NHTSA has received 326 owner complaints about the 2023 Honda Civic, or 88.7 per year on the road — far more complaints than typical for a vehicle of its age (complaint index 2.11, where 1.00 is the average of all tracked vehicles). Among the 92 model-year 2023 vehicles we track, it ranks #78 for fewest complaints per year. Against other Honda models its rate is 22% higher; against other Compact cars it is 286% higher.
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
Complaints filed between 2023-01-24 and 2026-08-31. Median delay from incident to filing: 14 days.
326Complaints
88.7Complaints per year on the road
2.11Complaint index vs. all tracked vehicles
4Recalls
6.1%Share involving a crash or fire
32Last 12 months
Analysis
The previous model year (2022) drew 204.8 complaints per year, more than this one. The following model year (2024) drew 51.2 per year, fewer than this one. In its first two years on the road the 2023 model collected 270 complaints, 225% higher than the average vehicle of the same model year.
The most common problem area is Steering (75.8% of complaints), followed by Electrical (4.0%) and Brakes (3.7%). Steering complaints are 11.7 times as common here as across all tracked vehicles. Within Steering reports, owners most often mention “steering”, “sticky”, “wheel”, “adjustments” and “speeds”. 20 reports (6.1%) describe a crash or fire; owners mention 12 injuries and 0 deaths.
Half of the reported incidents happened within 11 months of the model year's start; the busiest period was the first year (58% of incidents). In the last 12 months 32 new complaints were filed, versus 46 in the 12 months before — the pace is falling.
NHTSA lists 4 safety recalls for this model year. 80% of the complaints fall in component areas that a recall addresses. 2 NHTSA defect investigations cover this model year; the most recent is “Momentary Increased Steering Effort” (opened 2023-11-29, closed 2025-01-28).
Complaint index
vs. all tracked vehicles2.11
vs. other Honda models1.22
vs. other 2023 models2.11
vs. other Compact cars3.86
Complaints in first 2 years on the road · vs. same-year average (270)3.25
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.
Electrical · 2026-08-31 · ODI 11761048 · Crash
During a collision on July 7, the airbag initiated but did not deploy. The car is available for inspection upon request. The safety of the driver was put at risk because the airbag did not deploy when intiated.
The contact owns a 2023 Honda Civic Si. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed on the same day the vehicle was purchased from the dealer, the contact noticed a strong oil odor inside the vehicle.
Engine · 2026-08-27 · ODI 11760042
The front camera is inoperative. None of the safety features like automatic emergency braking are working. Dealer inspected and said needs a new camera which they can order.
Driver-assist systems · 2026-08-27 · ODI 11760179
Following a drivetrain repair at Gary Yeomans Honda, the vehicle was returned to me in an unsafe driving condition. Specifically, the technician left unsecured heavy metal tools (a pry bar and screwdriver) loose in the engine bay, failed to torque a…
Wheels, tires & suspension · 2026-07-20 · ODI 11751684
Excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA, trimmed for length. The ODI number is NHTSA's record identifier.
Summary: 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. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 207, "Seating Systems."
Risk: An unsecured driver's seat may not adequately restrain the driver during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
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.
Summary: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2023-2025 Acura Integra, Civic Type R, CR-V Hybrid, CR-V, HR-V, 2022-2025 Civic, Civic Hatchback, 2024-2025 Acura Integra Type S, 2025 CR-V Fuel Cell EV, Civic Hybrid, and Civic Hatchback Hybrid vehicles. The steering gearbox assembly may have been manufactured incorrectly, which can cause excessive internal friction and lead to difficulty steering the vehicle.
Risk: Difficulty steering can increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the worm gear spring and redistribute or add grease as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed November 18, 2024. Owners may contact Honda Customer Service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are SJS, MJU, QJT and VJV.
STEERING:RACK AND PINION Campaign 23V704000 · 2023-10-19
Summary: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2022-2024 Civic 4-door and Civic 5-door vehicles that received a replacement power steering rack as part of a service repair. The steering rack may have been incorrectly assembled, which can allow the tire to chafe against the lower suspension or tie rod end, possibly resulting in tire damage.
Risk: A damaged tire can fail and increase the risk of a crash or injury.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the electric power steering rack, as necessary, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed January 16, 2024. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's number for this recall is YFW.
Summary: Honda (America Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2023 Civic, Acura RDX, Acura Integra, and 2022 Honda Accord vehicles. A ball valve in the vehicle stability assist (VSA) modulator may leak brake fluid, which can result in unintended vehicle movement when the brake hold feature is engaged or an unexpected increase in brake pedal travel.
Risk: Unintended vehicle movement or an unexpected increase in brake pedal travel can increase the risk of a crash or injury.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the VSA modulator, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 24, 2023. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are OEJ, XEK, AEY, XEX and OEW.
EA23003 · STEERING · Opened 2023-11-29 · Closed 2025-01-28 · Campaign 24V744 · Model years: 2022, 2023, 2024
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 EffortClosed
PE23005 · STEERING · Opened 2023-03-17 · Closed 2023-11-30 · Model years: 2022, 2023
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
How many complaints were filed for the 2023 Honda Civic?
326 complaints were filed with NHTSA for the 2023 Honda Civic, or about 88.7 per year on the road.
What is the most common problem reported for the 2023 Honda Civic?
The most common category is Steering, accounting for 75.8% of complaints.
Does the 2023 Honda Civic have any recalls?
NHTSA lists 4 safety recall(s) for this model year. 2 NHTSA defect investigations cover this model year; the most recent is “Momentary Increased Steering Effort” (opened 2023-11-29, closed 2025-01-28).
Is the 2023 Honda Civic still generating complaints?
In the last 12 months 32 new complaints were filed, versus 46 in the 12 months before — the pace is falling.
How does the 2023 Honda Civic compare with similar vehicles?
NHTSA has received 326 owner complaints about the 2023 Honda Civic, or 88.7 per year on the road — far more complaints than typical for a vehicle of its age (complaint index 2.11, where 1.00 is the average of all tracked vehicles). Among the 92 model-year 2023 vehicles we track, it ranks #78 for fewest complaints per year. Against other Honda models its rate is 22% higher; against other Compact cars it is 286% higher.