Overview & Reviews

A host of minor changes bring the Civic into 2003. On the inside, all models gain improved seat fabrics, rear adjustable outboard headrests and new four-spoke steering wheels. On HX, LX and EX Civics, you'll find improved gauge illumination. There's a new center console for LX and EX, and a CD player is standard for HX and LX. On the outside, the 2003 Honda Civic has freshened taillamps and new wheel designs. Also, there is a Hybrid Civic available for the 2003 model year.

• Fuel-efficient and environmentally friendly engines, roomy interior, reputation for durability, impressive crash test scores.

• Antilock brakes not available on DX or LX.

User Reviews:

Showing 1 through 10 of 591.00

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  2.5 years of love for my ep3 - 2003 Honda Civic
  By kingchristo - October 11 - 12:52 pm

  My Civic Si looked new when I bought it 2.5 years ago with 55K (totally stock). Its now at 90K, and its been really great. The handling is a dream, its comfortable as can be up front, and I get 30MPG+ even while having some fun on the mountain roads I drive daily. Its quick enough to be fun, though there are *now* a lot of faster cars for everyday use. I had to replace an O2 sensor and a door lock actuator (both of which are relatively easy to do yourself, luckily, and thus done for < $300 total). The backseat is a bit tight, but much better than what many similar cars have. The biggest shortcoming of this car is the lack of a 6th gear. 5th at 75mph=3700rpm.

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  The battery is a disaster! - 2003 Honda Civic
  By loring - August 24 - 2:33 pm

  The IMA Battery on the 2003 Civic Hybrid is/was a flawed product. My first battery failed at 42,000 miles ( at 7 years) and was replaced under warranty. The second battery has failed with less than 27,000 miles ( at 11 years) and the dealer says it will cost me $3,684 to replace it with a rebuilt battery with a 3 year, 36K warranty. So far, Honda and I have spent more on batteries than I have on fuel for this car. With a 3 year warranty on a $3,684 battery, Im planning on $1,000 per year battery cost going forward.

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  Buy one for reliability - 2003 Honda Civic
  By carterpuma - June 18 - 8:40 pm

  I struggled with constant repairs on domestic cars for years before purchasing this car. WHAT A DIFFERENCE. Bought at 47K miles in 2007 and now have 120K. In that time only ONE thing has ever gone wrong and that was a sensor that only cost $150. It just blows my mind how reliable this thing is. This car is such a smart choice and can be found for under $5K atm. Will be one of the best vehicle investments you ever make.

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  best car ive ever owned, BY FAR - 2003 Honda Civic
  By thwipp89 - May 8 - 1:06 am

  bought my EX automatic new in 03 and have 125k miles after 10 yrs. after having a few american cars that were unreliable money pits, this car has been spectacular for me. wish i wouldve bought a honda sooner than i did. over 10 yrs, ive spent about $1k in non-maintenance repairs- mostly emissions/exhaust related, most of which has been at the 10 yr mark. i did need to replace the alternator after about 9 yrs. i average 30 MPG combined (about 65% city) but i have a very heavy foot.

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  Canadian SE Special Edition model - 2003 Honda Civic
  By duke_wa - May 2 - 10:06 pm

  Just bought this Civic 5-speed manual transmission SE model. It seems very practical and comfortable. Everything works and the car is 10 years old. Seating is comfortable, driving view is excellent, power is adequate with the manual transmission. This one was in excellent condition and I hope to keep it for the next 5 years. I really like the biege and brown interior. The dash is a nice quality, it doesnt look cheap. Also easy to park and the rear seats fold flat. The clutch is very intuitive as well.

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  Love my EP3 - 2003 Honda Civic
  By tomjaaahallo - January 1 - 10:50 pm

  I bought my Si in may 2012 with 140k and now it has 154k. This was the first car Ive bought with my own money, and I am extremely satisfied. The 2.0L 4 has just enough hp to have fun but still is capable over over 30 mpg highway. The shifter is very easy to use and the handling is very responsive. Most of all, this car is extremely reliable. I have only needed brakes put on the car after purchasing, other than that no problems have surfaced. The best way to sum up this car is deceptively quick, deceptively room y (especially the rear seat), and deceptively reliable. I will definitely look at another Si when the time to get a new car comes, but for now I am extremely happy with my 03!

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  Best Car Owned - 2003 Honda Civic
  By crdavis - December 22 - 2:44 pm

  Bought new in 2003 and never had to replace a thing other that a couple headlights, main starting battery. Has 250K miles on it and finally the IMA has an issue, but still drives great without it! Someone rear ended me the other day, totaled his car, but only scratched my rear bumber.

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  Best Car Ive Ever Owned! - 2003 Honda Civic
  By energist - July 8 - 8:01 am

  I bought the car new in 2003 and its been great. I see many complaints about gas mileage, but mine averages 49 MPG with snow tires on. This has been the most trouble free and economical car Ive ever owned, and its fun to drive.

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  Best Car I Ever Owned - 2003 Honda Civic
  By techgromit - March 18 - 9:21 pm

  I owned my 2003 Honda Civic LX for 8 years now, its given me the least amount of problems compared to every other car I ever owned. True its also the first new car I ever owned, but Ive has far more problems with other used cars with less mileage. Parts last longer than other cars Ive owned, from tires, to struts to breaks, they all need to be replaced less often, at least thats been my experience. The transmission does slip a little when it cold out until the car is warmed up, replacing the transmission fluid twice did little to improve it, but so long as I let the car warm up before doing any drag races, it runs fine.

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  The way a Honda should be - 2003 Honda Civic
  By honda4311 - February 29 - 8:57 pm

  The seashore mist metallic coupe now has 120,000+ miles on it and still runs great. It uses a negligable amount of oil, and the oil stays clean between the changes. I just changed all of the belts, thermostat, plugs, brake rotors, and tires. The car runs like new except for a little belt screach when its cold and/or wet. Im really anticipating getting 200,000+ out of this car. My wife however, not so lucky. A 2002 Honda Accord SE with the same mileage riddled with oil consumption problems (1/2 quart week) and a transmission that is holding on for dear life.