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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
3,000 miles · Aug 22, 2018
Service Brakes

WHEN BRAKES ARE APPLIED, THEN RELEASED, IT SOMETIMES TAKE UP TO TWO OR THREE SECONDS TO BE ABLE TO ACCELERATE AFTERWARD, EVEN THOUGH I AM STEPPING ON THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL. THIS IS UNNERVING WHEN ENTERING AN INTERSECTION (YIELDING) AND YOU FEEL YOU HAVE PLENTY OF TIME TO PROCEED, UNTIL THE CAR FAILS TO ACCELERATE. HONDA STATES I…

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WHEN BRAKES ARE APPLIED, THEN RELEASED, IT SOMETIMES TAKE UP TO TWO OR THREE SECONDS TO BE ABLE TO ACCELERATE AFTERWARD, EVEN THOUGH I AM STEPPING ON THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL. THIS IS UNNERVING WHEN ENTERING AN INTERSECTION (YIELDING) AND YOU FEEL YOU HAVE PLENTY OF TIME TO PROCEED, UNTIL THE CAR FAILS TO ACCELERATE. HONDA STATES IT IS A SAFETY FEATURE IN THE EVENT SOMETHING WERE TO ACCIDENTALLY DEPRESS THE ACCELERATOR WHILE BRAKING. I FEEL OTHERWISE.

NHTSA ODI #11121701

23,000 miles · Aug 15, 2018
Steering

THE STEERING WHEEL STICKS WHEN TRYING TO DRIVE IN A STRAIGHT LINE. THIS STICKING OR NOTCHING CAN BE FELT WHEN THE CAR IS IDLING AND IN PARK. THIS PROBLEM IS CONTINUOUS.

NHTSA ODI #11120178

40,578 miles · Aug 15, 2018
Fuel/propulsion System

I HAD AN ENGINE LIGHT ON ON 8/5/2918 CALL DEALER SHIP TO SET AN APPOINTMENT ON 8/6/2018. ADVICE FOUND FTC P2422 EVAP CVS STUCK CLOSED INDICATING FTP SENSOR AND CANISTER MALFUNCTION, CANISTER TO MALFUNCTIONING DUE TO THE GEOGRAPHICAL ARE WHERE VEHICLE IS DRIVEN AND PARK. DUST AND DIRT WILL COLLECT AND CLOG THE SYSTEM. . THIS HAPP…

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I HAD AN ENGINE LIGHT ON ON 8/5/2918 CALL DEALER SHIP TO SET AN APPOINTMENT ON 8/6/2018. ADVICE FOUND FTC P2422 EVAP CVS STUCK CLOSED INDICATING FTP SENSOR AND CANISTER MALFUNCTION, CANISTER TO MALFUNCTIONING DUE TO THE GEOGRAPHICAL ARE WHERE VEHICLE IS DRIVEN AND PARK. DUST AND DIRT WILL COLLECT AND CLOG THE SYSTEM. . THIS HAPPENS ON SEP/2017 . 1ST TIME WAS COVER BY MANUFACTURE NOT THIS TIME I GOT EXTENDED WARRANTY FOR 6 YEARS THEY SAID NO, CAUSE WAS SAME PROBLEM WITHIN A YEAR AND WAS NOT A MANAFUCTURE DEFECT. I CALLED AMERICA HONDA THEY AGREE TO PAY ONE MORE TIME ONLY OUT OF WARRANTY. BUT THIS IS GOING BE AT NO ENDING PROBLEM FOR ME, I HAVE A CAP LESS ON GAS TANK WHICH IS NOT SEALING RIGHT AND MAIN PROBLEM CAUSING ALL DUST AND DIRT GETTING IN. THEY SAID THE DUST WASN'T GETTING THEY GAS TANK, BUT THEY'RE NOT ABLE TO TELL ME HOWDUST AND DIRT GETTING INTO THE CANISTER. I WANT THIS TO GET IVASTIGATED BECAUSE THIS IS A MANUFACTURE DEFECT, I NEVER GOT A DISCLAIMER SAYING IF I DRIVE CAR ON DUST OR DIRT WILL BE CAUSING THIS PROBLEM, YEAR AFTER YEAR, THE COST OF $700.00 PLUS $100.00 FOR DIAGNOSING, WORST EXPERIENCE EVER. PLEASE HELP ME.

