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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
97,000 miles · Aug 7, 2020
Steering

I NOTICED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD START BEING STICKY OR KNOTCHY. THE ELECTRONIC STEERING WORKED FINE BUT FOR SUBTLE MOVEMENTS YOU FEEL RESISTANCE. THE RESISTANCE MAKES IT DIFFICULT TO CHANGE LANES, AS IT FEELS LIKE A FORCE IS ACTING IN OPPOSITE DIRECTION AND IT TAKES MORE STRENGTH THEN NECESSARY TO MAKE SUBTLE MOVEMENTS. …

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I NOTICED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD START BEING STICKY OR KNOTCHY. THE ELECTRONIC STEERING WORKED FINE BUT FOR SUBTLE MOVEMENTS YOU FEEL RESISTANCE. THE RESISTANCE MAKES IT DIFFICULT TO CHANGE LANES, AS IT FEELS LIKE A FORCE IS ACTING IN OPPOSITE DIRECTION AND IT TAKES MORE STRENGTH THEN NECESSARY TO MAKE SUBTLE MOVEMENTS. THE ISSUE HAPPENS WHILE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION. DOES NOT FEEL SAFE IN MY OPINION I HAVE READ FORUMS WHERE DEALERS HAVE COVERED THIS ISSUE UNDER WARRANTY, SO IT SHOULD BE A KNOWN ISSUE .

NHTSA ODI #11343892

30,000 miles · Aug 6, 2020
Steering

WHILE DRIVING AT HIGH WAY SPEEDS, THE CAR'S STEERING FEELS STIFF WHEN ADJUSTING TO KEEP THE CAR STRAIGHT. IT DOESN'T PULL AS IF THE ALIGNMENT IS OFF. THE STEERING FEELS STUCK WHEN I AM TRYING TO KEEP THE CAR STRAIGHT AND I HAVE TO OVER COMPENSATE WHICH MAKES THE CAR JERK. I HAVE CHECKED ON CIVIC FORUMS AND IT SEEMS TO BE A CO…

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WHILE DRIVING AT HIGH WAY SPEEDS, THE CAR'S STEERING FEELS STIFF WHEN ADJUSTING TO KEEP THE CAR STRAIGHT. IT DOESN'T PULL AS IF THE ALIGNMENT IS OFF. THE STEERING FEELS STUCK WHEN I AM TRYING TO KEEP THE CAR STRAIGHT AND I HAVE TO OVER COMPENSATE WHICH MAKES THE CAR JERK. I HAVE CHECKED ON CIVIC FORUMS AND IT SEEMS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM MY MODEL CIVIC. MANY OTHERS HAVE IDENTIFIED THE PROBLEM AS THE POWER STEERING RACK.. HONDA HAS ISSUED A RECALL FOR 2017 AND ABOVE MAKE CIVICS BUT MY 2016 IS NOT COVERED.

NHTSA ODI #11343768

26,500 miles · Aug 4, 2020
Steering

WHEN DRIVING HIGHWAY SPEEDS, THE STEERING BECOMES STICKY AND FEELS AS IF THERE ARE NOTCHES OR CLICKS THAT THE STEERING GETS TO STUCK IN. WHEN MOVING THE WHEEL LEFT OR RIGHT TO "UNSTICK" THE STEERING, THE CAR FEELS LIKE IT'S OVER CORRECTING. THE STEERING IS NOT SMOOTH AND IT IS HARD TO KEEP THE CAR MOVING IN A STEADY STRAIGHT LIN…

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WHEN DRIVING HIGHWAY SPEEDS, THE STEERING BECOMES STICKY AND FEELS AS IF THERE ARE NOTCHES OR CLICKS THAT THE STEERING GETS TO STUCK IN. WHEN MOVING THE WHEEL LEFT OR RIGHT TO "UNSTICK" THE STEERING, THE CAR FEELS LIKE IT'S OVER CORRECTING. THE STEERING IS NOT SMOOTH AND IT IS HARD TO KEEP THE CAR MOVING IN A STEADY STRAIGHT LINE. THIS HAPPENS MORE NOTICEABLY IN WARMER WEATHER, LATER IN THE DAY AND ON THE HIGHWAY AT SPEEDS OVER 5 MPH. THE TRANSMISSION IS MANUAL AND HAPPENS IN ANY GEAR OVER 45-50 MPH.

