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2015 Honda Civic

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

More warning signs than most Civic years

Owner complaints for the 2015 Honda Civic are substantially higher than the model-year median of 183.5.

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When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

200 reports with mileage · 180 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Power Train. Review the 176 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Air Bags. Review the 58 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine. Review the 31 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

37 crash reports2 fire reports18 injury reports

What owners actually said

380 reports
Mileage unknown · Dec 13, 2022
Power Train

There is no dipstick to check transmission fluid level. My car with no warning light or check engine light lost acceleration and had almost close to stop. Thank god I wan’t on highway. Upon taking i into mechanic they said a screw was loose and transmission fluid was leaking. It ha happened to me twice. The problem has not been …

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There is no dipstick to check transmission fluid level. My car with no warning light or check engine light lost acceleration and had almost close to stop. Thank god I wan’t on highway. Upon taking i into mechanic they said a screw was loose and transmission fluid was leaking. It ha happened to me twice. The problem has not been confirmed by dealer. Transmission fluid can neither be measured nor condition of transmission fluid can be seen without dipstick. Very importantly there is no warning light for it.

NHTSA ODI #11497177

Mileage unknown · Dec 9, 2022
Power Train

No warning lights. No check engine lights. No dipstick to check transmission fluid. Changed the transmission fluid in 8/2021 around 90k miles and my transmission went out ON THE HIGHWAY WITH NO WARNING LIGHTS GOING 70 MPH. NO CHECK ENGINE LIGHT. NOTHING. TRANSMISSION LIGHT COMES ON AFTER MY CAR IS AT A STOP.

NHTSA ODI #11496836

68,000 miles · Dec 2, 2022
Power Train

The contact owns a 2015 Honda Civic. The contact stated that while stopped in first gear, while driving at low speed, the clutch made an abnormal metallic grinding sound. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the clutch spring needed to be replaced. The manufacturer w…

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The contact owns a 2015 Honda Civic. The contact stated that while stopped in first gear, while driving at low speed, the clutch made an abnormal metallic grinding sound. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the clutch spring needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and the contact was provided a case number. The failure mileage was approximately 68,000.

NHTSA ODI #11495825

Mileage unknown · Nov 28, 2022
Air BagsCrash

On 9/30/2022 My son was driving his car on the freeway. The truck in front of him slammed on their brakes suddenly. My son slammed on his brakes but slid into the back of the truck in front of him. The car sustained moderate front end damage and was not able to be driven. The airbags do not deploy and a "airbag malfunction" ligh…

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On 9/30/2022 My son was driving his car on the freeway. The truck in front of him slammed on their brakes suddenly. My son slammed on his brakes but slid into the back of the truck in front of him. The car sustained moderate front end damage and was not able to be driven. The airbags do not deploy and a "airbag malfunction" light came on in his car. My son sustained only minor injuries and did not require medical assistance. I spoke with Honda regarding the malfunction light and the airbags nor deploying and was told that was normal which does NOT seem right.

NHTSA ODI #11495176

Mileage unknown · Nov 15, 2022
EngineFuel/propulsion SystemPower Train

I was driving home from work and as I took off from a standstill, I accelerated and my car began to reach 4000-5000 RPM immediately but my speedometer read 4-6 mph. I made it to through the intersection and drove until I reached a safe parking lot. It began puttering through the parking lot, almost jerking, but sounded like I w…

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I was driving home from work and as I took off from a standstill, I accelerated and my car began to reach 4000-5000 RPM immediately but my speedometer read 4-6 mph. I made it to through the intersection and drove until I reached a safe parking lot. It began puttering through the parking lot, almost jerking, but sounded like I was accelerating at top speeds. Then, it stopped completely. I had it towed to a mechanic that I trust and it turns out that my transmission plug/cap was missing entirely, and all my transmission fluid leaked out without any notice, warning light, or message. I had driven without the cap for days likely before the car began to fail. I was alone and driving in the dark when it occurred which made me panic even more trying to get out of the road in rush hour traffic. After the tow truck began to drive away, I found this puddle of transmission fluid on the concrete. After the mechanic inspected and diagnosed all the damages/failures, he informed me that my entire transmission needs to be replaced along with other affected parts including a pump, new transmission cap, and transmission fluid. I found several other complaints reported to NHTSA about others having the same transmission failure and missing transmission cap/plug. This is my daily driver to/from work as well as transportation for me to take my parents to doctors appointments. Now, not only am I without a mode of transportation to work/medical appointments, but I am having to replace or rebuild the transmission. I was quoted $5366 for a new transmission…WITHOUT labor, replacement cap, new fluid. All for a $25 cap that popped off…NHTSA or Honda need to address this issue and find a solution. I could have been injured trying to navigate to a safe place while my car was stalling and sputtering.