NHTSA ODI #11120138

24,000 miles · Aug 14, 2018
Service Brakes

AN ERROR MESSAGE KEEPS COMING UP ON MY CENTER CONSOLE, WARNING OF AN "ELECTRIC BRAKING PROBLEM." THE RED BRAKE LIGHT TO THE BOTTOM RIGHT ALSO FLASHES. THIS ALWAYS HAS HAPPENED WHEN I TURN THE VEHICLE ON. WHILE THIS MESSAGE IS DISPLAYED, I AM UNABLE TO MOVE THE CAR FORWARD OR IN REVERSE. I HAVE ENGAGED THE PARKING BRAKE, AND THE …

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AN ERROR MESSAGE KEEPS COMING UP ON MY CENTER CONSOLE, WARNING OF AN "ELECTRIC BRAKING PROBLEM." THE RED BRAKE LIGHT TO THE BOTTOM RIGHT ALSO FLASHES. THIS ALWAYS HAS HAPPENED WHEN I TURN THE VEHICLE ON. WHILE THIS MESSAGE IS DISPLAYED, I AM UNABLE TO MOVE THE CAR FORWARD OR IN REVERSE. I HAVE ENGAGED THE PARKING BRAKE, AND THE MESSAGE DISAPPEARS. THIS HAS HAPPENED THREE OR FOUR TIMES OVER A PERIOD OF MONTHS SINCE I BOUGHT THE CAR. I PURCHASED IT IN SEPTEMBER 2016 AS A NEW VEHICLE FROM A DEALERSHIP IN ALEXANDRIA, LOUISIANA. IT WAS NOT INCLUDED IN A RECALL ANNOUNCED THE MONTH AFTER, BUT I BELIEVE THAT RECALL SHOULD BE EXPANDED.

NHTSA ODI #11119973

24,000 miles · Aug 11, 2018
Power Train

MANUAL TRANSMISSION CIVIC LX BASE MODEL. WHILE I WAS SITTING IN DRIVER SEAT WITH THE CAR RUNNING AND THE AC ON. CAR SHIFT WAS IN NEUTRAL AND CAR WAS IDLING NORMALLY WITH ENGINE SOUNDING NORMAL. THE CAR HAD BEEN DRIVEN THAT MORNING AND IT WAS THE THIRD TIME I HAD TURNED THE ENGINE ON AND OFF FOR THE DAY.. CAR WAS IDLING NORMALLY…

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MANUAL TRANSMISSION CIVIC LX BASE MODEL. WHILE I WAS SITTING IN DRIVER SEAT WITH THE CAR RUNNING AND THE AC ON. CAR SHIFT WAS IN NEUTRAL AND CAR WAS IDLING NORMALLY WITH ENGINE SOUNDING NORMAL. THE CAR HAD BEEN DRIVEN THAT MORNING AND IT WAS THE THIRD TIME I HAD TURNED THE ENGINE ON AND OFF FOR THE DAY.. CAR WAS IDLING NORMALLY FOR AT LEAST 5 MINUTES. THE CAR UNEXPECTEDLY SLIPPED FROM NEUTRAL INTO FIRST GEAR WITHOUT ME TOUCHING THE GEAR SHIFT NOR ENGAGING THE CLUTCH. SINCE I WAS SITTING BEHIND THE WHEEL WHEN THE CAR LURCHED FORWARD AND SITTING ON A LEVEL PARKING LOT AND THE EMERGENCY BRAKE WAS NOT ENGAGED.....I INSTINCTIVELY PUT MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE AND THE FORWARD MOTION STOPPED. CAR ACTED LIKE I HAD POPPED THE CLUTCH WHILE IT WAS IN FIRST GEAR. I ASSUMED IT HAD STALLED OUT SO I TURNED THE KEY TO RE-START THE CAR. BUT THE CAR ENGINE WAS STILL RUNNING AND IDLING NORMALLY. THIS INCIDENT ONLY OCCURRED ONCE ON THE DATE OF 8-10-18 WITH 24,000 MILES ON THE ODOMETER. .NO ONE EXCEPT ME WITNESSED WHAT HAPPENING. I HAVE NOT YET INQUIRED ABOUT IT WITH THE DEALER. CAR IS 2 YEARS, 2 MONTHS OLD AND I PURCHASED IT NEW FROM A HONDA DEALER IN SOUTH FLORIDA. INCIDENT OCCURRED IN SOUTH FLORIDA. NO DAMAGE OCCURRED TO THE VEHICLE AND I'VE DRIVEN IT FOR 50 MILES SINCE AND STARTED AND STOPPED THE ENGINE 3XS SINCE WITH NOTHING UNUSUAL HAPPENING. I DID NOTICE THE SHIFT STICK WAS UNCHARACTERISTICALLY MORE DIFFICULT TO PUT INTO FIRST GEAR FOR 2 OR 3 TIMES IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE INCIDENT. BUT THE EASE OF SHIFTING INTO FIRST GEAR HAS RETURNED TO NORMAL. CAR WAS STATIONARY IN A PARKING LOT WHEN IT OCCURRED. UNKNOWN FAILURE IN TRANSMISSION AND I FIND IT REALLY ODD CONSIDERING THIS CAR HAS MANUAL TRANSMISSION.

