The contact owned a 2003 Honda Civic. The contact stated that while driving at 55 MPH, a semi-truck unexpectedly crossed into his lane which caused him to crash the truck's land gear. The air bags did not deploy upon impact and the seat belt pretensioners failed to restrain the contact. The contact was taken to the hospital via ambulance and was treated for multiple torn ligaments, a chest injury, and back pain. The other driver did not suffer any injuries and a police report was filed. The vehicle was initially towed to an independent tow yard and was later towed back to the contact's residence where it remained in his possession. The dealer and the manufacturer were both notified of the failure. A case was filed. The vehicle was deemed a total loss. The failure mileage was unknown.
2003 Honda Civic: airbags did not deploy in a crash
32 of the 499 complaints about the 2003 Honda Civic describe airbags did not deploy in a crash.
- owner complaints
- 32
- of this car's complaints
- 6%
- typical mileage
- 82,000
- recalls
- 8
Airbags did not deploy in a crash by model year
What owners say
Tl* the contact owned a 2003 honda civic. The contact stated that while traveling at 55 MPH, the vehicle in front of her slammed on the brakes, causing the contact to rear end the vehicle. Upon impact, the driver side air bags did not deploy. The contact mentioned that the front passenger air bag deployed breaking the window. A police report was filed at the scene. The contact received medical attention at the scene and was given an iv. She was transported to the hospital by ambulance and treated for injuries to her stomach, chest, right leg, and right foot. The contact was also treated for a concussion. The contact's passenger nor the other driver were treated for injuries. The vehicle was destroyed at the scene and towed to an independent mechanic. The contact went honda of salem (1101 van ness ave ne, salem, or 97301) and was received no assistance. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 210,000. The VIN was not available. *dt
Tl* the contact owned a 2003 honda civic. The contact took the vehicle to huntington honda (1055 jericho turnpike, huntington, ny 11743, phone number: (631) 423-6000) to be repaired for an unknown air bag recall. While driving from the dealer, the contact noticed that the air bag was sticking out of the steering wheel and the horn failed to function. While driving 25 MPH, the gear shifter failed to shift out of park, the radio failed, and the steering wheel seized. The vehicle stalled without warning. While making a left turn, the contact crashed into a high curb, which pushed the engine back. The air bags failed to deploy. The contact sustained a broken foot that required medical attention. A police report was not filed. The vehicle was towed to nardy honda smithtown (559 middle country rd, st james, ny 11780, phone number: (855) 738-2920). The vehicle was destroyed. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 131,000.
My daughter was driving our honda civic 2003 and rear-ended a vehicle. The air bag did not deploy. The air bags had been serviced by a honda dealership in 2014 due to the takata recall. This is an issue and I don't know why the air bag did not deploy. I can provide photo evidence, if requested. My daughter did have slight neck injury as a result. Updated 09/15/15*lj updated 12/08\17
Tl* the contact owned a 2003 honda civic. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 50 MPH, a buck jumped into the road causing a crash. The air bags did not deploy. A police report was filed. The contact sustained injuries to the back that did not require medical attention. The vehicle was destroyed. The contact was made aware that the vehicle was included in the federal safety agency campaign numbers: 14v700000 (air bags) and 14v351000 (air bags). The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was not available.
Collision occurred in the early evening, dry pavement, warm weather. The SUV ran a red light and pulled of the honda civic, which had a green light. The civic struck head-on into the SUV passenger side door. The civic front end crumple zone was compressed as designed, the front bumper sheared off, however the driver airbag did not deploy. No other passengers in the affected vehicle.
