2012 Honda Civic Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Caution The 2012 Honda Civic has 455 NHTSA complaints, a complaint index of 55, and 3 recalls, ranking 10th worst out of 21 model years with a Caution verdict. Airbags are the top problem area, with 149 complaints and a median failure mileage of 41,000.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 55/100
- #10 of 21 Civic years
- Verdict
- Caution
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 455
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 3
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 55
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 5
- Injuries
- 41
- Top issue
- Airbags
- NHTSA overall rating
- 5 / 5 ★
- EPA combined MPG
- 31
- 28 city / 38 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 41 / 0
Top 2012 Honda Civic problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Airbags149 (33%)
- Steering74 (16%)
- Engine68 (15%)
- Electrical System64 (14%)
- Transmission & Powertrain49 (11%)
- Structure & Body48 (11%)
- Brakes47 (10%)
- Other35 (8%)
- Fuel System25 (5%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires17 (4%)
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 airbags failing to deploy in low-speed frontal crashes, sometimes with no injuries noted.
- Some describe unintended surges or lunging forward when shifting from drive to reverse or taking their foot off the accelerator, leading to collisions with walls, curbs, or fences.
- Brake complaints describe the pedal going to the floor with no stopping power, or grinding noises while the car continued moving despite braking.
- One owner reported curtain airbags deploying unexpectedly after driving over a pothole at highway speed.
- A crash-related electrical complaint noted airbags failing to deploy during a frontal collision that heavily damaged the front of the car.
2012 Honda Civic recalls
3 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 12V548000Nov 21, 2012Steering157 vehicles
Steering:column
Honda is recalling certain model year 2012 Civic passenger vehicles, manufactured from October 26, 2012, through October 30, 2012. These vehicles were assembled with the incorrect steering column assembly.
Risk: The steering column may not have proper energy absorbing characteristics, which could increase the risk of injury during a vehicle crash.
Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and replace the steering column, as necessary, free of charge. The safety recall began on December 10, 2012. Owners may contact Honda at 1-800-999-1009.
- NHTSA 12V256000Jun 4, 2012Transmission & Powertrain50,190 vehicles
Power train:driveline:driveshaft
Honda is recalling certain model year 2012 honda civic vehicles. During assembly, the process required to seat the driverâs side driveshaft and set the retaining clip was not completed. As a result, the driveshaft may separate.
Risk: If this occurs, the vehicle will have a loss of drive power and may roll away if the parking brake has not been set when the gear selector has been placed in the âparkâ position, increasing the risk of crash or pedestrian injury.
Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the driver's side driveshaft and install a new driveshaft as needed, free of charge. The safety recall began on June 21. 2012. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-800-999-1009.
- NHTSA 11V288000May 18, 2011Fuel System1,156 vehicles
Fuel system, other:delivery:hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
Honda is recalling certain model year 2012 civic 2-door and 4-door vehicles manufactured from april 21, 2011, through may 2, 2011. There is a possibility that an o-ring, which seals a connection in the fuel feed line, is misaligned. If the o-ring is misaligned, a small fuel leak may occur.
Risk: Fuel leakage, in the presence of an ignition source, could result in a fire.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the fuel feed line assembly free of charge. The safety recall began on may 27, 2011. Owners may contact honda at 1-800-999-1009.
2012 Honda Civic fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 28 MPG
- Highway
- 38 MPG
- Combined
- 31 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $2,100
- 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 years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2012 Honda Civic reliable?
- NHTSA data shows 455 complaints and a complaint index of 55 for the 2012 Civic, earning a Caution verdict relative to other Civic model years. It ranks 10th worst out of 21 years tracked.
- What are the main problems with the 2012 Honda Civic?
- Airbags are the top problem area with 149 complaints (33% share) and 34 crashes linked to them. Steering, engine, and electrical system issues also appear frequently, with steering complaints having a median failure mileage of 60,000.
- Does the 2012 Honda Civic have any recalls?
- NHTSA lists 3 recalls for the 2012 Civic: a steering column assembly recall, a driveshaft retaining clip recall, and a fuel feed line O-ring recall. None are do-not-drive recalls.
- How does the 2012 Civic compare to other years?
- The 2012 Civic's complaint index of 55 is lower than 2006, 2007, 2008, 2010, 2016, and 2022, which all carry Avoid verdicts with indexes of 75 or higher. It is worse than 2011 and 2013, which score 5 and 10 respectively.
- What is the fuel economy of the 2012 Honda Civic?
- The 2012 Civic gets 31 mpg combined (28 city, 38 highway) with an estimated annual fuel cost of $2,100 according to EPA data.