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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
73,000 miles · Mar 19, 2021
Steering

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 HONDA CIVIC. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL IN BOTH DIRECTION, THE STEERING WHEEL FAILED TO RETURN TO CENTER, WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO NORM REEVES HONDA SUPERSTORE PORT CHARLOTTE (1252 TAMIAMI TRAIL, PORT CHARLOTTE, FL 33953) WHERE THE VEHICLE WAS DIAGNOSED…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 HONDA CIVIC. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL IN BOTH DIRECTION, THE STEERING WHEEL FAILED TO RETURN TO CENTER, WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO NORM REEVES HONDA SUPERSTORE PORT CHARLOTTE (1252 TAMIAMI TRAIL, PORT CHARLOTTE, FL 33953) WHERE THE VEHICLE WAS DIAGNOSED WITH A STICKY STEERING WHEEL. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO REACH THE MANUFACTURER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 73,000.

NHTSA ODI #11403827

6 miles · Mar 18, 2021
Unknown Or Other

I WAS DRIVING ON THE ROAD AND MY WINDSHIELD BECAME FOGGY TO THE POINT I COULDN'T SEE THE ROAD AHEAD OF ME. TRIED TO DEFOG IT, IT DIDN'T WORK BECAUSE OF THE DEFECTIVE AC SYSTEM ON THESE PARTICULAR VEHICLES. ALTHOUGH HAD RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE LETTER ABOUT THIS ISSUE, THE LOCAL DEALER DENIED MY REQUEST TO FIX THE ISSUE. THIS I…

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I WAS DRIVING ON THE ROAD AND MY WINDSHIELD BECAME FOGGY TO THE POINT I COULDN'T SEE THE ROAD AHEAD OF ME. TRIED TO DEFOG IT, IT DIDN'T WORK BECAUSE OF THE DEFECTIVE AC SYSTEM ON THESE PARTICULAR VEHICLES. ALTHOUGH HAD RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE LETTER ABOUT THIS ISSUE, THE LOCAL DEALER DENIED MY REQUEST TO FIX THE ISSUE. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND MUST BE FIXED.

NHTSA ODI #11403775

50,000 miles · Mar 2, 2021
Steering

AFTER BEING ON THE ROAD FOR 30-40 MINUTES THE STEERING BECOMES JERKY AND STICKY. FEELS LIKE THE CAR IS TRYING TO OVER CORRECT WHEN IT SHOULDN'T. I HAVE MY CAR IN THE DEALER SINCE LAST WEEK WHERE THE SERVICE GUYS DROVE MY CAR AND AND FELT THE PROBLEM, THEY SUBMITTED A CLAIM UNDER MY EXTENDED WARRANTY AND NOW THE WARRANTY GUY CAN'…

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AFTER BEING ON THE ROAD FOR 30-40 MINUTES THE STEERING BECOMES JERKY AND STICKY. FEELS LIKE THE CAR IS TRYING TO OVER CORRECT WHEN IT SHOULDN'T. I HAVE MY CAR IN THE DEALER SINCE LAST WEEK WHERE THE SERVICE GUYS DROVE MY CAR AND AND FELT THE PROBLEM, THEY SUBMITTED A CLAIM UNDER MY EXTENDED WARRANTY AND NOW THE WARRANTY GUY CAN'T FIND A PROBLEM WITH MY CAR AND DENIED MY CLAIM. THIS IS REALLY UNPROFESSIONAL ON HONDA'S PART FOR NOT ADDRESSING THIS ISSUE THAT WE ARE ALL HAVING. I SWEAR I USED TO LOVE DRIVING MY CAR, NOW I'M SO SCARED TO DRIVE IT THAT I CAN'T ENJOY IT. PLEASE INVESTIGATE THIS BECAUSE IT IS REALLY UNSAFE. I THINK THEY WANT US TO CRASH OUR CARS RATHER FIXING A SIMPLE ISSUE AND CHANGE THE EPS RACK AND PINION.

