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2016 Honda Civic

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

More warning signs than most Civic years

Owner complaints for the 2016 Honda Civic are substantially higher than the model-year median of 183.5.

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When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

494 reports with mileage · 586 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Steering. Review the 444 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 119 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine. Review the 95 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

36 crash reports4 fire reports13 injury reports

Steering complaints

444 reports
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47,510 miles · Feb 15, 2019
Steering

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 HONDA CIVIC. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL FAILED AND THE CONTACT HAD TO USE FORCE TO STEER THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO THE CONTACT'S HOME. THE CONTACT SCHEDULED AN APPOINTMENT WITH PENSACOLA HONDA (6675 PENSACOLA BLVD, PENSACOLA, FL 32505). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAI…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 HONDA CIVIC. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL FAILED AND THE CONTACT HAD TO USE FORCE TO STEER THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO THE CONTACT'S HOME. THE CONTACT SCHEDULED AN APPOINTMENT WITH PENSACOLA HONDA (6675 PENSACOLA BLVD, PENSACOLA, FL 32505). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 47,510.

NHTSA ODI #11180380

9,500 miles · Feb 7, 2019
Steering

WHILE DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS OVER 65MPH, THE STEERING GETS "STICKY" THE DRIVER HAS TO APPLY EXTRA FORCE TO MOVE THE STEERING WHEEL WHILE DIVING STRAIGHT. THE MINOR STEERING CORRECTIONS THAT WE USE TO KEEP A CAR CENTERED IN A LANE NOW BECOME SOMETHING THAT REQUIRES TWO HANDS BECAUSE ONCE YOU "BREAK" THE STEERING WHEEL FREE, T…

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WHILE DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS OVER 65MPH, THE STEERING GETS "STICKY" THE DRIVER HAS TO APPLY EXTRA FORCE TO MOVE THE STEERING WHEEL WHILE DIVING STRAIGHT. THE MINOR STEERING CORRECTIONS THAT WE USE TO KEEP A CAR CENTERED IN A LANE NOW BECOME SOMETHING THAT REQUIRES TWO HANDS BECAUSE ONCE YOU "BREAK" THE STEERING WHEEL FREE, THE CAR OVER-CORRECTS AND YOU NEED BOTH HANDS TO KEEP THE CAR IN THE LANE YOU ARE DRIVING IN. THE FORCE REQUIRED ISN'T A LOT, BUT ENOUGH TO MAKE A LONG ROAD TRIP UNDOABLE.

NHTSA ODI #11174933

19,000 miles · Jan 13, 2019
Steering

WHEN DRIVING MY CAR AT 60 OR 65MPH ON THE HIGHWAY AFTER SEVERAL MINUTES THE STEERING WHEEL STAYS STUCK AND MAKES DRIVING DIFFICULT CAUSING STRONG PULLS TO THE SIDES AND CAUSES INSECURITY AND DIFFICULTY WHEN DRIVING LONG DISTANCES. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER IN JUNE OF 2018 EXPLAINING THE SITUATION AND A HONDA TECHNICIAN MADE THE TE…

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WHEN DRIVING MY CAR AT 60 OR 65MPH ON THE HIGHWAY AFTER SEVERAL MINUTES THE STEERING WHEEL STAYS STUCK AND MAKES DRIVING DIFFICULT CAUSING STRONG PULLS TO THE SIDES AND CAUSES INSECURITY AND DIFFICULTY WHEN DRIVING LONG DISTANCES. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER IN JUNE OF 2018 EXPLAINING THE SITUATION AND A HONDA TECHNICIAN MADE THE TEST WITH ME NEXT AND IT HAPPENED THE SAME. HE REPORTED IT AND THEY ONLY MADE ONE BATTERY CHANGE. TODAY JANUARY 13 OF 2019 THE PROBLEM CONTINUES AND IS GETTING WORSE. THE CAR HAS 26,114 MILES TODAY.

NHTSA ODI #11166762

12,661 miles · Nov 16, 2018
Steering

STEERING WHEEL STICKS WHEN TRYING TO MAKE SMALL ADJUSTMENTS. MUST APPLY ADDED PRESSURE TO GET PAST THE STICK. HAPPENS INTERMITTENTLY, ESPECIALLY WHEN DRIVEN FOR LONGER TIMES AND WHEN THE WEATHER IS HOT. TAKEN TO DEALER SEVERAL TIMES BUT TOLD THEY CANNOT DUPLICATE PROBLEM.

