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2002 Honda Civic Recalls, Problems & Maintenance

The 2002 Honda Civic has no open NHTSA recalls. Owners report 7 recurring issue clusters, led by “Automatic transmission failure and loss of drive.” Honda vehicles use the Maintenance Minder system — your dashboard displays a Code A (oil change) or Code B (oil change plus inspections) along with sub-codes 1-6 for additional services. Intervals adjust based on how you drive. The schedule below reflects Honda's underlying targets.

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No open recalls on file. NHTSA lists no unrepaired safety recalls for this year, make and model. A recall can be issued at any time, and a specific car can still have one open — check yours by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Known issues & problems for this vehicle

What drivers and federal regulators have officially reported about the 2002 Honda Civic.

Reported to NHTSA

Automatic transmission failure and loss of drive

POWER TRAIN

34 NHTSA complaints · 2013-04 → 2025-02

“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”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11416601
“TRANSMISSION GOES INTO GEAR THEN WILL NOT ENGAGE AFTER 30 SECONDS. REVERSED THEN PUT IN DRIVE AND NOW IT WONT ENGAGE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10960251
“WITHOUT ANY WARNING OR SYMPTOMS THE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND STAYED ON. DEALER DETERMINED TRANSMISSION HAS FAILED, BASED ON DTC CODES: P0700 A/T SYSTEM P0730 INCORRECT GEAR RATIO”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10746271

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Low beam headlight failure with high beams working

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

12 NHTSA complaints · 2013-09 → 2021-03

“HEAD LIGHT LOW BEAMS (ON BOTH SIDES) DO NOT TURN ON. ONLY HIGH BEAM WORKING”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11056965
“WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS BECAME INOPERABLE WITHOUT WARNING”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10658538
“LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS WENT OUT WITHOUT WARNING. HEADLIGHT BULBS ARE NOT BURNT OUT BUT WILL NOT COME BACK ON. HI BEAM HEADLIGHTS ARE OPERATIVE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10541833

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Paint and clear coat peeling

STRUCTURE

6 NHTSA complaints · 2014-06 → 2017-06

“IN 2014, CIRCA 90,800 MILES, THE CLEAR COAT STARTED FADING AND PEELING ON MY CAR: FIRST THE TOP, THEN HOOD, NOW THE SIDES GOING FROM TOP DOWN”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11001543
“CAR'S CLEARCOAT HAS BEEN FLAKING OFF THE ROOF AND THE TRUNK LID”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10681594
“MY 2002 PAINT IS STARTING TO COME OFF THE HOOD AND TOP OF CAR”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10652879

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Fuel pump housing cracking and fuel leak

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

3 NHTSA complaints · 2016-09 → 2022-10

“FUEL PUMP HOUSING FOUND CRACKED AND ACTIVELY LEAKING FUEL WHEN PUMP RUNS. DISCOVERED FOLLOWING STRONG FUMES INSIDE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT AND OUTSIDE THE CABIN”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10903762
“For many months, I have been smelling gas inside the car even when the car has been stationary for an extended period”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11491330

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

SRS air bag warning light staying illuminated

AIR BAGS

34 NHTSA complaints · 2013-06 → 2025-01

“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”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11466058
“THE SRS AIRBAG LIGHT IS ALWAYS ON, THE SEAT BELT BUCKLE IS SENSING EXCESSIVE RESISTANCE IN THE SQUIB FOR THE PRETENSIONER. WE HAVE REPLACED THE SEAT BELT BUCKLE ONCE ALREADY, AND IT FAILED AGAIN”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10678165
“WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO BE INSPECTED, IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT AN ELECTRICAL FAILURE OCCURRED WITH THE SEAT BELT THAT CAUSED THE SRS WARNING INDICATOR TO ILLUMINATE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11020914

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Air bag recall repair parts unavailable at dealer

