COVER FOR CENTER BRAKE LIGHT KEEPS COMING LOOSE, OBSCURING REAR WINDOW AND FLOODING INTERIOR WITH RED LIGHT WHEN BRAKE IS APPLIED AT NIGHT. KNOWN ISSUE, BUT DEALERS DO NOT HAVE GUIDANCE ON HOW TO PERMANENTLY FIX IT.
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.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Civic years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
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.
Visibility/wiper complaints
47 reportsTHE HIGH-MOUNTED BRAKE LIGHT COVER, MOUNTED ON THE REAR WINDOW, HAS DETACHED ITSELF FROM THE WINDOW. THIS HAS RESULTED IN A LOSS OF VISIBILITY DUE TO THE PLASTIC COVER BLOCKING IMPORTANT VISUAL INFORMATION FROM OUTSIDE THE CAR. IN ADDITION, RED LIGHT FROM THE BRAKE LIGHT ILLUMINATES THE REAR WINDOW, MAKING IT ALMOST IMPOSSIB…
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THE HIGH-MOUNTED BRAKE LIGHT COVER, MOUNTED ON THE REAR WINDOW, HAS DETACHED ITSELF FROM THE WINDOW. THIS HAS RESULTED IN A LOSS OF VISIBILITY DUE TO THE PLASTIC COVER BLOCKING IMPORTANT VISUAL INFORMATION FROM OUTSIDE THE CAR. IN ADDITION, RED LIGHT FROM THE BRAKE LIGHT ILLUMINATES THE REAR WINDOW, MAKING IT ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE TO SEE OUTSIDE AT NIGHT. I REPORT THIS TO THE DEALER (ROBERTS HONDA IN DOWNINGTOWN, PA) WHO SAID THAT "ALL CIVIC COUPES HAVE HAD THIS PROBLEM, HONDA AMERICA IS AWARE, BUT HAS NOT PROVIDED A FIX"
ITS BEEN 4 MONTHS NOW THAT THE 3RD LIGHT BRAKE IN MY CAR STILL PENDING RESOLUTION. IT BLOCKS MY REAR VIEW AS IT IS HANGING 3 INCHES DOWN WITH THIS BLACK SQUARE 5 X 5 X 5 TO COVER TH LIGHT. I CAN'T DRIVER THIS CAR IN THE NIGHT BECAUSE ITS DANGEROUS TO DRIVER IT DUE TO THE SIZE OF THE BOX. I AM STILL WAITING FOR FOR HONDA TO RES…
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ITS BEEN 4 MONTHS NOW THAT THE 3RD LIGHT BRAKE IN MY CAR STILL PENDING RESOLUTION. IT BLOCKS MY REAR VIEW AS IT IS HANGING 3 INCHES DOWN WITH THIS BLACK SQUARE 5 X 5 X 5 TO COVER TH LIGHT. I CAN'T DRIVER THIS CAR IN THE NIGHT BECAUSE ITS DANGEROUS TO DRIVER IT DUE TO THE SIZE OF THE BOX. I AM STILL WAITING FOR FOR HONDA TO RESOLVE THIS PROBLEM
DRIVING ON I-5. ALL OF THE SUDDEN, I HEARD A POP AND THE GLASS FROM MY SUNROOF WAS FALLING ON ME. I DID NOT SEE ANY ROCKS OR OBJECTS HIT MY VEHICLE. TRAFFIC WAS MOVING FAIRLY SLOW. NO SEMI TRUCKS IN FRONT OF ME. DEALERSHIP SAID A ROCK MUST OF HIT MY SUNROOF BUT NOTHING FOUND.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 HONDA CIVIC. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE THIRD BRAKE LIGHT DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE, WHICH CAUSED A RED GLARE THAT IMPAIRED THE CONTACT'S VISION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 HONDA CIVIC. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE THIRD BRAKE LIGHT DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE, WHICH CAUSED A RED GLARE THAT IMPAIRED THE CONTACT'S VISION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 500. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
THIRD BRAKE LIGHT HOUSING FEEL OFF THE SAME DAY THAT I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE. AT NIGHT, THE ENTIRE REAR WINDOW LIGHTS UP WHEN I BRAKE. THIS IS A BLINDING AND DISTRACTING LIGHT THAT PREVENTS ME FROM SEEING OUT OF MY BACK WINDOW. THIS IS A SAFETY CONCERN. DEALER REFUSES TO FIX THIS AS PER INSTRUCTIONS FROM HONDA.