NHTSA ODI #11343174

80,000 miles · Jul 30, 2020
Air BagsStructureInjury

SINCE PURCHASING MY 2016 CIVIC NEW, I HAVE HAD ISSUES WITH THE FRONT LOWER UNDER-END OF THE CAR BEING TOO LOW. IT CONSTANTLY SCRAPES WHEN I GO OVER SPEED BUMPS OR SMALL CURBS. ON 7/27/20, I WAS PARKING AT A RESTAURANT AND SLIGHT DROVE UP ON A SMALL CURB, I STOPPED AND BACKED UP AND PARKED. ABOUT 15 SECONDS LATER AS I WAS ABOUT T…

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SINCE PURCHASING MY 2016 CIVIC NEW, I HAVE HAD ISSUES WITH THE FRONT LOWER UNDER-END OF THE CAR BEING TOO LOW. IT CONSTANTLY SCRAPES WHEN I GO OVER SPEED BUMPS OR SMALL CURBS. ON 7/27/20, I WAS PARKING AT A RESTAURANT AND SLIGHT DROVE UP ON A SMALL CURB, I STOPPED AND BACKED UP AND PARKED. ABOUT 15 SECONDS LATER AS I WAS ABOUT TO EXIT MY CAR, SUDDENTLY THE AIRBAG DEPLOYED HITTING ME IN THE FACE, SHOULDER AND CHEST. I WAS DAZED, FORTUNATELY, TWO CO-WORKERS WHO WERE FOLLOWING ME TO THE RESTAURANT, SAW THAT I NEEDED HELP AND OPENED THE DOOR TO HELP ME GET OUT. I HAVE HAD A HEADACHE OVER THE LAST COUPLE OF DAYS - MY DOCTOR TOLD ME IT IS PROBABLY A SLIGHT CONCUSSION. I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW IF HONDA HAS HAD ANY SIMILAR ISSUES WITH THIS CAR AND I WOULD LIKE TO HAVE MY REPAIRS PAID. IT IS NOT FAIR FOR ME TO HAVE THE REPAIRS DONE UNDER MY INSURANCE BECAUSE I HAVE A $1,000 DEDUCTIBLE AND THEY ARE LIKELY TO RAISE MY PREMIUMS. THIS WAS NOT MY FAULT. LET ME KNOW

NHTSA ODI #11342358

16,000 miles · Jul 27, 2020
Steering

AFTER ABOUT 30-40MIN OF DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY, USUALLY HIGHER SPEEDS, THE STEERING WHEEL GETS STICKY AND STIFF AT TIMES. FEEL REALLY DANGEROUS WHEN CHANGING LANES AND OR MAKING SLIGHT CORRECTIONS IN MOVEMENT. CURRENTLY MY VEHICLE HAS 16K MILES ON IT.

NHTSA ODI #11341721

52,000 miles · Jul 27, 2020
Unknown Or Other

THE AIR CONDITIONER STOPS BLOWING COLD AIR AT IDLE AND OCCASIONALLY EVEN WHEN DRIVING. THIS MAY POSE A SAFETY ISSUE IN HOTTER CLIMATES IF THERE ARE CHILDREN, ELDERLY PEOPLE, SPECIAL NEEDS PERSONS, OR PETS IN THE VEHICLE WHEN PARKED. READING THROUGH THE INTERNET, THERE ARE HUNDREDS IF NOT THOUSANDS OF OWNERS WITH THIS SAME ISSUE …

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THE AIR CONDITIONER STOPS BLOWING COLD AIR AT IDLE AND OCCASIONALLY EVEN WHEN DRIVING. THIS MAY POSE A SAFETY ISSUE IN HOTTER CLIMATES IF THERE ARE CHILDREN, ELDERLY PEOPLE, SPECIAL NEEDS PERSONS, OR PETS IN THE VEHICLE WHEN PARKED. READING THROUGH THE INTERNET, THERE ARE HUNDREDS IF NOT THOUSANDS OF OWNERS WITH THIS SAME ISSUE DUE TO A FAULTY AC CONDENSER FROM THE FACTORY. HONDA HAS EXTENDED THE WARRANTY ON THE CONDENSER ALONE BUT HAS NOT ISSUED A FULL RECALL OR WARRANTY ON THE OTHER PARTS/LABOR INVOLVED. THIS CAR HAS ONLY 53K MILES ON IT AND THIS IS THE SECOND TIME BEING SERVICED FOR THIS SAME PROBLEM.

NHTSA ODI #11341697

56,000 miles · Jul 27, 2020
Steering

THE STEERING WHEEL STICKS WHEN INITIALLY MAKING MINOR TURNS OR ADJUSTMENTS WHILE DRIVING CAUSING JERKING MOVEMENTS WHICH MAGNIFIES AT HIGHER SPEEDS CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO SWERVE. THIS CAN BE FELT AT ALL SPEEDS INCLUDING WHILE STILL.

NHTSA ODI #11341683

Mileage unknown · Jul 26, 2020
Structure

PAINT IS CHIPPING NEAR REAR WINDOW ON DRIVERS SIDE. AFTER SOME QUICK RESEARCH THIS APPEARS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM. BOUGHT IT CERTIFIED ONLY 3 MONTHS AGO.

NHTSA ODI #11341543

22,000 miles · Jul 20, 2020
Unknown Or Other

THE AIR CONDITIONER STOPPED WORKING ON MY 2016 HONDA CIVIC EX. I BOUGHT THE CAR USED IN DECEMBER 2018. THE AC WORKED FINE IN 2019, BUT HAS NOT WORKED AT ALL IN 2020. IT BLOWS HOT AIR ON THE LEFT SIDE AND BARELY COOLER AIR ON THE RIGHT.

NHTSA ODI #11340385

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

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