Honda Civic reliability and problems by year
Owners have filed 6,613 complaints about the Honda Civic with NHTSA since 2010, most often about steering and other or unspecified. Honda has filed 37 warranty extensions and 3 service campaigns for it, and there are 33 safety recalls on file.
From NHTSA's public data files, downloaded 2026-10-10.
How reliable is the Honda Civic? What NHTSA's records show
We don't give the Civic a reliability score. NHTSA publishes complaint counts but no sales figures, so complaints can't be turned into a rate or compared between models. Here is what's on file for model years 2010 on.
- Owner complaints
- 6,613
- Filed with NHTSA, all model years
- Warranty extensions
- 37
- Filed by Honda
- Service campaigns
- 3
- Filed by Honda
- Safety recalls
- 33
- Each covers part of the model
Every model year compared
Complaints rise with how many were sold and how long they've been on the road, so a newer or rarer year will show fewer. Compare years of the Civic with each other.
| Year | Complaints | Most named | Recalls | Warranty / campaigns |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 31 | Automatic emergency braking and collision warning (26%) | 0 | 0 |
| 2025 | 74 | Steering (39%) | 2 | 0 |
| 2024 | 124 | Steering (49%) | 3 | 0 |
| 2023 | 256 | Steering (75%) | 4 | 0 |
| 2022 | 883 | Steering (83%) | 4 | 2 |
| 2021 | 145 | Steering (45%) | 4 | 4 |
| 2020 | 227 | Other or unspecified (16%) | 5 | 20 |
| 2019 | 435 | Steering (25%) | 4 | 20 |
| 2018 | 745 | Steering (42%) | 6 | 23 |
| 2017 | 599 | Steering (29%) | 6 | 23 |
| 2016 | 1,081 | Steering (41%) | 5 | 22 |
| 2015 | 380 | Transmission and drivetrain (46%) | 1 | 2 |
| 2014 | 293 | Transmission and drivetrain (33%) | 2 | 2 |
| 2013 | 319 | Airbags (36%) | 0 | 4 |
| 2012 | 455 | Airbags (33%) | 3 | 4 |
| 2011 | 169 | Airbags (30%) | 9 | 10 |
| 2010 | 397 | Airbags (24%) | 8 | 11 |
Look up one model year, or a VIN
See the complaints, recalls and warranty extensions for a single Civic model year, with the typical mileage when owners reported each problem.
Acknowledged by Honda
Warranty extensions and service campaigns Honda filed with NHTSA for the Civic, in its own words. A warranty extension means Honda pays for the repair beyond the normal warranty.
- Warranty extensionJan 2024· Visibility· model years 2016–2021
Due to a new North America regulation which introduces a new refrigerant and oil requirement, the compressor shaft seal may leak.
- Warranty extensionJul 2021· Visibility· model years 2016–2021
American Honda is extending the warranty on the A/C condenser to 10 years from the original date of purchase with unlimited miles.
- Warranty extensionMay 2021· Visibility· model years 2017–2021
Dealer Message - Today, May 28, 2021, American Honda is announcing a warranty extension for certain 2018-2020 Accord and Accord Hybrid, 2018-2020 Civic, 2017-2021 Civic Hatch, 2017-2021 Civic Type R, 2018-2021 Clarity PHEV, and 2019-2021 Insight vehicles.
- Warranty extensionSep 2020· Visibility· model years 2016–2020
Dealer Message - We've noticed an unprecedented demand for A/C compressors which at times has created a backorder situation.
- Warranty extensionAug 2020· Equipment and accessories· model years 2016–2020
Dealer Message - We've noticed an unprecedented demand for A/C compressors which at times has created a backorder situation.
- Warranty extensionAug 2020· Equipment and accessories· model years 2016–2020
Dealer Message - We've noticed an unprecedented demand for A/C compressors which at times has created a backorder situation.
- Warranty extensionJun 2020· Equipment and accessories· model years 2016–2020
Dealer Message - We've noticed an unprecedented demand for A/C compressors which at times has created a backorder situation.
- Warranty extensionMay 2020· Visibility· model years 2016–2020
Dealer Message - We've noticed an unprecedented demand for A/C compressors which at times has created a backorder situation.
- Warranty extensionMay 2020· Equipment and accessories· model years 2016–2020
Dealer Message - We've noticed an unprecedented demand for A/C compressors which at times has created a backorder situation.
