How the 2012 compares
About average for the Civic
Owners filed about as many complaints as a typical Civic year. The main thing to watch is the air bags, which half of owners reported by about 41,000 miles.
Based on owner complaints to NHTSA, compared with other Civic years from 2012 to 2024. A good year can still be a bad car, so check the one you are looking at.
Owners have filed 456 complaints with NHTSA about the 2012 Honda Civic. The most reported problem area is the air bags (149, 33% of complaints), followed by the steering and the electrical system. That ranks 5th of 13 Civic years from 2012 to 2024 for complaints. It has 3 recalls.
Complaints456filed with NHTSA
Recalls3for this model year
Crashes5541 injuries reported
Fires5reported in complaints
3 of these complaints came from Utah owners.
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Start my car searchMost reported problems
Problem areas ranked by how many complaints mention them. One complaint can name more than one area. Open an area to see what to check on a 2012 Honda Civic before you buy.
Air bags
149 complaintsAir bag warning lights, air bags that did not deploy, and inflator recalls.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 41,000 miles.
What to check before you buy
- The air bag (SRS) light should come on at startup and go out within a few seconds. If it stays on, the system may not work in a crash.
- Air bag recalls are some of the most serious. Check this exact VIN for open recalls and get proof any recall work was done.
Tools that help
What owners said
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.Owner complaint, filed 2026
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…Owner complaint, filed 2026
Steering
74 complaintsLoss of power steering assist, wandering, play in the wheel and noises when turning.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 60,000 miles.
What to check before you buy
- Turn the wheel lock to lock while parked and listen for groaning, clicking or binding.
- On a straight road the car should track straight with the wheel centered and no loose feeling.
- A power steering warning on the dash, even briefly, deserves a mechanic’s look before you buy.
Tools that help
What owners said
This is a serious matter that needs to be evaluated as it is a potentially fatal safety issue for human drivers of 2012 Honda Civic. This email needs to be sent please to the Department of Transportation and the National Transportation Safety Board for evaluation of extension of recall: meaning other 2012 Honda Civic vehicles that have…Owner complaint, filed 2025
When my car reaches speeds above 60mph the steering is difficult to control (a lot of Play in the steering wheel). I took my vehicle in to a Monrovia, CA Honda Dealer in May 2024 to fix the issue. The dealer replaced the bushings but did not fix the steering issue. This vehicle feels dangerous. I noticed on the internet there are a lot…Owner complaint, filed 2024
Electrical system
61 complaintsDead batteries, warning lights, failed screens and cameras, and electrical shorts.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 40,000 miles.
What to check before you buy
- Test every switch: windows, locks, mirrors, seat heaters, the screen, the backup camera, Bluetooth and every USB port.
- Watch the dash at startup. Every warning light should come on briefly and then go out.
- Have the battery and charging system tested. A weak alternator or battery drain shows up here.
Tools that help
What owners said
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…Owner complaint, filed 2026
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…Owner complaint, filed 2026, at 167,842 miles
Transmission and drivetrain
49 complaintsHarsh or delayed shifts, slipping, shuddering, CVT whine, and drivetrain clunks.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 18,000 miles.
What to check before you buy
- Drive it from cold if you can. Shifts should be smooth in every gear, including reverse.
- Feel for slipping (revs rise without the car speeding up), shudder at low speed and a delay when you put it in gear.
- Listen for whining, which is a common CVT complaint, and clunks when you go from drive to reverse.
- If it has 4WD or AWD, engage it on the test drive and ask when the transmission and differential fluids were last changed.
Tools that help
What owners said
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.…Owner complaint, filed 2026, at 211,000 miles
While driving, my 2012 Honda Civic Hybrid suddenly loses power and steering ability. The vehicle stalls and the steering wheel locks up, making it impossible to safely maneuver. This has happened multiple times, including in traffic, creating a serious risk of collision. When the failure occurs, warning lights illuminate on the…Owner complaint, filed 2025
Brakes and stability control
47 complaintsBrakes that feel soft or grab, grinding, ABS and stability control faults.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 19,000 miles.
