Problems with 2002 Honda Civic AIR BAGS

Srs indicator - srs computer failure. *jb

Srs light came on dash for no apparent reason (ie.no crash, body work). no diagnostic trouble codes found. while srs light remains on, airbags are inactive. consequences in an accident would lead to massive trauma to occupants as no airbags would deploy. dealer contacted and unwilling to help with safety issue. apparently this is a known safety problem. (nhtsa #10001811). *jb

I purchased a used 2002 honda civic ex in may of 2006 and the day i got it home, the srs light came on. i took it to the dealer 3 times now each time being charged almost $100 to read and clear the code. they're now telling me it will be a very costly repair. from what i can tell countless honda owners have had similar problems with the srs light coming on for no reason. *nm

Srs light came on about a month ago. i read in the manual to take it to the dealership to check. it costs $80-$90 just to have them to check it even it is nothing wrong. after i decided to have the dealership to check it, i couldn't get it done on a sat because only maintenance tech's work on sat and i couldn't make an appt b/c there is not one close enough to my home or job where i could leave the car while i work and have appropriate transportation to my destination. after reading several complaints, i'm convinced that it does not matter if the problem is looked at or fixed it will recur again and there is no guarantee that the airbags will deploy. my first real problem with honda and this is my 3rd honda.*jb

Our honda civic 2002 also is having the same problem as described by others, in that the srs light is on and for seemingly no reason (according to the mechanic). the mechanic reset the light, but it came back on within 2 weeks. i wouldn't care if there truly isn't anything wrong, like the mechanic states, however, in order for the car to pass state inspection, it can not be on. thus, it will be costly for me to take it to the local honda dealer which already has charged an arm and a leg for a transmission that had to be replaced after only having the car for less than 4 years. i was the one that pushed my husband buy a honda for the reliability factor, but between the transmission and now the srs issue that needs to be resolved, it's looking like my husbands 2000 jeep cherokee is fairing better in repairs than my honda?? sad!!!!! very sad!!!*tr

My 2002 honda civic lx was totaled in a low speed 2 car accident. the driver and passenger front airbags deployed. my passenger suffered minor bruising from her seat belt. my injuries included second degree burns to my throat and the top of my hands. the emt's, medical personnel in the er, and doctors at the burn unit said the burns were caused by chemicals emitted from the airbags. in addition to severe pain and medical bills, i lost three weeks of work while my burns healed. the treatments at the burn unit and the daily treatments at home were nauseating and at excruciating. the scars on my hands have faded but are still evidenced by the patches of red discoloration. the burn on my throat has healed without scaring but i have to protect the area from sun exposure. i must protect my hands from the sun for at least a full year after the accident and have to be careful not to scratch my hands as the skin is still delicate. the honda owners manual and airbag booklet for the car both say that the powder that comes out of the airbag is harmless unless you already have respiratory problems and breath in the powder. they say absolutely nothing about the dangers associated with chemical burns resulting from this powder, even though, as the emt's and doctors informed me, they commonly treat these burns. they did stress that the burns were chemical and not just abrasive. i called and spoke with a honda representative not long after my accident who was very insistent that my burns in no way could have resulted from the chemicals in the airbags, even though he is not a medical professional and did not witness my injuries. it was insulting to have my claims thoroughly dismissed by honda after all the loss and pain my burns caused. my concern is that honda and other automobile manufacturer's (i've looked at other owner's manuals) not only fail to warn consumers about the risk of chemical burn from airbags but actually claim that the chemicals are harmless! *jb

The srs airbag light has come on in my 2002 honda civic. with this light being on the airbags will not deploy causing a major safety risk. *jb

I own a honda civic 2002 model. at around 50,000 miles, the srs light came on and it stays on. i was told that my airbags will not deploy in this condition. *nm

I have a 2002 honda civic ex. my car's srs light stays lit all the time whenever i drive the car. *jb

I am submitting a complaint on honda civic 2002 coupe model. the complaint is in reference to the srs light that remains lit on the dashboard even after repairs. the honda dealers have repair the srs unit and reset the system several times but the srs light keeps coming back on. when the light comes back on, the airbags in the vehicle are not on and therefore will not deploy in an accident. this is a serious safety issue. i am concerned that this is a defect and honda should initiate a recall for this item. the replacement cost is extremely costly and these should be refunded by honda. *jb

