The combination light switch connector in my car is experiencing problems with heat in the low beam wiring. It is the same problem as listed under other civics from the model year range, but mine is not included in the recall. It may cause the low beams to go out and cause visibility issues when the wire becomes too hot.
2003 Honda Civic: headlights failing or too dim
15 of the 499 complaints about the 2003 Honda Civic describe headlights failing or too dim.
- owner complaints
- 15
- of this car's complaints
- 3%
- typical mileage
- 133,000
- recalls
- 1
Is there a fix? There is 1 recall and 2 service bulletins for this area of the car. See below
Headlights failing or too dim by model year
What owners say
I had to repair a known headlight issue for 2003 civics. The lights stopped working on dim, and the wires had completely melted as described in the recall information for affected civics. My VIN is not listed as part of the recall. Also, my gear selector can be accidentally placed into neutral without pressing a brake or button on the knob. For example, my daughter reached to change the radio station, and accidentally hit the gear selector. The car shifted to neutral (automatic transmission) without pressing of break or button. We were in motion, and at first, I thought something was wrong with the car, and I looked down to realize it had been placed into neutral. This has happened several times on accident. I purchased this vehicle in 2003 brand new from a honda dealership, and I am the only owner.
At all times turn signals began to work intermediately. Had fuses and relays checked (not the problem). Soon after driver side low beam headlight went out. Had bulb changed, worked for approximately 2 days then both low beam headlights went out along with both high beam headlights and emergency flashers. Have took vehicle in for diagnostic in which the turn lever was replaced and still didnt repair anything. No one can seem to find the problem. All symptoms seem to fall into category with recall #:12v136000 but when entering my VIN recall isnt shown. Please help! I am taking a huge risk driving in the day and its impossible to drive at night
The airbag does not work at all..and ive always had a problem with the headlights fogging all the time....
Takata recall: there have been numerous times where I have either called or went to a honda dealership to have the airbag inflators on both the driver and passenger side, fixed to avoid harm to myself or others. In almost three years, I have not once heard back about the dealership receiving parts to fix the issue. I have never received notice, nor was I told about the recall with the wiring harness terminal for the low beam headlights. Honda needs to fix this issue because it is a huge safety hazard that can get people killed or seriously injured.
I got a recall notice (nov. 2012) about 2003 honda civic's headlights failing. About a week later in the early morning as I was going to work, my car headlights failed as I left my driveway. I left the car at home and took another. On return from work I found both headlights out, no blown fuses, heater fan not working, both ABS and brake panel lights on. I scheduled repair at o'hare honda, des plaines, il. I arrived at the service dept. With recall notice and also to have additional maintenance services. I left the car for them to work on it. Repair work done on invoice #410741 dated nov.19, 2012. The service writer called me the next day and told me the brake light repair required the master cylinder to be replaced. I ok'd major work. Service writer called back to say the ABS module needed to be replaced too. I ok'd that repair at large cost also. When I picked up my car the service writer told me they "put in a free alternator as that too was bad". The headlight repair cost $1,877.77 ($1,326.17 for parts + $551.60 labor). I have been thinking about this repair and have come to the conclusion that the voltage regulator on the alternator failed and put a large surge on the electrical system of the car. This surge "fried" the electrics on the two brake parts and burned out the headlights. The "free" alternator should have been the clue to the cause of the problem. I don't understand why some device can not be installed into the electrical wiring system of the car to prevent this expensive and potentially dangerous failure. The final problem with this repair was that I had to immediately return to the dealer to have them install new headlight bulbs as they must not have checked them and they were still burned out. So much for quality control.
One or more headlights often do not light when turned on. Plug on headlight is not loose, fuses and relays have been replaced.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 honda civic. The contact stated that while driving approximately 50 MPH, with the headlights activated the driver's side low beam headlight failed to illuminate. The failure occurred intermittently. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer which made the repairs under a recall associated with the federal safety agency campaign id number 12v136000 (exterior lighting:headlights:switch). The contact stated less than twenty four hours after the repair was performed the air bag warning indicator began to illuminate continuously and the driver's side low beam headlight malfunction continued to occur. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer who informed the owner would be responsible for the repair expense; even though the recall remedy failed to correct the problem. The manufacturer was not notified of the defect. The approximate failure mileage was 100,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 honda civic. The contact stated that the headlight failed while leaving a parking area and caused the contact to crash into a proceeding vehicle. A police report was filed and no injuries were reported. The vehicle was taken to the local mechanic whom located the failure at the headlight wiring system. The headlight assembly was replaced. The contact mentioned that recall the federal safety agency campaign id number: 12v136000 (exterior lighting: headlights: switch) was received after the failure occurred. The vehicle was repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 115,000 and the current mileage was 130,222.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 honda civic. The contact stated that while traveling 30 MPH, the headlights failed and the vehicle crashed into a yield sign. There were no injuries and the police were contacted. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who confirmed that the VIN qualified for repairs under the federal safety agency campaign id number:12v136000 (exterior lighting:headlights:switch). The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and current mileages were 133,000.
Driving vehicle, (2003 honda civic), during predawn hours on unlit portion of town road. Proceeding around a bend in the road, vehicle suddenly lost both low beam headlights. Fortunately, was able to safely pull vehicle to a stop without going off the road. This needs to be investigated!!! Vehicle high beams work and all other lighting appears to be fine.
Left and right low beam headlight failure, high beam headlights operational.
Service bulletins that may apply
Related recalls
Exterior lighting: headlights: switch
- What is wrong
- Honda is recalling certain model year 2002 through 2004 cr-v; model year 2003 through 2005 pilot; and model year 2002 and 2003 civic vehicles. In march 2012, honda filed a defect report to recall certain model year 2002 through 2004 cr-v and certain model year 2003 pilot vehicles. In august 2012, honda informed the agency that it was including an additional 820,789 vehicles including certain model year 2004 and 2005 pilots and model year 2002 and 2003 civics. The total number of vehicles being recalled is now 1,375,217. Due to tension from the combination switch wiring harness, wear on the surface of the electrical terminal can occur, yielding copper oxide, which increases electrical resistance. Increased electrical resistance may cause the terminal ends to melt within the wiring harness connector.
- Risk
- If the terminal ends melt within the wiring harness connector, the low beam headlights may become inoperative, reducing driver visibility and increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Honda will notify owners, and dealers will repair the low beam terminal harness or replace the lighting switch as necessary, free of charge. The original recall began in april 2012. Owners of vehicles involved in the september 2012 expansion will be notified in september 2012. Owners may contact honda customer service at 1‑800‑999‑1009.
Recall number 12V136000 · Recall details
Questions about the 2003 Honda Civic headlights
Is headlights failing or too dim a common problem on the 2003 Honda Civic?
15 of 499 owner complaints about the 2003 Honda Civic (3%) mention headlights failing or too dim. The model year with the most reports is 2001.
Is there a recall or service bulletin for this on the 2003 Honda Civic?
There is 1 recall and 2 service bulletins for the same area of the car. Check them below with your VIN.
Other symptoms on the 2003 Honda Civic
Airbag light 59No deployment 32CVT failure 24Shudder 23Slipping 20Jerking 18Transmission failure 18Stalling 17Sudden 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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