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2016 Honda Civic

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

More warning signs than most Civic years

Owner complaints for the 2016 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

494 reports with mileage · 586 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.

  • Steering. Review the 444 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 119 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine. Review the 95 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

36 crash reports4 fire reports13 injury reports

Electrical System complaints

119 reports
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Mileage unknown · Jan 25, 2020
Electrical SystemUnknown Or Other

OVER 12 DIFFERENT TIMES IN THE PAST 6 MONTHS SINCE I PURCHASED THE CAR IT HAS HAD SERIOUS ELECTRICAL ISSUES RANGING FROM LOCKING ITSELF WITH THE KEYLESS FOB INSIDE THE VEHICLE DURING A SNOW STORM, ALL WINDOWS INCLUDING MOON ROOF ROLLING COMPLETELY DOWN DURING A RAINSTORM WHEN PARKED OR IN MOTION. WHEN PARKED, THE ALARM BLARING …

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OVER 12 DIFFERENT TIMES IN THE PAST 6 MONTHS SINCE I PURCHASED THE CAR IT HAS HAD SERIOUS ELECTRICAL ISSUES RANGING FROM LOCKING ITSELF WITH THE KEYLESS FOB INSIDE THE VEHICLE DURING A SNOW STORM, ALL WINDOWS INCLUDING MOON ROOF ROLLING COMPLETELY DOWN DURING A RAINSTORM WHEN PARKED OR IN MOTION. WHEN PARKED, THE ALARM BLARING NON STOP FOR HOURS AND THE BATTERY DYING COMPLETELY WITHOUT WARNING OR DRAINAGE ON MY PART OF ANY KIND. ALL SYSTEMS ON THE CAR SHUT DOWN COMPLETELY AFTER LOSS OF POWER INCLUDING THE BRAKING SYSTEM AND YOU CAN DIVE IT THAT WAY. IT BRAKES HARD ON ITS OWN ON THE FREEWAY. THERE IS A USB PORT IN THE CENTER CONSOLE RIGHT NEXT TO CUP HOLDER THAT CAN GET WET IF YOU HAVE A DRINK IN THERE. I NOTICE THE WEATHER CONDITIONS WERE CLOUDY, RAINING, OR SNOWING DURING THE MAJORITY OF THE BIGGER ISSUES.

NHTSA ODI #11301757

28,600 miles · Dec 5, 2019
Electrical SystemUnknown Or Other

I'VE HAD MY CAR FOR LESS THAN A YEAR AND ON THREE SEPARATE OCCASIONS IT HAS FAILED TO START. THE FIRST TIME IT HAPPENED, I DID A GOOGLE SEARCH AND SAW THAT THIS WAS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE CAR. I FOUND A YOUTUBE VIDEO THAT GAVE INSTRUCTIONS ON A POSSIBLE REMEDY -- WHICH INCLUDED GOING UNDER THE HOOD OF THE CAR AND FINAGLING WI…