What to check before you buy
- The pedal should feel firm and the car should stop straight without pulling, grinding or a pulsing pedal.
- The ABS and stability control lights should go out after startup and stay out.
- Look through the wheels at the rotors. A deep lip on the edge means brakes are due soon, which is a fair thing to negotiate on.
Tools that help
What owners said
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.Owner complaint, filed 2026
Driving around town, I stopped our 2012 Honda Civic at a stoplight. The brake pedal vibrated from the ABS modulator, then went all the way to the floor. I had the brake system checked at a workshop, bled the brake lines, and the same situation repeated. It was recommended I replace the brake modulator and brake pump. I called our Honda…Owner complaint, filed 2024
Cruise control and acceleration
38 complaintsHesitation, loss of power, sudden acceleration and cruise control problems.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 10,000 miles.
What to check before you buy
- On the test drive, press the gas gently and firmly. The response should be smooth with no lag or surge.
- Set the cruise control, then use resume and cancel to make sure each one works.
Tools that help
What owners said
I have a 2012 honda civic lx, it has intermittent problems with unintended acceleration. It occurred twice on the highway and also urban area. Just this morning, it happened again I was on the highway when I noticed the car suddenly [VIN] and speeds up without stepping the gas pedal. Fortunately the brakes responded to slow down. I came…Owner complaint, filed 2019, at 10 miles
I was stopped in traffic when all of a sudden the car tried to accelerate even though my foot was firm on the brake pedal. I had to "stand" on the brake pedal and I immediately shifted into park. The engine reached a very high rpm until I jiggled the acceleration pedal. Then the engine acted normally. The eco was not engaged and the…Owner complaint, filed 2017, at 40,030 miles
Engine and cooling
36 complaintsStalling, misfires, oil consumption, leaks, overheating and engine failure.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 20,000 miles.
What to check before you buy
- Ask the seller not to warm the car up, and start it cold. Listen for ticking, knocking or a rough idle in the first minute.
- Pull the oil dipstick and the oil cap. Low oil, a gasoline smell or a milky film on the cap are reasons to walk away or get an inspection.
- Plug in an OBD2 scanner. Stored or pending codes matter, and so do readiness monitors that show "not ready", which usually means the codes were cleared right before the sale.
- Ask for oil change records. A gap in the records on a model known for engine complaints is a negotiating point at minimum.
Tools that help
What owners said
When starting from a stopped position, there is a squeal when letting out the clutch. I took it back to the dealership 3x and they couldn't duplicate it. Apparently it is a known issue as there are bulletins on it. It happens almost every time, especially on a slight incline.Owner complaint, filed 2023
So on 11/6/19 Silko Honda Raynham, MA worked on my car for recall {campaign recall 19-106 6bd00- 2012 civic cold emissions gas reduction) So ever since this update on my computer I had non stop tightening gas cap which has been replaced with dealer cap did not work, and when the gas cap light goes out then get check emissions light does…Owner complaint, filed 2022
Body, doors and structure
36 complaintsRust, doors and liftgates that will not latch, leaks, and frame or structure concerns.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 32,000 miles. Parts named most: Body (31).
What to check before you buy
- Look underneath with a flashlight. Utah road salt is hard on frames, brake lines and the bottoms of doors.
- Open and close every door, the hood and the liftgate, and lock and unlock each one.
- Use a paint thickness gauge and compare panels. A panel that reads very differently from the rest has likely been repaired.
