Civic Complaints
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Honda-Tech Member
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From: Chicago, IL
Civic Complaints
In all the years I have owned my car, and I got it when it was brand new, I only have one real complaint.
Why did Honda design the car so I have to remove the bumper to replace a headlight bulb?
They turned what used to be a 2 minutes job requiring no tools into a 30 minute job.
Couldn't they have found an extra inch or two behind the headlight assembly so you could get your hand in there to change the bulb?
Honda-Tech Member
Joined: Sep 2006
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From: olathe, ks, us
Re: Civic Complaints (bsmith100)
<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by bsmith100 »</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">
In all the years I have owned my car, and I got it when it was brand new, I only have one real complaint.
Why did Honda design the car so I have to remove the bumper to replace a headlight bulb?
They turned what used to be a 2 minutes job requiring no tools into a 30 minute job.
Couldn't they have found an extra inch or two behind the headlight assembly so you could get your hand in there to change the bulb?
</TD></TR></TABLE>
If you are talking about the 96-00 you can pull back the inner fender lining and reach through the back. thats how it was designed.
In all the years I have owned my car, and I got it when it was brand new, I only have one real complaint.
Why did Honda design the car so I have to remove the bumper to replace a headlight bulb?
They turned what used to be a 2 minutes job requiring no tools into a 30 minute job.
Couldn't they have found an extra inch or two behind the headlight assembly so you could get your hand in there to change the bulb?
</TD></TR></TABLE>
If you are talking about the 96-00 you can pull back the inner fender lining and reach through the back. thats how it was designed.
H-T White Ops
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 17,603
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From: USA
Re: Civic Complaints (electron_si)
<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by electron_si »</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">If you are talking about the 96-00 you can pull back the inner fender lining and reach through the back. thats how it was designed.</TD></TR></TABLE>
He'd also have to be talking about a turn signal, not a headlight bulb.
He'd also have to be talking about a turn signal, not a headlight bulb.
Honda-Tech Member
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 7,637
Likes: 4
From: Seahawks WA, USA
Re: Civic Complaints (bsmith100)
its obvious you dont know hondas well... that is not a complaint it is an inconvienience. id like to see you with a rotary... then you have reasons to complain.<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by NOFX »</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">
He'd also have to be talking about a turn signal, not a headlight bulb.</TD></TR></TABLE>
and this is the truth... the bulb is very easy to access... turn signal just a tad harder. dont be lazy.
He'd also have to be talking about a turn signal, not a headlight bulb.</TD></TR></TABLE>
and this is the truth... the bulb is very easy to access... turn signal just a tad harder. dont be lazy.
Honda-Tech Member
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 4,407
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From: Locash
Re: Civic Complaints (93egSLEEPER)
Hondas are great cars and I will never regret owning one. But if you want some justified complaints, here they are: (nothing is ever perfect, not even a space shuttle)
Headlights could be better
Seatbelts don't retract very well
Bolster always wears off on the driver's seat
If you armor-all the dash, the reflection will blind you
Distributors always go bad. Then you get another one and it's bad.
FITVs are prone to failure
Any tiny little problem gives you fluctuating idle
No rear seat headroom except in the hatchbacks
But overall it's a great car with no limit to it's potential. If you maintain it, it will last forever. And if it doesn't, then cheap JDM engines are widely available.
Now if you're talking about the EK, I can find a lot more little annoyances with that model.
Headlights could be better
Seatbelts don't retract very well
Bolster always wears off on the driver's seat
If you armor-all the dash, the reflection will blind you
Distributors always go bad. Then you get another one and it's bad.
FITVs are prone to failure
Any tiny little problem gives you fluctuating idle
No rear seat headroom except in the hatchbacks
But overall it's a great car with no limit to it's potential. If you maintain it, it will last forever. And if it doesn't, then cheap JDM engines are widely available.
Now if you're talking about the EK, I can find a lot more little annoyances with that model.
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H-T White Ops
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 17,603
Likes: 22
From: USA
Re: (t0kyoStatus)
<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by t0kyoStatus »</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">you forgot the damn window regulators always going bad and coming off track</TD></TR></TABLE>
That's not directly the regulators. It has to do with lack of lubrication on the tracks first, which causes the window to become difficult to roll up and down, which bends the regulators.
A little silicone spray down the tracks works wonders though (more than I expected).
I've been working on a thread listing common problems and solutions and also listing TSB material, but I'm not quite done yet. I'll link it here when I'm finished.
That's not directly the regulators. It has to do with lack of lubrication on the tracks first, which causes the window to become difficult to roll up and down, which bends the regulators.
A little silicone spray down the tracks works wonders though (more than I expected).
I've been working on a thread listing common problems and solutions and also listing TSB material, but I'm not quite done yet. I'll link it here when I'm finished.
Honda-Tech Member
Joined: Sep 2002
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From: southern, nj, usa
Re: (NOFX)
<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by NOFX »</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">I've been working on a thread listing common problems and solutions and also listing TSB material, but I'm not quite done yet. I'll link it here when I'm finished.</TD></TR></TABLE>i am posting mainly so that i will eventually see this link. 
my only complaint would be theives, as well.
my only complaint would be theives, as well.
Honda-Tech Member
Joined: Apr 2006
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From: see you, space cowboy
so he compalins about a car and doesnt even have the courtesy to tell us what model civic hes talking about. op, puk you and remove the entire front end to change the bulb is the right way to do it. lmk how it goes
Thread Starter
Honda-Tech Member
Joined: Mar 2008
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From: Chicago, IL
Re: (raphael)
Look in the helms 96-00 civic manual. According to Honda, the correct way to change the bulb is to remove the bumper and headlight assembly to get to the bulb.
