2012 Honda Civic
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Air bags is the leading concern among 455 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 11th highest complaint count among 26 Civic model years with reports.
Of the 2012 reports, 55 involved a crash and 5 involved a fire. 41 people were injured.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
Steering, columnNov 21, 2012
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.
The steering column may not have proper energy absorbing characteristics, which could increase the risk of injury during a vehicle crash.
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.
Campaign 12V548000 on NHTSA.gov
Power train, driveline, driveshaftJun 4, 2012
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.
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.
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.
Campaign 12V256000 on NHTSA.gov
Fuel system, other, delivery, hoses, lines/piping, and fittingsMay 18, 2011
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.
FUEL LEAKAGE, IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.
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.
Campaign 11V288000 on NHTSA.gov
Representative owner complaints: structure
35 reports, newest first. Show all
Air bags, Structure, Equipment adaptive/mobility, Jul 20, 2014, crash
WHILE DRIVING ON I5 HEADED SOUTH TO MEDFORD, OR ON JUNE 6, 2014, AT AROUND 9:30 PM I STRUCK WHAT APPEARED TO BE A SMALL REFRIGERATOR WHICH WAS LAYING ON THE HIGHWAY. THERE WAS WHAT APPEARED TO BE MINOR DAMAGE TO THE BUMPER OF THE 2012 HONDA CIVIC THAT I WAS DRIVING. THE SENSORS FOR THE AIRBAG SYSTEM WERE TRIGGERED, BUT THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. UPON TAKING THE VEHICLE TO THE HONDA DEALERSHIP TO GET REPAIRS, WE LEARNED THAT THE HARNESS FOR THE AIR BAG SYSTEM HAD BEEN SEVERED. *TR
Air bags, Seat belts, Structure, Service brakes, May 18, 2014, crash
I CAME UPON STOP AND GO TRAFFIC AND CAME TO MY STOP BEHIND THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME. THE DRIVER BEHIND ME FAILED TO STOP AND HIT THE REAR OF MY CAR. MY BRAKE PEDAL WENT ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR AS ALL THE ELECTRICAL PARTS TURNED OFF AND ON. THIS INCLUDED MY MOTOR, GAUGES, AND RADIO. THIS PUSHED ME INTO THE DRIVER IN FRONT OF ME. I WAS SHOCKED TO SEE MY AIRBAG DIDN'T DEPLOY AND THAT MY CARS I-MID DISPLAY SHOWED TO CHECK MY AIRBAG SYSTEM. ALSO MY SEATBELT DIDN'T LOCK UP FAST ENOUGH TO KEEP MY HEAD FROM HITTING MY STEERING WHEEL. THIS CAUSED ME TO HAVE A STRAIN IN MY UPPER LUMBAR OF THE RIGHT SIDE OF MY BACK. UPDATED 11/24/2014 *JS
Structure, Apr 30, 2014
I RECENTLY HAD MY HONDA CIVIC DETAILED AND THE GENTLEMAN POINTED OUT SMALL LINES IN MY PAINT THAT LOOKED LIKE PINE NEEDLES OR A BIRD HAD LANDED ON THE CAR WHILE IT WAS WET. THIS PAINT ISSUE WAS NOT PRESENT WHEN I PURCHASED THE CAR, BUT THE ISSUE IS UNDER THE CLEAR-COAT SO THERE WAS NOTHING THE DETAILER COULD DO. AS PREVIOUSLY POINTED OUT BY ANOTHER COMPLAINT, THESE MARKS ARE GROWING LARGER AND WILL HURT THE FUTURE RESELL VALUE OF THE CAR AS WELL AS POSSIBLY DAMAGE THE HOOD IF NOT FIXED PROPERLY. THIS OCCURRED THROUGH NO FAULT OF MY OWN (DRIVER). MY VEHICLE IS STILL UNDER WARRANTY, BUT AM UNSURE WHAT TO DO. *JS
Structure, Mar 26, 2014