NHTSA ODI #11493736

Mileage unknown · Nov 2, 2022
Power Train

While driving at the interstate speed of 70 mph all of my warning lights came on at one time and the car began to run roughly. I stopped the car for a few moments about 30 minutes. When I started the car back it ran rough but the although the lights went out and went back to normal. I stopped on a steep incline at a stop sign an…

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While driving at the interstate speed of 70 mph all of my warning lights came on at one time and the car began to run roughly. I stopped the car for a few moments about 30 minutes. When I started the car back it ran rough but the although the lights went out and went back to normal. I stopped on a steep incline at a stop sign and when I attempted to merge into traffic the transmission will not engage. The shifter moves through all gears freely but the shift but the transmission is not engaged. Has not been inspected yet is I don't have the money to have it towed to a dealer. I've read where there's a recall on the transmission but my VIN is not listed in that recall and it is my assumption that Honda will not make the repairs

NHTSA ODI #11492021

Mileage unknown · Nov 1, 2022
Fuel/propulsion System

Unknown Fumes have been seeping into the vehicle causing driver to be lethargic, and hallucinogenic and a terrible smell to seep into the car.

NHTSA ODI #11491832

Mileage unknown · Oct 31, 2022
Air BagsCrashInjury

On 10/15/2022 our 2015 Honda Civic Coupe vehicle was in a front end collision at 70 mph. NONE of the airbags deployed. The vehicle is at my insurance company wrecking yard and would be available for inspection, if needed. My 16 year old son had injuries including a concussion and whiplash due to the air bags not deploying. The p…

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On 10/15/2022 our 2015 Honda Civic Coupe vehicle was in a front end collision at 70 mph. NONE of the airbags deployed. The vehicle is at my insurance company wrecking yard and would be available for inspection, if needed. My 16 year old son had injuries including a concussion and whiplash due to the air bags not deploying. The police, firefighters, paramedics, hospital doctors, and my insurance company ALL say that the airbags should have absolutely deployed. There were no warning lamps or messages that alerted us there was any concern before the accident.

NHTSA ODI #11491553

Mileage unknown · Oct 28, 2022
Power Train

Noticed at around 58,000 miles my trans fluid fill plug kept popping out, I cleaned the vent cap and that helped for a few weeks. Back to popping out time after time. I did a trans fluid change the first time I noticed it. Still kept popping out. Now the transmission is starting have little shimmies or slips, I’ve notice it more…

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Noticed at around 58,000 miles my trans fluid fill plug kept popping out, I cleaned the vent cap and that helped for a few weeks. Back to popping out time after time. I did a trans fluid change the first time I noticed it. Still kept popping out. Now the transmission is starting have little shimmies or slips, I’ve notice it more and more. There’s no good reason this should be happening to a vehicle with 60,000 miles on it, it absolutely has to be some kind of recall or manufacturer defect. Please advise.

NHTSA ODI #11491356

Mileage unknown · Oct 6, 2022
Engine

The transmission plug pops out while driving and can cause fluid to spray everywhere. A known issue of vehicles of this types

NHTSA ODI #11488267

Official recalls

1

15V574000 · Power Train:automatic Transmission:control Module (tcm/pcm/tecm)

Sep 15, 2015

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain model year 2014-2015 Civic vehicles manufactured January 16, 2014, to November 6, 2014 and 2015 Fit vehicles manufactured March 12, 2014, to May 12, 2015. The software settings that control the transmission operation may result in damage to the transmission drive pulley shaft.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: If the transmission drive pulley shaft is damaged, it may break, and the vehicle may lose acceleration or the front wheels may lock up while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will update the software for the transmission, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin October 30, 2015. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are JU2 (Civic) and JU3(Fit).

