One of the better Civic years
Owners filed about 43% fewer complaints than a typical Civic year. The area owners reported most is the electrical system, which half of owners reported by about 9,000 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 235 complaints with NHTSA about the 2020 Honda Civic. The most reported problem area is the electrical system (37, 16% of complaints), followed by the transmission and drivetrain and the steering. That ranks 11th of 13 Civic years from 2012 to 2024 for complaints. It has 5 recalls.
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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 2020 Honda Civic before you buy.
Electrical system
37 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 9,000 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
On September 27, 2026, at approximately 90,800 miles, the body control module (BCM) in my 2020 Honda Civic Hatchback failed. Symptoms included the alarm sounding on its own, warning lights illuminating on the dash, the vehicle turning its accessories on unprompted while parked (key fob was present), the battery draining, and the key fob…Owner complaint, filed 2026
Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2020 Honda Civic. It was discovered that there was a mileage discrepancy. The vehicle was a dealer sale. At the time of purchase, the mileage was 87,000. At the time of registration, it was discovered that the mileage was 247,000.Owner complaint, filed 2026, at 247,000 miles
Transmission and drivetrain
33 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 8,000 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
My 2020 Honda Civic Sport Hatchback, 1.5L turbo, 6-speed manual, has experienced repeat premature clutch-system failure. The original clutch/flywheel assembly failed at about 34,000 miles. Honda repaired it under TSB 22-017, which addresses supplier production issues causing premature friction-disc wear. Honda advised that updated…Owner complaint, filed 2026
I own a 2020 Civic Si. At about 29,000 the clutch started slipping in higher heats and going up hills. Once I noticed this the clutch degraded very quickly to the point it was unsafe to drive. By very quickly I mean in about 100 miles worth of travel. I notified Honda Corporate and opened a case with them. There is a TSB 22-017 out about…Owner complaint, filed 2026
Steering
32 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 30,000 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
The wheel becomes sticky/ jerky when driving at speeds over 40 mph and causes overcorrecting. It is worse around bends and makes holding the wheel straight difficult. The stickness is consistently present when on the highways making it incredibly dangerous to drive at these higher speeds as I am constantly having to overcorrect the…Owner complaint, filed 2026
My car 2020 honda civic has an issue with the steering wheel. I have noticed in the past 6 months that the steering wheel has become increasingly stiff and gets stuck during turns. This is a concern of mine because at times it becomes difficult to keep in traffic lanes. The car has not been inspected by anyone.Owner complaint, filed 2026
Fuel system
31 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 41,000 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
On 04/2025 the car was driving fine with no warnings or indication of a problem. Turned my car on at a parking lot and as I was driving away the car suddenly stopped, all the warning lights started coming on. I was able to turn it back on and drove it to a nearby dealer. I am the second owner of the car and Honda dealer said the fuel…Owner complaint, filed 2026
Fuel pump issue. There is an active recall for this make and model but this vin isn’t included. The car will be fine and either completely shut down or once parked it won’t restart. After about an hour it will start and be fine. We took to a local mechanic who diagnosed the fuel pump. Said there was a recall so we went to the local…Owner complaint, filed 2026
Air bags
29 complaintsAir bag warning lights, air bags that did not deploy, and inflator recalls.What to check before you buy
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
The contact owns a 2020 Honda Civic. The contact stated that while driving 60 MPH, a bobcat crossed the road, and the bobcat was struck by the vehicle. The contact stated that there was extensive front-end damage and undercarriage damage to the vehicle. The driver’s and passenger’s side air bags did not deploy. The contact was unsure…Owner complaint, filed 2026, at 78,000 miles
The contact owns a 2020 Honda Civic. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V064000 (AIR BAGS). The vehicle was taken to the dealer for the recall repairs, and the contact was informed that the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable…Owner complaint, filed 2026
Driver assist systems
26 complaintsPhantom braking, false collision warnings, and lane keeping or backup sensors that act up.What to check before you buy
Parts named most: Automatic emergency braking (17), Warnings (9).
What to check before you buy
- Where it is safe, try the adaptive cruise and lane keeping on the test drive and watch for sudden braking or warnings with nothing there.
- Check the windshield in front of the camera and the bumper sensors for cracks, chips or poor repairs.
- Ask whether the windshield has been replaced. The camera has to be recalibrated afterward, and many shops skip it.