HONDA RELEASED A NOTICE ACKNOWLEDGING CRACKS OR "CROW'S FEET" THAT DEVELOP ON THE PAINT OF OLDER MODEL HONDA CIVIC'S ('06-'11). I RECENTLY BEGAN SEEING THESE PAINT DEFECTS ON THE HOOD AND ROOF OF MY 2012 HONDA CIVIC COUPE EX THAT IS BLACK IN COLOR (CRYSTAL BLACK PEARL). I WAS TOLD THAT THIS CRACKING WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE EARLIER, CANADIAN-BUILT, BLUE, BLACK, AND GREY CIVIC'S, BUT BECAUSE THE 2012'S+ ARE NOT INCLUDED IN THE STATEMENT, IT WILL NOT BE COVERED. BEING MY VEHICLE ONLY HAS AROUND 20,000 MILES, IT GENUINELY WORRIES ME HOW WELL THE PAINT WILL HOLD UP OVER TIME. THE HONDA FACTORY WARRANTY, AS WELL AS THE EXTENDED WARRANTY I PURCHASED, WILL ALSO NOT COVER THIS DEFECT. FROM MY RESEARCH, THESE CRACKS ARE CAUSED BY AN IMPROPER PAINTING PROCESS AT THE FACTORY AND WILL GROW WORSE OVER TIME. I ASK THAT HONDA LOOK INTO THIS AND EXPAND THE RECALL TO INCLUDE CERTAIN 2012+ HONDA CIVIC MODELS. *TR
Air bags, Structure, Engine, Jul 28, 2013, crash
AS I WAS DRIVING TO WORK AT 4:30 AM IN HEAVY FOG I HIT A DEER THAT WAS STANDING IN THE ROAD. I NOTICED AS I GOT OUT OF THE VEHICLE THE CAR SAID SOMETHING ABOUT THE AIRBAG SENSOR, WELL I DIDN'T THINK NOTHING OF IT AS I WAS WORRIED ABOUT THE CONDITION MY CAR WAS IN AT THE TIME. WELL THE BODY SHOP THAT FIXED MY CAR STATED THE AIRBAG SHOULD HAVE 100% DEPLOYED DUE TO THE FACT THE SENSOR WAS BUSTED AND THE WIRE WAS COMPLETELY INTO. MY CONCERN IS WHY IN THE WORLD DID THE AIRBAG NOT DEPLOY? I AM GLAD IT DIDN'T BUT WHAT IF IT HAD BEEN A COLLISION WITH A CAR. WOULD THE AIRBAGS NOT DEPLOY AND I TAKE A CHANCE ON DYING BECAUSE OF FAULTY AIRBAGS? I AM REALLY UPSET ABOUT THIS SITUATION. I DO NOT FEEL SAFE DRIVING THIS CAR NOW...AND I LOVED THIS CAR AND ONE REASON I BOUGHT THIS WAS BECAUSE OF SAFETY..BUT NOW I DO NOT KNOW IF I MADE THE RIGHT CHOICE. NOW THE CAR IS "FIXED" THE CHECK AIRBAG AND EMISSION SYSTEM LIGHT IS ON. I AM TAKING IT TO HONDA AS SOON AS I CAN, BUT I AM DRIVING THIS CAR WITHOUT SEAT BELT WORKING AND THE AIRBAGS NOT WORKING...CAN SOMEONE PLEASE HELP ME WITH THIS? THANK YOU... *TR
Structure, Service brakes, Oct 2, 2012, crash
WE HAD THE HONDA CIVIC ALMOST 6 MONTHS,ALL THE DRIVING LIKE 99% HAS BEEN FWY DRIVING-ANYWAY,HAPPENED TO BE IN LA FOR AN APPT AND HAD A GOOD 40 FT BETWEEN ME AND THE CAR INFRONT OF ME.. CAR INFRONT APPLIED BRAKE SO DID I , I JUST KEPT GOING- BRAKE WENT TO FLOOR.. I WAS TOTALLY STUNNED.- HAPPENED SO FAST, I HAD NO OTHER OPTION BUT TO HIT CAR INFRONT.. IT KIND OF FELT LIKE SLIDING- IT WAS A SUNNY DAY, DRY OUTSIDE, NOTHING TO SLIDE ON BUT THAT IS THE ONLY WAY TO DESCRIBE NOTHING TO STOP ME BUT THE OTHER CAR.. IF I WENT LEFT TO AVOID CAR, I WOULD VE BEEN HIT BY ONCOMING TRAFFIC SO STUNNED THE BRAKES WERE NOT THERE..SO I REAR ENDED THE CAR THAT STOPPED US.. SHE HAD A LAREDO CHEROKEE- AFTER THE IMPACT WE WONDERED WHY THE AIR BAGS DIDN'T COME OUT, IT WAS PRETTY DIRECT.. I CAN ONLY GUESS THAT HER CAR WAS HIGHER SO THE SENSORS DIDN'T GO OFF?? CAR IS AT BODY SHOP FOR LAST TWO WEEKS.. I TOLD OUR INSURANCE, I TOLD THE BODY SHOP, I TOLD THE HUBBY AND EVERYONE ELSE THAT ASKED THAT I PUSHED THE BRAKE IN AND NOT A [XXX] THING HAPPENED.. I TALKED TO THE SERVICE GUYS AT THE HONDA THAT IT HAS SEEN FOR REGULAR MAINTENANCE GOING BY COMPUTER MENU THINGY.. I VE BEEN EARLY OR ON TIME GETTING IT SERVICED.. THEY SAID "THE BRAKES ARE SUPPOSE TO WORK THAT WAY" REALLY? I'D BE DEVASTATED IF THERE WAS AN ANIMAL, A PERSON, INFRONT OF ME I WOULD HAVE HIT THEM AND GONE OVER THEM.. I VE NEVER EVER HAD A CAR RESPOND THAT WAY.. AFTER THE HIT, I MOVED TO THE SIDE.. AUTOMATICALLY USED E BRAKE. I THEN DROVE IT A MILE FURTHER AT A CRAWL TO A PARKING GARAGE TO MAKE CALLS.. I DROVE AT A SNAILS PACE.. YOU COULD'VE WALKED NEXT TO US.. 2 HRS LATER, I DROVE IT TWO MORE MILES AT THE SAME SPEED TO BODY SHOP.. I HAVE ASKED THEM TO LOOK AT IT.. THEY HAVEN'T YET.. THE CAR IS IN PIECES AS THEY FIX BUT THEY PROMISED TOO. THE GUY WAS SURPRISED WE WEREN'T INJURED.. I DON'T WANT TO DRIVE IT AGAIN.. *TR INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
