AI DamageHonda Civic: problems, complaints, bulletins
Summary for the Honda Civic across 12 model years: 3,887 owner complaints and 574 NHTSA service bulletins, plus repair videos. Pick a year for details.
Model years
What fails most often
- 1 Steering 45% of all complaints
- 2 Electrical system 10% of all complaints
- 3 Engine 7% of all complaints
- 4 Service brakes 6% of all complaints
- 5 Fuel/propulsion system 6% of all complaints
- 6 Forward collision avoidance 5% of all complaints
- 7 Fuel system 4% of all complaints
- 8 Visibility 4% of all complaints
- Steering: 1,755 complaints (45% of all), 47 of them with a crash reported by the owner; manufacturer bulletins for this component: 29.
- Electrical system: 398 complaints (10% of all), 16 of them with a crash reported by the owner; manufacturer bulletins for this component: 300.
- Engine: 264 complaints (7% of all), 3 of them with a crash reported by the owner; manufacturer bulletins for this component: 156.
- Service brakes: 232 complaints (6% of all), 39 of them with a crash reported by the owner; manufacturer bulletins for this component: 71.
- Fuel/propulsion system: 229 complaints (6% of all), 2 of them with a crash reported by the owner; manufacturer bulletins for this component: 42.
Engines and transmissions
US-market versions per EPA. On the right: how many NHTSA complaints name this engine or transmission type.
- 1.3 L · petrol · 4 cyl 1984–1987
- 1.5 L · petrol · 4 cyl 1984–1995
- 1.5 L · petrol · turbo · 4 cyl 2016–2026named in 12 complaints
- 1.6 L · petrol · 4 cyl 1988–2000
- 1.7 L · petrol · 4 cyl 2001–2005
- 1.8 L · petrol · 4 cyl 2006–2015
- 2 L · petrol · 4 cyl 2002–2026named in 8 complaints
- 2 L · petrol · turbo · 4 cyl 2017–2026named in 3 complaints
- 2.4 L · petrol · 4 cyl 2012–2015
- 1.3 L · hybrid · 4 cyl 2003–2011
- 1.5 L · hybrid · 4 cyl 2012–2015
- 2 L · hybrid · 4 cyl 2025–2026
- automatic, 3-speed 1984–1985
- automatic, 4-speed 1986–2005
- automatic, 5-speed 2006–2015
- CVT 1996–2026named in 11 complaints
- manual, 4-speed 1984–1991named in 17 complaints
- manual, 5-speed 1984–2015named in 17 complaints
- manual, 6-speed 2006–2026named in 17 complaints
Drive: FWD, AWD
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 3,887 NHTSA complaints mention each symptom (automatic count from complaint text; one complaint can mention several).
Components owners complain about
| Component | Owner complaints | involving a crash | Technical service bulletins (TSB) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Steering | 1,755 | 47 | 29 |
| Electrical system | 398 | 16 | 300 |
| Engine | 264 | 3 | 156 |
| Service brakes | 232 | 39 | 71 |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 229 | 2 | 42 |
| Forward collision avoidance | 175 | 10 | 37 |
| Fuel system | 164 | 3 | 69 |
| Visibility | 153 | 2 | 317 |
| Structure | 134 | 15 | 80 |
| Powertrain | 134 | 9 | 33 |
| Air bags | 125 | 42 | 8 |
| Lane departure | 107 | 8 | 9 |
| Vehicle speed control | 94 | 6 | 21 |
| Wheels | 65 | 11 | 7 |
What owners report
Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.
Airbags failed to deploy! Fortunately, this was a rather minor accident and nobody was injured, but I found out that the system had tried to deploy the airbags and failed. I don't feel like this vehicle is safe to drive anymore.
On passenger side, 4 of 5 wheel hub bolts (lug bolts) broke off during driving. The lug nuts did not come loose. The bolts actually broke off with lug nuts attached. This caused the wheel to separate from the car while driving. This caused an accident and $5,500 damage to the car.
The contact stated that while his daughter was driving at 30 MPH, there was an abnormal clicking sound, and the steering wheel locked up, causing her to lose control and crash into an electrical pole. No warning lights illuminated.
The driver’s and passenger’s side air bags did not deploy. The contact was unsure whether there was a warning light illuminated. The contact was not injured. The vehicle was driven to a gas station, inspected, and then driven back to the residence. However, the vehicle failed to accelerate above 40 MPH.
Prior to receiving official recall repair instructions, I experienced sudden and unexpected issues with the Electronic Power Steering (EPS) system. These issues resulted in a loss of steering control, which caused my vehicle to become involved in an accident [XXX].
The vehicles electrical power steering , gearbox worm wheel and improperly set work gear spring caused a car accident where me and my daughter where thankfully only left with bruises and a concussion.
When owners complained
NHTSA complaints by filing year. The peak shows at what age the problems show up most.
What to check before buying
- Steering. Steering play, power assist, rack and tie rods after a wheel impact.
- Electrical system. Scan all modules, test the battery and alternator, inspect connectors near the impact zone.
- Engine. Cold start, unusual noises, oil leaks and engine codes.
- Service brakes. Pedal feel, ABS operation, leaks, discs and hoses.
Manufacturer service bulletins
Bulletin titles as filed with NHTSA.
- Service Bulletin - Under certain conditions, the cylinder head gasket effectiveness may be reduced which…
- Service Bulletin - Under certain conditions, the cylinder head gasket effectiveness may be reduced which…
- Service Bulletin - Under certain conditions, the cylinder head gasket effectiveness may be reduced which…
- Service Bulletin - Under certain conditions, the cylinder head gasket effectiveness may be reduced which…
- Service Bulletin - Under certain conditions, the cylinder head gasket effectiveness may be reduced which…
- Service Bulletin - Under certain conditions, the cylinder head gasket effectiveness may be reduced which…
- Service Bulletin - Under certain conditions, the cylinder head gasket effectiveness may be reduced which…
- Service Bulletin - Under certain conditions, the cylinder head gasket effectiveness may be reduced which…
- Service Bulletin - Under certain conditions, the cylinder head gasket effectiveness may be reduced which…
- Dealer Message - Under certain conditions, the cylinder head gasket effectiveness may be reduced which may…
- Service Bulletin - Under certain conditions, the cylinder head gasket effectiveness may be reduced which…
- Service Bulletin - Under certain conditions, the cylinder head gasket effectiveness may be reduced which…
Repair videos
We do not copy videos: these are YouTube links credited to their authors. Amounts are as stated by the author and not verified by us.
- Справжня Honda Civic 2019 року з пробігом 82 000 км 2.0 бензин за 13 500$🔥 #autopodium
- HOW TO! Easy Simple Install Suspension Under Shield 2022+ Honda Civic #diy ##repair
- Wrecked 2025 Honda Civic Gets a Stunning Restoration 🔥 | Before & After
- Wrecked 2026 Civic: Every Seat Belt Locked After the Crash — Full Replacement
- 2026 Civic Bumper Cover Removal #mechanic #diyrepair
- Lewanda the Honda. (2026 Civic wreck rebuild)
Other models of this make
Read also
Sources: public NHTSA data (USA): service bulletins and owner complaints; YouTube: links to videos credited to their authors. Complaints are owner statements not verified by NHTSA, and describe defects rather than crash damage. Data updated 2026-11-04.