- Warranty extensionApr 2020· Visibility· model years 2016–2020
Dealer message - Weâve noticed an unprecedented demand for A/C compressors which at times has created a backorder situation.
- Warranty extensionApr 2020· Visibility· model years 2016–2020
Dealer Message - We've noticed an unprecedented demand for A/C compressors which at times has created a backorder situation.
- Warranty extensionMar 2020· Visibility· model years 2016–2020
Dealer Message - We've noticed an unprecedented demand for A/C compressors which at times has created a backorder situation.
- Warranty extensionMar 2020· Airbags· model years 2010–2011
This bulletin is a notification of a class action settlement relating to airbag inflators. American Honda is offering a Customer Support Program (Warranty Extension) to cover any manufacturing defects in the replacement front passenger's airbag inflator only.
- Warranty extensionMar 2020· Equipment and accessories· model years 2016–2020
Dealer Message - We've noticed an unprecedented demand for A/C compressors which at times has created a backorder situation.
- Warranty extensionFeb 2020· Equipment and accessories· model years 2016–2020
Dealer Message - We've noticed an unprecedented demand for A/C compressors which at times has created a backorder situation.
- Warranty extensionFeb 2020· Engine and cooling· model years 2016–2020
Dealer Message - We've noticed an unprecedented demand for A/C compressors which at times has created a backorder situation.
- Warranty extensionJan 2020· Visibility· model years 2016–2020
Dealer Message - We've noticed an unprecedented demand for A/C compressors which at times has created a backorder situation.
- Warranty extensionJan 2020· Visibility· model years 2016–2020
Dealer Message - We've noticed an unprecedented demand for A/C compressors which at times has created a backorder situation.
- Warranty extensionJan 2020· Visibility· model years 2016–2020
Dealer Message - We've noticed an unprecedented demand for A/C compressors which at times has created a backorder situation.
- Warranty extensionDec 2019· Equipment and accessories· model years 2016–2020
Dealer Message - We've noticed an unprecedented demand for A/C compressors which at times has created a backorder situation.
- Warranty extensionAug 2019· Airbags· model years 2010–2011
Warranty Extension: Customer Support Program For Front Passenger's Airbag Inflator for 2010-12 Accord and Other Listed Years and Models (Expires September 30, 2028)
- Warranty extensionAug 2019· Equipment and accessories· model years 2016–2021
American Honda is extending the warranty on the A/C condenser to 10 years from the original date of purchase with unlimited miles.
- Warranty extensionAug 2019· Equipment and accessories· model years 2016–2018
Dealer Message - Today, August 9, 2019, American Honda is announcing a warranty extension for certain 2016-18 Civic vehicles.
- Warranty extensionApr 2019· Equipment and accessories· model years 2016–2018
This bulletin is replaced by S/B 19-033, Warranty Extension: 2016-18 Civic 1.5L: Software Update with A/C Control Unit Replacement; DTC P0300, P0301, P0302, P0303, P0304, or P0172; Whirling Noise from Engine.
- Warranty extensionApr 2019· Engine· model years 2016–2018
Dealer Message - Today, April 5, 2019, American Honda is announcing a warranty extension for certain 2016-18 Civic and 2017-18 CR-V vehicles due to drivability concerns.
- Warranty extensionJan 2019· Airbags· model years 2010–2011
This bulletin is a notification of a class action settlement relating to airbag inflators. American Honda is offering a Customer Support Program (Warranty Extension) to cover any manufacturing defects in the replacement front passenger's airbag inflator only.
- Warranty extensionJun 2018· Airbags· model years 2012–2015
This bulletin is a notification of a class action settlement relating to airbag inflators. American Honda is offering a Customer Support Program (Warranty Extension) to cover any manufacturing defects in the replacement front passengers airbag inflator only.
- Warranty extensionJun 2018· Airbags· model years 2013–2015
This bulletin is a notification of a class action settlement relating to airbag inflators. American Honda is offering a Customer Support Program (Warranty Extension) to cover any manufacturing defects in the replacement front passengers airbag inflator only.
- Warranty extensionJun 2018· Airbags· model years 2010–2011
This bulletin is a notification of a class action settlement relating to airbag inflators. American Honda is offering a Customer Support Program (Warranty Extension) to cover any manufacturing defects in the replacement front passengers airbag inflator only.
