels.
Based on NHTSA complaint data, the 2002 Honda Civic has 717 owner complaints, 118 crash-related complaints, and 24 recall campaigns on record. The most frequently reported component is Airbag Malfunctions. NHTSA reliability signal: Severe Issues.
- Make
- Honda
- Model
- Civic
- Model year
- 2002
- NHTSA owner complaints
- 717
- Crash-related complaints
- 118
- Safety recall campaigns
- 24
- Top reported component
- Airbag Malfunctions
- Reliability signal
- Severe Issues
- EPA MPG combined
- 30
- EPA MPG city / highway
- 27 / 33
- Fuel type
- Regular Gasoline
- Electronic stability control
- No
Common problems
Most common 2002 Honda Civic problems
Top owner-reported complaint areas and where they often appear.
Airbag Malfunctions
Transmission / Drivetrain
Headlight/Taillight Failures
Complaint patterns center on Airbag Malfunctions, Transmission / Drivetrain, Headlight/Taillight Failures. Use these as a pre-purchase inspection guide, then verify recall and damage history on the specific VIN.
Buyer verdict
Should you buy a used 2002 Honda Civic?
The 2002 Honda Civic shows higher complaint activity for its model-year profile, so buyers should inspect known problem areas carefully before purchase.
Use the model-year trend to shortlist candidates, then confirm the exact vehicle condition with service records, recall status, and a VIN history report.
Pre-purchase
What to check before buying a used 2002 Honda Civic
Inspection Focus
- Inspect airbag system and verify no open recalls related to airbags.
- Check transmission for known issues; request service records.
- Verify all open recalls at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
- Have a mechanic inspect the vehicle before purchase.
Before You Close the Deal
- Inspect airbag system and verify no open recalls related to airbags.
- Check transmission for known issues; request service records.
- Verify all open recalls at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
- Have a mechanic inspect the vehicle before purchase.
Check the exact car
Shortlist with model-year data. Decide with the exact VIN.
Before buying a used 2002 Honda Civic, run a VIN history report to verify accidents, title brands, odometer records, theft checks, and open recalls for the exact vehicle.
AI verdict
What the complaint data suggests
Editorial interpretation of NHTSA public complaint data. Source: nhtsa.gov. Complaints are owner-submitted and do not confirm a defect. Methodology
Based on NHTSA data for the 2002 Honda Civic, complaints are concentrated in airbag malfunctions and transmission/drivetrain issues. The data suggests potential concerns with these systems, but confidence is low due to the single model year analyzed.
- Airbag Malfunctions account for the highest number of complaints among all components.
- Transmission/Drivetrain issues are the second most reported problem.
- Crash-related complaints represent a notable portion of total complaints.
- Airbag Malfunctions
- Transmission/Drivetrain issues
- Headlight/Taillight Failures
Full breakdown
All 2002 Honda Civic complaints by category
Every owner-reported complaint category filed with NHTSA for the 2002 Honda Civic. Use this as a pre-purchase inspection checklist.
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Avg Mileage | Volume |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Airbag Malfunctions | 245 | 82 | 3 | — | |
| Transmission / Drivetrain | 190 | — | 1 | — | |
| Headlight/Taillight Failures | 53 | 2 | 5 | — | |
| Seat Belt Issues | 51 | 11 | — | — | |
| Electrical Faults | 50 | 1 | 1 | — | |
| Engine Problems | 49 | 6 | 3 | — | |
| Suspension Failures | 35 | 4 | — | — | |
| Uncategorized Issues | 26 | 6 | — | — | |
| Unintended Acceleration | 26 | 8 | — | — | |
| Steering Defects | 23 | 6 | — | — | |
| Brake System | 22 | 8 | — | — | |
| Structural Problems | 21 | 6 | — | — | |
| Tire Issues | 20 | 1 | — | — | |
| Hydraulic | 18 | 6 | — | — | |
| Visibility | 16 | — | — | — | |
| Seat-Related Issues | 10 | 2 | — | — | |
| Equipment | 9 | 2 | — | — | |
| Fuel System | 6 | — | 1 | — | |
| Visibility/Wiper | 5 | — | — | — | |
| Wheel Issues | 5 | 2 | — | — | |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 4 | — | — | — | |
| Door Lock Issues | 4 | — | — | — | |
| Gasoline | 3 | — | 1 | — | |
| Other | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Parking-Brake Issues | 3 | 1 | — | — | |
| Electronic Stability Control (Esc) | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Interior Lighting | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Electronic Stability Control | 1 | 1 | — | — |
Source: NHTSA Complaints Database. Complaint counts may exceed total complaints because one report can span multiple categories.