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I'VE HAD MY CAR FOR LESS THAN A YEAR AND ON THREE SEPARATE OCCASIONS IT HAS FAILED TO START. THE FIRST TIME IT HAPPENED, I DID A GOOGLE SEARCH AND SAW THAT THIS WAS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE CAR. I FOUND A YOUTUBE VIDEO THAT GAVE INSTRUCTIONS ON A POSSIBLE REMEDY -- WHICH INCLUDED GOING UNDER THE HOOD OF THE CAR AND FINAGLING WITH THE BATTERY, ETC. MY HUSBAND TRIED THIS REMEDY AND ONCE MY CAR STARTED, I IMMEDIATELY TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP. AT THE DEALERSHIP I WAS TOLD THAT MY BATTERY WAS DEAD; THEY REPLACED THE BATTERY. MONTHS LATER, WITH MY NEW BATTERY, THIS HAPPENED AGAIN. MY HUSBAND TRIED THE REMEDY AGAIN BUT WHEN I TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP I TOLD HIM THAT THEY SHOULD LOOK FURTHER INTO THIS ISSUE BECAUSE IT IS NOT JUST THE BATTERY. TO ME, IT WAS SOME KIND OF ELECTRICAL GLITCH. THE DEALERSHIP INFORMED ME THAT BECAUSE THEY COULD NOT REPLICATE THE PROBLEM OF THE 'NO-START', THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO. AT 6 MONTHS PREGNANT I TOLD THEM THAT I WAS BEING LEFT IN A VULNERABLE POSITION WITH A VERY UNRELIABLE VEHICLE. I TOLD THEM THAT A GOOGLE SEARCH WOULD SHOW THAT THIS WAS HAPPENING WITH MANY HONDA CIVICS AND THAT THIS MUST BE A KNOWN ISSUE. THEY SAID THEY WOULD HAVE A HONDA REPRESENTATIVE CONTACT ME AND THAT NEVER HAPPENED. I TOLD MYSELF THAT IF THIS HAPPENED AGAIN, I WOULD DO NOTHING MYSELF. I WOULD GET MY CAR TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP. WELL, OF COURSE, IT HAS HAPPENED AGAIN AT 9 MONTHS PREGNANT. I HAD MY CAR TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP BECAUSE IT AGAIN HAS NOT STARTED. THE CAR REMAINS IN ACCESSORY MODE AND THE BRAKES AND SHIFT GEAR IS LOCKED. I TRULY THINK I HAVE A LEMON VEHICLE BECAUSE THIS COMPANY IS REFUSING TO LOOK FURTHER INTO THIS ISSUE. TO NOTE, EACH TIME THE CAR HASN'T STARTED, IT HAS BEEN AFTER I'VE TURNED THE CAR OFF AND RETURNED TO IT A SHORT TIME LATER, EITHER AT HOME ON THE STREET OR AT WORK IN THE PARKING LOT.

NHTSA ODI #11287023

37,983 miles · Nov 14, 2019
Electrical SystemService Brakes

I PURCHASE THIS CAR IN JUNE OF 2019; I HAD THE CAR FOR APPROX 5 MONTHS. I TOLD THE HONDA DEALER MECHANIC THAT SOMETHING WAS WRONG WITH THE BRAKES WHEN I BOUGHT IT. I BROUGHT IT BACK IN SEPTEMBER. THEY CLAIM THEY CHECKED THE BRAKES AND EVERYTHING WAS FIND. I HAD A MAINTENANCE CHECK AND AN OIL CHECK. A MONTH IN HALF LATER I EXPER…

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I PURCHASE THIS CAR IN JUNE OF 2019; I HAD THE CAR FOR APPROX 5 MONTHS. I TOLD THE HONDA DEALER MECHANIC THAT SOMETHING WAS WRONG WITH THE BRAKES WHEN I BOUGHT IT. I BROUGHT IT BACK IN SEPTEMBER. THEY CLAIM THEY CHECKED THE BRAKES AND EVERYTHING WAS FIND. I HAD A MAINTENANCE CHECK AND AN OIL CHECK. A MONTH IN HALF LATER I EXPERIENCE THE PROBLEM WITH THE BRAKES I WAS COMPLAINING ABOUT IN SEPTEMBER. ON 11/14/19 I DROVE MY CAR TO A LOCATION NO PROBLEMS. I PARKED THE CAR . WHEN I WENT BACK TO TURN ON THE CAR THAT'S WHEN THE BRAKE LIGHTS CAME ON SAYING ELECTRICAL BRAKE PROBLEM. I READ THEY HAD A RECALL ON THE ELECTRICAL BRAKE SYSTEM. I WONDER DID THIS CAR EVER GOT FIXED FROM THE RECALL. TURNED MY CAR ON AND THE BRAKE SYSTEM LIGHT BEGIN FLASHING STATING ELECTRIC PARKING BRAKE PROBLEM. THE RED LIGHT CONTINUED BLINKING. THE CAR WAS IN PARK WHEN THIS HAPPEN. THE CAR WAS STATIONARY. I DROVE THE CAR ON WITH THE WARNING LIGHTS STILL ON.

NHTSA ODI #11280216

40,000 miles · Nov 9, 2019
Electrical SystemElectronic Stability Control (esc)

WHEN I TURN ON THE CAR ALL OF THE ELECTRICAL LIGHTS TURN ON AND THE CAR LOCKS, I CAN'T MOVE IT FROM THE P (PARK) SHIFT. THIS HAS HAPPENED TO ME IN THE LAST 2 1/2 MONTHS, 3 TIMES.

