Honda Civic Best and Worst Years by Owner Complaints
We rank Honda Civic model years by the number of owner complaints filed with NHTSA, from fewest to most. Complaint counts aren't failure rates: years that sold more cars, or that are older, can show more reports. We rank only model years at least five years old, because newer ones are still collecting reports. Among settled years shown, the 2021 drew the fewest (145) and the 2007 the most (1,204).
Complaints filed by model year
Every year compared
| Most-reported component | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 Still collecting reports |
29 | 0 | Forward collision avoidance | 5★ | 24–49 |
| 2025 Still collecting reports |
75 | 2 | Steering | 5★ | 24–49 |
| 2024 Still collecting reports |
124 | 3 | Steering | 5★ | 24–36 |
| 2021 Among the fewest complaints |
145 | 4 | Steering | 5★ | 25–36 |
| 2011 Among the fewest complaints |
169 | 9 | Air bags | 3★ | 24–29 |
| 2020 Among the fewest complaints |
226 | 5 | Electrical system | 5★ | 25–36 |
| 2023 | 255 | 4 | Steering | 5★ | 24–36 |
| 2014 | 292 | 2 | Power train | 5★ | 25–34 |
| 2013 | 319 | 0 | Air bags | 5★ | 25–33 |
| 2015 | 380 | 1 | Power train | 5★ | 25–34 |
| 2009 | 395 | 8 | Air bags | — | 24–29 |
| 2010 | 397 | 8 | Air bags | — | 24–29 |
| 2019 | 434 | 4 | Steering | 5★ | 25–36 |
| 2012 | 455 | 3 | Air bags | 5★ | 25–32 |
| 2017 | 597 | 6 | Steering | 5★ | 25–36 |
| 2018 | 745 | 6 | Steering | 5★ | 25–36 |
| 2022 | 883 | 4 | Steering | 5★ | 29–36 |
| 2008 Among the most complaints |
916 | 7 | Air bags | — | 24–29 |
| 2016 Among the most complaints |
1,081 | 5 | Steering | 5★ | 30–35 |
| 2007 Among the most complaints |
1,204 | 9 | Suspension | — | 23–29 |
Sources: NHTSA ODI complaints, NHTSA recalls, NHTSA NCAP, EPA; retrieved Oct 6, 2026.
What owners reported in the Honda Civic years with the most complaints
These settled model years drew the most owner complaints to NHTSA. The share in brackets is the part of that year’s complaints that names each component; one complaint can name several.
2007 Honda Civic: 1,204 complaints
Most-reported: Suspension 246 (20%); Visibility 176 (15%); Engine 170 (14%).
Reports mention 48 crashes, 9 fires, 71 injuries, 10 deaths. Typical odometer reading when owners filed: 45,000 miles. 9 recall campaigns listed.
2016 Honda Civic: 1,081 complaints
Most-reported: Steering 445 (41%); Electrical system 119 (11%); Engine 95 (9%).
Reports mention 36 crashes, 4 fires, 16 injuries. Typical odometer reading when owners filed: 30,000 miles. 5 recall campaigns listed.
2008 Honda Civic: 916 complaints
Most-reported: Air bags 177 (19%); Engine 156 (17%); Visibility 112 (12%).
Reports mention 62 crashes, 6 fires, 50 injuries. Typical odometer reading when owners filed: 50,000 miles. 7 recall campaigns listed.
The Honda Civic years with the fewest complaints
2021 Honda Civic: 145 complaints
Most-reported: Steering 65 (45%); Forward collision avoidance 33 (23%); Electrical system 18 (12%).
Reports mention 5 crashes, 2 fires, 2 injuries. Typical odometer reading when owners filed: 30,000 miles. 4 recall campaigns listed.
2011 Honda Civic: 169 complaints
Most-reported: Air bags 51 (30%); Service brakes 33 (20%); Electrical system 16 (9%).
Reports mention 22 crashes, 5 fires, 20 injuries. Typical odometer reading when owners filed: 32,000 miles. 9 recall campaigns listed.
2020 Honda Civic: 226 complaints
Most-reported: Electrical system 36 (16%); Power train 31 (14%); Steering 30 (13%).
Reports mention 15 crashes, 1 fire, 12 injuries. Typical odometer reading when owners filed: 15,400 miles. 5 recall campaigns listed.