In their words
Real owner complaints
Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 2002 Honda Civic. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.
The contact owns a 2002 Honda Civic. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V501000(Air Bags) and would like to be removed from the recall distribution list. The local dealer and manufacturer were contacted.
The death investigator's decedent owned a 2002 Honda Civic. The contact stated that after the decedent stopped at a stop sign, they attempted to make a left turn and struck another vehicle on the passenger side. The decedent's air bag was deployed which caused trauma to the deced…
I recently purchased the car . I see on several forums , the transmission in this car for this year is prone to leaks and failures and Honda is aware . I’m having that issue .
SRS light came on. Vehicle didn’t have any change in driving performance.
I bought this vehicle with only ~74,000 miles yet the transmission slips 100% of the time when the automatic transmission shifts from first to second gear, and also second to third gear.
The contact owned a 2002 Honda Civic. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Numbers: 15V370000 (Air Bags) and 15V320000 (Air Bags) and would like to be removed from the recall distribution list. The local dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer was not contacted.
Unknown
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 wit…
The contact owns a 2002 Honda Civic. The contact stated while trying to fasten the driver’s side seat belt, the seat belt failed to release, not allowing the contact to fasten the seat belt. The vehicle was not diagnosed. The dealer was contacted and stated that the vehicle neede…
For many months, I have been smelling gas inside the car even when the car has been stationary for an extended period. I recently did a Google search and found many reports and YouTube videos related to fuel leaks caused by a cracked fuel pump housing or module located under the …
SRS light is on. Upon resetting, light comes back on in a couple days. Mechanic says the airbags will not fire with the SRS light on.
The contact's friend owns a 2002 Honda Civic. The contact stated that there was fuel leaking from the fuel tank. There was fuel on the body of the vehicle. There was an abnormal odor of fuel detected. There were no warning lights illuminated. The local dealer was not contacted. T…
Drove my Honda civic through town today for about 15 minutes. Came up to a stop light. When the light turned green. I took my foot off the brake and the car jerked forward real hard and then there was grinding noise coming from the transmission. The car wouldn't go into drive or…
SRS Light on for a while in Honda Civic, Contacted Dealer as this car was messed with by another dealership last year during light swsitch recall, so wanted only other Dealership to diagnose the issue with SRS but diagnosis alone is $157 and since my auto mechanic cannot read the…
TRANSMISSION GAVE OUT ALL OF A SUDDEN AT A LIGHT WITH 179,000 MILES ON IT. WHEN TRYING TO GIVE IT GAS, THE TRANSMISSION WOULD WHINE. HAD TO GET IT TOWED HOME.