My daughter drives a 2002 honda civic lx. approximately 18 months ago, the srs warning light came on and she took it to a honda dealer. the dealer determined that there was no failure, and turned off the warning light (<$100 charge). today, the light came on again, and this time the dealer (a different dealer) indicated that the opds unit needed to be replaced at a cost of $300, which was not covered by the extended warranty on the car. i searched the web and found that this is a very common occurrance, and that the airbags are disabled when the srs light is on. also, in many cases, the replacement of the opds will only fix the problem for a few months, and then the cycle is repeated. multiple related technical service bulletins have been developed. the apparent frequency of this failure and the potential consequences, since the air bags are disabled, warrant a nhtsa investigation and possible recall by honda. *nm

I was in an accident with minor damage. my srs light stays on now resulting in a failed smog. *nm

I have a 2002 honda civic ex. the srs light came on. i had it checked at the dealer who charged me $45. the light came back on the next day. they had told me if it did come on the srs sensor would need to be replaced which would cost approx. $400. said my problem was probably caused by an air purifier i had plugged into dash. also told me it could be caused if i put my purse with cell phone (even if not on) on passenger seat. also, a digital camera could cause this if on passenger seat. is this bs? *nm

The srs (safety restraint system) light on my 2002 honda civic is on again. the car only has about 55000 miles on it, and this is the third time i have had this problem. *jb

I was a passenger in a 2002 honda civic (2-door) involved in a head on collision with a hyundai elantra. my airbag (passenger side) did not deploy, but the driver side air bag did deploy. additionally, my seat (passenger side) broke loose from the floor mounts and did not restrain me from smashing forward into the dash with my legs and forarms taking the impact. as a result of the seat becoming un-fastened i suffered bruising and lacerations on my legs and arms and neck and back injuries from my head whiplashing because a lack of airbag deployment. the driver did not suffer any back or neck injuries because his airbag restrained his head from "snapping" forward. to summarize: passenger seat came loose from floor mounts and passenger side airbag did not deploy.

Air bag computer not working making air bags non functional. *jb

Srs light came on at 42,000 miles in 2002 honda civic dx l4 1.7l 1700cc. required replacement of failed srs unit/module. (part-77960-s5a-a84)

I have had my srs light come on 3 times. the first time the dealer said all they could find was "soft codes" and reset it, costing me $87.50 for the diagnostic check. a day later the srs light came on again, this time they said the battery showed low voltage and needed to be replaced. i asked if i could pickup the vehicle and replace the battery myself, the answer was yes, but there would be another $87.50 diagnostic charge and after i replaced the battery, they would have to reset the code and run another diagnostic, once again another $87.50 for a total of $187.00. they said they would replace the battery and reset the srs to the tune of $160.81. i felt screwed either way, so i opted to have them change the battery. when i picked up my 2002 honda crv, the service advisor said if the srs light comes back on, let them know. the following day, it as back on again. how did they know it would be back. when i called about the srs light, i was told that the control unit had probably failed and would need to be replaced, but that they could not do that until the battery had been changed. this sounds like a rip off to me. why didn't they replace the srs control unit to start with since they obviously knew that was the problem. the crv goes back in this friday to be checked again. i do not feel that honda is admitting that there is a failure of the srs control unit and instead charges the customer needlessly. *jb

Srs indicator light stays on. failure in the opds unit (side occupant sensor for side airbags). i have seen many complaints on this on many sites and this is the best site to lodge the complaint. now since i cannot afford $800 for a replacement part at this time and they will not honor it under warranty (i guess safety systems should fail at 50,000 miles), i will have no airbag system since the sides are tied to the front system. this needs to be looked at for a recall. very unsafe. i hate thinking my pregnant wife is driving in a car with no airbags. *jb

My daughter rear ended a chevrolet tahoe at 35 mph, her 2002 honda civic's passenger airbag deployed but not the driver side airbag. her car was totaled. my daughter was not seriously injured thanks to god looking after her and the fact she was wearing her seat belt. she did however hit her head on the steering wheel. the adjuster from state farm insurance company could not understand why the airbag did not deploy. *nm

