Honda Civic Best and Worst Years (2010–2025)
Across 16 model years and 6,551 complaints, the Honda Civic years to avoid are 2010, 2016, 2018, and 2022, with complaint index scores of 87, 93, 80, and 100 respectively. The best years are 2011, 2014, 2020, and 2021, each with low complaint index scores (7, 20, 13, and 0).
Avoid 2010Avoid 2016Avoid 2018Avoid 2022Best 2011Best 2014Best 2020Best 2021
- Model years
- 16
- 2010–2025
- NHTSA complaints
- 6,551
- Recall campaigns
- 33
- Crashes reported
- 410
- Fires reported
- 45
- 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 | Avoid | 87 | 396 | 31 | 5 | 8 | Airbags | 28.5 | — |
| 2011 | Best | 7 | 168 | 22 | 5 | 9 | Airbags | 28.5 | 3★ |
| 2012 | Caution | 67 | 455 | 55 | 5 | 3 | Airbags | 31 | 5★ |
| 2013 | Good | 27 | 319 | 29 | 1 | 0 | Airbags | 31 | 5★ |
| 2014 | Best | 20 | 291 | 30 | 4 | 2 | Transmission & Powertrain | 31.5 | 5★ |
| 2015 | Good | 33 | 380 | 37 | 2 | 1 | Transmission & Powertrain | 31.5 | 5★ |
| 2016 | Avoid | 93 | 1,080 | 36 | 4 | 5 | Steering | 34 | 5★ |
| 2017 | Good | 47 | 593 | 23 | 6 | 6 | Steering | 34 | 5★ |
| 2018 | Avoid | 80 | 741 | 26 | 4 | 6 | Steering | 34 | 5★ |
| 2019 | Caution | 53 | 430 | 26 | 1 | 4 | Fuel System | 32.5 | 5★ |
| 2020 | Best | 13 | 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 | 73 | 255 | 19 | 0 | 4 | Steering | 33 | — |
| 2024 | Good | 40 | 123 | 12 | 1 | 3 | Steering | 33 | — |
| 2025 | Caution | 60 | 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, though only 4 recalls. Steering complaints overwhelmingly dominate at 83% share with a median failure mileage of 26,263.5. Owners reported steering wheels locking up suddenly while driving, in some cases causing crashes into curbs or sidewalks. A recall addressed the worm gear spring and grease in the steering system. Collision avoidance and lane departure system complaints also appeared.
2022 steering problems →2022 collision avoidance & cameras problems →2022 lane departure problems →
2016 Honda Civic Index 93 · 1,080 complaints · 5 recalls
The 2016 Civic carries a complaint index of 93, the second-worst in the lineup, with 1,080 total complaints and 5 recalls. Steering dominates complaints at 41% share with a median failure mileage of 39,000. Electrical system issues followed at 13% share with a much lower median mileage of 12,235. Owners reported electric parking brake failures, including a case where a parked car rolled away and struck another vehicle. Airbag warning messages and non-deployment during crashes were also reported.
2016 steering problems →2016 electrical system problems →2016 engine problems →
2010 Honda Civic Index 87 · 396 complaints · 8 recalls
The 2010 Civic has a complaint index of 87 and 396 complaints, with 8 recalls tied to it. Airbags led complaints at 24% share, with a median failure mileage of 72,000, followed closely by brakes at 24% share and a median mileage of 19,950. Owners reported airbags failing to deploy in crashes and brake-related incidents at relatively low mileage. Structure and body complaints, at 12% share, included reports of seat frames breaking in rear-end collisions. NHTSA recalls for this year addressed passenger frontal airbag inflators.
2010 airbags problems →2010 brakes problems →2010 visibility & wipers problems →
2018 Honda Civic Index 80 · 741 complaints · 6 recalls
The 2018 Civic has a complaint index of 80 across 741 complaints and 6 recalls. Steering issues account for 42% of complaints with a median failure mileage of 50,564, and fuel system problems follow at 23% share with a median mileage of 51,463.5. Owners reported vehicles failing to turn as intended and unintended acceleration incidents leading to crashes. Recalls covered fuel pump assembly replacement. One reported death is associated with this model year.
2018 steering problems →2018 fuel system problems →2018 electrical system problems →
Most common Honda Civic problems (all years)
Share of NHTSA complaints by component group. A complaint naming two components counts once in each.
- Steering2,307 (35%)
- Other996 (15%)
- Electrical System696 (11%)
- Airbags671 (10%)
- Engine652 (10%)
- Brakes563 (9%)
- Transmission & Powertrain513 (8%)
- Fuel System508 (8%)
- Structure & Body365 (6%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires302 (5%)
Frequently asked questions
- What Honda Civic years should I avoid?
- Based on NHTSA complaints and recalls, avoid the 2010, 2016, 2018, and 2022 Honda Civic. These years have complaint index scores of 87, 93, 80, and 100, the highest among the 16 model years covered.
- What are the best Honda Civic years to buy?
- The 2011, 2014, 2020, and 2021 Honda Civic have the lowest complaint index scores at 7, 20, 13, and 0 respectively, making them the strongest choices based on NHTSA owner complaint data.
- What is the most common problem with the Honda Civic?
- Steering is the top problem area across all Civic model years, accounting for 2,307 complaints, or 35% of the 6,551 total complaints filed with NHTSA.
- Is the 2022 Honda Civic reliable?
- The 2022 Civic has the highest complaint index of any year at 100, driven largely by steering complaints (83% share) including reports of the steering wheel locking up while driving.
- Does the Honda Civic have steering recalls?
- Yes. The 2022 Civic was subject to a recall (campaign 24V744000) to replace the worm gear spring and add grease in the steering system, addressing reported steering lockup issues.