Honda Civic problems, complaints & recalls by model year
Across 8 model years (2018–2025), NHTSA has logged 2,937 owner complaints and 14 safety recalls for the Honda Civic. That averages 73.3 complaints per year on the road — more complaints than typical (index 1.74 against all tracked vehicles). Within the Compact cars segment it ranks #9 of 9 for fewest complaints per year; the segment average is 23.0.
Counts are normalized by time on the road, not by sales volume: a popular model generates more reports than a rare one, and complaints are not verified individually. How we count
Analysis
Across eight model years from 2018 to 2025, the Honda Civic has logged 2,937 owner complaints and 14 safety recalls, averaging 73.3 complaints per year which is 1.74 times higher than typical vehicles. While it ranks ninth out of nine compact cars for fewest complaints annually, the trend is worsening with 2022 being the highest rate at 204.8 complaints per year and 2021 the lowest at 27.3. Steering issues account for 51.7% of all complaints, occurring 8.0 times more often than across tracked vehicles, while 166 complaints describe a crash or fire resulting in 109 injuries and 1 death. Recent data shows the complaint pace is falling with 294 filed in the last 12 months versus 587 previously, though half of all incidents occur within 25 months of the model year's start.
Summary drafted by an AI model running on our own server from the figures on this page, and checked number by number against the data before publishing. The statistics and the analysis above come from our fixed methodology, not from the model.The trend is worsening. Measured on complaints filed in the first two years on the road and compared with other vehicles of the same model year, the 2023 and 2024 models run 234% above the 2018 and 2019 models (195 early complaints per model year versus 63).
The 2022 model year has the highest rate (204.8 complaints per year) and the 2021 model year the lowest (27.3). The 2022 model year runs at least 50% above the model's own average — the one to research most carefully. Model years 2020 and 2021 sit well below the model's average.
Across all tracked model years the most common problem area is Steering (51.7% of complaints), followed by Fuel system (10.0%) and Interior & equipment (6.7%). Steering complaints are 8.0 times as common here as across all tracked vehicles. Recurring terms in owner reports: “steering”, “wheel”, “sticky”, “sticks” and “speeds”. 166 complaints (5.7%) describe a crash or fire; across all model years owners report 109 injuries and 1 death.
In the last 12 months owners filed 294 complaints versus 587 in the previous 12 months — the pace is falling. The 2019 model year generated the most recent reports (59). Across model years, half of all reported incidents occur within 25 months of the model year's start.
Recalls: 14 recall campaigns across the tracked model years, most of them received in 2023 (4). 2 NHTSA defect investigations have covered this model; the latest is “Momentary Increased Steering Effort” (opened 2023-11-29, closed 2025-01-28).
Every other tracked model among Compact cars has fewer complaints per year, including Mazda Mazda3, Toyota Prius, Subaru Impreza and Kia Forte.
Model years at a glance
| Year | Complaints | Complaints per year on the road | Complaint index | Complaints in first 2 years on the road | vs. same-year average | Last 12 months | Recalls | Most common issue | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | 603 | 69.5 | 1.65 | 68 | 0.76 | 2 | 6 | Steering | View › |
| 2019 | 442 | 57.6 | 1.37 | 59 | 0.73 | 59 | 4 | Fuel system | View › |
| 2020 | 228 | 34.2 | 0.81 | 43 | 0.76 | 39 | 5 | Transmission / powertrain | View › |
| 2021 Fewest complaints | 155 | 27.3 | 0.65 | 24 | 0.39 | 37 | 4 | Steering | View › |
| 2022 Years to research carefully | 957 | 204.8 | 4.87 | 552 | 7.47 | 43 | 4 | Steering | View › |
| 2023 | 326 | 88.7 | 2.11 | 270 | 3.25 | 32 | 4 | Steering | View › |
| 2024 | 137 | 51.2 | 1.22 | 121 | 1.72 | 24 | 3 | Steering | View › |
| 2025 | 89 | 53.2 | 1.26 | — | — | 58 | 2 | Steering | View › |
1.00 means the same rate as the comparison group. 2.00 means twice as many complaints per year on the road. Complaints in first 2 years on the road: vs. same-year average. How we count
Trend · vs. same-year average
Complaints in first 2 years on the road ÷ All-vehicle average (1.00)
When complaints were filed
Last 12 months: 294 · Previous 12 months: 587 Falling
Problem areas
Fuel system ›
295 · 10.0% · 2.33 vs. all vehicles · Falling
- fuel249
- system gasoline156
- gasoline recall140
- distribution disconnect124
Interior & equipment ›
198 · 6.7% · 0.75 vs. all vehicles · Falling
- condenser53
- evaporator40
- compressor40
- air53
Driver-assist systems ›
137 · 4.7% · 0.81 vs. all vehicles · Steady
- cruise57
- control57
- braking43
- adaptive26
Transmission / powertrain ›
82 · 2.8% · 0.24 vs. all vehicles · Steady
- clutch37
- transmission32
- flywheel7
- slipping11
Wheels, tires & suspension ›
46 · 1.6% · 0.63 vs. all vehicles · Too few recent reports to judge
- tire23
- procontact5
- continental6
- sidewall6
Other
26 · 0.9% · 0.49 vs. all vehicles · Too few recent reports to judge
- cruise control10
- mat3
- brake pedal5
- restarting3
Lighting
6 · 0.2% · 0.13 vs. all vehicles · Too few recent reports to judge
Only problem areas with at least 40 complaints get their own page.
