2012 Honda Civic Hybrid Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Caution The 2012 Honda Civic Hybrid has a complaint index of 64, ranking 5th worst out of 12 model years, with a Caution verdict. NHTSA lists 12 complaints, 1 recall, and no do-not-drive campaigns for this year.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 64/100
- #5 of 12 Civic Hybrid years
- Verdict
- Caution
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 12
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 1
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 3
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 0
- Injuries
- 6
- Top issue
- Electrical System
- NHTSA overall rating
- 5 / 5 ★
- EPA combined MPG
- 44
- 43 city / 44 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 6 / 0
Top 2012 Honda Civic Hybrid problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Electrical System4 (33%)
- Engine4 (33%)
- Fuel System3 (25%)
- Transmission & Powertrain3 (25%)
- Airbags2 (17%)
- Brakes2 (17%)
- Other1 (8%)
- Seat Belts1 (8%)
- Structure & Body1 (8%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires1 (8%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Owners report a fuel line odor that led one owner to a fuel feed line diagnosed as faulty by an independent mechanic, at a median mileage of 43,214.
- Some owners describe sudden loss of power while driving, with the dealer citing a need for software updates to properly charge the hybrid battery.
- Brake system warnings involving the booster control module and ABS control module appeared together, reportedly worse in cold weather, at a median mileage of 73,000.
- Several owners cite the transmission recall (campaign 20V770000) involving drive shaft replacement, with some reporting the replacement part was unavailable for an extended period.
- One owner described the front driver's side axle detaching while driving 50 MPH, causing loss of control, at a median mileage of 130,000.
- Owners involved in crashes describe airbags failing to deploy and seat belts not restraining occupants properly during impact.
2012 Honda Civic Hybrid recalls
1 NHTSA recall campaign list this model year.
- NHTSA 20V770000Dec 10, 2020Transmission & Powertrain248,358 vehicles
Power train:driveline:driveshaft
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2013-2015 Acura ILX, 2013 Acura ILX Hybrid, 2012 Honda Civic Hybrid, and 2007-2008 Honda Fit vehicles with a manual transmission and 2009-2013 Honda Fit vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, and Wisconsin. The drive shafts' protective coating may not have been applied properly during manufacturing, making it more susceptible to damage from road salt, or other contaminants, and potentially cause it to break.
Risk: A broken drive shaft may cause a sudden loss of drive power. The vehicle could also roll away if the parking brake has not been applied before the vehicle has been exited. Either condition can increase the risk of a crash or injury.
Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the drive shafts, replacing either the left or right drive shaft, if necessary, free of charge. Owners were notified of the safety risk with an interim letter mailed February 2, 2021. A second letter will be sent once the remedy is available. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are P9M, PAV, BAY, TAX, CA0, and MAZ.
2012 Honda Civic Hybrid fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 43 MPG
- Highway
- 44 MPG
- Combined
- 44 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $1,450
- 15,000 mi/yr
- Fuel
- Regular
- Current regular gas
- $4.32/gal
- national avg.
EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.
2012 compared with other Civic Hybrid years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2012 Honda Civic Hybrid reliable?
- NHTSA data gives the 2012 Civic Hybrid a complaint index of 64, the 5th worst of 12 model years tracked, earning a Caution verdict relative to other Civic Hybrid years.
- Does the 2012 Honda Civic Hybrid have any recalls?
- NHTSA lists 1 recall for the 2012 Civic Hybrid, campaign 20V770000, covering drive shaft replacement on vehicles with a manual transmission. It is not a do-not-drive recall.
- What is the most reported problem area for the 2012 Civic Hybrid?
- Electrical System and Engine complaints are tied as the top problem areas, each accounting for 33% of complaints (4 each) reported to NHTSA.
- What is the fuel economy of the 2012 Honda Civic Hybrid?
- EPA rates the 2012 Civic Hybrid at 44 mpg combined (43 city / 44 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $1,450.
- How does the 2012 Civic Hybrid compare to other years?
- The 2012 model's complaint index of 64 is worse than the 2013 (18), 2014 (27), and 2015 (9) model years, which rank Best or Good, but better than the 2007 and 2008 models, which rank Avoid with complaint indexes of 91 and 100.