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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
30,217 miles · Jul 2, 2020
Steering

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 HONDA CIVIC. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE LOSS POWER STEERING ASSIST AND BECAME DIFFICULT TO STEER IN EITHER DIRECTION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO BRAMAN HONDA OF PALM BEACH LOCATED AT 6200 LAKE WORTH RD, GREEN ACRES, FL 33463, TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT WAS INF…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 HONDA CIVIC. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE LOSS POWER STEERING ASSIST AND BECAME DIFFICULT TO STEER IN EITHER DIRECTION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO BRAMAN HONDA OF PALM BEACH LOCATED AT 6200 LAKE WORTH RD, GREEN ACRES, FL 33463, TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE STEERING RACK WAS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED AND THE FAILURE WAS REMEDIED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 30,217.

NHTSA ODI #11337225

Mileage unknown · Jul 2, 2020
Electrical SystemUnknown Or Other

A/C UNIT AND ALL COMPONENTS OF AC HAS STOPPED WORKING, PREVIOUS OWNER REPLACED COMPONENTS AT DEALERSHIP, I HAD THE COMPONENTS REPLACED AT A DIFFERENT DEALERSHIP! PARTS ARE FAULTY AND DON'T LAST!

NHTSA ODI #11337156

53,000 miles · Jun 27, 2020
Steering

AFTER DRIVING THE CAR ON THE HIGHWAY FOR AT LEAST 15 MINUTES SUDDENLY THE CAR BEGINS TO DRIFT EVER SO SLIGHTLY ONE WAY OR ANOTHER. WHEN I GO TO CORRECT, THE STEERING WHEEL RESISTS. IT DOESN'T FREEZE BUT IT SORT OF "STICKS" UNTIL I APPLY A BIT MORE PRESSURE, AFTER WHICH IT SUDDENLY RELEASES, CORRECTS, AND ACTS COMPLETELY NORMAL. …

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AFTER DRIVING THE CAR ON THE HIGHWAY FOR AT LEAST 15 MINUTES SUDDENLY THE CAR BEGINS TO DRIFT EVER SO SLIGHTLY ONE WAY OR ANOTHER. WHEN I GO TO CORRECT, THE STEERING WHEEL RESISTS. IT DOESN'T FREEZE BUT IT SORT OF "STICKS" UNTIL I APPLY A BIT MORE PRESSURE, AFTER WHICH IT SUDDENLY RELEASES, CORRECTS, AND ACTS COMPLETELY NORMAL. MOMENTS LATER HOWEVER, IT DRIFTS THE OPPOSITE DIRECTION, AND I AM FORCED TO REPEAT THE SAME PROCESS ALL OVER AGAIN. END RESULT IS I BEGIN DRIFTING SLIGHTLY BACK AND FORTH DOWN THE HIGHWAY REPEATEDLY, ALL THE WHILE FIGHTING WITH A STEERING WHEEL THAT DOESN'T SEEM TO WANT TO LET GO THIS SEEMS TO BE MORE NOTICEABLE WHEN TEMPERATURES ARE HIGHER AROUND 80+ DEGREES F. *TR

NHTSA ODI #11331190

47,173 miles · Jun 25, 2020
Service BrakesCrash

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2016 HONDA CIVIC. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS IN PARK WITH THE IGNITION OFF AND KEYS REMOVED, WHEN THE VEHICLE ROLLED BACKWARDS DOWN A HILL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE BELIEVED THE VEHICLE WAS IN PARKED AND THE PARKING BRAKE WAS ENGAGED. THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE ENDED UP HITTING AND RUNN…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2016 HONDA CIVIC. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS IN PARK WITH THE IGNITION OFF AND KEYS REMOVED, WHEN THE VEHICLE ROLLED BACKWARDS DOWN A HILL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE BELIEVED THE VEHICLE WAS IN PARKED AND THE PARKING BRAKE WAS ENGAGED. THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE ENDED UP HITTING AND RUNNING OVER A TREE STUMP AND GUARDRAIL. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. NO POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO AN AUTO BODY SHOP WHERE THE UNDERNEATH OF THE VEHICLE WAS SEVERELY DAMAGED CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO BE TOTALED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT MENTIONED NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V725000 (PARKING BRAKE) AS THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 47,173.