I was making a left hand turn and got hit at 45 MPH on front drivers side. My passenger air bag deployed, but my drivers air bag did not deploy. My head struck the drivers side window and in result I had a forehead laceration that needed 24 stitches.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 honda civic. While driving downhill at 55 MPH, the brake pedal traveled to the floor when the brakes were engaged. The driver crashed into the rear of another vehicle. The driver side frontal air bags failed to deploy. The driver's head struck the windshield, which created a cut on his head and brain swelling. The driver received medical attention. A police report was filed. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact received a recall notice for the federal safety agency campaign number: 14v353000 (air bags) after the crash occurred. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 173,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 honda civic. While attempting to decelerate at an unknown speed, the contact depressed the brake pedal and it became stuck to the floorboard. The failure caused the contact to crash into the rear of another vehicle. The seat belts failed to restrain the contact and the front air bag failed to deploy. As a result, the contact sustained injuries to the head, neck and back. The second driver also sustained injuries. The contact received medical attention and a police report was filed. The vehicle was destroyed. The manufacturer was notified. The failure mileage was 82,000.
I rear ended a vehicle that came to a sudden complete stop, I was going approximately 30 MPH, (the roadway was 45 but I had started to slow as I slammed on my brakes). The collision was full frontal impact and my airbags did not deploy. I hit my head on the steering wheel despite having a seat belt on. I am having a mechanic investigate why my airbags did not deploy, but it concerns me as I was injured in the crash. I went to the emergency room and I have whip lash, muscle spasms and muscle tension in my neck and back. I feel that these injuries could have been avoided if the air bags had deployed. My lawyer advised me to file a complaint here as well as with honda about this incident.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 honda civic. The contact stated that while driving 50 MPH, she tried to apply the brakes but the brake pedal erroneously traveled to the floorboard. The vehicle did not respond to braking attempts and as a result, the contact crashed into another vehicle. The air bags did not deploy and the vehicle was destroyed. The contact sustained no injuries. A police report filed of the incident. The vehicle was towed to a local mechanic who advised that because the vehicle was destroyed, they could not determine the cause of the failure. The failure mileage was 200,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 honda civic. The contact stated that while approaching a stop light the brakes failed. The contact stated that the vehicle did not slow down and the brake pedal kicked back up when depressed. As a result, the contact entered the intersection and another vehicle crashed into her vehicle. The air bags did not deploy. There were no injuries from the crash. The vehicle was taken to a repair shop, but the brakes had not been inspected. The failure and current mileages were 88,000. Updated 9/21/12
Service bulletins that may apply
- This bulletin is a notification of a class action settlement relating to airbag inflators
- This bulletin is a notification of a class action settlement relating to airbag inflators
- Dealer message
- Advertisement in hawaiian newspapers to remind owners of the takata recall and to schedule an appointment...
- Dealer message - this video from honda senior vice president bruce smith is in response to a recall...
- Video - this video from honda senior vice president bruce smith is in response to a recall expansion that...
- In certain vehicles, the front passenger airbag inflator could produce excessive internal pressure during...
- Dealer message - clarifies direction for airbag inflator replacement in affected vehicles.
Related recalls
Air bags: frontal: driver side: inflator module
- What is wrong
- Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2003 Acura 3.2CL, 2002-2003 3.2TL, 2003-2006 MDX, 2001-2007 Honda Accord, 2001-2005 Civic, 2003-2005 Civic Hybrid, 2001-2005 Civic GX NGV, 2002-2006 CR-V, 2003-2011 Element, 2002-2004 Odyssey, 2003-2008 Pilot and 2006 Ridgeline vehicles. These vehicles are equipped with driver frontal air bag inflators assembled as a recall remedy part or replacement service part, that may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.
- Risk
- An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
- Remedy
- Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began August 12, 2019. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1‑888‑234‑2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are Q5A and Y58.
Recall number 19V499000 · Recall details
Air bags: frontal: passenger side: inflator module
- What is wrong
- Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2003-2006 Acura MDX, 2005-2012 RL, 2003-2007 Honda Accord, 2001-2005 Civic, 2003-2005 Civic Hybrid, 2001-2005 Civic GX NGV, 2002-2006 CR-V, 2003-2011 Element, 2007-2008 Fit, 2002-2004 Odyssey, 2003-2008 Pilot, and 2006-2014 Ridgeline vehicles. The vehicles are equipped with passenger frontal air bag inflators assembled as a recall remedy part or replacement service part, that may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.
