Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (front, side and curtain air bags, sensors and inflators).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2013 Honda Civic owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact owns a 2013 Honda Civic. The contact stated that while driving at 20 MPH, the contact was rear-ended by another vehicle, which caused the contact to crash forward into another vehicle. The contact and their spouse were taken to a local emergency room to be evaluated. The contact and their spouse sustained multiple injuries, such as whiplash and back injuries. In addition, the contact's spouse sustained an arm injury. A Police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic. The dealer was contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 70,000.
The contact owns a 2013 Honda Civic. The contact stated that while driving approximately 40 mph, the driver crashed into the rear of a Ford Focus. The front passenger air bag was partially deployed. The check air bag system and the passenger air bag off message were displayed. There were no reported injuries, police report filed, or fire. The contact called the local dealer who informed her to take the vehicle to a collision center. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 250,000. The VIN was not available.
The contact owns a 2013 Honda Civic. The contact stated that on several occasions, the check air bag system warning light intermittently illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was placed on a diagnostic machine and produced code: B0001-13. The vehicle was then taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the front driver's side wiring assembly needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and the contact was informed that there was no recall for the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 62,000. The consumer stated the dealer found the problem which was a driver's side airbag assembly internal failure.
The contact owns a 2013 Honda Civic. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the front driver's side air bag warning light illuminated. The contact stated that the vehicle was acquired and equipped with air bags. The contact stated that the failure occurred intermittently and now the warning light remained illuminated. The vehicle was scheduled for a service appointment in several days. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 73,000.
The contact owns a 2013 Honda Civic. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the air bag warning light illuminated. The contact stated that the failure occurred intermittently. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed with a failed front driver's side air bag clock spring and inflator. The contact was informed that the front driver's side air bag clock spring and inflator needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and a case was filed. The failure mileage was approximately 99,000.
The contact owns a 2013 Honda Civic. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle, the driver's side air bag warning light remained illuminated. The contact stated that the failure was intermittent. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer to be diagnosed, and it was determined that the air bag inflater needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 92,000.
The contact owns a 2013 Honda Civic. The contact stated that the air bag warning light remained illuminated. The local dealer was contacted; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed. The contact was informed that the VIN was not under recall. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and confirmed that the VIN was not under recall. The failure mileage was 192,600.
The contact owns a 2013 Honda Civic. The contact stated that the air bag warning light illuminated and remained illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed, and determined that the driver's side inflator needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired due to the cost. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 47,412.
A side impact collision that resulted in the tire snapping off the frame and the airbags did not deploy. Astonished by the craftsmanship of the wheel assembly because of how easily the tire can snap off. The other driver speed at impact was approximately 30+mph. This is not a safe vehicle to be involved in a collision.
The "Check Airbag System" warning light has been coming on intermittently for the past several weeks. My safety as well as a passenger's safety is at risk as I've been informed that when this light is on the airbag system is not functionally properly and will not deploy which could result in serious injury or death. I reported this to the dealer today when I got an oil change however they wanted to charge me $138 for a diagnostic check which is unacceptable. Airbags are essential safety systems. This cost should be on the manufacturer not the customer. Since there have been many complaints filed regarding this issue by 2013 Civic owners, it should be investigated by NHTSA for a recall. This is especially warranted considering the millions of recalls on vehicles with Takata airbags including Honda due to defects.
NHTSA investigations
Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture
From 2000 through 2017, Takata produced millions of air bag inflators using two types of phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate ("PSAN") propellant -- propellant 2004 and propellant 2004L. After prolonged exposure to high temperature cycles and humidity, inflators using propellant 2004 can degrade, causing the propellant to burn too quickly when ignited.
Electrical overstress
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened this investigation to determine if the failure of airbags to deploy during severe crashes, in certain vehicles, was the result of a safety related defect. During the investigation a complex failure was studied that can result in non-deployment of subject vehicle air bags and other restraint system devices in severe crash events.
Airbag complaints in other Civic years
Frequently asked questions
How common are airbag problems on the 2013 Honda Civic?
NHTSA has 114 complaints about the air bags of the 2013 Honda Civic, 36% of the model year's 319 complaints. The component named most often is frontal › driver clockspring/spiral cassette (1 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2013 Honda Civic airbag problems?
No. NHTSA lists no air bags recall for the 2013 Honda Civic. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2013 Honda Civic airbag problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 60,000 miles, and 15% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 19 crashes, 1 fire and 24 injuries to air bags problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
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.