Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (power windows, windshield, wipers, mirrors, sunroof).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2016 Honda Civic owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact owns a 2016 Honda Civic. The contact stated that while driving at 55 MPH, there was an abnormally loud pop coming from the sunroof. There was no warning light. Illuminated. Upon inspection, the contact became aware of a large hole in the sunroof glass. The local dealer was contacted; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact was informed that the VIN was not under recall. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 166,655.
The evaporator core is leaking, which is causing reduced visibablility out of the windows due to condensation on the windows, mold-like smells from moisture from the interior cabin (it is available upon request). I took it into the dealer - they examined the issue (the shaft seal had just been replaced in April of this year) and let me know that this time the evaporator core was leaking. For context and why I bring it to the attention of the NHTSA is in early to mid-August of this year my AC not only took an extended time to get cool, it only got cooler, and not cold. Unfortunately, I am now well acclimated to the signs of a faltering air conditioning system after dealing with three like episodes on the same vehicle, occurring within 2 to 3 years of each other (the car isn't even nine years old). …
The A/C failed completely, blowing hot air (80+ F) in extreme Phoenix heat. The issue recurred identically after a dealer misdiagnosis and gas recharge last year. A formal inspection by Showcase Honda on May 28, 2026 (RO# 838832), confirmed a dual leak: the A/C Compressor Shaft Seal (under warranty extension) and the A/C Evaporator Core were leaking refrigerant simultaneously. Due to severe local heat waves, repairs were completed at the dealer on June 15, 2026. Invoices are available upon request. This defect severely risks vehicle safety. Driving in Arizona's 100+ F heat without A/C causes immediate heat exhaustion for passengers. Also, losing the defroster causes sudden windshield fogging during humidity shifts, creating a blind visibility hazard. No warning lamps preceded the failure. …
My A/C system experienced a total failure at around 79,000 miles. I took the vehicle to a service center, and they confirmed the failure is the A/C Evaporator. This component is now broken and available for inspection upon request. This evaporator failure is an extremely common, widely reported issue across this generation of vehicles and is almost certainly due to a manufacturing defect. The failure creates two major safety risks: First, the loss of defrost capability causes the windshield to fog up immediately in rain or humidity, which completely blocks the driver's view. Second, the extreme interior heat caused by the lack of A/C creates severe driver fatigue and distraction, which impairs safe operation of the vehicle. This issue has been confirmed by the dealership, and there were no warning lights.
The day i bought this car the ac went out. I had to go back to dealer the next morning. I later on learned They just fiddled with it to make it work temporarily. By the next summer ac went out again, this time defrosters didn't work, heater didn't work, ac obviously didn't work. And ive Been dealing with it like this for over 2 years. Honda is not helping at all.
What component or system failed: The entire Air Conditioning system, specifically the AC Compressor, Condenser, and Evaporator, failed catastrophically. The authorized Honda dealer diagnosed it as "Black Death," meaning the AC compressor internally shattered, sending metal shrapnel and contaminated oil throughout all AC lines and components. How was your safety put at risk: This failure is a SEVERE SAFETY HAZARD. Because the AC compressor is dead, the windshield defroster/defogger system no longer functions. During rain or changes in temperature/humidity, the inside of the windshield fogs up instantly and cannot be cleared. This causes a sudden and complete loss of driver visibility, creating a high risk of a fatal crash on the highway. Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed: Yes. The vehicle was inspected by an authorized Honda dealership. …
Air conditioning condenser was replaced under recall jan. 2019. Ac stopped working by June, 2020. Condenser needed to be replaced again, but was on back-order. Over 5 weeks later, condenser was replaced in August 2020, but dealer reported compressor was leaking and needed to be replaced, for about $1,200. Honda refuses to cover more than 30% of that cost, according to both a regional representative and a Honda of America representative. The compressor is on back-order, indicating that a high number of compressors are failing. All the above work and diagnosis were performed by Honda dealer the automaster, shelburne, vt. The car has under 33,000 miles and is less than 4 years old. I'm the original owner. There appears to be a class action for this issue, initiated in california, case 2:19-cv-10537, filed dec. 2019, us district court for central district of california. …
The 3rd brake light that's on the inside of the rear window (I have the coupe) has a cover which keeps the light directed outside of the car and attaches to the window. The glue holding it to the window isn't strong enough, so the cover hangs down, blocking some of the rear window, reducing visibility. Also, at night the light itself washes out the rear window, making it difficult to see out the back at all. This problem is affecting 100% of the 2016 coupes that have ever been out on a warm day (heat melts the glue), and Honda isn't fixing it. They've been stringing us along for 5 months now, promising a fix in "a month" or "a couple weeks", with no resolution. Last I heard, they said on November 7th that it would be released in 8-12 weeks. …
Small rock hit lower driver side of windshield and made a very small nick about 6 months ago. I drove home from work Friday and upon getting my car ready Sunday evening for work the next day we noticed a crack. I can only assume this initiated where that rock hit and after googling the issue I realize I'm not alone in this. The windshield of the Honda 2016 and newer is garbage. It is weak and unsafe. That small crack from Sunday has now reached halfway across the windshield and I cannot drive my car until it is fixed on Wednesday afternoon for fear of it caving in. Why hasn't Honda addressed this issue? It's been four years of numerous complaints! The crack is growing at an incredibly and terrifying rate that it is completely unsafe. The first picture was at 7 am, the second at 5 pm, and the third at 9:30 pm
Driving into a small town at approximately 45 MPH sounded like a gunshot went off inside the car. The sunroof had exploded. No traffic was around. Nothing hit the roof. Only a small amount of glass fell into the car. It had blown outward leaving a hole in the middle with the edges sticking up. Drove directly to dealership about 15 minutes away where the car was purchased new 6 months earlier. They said they had never heard of anything like that occurring and it was a insurance claim and not hondas responsibility since we couldn't prove it wasn't a rock. Nothing hit the car and the glass blew out which scratched the paint on the trunk lid.
Window & Wiper complaints in other Civic years
Frequently asked questions
How common are window & wiper problems on the 2016 Honda Civic?
NHTSA has 54 complaints about the windows, wipers & sunroof of the 2016 Honda Civic, 5% of the model year's 1,082 complaints. The component named most often is sun/moon roof assembly (3 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2016 Honda Civic window & wiper problems?
No. NHTSA lists no windows, wipers & sunroof recall for the 2016 Honda Civic, though it has 5 recalls for other components. 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 2016 Honda Civic window & wiper problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 9,000 miles, and 66% before 25,000 miles.
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.