The best Civic years to buy are 2020 and 2021. Be careful with the 2016 and 2022: the 2016 had widespread air conditioning and steering complaints, and the 2022 has the most steering complaints of any Civic, now covered by a steering rack recall.
Best years: 20202021 Years to avoid: 20162022
Every Civic year compared
Owner complaints per 100,000 cars sold. Lower is better. The newest years have had less time to collect complaints, so they are marked too new to judge.
Known Civic problems
Year by year
| Year | Complaints | Per 100k sold | Recalls | Top issue | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 144 | - | 2 | Steering | Too new to judge |
| 2023 | 338 | - | 2 | Steering | Too new to judge |
| 2022 | 962 | 718 | 4 | Steering | Skip this year |
| 2021 | 163 | 62 | 4 | Steering | Good buy |
| 2020 | 241 | 92 | 5 | Other | Good year |
| 2019 | 461 | 142 | 4 | Fuel System | Good year |
| 2018 | 602 | 185 | 6 | Steering | Average |
| 2017 | 610 | 162 | 6 | Steering | Average |
| 2016 | 1,083 | 295 | 5 | Steering | Watch out |
| 2015 | 394 | 117 | 1 | Transmission and drivetrain | Good year |
| 2014 | 298 | 91 | 2 | Transmission and drivetrain | Good year |
| 2013 | 329 | 98 | 0 | Air bags | Good year |
| 2012 | 474 | 149 | 4 | Air bags | Average |
About the Civic
The Civic is usually a safe used buy, with complaint rates well below most compact cars. Its trouble spots are first years of a new generation. The 2016 redesign brought AC condensers that failed early and a jittery steering feel, and the 2022 redesign brought a steering rack fault serious enough for two recalls.
- 2012-2015: Simple 1.8L engine and a conventional automatic (CVT from 2014). Few serious problems.
- 2016-2021: Tenth generation with the optional 1.5L turbo. AC and steering complaints peak in 2016, then fall steadily.
- 2022 on: Eleventh generation. Steering rack recalls on 2022; later years still building a record.
Civic warranty extensions and special coverage
Carmakers sometimes extend the warranty on a part that fails too often, or pay for a fix outside a recall. These notices come from the dealer bulletins Honda files with NHTSA. 937 Civic bulletins are on file in total.
American Honda is extending the warranty on the A/C condenser to 10 years from the original date of purchase with unlimited miles.
Today, May 28, 2021, American Honda is announcing a warranty extension for certain 2018-2020 Accord and Accord Hybrid, 2018-2020 Civic, 2017-2021 Civic Hatch, 2017-2021 Civic Type R, 2018-2021 Clarity PHEV, and 2019-2021 Insigh...
Owner Notification Letter - On some 2016-21 Civic models, the A/C condenser may leak refrigerant.
Owner Notification Letter - On some 2017-21 Civic Type R models, the A/C condenser may leak refrigerant.
Due to a new North America regulation which introduces a new refrigerant and oil requirement the compressor shaft seal may leak.
We've noticed an unprecedented demand for A/C compressors which at times has created a backorder situation.
Today, April 5, 2019, American Honda is announcing a warranty extension for certain 2016-18 Civic and 2017-18 CR-V vehicles due to drivability concerns.
Ask a dealer to check a specific car by VIN. Extensions usually have a time or mileage limit.
Government investigations into the Civic
NHTSA opens an investigation when complaints point to a possible safety defect. Some end in a recall and some close without one.
Engineering analysis EA23003 · 2022–2024 · opened Nov 2023, closed Jan 2025 · led to recall 24V744
On November 29, 2023, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened this Engineering Analysis (EA23003) to assess allegations of momentary increase in steering effort in model years (MY) 2022-2023 Honda Civic, 2023MY Honda CR-V, and 2023MY Acura Integra vehicles (subject vehicles).
Preliminary evaluation PE23005 · 2022, 2023 · opened Mar 2023, closed Nov 2023
On March 17, 2023, The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened Preliminary Evaluation (PE23-005) to access the alleged defect of momentary increase in steering effort in model years (MY) 2022 and 2023 Honda Civic vehicles.
Defect petition DP22005 · 2012–2015 · opened Jan 2023, closed Aug 2023 · led to recall 22V063000
NHTSA received a petition on or about July 18, 2022, requesting that Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) 141 be applied to all electric and hybrid vehicles operating in the United States.
Engineering analysis EA21002 · 2012–2015 · opened Sep 2021
From 2000 through 2017, Takata produced millions of air bag inflators using two types of phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate ("PSAN") propellant -- propellant 2004 and propellant 2004L.
Engineering analysis EA19001 · 2012–2015 · opened Apr 2019, closed Sep 2024 · led to recall 20V024
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened this investigation to determine if the failure of airbags to deploy during severe crashes, in certain vehicles, was the result of a safety related defect.
Civic vs rivals
Which years drew fewer problems per car soldHonda Civic vs Hyundai Elantra
Which years drew fewer problems per car soldFord Focus vs Honda Civic
Which years drew fewer problems per car soldChevrolet Cruze vs Honda Civic
Which years drew fewer problems per car soldVolkswagen Jetta vs Honda Civic
Which years drew fewer problems per car soldMazda Mazda3 vs Honda Civic
Which years drew fewer problems per car soldSubaru Impreza vs Honda Civic
Which years drew fewer problems per car soldKia Forte vs Honda Civic
Which years drew fewer problems per car sold
Questions
What is the best year for the Honda Civic?
2020 and 2021. The best Civic years to buy are 2020 and 2021. Be careful with the 2016 and 2022: the 2016 had widespread air conditioning and steering complaints, and the 2022 has the most steering complaints of any Civic, now covered by a steering rack recall.
Which Honda Civic years should I avoid?
2016, 2022. These drew far more owner complaints per car sold than the Honda Civic average.
Based on 6,099 complaints filed by owners with U.S. safety regulators for model years 2012 to 2024, and U.S. sales by calendar year. How we score.