2003 Honda Civic Review: Built to Last, Fun to Drive, and Cheap to Refuel
The 2003 Honda Civic is simply one of the best used cars on the road today. If you can find one in great shape, you could easily put another 100,000 miles or more on the odometer.
Is the 2003 Honda Civic a Good Used Car?
- Overall Rating 8/10 – One of the best used cars on the market today, and maybe the best in this price range.
- Interior, Comfort & Cargo 7/10 – You’ve got more than enough room for your passengers, but cargo space is limited, even in the hatchbacks.
- Reliability 8/10 – It always depends on the previous owner, but proper maintenance can get a 2003 Civic well past a quarter million miles.
- Safety 7/10 – Excellent crash test ratings are offset by Honda making the weird decision to make basic features like anti-lock brakes exclusive to the higher trim levels.
- Gas Mileage 8/10 – At 32/38 miles to the gallon, city/highway, this was one of the most efficient cars on the road in 2003, and it can still run laps around most new sedans.
- Value 9/10 – The only thing keeping this from being a 10/10: You need to shell out the extra cash for an EX if you want ABS and occupant-sensing airbags.
Positive Owner Reviews
Negative Owner Reviews
What Do Critics Say About the 2003 Honda Civic?
Consumer Reports had nothing but praise for the 2003 Honda Civic, giving special notice to the car’s handling, design, and crash test ratings.
Kelley Blue Book users found the car to be reliable and easy to maneuver, parallel parking with ease even if that’s not your strong suit. But, road noise and meager acceleration lost the car a few points with some drivers.
Edmunds loved the efficient, environmentally-friendly engines and the roomy interior, but criticized Honda’s decision to not include anti-lock brakes in the lower trims.
What Common Problems Does the 2003 Honda Civic Have?
If you check the recall list, the 2003 Civic’s biggest recurring issue has been a series of headlight problems. Most recently there was a problem with terminal ends melting in the low-beam lights. Before that, the car was hit with a whopping 11 recalls for missing reflectors.
Airbag problems lead the complaints department, with reports as recently as Spring, 2022 of drivers waiting on replacement inflators. There are 142 airbag complaints on file in total.
Transmission issues will tend to pop up in a twenty year old car sooner or later, and, as reliable as the Civic may be, it’s no exception to the rule. A complaint in 2020 reports the car popping into neutral at random, while a report from 2014 states that the car jerked and failed to accelerate with a failure mileage of 300,000.
In total there are 24 recalls on file with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, which sounds like a lot, but more than half of those are for the above-mentioned issues with the car’s headlights. There are barely over 100 transmission reports on file, which is remarkable for such an old car.
How Long Will the 2003 Honda Civic Last?
RepairPal suggest putting aside at least $368 a year for regular maintenance costs. The most expensive common repair being a new alternator, which starts at around $578 and can go up to $906.
As reported in the NHTSA complaints list, a Civic can easily reach 300,000 miles before you have any problems with it, and there’s more than one out there with seven figures on the odometer. But, since you can’t be sure how well the previous owner maintained the car, a fair estimate for life expectancy would be 250,000 miles.
No problems, I feel very safe in it. I keep it maintained by my Mechanic and I keep it in my garage. It's black and looks very beautiful when I wash it.
I have not had any problems with mine. As long as u do regular maintenance on them I think they will last a very long time.
No the only problems with the car are with the license plate light in the back and that I cannot get it replaced anywhere for a low sum of money.
My Honda Civic is really reliable, I drive it everyday, at least 50 miles a day and it gives me no problems.
It's pretty reliable but it does have a few physical problems once in a while like the airbags don't work and after they're fixed they still don't work...
Very reliable. Has had few problems. Good gas mileage. Parts aren't too expensive. Timing belt most expensive.
Yes it is reliable. The radio doesn't work but that was man made. a child played with it when I was younger around 14. I chose not to get the radio fixed but I have an iPhone and it can connect to music apps
My 2003 Honda Civic is somewhat reliable the air conditioner has stopped working and its alarm system malfunctioned
How Is the Technology?
Entertainment technology is is pretty basic, even for 2003. THe top trim level gets you a CD player, and that’s about as fancy as it gets.
Safety technology is adequate. The car’s crash test ratings are excellent, but features like anti-lock brakes and occupant detection for the airbags are optional, or exclusive to higher trim levels. This is probably the biggest mark against the car.
Is the 2003 Honda Civic a Good Value?
There are cheaper cars on the market right now, but the 2003 Honda Civic is one of the best overall values you’re going to find. Fair market pricing for an LX with around 150,000 miles will starts in the $2,753 range, and, with proper maintenance, you can easily get another 100,000 miles out of that, or even double it if you’re lucky.
- DX $3,164
- HX $3,193
- LX $3,580
- EX $3,069
What are the Different Models of the 2003 Honda Civic?