We bought a new 2002 honda civic lx in december of 2002. in chico, calif. it had, i believe, a 30,000 mile warranty. at no more than 45,000 miles,(i have the receipt) the srs light came on. two days later, we took it to our local honda dealer in redding, calif. they said the computer showed that the air bags would not deploy unless the device in the computer was replaced. they also stated that the honda company did not find that part, which is over $400.00 dollars,to be under warranty after the 30,000 miles were past. we have kept all the requirements of service on the car. the honda company stated that if it had been the seat belts inoperable, they would be covered under the safety guarantee. i do not believe that the air bags should be excluded in this safety warranty. why is one safety device always covered for protection and not the other? is there something that can be done on our behalf? we want to have this done, but cannot afford it at this time. we had a trip planned for less than a week after we discovered this problem and had to honor our reservations or lose more money, consequently, we drove to our planned destination, alaska, from redding, calif. with no operative air bags and continue to drive the car without them. this concerns me greatly,i know first hand that they work well to keep you from hitting your steering wheel or windshield in conjunction with the seat belts, but it is our only automobile. *nm

The srs indicator on the dashboard of my 2002 honda civic indicates a problem with the safety restraint system, and has been on since june. the car has been in the dealers shop seven times and each time i was assured that the problem was fixed. i am now in the process of going back for the 8th time on the same issue. there have been other numerous problems with this car and i have explained to the dealer that i would prefer to get into a new vehicle at this point but they have not been very cooperative. i am concerned that i am presently driving a vehicle that has a potential safety issue. *jb

Tl*the contact owns a 2002 honda civic. the contact noticed the srs air bag warning light had illuminated on the instrument panel. the vehicle was taken to the dealer for diagnostic testing. the technicians stated the srs air bag control unit needed to be replaced. the vehicle was not repaired. the vehicle was included in nhtsa campaign number: 11v260000 (air bags:frontal:driver side inflator module) and was repaired. the contact had concerns because the air bags would not function properly even after the recall repairs were performed since the srs unit was defective. the approximate failure mileage was 34,000. updated 07/20/11*lj the dealer informed the consumer, that the srs control unit needed to be replaced.updated 02/28/12

Srs light on dashboard remains lit all the time. went to 2 honda dealers in union county (route22 honda and planet honda) was charged with diagnostic fees but problem was never resolve. srs light is still on while car is in motion or when driven (srs lght on continously)

I own a 2002 honda civic lx 4dr vehicle, i was in a rear and front in collision in this car. the front bumber fell off, and the raiditior got bent in and the brake fluid container broke off. the passenger air bag went off, but the diver air bag did not. is there any other cases of this , that happened to thid year and make model, also i can email you pictures of the vehicle

Honda civic ex, srs light stays on . *jb

Srs airbag warning light on constantly - told by dealer that airbags will not deploy. as car is past warranty, repair is $600+.*jb

At about 50k miles, my srs indicator light started to illuminate sporadically. eventually however, it was on all the time. after having my car in the shop 3 times, the dealer informed me there was a short in the electrical mainframe that was causing the light to go on. i was also informed my airbags would no deploy in a crash because of this. to repair this problem would cost me over $500, and i was told this is not something covered under the warranty. not having this kind of money, i decided not to have it fixed, but the thought of my airbags not deploying in a crash concerns me greatly! something as vital as the airbag system should be covered under warranty or should be recalled! *nm

We believe our 2002 honda crv has an electrical malfunction. the first year after we bought the car the malfunction light would turn on and stay on. we took it to the dealer at least 3 or 4 times, but they said there was nothing wrong with it and just turned the light off. well a couple of weeks ago the srs light turned on. the car only has 44,000 miles. fairfax honda said that their diagnostic test didn't show anything wrong, that the light must have turned on by electrical interferance. they just turned the light off. well it is know a week later and the light is back on. this time the dealer said that they got a diagnostic code that the left side passenger sensor was not working properly. if this is true, why didn't they get the diagnostic code the first time. if the airbag sensor was really not working we could have had an accident and had no airbag. of course, they also informed us that the extended warranty we bought does not cover this and that it would cost us $700 to fix. they said that this was one of the few things that was not covered under the extended warranty. what a coincidence!! needless to say we are very dissatisfied with the car, the extended warranty and the service department. i believe the car is to new to be having all this problems. i contacted the honda care department, but they were rude and basically told me to read the fine print. not much customer service. we would not buy another honda again and would encourage anyone against doing so.*ak

Consumer's vehicle struck another vehicle head on and the air bags did not deploy. consumer and passenger sustained injuries. *ak

I am reporting a dangerous problem in 2002 honda odeysseys. it relates to the srs system. honda has designed their car with a "ods" sensor device under the front passenger seat. my dashboard srs light has come on approx 5 or 6 times. the dealer tells me that no electrical device can be placed on the front passnger seat...this includes cell phones, radios, laptops. they all could trigger the the sensor inoperable....making the airbags non-functional. how can a car be designed with such a defect. any passenger with a cell phone in their pocket can set this off. i have written honda motors and they say ...see the dealer. this should be investigated and honda must issue a recall and a fix for this. the dealer tells me its quite common...how many people are are riding around without functional airbags?