Air bags, Structure, Vehicle speed control, Jul 17, 2012, crash
AT APPROXIMATELY 7:45 A.M. I ARRIVED AT WORK AND TURNED LEFT INTO PARKING SPACE TO PARK. I WAS DRIVING A 2012 HONDA CIVIC, WHICH WAS LESS THAN ONE MONTH OLD. THE CAR LUNGED FORWARD WHEN I TOOK MY FOOT OFF OF THE ACCELERATOR, JUMPED THE PARKING BUMPER AND STRUCK A CONCRETE WALL. THE DRIVER'S AIR BAG DEPLOYED AND THE FRONT BUMPER WAS SCRAPED AND KNOCKED OUT OF PLACE. AMERICAN HONDA HAS INSPECTED THE CAR AND CLAIMS THAT NOTHING IS WRONG WITH IT BUT REFUSES TO RELEASE ITS REPORT TO ME. *TR
Structure, Jun 7, 2012
I AM JUST DOCUMENTING THAT THIS VEHICLE HAS A REAL GLARE PROBLEM DUE TO SIZE AND SLANT OF WINDSHIELD. THE ENTIRE IMAGE OF THE DASH APPEARS ON THE WINDSHIELD AND THE GLARE IS VERY DISTRACTING WHILE DRIVING. I'M SURE HONDA HAS TRIED TO DEAL WITH THIS ISSUE DUE TO THE MATTE FINISH ON THE DASH,BUT IT ISN'T WORKING. I FEEL LIKE I'VE MADE ONE OF THE BIGGEST MISTAKES IN BUYING THIS VEHICLE. I HOPE I DON'T RUN SOMEONE OVER, LOST IN THE GLARE. *JS
Engine and engine cooling, Structure, Apr 8, 2012
WE BOUGHT THE HONDA CIVIC IN FEB 2012. DROVE ABOUT 1000 MILES. ONE DAY I FEEL LITTLE HESITATION IN THIRD GEAR. I OPEN THE HOOD TO JUST CHECK, AND FOUND THE WATER ALL OVER THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT AND HOOD LINER WAS WET AND SOGGY. I WAS SURPRIZE AND WORRYED THOUGHT COOLING SYSTEM BUSTED OR LOOSE HOSE CLAMP. BUT AFTER THAROUGH CHECKUP FOUND THAT RAIN WATER SEEP THRU BETWEEN FRONT HOOD LIP AND GRILL. I TOLD MY WIFE NOT TO DRIVE THE CAR, IT'S NOT SAFE, BECAUSE WATER CAN DAMAGE THE ELECTRIC COMPONENT AND MAY CAUSE FIRE. SO I DRY THE ENGINE AREA AS MUCH AS I COULD. SETUP THE APPOINTMENT WITH HONDA DEALER. FIRST OF ALL THE SERVICE SUPPERVISOR DID NOT BELIVE, AND THEN SHE CHECK COUPLE OF OTHER CARS SAME MODEL AND YEAR,AND FOUND THAT ALL THE CARS ARE THE SAME DESIGN NOTHING MISSING. SHE SUGGEST TO CALL THE HONDA MANUFACTURE. I ASKED FOR THE WORK ORDER, SHE SAID THERE IS NO PROBLEM SO NO WORK ORDER NEED TO FILLUP. I TALK TO SALE PERSON ABOUT ALL THIS; HE SAID THE SAME. I WAS VERY DISAPPOINTED. I ASK FOR THE SERVICE MANAGER; AND SHOW HIM THE CAR AND PROBLEM; HE SAID THE SAME TO CALL MANUFACTURE. BUT ATLEAST HE AGREED TO WRITE THE WORK ORDER. THAT CONSUMER COMPLAINT THIS, AND WE COULD NOT FIND ANY PROBLEM. AS PER CONSUMER THE RAIN WATER GET IN TO ENGINE COMPARTMENT AND WET THE HOOD LINER AND OTHER ELECTRIC EQUIPMENT AND PLUGS. *TR
Structure, Sep 6, 2011
2012 HONDA CIVIC. CONSUMER STATES VEHICLE STALLED WHEN PULLING AWAY FROM A STOP. *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED THE MOTOR WOULD STILL RUN, BUT THERE WOULD BE NO ACCELERATION; JUST A SIGNIFICANT PAUSE. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG AND THE PAUSE WAS CAUSED BY A SAFETY FEATURE, TRIGGERED BY THE CONSUMERS DRIVING STYLE; TWO FEET AND THE INADVERTENT PRESSURE ON THE BRAKE PEDAL WHILE ACCELERATING FROM A STOP. THE DEALER STATED ANY PRESSURE, EVEN THE SLIGHTEST, WOULD CAUSE THE VEHICLE TO PAUSE. *JB