Honda Civic Best and Worst Years (2005–2025)
Honda Civic model years 2006, 2007, 2008, 2010, 2016, and 2022 are rated Avoid based on NHTSA complaints and recalls, with 2022 topping the list at a complaint index of 100. The best-rated years are 2013, 2014, 2020, and 2021, each with low complaint indexes and few or no recalls.
Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls per model-year, ranked within this model — not a reliability rating. Methodology.
Avoid 2006Avoid 2007Avoid 2008Avoid 2010Avoid 2016Avoid 2022Best 2013Best 2014Best 2020Best 2021
- Model years
- 21
- 2005–2025
- NHTSA complaints
- 10,783
- Recall campaigns
- 49
- Crashes reported
- 714
- Fires reported
- 96
- Top problem area
- Steering
Civic Complaint Index by year
Higher = more complaints, crashes, fires, injuries, deaths and Do-Not-Drive recalls per year on the road, relative to other years of this model.
Honda Civic problems and recalls by year
| Year | Verdict | Index | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Recalls | Top issue | MPG | NCAP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2005 | Caution | 25 | 315 | 74 | 9 | 10 | Airbags | 30 | — |
| 2006 | Avoid | 90 | 1,402 | 78 | 21 | 13 | Engine | 28.5 | — |
| 2007 | Avoid | 95 | 1,204 | 48 | 9 | 9 | Suspension, Wheels & Tires | 28.5 | — |
| 2008 | Avoid | 75 | 916 | 62 | 6 | 7 | Engine | 28.5 | — |
| 2009 | Caution | 65 | 395 | 42 | 6 | 8 | Airbags | 28.5 | — |
| 2010 | Avoid | 80 | 396 | 31 | 5 | 8 | Airbags | 28.5 | — |
| 2011 | Caution | 5 | 168 | 22 | 5 | 9 | Airbags | 28.5 | 3★ |
| 2012 | Caution | 55 | 455 | 55 | 5 | 3 | Airbags | 31 | 5★ |
| 2013 | Best | 10 | 319 | 29 | 1 | 0 | Airbags | 31 | 5★ |
| 2014 | Best | 15 | 291 | 30 | 4 | 2 | Transmission & Powertrain | 31.5 | 5★ |
| 2015 | Good | 30 | 380 | 37 | 2 | 1 | Transmission & Powertrain | 31.5 | 5★ |
| 2016 | Avoid | 85 | 1,080 | 36 | 4 | 5 | Steering | 34 | 5★ |
| 2017 | Good | 45 | 593 | 23 | 6 | 6 | Steering | 34 | 5★ |
| 2018 | Caution | 70 | 741 | 26 | 4 | 6 | Steering | 34 | 5★ |
| 2019 | Caution | 50 | 430 | 26 | 1 | 4 | Fuel System | 32.5 | 5★ |
| 2020 | Best | 20 | 225 | 15 | 1 | 5 | Electrical System | 32 | 5★ |
| 2021 | Best | 0 | 144 | 5 | 2 | 4 | Steering | 32.5 | 5★ |
| 2022 | Avoid | 100 | 881 | 34 | 3 | 4 | Steering | 33 | 5★ |
| 2023 | Caution | 60 | 255 | 19 | 0 | 4 | Steering | 33 | — |
| 2024 | Good | 35 | 123 | 12 | 1 | 3 | Steering | 33 | — |
| 2025 | Good | 40 | 70 | 10 | 1 | 2 | Steering | 34 | — |
Civic years to avoid: what went wrong
2022 Honda Civic Index 100 · 881 complaints · 4 recalls
The 2022 Civic ranks worst overall with a complaint index of 100 and 881 complaints across 4 recalls. Steering complaints dominate at 83% of the total, with a median failure mileage of 26,263.5, including reports of the steering wheel pulling or sticking to one side at highway speeds. Collision avoidance and camera system complaints followed, along with lane departure issues. A steering recall addressed a worm gear spring and grease issue, and owners also reported airbags failing to deploy and suspension components failing during lane-assist events.
2022 steering problems →2022 collision avoidance & cameras problems →2022 lane departure problems →
2007 Honda Civic Index 95 · 1,204 complaints · 9 recalls
The 2007 Civic has a complaint index of 95 and ranks as the second-worst year, with 1,204 complaints and 9 recalls. Suspension, wheels, and tire complaints led at 25% of the total with a median failure mileage of 29,000, including reports of sudden loss of steering control and brake failure. Engine complaints followed at a median of 80,000 miles. Owners also reported airbags failing to deploy in side and rollover crashes at a median of 80,175 miles. Recalls addressed passenger frontal air bag inflators across several Honda and Acura models.
