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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.

About this comparison →

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

What owners actually said

1,080 reports
Mileage unknown · Feb 14, 2025
Steering

Occasionally steering was sticking, mostly highway driving. Car drifted slightly to left.

NHTSA ODI #11642716

Mileage unknown · Feb 13, 2025
Steering

Sticky steering when on center and in warmer weather. Cannot make minor steering adjustments without overcorrecting left or right. This is an ongoing issue for the past few years.

NHTSA ODI #11642504

Mileage unknown · Feb 6, 2025
Unknown Or Other

Complaint Description for NHTSA Vehicle Information: • Year: 2016 • Make: Honda • Model: Civic • VIN: [XXX] : 90,484 Description of the Issue: I am experiencing a complete AC failure in my 2016 Honda Civic due to an evaporator leak, which has resulted in an unreasonable $4,000 repair cost quoted by my local Honda de…

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Complaint Description for NHTSA Vehicle Information: • Year: 2016 • Make: Honda • Model: Civic • VIN: [XXX] : 90,484 Description of the Issue: I am experiencing a complete AC failure in my 2016 Honda Civic due to an evaporator leak, which has resulted in an unreasonable $4,000 repair cost quoted by my local Honda dealership. This is a well-documented and widespread issue among 2016-2020 Honda Civic owners, where the AC system components, including the compressor, condenser, and evaporator, fail prematurely. Honda has already acknowledged defects in the AC condenser and extended the warranty for that part. However, they have not extended the warranty for the evaporator, which is also failing at an alarmingly high rate. Safety Concerns: • Visibility Issues: Without a working AC system, the defrost function does not operate properly, causing windshield fogging, which can obstruct visibility and create a safety hazard while driving. • Extreme Heat Risk: In hot climates, the lack of AC can lead to dangerous cabin temperatures, which is a health and safety risk, especially for passengers with medical conditions or young children. Honda’s Response & Requested Action: • I contacted Honda Customer Service to request goodwill assistance, but they have not yet agreed to cover the repair cost. • Many Honda Civic owners have filed similar complaints about evaporator failures, yet Honda has failed to take action. • Given the widespread nature of this issue, Honda should extend the warranty for the evaporator, just as they did for the AC condenser. I am filing this complaint to formally urge NHTSA to investigate this issue and hold Honda accountable for what appears to be a defective AC system across multiple model years. Thank you for your time and consideration. [XXX] [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6) INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ODI #11641232

Mileage unknown · Feb 3, 2025
Steering

Steering wheels binds up on highway. If I slightly turn the wheel in any direction it gets stuck that way and I have to use a lot of force to get it to unbind. Causes uncontrollable steering adjustment very serious.

NHTSA ODI #11640389

Mileage unknown · Jan 15, 2025
Engine

Went to my local dealer on January 11 to have my car checked due to a possible knock in my engine or transmission. They checked it but was not able to find a code or the actual cause after changing the oil of transmission and running it. It still continues to have issues They told me “might need to leave your car overnight bec…

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Went to my local dealer on January 11 to have my car checked due to a possible knock in my engine or transmission. They checked it but was not able to find a code or the actual cause after changing the oil of transmission and running it. It still continues to have issues They told me “might need to leave your car overnight because their master technician is not here until Monday “ To me I didn’t like much that answer because I spend too much for a no fix or cause. Also they could not provide me a loaner as well which was not a good idea No codes in the system or lights in the dashboard , it started a day before I took it to the shop

NHTSA ODI #11636004

Mileage unknown · Jan 14, 2025
Unknown Or Other

AC system fails for the third time since 2021 (fixed twice and issue comes back)

NHTSA ODI #11635879

Mileage unknown · Dec 21, 2024
Fuel/propulsion System

There is an active recall on the fuel pump for Honda Civics. My car fits within the range of time of manufacture, but my VIN does not appear with any recalls. The vehicle shakes when starting and will stall most of the time. I can turn it off and turn it back on and the car will start okay, but if I accelerate too quickly or dri…

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There is an active recall on the fuel pump for Honda Civics. My car fits within the range of time of manufacture, but my VIN does not appear with any recalls. The vehicle shakes when starting and will stall most of the time. I can turn it off and turn it back on and the car will start okay, but if I accelerate too quickly or drive too fast or for too long the engine will stall. I have been driving on the highway before and the engine stalls and I have to pull over. The car can be turned off and started again okay, but it’s a safety concern when it happens randomly on the highway with plenty of other cars around.

NHTSA ODI #11631912

Mileage unknown · Dec 18, 2024
Seats

The weld on the front drivers seat failed and the seat frame has come apart. The seat is unstable and could in an accident not keep me safe in the vehicle.

NHTSA ODI #11631424

99,000 miles · Dec 16, 2024
Power Train

The contact owns a 2016 Honda Civic. The contact stated upon taking the vehicle to the dealer for service, the contact was informed that both CV axles were fractured and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired at the contact's expense. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the vehicle…

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The contact owns a 2016 Honda Civic. The contact stated upon taking the vehicle to the dealer for service, the contact was informed that both CV axles were fractured and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired at the contact's expense. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the vehicle was not covered under an unknown recall. The failure mileage was approximately 99,000. The VIN was not available.

NHTSA ODI #11631067

Mileage unknown · Dec 11, 2024
Fuel/propulsion System

Lean fuel code All lights come on -on dashboard Coming on and off

NHTSA ODI #11630172

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