NHTSA ODI #11119323

Mileage unknown · Aug 9, 2018
Electrical SystemService Brakes

I RECEIVED A LETTER STATING THAT MY CAR HAD A RECALL FOR THE EMERGENCY BRAKE SYSTEM. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP TO HAVE IT FIXED HOWEVER THE RECALL IS STILL OPEN ON MY VEHICLE.

NHTSA ODI #11118670

19,003 miles · Aug 8, 2018
Electrical System

TAKATA RECALL WHILE IN MOTION ON A PUBLIC STREET/ HIGHWAY WHILE ATTEMPTING TO COMPRESS THE GAS PEDAL THE VEHICLE FAILS TO ACCELERATE INCREASING SPEED!! ALSO, AT TIME VEHICLE WILL SAY EMERGENCY BREAK IS MALFUNCTIONING AND THE TIRE PRESSURE LIGHT ALSO ALERTS. IT'S A SAFETY ISSUE BECAUSE THIS CAR IS GOING FULL SPEED AND LOOSES POW…

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TAKATA RECALL WHILE IN MOTION ON A PUBLIC STREET/ HIGHWAY WHILE ATTEMPTING TO COMPRESS THE GAS PEDAL THE VEHICLE FAILS TO ACCELERATE INCREASING SPEED!! ALSO, AT TIME VEHICLE WILL SAY EMERGENCY BREAK IS MALFUNCTIONING AND THE TIRE PRESSURE LIGHT ALSO ALERTS. IT'S A SAFETY ISSUE BECAUSE THIS CAR IS GOING FULL SPEED AND LOOSES POWER. HAVING TO PULL ASIDE AND RESTART THE VEHICLE ONCE OR MULTIPLE TIMES TO BRING IT BACK TO SAFE DRIVING CONDITIONS.

NHTSA ODI #11118582

36,050 miles · Aug 6, 2018
Unknown Or Other

AC ON THE DRIVER SIDE WARM AIR PASSENGER SIDE COLD AIR THEN NOTHING. THIS STARTED WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AUGUST 3RD 2018 AND STOPPED WORKING AUGUST 6TH 2018

NHTSA ODI #11118112

14,000 miles · Aug 6, 2018
Electrical SystemEngineUnknown Or Other

I GOT INTO THE TRUNK OF MY CIVIC (KEYLESS) AND WHEN I TRIED TO OPEN THE CAR, EVERYTHING HAD SHUT DOWN AND IT IS LOCKED AND WON'T RESPOND TO THE EMERGENCY KEY OR THE FOB. THIS BEGAN 2 DAYS AGO AND I SEE SEVERAL OTHER COMPLAINTS O THE INTERNET OF THE SAME PROBLEM. IT WAS PARKED IN MY DRIVEWAY. NOT BEING ABLE TO GET INTO MY CAR HER…

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I GOT INTO THE TRUNK OF MY CIVIC (KEYLESS) AND WHEN I TRIED TO OPEN THE CAR, EVERYTHING HAD SHUT DOWN AND IT IS LOCKED AND WON'T RESPOND TO THE EMERGENCY KEY OR THE FOB. THIS BEGAN 2 DAYS AGO AND I SEE SEVERAL OTHER COMPLAINTS O THE INTERNET OF THE SAME PROBLEM. IT WAS PARKED IN MY DRIVEWAY. NOT BEING ABLE TO GET INTO MY CAR HERE IN THE ARIZONA DESERT COULD BE A SERIOUE PROBLEM.

NHTSA ODI #11118094

30,000 miles · Aug 1, 2018
Suspension

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 HONDA CIVIC. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE SHOOK. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER (ROSEBURG HONDA, 1950 NW MULHOLLAND DR, ROSEBURG, OR 97470, (541)-672-6227), BUT A FAILURE WAS NOT FOUND. THE CONTACT HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 HONDA CIVIC. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE SHOOK. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER (ROSEBURG HONDA, 1950 NW MULHOLLAND DR, ROSEBURG, OR 97470, (541)-672-6227), BUT A FAILURE WAS NOT FOUND. THE CONTACT HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE CV AXLE FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND DID NOT ASSIST. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 30,000.

NHTSA ODI #11115199

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