Vehicle in front suddenly stopped consumer applied the brakes and pedal went to the floor. consumer was unable to maintain control of the vehicle, and it crashed into a concrete barrier. the vehicle bounced off the barrier. driver's side air bag did not deploy, but the passenger's side air bag did deploy. driver sustained head and back injuries, and was transported by ambulance to a hospital. vehicle was towed and totaled by the insurance company. *ak this caused the vehicle to turned backwards facing traffic in the opposite direction, and was hit twice head on. the driver side air bag did not deploy, but the passenger side did deploy. the driver sustained head and back injuries and was transported by ambulance to the hospital. the vehicle was towed and totaled out by the insurance company. please fill in additional information.

Air bag check light stayed on. consumer checked owner's manual to check problem, and found out that the air bag was off. dealer will repair air bag at consumer's expense.*ak

I was in a car accident and my driver airbag did not deploy and only the passenger airbag deployed. at the time of the accident i was not able to breath and i was in pain. my chest and my right ribs still hurt. i believe the airbag is defective and manufacturer of the car should be accountable for part of my injuries. i think my car is totaled and i hope that you investigate. i had my seat belt on and i was the only one in the car, i had no passenger in the car. *jb

Vehicle was involved in a crash when a pick up truck cut in front of consumer's vehicle. upon impact, neither frontal or side air bags deployed, and both driver and the passenger seat belts failed to hold. driver and passenger sustained injuries, and were transported by ambulance to a local hospital . dealer was not notified.*ak *jb

On august 12, 2004, i was hit head on by a vehicle that lost control and crossed from the southbound to northbound lane. i cannot say how fast he hit me, but the impact was slowed by his fist side-swiping the van in front of me. the head on collision was enough however to push my vehicle into the stopped vehicle behind me. none of my 4 airbags deployed. as a result, i slammed my chest into the wheel. i was wearing my seat belt, and i luckily only sustained bruising to the chest, back and neck. at the least, i feel the driver-side airbag should have deployed. the auto repair shop has informed that my sensors were not crushed, and they question whether the airbags should have deployed or not. i am uncomfortable about the possibility of receiving my repaired vehicle back with defective airbags and/or sensors. i will contact my honda dealer. *jb

My daughter was in her 2002 honda civic sedan lx which was bought for her because of having front,passenger and side air bags she was in a wreck this past sunday they had to use the jaws of life to get here out of the car and not one air bag went off thankfully she only got a concussion and a couple of cuts and bruises she was very lucky. *la

While driving a collision occurred at 25 mph. the consumer's vehicle rear ended the other vehicle, which totally destroyed the front end. upon impact, the air bags did not deploy. also, the seat belts did not lock. the consumer sustained serious injuries, a broken foot and ribs. *ak *sc

This is about srs indicator light and opds system. srs light turned on in june 2004, at the dealership i was told "false alarm" and it was reset. the same thing happens several mounts later. in 2007 honda issued extended warranty for opds system, in that document srs light (stays on) is linked to opds system. by an e-mail from honda i was told if srs light is on (opds failure) the airbags will not deploy. this is a very important safety issue and honda must issue a recall for the opds system. *tr

The srs sensor light for my 2002 honda civic has been on in my car since i purchased it in 2004. i taken the car to the dealership who told me that they do not know what the problem is. the srs indicator light shows airbag. *tr

I purchased a 2002 honda civic. within one week the srs light came on and remains on. when i called the dealership i was told that it is a frequent problem however it is not covered under warranty. if this is a frequent problem then why did they not recall and replace the sensors or defective parts. srs from what i was told is the sensor for the seatbelt and airbags. why am i the only one who feels that those are issues so integral to safety that they warrant recall and replacement. *tr

