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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

Engine complaints

95 reports
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40,000 miles · May 19, 2020
EngineUnknown Or Other

AC COMPRESSOR SEAL 'BROKE' AFTER 40,000 MILES. HONDA HAS HAD THIS PROBLEM ON THESE CARS BUT HAVEN'T ISSUED A RECALL! THEY WANT $2000 TO FIX THEIR MISTAKE. WITH NO AC MY WIFE WAS BORDERLINE GETTING HEAT EXHAUSTION. STATIONARY. *TR

NHTSA ODI #11325236

26,000 miles · May 9, 2020
EngineUnknown Or Other

AIR COMPRESSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AT 26,000 MILES AND COST $1200 AT THE DEALER. THE A/C WAS BLOWING HOT AIR. I LIVE IN FLORIDA SO THIS IS UNACCEPTABLE AND NOT SAFE FOR CHILDREN OR ELDERLY. I HAVE HAD THE CAR SINCE DAY ONE AND RELIGIOUSLY MAINTAIN AND TAKE CARE OF THE VEHICLE. THE MAN AT THE DEALER SAID THE CONDENSER IS UNDER …

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AIR COMPRESSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AT 26,000 MILES AND COST $1200 AT THE DEALER. THE A/C WAS BLOWING HOT AIR. I LIVE IN FLORIDA SO THIS IS UNACCEPTABLE AND NOT SAFE FOR CHILDREN OR ELDERLY. I HAVE HAD THE CAR SINCE DAY ONE AND RELIGIOUSLY MAINTAIN AND TAKE CARE OF THE VEHICLE. THE MAN AT THE DEALER SAID THE CONDENSER IS UNDER EXTENDED WARRANTY ONLY TO FIND OUT THAT IT WAS THE COMPRESSOR. A QUICK ONLINE SEARCH SHOWS THAT 2016 HONDA CIVICS HAVE MASSIVE NUMBERS OF BOTH CONDENSER AND COMPRESSOR FAILURES, LEAKING FREON INTO THE ATMOSPHERE. THIS NEEDS TO BE A RECALL ON THE PART OF HONDA. *TR

NHTSA ODI #11323948

49,100 miles · May 6, 2020
EngineFire

I HAVE HAD THE VEHICLE FOR 4 YEARS AND KEPT UP ON MAINTENANCE; THE LAST MAINTENANCE WAS PERFORMED IN MARCH 2020. I WAS DRIVING THE VEHICLE ON A CITY STREET (2-WAY STREET) AND STARTED HEARING A CLICKING NOISE AND SMELLED SMOKE. THE FRONT PASSENGER THEN NOTICED FLAMES OUTSIDE OF HIS WINDOW. I TRIED TO STOP THE VEHICLE BUT THE BREA…

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I HAVE HAD THE VEHICLE FOR 4 YEARS AND KEPT UP ON MAINTENANCE; THE LAST MAINTENANCE WAS PERFORMED IN MARCH 2020. I WAS DRIVING THE VEHICLE ON A CITY STREET (2-WAY STREET) AND STARTED HEARING A CLICKING NOISE AND SMELLED SMOKE. THE FRONT PASSENGER THEN NOTICED FLAMES OUTSIDE OF HIS WINDOW. I TRIED TO STOP THE VEHICLE BUT THE BREAKS WOULDN'T WORK. I WAS ABLE TO COAST THE VEHICLE TO A NEARBY STREET OPENING AND WE WERE LUCKILY ABLE TO ESCAPE. THE VEHICLE WENT UP IN FLAMES AND EXPLODED AT LEAST ONCE BEFORE THE FIRE DEPARTMENT ARRIVED. THE VEHICLE IS A TOTAL LOSS. ACCORDING TO THE FIRE REPORT, THE CAUSE OF THE FIRE IS, "FAILURE OF EQUIPMENT OR HEAT SOURCE"; THE LISTED AREA OF FIRE ORIGIN IS, "ENGINE AREA, RUNNING". *TR