NHTSA ODI #11152111

45,000 miles · Nov 16, 2018
Electrical SystemEngineService Brakes

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 HONDA CIVIC. WHILE DRIVING HIGHWAY SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE JERKED AND HESITATED. OCCASIONALLY, WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE, MULTIPLE WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED, INDICATING FAILURES WITH THE BRAKING SYSTEM, STEERING, AND STABILITY CONTROL. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS TURNED OFF AND RESTARTED, IT OPERATED NORM…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 HONDA CIVIC. WHILE DRIVING HIGHWAY SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE JERKED AND HESITATED. OCCASIONALLY, WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE, MULTIPLE WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED, INDICATING FAILURES WITH THE BRAKING SYSTEM, STEERING, AND STABILITY CONTROL. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS TURNED OFF AND RESTARTED, IT OPERATED NORMALLY. THE FAILURES WERE NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER AND LOCAL DEALER (APPLE HONDA 1, 801 WHITEFORD RD, YORK, PA) WERE NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 45,000.

NHTSA ODI #11152006

32,000 miles · Sep 28, 2018
Steering

THE STEERING STICKS WHEN DRIVING. WHEN DRIVING, EVEN JUST ON A STRAIGHT PATH, YOU HAVE MAKE STEERING ADJUSTMENTS TO KEEP THE CAR IN THE LANE. THE STEERING WILL STICK AND WHEN IT "BREAKS LOOSE,", THE CAR OVERCOMPENSATES AND JERKS. THIS MAKES IT DIFFICULT TO KEEP THE CAR IN THE LANE AND ON THE ROAD. ESPECIALLY WHEN DRIVING ON AN I…

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THE STEERING STICKS WHEN DRIVING. WHEN DRIVING, EVEN JUST ON A STRAIGHT PATH, YOU HAVE MAKE STEERING ADJUSTMENTS TO KEEP THE CAR IN THE LANE. THE STEERING WILL STICK AND WHEN IT "BREAKS LOOSE,", THE CAR OVERCOMPENSATES AND JERKS. THIS MAKES IT DIFFICULT TO KEEP THE CAR IN THE LANE AND ON THE ROAD. ESPECIALLY WHEN DRIVING ON AN INTERSTATE REQUIRING HIGHER RATES OF SPEED. VEHICLE HAS BEEN TO THE DEALERSHIP TWICE. HOWEVER, TECHNICIANS WERE UNABLE TO "REPLICATE" THE PROBLEM. I MADE THEM AWARE OF SIMILAR COMPLAINTS WITH THE STEERING AND WAS TOLD HONDA WILL NOT ALLOW REPLACEMENT OF THE STEERING RACK WITHOUT REPLICATION OF THE ISSUE FIRST. THE VEHICLE IS UNSAFE. SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE TO ADDRESS THIS ISSUE!

NHTSA ODI #11132057

29,775 miles · Aug 29, 2018
Electrical SystemEngineSteering

STATIONARY CAR COMPLETELY SHUT DOWN, WOULD NOT START, BATTERY CHECK OK, COULD NOT TAKE OUT OF PARK, HAD TO HAVE IT TOWED TO SHOP AND HAVE TCM REPLACED AND SOFTWARE UPDATED- IN MOTION -STEERING WHEEL SLIPS AND SHAKES AS WELL - VERY DISAPPOINTED IN HONDA.

NHTSA ODI #11123273

13,000 miles · Aug 27, 2018
Electronic Stability Control (esc)SteeringWheels

FEELS LIKE THE WHEELS ARE GOING TO FALL OFF I HAVE TAKEN IT TO SEVERAL OTHER MECHANICS AND THEY SAY ITS THROWING CODES FOR ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL ELECTRIC POWER STEERING AND THE ELECTRIC PARKING BREAK BUT 3 DEALERSHIPS SAY THE VEHICLE IS FINE

NHTSA ODI #11122685

23,000 miles · Aug 15, 2018
Steering

THE STEERING WHEEL STICKS WHEN TRYING TO DRIVE IN A STRAIGHT LINE. THIS STICKING OR NOTCHING CAN BE FELT WHEN THE CAR IS IDLING AND IN PARK. THIS PROBLEM IS CONTINUOUS.

