STRONG FUEL SMELL IN THE ENGINE ALONG WITH THE OIL ABOVE THE FILL LINE AFTER CHECKING IT
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.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Civic years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
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.
Engine complaints
95 reportsWHEN THE WARMER WEATHER STARTED, I NOTICED MY AIR CONDITIONING WAS ONLY GIVING OUT COLD AIR ON THE PASSENGER SIDE. WHEN BROUGHT TO THE LOCAL MECHANIC, THEY SAID THEY COULD NOT ASSESS WHAT WAS WRONG WITH THE AIR CONDITIONER DUE TO THE DESIGN OF THE CAR FOR THAT YEAR. I BROUGHT IT TO THE HONDA DEALER FOR REPAIRS ON MAY 20, 2019 WH…
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WHEN THE WARMER WEATHER STARTED, I NOTICED MY AIR CONDITIONING WAS ONLY GIVING OUT COLD AIR ON THE PASSENGER SIDE. WHEN BROUGHT TO THE LOCAL MECHANIC, THEY SAID THEY COULD NOT ASSESS WHAT WAS WRONG WITH THE AIR CONDITIONER DUE TO THE DESIGN OF THE CAR FOR THAT YEAR. I BROUGHT IT TO THE HONDA DEALER FOR REPAIRS ON MAY 20, 2019 WHERE THEY SAID I NEEDED A NEW CONDENSER DUE TO A LEAK. THEY COULD NOT SAY WHAT CAUSED THE LEAK, BUT THE HONDA SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE STAYED THAT DUE TO THE DESIGN OF THE ENGINE THAT YEAR, SOMETHING AS SIMPLE AS A ROCK COULD HAVE EASILY PUNCTURED THE CONDENSER. THE TOTAL AMOUNT IN REPAIRS WAS $907 ON A THREE YEAR OLD VEHICLE. IT WAS ALSO STATED THAT SINCE THIS IS SUCH A WELL-KNOWN ISSUE, I COULD NOT FILE A CLAIM THROUGH MY COMPREHENSIVE INSURANCE.
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
ENGINE STALLED AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS WAS TOLD BY THE MECHANIC THAT SCANNED THE VEHICLE THAT THE COMPUTER NEEDED TO BE REFLASHED HONDA STATED NO RECALL BUT MULTIPLE COMPLAINTS ONLINE ALSO ON HONDA MECHANIC WEBSITE STATES COMPUTER ISSUE
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.
VEHICLE WAS PARKED ON DRIVEWAY, WHEN TURNED ON IT HAD BATTERY AND ELECTRIC ISSUES (BATTERY JUST REPLACED BY PROFESSIONAL) AC BLOWS OUT HOT AIR (AC FLUID JUST REFILLED AS WELL BY PROFESSIONAL) AND BACK DOOR WON'T OPEN FROM INSIDE. CAR WAS PURCHASED LESS THAN TWO YEARS AGO AND ALREADY MALFUNCTIONING.
MOTOR OIL IN THE ENGINE IS BEING DILUTED BY GASOLINE. A STRONG GASOLINE SMELL IS PRESENT WHEN EXAMINING THE DIP STICK.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 HONDA CIVIC. WHILE DRIVING HIGHWAY SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE JERKED AND HESITATED. OCCASIONALLY, WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE, MULTIPLE WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED, INDICATING FAILURES WITH THE BRAKING SYSTEM, STEERING, AND STABILITY CONTROL. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS TURNED OFF AND RESTARTED, IT OPERATED NORM…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 HONDA CIVIC. WHILE DRIVING HIGHWAY SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE JERKED AND HESITATED. OCCASIONALLY, WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE, MULTIPLE WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED, INDICATING FAILURES WITH THE BRAKING SYSTEM, STEERING, AND STABILITY CONTROL. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS TURNED OFF AND RESTARTED, IT OPERATED NORMALLY. THE FAILURES WERE NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER AND LOCAL DEALER (APPLE HONDA 1, 801 WHITEFORD RD, YORK, PA) WERE NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 45,000.
ISSUE WITH THE 1.5 TURBO CALLED OIL DILUTION. CHINA HAD A RECALL ON THE TURBO DUE TO THE FUEL DILUTION PROBLEM (FUEL GETTING INTO OIL). BACK IN SEPTEMBER ON THE WAY TO OHIO FROM INDIANA CIVIC BROKE DOWN AND STALLED WHILE DRIVING DOWN INTERSTATE 70, DURING A RAIN STORM. NOT A SAFE SITUATION AT ALL. CIVIC WAS TOWED TO A HONDA …
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ISSUE WITH THE 1.5 TURBO CALLED OIL DILUTION. CHINA HAD A RECALL ON THE TURBO DUE TO THE FUEL DILUTION PROBLEM (FUEL GETTING INTO OIL). BACK IN SEPTEMBER ON THE WAY TO OHIO FROM INDIANA CIVIC BROKE DOWN AND STALLED WHILE DRIVING DOWN INTERSTATE 70, DURING A RAIN STORM. NOT A SAFE SITUATION AT ALL. CIVIC WAS TOWED TO A HONDA DEALER IN DAYTON. WAS TOLD OIL WAS OVERFULL AND THEIR SOLUTION WAS TO DRAIN AND FILL WITH PROPER AMOUNT. WAS TOLD BY THE DEALER THEY HAD SEEN THAT BEFORE. IT IS COMING TOGETHER FOR ME NOW WHEN I SAW A CONSUMER REPORT YOUTUBE DISCUSSING THIS ENGINE ISSUE AND THIS YOUTUBE: HTTPS://WWW.YOUTUBE.COM/WATCH?V=J80BFJS-16U. 1.5 TURBO IS BUILDING UP FLUID IN THE CRANKCASE LIKE ON THE 1.5 TURBOS IN THE CIVIC. HAD THE OIL CHANGED AGAIN RIGHT AT TWO MONTHS LATER, HERE IN INDIANA, WITH LIKELY LESS THAN 2000 MORE MILES AND THERE IS AGAIN BUILDUP OF FLUID IN THE CRANKCASE. THE OIL WAS OVERFULL AS CONFIRMED BY THE TECHS AT THE LOCAL INDIANA HONDA DEALER. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE .
STATIONARY CAR COMPLETELY SHUT DOWN, WOULD NOT START, BATTERY CHECK OK, COULD NOT TAKE OUT OF PARK, HAD TO HAVE IT TOWED TO SHOP AND HAVE TCM REPLACED AND SOFTWARE UPDATED- IN MOTION -STEERING WHEEL SLIPS AND SHAKES AS WELL - VERY DISAPPOINTED IN HONDA.
Official recalls
526V332000 · 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
0No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.
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