NHTSA ODI #11323526

66,000 miles · Apr 23, 2020
Engine

I RECENTLY PURCHASED MY 2016 HONDA CIVIC EX SEDAN ON FEBRUARY 5TH, 2020. THE AC ALMOST IMMEDIATELY DOESN'T WORK AND I THINK NOTHING OF IT BECAUSE I HAVE WINDOWS AND THEN WHEN I FINALLY HAVE TIME TO TAKE IT TO A SHOP TO GET CHECKED OUT, THEY RECHARGE THE AC FREON AND WHEN IT RUNS IT SOUNDS LIKE IT'S LEAKING A LOT AND I DIDN'T THI…

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I RECENTLY PURCHASED MY 2016 HONDA CIVIC EX SEDAN ON FEBRUARY 5TH, 2020. THE AC ALMOST IMMEDIATELY DOESN'T WORK AND I THINK NOTHING OF IT BECAUSE I HAVE WINDOWS AND THEN WHEN I FINALLY HAVE TIME TO TAKE IT TO A SHOP TO GET CHECKED OUT, THEY RECHARGE THE AC FREON AND WHEN IT RUNS IT SOUNDS LIKE IT'S LEAKING A LOT AND I DIDN'T THINK THINK OF IT UNTIL THE AC NO LONGER WORKS AFTER A DAY, I TAKE IT BACK AND THEY SAY IT ALL LEAKED OUT AND TO REPLACE THE COMPRESSOR WHICH IS LEAKING IT, THEY WANT TO CHARGE ME $1800 AND I DON'T HAVE THAT KIND OF MONEY SO I'VE BEEN GOING ALONG WITH AC AND ITS GETTING REALLY HOT IN CALI SUMMER. I JUST THINK THAT'S A HUGE ENVIRONMENTAL AND SAFETY ISSUE AND HONDA AMERICA SHOULD DEFINITELY PAY FOR IT BECAUSE I'M NOT THE ONLY ONE COMPLAINING, FORUMS ALL OVER THE STATES HAVE PEOPLE COMPLAINING ABOUT IT AND SOME PEOPLE HAVE EVEN REPLACED THEIR COMPRESSOR 2 OR 3 TIMES(AND PAYED FOR IT THEMSELVES). THIS IS AN ISSUE AMONG ALL OF THE 10TH GEN CIVIC SEDANS AND COUPES. YOU MAY SHARE ALL OF MY INFO WITH THE MANUFACTURER OR ALL INVESTIGATIVE PARTIES FOR ANY REASON THEY NEED IF NEEDED.

NHTSA ODI #11322076

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

Mileage unknown · Feb 28, 2020
Electrical SystemEnginePower Train

MY CAR AC IS BLOWING HOT AIR SINCE JANUARY 2019. MY CAR IS MAKING SOUND WHENEVER I TURN ON. FEBRUARY 28, 2020, MY CAR WAS SUDDENLY STOPPED WHEN I WAS DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY.

NHTSA ODI #11312187

5,000 miles · Jan 11, 2020
Engine

EVERY TIME I CHANGE OR CHECK MY OIL, THERE IS A STRONG GASOLINE SMELL. WHEN I TAKE THE DIP STICK OUT AND SMELL IT, ALL I SMELL IS GASOLINE.

NHTSA ODI #11298535

Mileage unknown · Dec 19, 2019
EngineUnknown Or OtherVisibility/wiper

I PURCHASED A 2016 HONDA CIVIC FOR MY SON IN 2016. I RECEIVED A NOTICE ABOUT AC PROBLEMS THIS YEAR. I CONTACTED MY SON AND ASKED HIM IF HE HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE A/C. HE REPORTED THAT IT DOESN'T BLOW VERY MUCH AIR AND THE AIR NEVER GETS COLD. SO I HAD HIM TAKE TO DEALERSHIP. HE WAS TOLD THAT THE RECALL FOR A/C AFFECTED ONLY ON…