AIR BAGS

24 NHTSA complaints · 2014-10 → 2019-04

“THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V700000 (AIR BAGS) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10715188
“I FIRST CONTACTED THE DEALERSHIP IN OCTOBER AND HAVE BEEN WAITING FOR THE PASSENGER SIDE REPLACEMENT AIRBAG FOR 4 MONTHS AND HONDA HAS NOT RELEASED ANY PARTS”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10682758
“I RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE VIA MAIL SEVERAL MONTHS AGO. I FIRST VISITED THE HONDA DEALER IN BURLINGTON MASSACHUSETTS IN FEBRUARY THIS YEAR AND I WAS TOLD THEY WOULD CALL ME WHEN THEY HAD THE PART NEEDED TO FIX THE CAR”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10778270

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Air bag not deploying in a collision

AIR BAGS

23 NHTSA complaints · 2013-09 → 2020-02

“WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A CRASH. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10949257
“I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW WHY THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG DEPLOYED AND NO ONE WAS IN THAT SEAT AND MY DRIVER'S SIDE AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY AT ALL”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10888316
“THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED. THE DRIVER SIDE DID NOT DEPLOY”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10538458

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Issues on other model years

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI). Complaint data refreshed Sep 20, 2026. Investigation data refreshed Sep 20, 2026.

We display NHTSA's record with attribution; we don't editorialize on what these complaints mean for any specific vehicle.

Raw data + downloads for this vehicle →

Essential maintenance

Critical for safety and preventing major damage

Engine Oil & Filter (Code A)

Every 7,500 mi

Replace 0W-20 full-synthetic oil and filter. The Maintenance Minder triggers Code A between 7,500 and 10,000 miles depending on driving conditions.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$120–$160

Shop

~$85–$115

DIY

~$25–$55

Full synthetic costs more than conventional. 5-quart 0W-20 + filter is the typical bill.

Tire Rotation (Sub-code 1)

Every 7,500 mi

Rotate tires front-to-back to even out wear. Honda triggers Sub-code 1 alongside every other oil change.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$85

Shop

~$60

DIY

Free

Often free at the shop where you bought the tires — worth asking before paying.

Brake Inspection (Code B)

Every 15,000 mi

Inspect brake pads, rotors, and parking brake. Code B includes a multi-point inspection of brakes, suspension, and fluids.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$85

Shop

~$60

DIY

Free

Most shops do this free as a courtesy with any service. Don't pay separately if you can avoid it.

Brake Fluid (Sub-code 5)

Every 45,000 mi

Replace DOT 3 brake fluid every 3 years regardless of mileage to prevent moisture absorption and corrosion of ABS components.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$180–$200

Shop

~$125–$140

DIY

~$10–$25

DOT 3 or 4 — match the cap. Vacuum bleeders make this a one-person DIY.

Important maintenance

Keeps your vehicle running smoothly and efficiently

Automatic Transmission / CVT Fluid (Sub-code 3)

Every 30,000 mi

Replace ATF or CVT fluid. Honda CVT models (Civic, HR-V, Accord LX) use Honda HCF-2 — do not substitute. The Maintenance Minder triggers earlier under heavy stop-and-go.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$330–$500

Shop

~$235–$355

DIY

~$60–$180

Some sealed transmissions have no dipstick — fill is precise and best left to a shop. Many drivers can still DIY drain-and-fill.

Rear Differential Fluid (AWD models, Sub-code 5)

Every 30,000 mi

AWD CR-V, Pilot, Passport, Ridgeline: replace rear diff fluid every 30,000 miles, sooner if towing.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$150–$195

Shop

~$105–$135

DIY

~$20–$50

Drain plug + fill plug — straightforward DIY. AWD vehicles have two; budget for both.

Engine Air Filter (Sub-code 4)

Every 30,000 mi

Replace the engine air filter every 30,000 miles. Honda uses a long-life cellulose element on most port-injected engines.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$60–$95

Shop

~$45–$70

DIY

~$15–$40

5-minute job on most cars; the airbox lid usually has clips, no tools needed.