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

2

EA21002 · Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture

Opened Sep 17, 2021 · No close date supplied

Status: open (inferred from source dates) · Air Bags:frontal:driver Side:inflator Module; Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module

From 2000 through 2017, Takata produced millions of air bag inflators using two types of phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate ("PSAN") propellant -- propellant 2004 and propellant 2004L. After prolonged exposure to high temperature cycles and humidity, inflators using propellant 2004 can degrade, causing the propellant to burn too quickly when ignited. The rapid burning can cause the inflator to rupture during deployment, potentially causing serious or even fatal injury to vehicle occupants. See 2016 Blomquist Report at www.nhtsa.gov/sites/nhtsa.gov/files/documents/expert_report-hrblomquist.pdf.Consequently, all frontal inflators using propellant 2004 that do not contain a "desiccant" (a substance that traps and holds moisture) in US vehicles are under recall. These "non-desiccated" inflators either have been or are required to be replaced.In some cases, the remedy part for these recalled inflators was, or will be, an inflator using either propellant 2004 or 2004L that does contain a desiccant. None of these "desiccated" remedy parts (which were installed in older model year vehicles) are currently under recall for a degradation concern. Certain subsets of desiccated PSAN inflators using propellant 2004 for use as original equipment, however, have been recalled for a degradation concern. All Takata inflators produced with propellant 2004L contain desiccant, and none of these desiccated inflators using propellant 2004L are under recall for a degradation concern. There have been no reported field ruptures in any non-recalled desiccated PSAN inflators.It is understood that desiccants fully saturate at some threshold, at which point any additional moisture will not be captured. This means the degradation process observed in non-desiccated inflators using propellant 2004 may also occur in non-recalled desiccated inflators using propellant 2004, assuming additional moisture enters the inflator and high temperature cycling occurs. Based on available information, desiccant saturation can occur within the first five years in the worst environments, and the time required for full saturation is affected by multiple factors. While no present safety risk has been identified, further work is needed to evaluate the future risk of non-recalled desiccated inflators using propellant 2004.Three entities -- Takata (now known as TK Global), the Independent Testing Coalition, and Exponent -- have been studying the long-term behavior of Takata desiccated PSAN inflators using propellant 2004L (as well as 2004) in the presence of moisture and temperature cycling. The research efforts, which include development of predictive modeling techniques and field sample analysis, are ongoing. To date, none of the researchers have identified field evidence showing that propellant 2004L is undergoing a degradation process that leads to aggressive deployment and potential rupture. However, the time in service of such inflators remains short compared to that of the inflators using propellant 2004. Further study is needed to assess the long-term safety of desiccated inflators using propellant 2004L.The Office of Defects Investigation is opening this investigation to examine whether a safety defect related to propellant degradation exists in non-recalled desiccated PSAN frontal inflators manufactured by Takata. This investigation will require extensive information on Takata production processes and surveys of inflators in the field. Lists of recall actions that may have used desiccated PSAN inflators as remedy parts, as well as the makes and models originally manufactured with them, is available with the downloadable version of this document (see nhtsa.gov/recalls?nhtsaId=EA21002 -- note this information is subject to change/revision as the investigation proceeds). This investigation does not supersede EA15-001, which remains open.

Additional source detail variants (2)

Air Bags:frontal:driver Side:inflator Module

From 2000 through 2017, Takata produced millions of air bag inflators using two types of phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate ("PSAN") propellant -- propellant 2004 and propellant 2004L. After prolonged exposure to high temperature cycles and humidity, inflators using propellant 2004 can degrade, causing the propellant to burn too quickly when ignited. The rapid burning can cause the inflator to rupture during deployment, potentially causing serious or even fatal injury to vehicle occupants. See 2016 Blomquist Report at www.nhtsa.gov/sites/nhtsa.gov/files/documents/expert_report-hrblomquist.pdf.Consequently, all frontal inflators using propellant 2004 that do not contain a "desiccant" (a substance that traps and holds moisture) in US vehicles are under recall. These "non-desiccated" inflators either have been or are required to be replaced.In some cases, the remedy part for these recalled inflators was, or will be, an inflator using either propellant 2004 or 2004L that does contain a desiccant. None of these "desiccated" remedy parts (which were installed in older model year vehicles) are currently under recall for a degradation concern. Certain subsets of desiccated PSAN inflators using propellant 2004 for use as original equipment, however, have been recalled for a degradation concern. All Takata inflators produced with propellant 2004L contain desiccant, and none of these desiccated inflators using propellant 2004L are under recall for a degradation concern. There have been no reported field ruptures in any non-recalled desiccated PSAN inflators.It is understood that desiccants fully saturate at some threshold, at which point any additional moisture will not be captured. This means the degradation process observed in non-desiccated inflators using propellant 2004 may also occur in non-recalled desiccated inflators using propellant 2004, assuming additional moisture enters the inflator and high temperature cycling occurs. Based on available information, desiccant saturation can occur within the first five years in the worst environments, and the time required for full saturation is affected by multiple factors. While no present safety risk has been identified, further work is needed to evaluate the future risk of non-recalled desiccated inflators using propellant 2004.Three entities -- Takata (now known as TK Global), the Independent Testing Coalition, and Exponent -- have been studying the long-term behavior of Takata desiccated PSAN inflators using propellant 2004L (as well as 2004) in the presence of moisture and temperature cycling. The research efforts, which include development of predictive modeling techniques and field sample analysis, are ongoing. To date, none of the researchers have identified field evidence showing that propellant 2004L is undergoing a degradation process that leads to aggressive deployment and potential rupture. However, the time in service of such inflators remains short compared to that of the inflators using propellant 2004. Further study is needed to assess the long-term safety of desiccated inflators using propellant 2004L.The Office of Defects Investigation is opening this investigation to examine whether a safety defect related to propellant degradation exists in non-recalled desiccated PSAN frontal inflators manufactured by Takata. This investigation will require extensive information on Takata production processes and surveys of inflators in the field. Lists of recall actions that may have used desiccated PSAN inflators as remedy parts, as well as the makes and models originally manufactured with them, is available with the downloadable version of this document (see nhtsa.gov/recalls?nhtsaId=EA21002 -- note this information is subject to change/revision as the investigation proceeds). This investigation does not supersede EA15-001, which remains open.

Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module

From 2000 through 2017, Takata produced millions of air bag inflators using two types of phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate ("PSAN") propellant -- propellant 2004 and propellant 2004L. After prolonged exposure to high temperature cycles and humidity, inflators using propellant 2004 can degrade, causing the propellant to burn too quickly when ignited. The rapid burning can cause the inflator to rupture during deployment, potentially causing serious or even fatal injury to vehicle occupants. See 2016 Blomquist Report at www.nhtsa.gov/sites/nhtsa.gov/files/documents/expert_report-hrblomquist.pdf.Consequently, all frontal inflators using propellant 2004 that do not contain a "desiccant" (a substance that traps and holds moisture) in US vehicles are under recall. These "non-desiccated" inflators either have been or are required to be replaced.In some cases, the remedy part for these recalled inflators was, or will be, an inflator using either propellant 2004 or 2004L that does contain a desiccant. None of these "desiccated" remedy parts (which were installed in older model year vehicles) are currently under recall for a degradation concern. Certain subsets of desiccated PSAN inflators using propellant 2004 for use as original equipment, however, have been recalled for a degradation concern. All Takata inflators produced with propellant 2004L contain desiccant, and none of these desiccated inflators using propellant 2004L are under recall for a degradation concern. There have been no reported field ruptures in any non-recalled desiccated PSAN inflators.It is understood that desiccants fully saturate at some threshold, at which point any additional moisture will not be captured. This means the degradation process observed in non-desiccated inflators using propellant 2004 may also occur in non-recalled desiccated inflators using propellant 2004, assuming additional moisture enters the inflator and high temperature cycling occurs. Based on available information, desiccant saturation can occur within the first five years in the worst environments, and the time required for full saturation is affected by multiple factors. While no present safety risk has been identified, further work is needed to evaluate the future risk of non-recalled desiccated inflators using propellant 2004.Three entities -- Takata (now known as TK Global), the Independent Testing Coalition, and Exponent -- have been studying the long-term behavior of Takata desiccated PSAN inflators using propellant 2004L (as well as 2004) in the presence of moisture and temperature cycling. The research efforts, which include development of predictive modeling techniques and field sample analysis, are ongoing. To date, none of the researchers have identified field evidence showing that propellant 2004L is undergoing a degradation process that leads to aggressive deployment and potential rupture. However, the time in service of such inflators remains short compared to that of the inflators using propellant 2004. Further study is needed to assess the long-term safety of desiccated inflators using propellant 2004L.The Office of Defects Investigation is opening this investigation to examine whether a safety defect related to propellant degradation exists in non-recalled desiccated PSAN frontal inflators manufactured by Takata. This investigation will require extensive information on Takata production processes and surveys of inflators in the field. Lists of recall actions that may have used desiccated PSAN inflators as remedy parts, as well as the makes and models originally manufactured with them, is available with the downloadable version of this document (see nhtsa.gov/recalls?nhtsaId=EA21002 -- note this information is subject to change/revision as the investigation proceeds). This investigation does not supersede EA15-001, which remains open.

