2012 Honda Civic problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Air Bags (108) · Steering (68) · Vehicle Speed Control (36)
🧭 Reliability snapshot
Compared against other Honda Civic model years — complaint volume vs the model's median year, recalls and severity. How we score →
🛣️ Complaints by mileage
321 NHTSA complaints that reported an odometer reading.
Safety recalls (3)
Steering:column 2012-11-21 · campaign 12V548000 · 157 vehicles
Defect: Honda is recalling certain model year 2012 Civic passenger vehicles, manufactured from October 26, 2012, through October 30, 2012. These vehicles were assembled with the incorrect steering column assembly.
Risk: The steering column may not have proper energy absorbing characteristics, which could increase the risk of injury during a vehicle crash.
Fix: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and replace the steering column, as necessary, free of charge. The safety recall began on December 10, 2012. Owners may contact Honda at 1-800-999-1009.
Power Train:driveline:driveshaft 2012-06-04 · campaign 12V256000 · 50,190 vehicles
Defect: HONDA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2012 HONDA CIVIC VEHICLES. DURING ASSEMBLY, THE PROCESS REQUIRED TO SEAT THE DRIVERS SIDE DRIVESHAFT AND SET THE RETAINING CLIP WAS NOT COMPLETED. AS A RESULT, THE DRIVESHAFT MAY SEPARATE.
Risk: IF THIS OCCURS, THE VEHICLE WILL HAVE A LOSS OF DRIVE POWER AND MAY ROLL AWAY IF THE PARKING BRAKE HAS NOT BEEN SET WHEN THE GEAR SELECTOR HAS BEEN PLACED IN THE PARK POSITION, INCREASING THE RISK OF CRASH OR PEDESTRIAN INJURY.
Fix: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the driver's side driveshaft and install a new driveshaft as needed, free of charge. The safety recall began on June 21. 2012. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-800-999-1009.
Fuel System, Other:delivery:hoses, Lines/Piping, And Fittings 2011-05-18 · campaign 11V288000 · 1,156 vehicles
Defect: HONDA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2012 CIVIC 2-DOOR AND 4-DOOR VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM APRIL 21, 2011, THROUGH MAY 2, 2011. THERE IS A POSSIBILITY THAT AN O-RING, WHICH SEALS A CONNECTION IN THE FUEL FEED LINE, IS MISALIGNED. IF THE O-RING IS MISALIGNED, A SMALL FUEL LEAK MAY OCCUR.
Risk: FUEL LEAKAGE, IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.
Fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FUEL FEED LINE ASSEMBLY FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 27, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT HONDA AT 1-800-999-1009.
Service bulletins (76)
Technical service bulletins are repair instructions manufacturers send dealers for known issues. Unlike recalls, the fix is not automatically free — but naming the bulletin at the service desk can save diagnosis time and support goodwill repairs.
Power Train 2021-06-24 · ONL6BD06242021 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
owner notification letter - our records indicate that a emissions recall has not been completed on this vehicle (vehicle identification number xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx). under certain circumstances, your vehicle's powertrain control module (pcm) may not properly adjust the air-fuel ratio resulting in your
Power Train 2019-10-31 · ONL6BD10312019 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
owner notification letter - under certain circumstances, your vehicle's powertrain control module (pcm) may not properly adjust the air-fuel ratio resulting in your vehicle releasing air pollutants which exceed california and federal standards. in addition, your vehicle is equipped with an improperl
Power Train 2019-09-24 · ABOM09242019 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
dealer message - today, september 24, 2019, american honda is announcing a stop sale and emissions recall for certain 2012 civic vehicles that may be releasing air pollutants that exceed applicable state and federal standards.
Power Train:automatic Transmission:control Module (Tcm/Pcm/Tecm) 2019-09-24 · A19-106 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
service bulletin - due to an improper pcm calibration, after starting the engine the pcm cannot properly adjust the air-fuel ratio under certain conditions and the on-board emission-related diagnostic system may not appropriately detect a malfuction. as a result, vehicle emissions may exceed applica
Power Train:automatic Transmission:control Module (Tcm/Pcm/Tecm) 2019-09-24 · A17-023 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
service bulletin - due to an improper pcm calibration, under certain conditions after starting the engine the pcm cannot properly adjust the air-fuel ratio. as a result, vehicle emissions may exceed applicable standards.
Steering 2019-05-16 · A19050B · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
servicenews article - when removing and installing a cable reel, you need to keep both the cable reel and the steering angle sensor in position. if you don't , the vsa indicator may come on along with one or more vsa dtcs. and when you run the neutral memorization procedure in the i-hds, it won't co
Showing the 6 most recent of 76 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2026-10-13 · Electrical System“dear nhtsa vehicle safety complaint team, i am submitting this complaint regarding a recurring and unresolved hybrid-system issue with my 2012 honda civic hybrid. vehicle information make/model: 2012 honda civic hybrid vin: [xxx] current mileage: approximately 144,000 miles diagnostic trouble code: p1440 reported symptoms: ima warning light illu…”
2026-09-18 · Service Brakes“failed braking after repairing 9/14/26, sun auto did not bleed my brakes after installing front pads and rear shoes. when i brought this to the service writer's attention on 9/18/26 his response was that i did not purchase the brake fluid service. yes an independent brake shop inspected and resolved the issue.…”
2026-06-30 · Air Bags“we were not injured. we fixed the problem before we did get hurt..message came up.. “check airbag system”. we had t replace our driver’s side airbag at the cost of over $1,500. …”
2026-06-26 · Air Bags“the contact owns a 2012 honda civic. the contact stated that the front passenger’s side seat weight sensor failed to operate properly. the contact stated that while the front passenger’s seat was occupied, the air bag enabled warning light was flashing off and on. the contact associated the failure with nhtsa campaign number: 26v332000 (air bags). …”
2026-03-26 · Electrical System · 167,842 mi“the contact owns a 2012 honda civic. the contact stated that the alarm indicator sounded off intermittently without cause. the vehicle was taken to a certified mechanic, who informed the contact that the alarm was a factory-made system and then suggested pressing the key fob twice to stop the alarm from sounding off. the vehicle was not officially …”
2026-03-23 · Unknown Or Other“i purchased a vehicle from a private seller on offer up. the seller stated the vehicle was clean title, he also stated the vehicle was low mileage with 112,000. when i got the vehicle the tire sensor was showing on the dash and the air bag sensor. after purchasing the vehicle i later found out the vehicle was salvage, and the mileage is also roughl…”
2026-03-07 · Electrical System“my passenger airbag light is on and stays on.…”
2026-01-20 · Power Train · 211,000 mi“the contact owns a 2012 honda civic. the contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle hesitated or stalled while depressing the accelerator pedal. the “check emission systems" message was displayed on the instrument panel. the contact then received notification from the manufacturer for honda service bulletin: 19-106. the vehicl…”
2026-01-02 · Steering“component or system failure: the vehicle experienced failures involving the engine/ignition system, emissions system, vehicle stability assist (vsa), and power steering. on july 14, 2025, warning messages appeared for “check emissions system,” “check vsa system,” and “check power steering system.” diagnostics identified engine misfire code p0304 (c…”
2025-10-27 · Fuel System, Gasoline · 171,026 mi“the contact owns a 2012 honda civic. the contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, there was an abnormally strong fuel odor detected. the contact pulled over and parked the vehicle, and became aware that there was fuel leaking onto the ground. the vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who determined that the fuel line neede…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.