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).
I was driving 35 MPH toward a busy intersection when I lost my brakes and power. A service message "IMA CHECK SYSTEMS" light lit up on the dash. I lost brakes and power while entering an intersection putting myself and other drivers in danger of an accident narrowly missing a container truck. The car shut off with my front end in the intersection. I was able to restart the car and drive it to the nearest garage. They connected the code machine to the vehicle showing "P1437." I then had my car towed to the nearest Honda dealership. They told me my VIN was not listed under service bulletin 20-030 even though my car fit all of the parameters and showed the same code(s). After giving me a quote of $1900+ to fix the issue, they are claiming to have fixed the problem but I am questioning if the real issues were fixed and if I am responsible for any costs.
Evap system light also comes on at lower temperatures, and sporadically at warmer temperatures. It used to happen only once every couple of weeks, but now it comes on (and eventually turns off again) every day. Throws the codes P0497 - Evaporative Emission System Low Purge Flow and P145C - Fuel Tank Pressure Sensor Range/Performance Problem. I've had my purge flow valve replaced, and not even two months later both errors have come back. My mechanic has looked at the car and cannot figure out what's going on, but lots of people online are having the same issue, which makes me think it's not just me.
The hybrid motor DC to DC convert failed. When this fails it stops providing 12 V power to the rest of the vehicle resulting in multiple systems stopping or working very slowly. This vehicle does not have a traditional alternator. There was a TSB and an extended warranty offered to some models, but not all included in the VIN range for this vehicle. The vehicle was scanned and pulls the same codes as the TSB notes as the issue.
Put the car into reverse, backed up, put the car into drive, applied pressure to the gas peddle, then car then jerked, shook, had to pull over to let car rest, drove slow back home. Since then around 3000 rpm the car will hesitate. Replaced spark plugs, put in Sea Foam engine cleaning solution Diagnostic computer does not show anything wrong.
Tl* the contact owns a 2013 Honda Civic. The contact stated that while the key was in the on position, the vehicle failed to start. The vehicle was able to start after another attempt and the vehicle drove forward independently. In addition, the brakes failed to respond and the steering wheel locked warning indicator illuminated. The vehicle drove over the sidewalk and crashed into a building. A police report was not filed and there were no injuries. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 15,447.
This letter is to inform you about a severe malfunction that caused an accident. I was traumatized by a sudden unintended acceleration with my 2013 Honda Civic. Luckily no one got hurt in this event, but I?m hoping that this fact will not reduce the attention from this severe malfunction. Following is a brief summary of the event that happened on May 10, 2014 at 6:30 pm: I was driving slowly, under 5 miles per hour, approaching a parking near the sideways. There was one car already parked, and I was going to park behind it. I was about to complete my parking, and my leg was gently applying the brakes (I was almost at a complete halt). Suddenly, the car made a very loud noise as if someone pressed on the gas all the way (it was an awful noise), and then it shot itself forward at a crazy speed. …
I was making a left hand u-turn in the city on main street when in the middle of my turn my dash lights turned off my brakes wouldn't work and I lost power steering and acceleration. It felt like the car turned off. Lucky there was nobody coming the other way because I was stopped in the middle of the road and could not accelerate. Once I was at a complete stop in the middle of oncoming traffic the dash lights turned back on and I was able to accelerate. However when I was trying to park to check the car, any slight movement of the steering wheel would make my headlights almost turn off because it was like it was drawing a lot of extra power for some reason to turn the steering wheel. I then parked for about 20 minutes and turned the car back on with no problem. I went to a parking lot to see if I could re-create what happened but I could not. …
While my wife was driving down route 55 in south jersey at highway speed (approx. 55 MPH), the vehicle started to shake uncontrollably and engine power was diminished. Was able to slowly get off nearby exit and drive to parking lot. Vehicle almost did not make it up exit ramp. Towed to dealership. Diagnosis was #2 cylinder had failed. Car only had just over 63,000 miles on it. Not covered under warranty but Honda eventually covered 50% ($2,545.30). Car was garaged kept and all scheduled maintenance done. I wanted to report this because I think it is a safety issue since it happened without warning and the car could not keep up with dangerous highway traffic. Also, I would like it on record in case there are other reports of similar failures which May indicate a manufacturing defect, especially since it occurred on a well-maintained, garage kept car at only 63,000 miles. …
I have had several issues with the transmission of my 2013 Honda Civic si. The first issue was the transmission broke, the dealer repaired it, busted out my windshield and dented up the fenders, it took them a year to fix every thing. The second time the transmission broke it is the shift cable. They have now sent a Honda corporate investigator to determine if some how I created the damage. The car has only 23000 miles on it and I baby this thing. I am concerned if the cable has snapped while driving it a highway speeds, would I be here to complain about it now. I May have to get an attorney because this vehicle is technically a lemon. I am scared to drive it anymore, and I really want to get a better car.
Tl* the contact owns a 2013 Honda Civic. While driving various speeds over 40 MPH, the vehicle suddenly switched to limp mode and decelerated to less than 15 MPH. The failure occurred multiple times while driving on the highway. The vehicle was taken to penske Honda (4140 e. 96th st, indianapolis, in). The dealer replaced four engine cylinder heads, spark plugs, and the ckr unit; however, the failure continued. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The VIN was not available. The failure mileage was 130,000.
Engine complaints in other Civic years
Frequently asked questions
How common are engine problems on the 2013 Honda Civic?
NHTSA has 23 complaints about the engine & cooling of the 2013 Honda Civic, 7% of the model year's 319 complaints.
Is there a recall for 2013 Honda Civic engine problems?
No. NHTSA lists no engine & cooling 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 engine problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 15,000 miles, and 63% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 2 crashes, 0 fires and 0 injuries to engine & cooling 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.