EA19001 · Electrical Overstress

Opened Apr 19, 2019 · Closed Sep 19, 2024

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Air Bags: Air Bag/restraint Control Module

The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened this investigation to determine if the failure of airbags to deploy during severe crashes, in certain vehicles, was the result of a safety related defect.  During the investigation a complex failure was studied that can result in non-deployment of subject vehicle air bags and other restraint system devices in severe crash events. The subject vehicles may be equipped with an airbag control unit (ACU) for the supplemental restraint system (SRS) Electronic Control Unit (ECU) manufactured by ZF-TRW.  The ECU receives signals from crash sensors mounted in the vehicle and deploys the vehicle air bags and seat belt pretensioners in accordance with manufacturer design specifications.  The ECU in the subject vehicles contains a model DS84 application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC) which controls the communication of the crash sensor signal, firing commands (i.e., when to deploy the airbag(s) and/or pretensioners), and fault information (e.g., diagnostic trouble codes). In September 2016, FCA announced recall 16V-668 for certain model year (MY) 2010 to 2014 Chrysler, Dodge and Jeep products manufactured with the subject ZF-TRW ACU.  In this recall, FCA discussed an EOS condition that resulted in a failure of the subject DS84 ASIC, which caused air bag non-deployment.  FCA noted that the defect condition had only been observed in vehicles equipped with sensor harnessing routed across the front of the vehicle.  Other FCA vehicles that also used the subject ACU, but were not equipped with cross-car harnessing, had not experienced EOS failures, despite similar time in service. During the course of this investigation, ODI sent two separate Information Request (IR) letters to six vehicle manufactures (including FCA, Hyundai, Honda, Kia, Mitsubishi, and Toyota) and one IR letter to ZF-TRW.  These IR letters resulted in ODI receiving comprehensive data from these manufacturers and suppliers. Studies of this data found that the DS84 ASIC does not have sufficient protection against negative electrical transients or electrical overstress (“EOS”) that can be generated in certain severe crashes.  An electrical transient occurs when the electrical power supplied to a circuit changes momentarily over a short duration of time.   In these severe crash cases, the crash sensors and other powered wiring can be damaged and short circuited so as to create a negative electrical transient of sufficient intensity and duration (that are outside the vehicle manufacturer's specification) to damage the ASIC before the restraint device deployment signal is received by the SRS ECU.  This damaged signal can lead to incomplete or nondeployment of the air bags and/or pretensioners.  Airbag non-deployment and/or lack of pretensioner operation can increase the risk or severity of injury in a crash.A total of 8 fatalities and 14 injuries were associated with known EOS events. The common element in all investigated manufacturers vehicles is the SRS ECU containing a DS84 ASIC manufactured by ZF-TRW.  The risk associated with the ASIC is equally shared among all OEMS involved in the investigation.  The actual real-world risk can be mitigated by other factors which were assessed by ODI during this investigation. The first mitigating factor involves protections built into the ACU design which protect the DS84 ASIC from damage.  There are multiple strategies and levels of protection employed by different OEMs that provide effective EOS mitigation.  The two most common strategies at the ACU level are circuit protection diodes on the remote senor signal lines, and current limiting resistors that protect critical components. The second mitigating factor is found at the vehicle level and involves the location and routing of the wires leading from the crash sensors to the SRS ECU.  If the wires are well protected in a crash and are not routed with other power wires carrying large currents, the risk for an EOS event is significantly reduced or eliminated. These design specific factors combine to produce a spectrum of risk for the vehicles equipped with ACUs using the DS84 ASIC.  Given the many of years of field exposure, it is possible to divide the subject population into two groups; vehicles which have experienced EOS events, and vehicles which have not experienced EOS field events. Four of the six OEMs involved in this investigation have experienced EOS field events on at least one of their models equipped with a DS84 ASIC.  All vehicle models (including the Toyota models identified in the Failure Report Summary of the opening resume for this investigation) with field events have been recalled.  In an abundance of caution, ODI kept this investigation open five years to monitor field performance and did not identify any field events on vehicles not included in existing safety recalls. Given the spectrum of risk identified in this investigation and that all vehicles with a demonstrated unreasonable risk have been recalled, ODI is closing this investigation. ODI is closing this investigation with the following manufacturer safety recalls: 16V-668, 18E-043, 18V-137, 18V-363, and 20V-024.  With the recall actions taken by the subject vehicle and equipment manufacturers, this investigation is closed. The closing of this investigation does not constitute a finding by NHTSA that a safety-related defect does not exists on other model or model year vehicles outside of the recall scopes. The agency reserves the right to take further action if warranted by the circumstances.

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