2020 Honda Civic Problems, Recalls & Reliability
Verdict
BestComplaint Index
20/100
#17 most-complained of 21 Civic years
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
The 2020 Honda Civic has 225 owner complaints and 5 safety recalls on file with NHTSA. Its Complaint Index is 20 out of 100 — #17 highest of 21 Civic model years (verdict: Best). The most reported problem area is electrical system (37 complaints, 16% of the total). Complaints report 15 crashes, 1 fire, and 12 injuries.
- Complaints
- 225
- Recalls
- 5
- Crashes / fires
- 15 / 1
- Injuries / deaths
- 12 / 0
- NHTSA overall rating
- 5 / 5 ★
- EPA combined MPG
- 32
- 29 city / 37 hwy
Top 2020 Honda Civic problems
NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Other39 (17%)
- Electrical System37 (16%)
- Fuel System31 (14%)
- Transmission & Powertrain31 (14%)
- Airbags29 (13%)
- Steering29 (13%)
- Collision Avoidance & Cameras24 (11%)
- Brakes18 (8%)
- Engine16 (7%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires14 (6%)
2020 Honda Civic recalls
5 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 26V332000May 21, 2026Airbags98,892 vehicles
Air bags:sensor:occupant classification:front passenger
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2018-2021, 2023 Acura TLX, 2019-2024 RDX, 2017-2020, 2022-2026 MDX, 2017-2021, 2023, 2025 Honda Ridgeline, 2017-2022 Pilot, 2019-2021 Passport, 2018-2026 Odyssey, 2019-2022 Insight, 2019-2021 HR-V, 2018-2020 Fit, 2020-2022 CR-V Hybrid, 2017-2022 CR-V, 2017-2018, 2021 Civic Type R, 2017-2021 Civic hatchback, 2016-2020 Civic coupe, 2016-2022 Civic, 2017-2022 Accord Hybrid, and 2016-2022 Accord vehicles. The front passenger seat weight sensor may crack and short circuit, which can cause the air bags to deploy unintentionally during a crash.
Risk: Air bags that deploy unintentionally during a crash increase the risk of injury.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the seat weight sensors, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 7, 2026. Owners may contact Honda's customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are BOL, WO9, OOA, WOM, XOH, NOC, POD, BOE, UOF, POB, EOG, AOI, QO8, TOJ, DO7, and SOK. This recall expands previous NHTSA recall number 24V064. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will be searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning May 29, 2026.
- NHTSA 24V064000Feb 1, 2024Airbags750,114 vehicles
Air bags:sensor:occupant classification:front passenger
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Pilot, Accord, Civic sedan, HR-V, Odyssey, 2020 Civic coupe, Fit, 2021-2022 Civic hatchback, 2021 Civic Type R, Insight, 2020-2021 CR-V, CR-V Hybrid, Passport, Ridgeline, Accord Hybrid, 2020 Acura MDX, 2022 Acura MDX, 2020-2022 Acura RDX, and 2020-2021 Acura TLX vehicles. The front passenger seat weight sensor may crack and short circuit, failing to suppress the air bag as intended.
Risk: An air bag that deploys unintentionally during a crash can increase the risk of injury.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the seat weight sensors, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 28, 2024. This is a phased recall. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for these recalls are XHP and VHQ.
- NHTSA 23V858000Dec 18, 2023Fuel System2,490,460 vehicles
Fuel system, gasoline:delivery:fuel pump
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2013-2023 Honda Accord, Civic Coupe, Civic Sedan, Civic Hatchback, Civic Type R, CR-V, HR-V, Ridgeline, Odyssey, Acura ILX, MDX, MDX Hybrid, RDX, RLX, TLX, 2019-2022 Honda Insight, Passport, 2020 Honda CR-V Hybrid, 2018-2019 Honda Clarity PHEV, Fit, and 2015-2020 Honda Accord Hybrid, Pilot, Acura NSX vehicles. The fuel pump inside the fuel tank may fail.
Risk: Fuel pump failure can cause an engine stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the fuel pump module, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed September 6, 2024. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are KGC and KGD. This recall is an expansion of NHTSA recall numbers 21V-215 and 20V-314.
2020 Honda Civic fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 29 MPG
- Highway
- 37 MPG
- Combined
- 32 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $2,050
- 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.
2020 compared with other Civic years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2020 Honda Civic a reliable year?
- Judged by NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2020 Honda Civic ranks #17 of 21 among Civic model years (Complaint Index 20/100, verdict: Best). It has 225 complaints and 5 recalls on file. This reflects reported safety-related problems, not an overall reliability rating.
- What are the most common problems with the 2020 Honda Civic?
- The most reported problem areas are electrical system (37 complaints), fuel system (31 complaints), and transmission & powertrain (31 complaints). The median mileage at the time of failure in complaints that report it is 15,400 miles.
- Does the 2020 Honda Civic have any recalls?
- Yes — NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns for the 2020 Honda Civic, most recently reported 2026, covering airbags, fuel system, and brakes.
- What is the fuel economy of the 2020 Honda Civic?
- EPA rates the 2020 Honda Civic at 32 MPG combined (29 city / 37 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $2,050. Where several configurations exist, the median is shown.