Reliability and common problems · Honda
Honda Civic reliability and common problems
8 sourced problems for cars built from 2012, generation by generation — what Honda has acknowledged kept apart from what the motoring press reports. Choose the year, fuel and engine size to see the ones for a particular car.
Free · no signup · researched from manufacturer statements and motoring publications
How reliable is the Honda Civic? What the evidence shows
We don't give the Civic a reliability score — no public source measures breakdowns, warranty claims or repair costs across every model, so a single number would be invented. This is what we can source for cars built from 2012.
- Acknowledged by Honda
- 0
- Warranty extensions, goodwill schemes and service actions in our research
- Reported by the press
- 8
- Each by two or more independent publishers
By generation
- Civic Mk11 (FL, e:HEV hybrid) (2022 on)0 acknowledged · 0 reported
- Civic Type R (FL5) (2022 on)0 acknowledged · 0 reported
- Civic Mk10 (FK7, hatch and saloon) (2017–2022)0 acknowledged · 6 reported
- Civic Type R (FK8) (2017–2022)0 acknowledged · 1 reported
- Civic Type R (FK2) (2015–2017)0 acknowledged · 1 reported
- Civic Mk9 (FK, incl. Tourer) (2011–2017)0 acknowledged · 1 reported
Newer generations have had less time on the road for problems to show, so a short list is not a clean bill of health.
Where these come from: our research is built from manufacturer statements and motoring publications, most of them British. A warranty extension or goodwill scheme described here may have been offered in another country only — ask a dealer here whether it applies to your car.
Civic Mk11 (FL, e:HEV hybrid) (2022 on)
Acknowledged by the manufacturer
Problems the maker has admitted — through an extended warranty, a compensation scheme, a service action or a statement.
None that we hold for this model.
Reported by owners and the motoring press
Problems at least two independent publishers report on this model, that the maker has not acknowledged. They describe the model, not this car — many cars never have them.
Nothing reported that met our bar of two independent publishers.
Civic Type R (FL5) (2022 on)
Acknowledged by the manufacturer
Problems the maker has admitted — through an extended warranty, a compensation scheme, a service action or a statement.
None that we hold for this model.
Reported by owners and the motoring press
Problems at least two independent publishers report on this model, that the maker has not acknowledged. They describe the model, not this car — many cars never have them.
Nothing reported that met our bar of two independent publishers.
Civic Mk10 (FK7, hatch and saloon) (2017–2022)
Acknowledged by the manufacturer
Problems the maker has admitted — through an extended warranty, a compensation scheme, a service action or a statement.
None that we hold for this model.
Reported by owners and the motoring press
Problems at least two independent publishers report on this model, that the maker has not acknowledged. They describe the model, not this car — many cars never have them.
- Reported by 3 publishersElectrics
Air-conditioning that stops blowing cold
Air-con faults are a recurring complaint on this Civic: systems losing their charge and failing again after a re-gas, plus a whistle from the system on some cars that Honest John says was fixed by replacing a pipe. Tracing the cause can be expensive, so check the air-con blows cold before buying.
Applies to: Civic Mk10 (2017–2022), all engines
- Reported by 3 publishersElectrics
Electrical glitches: alarm, sensors, wipers and screen
Owners report a range of electrical niggles on this Civic: an intruder alarm that goes off on its own, over-sensitive parking sensors, driver aids and automatic wipers misbehaving, and an infotainment screen or Apple CarPlay link that freezes or will not connect. Many were fixed by software or under warranty; try every function on a test drive.
Applies to: Civic Mk10 (2017–2022), all engines
- Reported by 2 publishersBody & corrosion
Thin paint that chips easily
There were many complaints about thin or poor-quality paint on this Civic when new. It stone-chips readily, which can lead to rust starting earlier, and the patchy finish can make accident repairs harder to spot.
Applies to: Civic Mk10 (2017–2022)
- Reported by 2 publishersBrakes
Squealing front brakes at low speed
Some owners report a loud squeal from the front brakes at low speed, especially when parking. Honest John records Honda UK describing it as an acceptable characteristic, and fitting new pads has not cured it for some owners, so a car that squeals on a test drive may not be easy to fix.
Applies to: Civic Mk10 (2017–2022)
- Reported by 2 publishersTiming belt / chain
If it has the 1.0 VTEC Turbo: 1.0 VTEC Turbo: belt-in-oil wear blamed for turbo failures
The Civic's 1.0-litre three-cylinder turbo drives its camshafts with a timing belt that runs in the engine oil. Owners and the trade press report the belt shedding particles into the oil, which can block the turbo's oil supply and lead to turbo failure and wider engine damage. A full service history with the right oil, on time, matters more than usual; budget for the belt change.
Applies to: Civic Mk10 (2017–2022) with the 1.0 VTEC Turbo petrol (988cc)
- Reported by 3 publishersEmissions, DPF & AdBlue
If it has the 1.6 i-DTEC: 1.6 i-DTEC diesel: DPF clogging on short journeys
The 1.6 diesel's particulate filter needs regular longer runs to clean itself. Cars used mostly for short urban trips can clog the DPF, bringing up a warning light and forced regenerations; some needed a new filter. EGR faults are reported alongside. A diesel suits owners who regularly drive longer distances.