Tools that help
What owners said
Paint defect. Paint faded and clouded on vehicle due to cheap paint used during manufacturing. I was never notified about the extended warranty. I contacted Honda and let them know, but was told the warranty ended. I financed my vehicle through American Honda for 5 years, and serviced my vehicle via Honda dealerships. Never did this come…Owner complaint, filed 2025
The exhaust pipe fell off the catalytic converter. Upon some research on the internet, I have found that this is a common issue for this specific car model.Owner complaint, filed 2024
Fuel system
25 complaintsHesitation, stalling, fuel smell, fuel pump and injector failures.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 14,000 miles.
What to check before you buy
- Smell around the engine bay and under the rear of the car for raw fuel.
- On the test drive, accelerate firmly from a stop and up a grade. Stumbling, surging or a flashing check engine light are red flags.
- Fuel pump recalls are common. Check this exact VIN for open recalls before you buy.
Tools that help
What owners said
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…Owner complaint, filed 2025, at 171,026 miles
It has happened more than once since 3 years ago. If I’m running my AC in the car, when I accelerate the car will skip/jump. It’s extremely expensive to repair and the problem isn’t even getting fixed. I basically can’t run my AC if it’s hot outsideOwner complaint, filed 2025
Seats and seat belts
25 complaintsBelts that will not latch or retract, seat adjusters and passenger occupancy sensors.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 36,000 miles.
What to check before you buy
- Pull out and latch every seat belt, and let each one retract on its own.
- Try every seat adjuster, and watch for a passenger air bag "off" light when an adult is in the seat.
Tools that help
What owners said
Front passenger seat belt pretensioner (Honda part #HP04814-TR3-A00ZA) deployed too late after a minor impact (<10 mph) causing passenger to lurch forward until seat belt engaged. The part is not available for inspection. Passenger's safety was at risk due to not being held firmly in place by the seat belt. Don't know if Honda has…Owner complaint, filed 2023
Extremely uncomfortable front seats have LED to back, leg and neck pain. Honda needs to recall these vehicles and replace the seats for effected customers.Owner complaint, filed 2015, at 59,000 miles
Lights, wipers and visibility
19 complaintsHeadlights that dim or fail, wiper and washer failures, and windshield cracks.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 28,000 miles.
What to check before you buy
- Check every light: headlights on low and high, fog lights, brake lights, turn signals and reverse lights.
- Run the wipers on every speed with washer fluid, and run the defroster front and back.
Tools that help
What owners said
dealership found this Honda one brake light blub only with 26764 miles in early 2021. I complained to Honda, they claimed and a case 12786775 and let me called them, then told me "out of warranty". Honda then closed the case. This is a quality of light blub issue, not warranty. In fact 1. Dealership said it is not often saw, only saw a…Owner complaint, filed 2022
The contact owns a 2012 honda civic. The contact stated that the plastic glass cover on the rear driver's side window was melting and caused the window to become blurred. The contact stated that the rear passenger's side window was beginning to fail in the same manner. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer. The [VIN] was not made away…Owner complaint, filed 2017, at 100,000 miles
Wheels and tires
12 complaintsTire failures, wheels and lug nuts, and tire pressure sensor faults.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 20,000 miles.
What to check before you buy
- Read the four-digit DOT date on each tire. Tires older than about six years should be replaced, whatever the tread looks like.
- Check tread depth on all four. On AWD vehicles all four tires should match.
- The tire pressure light should go out after startup.
Tools that help
What owners said
Low tire pressure light indicator is malfunctioning. Even after adding the recommended amount of air pressure into my tire, within about a month the low tire pressure indicator light will turn back on. This has been going on for several months. I brought my car to honda of seattle three times for the same problem, and explained the issue…Owner complaint, filed 2016, at 15,000 miles
I was traveling on elkridge landing road and merged right onto the ramp that merges to west nursery road. The ramp has a pot hole which based on its placement is extremely difficult to completely miss, I ran over it with my front driver side wheel. The impact immediately flattened my tire. I was forced to get the car towed to the closest…Owner complaint, filed 2015, at 31,600 miles
Suspension
5 complaintsClunks over bumps, broken springs, worn struts and uneven tire wear.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 57,000 miles.
