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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

Electronic Stability Control (esc) complaints

27 reports
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29,800 miles · Jul 19, 2020
Electronic Stability Control (esc)Service BrakesSteering

THE STABILITY BRAKING SYSTEM SUDDENLY FAIL. PARKING BRAKE DOES NOT WORK. THE BRAKE WARNING LIGHTS ON THE DASH ARE ON. THE DEALER CLAIMED THEY HAD ALREADY FIXED THE RECALL BUT OBVIOUSLY NOT BECAUSE THE PROBLEM IS STILL THERE.

NHTSA ODI #11340268

50,000 miles · Jun 1, 2020
Electronic Stability Control (esc)Structure

THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE DOOR IS THE ONLY DOOR THAT DOES NOT UNLOCK OR LOCK WITH KEYLESS ENTRY. THE ONLY WAY TO UNLOCK THE VEHICLE IS TO MANUALLY PULL OUT THE KEY FROM THE KEY FOP AND INSERT IT INTO THE DOOR OR OPEN IT UP FROM THE PASSENGER SIDE SEAT. THERE'S NOTHING WRONG WITH THE CURRENT KEY FOPS BECAUSE THIS WAS TAKEN TO THE…

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THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE DOOR IS THE ONLY DOOR THAT DOES NOT UNLOCK OR LOCK WITH KEYLESS ENTRY. THE ONLY WAY TO UNLOCK THE VEHICLE IS TO MANUALLY PULL OUT THE KEY FROM THE KEY FOP AND INSERT IT INTO THE DOOR OR OPEN IT UP FROM THE PASSENGER SIDE SEAT. THERE'S NOTHING WRONG WITH THE CURRENT KEY FOPS BECAUSE THIS WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR THE SAME PROBLEM AND WAS GIVEN 2 NEW KEY FOPS, BUT THE PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. THIS CAN BE A HUGE ISSUE WHEN I'M TRYING TO ACCESS THE VEHICLE IN CASE OF AN EMERGENCY AND CAN'T EVEN GET INTO THE VEHICLE PROMPTLY. *TR

NHTSA ODI #11326903

Mileage unknown · May 4, 2020
Electronic Stability Control (esc)Service BrakesUnknown Or Other

MY EPS SYSTEM IT DOESN'T REGISTER THAT MY CAR IS FINE BUT IT KEEPS MAKING MY BATTERY DIE AND I HAVE TO KEEP GETTING IT JUMP I SEEN THERE WAS A RECALL FOR US NOV, 10, 2016 I HAVEN'T EVEN HAD MY CAR A YEAR YET AND THIS PROBLEM HAS BEEN GOING ON. SINCE I HAVE GOTTEN THE CAR

NHTSA ODI #11323247

15,000 miles · Mar 31, 2020
Electrical SystemElectronic Stability Control (esc)Engine

1) THE AC ONLY HAVE COOL AIR BUT IT IS NOT COLD. IT IS NOT EVEN AS COLD AS THE OUTSIDE AIR. THE TECHNICIAN SAID THAT THE COMPRESSOR AND CONDENSER IS WORKING FINE, SO IT HAS TO BE THE SYSTEMS LEAKING AIR. 2) THE FRONT PASSENGER WINDOW IS OCCASIONALLY CANNOT ROLL DOWN BY BOTH BUTTONS FROM DRIVER OR PASSENGER SIDE. IT HAS TO TAK…

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1) THE AC ONLY HAVE COOL AIR BUT IT IS NOT COLD. IT IS NOT EVEN AS COLD AS THE OUTSIDE AIR. THE TECHNICIAN SAID THAT THE COMPRESSOR AND CONDENSER IS WORKING FINE, SO IT HAS TO BE THE SYSTEMS LEAKING AIR. 2) THE FRONT PASSENGER WINDOW IS OCCASIONALLY CANNOT ROLL DOWN BY BOTH BUTTONS FROM DRIVER OR PASSENGER SIDE. IT HAS TO TAKE A WHILE AND AGGRESSIVELY PUSHED DOWN THE BUTTON FROM PASSENGER SIDE MULTIPLE TIKE TO BE ABLE TO ROLL THE WINDOW DOWN. 3) TOUCH SCREEN INTERMITTEN AUTOMATICALLY FLICKERING LIKE SOMEONE PRESSING ON IT.