Crashes, fires and injuries in Honda Civic owner reports
| Model year | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Injuries | Deaths | Typical miles at filing |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 29 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | — |
| 2025 | 75 | 10 | 1 | 11 | 0 | — |
| 2024 | 124 | 12 | 1 | 11 | 0 | 11,000 |
| 2023 | 255 | 19 | 0 | 12 | 0 | 10,000 |
| 2022 | 883 | 34 | 3 | 19 | 0 | 27,000 |
| 2021 | 145 | 5 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 30,000 |
| 2020 | 226 | 15 | 1 | 12 | 0 | 15,400 |
| 2019 | 434 | 26 | 1 | 19 | 0 | 16,000 |
| 2018 | 745 | 26 | 4 | 23 | 1 | 33,000 |
| 2017 | 597 | 23 | 6 | 13 | 0 | 23,300 |
| 2016 | 1,081 | 36 | 4 | 16 | 0 | 30,000 |
| 2015 | 380 | 37 | 2 | 23 | 0 | 50,000 |
| 2014 | 292 | 30 | 4 | 29 | 0 | 32,570 |
| 2013 | 319 | 29 | 1 | 34 | 0 | 24,000 |
| 2012 | 455 | 55 | 5 | 41 | 0 | 30,150 |
| 2011 | 169 | 22 | 5 | 20 | 0 | 32,000 |
| 2010 | 397 | 31 | 5 | 32 | 47 | 40,000 |
| 2009 | 395 | 42 | 6 | 39 | 1 | 31,000 |
| 2008 | 916 | 62 | 6 | 50 | 0 | 50,000 |
| 2007 | 1,204 | 48 | 9 | 71 | 10 | 45,000 |
Owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA. “Typical miles” is the median odometer reading in complaints that gave one (shown when at least 10 did). Source: NHTSA ODI complaints, retrieved Oct 6, 2026.
Largest Honda Civic recalls
- Driver's Frontal Air Bag May Rupture (2001–2005 model years; 6,281,043 vehicles across all models; filed May 2015; 15V320000)
- INTERIOR SYSTEMS:ACTIVE RESTRAINTS:BELT BUCKLES (1986–1991 model years; 3,700,000 vehicles across all models; filed May 1995; 95V103001)
- Passenger Side Front Air Bag Inflator may Rupture (2001–2005 model years; 3,498,481 vehicles across all models; filed Jun 2015; 15V370000)
- Passenger Frontal Air Bag Inflator May Rupture (2006–2011 model years; 2,719,386 vehicles across all models; filed May 2016; 16V346000)
- Fuel Pump May Fail (2016–2021 model years; 2,490,460 vehicles across all models; filed Dec 2023; 23V858000)
All 74 Honda Civic recall campaigns · Honda Civic problems, recalls and mpg by year · Used car inspection checklist
What the numbers can't tell you
- Sales volume. NHTSA publishes no sales figures with complaints, so a popular year draws more reports even if each car is no worse.
- Recent years are under-counted. Owners file reports for years after purchase; the newest model years will keep growing.
- The individual car. Maintenance, mileage and repairs matter more for one used car than any model-year average. Get a pre-purchase inspection and check open recalls by VIN.
Honda Civic years FAQ
Which Honda Civic year has the fewest complaints?
Among the model years shown whose counts have settled, the 2021 has the fewest owner complaints filed with NHTSA (145). That is a count of reports, not a measure of reliability.
Does fewer complaints mean a more reliable car?
Not necessarily. Complaint counts depend on how many cars were sold, how old they are and how many owners file reports. Use them to spot patterns worth asking about, alongside recalls, crash tests and a pre-purchase inspection.
Are there Honda Civic years to avoid?
No model year is officially one to avoid. By owner complaints to NHTSA, the settled years with the most reports are the 2007, 2016 and 2008 models, and across all years the most-reported problem area is the steering. Compare those years with the ones that drew the fewest reports, then check any specific car for open recalls by VIN and get a pre-purchase inspection.
What is the most common Honda Civic problem?
Across the model years shown, owners most often report problems with the steering (2,388 of 9,121 complaints list it). Each model-year report breaks the complaints down by component.
How many recalls does the Honda Civic have?
NHTSA lists 74 recall campaigns covering the Honda Civic. See every one, with official wording and repair rates, on the Honda Civic recall page.
Why are newer years left out of fewest and most?
Owners keep filing complaints for years after a car is sold. We mark the two newest model years as still collecting reports, and we only rank years that are at least five years old.
How this page was madeSources, processing, limits, review and changes
Data sources
- NHTSA recalls by vehicle
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - US DOT recall completion rates (data.transportation.gov)
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - NHTSA ODI owner complaints
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - NHTSA NCAP 5-Star Safety Ratings
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - EPA fuel economy data (licence confirmation pending)
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - EIA weekly retail gasoline prices
Weekly, all taxes included
Processing
- Complaints are counted per component. One complaint can list several, so component totals add up to more than the total.
- Fuel cost = miles per year ÷ EPA combined mpg × EIA weekly price for your region.
Limitations
- Complaint counts are owner reports, not verified findings or failure rates. There is no sales denominator.
- Recall campaigns are listed for the model year. Only NHTSA and the automaker know whether a specific car was repaired.
- Recent model years are still collecting reports.
Review
Data compiled automatically from the official files listed here.
Changelog
- 2026-10-06 Data refreshed from the official files.