What to check before you buy
- Drive over a few bumps and potholes slowly with the radio off and listen for clunks or rattles.
- Check the tires for uneven wear on the inside or outside edges, a sign of alignment or suspension trouble.
- Look behind the wheels for oily, wet shocks or struts.
Tools that help
What owners said
Vibration and extreme roughness when shifting gear to reverse and drive. The motor mounts have been replaced in 2016, 2017, 2018.Owner complaint, filed 2018, at 72,812 miles
The contact owns a 2012 honda civic. While driving at speeds below 40 MPH and accelerating, the contact heard a grinding noise coming from the front end of the vehicle. No further information was available. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who was unable to duplicate the failure. The [VIN] was not notified of the failure. The failure…Owner complaint, filed 2015, at 57,000 miles
Honda Civic complaints by year
Compare the 2012 with other years before you choose one. Tap a year to see its problems.
Compare with similar 2012 compact cars
Each car is rated against its own other years, since popular models always get more complaints than rare ones.
| Car | Vs. its other years | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 2012 Honda Civic | About average | 3 |
| 2012 Toyota Corolla | Among the worst years | 5 |
| 2012 Mazda Mazda3 | Among the worst years | 1 |
| 2012 Hyundai Elantra | Among the worst years | 4 |
2012 Honda Civic recalls
This is every recall issued for the 2012 Honda Civic, not what is still open on one car. A recall that was fixed does not show up any differently here. Check a VIN at NHTSA to see what is still open on the car you are looking at, and ask the seller for proof any recall work was done.
Steering Column
- 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.
Full recall summary
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.
Transmission and drivetrain Driveshaft
- 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.
Full recall summary
Honda is recalling certain model year 2012 Honda civic vehicles. During assembly, the process required to seat the driver's side driveshaft and set the retaining clip was not completed. As a result, the driveshaft may separate.
Fuel system
- 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.
Full recall summary
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.
2012 Honda Civic questions
What are the most common problems with the 2012 Honda Civic?
The most reported problem areas on the 2012 Honda Civic are the air bags (149 complaints), the steering (74 complaints) and the electrical system (61 complaints).
Is the 2012 Honda Civic a good year to buy?
About average for the Civic. Owners filed about as many complaints as a typical Civic year. The main thing to watch is the air bags, which half of owners reported by about 41,000 miles. Based on owner complaints to NHTSA, compared with other Civic years from 2012 to 2024. A good year can still be a bad car, so check the one you are looking at.
How many recalls does the 2012 Honda Civic have?
NHTSA lists 3 recalls for the 2012 Honda Civic. The most recent, from Nov 2012, covers the column. Recalls cover the whole model year, so check the VIN of the car you are looking at to see which are still open.
At what mileage do 2012 Honda Civic problems start?
Half of the owners who reported a problem with the air bags gave a mileage of about 41,000 miles or less. Half of the owners who reported a problem with the steering gave a mileage of about 60,000 miles or less. Plenty of cars have these problems later or never, so ask for service records.
Which Honda Civic years should I avoid?
The Civic years with the most complaints compared with the rest are 2016. Years with clearly fewer complaints are 2020 and 2021. Years from 2022 on are too new to rate fairly yet.
Check the exact car
These problems are for the model year as a whole. Here is how to find out about the one you are looking at.
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Where these numbers come from. Complaints are reports that owners filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), counted from NHTSA’s complaint database as of November 5, 2026. Owners do not have to prove a problem to file one, so a complaint is a report, not a confirmed defect. Models that sell in big numbers get more complaints, and newer model years have had less time on the road, so compare years of the same model rather than different models. Recalls come from NHTSA’s recall database and cover every vehicle of that model year, not one particular car. Quotes are trimmed, and anything that looks like a VIN is hidden.
- Check a specific car for open recalls at NHTSA
- Decode a VIN to see recalls, safety ratings and complaints for that exact year, make and model