NHTSA ODI #11279183

47,000 miles · Oct 9, 2019
Electrical SystemService Brakes

ELECTRONIC BRAKE ASSIST IS MALFUNCTIONING MY VIN SERIES IS NOT COVERED YET U SEE THE CURRENT RECALL. THIS CAR IS A DANGER TO ME AND MY FAMILY AND EVERYONE ON THE ROAD.

NHTSA ODI #11267236

56,527 miles · Oct 3, 2019
Electrical SystemElectronic Stability Control (esc)Service Brakes

THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED AN INTERMITTENT BUT SUDDEN AND COMPLETE LOSS OF BRAKING POWER WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY MOVING AT AROUND 40MPH. IN PART DUE TO THE LOW SPEED, THE VEHICLE WAS SAFELY MANEUVERED OFF THE ROAD ONCE BRAKING POWER WAS REGAINED. THE CAR DEALERSHIP WAS ABLE PIN THE ISSUE TO AN ELECTRICAL CIRCUIT FAILURE IN THE…

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THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED AN INTERMITTENT BUT SUDDEN AND COMPLETE LOSS OF BRAKING POWER WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY MOVING AT AROUND 40MPH. IN PART DUE TO THE LOW SPEED, THE VEHICLE WAS SAFELY MANEUVERED OFF THE ROAD ONCE BRAKING POWER WAS REGAINED. THE CAR DEALERSHIP WAS ABLE PIN THE ISSUE TO AN ELECTRICAL CIRCUIT FAILURE IN THE BRAKE CONTROL UNIT (HONDA ERROR CODES V300-49 AND V3003-68) AND RECOMMENDED CHANGING THE VSA MODULATOR UNIT. REGULAR SCHEDULED MAINTENANCE DONE ON THE VEHICLE JUST A MONTH PRIOR TO THE INCIDENT AT THE SAME DEALERSHIP INDICATED NO OBSERVED ISSUES WITH BRAKING. ATTACHED IS THE INVOICE OF THE VSA UNIT REPLACEMENT WORK PERFORMED AS RECOMMENDED.

NHTSA ODI #11265943

84,900 miles · Sep 10, 2019
Air BagsElectrical SystemService Brakes

I PURCHASED A BRAND NEW 2016 HONDA CIVIC IN MARCH 2016. WITHIN THE FIRST 6-8 MONTHS I BEGAN HAVING ELECTRICAL BRAKE PROBLEM ISSUES AND GETTING NOTIFICATIONS REGARDING FAULTY BRAKES. I HAD TO CALL HONDA ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE AT LEAST TWICE WITHIN THE FIRST YEAR OF OWNING THE VEHICLE DUE TO THE FAULTY BRAKES AND BEING STRANDED. THE…

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I PURCHASED A BRAND NEW 2016 HONDA CIVIC IN MARCH 2016. WITHIN THE FIRST 6-8 MONTHS I BEGAN HAVING ELECTRICAL BRAKE PROBLEM ISSUES AND GETTING NOTIFICATIONS REGARDING FAULTY BRAKES. I HAD TO CALL HONDA ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE AT LEAST TWICE WITHIN THE FIRST YEAR OF OWNING THE VEHICLE DUE TO THE FAULTY BRAKES AND BEING STRANDED. THEN CAME THE ELECTRICAL ISSUES. I WOULD LOCK THE CAR AND ALL WINDOWS WOULD BE UP WHEN LEAVING THE CAR BUT I'D RETURN TO ALL WINDOWS DOWN AND THE SUNROOF OPEN! THIS HAPPENED TWICE WITHIN THE FIRST TWO YEARS OF OWNING THE CAR! LAST BUT CERTAINLY NOT LEAST IS THE BATTERY ISSUE. THE BATTERY WON'T LAST 10 MONTHS WITHOUT ISSUES! IF YOU TRY TO CHARGE YOUR CAR IN ACCESSORY MODE, THE CAR BATTERY WILL DIE AND YOU WILL NEED A JUMP. I HAD AAA AND USED UP ALL BUT ONE OF MY CALLS UP ON THE BATTERY ISSUES THIS CAR HAS. MY CAR INSURANCE HAS ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE AND I HAD SO MANY CALLS TO GET JUMPED BECAUSE OF THIS BATTERY THAT I WAS TOLD IN JUNE THAT MY ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE WAS REVOKED FOR A YEAR!