NHTSA ODI #11330744

103,000 miles · Jun 24, 2020
Unknown Or OtherVisibility

2016 HONDA CIVIC. PROBLEM WITH AIR CONDITIONING BLOWING HOT AIR BOTH WHEN VEHICLE IS IN MOTION AND STATIONARY. I TOOK TO THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP AND WAS TOLD BOTH CONDENSER AND COMPRESSOR HAD LEAKS. CONDENSER IS COVERED UNDER EXTENDED WARRANTY BUT THE COMPRESSOR WAS NOT COSTING IN EXCESS OF $1100 TO REPAIR. WAS INFORMED BY DEA…

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2016 HONDA CIVIC. PROBLEM WITH AIR CONDITIONING BLOWING HOT AIR BOTH WHEN VEHICLE IS IN MOTION AND STATIONARY. I TOOK TO THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP AND WAS TOLD BOTH CONDENSER AND COMPRESSOR HAD LEAKS. CONDENSER IS COVERED UNDER EXTENDED WARRANTY BUT THE COMPRESSOR WAS NOT COSTING IN EXCESS OF $1100 TO REPAIR. WAS INFORMED BY DEALERSHIP THEY ARE RECEIVING 3-4 VEHICLES PER WEEK WITH THIS ISSUE. IT IS CLEARLY A DEFECT IN THE MANUFACTURE OF THE VEHICLE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #11330517

28,000 miles · Jun 22, 2020
Unknown Or Other

HONDA CIVIC, MODEL YEAR 2016 HAS DEFECTIVE A/C SYSTEM. IN SHOP 3X SINCE 2017 TO REPAIR A/C, ON 3X THE COMPRESSOR AND CONDENSER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. SYSTEM DOES NOT BLOW COLD AIR. HONDA REPLACED THE CONDENSER AT NO CHARGE, BUT CHARGED $599.00 FOR NEW COMPRESSOR. I BELIEVE HONDA IS AWARE OF THEIR DEFECTIVE A/C SYSTEM. *TR

NHTSA ODI #11330165

33,000 miles · Jun 22, 2020
Steering

WHEN DRIVING ON A WARM DAY ON THE HIGHWAY, THE STEERING BECOMES VERY NOTCHY WHEN GOING STRAIGHT. WHEN DRIVING, THERE IS CONSTANT MINOR ADJUSTMENTS NEEDED TO BE MADE TO GO STRAIGHT, HOWEVER, EACH TIME I TRY TO MAKE THESE ADJUSTMENTS, THE STEERING WHEEL IS STUCK SO I AM SLIGHTLY DRIFTING LEFT OR RIGHT. TO REALIGN MYSELF, I HAVE TO…

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WHEN DRIVING ON A WARM DAY ON THE HIGHWAY, THE STEERING BECOMES VERY NOTCHY WHEN GOING STRAIGHT. WHEN DRIVING, THERE IS CONSTANT MINOR ADJUSTMENTS NEEDED TO BE MADE TO GO STRAIGHT, HOWEVER, EACH TIME I TRY TO MAKE THESE ADJUSTMENTS, THE STEERING WHEEL IS STUCK SO I AM SLIGHTLY DRIFTING LEFT OR RIGHT. TO REALIGN MYSELF, I HAVE TO JAR THE STEERING WHEEL LEFT OR RIGHT TO GET IT OUT OF THIS STUCK POSITION WHICH CAUSES ME TO GO TOO FAR AND TOWARDS OTHER LANES. ESSENTIALLY I AM DRIVING ZIG ZAG THE ENTIRE TIME TRYING TO STAY IN A LANE. THIS LINK HAS THE SAME EXACT COMPLAINTS FROM MANY OTHER CUSTOMERS: HTTPS://WWW.CARCOMPLAINTS.COM/HONDA/CIVIC/2016/STEERING/STEERING.SHTML. *TR

NHTSA ODI #11330093

42,000 miles · Jun 22, 2020
Visibility

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 HONDA CIVIC. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE WINDSHIELD DEFROSTER WAS INOPERABLE DUE TO THE AIR CONDITIONER BEING INOPERABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE WINDSHIELD AND WINDOWS FOGGED UP WHILE DRIVING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO PENSKE HONDA (4140 E 96TH ST, INDIANAPOLIS, IN 46240 317-399-9890, BUT WAS NOT …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 HONDA CIVIC. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE WINDSHIELD DEFROSTER WAS INOPERABLE DUE TO THE AIR CONDITIONER BEING INOPERABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE WINDSHIELD AND WINDOWS FOGGED UP WHILE DRIVING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO PENSKE HONDA (4140 E 96TH ST, INDIANAPOLIS, IN 46240 317-399-9890, BUT WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 42,000.

