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1973-2025 · 50 model years

Honda Civic Problems by year

Owners have filed 13,952 complaints about the Honda Civic across 50 model years, and it has 94 recalls. The 2022 has the most complaints once its age is allowed for (886), while 1979, 1981, 1982 have far fewer than a typical year. The most reported problem area is the airbags, followed by the steering.

Share your Civic experienceCompare years94 recalls
Most complaints for its age2022886 complaints · 4 recallsSee the 2022
Complaints
13,952
Recalls
94
Crashes
1,621
Fires
167
Injuries
1,383
Deaths
107

Civic complaints by model year

Highlighted: the year with the most complaints for its age. Older vehicles have had more time to collect complaints - the Safety Index grade allows for that.

YearComplaintsRecallsCrashesFiresTop problemGrade
20250200-A
20240300-A
20230400-A
20228864343SteeringF
2021149452SteeringC
20202395161Electrical systemD
20193454220Fuel systemD
20185966254SteeringF
20176066236SteeringF
20160500-A
20133190291AirbagsD
20124563555AirbagsD
20111699225AirbagsC
20103988325AirbagsF
20093968426AirbagsD
20089167626Engine & coolingF
20071,2049489SuspensionF
20061,404157921Engine & coolingF
200531615749AirbagsD
200435015476AirbagsD
200352424946AirbagsF
20027152411714AirbagsF
20011,0892714915Transmission & drivetrainF
200029718745AirbagsD
199934815625Electrical systemD
199845018823AirbagsF
199738316672AirbagsD
199631417684AirbagsD
199521412882AirbagsD
199418414700AirbagsD
199315813474AirbagsC
199210013263Electrical systemB
19911128125Seats & seat beltsB
19909210153Seats & seat beltsB
1989696152Seats & seat beltsB
198848851Acceleration & cruise controlA
198739360Seats & seat beltsA
198635332Seats & seat beltsA
198515241Seats & seat beltsA
19845300Body, doors & structureA
19839000Fuel systemA
19821010SteeringA
19811001Engine & coolingA
19791110SteeringA
19780100-A
19770300-A
19760200-A
19750200-A
19740200-A
19730200-A

Most common Civic problems

Honda Civic recalls 94

Latest Civic complaints

2021 Honda CivicAirbags

My Honda Civic 2021 Hatchback EX has a passenger airbag light that comes on and should be part of a widespread recall, but my VIN is not showing up in their system as being recalled. Their own documentation states 2021 Civic Hatchback ALL Trims are eligible. VIN: [[redacted]] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Incident Air bagsNHTSA 11777316
2020 Honda CivicSteering

The vehicle began experiencing a sticky, notchy steering sensation at approximately 64,000 miles. At speeds of 55 mph and above, the steering encounters resistance when making very small adjustments around the center position while driving straight. The steering wheel feels like it briefly sticks and requires an additional nudge to move smoothly. The issue occurs with Lane Keeping Assist both enabled and disabled. It is less noticeable when driving through curves or downhill. The vehicle's alignment has been...

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checked, but the issue persists. This resistance makes it difficult to make smooth, minor steering corrections while maintaining a straight path at highway speeds. I am concerned this may be related to a defect in the electric power steering system or steering gearbox, potentially similar to the sticky steering issues reported in newer Honda Civic model years. I am reporting this as a safety concern because it affects steering response during highway driving.

Filed Incident SteeringNHTSA 11776936
2002 Honda CivicAirbagsCrash1 injury

On [redacted], at approximately 1930 hrs. while traveling 25 MPH and heading east on [[redacted]], I swerved to avoid striking a small animal resulting in me striking the left rear of a vehicle in front of [[redacted]] with the front portion of my vehicle. Neither of the front air bags deployed, resulting in my head striking the rear view mirror and causing a brain bleed, concussion, TBI, broken left hand, and abrasions on my right hand. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Incident Air bagsNHTSA 11776895
2020 Honda CivicVisibility & wipers

REPEATED A/C SYSTEM FAILURES - DEFECTIVE EVAPORATOR, RECURRING WINDSHIELD FOGGING, AND IMPAIRED DRIVER VISIBILITY My 2020 Honda Civic LX has experienced three separate air-conditioning system failures in approximately two years of ownership. Previous repairs involved the A/C condenser and compressor. On October 16, 2026, Chula Vista Honda diagnosed another refrigerant leak, this time involving the A/C evaporator. These repeated failures raise serious concerns about the reliability of the vehicle's air-conditioning...