NHTSA ODI #11254381

Mileage unknown · Aug 7, 2019
Electrical SystemEngineExterior Lighting

I HAVE ISSUES THAT HAVE BEEN REPORTED PREVIOUSLY AND WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS UNDER WARRANTY. NOW THAT THE WARRANTY IS OUT THE PROBLEM HAS BEEN MORE SEVERE. THE 1ST PROBLEM IS THE DISPLAY FOR THE RADIO, HEATING AND COOLING AND THE SPEED DISPLAY HAS BEEN EFFECTED SOME BUT NOT LIKE THE RADIO AND COOLING/HEATING DISPLAY. IT HAS …

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I HAVE ISSUES THAT HAVE BEEN REPORTED PREVIOUSLY AND WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS UNDER WARRANTY. NOW THAT THE WARRANTY IS OUT THE PROBLEM HAS BEEN MORE SEVERE. THE 1ST PROBLEM IS THE DISPLAY FOR THE RADIO, HEATING AND COOLING AND THE SPEED DISPLAY HAS BEEN EFFECTED SOME BUT NOT LIKE THE RADIO AND COOLING/HEATING DISPLAY. IT HAS GONE BLANK, IT HAS FROZE UP. IT HAS LOST ALL FUNCTIONING. THE 2ND IS THE AIR COMPRESSOR. IT HAS A LEAK AND APPARENTLY THIS IS AN ISSUE WITH A LOT OF THE TOURINGS. PEOPLE HAVE REPLACED THEM AND HAD THE SAME ISSUES. THE DISPLAYS HAVE HAD PROBLEMS BOTH IN DRIVE MODES AND PARKED. I HAVE GOOGLED ON HOW TO FIX THOSE ISSUES AND WE HAVE DISCONNECTED THE BATTERY TO DO THE SAME. THE COOLING/HEATING SYSTEM COOLS SOME TIMES BUT NOT ALL THE TIME.

NHTSA ODI #11242374

23,000 miles · Jul 19, 2019
Electrical SystemElectronic Stability Control (esc)Service Brakes

ALL SYSTEMS WARNING LIGHTS POP UP ON STARTING THE CAR. I CAME HOME PARKED THE CAR AND STARTED IT 10 MINUTES LATER AND ALL SYSTEMS WARNING LIGHTS CAME ON. POWER STEERING, PARKING BRAKE, BRAKE FAILURE, COLLISION MITIGATION SYSTEM, TPMS, LANE DEPARTURE SYSTEM, TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM, HILL ASSIST SYSTEM, ABS SYSTEM . ALL THESE WAR…

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ALL SYSTEMS WARNING LIGHTS POP UP ON STARTING THE CAR. I CAME HOME PARKED THE CAR AND STARTED IT 10 MINUTES LATER AND ALL SYSTEMS WARNING LIGHTS CAME ON. POWER STEERING, PARKING BRAKE, BRAKE FAILURE, COLLISION MITIGATION SYSTEM, TPMS, LANE DEPARTURE SYSTEM, TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM, HILL ASSIST SYSTEM, ABS SYSTEM . ALL THESE WARNINGS SHOW UP ON THE DASH.

NHTSA ODI #11233279

44,837 miles · Jul 16, 2019
Electrical SystemVisibility

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 HONDA CIVIC. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR CONDITIONER WAS BLOWING HOT AIR. THE CONTACT DROVE THE VEHICLE TO BROWNS HONDA CITY (7160 RITCHIE HWY, GLEN BURNIE, MD 21061, (410) 553-8014) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE AIR CONDITIONER COMPRESSOR WAS CRACKED AND A NEW ONE NEEDED TO BE INSTALLED. THE VE…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 HONDA CIVIC. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR CONDITIONER WAS BLOWING HOT AIR. THE CONTACT DROVE THE VEHICLE TO BROWNS HONDA CITY (7160 RITCHIE HWY, GLEN BURNIE, MD 21061, (410) 553-8014) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE AIR CONDITIONER COMPRESSOR WAS CRACKED AND A NEW ONE NEEDED TO BE INSTALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED BECAUSE THE DEALER DID NOT HAVE THE PART. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 44,837.