- Risk
- An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
- Remedy
- Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal airbag inflator, free of charge. The recall began August 12, 2019. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1‑888‑234‑2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are E5D and X5C.
Recall number 19V501000 · Recall details
Air bags: frontal: driver side: inflator module
- What is wrong
- Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling specific 2003 Acura 3.2CL, 2013-2016 ILX, 2013-2014 ILX Hybrid, 2003-2006 MDX, 2007-2016 RDX, 2002-2003 3.2TL, 2004-2006, and 2009-2014 TL, 2010-2013 ZDX and 2001-2007 and 2009 Honda Accord, 2001-2005 Civic, 2003-2005 Civic Hybrid, 2001-2005 Civic GX NGV, 2002-2007 and 2010-2011 CR-V, 2003-2011 Element, 2007 Fit, 2002-2004 Odyssey, 2003-2008 Pilot, and 2006-2014 Ridgeline vehicles. The affected vehicles received a replacement driver air bag inflator as part of a previous Takata inflator recall remedy or a replacement driver air bag module containing the same inflator type as a service part. Due to a manufacturing error, in the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver frontal air bag, these inflators may explode.
- Risk
- An explosion of an inflator within the driver frontal air bag module may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver, front seat passenger or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
- Remedy
- Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's air bag inflator with an alternate inflator, free of charge. The recall began April 10, 2019. Honda owners may contact customer service at 1‑888‑234‑2138. Honda's number for this recall is O41. Acura owners may contact customer service at 1‑888‑234‑2138. Acura's number for this recall is U40.
Recall number 19V182000 · Recall details
Air bags: frontal: passenger side: inflator module
- What is wrong
- Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2003-2012 Honda Accord and Pilot, 2010 Accord Crosstour, 2001-2011 Civic, 2002-2011 CR-V, 2003-2004, 2006-2008 and 2011 Element, 2007 and 2009-2013 Fit, 2010-2012 Insight, 2002-2004 Odyssey, and 2012 Ridgeline vehicles. The front passenger air bag may have been installed incorrectly during replacement.
- Risk
- An incorrectly installed air bag may deploy improperly in the event of a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
- Remedy
- Honda will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and, if necessary, replace the passenger frontal air bag module assembly, free of charge. The recall began June 22, 2018. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1‑888‑234‑2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are K1P, and M1O.
Recall number 18V268000 · Recall details
Air bags: frontal: passenger side: inflator module
- What is wrong
- Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain model year 2001-2005 Honda Civic vehicles manufactured March 21, 2000, to January 20, 2005, 2001-2004 Honda Civic GX vehicles manufactured June 14, 2000, to August 19, 2004, 2003-2005 Honda Civic Hybrid vehicles manufactured February 24, 2002, to January 18, 2005, 2003-2007 Honda Accord vehicles manufactured February 21, 2002, to August 28, 2007, 2002-2004 Honda CR-V vehicles, 2002-2003 Honda Odyssey vehicles manufactured June 19, 2001, to July 12, 2003, 2003 Acura MDX vehicles manufactured September 19, 2002, to June 19, 2003, 2003 Honda Element vehicles manufactured June 25, 2002, to July 31, 2003, and 2003 Honda Pilot vehicles manufactured November 26, 2001, to August 21, 2003. The affected vehicles have a passenger side frontal air bag that may be susceptible to moisture intrusion which, over time, could cause the inflator to rupture upon its deployment.
- Risk
- In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the passenger seat occupant or other occupants possibly causing serious injury or death.
- Remedy
- Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began on July 1, 2015. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1‑888‑234‑2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are JU4, JU5, JU6, and JU7. Note: Vehicles that have already received a replacement passenger air bag inflator as part of the recall remedy for an earlier campaign such as 14V353 or 14V700 (Honda recall numbers S95, JH6, JH7, JH8, JH9, JJ0, JJ1, JJ2, JJ6, JM5 and JM6) are not included in this recall. However, this recall does supersede 13V132 and 14V349. Note: On December 18, 2015 Honda informed the federal safety agency of an expansion of this recall to include certain model year 2004 Honda CR-V vehicles in addition to additional model year 2003 CR-V vehicles.