The standard 2003 Honda Civic is available in four trim levels, with the Si sports car, the Hybrid, and the natural gas powered GX being marketed and sold as separate cars by Honda. If you’re shopping the used market for a daily driver, you’re looking for an entry level DX, a mid-range HX or LX, or a top-class EX.
The DX is your starter Civic, featuring:
- AM/FM stereo
- Maintenance interval indicator
- Remote fuel door and trunk release
- Front reclining bucket seats
The LX and HX are the next step up, adding:
- CD player
- Power door locks and windows
- Power exterior mirrors
- Cruise control
The difference between the LX and the HX is in the engine choice, with the HX carrying the VTEC.
Finally, the top-of-the-line EX adds:
- Four-wheel anti-lock brakes
- Fifteen inch wheels
- Power moonroof
What Engines Come In the 2003 Honda Civic?
- The standard engine in the 2003 Honda Civic is a 1.7L inline-4 paired with either a 4-speed automatic or 5-speed manual transmission. This will deliver 115 horsepower and 110 lb.-ft. of torque.
- Next up is a VTEC version of the 1.7L, delivering 117 horsepower and 111 lb.-ft. of torque. In more Civics than not this engine will be paired to a one-speed CVT, but if you shop around you might find one with a 5-speed manual transmission.
What Colors Does the 2003 Honda Civic Come In?
How Comfortable Is the 2003 Honda Civic?
The 2003 Civic looks like compact from the outside, but feels like a mid-size when you get in. Hiproom is just a few inches short of full-size cars like the Taurus, so you should have no problem seating four or five adults at a time.
When the car first debuted, reviewers generally agreed that it delivered a smooth, comfortable ride. So the question is whether or not the suspension has held up over the years. With only twelve NHTSA complaints filed under suspension the consensus seems to be that it has, but as always, test drive. You never know if the previous owner was using their compact car as an off-roader.
How Much Storage Space Does the 2003 Honda Civic Have?
You’re not going to be helping your friends haul furniture in the 2003 Civic, even with a hatchback. Cargo space in the hatchback tops out at 15.7 cubic feet with the seats up, or 35.7 with the seats down. Plenty of room for four or five suitcases and maybe a cooler, but it’s not built for hauling. The sedan only goes up to 12.9 cubic feet.
On the other hand, you have plenty of pockets and cupholders and slots inside the cabin, so you’re not going to be looking for places to put your phone and your drink.
What Are the Differences Between Years?
The 2003 Honda Civic is the third iteration of the car’s 7th Generation, which launched with the 2001 model year, coming to a close with the 2004 edition.
2001: Honda gave the Civic a total overhaul in 2001 with modern, sporty stylin and improved performance thanks to the new 122 horsepower D17A1 engines under the hood.
2002: Behind the scenes, Honda moved all hatchback production to their plant in Swindon, England for 2002. You’ll also notice some new chrome accents and interior design improvements in this model year.
2003: The Civic saw a lot of little improvements for 2003 with higher-quality seat fabrics, adjustable headrests in the back, and redesigned bumpers, grilles, and side skirts.
2004: This was a “facelift” year for the Civic, with a revamped front end. New headlights, bumper, and grille.
How Does the 2003 Honda Civic Compare to the Competition?
Comparing the 2003 Civic to that year’s Focus, the Ford comes out ahead if you’re looking for horsepower, delivering up to 145 hp with the 2.3L engine, a full twenty horses more than a base Civic. But, that comes at the cost of around five miles fewer to the gallon.
It’s pretty much the same story with that year’s Elantra. The Hyundai delivers 135 horsepower at 24/33 miles to the gallon, city/highway, while the Civic delivers 115 horsepower at 32/38 mpg.
When it comes to reliability, the Civic has a stronger reputation than just about anything else on the market today. But, you can buy a Focus for as low as $1,676 in some markets, and the Elantra starts at about a hundred dollars more, so if you just want a cheap car that doesn’t need to last another 100,000 miles, you could do worse.
Do Owners Recommend the 2003 Honda Civic?
Yes, I would recommend it to anyone. It runs smoothly and I have not had any problems with it since I purchased it.
Yes I enjoy long trips in my car isn't very good on gas and has plenty of room for everything I need.
It's a reliable vehicle and hasn't ever given me problems. It is good on gas also. One con about my Honda though is it is too small or me and it does not have enough ventilation in the car and smells stay in the car easily
My Honda Civic is a great vehicle, Do your oil changes and tire rotation on the regular this vehicle will last for many years.
Yes, the 2003 Honda civic is a really good vehicle and I recommend that everyone should buy it if they haven't already.
Yes, very reliable. Minimal trips to the mechanic. Good gas mileage. Easy ride. I would buy it again.
Yes there is trunk space and runs well. It rarely breaks down. There is a lot of storage space. And is small and convenient
Yes my 2003 Honda Civic is a good car because it gets good gas mileage and it has had very few mechanical problems