Honda Civic Problems by Year

We compared every Honda Civic model year from 1995–2026 using 15,468 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, 62 recalls and federal defect investigations. The years to avoid are 2022, 2016, 2018, 2023 and 2017, which drew far more complaints than other Civic years at the same age. The best years are 2011, 2021 and 2014.

32model years
15,468complaints
62recalls
2022, 2016worst years
2011, 2021best years

Complaints by model year

’95’96’97’98’99’00’01’02’03’04’05’06’07’08’09’10’11’12’13’14’15’16’17’18’19’20’21’22’23’24’25’261993053734353382871.1k7024993503161.4k1.2k9163963971694563192933811.1k6027494412321508882621338131
Owner complaints per model year, Honda Civic. Colour = our verdict for that year (red: avoid, orange: caution, green: better than average, blue: too new).
YearComplaintsvs. typical*RecallsTop problemVerdict
2026311.6×1Collision AvoidanceCaution
202581typical2SteeringAverage
20241331.3×3SteeringAverage
20232622.0×4SteeringAvoid
20228885.4×4SteeringAvoid
2021150−34%4SteeringAverage
2020232typical5ElectricalAverage
20194411.5×4Fuel SystemCaution
20187492.3×6SteeringAvoid
20176021.8×6SteeringCaution
20161,0823.0×5SteeringAvoid
2015381typical1TransmissionAverage
2014293−27%2TransmissionAverage
2013319−23%—AirbagAverage
20124561.2×3AirbagAverage
2011169−55%9AirbagGood
2010397typical8AirbagAverage
2009396typical8AirbagAverage
20089162.2×7EngineAvoid
20071,2042.8×9SuspensionAvoid
20061,4033.1×13EngineAvoid
2005316−44%10AirbagGood
2004350−37%10AirbagAverage
2003499typical11AirbagAverage
20027021.3×11AirbagAverage
20011,0792.2×14TransmissionAvoid
2000287−36%6AirbagAverage
1999338−34%3ElectricalAverage
1998435typical4AirbagAverage
1997373typical2AirbagAverage
1996305−18%2AirbagAverage
1995199−47%—AirbagGood

* Complaints compared with the median Civic year at the same age, so new and old years are judged fairly. How this works.

Most common Honda Civic problems

Latest Honda Civic recalls

Air bags › Sensor › Occupant classification › Front passenger

NHTSA recall 26V-332 · May 21, 2026 · 98,892 vehicles

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2018-2021, 2023 Acura TLX, 2019-2024 RDX, 2017-2020, 2022-2026 MDX, 2017-2021, 2023, 2025 Honda Ridgeline, 2017-2022 Pilot, 2019-2021 Passport, 2018-2026 Odyssey, 2019-2022 Insight, 2019-2021 HR-V, 2018-2020 Fit, 2020-2022 CR-V Hybrid, 2017-2022 CR-V, 2017-2018, 2021 Civic…

Remedy: Dealers will replace the seat weight sensors, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 7, 2026. Owners may contact Honda's customer service at 1-888-234-2138.

Seats › Critical fasteners

NHTSA recall 24V-859 · Nov 14, 2024 · 121 vehicles

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2023-2024 Honda Accord, Accord Hybrid, Civic Sedan, Civic Hatchback, Pilot, and 2024 HR-V, Acura Integra and Acura Integra Type S vehicles. The driver's seat cushion frame may not have been tightened properly, which can result in an unsecured seat.

Remedy: Dealers will replace the driver's seat cushion frame, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 6, 2025. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138.

Fuel system, gasoline › Delivery › Fuel pump

NHTSA recall 24V-763 · Oct 14, 2024 · 720,810 vehicles

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2023-2024 Honda Accord, Accord Hybrid, 2023-2025 Honda CR-V Hybrid, and 2025 Honda Civic and Civic Hybrid vehicles. The high-pressure fuel pump may crack and leak fuel.

Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the high-pressure fuel pump as necessary, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed February 20, 2025. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138.

Steering

NHTSA recall 24V-744 · Oct 3, 2024 · 1,693,199 vehicles

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2023-2025 Acura Integra, Civic Type R, CR-V Hybrid, CR-V, HR-V, 2022-2025 Civic, Civic Hatchback, 2024-2025 Acura Integra Type S, 2025 CR-V Fuel Cell EV, Civic Hybrid, and Civic Hatchback Hybrid vehicles.

Remedy: Dealers will replace the worm gear spring and redistribute or add grease as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed November 18, 2024.

Air bags › Sensor › Occupant classification › Front passenger

NHTSA recall 24V-064 · Feb 1, 2024 · 750,114 vehicles

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Pilot, Accord, Civic sedan, HR-V, Odyssey, 2020 Civic coupe, Fit, 2021-2022 Civic hatchback, 2021 Civic Type R, Insight, 2020-2021 CR-V, CR-V Hybrid, Passport, Ridgeline, Accord Hybrid, 2020 Acura MDX, 2022 Acura MDX, 2020-2022 Acura RDX, and 2020-2021 Acura TLX…

Remedy: Dealers will replace the seat weight sensors, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 28, 2024. This is a phased recall. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138.

All 62 Honda Civic recalls by year →

Frequently asked questions

What years of the Honda Civic should you avoid?

2022, 2016, 2018, 2023, 2017 and 2019 — these years have the most complaints relative to other Civic years at the same age, led by steering problems in the 2022.

What is the best year for the Honda Civic?

2011 has the fewest complaints compared with other Civic years at the same age, followed by 2021 and 2014. Newer years can look better simply because fewer complaints have come in yet, so we compare like with like.

What are the most common Honda Civic problems?

Across all years, owners report the most problems with the air bags (2,760), steering (2,571) and engine & cooling (1,783). Airbag complaints peak in the 2001 model year.

How many recalls has the Honda Civic had?

62 recalls across 1995–2026. The model year with the most is 2001. See all Honda Civic recalls by year.

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.