Seat complaints by model year
| Year | Complaints | Share of year's complaints | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 2 | 2% | — |
| 2024 | 1 | 1% | — |
| 2023 | 2 | 1% | 14,000 miles |
| 2022 | 3 | 0% | — |
| 2021 | 3 | 2% | — |
| 2020 | 2 | 1% | — |
| 2018 | 8 | 1% | 8,000 miles |
| 2017 | 3 | 0% | 0 miles |
| 2016 | 4 | 0% | 0 miles |
| 2015 | 8 | 2% | 18,000 miles |
| 2014 | 3 | 1% | 18,000 miles |
| 2013 | 16 | 5% | 14,000 miles |
| 2012 | 12 | 3% | 20,000 miles |
| 2011 | 5 | 3% | 75,000 miles |
| 2010 | 6 | 2% | 35,000 miles |
| 2009 | 9 | 2% | 0 miles |
| 2008 | 7 | 1% | 70,000 miles |
| 2007 | 8 | 1% | 108,000 miles |
| 2006 | 16 | 1% | 109,000 miles |
| 2005 | 4 | 1% | 30,000 miles |
| 2004 | 6 | 2% | 45,000 miles |
| 2003 | 13 | 3% | 30,000 miles |
| 2002 | 9 | 1% | 10,000 miles |
| 2001 | 11 | 1% | 135,000 miles |
| 2000 | 4 | 1% | 130,000 miles |
| 1999 | 2 | 1% | 148,000 miles |
| 1998 | 6 | 1% | 65,000 miles |
| 1997 | 1 | 0% | — |
| 1996 | 4 | 1% | — |
| 1995 | 12 | 6% | — |
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (seat frames, recliners, heated seats and seat tracks).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
Brakes are relatively hard to press and bring the car to stop, the pedal is also located high, and as an Uber driver it makes it difficult to brake constantly. I am getting knee pain and foot pain. Driver seat is very uncomfortable specially when driving for too long. It doesn't have lumbar support and is giving me lower back pain, my back compresses down and collapses into the section where there's no lumbar support. I feel like my disk is getting hurt. The seat is built in an angel. if I bring the seat low, my last bone of spine goes into the seat and hurts. if I bring the seat high, I get hip pain. The steering is somehow stiff to rotate even with lane departure being turned off. I am getting finger joint pain and elbow pain.
Since purchasing my vehicle in 2022, I've experienced my seat "click and unclick" after adjusting it as well as at random times when driving. As I've been reviewing recalls for my own year/make/model, I recently found that 2023-24 Hondas & Acuras were experiencing a similar issue and have had a recall for their seat frame bolt. However, I'm unsure if it's due to the same reason, as I've not seen other related complaints for my own year/make/model.
There's been a safety recall and I took my car like more than a year ago to repairs and then the check the car but told me the piece it's not ready yet. I have to wait almost a whole year for it and I receive the notification that the piece was ready. When I call to make the appointment the lady told me that I receive the notification but the piece it's not on the Honda yet and I have to wait. Wait more ? I'm seriously concerned about my car and even though I receive the notification that it's ready she says they haven't receive the piece yet ? This is a serious matter and my car and even my family we are driving the car and this is absolutely not ok. I don't know how much more do I have to wait.
I was informed of a recall notice for my vehicle in the summer months of 2024 (approximately). I took my vehicle to the Culver City Honda dealership in Los Angeles to address this, however they informed me that the issue was not critical and that they did not have the parts. Hence, the recall notice has still not been addressed. I recently (June 2025) imported this vehicle to Canada and I am unable to proceed with the import procedure because of this outstanding recall notice.
My boyfriend has a Honda Civic 2018 EXL and on 11/07/2025 around noonish, I briefly turned on the passenger side seat warmer for approximately 15 minutes and received second degree burns/blisters on the back of my thighs from the seat. I knew something was wrong because I had to peel my thighs off the seat and my skin felt really flushed and hot. Over 24 hours, the blisters formed and then popped.
Passenger seat dings and interior light comes on when making a left turn. It sounds like the seat belt alert even when the passengers and driver have their seat belts on. It also happens when rhe passenger shifts their weight. This is a distraction while driving.
The drivers seat is loose and wobbles. I first noticed last Monday [redacted]. I keep my car clean & always do routine maintenance. This is a concern incase I get hit seat is already loose. I did research and see it's an issue for some. There are forums online. It does the same thing wobbles, something is loose near center console under the seat. I took it to the dealer they said my frame broke and it will be 1,200+ to fix... [redacted]
I purchased this vehicle on 9/17/2017. Less than three weeks later, the left side of the seat back was deformed, causing back pain and discomfort. I took the vehicle to the dealer and they manipulated the cushions to get the seat back to a more comfortable shape, however it didn't look the same as when it was brand new. A couple of months after that the cushions became displaced again. There are two cushions forming the side bolster, and the side airbag is designed to deploy between the cushions. I have been unable to get the cushions back into place and don't live close to my dealership so it is inconvenient to take it back in. Now I have back pain in the area where the seat is deformed and pushing into my back. I am taking it to the dealer next week however I am afraid even if they replace the seat this problem will keep occurring. …
Related recalls (2)
Seats › Critical fasteners
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.
Seats
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2017 Honda Civic Hatchback and Civic Type R vehicles. Driver and front passenger seatback pads sold as replacement service parts were made without slit openings for the seat-mounted side air bags.
Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front seatback pads, free of charge. The recall began June 15, 2018. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138.
Frequently asked questions
Which Honda Civic years have seat problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 2006 (16), 2013 (16), 2003 (13), 1995 (12) and 2012 (12) model years. Seat complaints make up 1% of all complaints for the 2006.
Is there a recall for Honda Civic seat problems?
Yes — 2 recalls, including 24V-859 (critical fasteners, Nov 14, 2024); 18V-266 (seats, Apr 26, 2018). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers; check a specific car with the VIN recall check.
At what mileage do Honda Civic seat problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 43,000 miles; 68% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the front assembly › head restraint (22 mentions), followed by the front assembly › recliner (19).
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.