Engine complaints by model year
| Year | Complaints | Share of year's complaints | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 5 | 16% | — |
| 2025 | 6 | 7% | 1,000 miles |
| 2024 | 3 | 2% | 26,000 miles |
| 2023 | 9 | 3% | 1,000 miles |
| 2022 | 11 | 1% | — |
| 2021 | 6 | 4% | 108,000 miles |
| 2020 | 13 | 6% | 41,000 miles |
| 2019 | 33 | 7% | 11,000 miles |
| 2018 | 57 | 8% | 11,000 miles |
| 2017 | 70 | 12% | 20,000 miles |
| 2016 | 99 | 9% | 29,000 miles |
| 2015 | 31 | 8% | 14,000 miles |
| 2014 | 26 | 9% | 39,000 miles |
| 2013 | 23 | 7% | 15,000 miles |
| 2012 | 36 | 8% | 20,000 miles |
| 2011 | 11 | 7% | 32,000 miles |
| 2010 | 29 | 7% | 60,000 miles |
| 2009 | 39 | 10% | 47,000 miles |
| 2008 | 207 | 23% | 99,000 miles |
| 2007 | 243 | 20% | 88,000 miles |
| 2006 | 377 | 27% | 90,000 miles |
| 2005 | 32 | 10% | 86,000 miles |
| 2004 | 26 | 7% | 84,000 miles |
| 2003 | 45 | 9% | 80,000 miles |
| 2002 | 48 | 7% | 75,000 miles |
| 2001 | 83 | 8% | 95,000 miles |
| 2000 | 51 | 18% | 74,000 miles |
| 1999 | 44 | 13% | 124,000 miles |
| 1998 | 56 | 13% | 91,000 miles |
| 1997 | 28 | 8% | 90,000 miles |
| 1996 | 29 | 10% | 224,000 miles |
| 1995 | 7 | 4% | 255,000 miles |
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (engine, cooling system, oil leaks, timing chain, exhaust).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
I bought a 2026 honda civic. About two days after receiving the car while driving the car I felt a shaking while driving mostly around 30-40 MPH. ALSO when I put my foot on the gas sometimes there is a hesitation before I start to move and when I do start moving it's like getting launched on a rocket. Many times while driving I get a shutter, the whole car would lerch forward even while driving it felt like the car was lerching forward. I brought the car to the dealer and had them look at the car, I explained everything I was feeling. They had the car for HOURS and when I got the car back they said they had two different mechanics look at the car and they said they test drove it and couldn't replicate the problem. But when I got in the car just after the test drove it, I ABSOLUTELY STILL HAD THE PROBLEM. …
I bought my 2026 Honda Civic a month ago and hadn't driven it very far. At a stoplight, the car stalled and various warning lights came on--for the brake, the CPU, and then almost all the warning lights came on. I was stranded at a light and afraid for my life and the safety of th other motorists. After numerous attempts, I got the car started again, but it stalled twice again on the way to the dealership. The problem was inspected by the Honda Dealership, who claim that the ordeal was because of a "puncture" in the radiator which was caused by a road event, and which somehow overwhelmed the CPU. I have tried to take this up with the dealer and Honda corporate, but see no other recourse for letting them know the danger I was put in. …
The contact owns a 2025 Honda Civic Hatchback. The contact stated that while driving 5-10 MPH, the vehicle jerked abnormally. The contact stated that the jerking was slow and heavy. The contact stated that while driving and accelerating, the vehicle jerked hard and then stalled. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, and while being test-driven the vehicle jerked hard. The mechanic checked underneath the hood and suggested that the contact use premium fuel. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The vehicle was taken to another dealer, Headquarters Honda in Clermont Florida, where it was diagnosed and determined that the transmission was jerking, and there was no fix for the failure. The contact stated that the Attorney General had opened a Lemon Law case. The manufacturer was contacted, but no assistance was provided. …
Happened multiple times in multiple locations during city driving accelerating from a stop or low speed to a higher speed, especially when accelerating from a stop through an intersection at a stoplight. Vehicle surges and "won't go". Feels like a giant rubber band in the drive train stretching and recoiling. Eventually after about a half dozen "surges" the vehicle attains enough speed and the problem goes away. Only happens when accelerating from a stop or low speed to a higher speed.
The contact owns a 2024 Honda Civic. The contact stated that while driving approximately 15 MPH and slowing for a traffic light, the brake pedal was depressed, and the vehicle started shaking violently and then stalled. The contact stated that the check battery warning light was illuminated. The failure was intermittent but became a recurring failure. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer or independent mechanic to be diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 26,000.
The contact owns a 2023 Honda Civic Hatchback. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V744000 (Steering); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that upon further inspection, the vehicle was consuming an abnormal amount of engine oil. The message "Maintenance Required" was displayed on the instrument panel. In addition, several other unknown warning lights were illuminated. The contact stated that the engine oil was refilled prior to and after the failure; however, the failure reoccurred. Several local dealers were contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 600. Parts distribution disconnect.
When I was driving my new 2023 Honda Civic Touring's the engine started running rough and the check light indicators came on with the following items to "See your dealer" despite this car being less than 3 months old and with just over 1,000 miles on the odometer: - Brake System Problem... - Electric Power Steering System Problem... - Electric Parking Brake System Problem... - Tire Pressure Monitor System Problem... - Emission System Problem... Some of these above items negatively affect the safe operation of the vehicle and increase risk to the occupant(s). After coordinating with the Honda dealership where we purchased this Civic and the Honda Roadside Assistance, they towed our disabled Civic to the closest Honda dealership. A Honda Service Advisor informed us our Civic had a major engine issue (cracked engine block) which was a manufacturer's defect. …
The 2022 Honda Civic (Sport) with approx. 13,000 miles had been driving fine for the previous 10 minutes, on and off the highway, when I was almost home and on a more residential 25-30mph road. All of a sudden all of the warning lights went off on the dashboard at once, so I went to brake to slow down and pull over. But the brakes were completely failing - the pedal would just hit the back of the foot well. The emergency brake is electronic, so that wouldn't work either. I was lucky to be immediately next to a grocery store parking lot, so I roll into that. As soon as I make the turn flames began shooting out from under the hood, reaching maybe 6" up the windshield. This is only 5 or 6 seconds after the warning lights had started, and it was clear that the fire inside of the engine bay was substantial. …
Related recalls (2)
Engine and engine cooling › Engine
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain model year 2016 Civic vehicles manufactured September 22, 2015, to February 3, 2016 and equipped with 2.0L engines. The affected vehicles have engines with piston assemblies that may have been manufactured without a piston wrist pin circlip or with an incorrectly installed…
Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and replace the piston assemblies and damaged engine components, as necessary, free of charge. Parts are expected to be available in the Summer of 2016.
Engine and engine cooling › Engine
Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. During the assembly process, the air cleaner box cover May have been damaged, and a broken plastic piece could travel into the intake chamber.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the air cleaner box for damage. If damage is found, the dealer will locate and remove the broken plastic piece, and replace the air cleaner box lid. Owner notification began on October 25, 2001.
Frequently asked questions
Which Honda Civic years have engine problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 2006 (377), 2007 (243), 2008 (207), 2016 (99) and 2001 (83) model years. Engine complaints make up 27% of all complaints for the 2006.
Is there a recall for Honda Civic engine problems?
Yes — 2 recalls, including 16V-074 (engine, Feb 9, 2016); 01V-329 (engine, Oct 22, 2001). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers; check a specific car with the VIN recall check.
At what mileage do Honda Civic engine problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 76,000 miles; 32% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the engine (161 mentions), followed by the engine › gasoline (57).
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.