Common terms in reports
- steering1588
- wheel1084
- sticky533
- sticks273
- speeds600
- sticking250
- adjustments214
- rack273
Vehicle age at incident
Median age at incident: 25 months
What owners report
During a controlled low-speed autocross event (~55 mph entry), I applied the brake pedal firmly to decelerate for an upcoming turn. The vehicle failed to decelerate at anywhere near its rated capability.
While I was driving my 2019 Honda Civic Sport in active traffic, I suddenly lost control of the vehicle. The car starting jerking violently left to reach right and in a circle , causing me to be pulled and swayed across the freeway.
While driving the vehicle, the sunroof glass suddenly exploded outward with a loud, distinct "pop" sound. There were no vehicles or trucks immediately ahead of me, and there was no evidence of road debris, stray rocks, or external impact.
Driving down street after pulling out of parking lot and driver’s side air bag employed for unknown reason.
I was turning into a parking lot when the front passenger side airbag unexpectedly deployed. my entire windshield ended up cracking and my dash cam also broke bc it was on that side of the windshield. The car is still available to be inspected.
Excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA, trimmed for length. The ODI number is NHTSA's record identifier.
Segment peers · Compact cars
| # | Models | Complaints | Complaints per year on the road | Complaint index | Trend | Recent activity | Recalls | Most common issue |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mazda Mazda3 | 318 | 6.6 | 0.16 | Improving | Falling | 15 | Electrical |
| 2 | Toyota Prius | 250 | 7.0 | 0.17 | Stable | Rising | 11 | Electrical |
| 3 | Subaru Impreza | 494 | 9.5 | 0.23 | Improving | Steady | 13 | Body & structure |
| 4 | Kia Forte | 534 | 12.7 | 0.3 | Improving | Rising | 10 | Engine |
| 5 | Volkswagen Jetta | 843 | 18.0 | 0.43 | Improving | Steady | 22 | Engine |
| 6 | Nissan Sentra | 904 | 19.5 | 0.46 | Improving | Steady | 14 | Electrical |
| 7 | Toyota Corolla | 1,128 | 27.0 | 0.64 | Stable | Steady | 15 | Engine |
| 8 | Hyundai Elantra | 1,404 | 32.0 | 0.76 | Worsening | Steady | 19 | Engine |
| 9 | Honda Civic | 2,937 | 73.3 | 1.74 | Worsening | Falling | 14 | Steering |
Recalls by year received
- Campaigns: 14
- Do-not-drive / park-outside: 0
- Over-the-air fix: 0
Safety recalls: 2018 (6) · 2019 (4) · 2020 (5) · 2021 (4) · 2022 (4) · 2023 (4) · 2024 (3) · 2025 (2)
Investigations
- Momentary Increased Steering Effort Closed
On November 29, 2023, the Oï¬ce of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened this Engineering Analysis (EA23003) to assess allegations of momentary increase in steering eï¬ort in model years (MY) 2022-2023 Honda Civic, 2023MY Honda CR-V, and 2023MY Acura Integra vehicles (subject vehicles). The complaints received by ODI alleged that the subject vehicles experienced a momentary increase in required ste…
- Momentary Increased Steering Effort Closed
On March 17, 2023, The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened Preliminary Evaluation (PE23-005) to access the alleged defect of momentary increase in steering effort in model years (MY) 2022 and 2023 Honda Civic vehicles. The complaints report that the momentary increase in steering effort (described as "sticky steering") occurs mostly at highway speeds after driving for a certain amount of …
Frequently asked questions
Which Honda Civic model year has the most complaints?
The 2022 model year has the highest rate (204.8 complaints per year) and the 2021 model year the lowest (27.3).
Is the Honda Civic getting better or worse?
The trend is worsening. Measured on complaints filed in the first two years on the road and compared with other vehicles of the same model year, the 2023 and 2024 models run 234% above the 2018 and 2019 models (195 early complaints per model year versus 63). In the last 12 months owners filed 294 complaints versus 587 in the previous 12 months — the pace is falling.
What are the most common Honda Civic problems?
Across all tracked model years the most common problem area is Steering (51.7% of complaints), followed by Fuel system (10.0%) and Interior & equipment (6.7%). Recurring terms in owner reports: “steering”, “wheel”, “sticky”, “sticks” and “speeds”.
How does the Honda Civic compare with other Compact cars?
Within the Compact cars segment it ranks #9 of 9 for fewest complaints per year; the segment average is 23.0. Every other tracked model among Compact cars has fewer complaints per year, including Mazda Mazda3, Toyota Prius, Subaru Impreza and Kia Forte.
Does the Honda Civic have recalls or open investigations?
Recalls: 14 recall campaigns across the tracked model years, most of them received in 2023 (4). 2 NHTSA defect investigations have covered this model; the latest is “Momentary Increased Steering Effort” (opened 2023-11-29, closed 2025-01-28).