NHTSA ODI #11232445

Official recalls

5

26V332000 · Air Bags:sensor:occupant Classification:front Passenger

May 21, 2026

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2018-2021, 2023 Acura TLX, 2019-2024 RDX, 2017-2020, 2022-2026 MDX, 2017-2021, 2023, 2025 Honda Ridgeline, 2017-2022 Pilot, 2019-2021 Passport, 2018-2026 Odyssey, 2019-2022 Insight, 2019-2021 HR-V, 2018-2020 Fit, 2020-2022 CR-V Hybrid, 2017-2022 CR-V, 2017-2018, 2021 Civic Type R, 2017-2021 Civic hatchback, 2016-2020 Civic coupe, 2016-2022 Civic, 2017-2022 Accord Hybrid, and 2016-2022 Accord vehicles. The front passenger seat weight sensor may crack and short circuit, which can cause the air bags to deploy unintentionally during a crash.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: Air bags that deploy unintentionally during a crash increase the risk of injury.

Remedy: Dealers will replace the seat weight sensors, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 7, 2026. Owners may contact Honda's customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are BOL, WO9, OOA, WOM, XOH, NOC, POD, BOE, UOF, POB, EOG, AOI, QO8, TOJ, DO7, and SOK. This recall expands previous NHTSA recall number 24V064. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will be searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning May 29, 2026.

23V858000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:fuel Pump

Dec 18, 2023

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2013-2023 Honda Accord, Civic Coupe, Civic Sedan, Civic Hatchback, Civic Type R, CR-V, HR-V, Ridgeline, Odyssey, Acura ILX, MDX, MDX Hybrid, RDX, RLX, TLX, 2019-2022 Honda Insight, Passport, 2020 Honda CR-V Hybrid, 2018-2019 Honda Clarity PHEV, Fit, and 2015-2020 Honda Accord Hybrid, Pilot, Acura NSX vehicles. The fuel pump inside the fuel tank may fail.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: Fuel pump failure can cause an engine stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Dealers will replace the fuel pump module, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed September 6, 2024. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are KGC and KGD. This recall is an expansion of NHTSA recall numbers 21V-215 and 20V-314.

16V725000 · Parking Brake

Oct 11, 2016

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain model year 2016 Honda Civic two door and four door 1.5L turbo and 2.0L vehicles. The electric parking brake (EPB) may not engage if it is applied immediately after turning the ignition off.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: If the EPB is not applied, the vehicle may roll away, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will update the vehicle's software to allow the EPB to engage immediately after the ignition is turned off, free of charge. The recall began on November 8, 2016. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's number for this recall is KC6.

16V526000 · Exterior Lighting

Jul 11, 2016

American Honda Motor Co. (Honda) is recalling certain model year 2016 Civic 2-Door vehicles manufactured February 23, 2016, through May 20, 2016. The affected vehicles may have a damaged LED side marker light circuit board inside the taillight assembly, making the marker light inoperable. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Assoc. Equipment."

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: If a side marker light does not function, vehicle visibility can be decreased to other drivers, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will inspect both the taillight assemblies, replacing them as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on August 31, 2016. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's number for this recall is KB8.

16V074000 · Engine And Engine Cooling:engine

Feb 9, 2016

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain model year 2016 Civic vehicles manufactured September 22, 2015, to February 3, 2016 and equipped with 2.0L engines. The affected vehicles have engines with piston assemblies that may have been manufactured without a piston wrist pin circlip or with an incorrectly installed piston wrist pin circlip.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: If a circlip is missing or incorrectly installed, the piston wrist pin may not be secure and may drift and damage the engine cylinder causing the engine to seize, and increasing the risk of a crash or a fire.

Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and replace the piston assemblies and damaged engine components, as necessary, free of charge. Parts are expected to be available in the Summer of 2016. Owners were mailed an interim notification beginning March 31, 2016, and will be mailed a second notice when parts are available. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's number for this recall is JX9.

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

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.

Go deeper into Honda Civic problems