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system and its role in maintaining adequate windshield visibility during normal driving conditions. Since the latest A/C failure, I have experienced recurring windshield and window fogging while driving. The problem is particularly concerning because the air-conditioning system assists with removing moisture from the cabin air, helping the windshield defogging system clear condensation from the glass. When the A/C system loses refrigerant and stops functioning properly, its ability to dehumidify the air may be reduced, potentially making windshield fogging more difficult to control under certain weather conditions. These fogging episodes have occurred on multiple occasions since the latest A/C failure. I am concerned about the potential for reduced forward and side-window visibility, particularly during cooler temperatures, humid conditions, and periods when condensation develops on the glass. Windshield fogging presents a serious safety concern because it can interfere with a driver's ability to identify pedestrians, cyclists, surrounding vehicles, traffic signals, and road hazards. Temporary obstruction of the windshield at highway speeds or while approaching intersections can increase the risk of a collision. Honda's vehicle operating instructions recognize the role of air conditioning in assisting with windshield defogging. A refrigerant leak that disables the A/C system can reduce its moisture-removal capability and may compromise effective win

Filed Incident Unknown or other · Visibility / wiperNHTSA 11776124
2020 Honda CivicElectrical systemLightsAcceleration & cruise controlCrash1 injury

While I was crossing the street on [[redacted]] coming down from [[redacted]] there was a white Honda with the license plate number [[redacted]] with a male driver by the name of [[redacted]] and a Mexican light skinned female passenger driving making an illegal left turn without a blinker and hit me with their car and I fell down on my right knee dropping all of my belongings and they drove away and returned a couple minutes later and left then returned again but stopping next to me at the stop sign on...

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[[redacted]] and the passenger was laughing while looking at me and they made a right turn down [[redacted]] and I called the police and they came within 2 minutes. It was 2 male officers one Mexican and the other white and I reported them for police misconduct because of their discrimination against me verbally calling me fat, ugly and saying I smell. They also didn't file a police report and claimed I didn't meet criteria which isn't true because my right knee and left calf are bruised and swollen and I have memory loss as well as emotional stress. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Incident Electrical system · Exterior lighting · Vehicle speed controlNHTSA 11775830
2010 Honda CivicAirbagsCrash

While driving at approximately 35 mph, the vehicle encountered a pothole in the roadway. Upon impact, the driver's side steering wheel airbag deployed. However, the airbag experienced a catastrophic structural failure. Instead of inflating normally to protect the driver, the airbag fabric immediately ruptured, tore open, and "fizzled out" without providing any restraint cushion. A loud pop was heard, and there was powdery chemical residue in the cabin

Filed Incident Air bagsNHTSA 11775829

Questions about the Honda Civic

Which Honda Civic years have the most problems?

By the number of complaints owners filed with NHTSA: 2006 (1,404), 2007 (1,204), 2001 (1,089). Allowing for how long each has been on the road, the 2022 stands out most. Complaint counts also rise with sales, so compare years of the same model rather than different models.

Which Honda Civic years have the fewest complaints?

Among model years that have been on the road for at least three years, 1973, 1974, 1975 have the best Safety Index - the fewest complaints, crashes and recalls for their age compared with other Civic years. Always check the exact vehicle's recalls by VIN before you buy.

What are the most common Honda Civic problems?

Across every model year, owners report problems with the airbags (2,744), steering (1,697), engine & cooling (1,648) most often.

How many recalls does the Honda Civic have?

NHTSA lists 94 recalls across all Honda Civic model years. Each year's page lists the recalls for that year; check your own vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether the repair has been done.

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) complaints and recalls, checked daily. Complaints are owners' own reports and are not verified. How we use the data

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