Srs indicator light came on for no apparent reason in my 2002 honda civic ex, which was purchased new. the failure of the part in question causes the airbags to fail in the event of a collision. i have been assured that this is a common failure in the srs control unit, and is not due to any negligence of the car owner (when the vehicle has not been involved in an accident). i have come across many people with the same complaints, and i can not understand how such a vital part failing can not be grounds for a safety recall. due to the high failure rate of this part, the expense to correct it, the abundance of complaints, and the safety-related concerns arising from such failure, i ask that this be investigated and a safety recall be issued. thank you.*ak

Was driving about 30 mph and hit head on with another car. i was injured due to the fact that the air bags did not deploy. *jb

I bought a brand new 2002honda civic. the car came with frotnal air bags. i had an auto accident on 12/14/03, lost control of my car on blackice and i was going 25 mph on i-495 eastbound (lincoln tunnel/kennedy blvd exit). my car crashed frontally into the guard rails of the highway. i had my seat belt on, but surprisingly the air bags did not go off. i was surprise that the air bags did not work, and make me think that if i would have been driving at a higher speed, i could have been injured severely. i know that these air bags are suppose to work at an impact at a minimum speed of 10 mph and if the crash is frontal. i am currently going for therapy since i ijured my neck, shoulder and back due to the impact of the accident.*ak

While driving between 45 to 55-mph vehicle was involved in a frontal collision and driver's air bag did not deploy. no air bag warning light appeared prior to the crash. driver was wearing the seat belt. *ak

After starting vehicle air bag light illuminated and stayed lit the remainder of the time that vehicle was operated. consumer took vehicle to dealer five times, but problem was not resolved. dealer told consumer if problem happened again they would unplug the air bags. *ak

Vehicle was involved in a rear end collision. and only the passenger's side air bag deployed. *ak

While driving, the consumer made a left turn and was hit head on by another vehicle. upon impact, the left front air bag failed to deploy. the driver sustained a broken neck and was hospitalized. *ak *nlm *tt *jb driver was wearing her seatbelt. the front passengers seat was unoccupied. making a turn at 15 mph the vehicle was hit on the driver's side front. the driver is 5ft tall and sustained a broken sternum and broken neck from crash. will fax photos of the crashed vehicle. the 80 year old driver did not strike the steering wheel. the sternum fractures are believed to be the result of the seat belt locking up during the event.cw *tt *jb

For everyone wondering if the srs sensor is something that needs to be recalled.. i will tell you yes!! i bought my 2002 civic new and in august 2003 i totaled out my car. neither air bag deployed and my seat belt (which i use to believe in) released while my car flipped several times and i was ejected. since my seatbelt released in the middle of flipping somehow wrapped around and cut and burned my arm. my arm was almost amputated 3/4 of the way. thank god for the 2 inches and my amazing doctors i was able to keep my arm after six surgeries including plastic surgery. my arm was also broke. i now have radial nerve damage which means i can not open and close my hand along with limp wrist. also both hips were fractured along with my pelvic.due to the lacerations from my seat belt an artery was cut where i lost alot of blood and was told i was touch and go at the time and were not sure if i was going to make it, after blood transfusions and surgeries i am beyond thankful to be here today. at the age of 25 i was put on disability and also had to file bankruptcy due to i had over 100k in medical bills. for those of you that are having problems with this please get it fixed it could mean more than you know. i refuse to ever buy a honda again 10 years later they now say there are problems with this car. i hate honda corp with everything in me. i will never be able to play catch with my children and will never remember what its like to just do easy tasks that now takes me hours. thanks for allowing me to share my complaint! *tr

I bought a new 02 honda civic ex. on aug 31 03 it had been raining and i looked down for a moment and when i looked up i was on the edge of the road jerking my car back onto the road my car slid impacting a mailbox on my passenger front side then preceded to flip several times. neither airbag deployed (i was told due to the first impact was not to the front). while flipping my seatbelt released me throwing me out of the driver window landing face first in the middle of the road. my injuries my left arm was severely burned doctors conclude my seatbelt wrapped around my arm due to the flipping the seatbelt cut my arm 3/4 of the way almost amputating it. i went through 6 surgeries and now have radial nerve damage and limp wrist. i can not extend my fingers and will never be able to.i also broke that arm having an external cast since my arm was cut. i fractured my front & back hip on my right side, my left pelvic bone and the left front hip bone. i spent over a month in the hospital. i was determined at 25 disabled! i was told by attorneys the wreck was my fault so therefore my car malfunctioning and my injuries received was my fault to deal with it. which i have and will from now on. i hope one day someone will do something about what has happened to people. the wreck was my fault, but the injuries i received was not! *tr