Tools that help
What owners said
At least a half dozen times the car would brake automatically when nothing was in front of the car. The BRAKE warning light would appear on the dashboard as the car abruptly slowed down. The car slowed down but never came to a complete stop. This happened at various speeds. Once on the freeway at high speeds, 3 times just before an…Owner complaint, filed 2026
The collision mitigation braking system consistently detects objects in the road and forcibly brakes when the road ahead of me is completely empty. This has happened 4 or 5 times just in the last year. The first time it happened I was driving on a completely empty road when the CMBS activated and kept slamming on the brakes until I…Owner complaint, filed 2025
Brakes and stability control
18 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 20,000 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
I believe my car is affected by this recall and although it isn't showing up by my vin number, I am experiencing braking issues that cause the pedal to bounce while braking and it is getting worse by the day. NHTSA RECALL NUMBER:23V-458 MFR CAMPAIGN ID:VEU CAMPAIGN DESCRIPTION:2020-21 Civic Master Cylinder Mounting Inspection Safety…Owner complaint, filed 2025
The contact owned a 2020 Honda Civic. The contact stated while driving approximately 65 MPH, the vehicle was on cruise control, and the vehicle slowed down as if the contact had depressed the brake pedal. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated or warning chime sounded. The contact crashed into a truck and bounced off the…Owner complaint, filed 2023, at 25,000 miles
Lights, wipers and visibility
16 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 49,000 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
The contact owns a 2020 Honda Civic. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the compressor shaft failed, and the shaft seal caused further damage to the compressor and caused an additional failure. The contact associated the failure with Technical Service Bulletin: 23-039. The dealer was contacted and diagnosed…Owner complaint, filed 2026, at 166,000 miles
The contact owns a 2020 Honda Civic. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed and making a turn, the headlights failed to operate properly and failed to provide adequate illumination while driving. The dealer was contacted, and headlight failure was repaired; however, headlights were not recalibrated. The…Owner complaint, filed 2026, at 76,000 miles
Engine and cooling
13 complaintsStalling, misfires, oil consumption, leaks, overheating and engine failure.What to check before you buy
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
My 2020 Honda Civic experienced engine overheating and a cylinder 3 misfire (P0303). Two independent mechanics diagnosed a blown head gasket with coolant leaking into cylinder 3. The vehicle underwent a head gasket repair under Honda’s extended warranty. Less than a week after the repair, the engine overheated again while I was driving.…Owner complaint, filed 2026
On 4-23-23 the altenator belt came off of the car when I was driving down the road there was nothing wrong with the belt and the belt was put back on the car and i am concerned with my safety I have a 2020 Honda Civic Sport with 12,600 on the car when the belt came off Now i am afraid to drive my carOwner complaint, filed 2023
Wheels and tires
9 complaintsTire failures, wheels and lug nuts, and tire pressure sensor faults.What to check before you buy
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
On passenger side, 4 of 5 wheel hub bolts (lug bolts) broke off during driving. The lug nuts did not come loose. The bolts actually broke off with lug nuts attached. This caused the wheel to separate from the car while driving. This caused an accident and $5,500 damage to the car. There were no warnings from the in-car information center.Owner complaint, filed 2026
The contact owns a 2020 Honda Civic. While driving 50 MPH on the highway, the passenger’s side wheel felt as if the wheel was about to detach, causing the vehicle to veer to the right. The vehicle returned to normal functionality and operated as designed. No warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The…Owner complaint, filed 2026, at 63,000 miles
Suspension
6 complaintsClunks over bumps, broken springs, worn struts and uneven tire wear.What to check before you buy
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
First tire rotation the inside of both front tires have been worn down. Got tires rotated and alignment done. Second tire rotation and new tires have the same inside wear on them.Owner complaint, filed 2022
As soon as I drove off the lot with my brand new 2020 honda civic lx with only 13 miles on it I immediately heard a thud coming from the left side of the passenger front tire as time went on I started hearing clicking noises when I would turn I took the vehicle in for an oil change and mentioned the sounda coming from the front end and…Owner complaint, filed 2020
Body, doors and structure
6 complaintsRust, doors and liftgates that will not latch, leaks, and frame or structure concerns.What to check before you buy
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
I bought this car from a Honda dealership in Cincinnati. I searched for this specific year and color. It had about 48k miles on it when I got it. I have only put on 14k miles now. I purchased the warranty. After a year of owning it. My paint on the plastic pieces started to chip off. The mirror is nearly completely paintless, and the…Owner complaint, filed 2025
The contact owns a 2020 Honda Civic. The contact stated that the front driver’s side door failed to open as needed. The contact stated that several attempts were needed to open the door. After investigating the failure, the contact related the failure to the steel beams inside the door. The contact stated that the failure occurred…Owner complaint, filed 2025, at 25,000 miles
Cruise control and acceleration
4 complaintsHesitation, loss of power, sudden acceleration and cruise control problems.What to check before you buy
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 was driving on 4/24/23 going 75 MPH. The car made a rev up noise and be RPM’s suddenly increased and the speed was decreasing. The car was losing power. I had to pull over to the side of the road and shut the car off and let it sit for awhile. The. When I started it back up it ran fine. This is a safety issue as I had to pull over on…Owner complaint, filed 2024
My infotainment center has repeatedly failed during operation. It is distorted while driving, freezes, stuck on previous screen display. This causes all safety features to be inoperable. I can’t see the camera back up display. I can’t see the map or upcoming exit/next direction. The Honda genius features are impacted by this. My vehicle…Owner complaint, filed 2023
Seats and seat belts
4 complaintsBelts that will not latch or retract, seat adjusters and passenger occupancy sensors.What to check before you buy
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
"The dealer invoice for my 2020 Honda Civic explicitly diagnosed a seatbelt 'internal failure.' Honda Corporate verbally denied coverage by claiming an undocumented seat cover obstruction. I was forced to pay $482.32 out-of-pocket for a safety component covered under Honda's 15-Year/150,000-Mile safety warranty."Owner complaint, filed 2026
While making a slow right turn into a shopping plaza, I accidentally struck a median curb with only the driver’s side front tire. Despite the low speed and minimal impact, the passenger side front airbag deployed without cause, severely endangering my passenger. Aside from a flat tire, there was no damage to the body of the car.…Owner complaint, filed 2025
Honda Civic complaints by year
Compare the 2020 with other years before you choose one. Tap a year to see its problems.
