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2003 Honda Civic seats problems

13 complaints (3% of all complaints for this car). Typical mileage when it fails: 39,000. 3 crashes reported.

owner complaints
13
of this car's complaints
3%
typical mileage
39,000
crashes
3
recalls
0

Which part fails

  • Front assembly: recliner
    2
  • Front assembly: head restraint
    1

At what mileage

Complaints by mileage at the time of the problem.

0k-25k
25k-50k
50k-75k
75k-100k
100k-125k
125k-150k
150k-175k
175k-200k
200k+

Honda Civic seats problems in other years

19901995200020052010201520202025

Related recalls

No recalls on record for this model year.

What 2003 Honda Civic owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

Filed Oct 29, 2014 · Airbags, Seats · 171,000 miles · KY

Air bag light came on. Determined is was code 9-3 driver seat belt switch.

Filed Jun 11, 2014 · Airbags, Brakes · 82,000 miles · PA · crash · 2 injuries

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.

Filed Nov 24, 2013 · Seats · 120,000 miles · CA

The driver seat started rocking as you drive the car. Dealer stated that the bushings are worn out and need to be replaced. Honda is not offering any assistance or recall on this known issues with the 2001 - 2003 vehicles.

Filed Mar 26, 2007 · Seats · 64,352 miles · NJ

I have a 2003 honda civic that just failed new jersey state inspection for a loose seat condition. It appearedthat thiswas a common failure since the new jersey motor vehicle department has failed 256 hondas for loose seats in the last 24 months. I looked if there were any recalls ,but there were none on record. I believed that this was problem that should be covered by honda under defective parts or workmanship. The seat anchor bolts were secure.itwas the chair rail system that failed somehow andwas loose. The dealer wanted over $500.00 to repair what looks like poor work manship or defective parts on the part of honda.

Filed Jan 9, 2007 · Seats · 30,000 miles · ID

Purchased 2003 civic lx in july of 2006. Had 30,000 miles on it. The driver seat had a small rocking motion as if it was not bolted to the floor. Has gotten progressively worse in 6 months and 9000 miles of driving. Mechanic during oil change told me he had seen that a lot on this model of car, but had no idea what it was. Have an appointment to be checked, but feel honda is responsible.

Filed Feb 25, 2006 · Seats · 20,000 miles · CA

Defective front seat tracks. Front seats rock back and forth on track when latched in place. Concern is that seat might break loose in a crash. My car is a 2003 civic le. I was told by the dealer that some 2006 cars (about 25% of a random sample he took on lot) have the same issue. My 2003 civic hybrid does not have the issue. Amount of seat rocking is about 1/4 to 1/2 inch vertical motion measured at the front edge of the seat bottom as the seat is rocked by pushing/pulling on the seat back when the seat is not occupied. Driver's seat is worst, but passenger seat exhibits about 50% of the motion. The car currently as about 30k miles, but the problem has been noticeable for at least the last 10k miles.

Filed May 2, 2005 · Seats · 39,000 miles · GA · crash

*** this is for a 2003 honda civic si *** (1) accident @ 55 MPH. Drove too fast through a right curve going up a 10 degree hill on wet pavement. Car spun out of control, and hit a utility pole on the driver's side door immediately aft of the front right tire (and engine compartment). (2) failure was driver's side seat. As I drive aggresively often, I sit with the driver's side seat at a 90 degree angle. During the accident the seat jammed in a completely reclined position. After retrieving my belongings from the vehicle, the seat was not able to be adjusted to my usual 90 degree angle position. (3) nothing done, car was totalled.

Filed Jan 31, 2004 · Seats · 20 miles · MO

Update - driver seat rocks back and fourth - failure continues - six months after purchase - no resolution from dealer or honda. New 2003 honda civic lx with side air bags. Driver's seat rocks back and forth with 1/4 to 1/2 inch "play" - causing un-safe feeling - not secure at all. Dealer said nothing could be done to correct. Honda customer service said nothing could be done to correct.

Filed Jan 29, 2004 · Seats · 200 miles · MO

New 2003 honda civic lx with side air bags. Driver's seat rocks back and forth with 1/4 to 1/2 inch "play" - causing un-safe feeling - not secure at all. Dealer said nothing could be done to correct. Honda customer service said nothing could be done to correct.

Filed Jul 26, 2003 · Seats · CA · 1 injury

I purchased a honda civic hybrid vehicle in march of the current year with the intention of saving gas and being kind to the environment. The customary brief test drive before puchasing the car LED me to believe this would be a good car for my high mileage lifestyle. Within a month I started having aches and stiffness in my neck and lower back. At ten weeks I was in so much pain that I called a chiropractor, crying with pain, on a sunday morning to beg for help. (I had not required chiropractic help for the previous 5 years). The chiropractor treated my back with heat and massage for over an hour and then went with me to my new car to check out the seats. She immediately pointed out that the design of the seat gave no back support and was too short in the seat to support the legs while driving. With the doctor's help and advice as to cushions I could purchase I was able to leave on the trip but could only drive an hour at a time. My cousin did most of the driving from bakersfield, california to portland, oregon (approximately 900 miles) while I sat in the passenger seat on special cushions with my feet up on the dashboard to relieve the pain.when I got back home I went back tot he chiropractor immediately, and have been treated twice a week for the past two weeks. I'm doing physical therapy and using a wide variety of support cushions. Relax the back stores have become my new best friend. But the civic is still impossible to be comfortable in. Extra cushions are making the driving experience almost bearable but I could never do a long drive. Fortunately my high mileage life is split up into 1/2 to 1 1/2 hour trips. But it doesn't seem fair that I can't drive long than 90 minutes in my $23,000 car.

Questions about the 2003 Honda Civic seats

Does the 2003 Honda Civic have seats problems?

Owners have filed 13 complaints about the seats of the 2003 Honda Civic, 3% of all its complaints.

At what mileage do 2003 Honda Civic seats problems start?

The typical (median) mileage in owner complaints is 39,000 miles.

Was there a recall on the 2003 Honda Civic seats?

There is no recall for this problem on this model year.

What year does the Honda Civic have bad seats?

The Honda Civic model years with the most seats complaints are 2006 (16 complaints), 2013 (16 complaints) and 2003 (13 complaints).

Is there a class action lawsuit over the Honda Civic?

Yes. Class action says Honda and Acura keyless entry makes cars easy to steal and asks for theft protection (November 12, 2026).

Other 2003 Honda Civic problems

Airbags 140Transmission 101Electrical 51Engine 45Acceleration 34Brakes 34Body 26Lights 23Fuel system 22Seat belts 20Tires 17Steering 15Suspension 12Visibility 12Locks 7Driver assistance 6Wheels 1

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