Pulling the inner fenderwell as suggested is also a hassle for an operation that usually requires no tools in many other cars.
Other than that I have had no real complaints.
They surely could have found a little more room in the engine bay to allow access to the headlight bulb.
Junior Member
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 180
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From: Central Cali.., USA
Re: Civic Complaints (bsmith100)
Although I agree all those little honda problems suck/cost alot over time i still love my car! but if i had 3 things i hate the most about hondas are...
1. Thieves
2. Haters / Non-Believers.. (Till I take em out)
3. The Interior Rattles not matter how many times i fix it...
1. Thieves
2. Haters / Non-Believers.. (Till I take em out
)3. The Interior Rattles not matter how many times i fix it...
Thread Starter
Honda-Tech Member
Joined: Mar 2008
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From: Chicago, IL
Re: (bsmith100)
What if you were on a long road trip far from home?
Your headlight bulb goes out and you assume you can replace it in two minutes.
Instead it turns out you need tools that you didn't bring along.
That's not what happened to me. I was at home.
However the simple fact that Honda designed things this way is a little weak.
Other than that I have been impressed by how well the rest of the car is designed.
Junior Member
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 195
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From: WA
Re: Civic Complaints (Kurly)
<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Kurly »</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">
3. The Interior Rattles not matter how many times i fix it... </TD></TR></TABLE>
haha, so true. X2
3. The Interior Rattles not matter how many times i fix it...
</TD></TR></TABLE>haha, so true. X2
Honda-Tech Member
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 280
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From: a shop near u, WI, usa
just as everyone already said, the seat belts dont roll up half the time and are danglin.
ive put my window in the track 2 times but its a very easy window, not like the classics.
and my idle does go a little crazy sometimes
thats my only complaints oh and mabe the suspension but thats on its way
ive put my window in the track 2 times but its a very easy window, not like the classics.
and my idle does go a little crazy sometimes
thats my only complaints oh and mabe the suspension but thats on its way
Honda-Tech Member
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 583
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From: boston, MA
Re: Civic Complaints (suspendedHatch)
<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by suspendedHatch »</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Hondas are great cars and I will never regret owning one. But if you want some justified complaints, here they are: (nothing is ever perfect, not even a space shuttle)
Headlights could be better
Seatbelts don't retract very well
Bolster always wears off on the driver's seat
If you armor-all the dash, the reflection will blind you
Distributors always go bad. Then you get another one and it's bad.
FITVs are prone to failure
Any tiny little problem gives you fluctuating idle
No rear seat headroom except in the hatchbacks
But overall it's a great car with no limit to it's potential. If you maintain it, it will last forever. And if it doesn't, then cheap JDM engines are widely available.
Now if you're talking about the EK, I can find a lot more little annoyances with that model.</TD></TR></TABLE>
You left out our famous cup holders
Headlights could be better
Seatbelts don't retract very well
Bolster always wears off on the driver's seat
If you armor-all the dash, the reflection will blind you
Distributors always go bad. Then you get another one and it's bad.
FITVs are prone to failure
Any tiny little problem gives you fluctuating idle
No rear seat headroom except in the hatchbacks
But overall it's a great car with no limit to it's potential. If you maintain it, it will last forever. And if it doesn't, then cheap JDM engines are widely available.
Now if you're talking about the EK, I can find a lot more little annoyances with that model.</TD></TR></TABLE>
You left out our famous cup holders
Junior Member
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 180
Likes: 0
From: Central Cali.., USA
Re: Civic Complaints (FastLife617)
<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by FastLife617 »</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">
You left out our famous cup holders </TD></TR></TABLE>
I lol'd haha.. the day i brought my first hatch home i went to clean it out and i distinctly remember my mom sitting in the passenger seat checking it out she looked in the cup holder and i hear "ewww! wtf is that?!" lol than she or my dad never wrode in my car again
You left out our famous cup holders
</TD></TR></TABLE>I lol'd haha.. the day i brought my first hatch home i went to clean it out and i distinctly remember my mom sitting in the passenger seat checking it out she looked in the cup holder and i hear "ewww! wtf is that?!" lol than she or my dad never wrode in my car again
Honda-Tech Member
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 296
Likes: 1
From: somerset, nj, usa
Re: Civic Complaints (Kurly)
<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by bsmith100 »</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">
What if you were on a long road trip far from home?
Your headlight bulb goes out and you assume you can replace it in two minutes.
Instead it turns out you need tools that you didn't bring along.
</TD></TR></TABLE>
am i the only one that knows how to change a headlight with no tools? i mean, im no mechanic, but i can move a power steering reservoir and i dont have an air box. i really dont see an issue.
the cup holders though.... i hate those. other than that i just wish my EK had a cabin filter. i saw a thread on here about making one, but i also like my A/C.
What if you were on a long road trip far from home?
Your headlight bulb goes out and you assume you can replace it in two minutes.
Instead it turns out you need tools that you didn't bring along.
</TD></TR></TABLE>
am i the only one that knows how to change a headlight with no tools? i mean, im no mechanic, but i can move a power steering reservoir and i dont have an air box. i really dont see an issue.
the cup holders though.... i hate those. other than that i just wish my EK had a cabin filter. i saw a thread on here about making one, but i also like my A/C.