Applies to: Civic Mk10 (2018–2022) and CR-V Mk4 (2013–2018) with the 1.6 i-DTEC diesel (1597cc)
Civic Type R (FK8) (2017–2022)
Acknowledged by the manufacturer
Problems the maker has admitted — through an extended warranty, a compensation scheme, a service action or a statement.
None that we hold for this model.
Reported by owners and the motoring press
Problems at least two independent publishers report on this model, that the maker has not acknowledged. They describe the model, not this car — many cars never have them.
- Reported by 3 publishersGearbox
Gearbox crunching between first and second
Some Type R owners report the gearbox crunching or graunching when changing between first and second gear. Honda maintains there is no fault, but it is worth checking on a test drive and being wary of a car that does it.
Applies to: Civic Type R FK2 (2015–2017) and FK8 (2017–2022)
5 sources
- What Car? — Used Honda Civic Type R 2017-2022 review – reliability & common problems
- What Car? — Used Honda Civic Type R 2015-2017 review – reliability & common problems
- PistonHeads — Honda Civic Type R (FK8) | PH Used Buying Guide
- PistonHeads — Honda Civic Type R (FK2) | PH Used Buying Guide
- RAC — Honda Civic Type R [FK8] (2017 - 2022) used car review
Civic Type R (FK2) (2015–2017)
Acknowledged by the manufacturer
Problems the maker has admitted — through an extended warranty, a compensation scheme, a service action or a statement.
None that we hold for this model.
Reported by owners and the motoring press
Problems at least two independent publishers report on this model, that the maker has not acknowledged. They describe the model, not this car — many cars never have them.
- Reported by 3 publishersGearbox
Gearbox crunching between first and second
Some Type R owners report the gearbox crunching or graunching when changing between first and second gear. Honda maintains there is no fault, but it is worth checking on a test drive and being wary of a car that does it.
Applies to: Civic Type R FK2 (2015–2017) and FK8 (2017–2022)
5 sources
- What Car? — Used Honda Civic Type R 2017-2022 review – reliability & common problems
- What Car? — Used Honda Civic Type R 2015-2017 review – reliability & common problems
- PistonHeads — Honda Civic Type R (FK8) | PH Used Buying Guide
- PistonHeads — Honda Civic Type R (FK2) | PH Used Buying Guide
- RAC — Honda Civic Type R [FK8] (2017 - 2022) used car review
Civic Mk9 (FK, incl. Tourer) (2011–2017)
Acknowledged by the manufacturer
Problems the maker has admitted — through an extended warranty, a compensation scheme, a service action or a statement.
None that we hold for this model.
Reported by owners and the motoring press
Problems at least two independent publishers report on this model, that the maker has not acknowledged. They describe the model, not this car — many cars never have them.
- Reported by 2 publishersBody & corrosion
Soft paint that stone-chips easily
Some owners have found the paint soft, so the bonnet and front bumper pick up stone chips readily and the boot area scuffs. Look closely at the front and around the boot opening.
Applies to: Civic Mk9 hatchback and Tourer (2012–2017)
These describe the model, not one car. Plenty of cars never have the problems their model is known for. Every problem links to its sources; a reported problem needs two independent publishers before we list it.
Recalls aren't listed here. A franchised dealer can tell you from the VIN whether a recall is open on a particular car.
Common questions
Is the Honda Civic reliable?
We don't score reliability: no public source records breakdowns, warranty claims or repair costs across every model, so a single rating would be guesswork. What we hold for Honda Civic cars built from 2012: 0 problems Honda has acknowledged, through a warranty extension, goodwill scheme or service action, and 8 reported by at least two independent publishers — listed above by generation, each with its sources. Which matter depends on the generation and engine, and on whether the work has been done, which a service history check shows.
What are the most common Honda Civic problems?
For cars built from 2012, the problems at least two independent publishers report include: Air-conditioning that stops blowing cold; Electrical glitches: alarm, sensors, wipers and screen; Thin paint that chips easily; Squealing front brakes at low speed; 1.0 VTEC Turbo: belt-in-oil wear blamed for turbo failures. Which apply depends on the generation and engine — they are listed generation by generation above, each with its sources.
Has Honda acknowledged problems with the Civic?
We haven't found a warranty extension, goodwill scheme or service action in which Honda acknowledged a problem on this model. The reported problems above come from the motoring press.
Does every Civic have these problems?
No. These describe the model; many cars never have them, and a well-maintained car is less likely to. Whether a known problem was fixed is what a service history shows: our check returns the manufacturer's dealer records by VIN, and there's no charge if we find nothing.
Has this car had the work done?
A known problem matters far less on a car whose dealer records show it was fixed. A service history check returns the manufacturer's own dealership records for a specific car, found by its VIN — what was done, when and at what mileage — and there's no charge if we find nothing.
Check a car's service history