NHTSA ODI #11319846

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

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

48,000 miles · Aug 20, 2019
Electronic Stability Control (esc)Steering

EVERY SINGLE DASHBOARD WARNING LIGHT AND SYSTEM CONTROL LIGHTS COME ON. GET MESSAGE THAT SYSTEM IS INITIALIZING. SAYS PROBLEM WITH TIRE PRESSURE SYSTEM, STABILITY, BRAKE SYSTEM PROBLEM, POWER STEERING SYSTEM (EPS) PROBLEM, HILL START ASSIST PROBLEM, ETC. DESPITE NUMEROUS ATTEMPTS, THESE LIGHTS WILL NOT GO OFF. STEERING IS LO…

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EVERY SINGLE DASHBOARD WARNING LIGHT AND SYSTEM CONTROL LIGHTS COME ON. GET MESSAGE THAT SYSTEM IS INITIALIZING. SAYS PROBLEM WITH TIRE PRESSURE SYSTEM, STABILITY, BRAKE SYSTEM PROBLEM, POWER STEERING SYSTEM (EPS) PROBLEM, HILL START ASSIST PROBLEM, ETC. DESPITE NUMEROUS ATTEMPTS, THESE LIGHTS WILL NOT GO OFF. STEERING IS LOOSE AND FEELS OUT OF CONTROL.

NHTSA ODI #11245358

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

Mileage unknown · May 11, 2019
Electronic Stability Control (esc)EngineFuel/propulsion System

ESTOY TENIENDO PROBLEMAS CON MI CARRO CUANDO EL CARRO ESTA EN MODO PARKIN ESTA BIEN PERO NO MAS LO MUEVO A MODO DE MANEJO. EMPIESA A TEMBLAR CUANDO PARO EN UNA LUZ. LO RPM BAJAN Y EMPIESA A TEMBLAR LUGO LO MUEVO A PARKING OTRA VEZ Y SE PONE NORMAL. EL CARRO EST GASTANFO MUCHA GASOLINA CASI NO LO USO. APENAS TENGO NI UN MES QUE …

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ESTOY TENIENDO PROBLEMAS CON MI CARRO CUANDO EL CARRO ESTA EN MODO PARKIN ESTA BIEN PERO NO MAS LO MUEVO A MODO DE MANEJO. EMPIESA A TEMBLAR CUANDO PARO EN UNA LUZ. LO RPM BAJAN Y EMPIESA A TEMBLAR LUGO LO MUEVO A PARKING OTRA VEZ Y SE PONE NORMAL. EL CARRO EST GASTANFO MUCHA GASOLINA CASI NO LO USO. APENAS TENGO NI UN MES QUE LO COMPRE

NHTSA ODI #11207019

75,000 miles · Apr 25, 2019
Electronic Stability Control (esc)EngineService Brakes

WHILE DRIVING MY 2016 HONDA EX-T DASHBOARD LIGHTS STARTED LIGHTING UP -EMMISION, EPS, BRAKE HOLD, ETC THE CAR IMMEDIATELY WENT INTO" LIMP MODE" WHILE TRAVELING AT 70 ON THE HIGHWAY. I AM TOLD THIS CAUSED A TURBO PROBLEM AND THE TURBO WILL HAVE TO BE REPLACED. WHILE RESEARCHING ON THE INTERNET THIS SEEMS TO BE A COMMON AND REO…

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WHILE DRIVING MY 2016 HONDA EX-T DASHBOARD LIGHTS STARTED LIGHTING UP -EMMISION, EPS, BRAKE HOLD, ETC THE CAR IMMEDIATELY WENT INTO" LIMP MODE" WHILE TRAVELING AT 70 ON THE HIGHWAY. I AM TOLD THIS CAUSED A TURBO PROBLEM AND THE TURBO WILL HAVE TO BE REPLACED. WHILE RESEARCHING ON THE INTERNET THIS SEEMS TO BE A COMMON AND REOCCURRING PROBLEM THAT IS NOT BEING ADDRESSED. SINCE IT IS A COMMON PROBLEM IT SEEMS WITH OUT HONDA ADDRESSING THE PROBLEM THIS WILL OCCUR AGAIN WITH A NEW TURBO. I AM UNSURE IF THE MULTIPLE WARNING LIGHTS FOR PROBLEMS THAT DID NOT EXIST CAUSED THE TURBO PROBLEMS BUT IT SEEMS LIKELY. SINCE WHEN THESE LIGHTS COME ON THE CAR IS DESIGNED TO GO INTO LIMP MODE. THIS NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED. LUCKILY I AM AN EXPERIENCED DRIVER AND WAS ABLE TO HANDLE THE AUTOMATIC DRASTIC DECLINE WITH OUT BREAKING WHILE DRIVING AND COMING TO AN ALMOST COMPLETE STOP. HAD THE HIGHWAY BEEN BUSY THIS CERTAINLY WOULD OF RESULTED IN AN ACCIDENT.

NHTSA ODI #11203718

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