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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 · Mar 27, 2022
Engine

Transmission fill plug frequently pops out due to pressure, causing debris enter the engine, resulting in damaging it. It appears it's a known issue but Honda mechanic failed to check the plug when we brought the car for service.

NHTSA ODI #11458519

Mileage unknown · Mar 25, 2022
Unknown Or Other

My Transmission plug. Just popped off. I noticed a shaking vibration at high speed and finally checked the engine and found the transmission plug had popped off. I put it back in but read that many 2015 civics have had this happen. It needs to be addressed now! This should not happen and could cause serious problems!

NHTSA ODI #11458400

114,000 miles · Mar 25, 2022
Back Over Prevention

The contact owns a 2015 Honda Civic. The contact stated that while attempting to park the vehicle she became aware that the back over prevention camera system was inoperable. The contact stated that she attempted to reset the camera however, the screen remained black. There was no warning light illuminated. The local dealer was …

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The contact owns a 2015 Honda Civic. The contact stated that while attempting to park the vehicle she became aware that the back over prevention camera system was inoperable. The contact stated that she attempted to reset the camera however, the screen remained black. There was no warning light illuminated. The local dealer was contacted and informed of the failure. The contact was informed that there would be an out of pocket cost to have the vehicle diagnosed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 114,000.

NHTSA ODI #11458370

Mileage unknown · Mar 24, 2022
Power Train

2015 Honda Civic with 136,159 miles. One morning put in reverse to back out of drive and Transmission starting slipping. Seamed to get better as the car warmed up. Turned around and parked the car until I could get it to a repair shop. The repair shop changed the oil and filter. Transmission was fine for about 6 days and …

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2015 Honda Civic with 136,159 miles. One morning put in reverse to back out of drive and Transmission starting slipping. Seamed to get better as the car warmed up. Turned around and parked the car until I could get it to a repair shop. The repair shop changed the oil and filter. Transmission was fine for about 6 days and is now starting to slip again. It is slipping a bit on the interstate when I go to pass. I read there was a recall for some 2015 Civics with CVT Transmissions. Mine was not listed in the recall, but is now slipping.

NHTSA ODI #11458206

Mileage unknown · Mar 23, 2022
Unknown Or Other

On March 21, 2022, I was driving at a slow speed and the car attempted to cut off. I was trying to accelerate and the car decreased speed and was trying to stop. (Stalling) . The car did not completely shut off. The car was hooked up to machines and Cassat (Duval Honda) could not find anything wrong with the car and can't dup…

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On March 21, 2022, I was driving at a slow speed and the car attempted to cut off. I was trying to accelerate and the car decreased speed and was trying to stop. (Stalling) . The car did not completely shut off. The car was hooked up to machines and Cassat (Duval Honda) could not find anything wrong with the car and can't duplicate the issue. They overcharging because they require a $70.00 diagnostic fee whereas I have now discovered that Coggin Honda is doing the ethical thing and not charging a diagnostic fee. Please note stalling is a safety issue and puts consumers in harms way. This could potentially cause accidents.

NHTSA ODI #11457963

Mileage unknown · Mar 12, 2022
Power TrainSteering

I was driving in stop and go city traffic and came to a stop at a red light and noticed smoke or steam coming from the hood. Upon pulling away from the light once it turned green, I noticed I had reduced acceleration and pulled over quickly. I have yet to get it in to the Honda dealership but will shortly. Upon roadside inspecti…

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I was driving in stop and go city traffic and came to a stop at a red light and noticed smoke or steam coming from the hood. Upon pulling away from the light once it turned green, I noticed I had reduced acceleration and pulled over quickly. I have yet to get it in to the Honda dealership but will shortly. Upon roadside inspection from a mechanic, it is confirmed the the cvt transmission plug has come off and the transmission has lost fluid. Additionally, when turning left, the car will jar around and rumble if you turn the steering wheel too much.

NHTSA ODI #11456454

88,000 miles · Mar 10, 2022
Power Train

The contact owns a 2015 Honda Civic. The contact stated that while driving approximately 40 MPH, the vehicle would not properly accelerate while depressing the accelerator pedal. The vehicle then lost motive power and stalled. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the transmissi…

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The contact owns a 2015 Honda Civic. The contact stated that while driving approximately 40 MPH, the vehicle would not properly accelerate while depressing the accelerator pedal. The vehicle then lost motive power and stalled. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the transmission drive pulley shaft had failed. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the vehicle was not included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V574000 (Power Train). The contact indicated that the vehicle had experienced the failure listed in the recall. The failure mileage was 88,000.

NHTSA ODI #11456002

95,683 miles · Mar 1, 2022
Power Train

The contact owns a 2015 Honda Civic. The contact stated while attempting to reverse, the vehicle started to shudder and would not move. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to a local dealer. Upon investigation, the contact associated the failure with, NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V574000 (P…

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The contact owns a 2015 Honda Civic. The contact stated while attempting to reverse, the vehicle started to shudder and would not move. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to a local dealer. Upon investigation, the contact associated the failure with, NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V574000 (Power Train) however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was 95,683.

NHTSA ODI #11454759

Mileage unknown · Feb 28, 2022
Power Train

On 2/25/22 I was heading north on I-5 right when I was heading up the Grapevine (about 100 miles from my home) when I noticed the road getting bumpy, at least so I thought. It started getting worse and my car started to studder. I tried to get to the shoulder but due to 2 lanes of big riggs it was quite difficult and scary to do…

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On 2/25/22 I was heading north on I-5 right when I was heading up the Grapevine (about 100 miles from my home) when I noticed the road getting bumpy, at least so I thought. It started getting worse and my car started to studder. I tried to get to the shoulder but due to 2 lanes of big riggs it was quite difficult and scary to do so. When I was finally on the shoulder I inspected my tires which looked fine. I had it towed to a Honda dealership which told me that my transmission needed to be replaced. Said the fluid was black, looks like transmission might have overheated. The car only has 77,500 miles and I religiously do oil changes and services when due at a Honda dealership. This car hasn't needed a single repair until now. Also there were absolutely NO prior symptoms of any transmission problems.

NHTSA ODI #11454475

110,000 miles · Feb 16, 2022
Power TrainVehicle Speed Control

The contact owns a 2015 Honda Civic. The contact stated while driving 5 MPH, the vehicle started jerking while depressing the accelerator pedal. The vehicle lost motive power and stalled. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact was able to pull over to the side of the roadway. The vehicle was towed to an independen…

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The contact owns a 2015 Honda Civic. The contact stated while driving 5 MPH, the vehicle started jerking while depressing the accelerator pedal. The vehicle lost motive power and stalled. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact was able to pull over to the side of the roadway. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic and was diagnosed with internal transmission failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 110,000.

NHTSA ODI #11452201

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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