NHTSA ODI #11330001

57,500 miles · Jun 20, 2020
Steering

2016 HONDA CIVIC EX STEERING WHEEL STICKY , STIFF & JERKY. MY VEHICLE DOES NOT HAVE LANE KEEPING ASSIST. THE POWER STEERING WORKS FINE FOR LARGE MOVEMENTS BUT FOR SUBTLE MOVEMENTS, IT WOULD CAUSE RESISTANCE AND JERK WHEN YOU ADD MORE FORCE TO TURN. THIS ISSUE DOES NOT MATTER WITH VEHICLE SPEED, STOPPED OR MOVING PRODUCES THE S…

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2016 HONDA CIVIC EX STEERING WHEEL STICKY , STIFF & JERKY. MY VEHICLE DOES NOT HAVE LANE KEEPING ASSIST. THE POWER STEERING WORKS FINE FOR LARGE MOVEMENTS BUT FOR SUBTLE MOVEMENTS, IT WOULD CAUSE RESISTANCE AND JERK WHEN YOU ADD MORE FORCE TO TURN. THIS ISSUE DOES NOT MATTER WITH VEHICLE SPEED, STOPPED OR MOVING PRODUCES THE SAME RESULT AND ONLY REQUIRES THE ENGINE TO BE RUNNING. THIS ISSUE CAUSES JERKY LANE POSITION AND POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS OVER CORRECTION AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. THE RESISTANCE MAKES IT DIFFICULT TO CHANGE LANES, AS IT FEELS LIKE A FORCE IS ACTING IN OPPOSITE DIRECTION AND IT TAKES MORE TO MAKE SUBTLE MOVEMENTS. PLEASE LOOK AT A VIDEO I FOUND FROM A FELLOW CIVIC OWNER. THIS IS EXACTLY THE SAME PROBLEM I AM TRYING TO DESCRIBE. FIND THE VIDEO AT HTTPS://YOUTU.BE/W5X_CAVHXMM. THE INDIVIDUAL WHO MADE THE VIDEO WAS ABLE TO GET WARRANTED WORK DONE AND THE DEALER REPLACED THE ENTIRE STEERING RACK. *TR

NHTSA ODI #11329819

Mileage unknown · Jun 19, 2020
Steering

THE STEERING IS STICKING. WHEN DRIVING AND ATTEMPTING TO MAKE MINISCULE ROAD ADJUSTMENTS, THE STEERING STICKS AND TO CORRECT, THE WHEEL MAKES A JERK WHICH IS VERY UNSAFE. THIS PROBLEM OCCURS ALL OF THE TIME, WHICH INCLUDES ANY SPEED. THIS STICKING OF THE WHEEL PROBLEM HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR A BIT OVER A YEAR. I TOOK IT TO HON…

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THE STEERING IS STICKING. WHEN DRIVING AND ATTEMPTING TO MAKE MINISCULE ROAD ADJUSTMENTS, THE STEERING STICKS AND TO CORRECT, THE WHEEL MAKES A JERK WHICH IS VERY UNSAFE. THIS PROBLEM OCCURS ALL OF THE TIME, WHICH INCLUDES ANY SPEED. THIS STICKING OF THE WHEEL PROBLEM HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR A BIT OVER A YEAR. I TOOK IT TO HONDA ABOUT 1 YEAR AGO AND THEY CLAIMED NOTHING WAS WRONG. THE PROBLEM PERSISTS AND NOW I AM HEARING TICKING NOISES WHEN MAKING NORMAL ROAD ADJUSTMENTS AS WELL AS TURNING. AGAIN, I AM VERY FRIGHTENED FOR MY SAFETY. AS DOCUMENTATION FROM MANY 2016 HONDA CIVIC OWNERS IS EASILY AVAILABLE THROUGH VARIOUS ONLINE FORUMS, I AM SUSPECTING THIS TO BE A MAJOR ENGINEERING DEFECT THAT HONDA NEEDS TO BE RESPONSIBLE FOR RESOLVING. *TR

NHTSA ODI #11329800

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