NHTSA ODI #11120178

Mileage unknown · Jul 31, 2018
Steering

CAR WAS BOUGHT NEW. STEERING HAS STARTED STICKING. WHEN I AM DRIVING ON INTERSTATE IT FEELS LIKE THERE'S A CATCH IN THE STEERING WHEEL WHEN YOU TRY TO MAINTAIN LANE AND HAVE TO TURN THE WHEEL SLIGHTLY TO THE RIGHT. YOU HAVE TO PUSH THROUGH THE "CATCH" FEEL WHICH CAUSES THE CAR TO JERK. IT HASN'T GOTTEN TO WHERE IT IS CONTINUOU…

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CAR WAS BOUGHT NEW. STEERING HAS STARTED STICKING. WHEN I AM DRIVING ON INTERSTATE IT FEELS LIKE THERE'S A CATCH IN THE STEERING WHEEL WHEN YOU TRY TO MAINTAIN LANE AND HAVE TO TURN THE WHEEL SLIGHTLY TO THE RIGHT. YOU HAVE TO PUSH THROUGH THE "CATCH" FEEL WHICH CAUSES THE CAR TO JERK. IT HASN'T GOTTEN TO WHERE IT IS CONTINUOUSLY HAPPENING. ON MORE CURVING ROADS THE STEERING SEEMS TO CATCH, AND STICK, WHICH CAUSES ME TO HAVE TO DO THE SAME THING AND GET THE WHEEL THROUGH THE "CATCH" IN ORDER TO STAY ON THE ROAD WHICH CAUSES THE CAR TO JERK EVERY TIME. I BOUGHT THIS CAR BECAUSE OF THE SMOOTH STEERING AND FOR THIS TO BE HAPPENING AT THE EXTENT IT IS NOW WHICH IS CAUSING A HUGE SAFETY ISSUE IS VERY DISTURBING. AFTER REVIEWING OTHER SIMILAR COMPLAINTS ONLINE I AM NOT SURE WHY THERE HAS NOT BEEN A SAFETY RECALL ISSUED FOR THIS.

NHTSA ODI #11114754

Official recalls

5

26V332000 · Air Bags:sensor:occupant Classification:front Passenger

May 21, 2026

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.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: 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.

23V858000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:fuel Pump

Dec 18, 2023

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.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: 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.

16V725000 · Parking Brake

Oct 11, 2016

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain model year 2016 Honda Civic two door and four door 1.5L turbo and 2.0L vehicles. The electric parking brake (EPB) may not engage if it is applied immediately after turning the ignition off.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: If the EPB is not applied, the vehicle may roll away, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will update the vehicle's software to allow the EPB to engage immediately after the ignition is turned off, free of charge. The recall began on November 8, 2016. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's number for this recall is KC6.

16V526000 · Exterior Lighting

Jul 11, 2016

American Honda Motor Co. (Honda) is recalling certain model year 2016 Civic 2-Door vehicles manufactured February 23, 2016, through May 20, 2016. The affected vehicles may have a damaged LED side marker light circuit board inside the taillight assembly, making the marker light inoperable. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Assoc. Equipment."

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: If a side marker light does not function, vehicle visibility can be decreased to other drivers, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will inspect both the taillight assemblies, replacing them as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on August 31, 2016. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's number for this recall is KB8.

16V074000 · Engine And Engine Cooling:engine

Feb 9, 2016

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain model year 2016 Civic vehicles manufactured September 22, 2015, to February 3, 2016 and equipped with 2.0L engines. The affected vehicles have engines with piston assemblies that may have been manufactured without a piston wrist pin circlip or with an incorrectly installed piston wrist pin circlip.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: If a circlip is missing or incorrectly installed, the piston wrist pin may not be secure and may drift and damage the engine cylinder causing the engine to seize, and increasing the risk of a crash or a fire.

Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and replace the piston assemblies and damaged engine components, as necessary, free of charge. Parts are expected to be available in the Summer of 2016. Owners were mailed an interim notification beginning March 31, 2016, and will be mailed a second notice when parts are available. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's number for this recall is JX9.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.

Go deeper into Honda Civic problems