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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.

About this comparison →

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

What owners actually said

1,080 reports
Mileage unknown · Mar 2, 2022
Unknown Or Other

Air conditioner suddenly not functioning. The dealership confirmed that the AC condenser and evaporator core were leaking and needed to be replaced. The condenser was covered under an extended 10 year warranty issued by Honda because of manufacture defect. However, the evaporator core is not and had to pay out of pocket for it…

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Air conditioner suddenly not functioning. The dealership confirmed that the AC condenser and evaporator core were leaking and needed to be replaced. The condenser was covered under an extended 10 year warranty issued by Honda because of manufacture defect. However, the evaporator core is not and had to pay out of pocket for it to be repaired. I’ve have done research and have discovered that the evaporator core malfunctions just as mush as the condenser. That is why I feel Honda needs to also establish an extended warranty for that part as well since they are both related. There were no indicators telling me the parts were failing.

NHTSA ODI #11454883

Mileage unknown · Feb 26, 2022
Steering

While driving down the highway, and attempting to make minor steering adjustments, the steering wheel constantly binds. An unnatural breakout force is required to overcome this perilous situation. The result is a continual overcorrection of the vehicles trajectory within the driving lane (Similar to a drunk driver). My vehicle …

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While driving down the highway, and attempting to make minor steering adjustments, the steering wheel constantly binds. An unnatural breakout force is required to overcome this perilous situation. The result is a continual overcorrection of the vehicles trajectory within the driving lane (Similar to a drunk driver). My vehicle has over 60k miles. The problem has been getting progressively worse over the last year. A google search reveals this issue is not an isolated one. It appears there may be a defect with the steering rack of these vehicles.

NHTSA ODI #11454295

Mileage unknown · Feb 24, 2022
Forward Collision AvoidanceLane Departure

Multiple times my 2016 Honda Civic has engaged the auto braking system for what appears to be no reason at all. I have had my Honda brake when I do not have any vehicles, obstacles, items or obstructions anywhere in the road in front of me or beside me. When this occurs at full speed on the road the vehicles traveling behind me …

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Multiple times my 2016 Honda Civic has engaged the auto braking system for what appears to be no reason at all. I have had my Honda brake when I do not have any vehicles, obstacles, items or obstructions anywhere in the road in front of me or beside me. When this occurs at full speed on the road the vehicles traveling behind me have had to quickly swerve into the adjacent lanes of travel to avoid a rear end collision which could have resulted in serious injury. I have also noticed that the lane departure warning system is faulty and frequently goes off steering my vehicle into the lane next to me even if there is a car occupying the lane next to me. Thank you for your time and assistance.

NHTSA ODI #11453786

Mileage unknown · Jan 21, 2022
Visibility/wiper

Ice builds up on windshield while snowing. Wipers build up ice and stick to windsheild

NHTSA ODI #11448417

Mileage unknown · Jan 7, 2022
Unknown Or Other

While driving on the freeway on 1/6/2022, the sunroof suddenly exploded above my head. It was as if something was dropped from the sky and glass fell down on my head and into the exterior of the car. I was able to maintain control of the vehicle and maintain safety but it was absolutely terrifying. This car is brand new to me as…

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While driving on the freeway on 1/6/2022, the sunroof suddenly exploded above my head. It was as if something was dropped from the sky and glass fell down on my head and into the exterior of the car. I was able to maintain control of the vehicle and maintain safety but it was absolutely terrifying. This car is brand new to me as of 12/11/21. Nothing was visibly wrong with the sunroof and I wasn’t driving under an underpass, so nothing could have been thrown at me from above. What is left of the tempered glass sunroof is spiderwebbed and continues to fall into the car and it is not drivable until repair.

NHTSA ODI #11446580

Mileage unknown · Dec 23, 2021
Power Train

I experienced a total catastrophic failure of the transmission with less than 55000 miles and only 5 years and 1 month old. The transmission needed to be replaced.

NHTSA ODI #11444838

Mileage unknown · Dec 12, 2021
Steering

The car steering wheel stick and is jerky when driving. There are multiple sites with forum and videos of people experiencing the same issue.

NHTSA ODI #11443495

Mileage unknown · Dec 3, 2021
Service Brakes

I'm the original and only owner of the vehicle, which has less than 36,000 miles. My Civic has only ever been serviced by Honda dealerships, and I can provide maintenance records upon request. A failure of this nature to the braking system can only be caused by a defective part. In fact, I had my brakes inspected by Honda at …

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I'm the original and only owner of the vehicle, which has less than 36,000 miles. My Civic has only ever been serviced by Honda dealerships, and I can provide maintenance records upon request. A failure of this nature to the braking system can only be caused by a defective part. In fact, I had my brakes inspected by Honda at 33,000 miles, and Honda gave my brakes a clean bill of health. While driving my vehicle, the brake pedal suddenly was unable to be depressed except with extreme foot pressure; it felt like a brick had been placed under my brake pedal. The stopping power was substantially diminished. It took multiple, very strong brake pumps to slow and stop my vehicle, meaning I was unable to stop in the event of an emergency. I took the car immediately to a Honda dealership. Ultimately, Honda replaced by brake booster, which they noted was defective, but charged me for the repair because the time (but not mileage) had elapsed on my warranty.

NHTSA ODI #11442511

Mileage unknown · Nov 29, 2021
Steering

Steering would "catch" at the centerline when attempting to steer straight. Extra force needed to overcome resistance which causes oversteering and vehicle veered into next lane. This issue has become progressively more dangerous until now the vehicle is unsafe to drive.

NHTSA ODI #11442021

Mileage unknown · Nov 22, 2021
Steering

Around 40,000 miles, we first noticed a sort of bump or detent when trying to steer straight ahead at highway speeds. The car will drift to the right or left. When the driver attempts to steer back into the lane, resistance is felt at Top-Dead-Center, the demarc between left and right. To overcome the resistance, extra force…

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Around 40,000 miles, we first noticed a sort of bump or detent when trying to steer straight ahead at highway speeds. The car will drift to the right or left. When the driver attempts to steer back into the lane, resistance is felt at Top-Dead-Center, the demarc between left and right. To overcome the resistance, extra force must be used and that causes an oversteer condition in the opposite direction. I reported this problem to the dealership at 46976 miles, which was within the extended warranty coverage. They failed to report it to the warranty company or American Honda. I reported the issue again at mileage 59277, after it became much worse and much more dangerous. So far, my dealership has refused to cover the problem under manufacturer's warranty or extended warranty. Over the past year, I've driven this car less than 1000 miles because I am afraid it will get me killed.

NHTSA ODI #11441365

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