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I PURCHASED A 2016 HONDA CIVIC FOR MY SON IN 2016. I RECEIVED A NOTICE ABOUT AC PROBLEMS THIS YEAR. I CONTACTED MY SON AND ASKED HIM IF HE HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE A/C. HE REPORTED THAT IT DOESN'T BLOW VERY MUCH AIR AND THE AIR NEVER GETS COLD. SO I HAD HIM TAKE TO DEALERSHIP. HE WAS TOLD THAT THE RECALL FOR A/C AFFECTED ONLY ONE PART OF THE UNIT WHICH THEY COULD FIX UNDER NO COST...BUT THEY SAID THAT THERE WAS A HUGE HOLE IN THE AIR COMPRESSOR AND THIS WAS NOT COVERED. THEY QUOTED OVER $2,000 TO REPLACE AIR COMPRESSOR. I FOUND THIS HARD TO BELIEVE AND RESEARCHED TO FIND OUT WHAT CAUSES A HOLE IN THE COMPRESSOR THAT MAKES IT BEYOND REPAIR AND THE ONLY INFORMATION I COULD FIND WERE OTHERS HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM WITH 2016 HONDA CIVIC FAULTY AIR COMPRESSORS. AGAIN WHEN I TESTED IT MYSELF, IT WAS NOT BLOWING COLD AIR AND SOMETIMES NOT BLOWING AIR AT ALL. SINCE I PURCHASED VEHICLE, IT SEEMS LIKE SYSTEM WAS NOT FULLY CAPABLE OF DEFROSTING WINDOWS IN FRONT AND BACK AND FIGURED THE DESIGN WAS BAD.

NHTSA ODI #11290209

30,000 miles · Nov 25, 2019
Engine

I HAVE A HONDA CIVIC 2016 AND MY AC WAS NOT WORKING SINCE LAST YEAR 2018. I TOOK MY CAR TO THE DEALER SHIP AND BEING TOLD THAT I NEED TO PAY $295 FOR THE DIAGNOSIS WHICH I REFUSED TO DO IT. I DID SOME RESEARCH TO SEE IF ANYONE HAS THE SAME PROBLEM AND YESS THEY DO AND A LOT. I TOOK MY CAR TO THE DEALER SHIP TODAY AFTER I GOT REC…

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I HAVE A HONDA CIVIC 2016 AND MY AC WAS NOT WORKING SINCE LAST YEAR 2018. I TOOK MY CAR TO THE DEALER SHIP AND BEING TOLD THAT I NEED TO PAY $295 FOR THE DIAGNOSIS WHICH I REFUSED TO DO IT. I DID SOME RESEARCH TO SEE IF ANYONE HAS THE SAME PROBLEM AND YESS THEY DO AND A LOT. I TOOK MY CAR TO THE DEALER SHIP TODAY AFTER I GOT RECALLED LETTER FOR THE CONDENSER. AFTER 6 HRS, THEY CALLED ME AND TOLD ME THAT MY CONDENSER IS GOOD, BUT MY COMPRESSOR IS NOT AND THE REPAIR FEE WILL BE UP TO $1200. IF I REFUSE TO FIX IT, I STILL NEED TO PAY $395 FOR THE DIAGNOSIS FEE WHICH IS STUPID. I LOOKED IT UP AGAIN AND HAD READ A LOT OF COMPLAINT ABOUT THE COMPRESSOR. I AM PAYING OFF MY CAR WHICH I OWN FOR ALMOST 4 YEARS AND NOW EVERYTHING IS ALREADY BROKEN. THIS IS MY FIRST HONDA CAR AND I REGRET THAT I CHOSE HONDA. I HOPE HONDA DO SOME RESEARCH AND READ ABOUT PEOPLE COMPLAINT AND DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT. NEVER BUY HONDA AGAIN.

NHTSA ODI #11282372

86,000 miles · Nov 15, 2019
Engine

ENGINE OIL LEVEL CONTINUOUSLY CREEPING ABOVE MAX FILL LINE AFTER EVERY OIL CHANGE. NOTE: OIL MEASURED AT SAME LOCATION IN GARAGE AND AT SAME TEMPERATURE, AND OIL ALLOWED SUFFICIENT TIME TO DRAIN BACK INTO OIL PAN.

NHTSA ODI #11280258

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.

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