NHTSA ODI #11398746

65,000 miles · Feb 23, 2021
Steering

STEERING STICKS AFTER DRIVING FOR 20-30MINS. USUALLY WHEELS FORWARD/STRAIGHT. TENDS TO OCCUR MORE OFTEN ON HIGHWAYS, LESS OFTEN ON CURVY ROADS. WHEN MAKING SLIGHT ADJUSTMENTS TO MAINTAIN LANE POSITION, IT TAKES AN UNUSUAL AND UNCOMFORTABLE AMOUNT OF FORCE TO GET IT OUT OF ITS STUCK POSITION. ONCE IT BREAKS FREE, IT IS A SLIGHT O…

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STEERING STICKS AFTER DRIVING FOR 20-30MINS. USUALLY WHEELS FORWARD/STRAIGHT. TENDS TO OCCUR MORE OFTEN ON HIGHWAYS, LESS OFTEN ON CURVY ROADS. WHEN MAKING SLIGHT ADJUSTMENTS TO MAINTAIN LANE POSITION, IT TAKES AN UNUSUAL AND UNCOMFORTABLE AMOUNT OF FORCE TO GET IT OUT OF ITS STUCK POSITION. ONCE IT BREAKS FREE, IT IS A SLIGHT OVER ADJUSTMENT. DOES NOT SEEM TO STICK WHILE IN TURNS. I HAVE REPLACED FACTORY TIRES WITH ANOTHER BRAND AND PERFORMED AN ALIGNMENT, STILL HAVE THE SAME ISSUE. VEHICLE HAS NO AFTERMARKET PARTS. THE ISSUE SEEMS TO COME AND GO, AND I HAVE NOT NOTICED A SPECIFIC PATTERN.

NHTSA ODI #11397567

48,545 miles · Feb 17, 2021
Fuel/propulsion System

2016 HONDA CIVIC FUEL DOOR ACTUATOR MAKES A LOUD BUZZING NOISE WHEN LOCKING. I AM TOLD BY THE HONDA DEALER THAT THE PROBLEM IS COMMON ON CIVICS 2016 THRU 2019 AND ON ACCORDS OF THE SAME YEARS. THIS HAPPENS WHEN THE CAR STARTS TO MOVE FORWARD AND HITS 10 MPH AND WHEN THE LOCK BUTTON ON THE KEYFOB IS PUSHED.

NHTSA ODI #11396683

23,000 miles · Feb 9, 2021
Steering

WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY STEERING WHEEL STICKS WHEN CHANGING LANES VERY DANGEROUS ALSO BECAUSE I HAVE AN EXTENDED WARRANTY THE COST WAS NOT $3,000 OR MORE THIS SHOULD BE A RECALL

NHTSA ODI #11395346

Mileage unknown · Feb 8, 2021
Structure

PAINT FLAKING. PAINT NOT ADHERED TO PRIMER.

NHTSA ODI #11395166

20,000 miles · Feb 1, 2021
Steering

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 HONDA CIVIC. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MINUTES, THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME STIFF AND JERKY AND DID NOT OPERATE AS DESIGNED. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DETERMINED. THE LOCAL DEALER RUSSELL HONDA LOCATED AT 6100 LANDERS RD, NORTH LITTLE ROCK, AR 72117 AND THE MANUFACTUR…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 HONDA CIVIC. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MINUTES, THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME STIFF AND JERKY AND DID NOT OPERATE AS DESIGNED. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DETERMINED. THE LOCAL DEALER RUSSELL HONDA LOCATED AT 6100 LANDERS RD, NORTH LITTLE ROCK, AR 72117 AND THE MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 20,000.

NHTSA ODI #11391072

33,340 miles · Jan 26, 2021
Electrical SystemStructureUnknown Or Other

PAINT PEELING ALONG UPPER EDGE OF ROOF ADJACENT TO REAR WINDOW. CONSOLE DISPLAY FOR BACKUP/RIGHT TURN CAMERA ONLY DISPLAYS COLORED LINES WHILE STATIONARY OR MOVING. MILEAGE 33,340, OCT. 2020

NHTSA ODI #11390017

65,000 miles · Jan 21, 2021
Visibility/wiper

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 HONDA CIVIC. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WINDSHIELD DEFROST SYSTEM FAILED, AND CAUSED THE CONTACT TO BE UNABLE TO DEFROST THE WINDSHIELD WHEN DRIVING IN INCLEMENT WEATHER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO IDE HONDA 875 PANORAMA TRL S, ROCHESTER, NY 14625 PHONE NUMBER (585) 586…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 HONDA CIVIC. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WINDSHIELD DEFROST SYSTEM FAILED, AND CAUSED THE CONTACT TO BE UNABLE TO DEFROST THE WINDSHIELD WHEN DRIVING IN INCLEMENT WEATHER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO IDE HONDA 875 PANORAMA TRL S, ROCHESTER, NY 14625 PHONE NUMBER (585) 586-2820 WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE AIR CONDITIONER COMPRESSOR FAILED DUE TO A DEFECTIVE CONDENSER THAT WAS ALLOWING THE FREON TO ESCAPE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 65,000.*DT *DT*JB

NHTSA ODI #11389254

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