BLACK BOX HOLDING 3RD BRAKE LIGHT IS FALLING AND BLOCKING THE REAR VIEW . IT IS DOWN BY 3 INCHES AND THRE'S LIMITED VISIVILITY WHEN LOOKING AT THE REAR OF THE CAR AS THIS BOX IS BLOCKING THE VIEW. WEST COVINA NORM REEVES DON'T HAVE ANYMORE OPTION TO FIX THIS PROBLEM. THEY HAVE USED VELCRO AND TAPE AND DUE TO THE HOT WEATHER T…
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BLACK BOX HOLDING 3RD BRAKE LIGHT IS FALLING AND BLOCKING THE REAR VIEW . IT IS DOWN BY 3 INCHES AND THRE'S LIMITED VISIVILITY WHEN LOOKING AT THE REAR OF THE CAR AS THIS BOX IS BLOCKING THE VIEW. WEST COVINA NORM REEVES DON'T HAVE ANYMORE OPTION TO FIX THIS PROBLEM. THEY HAVE USED VELCRO AND TAPE AND DUE TO THE HOT WEATHER THIS 4X4X4X4 BLACK BOX IS A SAFETY HAZARD ESP. IN THE NIGHT WHERE YOU DONT HAVE FULL VIEW AT THE REAR OF THE CAR. NO OPTION TO FIX THIS PROBLEM BUT STILL WAITING FOR THE DEALER TO CONTACT ME IF THERES ANY SOLUTION. THIS IS A BRAND NEW CAR WHEN I BOUGHT IT WITH 26 MILES ON IT HONDA COUPE 2016.
THIRD BRAKE LIGHT COVER WILL NOT STAY UP. THIS CAUSES A VISIBILITY ISSUE WHEN DRIVING AT NIGHT OR IN RAIN, AS THE REFLECTION FROM THE RED LIGHT COVERS THE ENTIRE BACK WINDOW AND REFLECTS IN THE SIDE MIRRORS. YOU CANNOT SEE. IT DOES NOT MATTER IF THE TEMP IS HOT OR NOT. LEASED IN OHIO END OF JUNE AND WAS LIKE THAT THEN, AS WE…
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THIRD BRAKE LIGHT COVER WILL NOT STAY UP. THIS CAUSES A VISIBILITY ISSUE WHEN DRIVING AT NIGHT OR IN RAIN, AS THE REFLECTION FROM THE RED LIGHT COVERS THE ENTIRE BACK WINDOW AND REFLECTS IN THE SIDE MIRRORS. YOU CANNOT SEE. IT DOES NOT MATTER IF THE TEMP IS HOT OR NOT. LEASED IN OHIO END OF JUNE AND WAS LIKE THAT THEN, AS WERE ALL COUPES ON LOT. DEALER SAID THEY COULD GLUE IN OHIO. CALLED ANOTHER DEALER HE SAID NOT TO DO THAT, WOULD VOID WARRANTY. CAR NOW WITH SON AT COLLEGE IN FLORIDA. CALLED DEALER THERE, KNEW NOTHING. THIS IS A HAZARD DRIVING AND I WANT IT DOCUMENTED, AS PRETTY MUCH ALL OTHER 2016 HONDA COUPE OWNERS DO, THAT IF THIS CAUSES AN ACCIDENT, THERE HAVE BEEN PLENTY OF COMPLAINTS AT HONDA SERVICE DEPARTMENTS ABOUT. THERE IS A FORUM THAT HAS PAGES OF THE SAME COMPLAINT AND ATTEMPTED FIXES, BUT NONE WORK. IT EVEN STATES THAT SINCE JULY 2016 HONDA IS WORKING ON A FIX. THIS IS A DANGER AND NEEDS FIXED ASAP.
UNBELIEVABLE WEAKEN WINDSHIELD!!!
THIRD BRAKE LIGHT CAME CAME LOOSE SHORTLY AFTER DRIVING THE CAR OFF THE DEALER LOT AND PERSISTED AFTER ATTEMPTING A FIX. DEALER REPLACED THE ADHESIVE AND IT DID NOT FIX THE ISSUE. THIRD BRAKE LIGHT HOUSING LOOSE SEVERELY AFFECTS VISIBILITY THROUGH REAR WINDSHIELD. BRAKING AT NIGHT ILLUMINATES THE ENTIRE REAR WINDSHIELD AND SEVER…
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THIRD BRAKE LIGHT CAME CAME LOOSE SHORTLY AFTER DRIVING THE CAR OFF THE DEALER LOT AND PERSISTED AFTER ATTEMPTING A FIX. DEALER REPLACED THE ADHESIVE AND IT DID NOT FIX THE ISSUE. THIRD BRAKE LIGHT HOUSING LOOSE SEVERELY AFFECTS VISIBILITY THROUGH REAR WINDSHIELD. BRAKING AT NIGHT ILLUMINATES THE ENTIRE REAR WINDSHIELD AND SEVERELY OBSTRUCTS THE VIEW. DEFINITE SAFETY ISSUE THAT REQUIRES A RECALL.
Official recalls
526V332000 · 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
0No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.
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