Spark Plugs (Sub-code 6)

Every 105,000 mi

Honda uses iridium-tipped plugs rated for 100,000+ miles. Replace at 105,000 miles or whenever Sub-code 6 displays.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$285–$390

Shop

~$200–$275

DIY

~$25–$100

Iridium plugs cost more but last 100k+ miles. V6/V8 access varies wildly — some are tough.

Engine Coolant (Sub-code 5)

Every 60,000 mi

Honda Long-Life Type 2 (blue) coolant: first change at 120,000 miles, then every 60,000 miles. Do not mix with other coolant types.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$285–$330

Shop

~$200–$235

DIY

~$25–$60

Use the manufacturer-specified coolant — wrong color/chemistry can damage the cooling system.

Recommended maintenance

Extends the life of your vehicle and improves comfort

Cabin Air Filter (Sub-code 3)

Every 15,000 mi

Replace the cabin air filter — accessible behind the glove box on most Hondas. Honda recommends 15,000 miles in dusty conditions, longer in clean climates.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$60–$95

Shop

~$45–$70

DIY

~$15–$40

Usually behind the glovebox. Shops charge labor for a 10-minute job — easy DIY win.

Valve Clearance Adjustment (Sub-code 6)

Every 105,000 mi

Inspect and adjust valve clearances at 105,000 miles. Critical on K-series and L-series engines to prevent valve recession.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$495–$535

Shop

~$345–$375

DIY

Pro only

Mechanical-bucket valvetrains (many Honda 4-cyls, older Toyotas) need this. Hydraulic lifters don't. Shop work — feeler-gauge precision required.

Timing Chain — No Replacement

On condition / lifetime

Modern Honda engines (K-series, L-series, R-series, plus all Earth Dreams 1.5T and 2.0T) use a timing chain designed to last the life of the engine. No scheduled replacement.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$85

Shop

~$60

DIY

Pro only

Timing chains are normally lifetime. Listen for rattle on cold start — that's the actionable signal. Replacement is major work, quote separately.

Fatal crash history & reported problems

Occupant deaths in fatal crashes (FARS)

726 crashes 1990–2024

How the 726 occupant deaths break down

534

driver deaths

190

passenger deaths

2

not recorded by seat

726

occupant deaths

Crash years covered: 1990–2024 This model year first appears in 2002 crashes. Older models have had more years on the road to appear in these crashes, so a higher count here does not by itself mean a vehicle is less safe.

FARS counts every occupant death in a fatal crash, whatever the cause — it does not mean the vehicle was at fault or defective. Counts are not adjusted for how many of each vehicle are on the road. How to read this number

FARS 2024 data is an annual report file. NHTSA revises these records when the final file is published, so this count can change.

Why we show driver deaths too

Every vehicle has exactly one driver seat, so driver deaths line up fairly when you compare one model to another. Occupant deaths include passengers, so a three row SUV can show a higher number than a two seat car simply because it carries more people.

Both figures are plain counts, not rates. A rate would need to know how many of each vehicle are on the road, and that registration data is not public, so we do not publish rates or scores of any kind.

IIHS publishes driver death rates using this same driver only idea, paired with a registered vehicle years denominator we do not have. Their rates and these counts answer different questions, so do not read either number here as a safety rating.

Owner-reported problem signals

Separate from the federal fatality data above: complaints owners filed with NHTSA about this year and model. These are reports of problems, unverified, and are counted here only as signals.

118

complaints mentioning a crash

14

complaints mentioning a fire

Reviewed known issues for this vehicle

Typical U.S. ranges. Actual quotes vary by shop, parts choice, and vehicle condition.

How we estimate: Dealer = OEM parts × 1.4 + labor × $165/hr. Shop = parts + labor × $115/hr. DIY = parts only.

This maintenance schedule for the 2002 Honda Civic reflects Honda's published service intervals and the Maintenance Minder system. Your actual service needs may vary based on driving conditions, climate, and vehicle usage. Always consult your owner's manual for model-specific recommendations.

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