- Warranty extensionJun 2018· Airbags· model years 2010–2011
This bulletin is a notification of a class action settlement relating to airbag inflators. American Honda is offering a Customer Support Program (Warranty Extension) to cover any manufacturing defects in the replacement front passengers airbag inflator only.
What owners report most
The parts of the car owners named in their complaints, across every Civic model year. Unverified, and not a failure rate.
- Steering2,309 (35%)
- Other or unspecified941 (14%)
- Electrical system642 (10%)
- Airbags594 (9%)
- Transmission and drivetrain455 (7%)
- Brakes427 (6%)
- Engine371 (6%)
- Body and structure234 (4%)
Safety recalls
33 recalls cover at least one Civic model year. Each covers a range of VINs, not every car. Check one car at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
The front passenger seat weight sensor may crack and short circuit, which can cause the air bags to deploy unintentionally during a crash.
The driver's seat cushion frame may not have been tightened properly, which can result in an unsecured seat.
The high-pressure fuel pump may crack and leak fuel.
The steering transmission assembly may have been manufactured incorrectly, which can cause excessive internal friction and lead to difficulty steering the vehicle.
The front passenger seat weight sensor may crack and short circuit, failing to suppress the air bag as intended.
The fuel pump inside the fuel tank may fail.
The steering rack may have been incorrectly assembled, which can allow the tire to chafe against the lower suspension or tie rod end, possibly resulting in tire damage.
The tie rod fastener that connects the brake booster and the brake master cylinder may have been improperly assembled during manufacturing, which can cause the brake master cylinder to separate from the booster assembly.
A ball valve in the vehicle stability assist (VSA) modulator may leak brake fluid, which can result in unintended vehicle movement when the brake hold feature is engaged or an unexpected increase in brake pedal travel.
The low-pressure fuel pump inside the fuel tank may fail.
The low-pressure fuel pump inside the fuel tank may fail.
The vehicles are equipped with passenger frontal air bag inflators assembled as a recall remedy part or replacement service part, that may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high…
The front passenger air bag inflator may have been installed incorrectly during replacement.
The owners guide in these vehicles may not have been included or if included, the owner's guide may not have been properly provided required information.
Virgin Islands. Honda is also recalling certain 2011-2013 Acura TSX, TSX Wagon and ZDX, Honda Crosstour, Insight, Fit and Pilot vehicles, 2011-2012 Honda Accord and 2011 Honda Civic NGV, Civic, Civic Hybrid and CR-V…
And 18 more recalls on NHTSA.
NHTSA investigations
Defect investigations NHTSA opened. Many close without a recall.
- EA23003Engineering analysis· opened Nov 2023, closed Jan 2025· Steering· model years 2022–2024
Momentary Increased Steering Effort
Led to recall 24V744.
- PE23005Preliminary evaluation· opened Mar 2023, closed Nov 2023· Steering· model years 2022–2023
Momentary Increased Steering Effort
- EA21002Engineering analysis· opened Sep 2021, still open· Airbags· model years 2012–2015
Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture
- EA19001Engineering analysis· opened Apr 2019, closed Sep 2024· Airbags· model years 2012–2015
Electrical overstress
Led to recall 20V024.
NHTSA's own page for the 2027 Honda Civic has the complaint text and every document.
Common questions
Is the Honda Civic reliable?
We don't score reliability: NHTSA publishes complaint counts but no sales figures, so complaints can't be turned into a rate or compared between models. What's on file for model years 2010 on: 6,613 owner complaints, 37 warranty extensions and 3 service campaigns Honda filed, and 33 safety recalls. The model years with the most complaints are 2016 (1,081), 2022 (883), 2018 (745). Whether a known problem was fixed on one car is what its service records show.
What are the most common problems with the Honda Civic?
Across every model year since 2010, owners' complaints to NHTSA most often name steering (35%), other or unspecified (14%), electrical system (10%). Honda has filed 37 warranty extensions covering the Civic, listed on this page.
Which Civic model years have the most complaints?
2016 (1,081), 2022 (883), 2018 (745). Complaint counts rise with how many were sold and how long they've been on the road, so compare years of the Civic with each other rather than with other models.
Has Honda extended the warranty on the Civic?
Yes: visibility (model years 2016–2021); visibility (model years 2016–2021); visibility (model years 2017–2021), and 34 more. A dealer does a covered repair for free within the extended time or mileage.
How do I check recalls on a Civic?
Enter the car's 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. That answers for one vehicle; the 33 recalls listed here are for the model, and each covers only part of it.