Recall number 15V370000 · Recall details
Air bags: frontal: driver side: inflator module
- What is wrong
- Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain model year 2001-2007 Accord, 2001-2005 Civic, 2001-2004 Honda Civic GX, 2003-2005 Honda Civic Hybrid, 2002-2006 CR-V, 2003-2011 Element, 2002-2004 Odyssey, 2003-2008 Pilot, 2006 Ridgeline, 2003 Acura 3.2CL, 2003-2006 Acura MDX, and 2002-2003 Acura 3.2TL vehicles. The affected vehicles are equipped with a dual-stage driver frontal air bag that may be susceptible to moisture intrusion and other factors, including manufacturing variability that, over time, could cause the inflator to rupture.
- Risk
- In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
- Remedy
- Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began on July 1, 2015. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1‑888‑234‑2138. Owners may contact Acura customer service at 1‑800‑382‑2238, select option 4. Note: Vehicles that have had their driver frontal air bag replaced previously as part of a recall remedy prior to September 12, 2014 need to have their air bag replaced under this recall as well. Vehicles that, on or after September 12, 2014, received a remedy for a prior driver frontal air bag inflator recall already received an inflator of a different design, and therefore are not included in this recall and do not require additional servicing. Note: This recall fully supersedes recalls 08V‑593, 09V‑259, 10V‑041, 11V‑260, 14V‑351 and 15V‑153. Honda's numbers for this recall are JQ9, JR0, JR1, JR2, JR3, JR4, JR5, JR6, JR7, and JR8.
Recall number 15V320000 · Recall details
Air bags
- What is wrong
- American Honda Motor Co. (Honda) is recalling certain model year 2001-2005 Honda Civic, 2003-2004 Civic CNG and Element, 2002-2005 CR-V, 2002-2004 Odyssey, 2003-2005 Accord, Pilot, Civic Hybrid, and Acura MDX, 2005 Acura RL and 2006 Honda Ridgeline vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in geographic locations associated with high absolute humidity. Specifically, vehicles sold, or ever registered, in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands, Saipan, Guam, and American Samoa are addressed by this recall. Upon deployment of the passenger side frontal air bag, excessive internal pressure may cause the inflator to rupture.
- Risk
- In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passengers frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants potentially resulting in serious injury or death.
- Remedy
- Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger side air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began January 26, 2015. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1‑800‑999‑1009.
Recall number 14V700000 · Recall details
Air bags
- What is wrong
- American Honda Motor Company, Inc.'s (Honda) is conducting a limited regional recall for certain model year 2003-2005 Accord, Civic, CR-V, Pilot and Acura MDX, model year 2003-2004 Odyssey and Element, and model year 2005 Acura RL, and 2006 Honda Ridgeline vehicles originally sold, or ever registered in California, and equipped with Takata-brand air bag inflators. Upon deployment of the passenger side frontal air bag, excessive internal pressure may cause the inflator to rupture.
- Risk
- In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passengers frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants potentially resulting in serious injury or death.
- Remedy
- Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the inflators in all affected vehicles, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin during August 2014. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1‑800‑999‑1009.
Recall number 14V353000 · Recall details
Questions about the 2003 Honda Civic no deployment
Is airbags did not deploy in a crash a common problem on the 2003 Honda Civic?
32 of 499 owner complaints about the 2003 Honda Civic (6%) mention airbags did not deploy in a crash. The model year with the most reports is 2001.
Is there a recall or service bulletin for this on the 2003 Honda Civic?
There are 8 recalls and 81 service bulletins for the same area of the car. Check them below with your VIN.
Other symptoms on the 2003 Honda Civic
Airbag light 59CVT failure 24Shudder 23Slipping 20Jerking 18Transmission failure 18Stalling 17Headlights 15Sudden acceleration 13Hesitation 12Seat belt 11Grinding brakes 9Adaptive cruise 8Check engine light 8Door locks 8Brake failure 7Steering lock-up 7Loss of power 6Overheating 6ABS 5Fire or smoke 5
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