ONE DAY ALL OF THE SUDDEN WITHOUT ANY PRIOR SLIPPING OR ANY NOTICE OF ALL FOR THAT MATTER I WAS PARKED SITTING IN A DRIVE THRU WHEN I WENT TO PUT THE CAR IN DRIVE IT WOULDN'T ENGAGE OR MOVE AT ALL THERE IS A COMPLAINT OF FAULTY POOR QUALITY TRANMISSONS BETWEEN 2000-2004 PLEASE HE…
SINCE THE PURCHASE OF THE VEHICLE THE SRS WARNING LIGHT HAS CONTINUOUSLY STAYED ILLUMINATED ON THE DASH BOARD. MY FIRST THOUGHT OF COURSE WAS SOMETHING WAS EITHER WRONG WITH THE AIR BAG SYSTEM OR THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A COLLISION THAT LED TO THE AIR BAGS (WHICH ONES I HAVE …
OVERHEATING, LEAKING COOLANT, WATER PUMP FAILURE. WHEN DRIVING AND AT IDLE.
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
RECURRENT AND UNSOLVED ISSUES WITH THE SRS AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT. IT WAS "REPAIRED" IN 2016, AGAIN IN FEBRUARY 2021, AND HAS RECURRED AGAIN IN MARCH 2021. I HAVE A HONDA CIVIC SI, WHICH WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE TAKATA RECALL PROGRAM. THE SI IS AN UNCOMMON MODEL OF THE CIVIC, AND I …
Source: NHTSA Complaints Database. Real owner reports for the 2002 Honda Civic.
Safety recalls
2002 Honda Civic recalls
24 campaignsNHTSA recall campaigns for the 2002 Honda Civic. 24 recall campaigns are on record for this model year. Recalls are free to fix at authorized dealers, but completion status must be verified on the exact VIN.
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
AIR BAGS
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS:SWITCH
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
VISIBILITY:GLASS, SIDE/REAR
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
Research more
Keep researching before you buy
Compare brands and categories, then check the exact car's history by VIN.
Questions
2002 Honda Civic buying FAQ
Buyer-focused answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this model year.
Is the 2002 Honda Civic reliable?▾
Severe Issues. NHTSA currently shows 717 owner complaints, 118 crash-related complaints, and 24 recall campaigns for this model year. The 2002 Honda Civic shows higher complaint activity for its model-year profile, so buyers should inspect known problem areas carefully before purchase. Treat this as a model-year signal, then verify the exact vehicle's condition and history before purchase.
What are the most common problems with the 2002 Honda Civic?▾
#1: Airbag Malfunctions (245 complaints). #2: Transmission / Drivetrain (190 complaints). #3: Headlight/Taillight Failures (53 complaints)
At what mileage do problems start on the 2002 Honda Civic?▾
Mileage data is not available or insufficient for this model year.
How safe is the 2002 Honda Civic?▾
Complaint data is not the same as crash-test scoring, but it does highlight possible risk patterns. For the 2002 Honda Civic, NHTSA complaints include 118 crash-related reports and 14 fire reports out of 717 total complaints. 102 injury reports are also on file. For controlled crash-test ratings, check nhtsa.gov/ratings.
Does the 2002 Honda Civic have any recalls?▾
Yes. 24 NHTSA recall campaigns affect the 2002 Honda Civic. A major recall area is AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE. 24 recall campaigns are on record for this model year. Always verify open recalls by VIN because completion status varies by vehicle.
Should I buy a 2002 Honda Civic?▾
The 2002 Honda Civic shows higher complaint activity for its model-year profile, so buyers should inspect known problem areas carefully before purchase. Use the model-year trend to shortlist candidates, then confirm the exact vehicle condition with service records, recall status, and a VIN history report. Pay extra attention to Airbag Malfunctions during inspection. Before committing, run a VIN history report to verify accidents, title brands, odometer records, and recall completion for the exact car.
Source: NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) complaint and recall databases, aggregated by VinSpector AI.
Wider context: See the full Honda Civic reliability report with year-by-year comparison.
Owner Reliability Rating
Rate the 2002 Honda Civic based on your ownership experience.
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Ratings are based on owner experience and are separate from NHTSA data shown above.
Before you buy
Check the exact vehicle history before you buy
Model-year complaints and recalls reveal patterns. A VIN report confirms whether the exact car has accident history, title brands, mileage issues, or open recalls.