Compare with similar 2020 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 Honda Civic | One of the better years | 5 |
| 2020 Toyota Corolla | Worse than most years | 3 |
| 2020 Mazda Mazda3 | One of the better years | 2 |
| 2020 Hyundai Elantra | About average | 3 |
2020 Honda Civic recalls
Air bags Front passenger
- Risk
- Air bags that deploy unintentionally during a crash increase the risk of injury.
- Fix
- Dealers will replace the seat weight sensors, free of charge.
Full recall summary
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.
Air bags Front passenger
- Risk
- An air bag that deploys unintentionally during a crash can increase the risk of injury.
- Fix
- Dealers will replace the seat weight sensors, free of charge.
Full recall summary
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Pilot, Accord, Civic sedan, HR-V, Odyssey, 2020 Civic coupe, Fit, 2021-2022 Civic hatchback, 2021 Civic Type R, Insight, 2020-2021 CR-V, CR-V Hybrid, Passport, Ridgeline, Accord Hybrid, 2020 Acura MDX, 2022 Acura MDX, 2020-2022 Acura RDX, and 2020-2021 Acura TLX vehicles. The front passenger seat weight sensor may crack and short circuit, failing to suppress the air bag as intended.
Fuel system Fuel pump
- Risk
- Fuel pump failure can cause an engine stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Fix
- Dealers will replace the fuel pump module, free of charge.
Full recall summary
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.
Brakes Master cylinder
- Risk
- Brake master cylinder separation can cause a loss of brake function and increase the risk of a crash.
- Fix
- Dealers will inspect and repair the brake booster assembly as necessary, free of charge.
Full recall summary
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Civic, 2020-2023 Ridgeline, 2021-2023 Passport, 2021-2022 Pilot, and 2020 Acura MDX vehicles. The tie rod fastener that connects the brake booster and the brake master cylinder may have been improperly assembled during manufacturing, which can cause the brake master cylinder to separate from the booster assembly.
Fuel system Fuel pump
- Risk
- Fuel pump failure can cause an engine stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Fix
- Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel pump assembly, free of charge.
Full recall summary
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2019-2020 Acura MDX, MDX Sport Hybrid, RDX, TLX, Honda Accord, Civic Hatchback, Insight, 2019 Acura ILX, Honda Accord Hybrid, Civic Coupe, Civic Coupe Si, Civic Sedan, Civic Sedan Si, Civic Type R, Fit, HR-V, Odyssey, Passport, Pilot and Ridgeline, and 2018-2019 CR-V vehicles. The low-pressure fuel pump inside the fuel tank may fail.
2020 Honda Civic questions
What are the most common problems with the 2020 Honda Civic?
The most reported problem areas on the 2020 Honda Civic are the electrical system (37 complaints), the transmission and drivetrain (33 complaints) and the steering (32 complaints).
Is the 2020 Honda Civic a good year to buy?
One of the better Civic years. Owners filed about 43% fewer complaints than a typical Civic year. The area owners reported most is the electrical system, which half of owners reported by about 9,000 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 2020 Honda Civic have?
NHTSA lists 5 recalls for the 2020 Honda Civic. The most recent, from May 2026, covers the front passenger. 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 2020 Honda Civic problems start?
Half of the owners who reported a problem with the electrical system gave a mileage of about 9,000 miles or less. Half of the owners who reported a problem with the transmission and drivetrain gave a mileage of about 8,000 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.
Looking at a 2020 Honda Civic?
We inspect the car with a scan tool and paint gauge, read the history report and tell you whether it is worth the asking price, before you hand over any money.
- Check a specific car for open recalls at NHTSA
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