2007 suspension, wheels & tires problems →2007 engine problems →2007 visibility & wipers problems →
2006 Honda Civic Index 90 · 1,402 complaints · 13 recalls
The 2006 Civic logged 1,402 complaints and carries a complaint index of 90, with 13 recall campaigns. Engine problems made up 29% of complaints, with a median failure mileage of 86,000 miles, including reports of stalling and stuck accelerators. Suspension and wiper/visibility issues followed, along with airbag complaints at a median of 80,000 miles, including reports of airbags failing to deploy in crashes. Owners also reported seat belts that failed to retract properly. Three recalls covered passenger frontal air bag inflators shared across multiple Honda and Acura models.
2006 engine problems →2006 suspension, wheels & tires problems →2006 visibility & wipers problems →
2016 Honda Civic Index 85 · 1,080 complaints · 5 recalls
The 2016 Civic has a complaint index of 85 with 1,080 complaints and 5 recalls. Steering complaints dominate at 41% of the total, with a median failure mileage of 39,000, including reports of tire blowouts causing loss of control. Electrical system complaints followed at a median of 12,235 miles, with owners describing recurring issues after recall repairs. A brake recall addressed the electric parking brake failing to engage immediately after startup, and owners also reported the parking brake failing to hold the vehicle in place.
2016 steering problems →2016 electrical system problems →2016 engine problems →
2010 Honda Civic Index 80 · 396 complaints · 8 recalls
The 2010 Civic carries a complaint index of 80 across 396 complaints and 8 recalls, with 47 deaths reported for this model year. Airbag complaints were the top category at 24%, with a median failure mileage of 72,000, including reports of airbags failing to deploy in rollover crashes. Brake complaints followed closely at 24%, with a median mileage of 19,950, including reports of brakes not stopping the vehicle. Owners also described unpredictable engine revving and stalling. Recalls addressed airbag inflator replacement across multiple Honda models.
2010 airbags problems →2010 brakes problems →2010 visibility & wipers problems →
2008 Honda Civic Index 75 · 916 complaints · 7 recalls
The 2008 Civic shows a complaint index of 75 with 916 complaints and 7 recalls. Engine issues were the top concern at 25% of complaints, with a median failure mileage of 86,000, including reports of intermittent brake failure leading to crashes. Airbag complaints followed at a median of 83,828 miles, with owners describing airbags that did not deploy during collisions. Suspension and visibility issues rounded out the top problem areas. Recalls covered passenger frontal air bag inflator replacement shared with other Honda and Acura models.
2008 engine problems →2008 airbags problems →2008 suspension, wheels & tires problems →
Most common Honda Civic problems (all years)
Share of NHTSA complaints by component group across all model years.
- Steering2,420 (22%)
- Engine1,668 (15%)
- Airbags1,407 (13%)
- Other1,281 (12%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires1,074 (10%)
- Electrical System1,022 (9%)
- Visibility & Wipers856 (8%)
- Transmission & Powertrain804 (7%)
- Brakes790 (7%)
- Structure & Body723 (7%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
Frequently asked questions
- What Honda Civic years should I avoid?
- Based on NHTSA complaints and recalls, the 2006, 2007, 2008, 2010, 2016, and 2022 Civic model years are rated Avoid. The 2022 has the highest complaint index at 100, followed by 2007 at 95 and 2006 at 90.
- What are the best Honda Civic model years?
- The 2013, 2014, 2020, and 2021 Civics are rated Best, with the 2021 posting a complaint index of 0 and 2013 having zero recall campaigns.
- What is the most common problem area for the Honda Civic overall?
- Across all 21 model years covered, Steering is the top problem area with 2,420 complaints, or 22% of the total, followed by Engine at 15% and Airbags at 13%.
- Does the 2022 Honda Civic have a steering recall?
- Yes. NHTSA recall 24V744000 covers a worm gear spring and grease issue in the steering system for 2022-2025 Civic models, and steering complaints make up 83% of all 2022 Civic complaints.
- Why is the 2016 Honda Civic rated Avoid?
- The 2016 Civic has a complaint index of 85 and 1,080 total complaints, with steering issues making up 41% of them, plus 5 recall campaigns including one for the electric parking brake.