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
455 reports, newest first.
Visibility, Jun 13, 2017
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 HONDA CIVIC. WHILE THE AIR CONDITIONER WAS ACTIVATED, A RINGING NOISE WAS HEARD THROUGH THE VENTS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 39,000.
Vehicle speed control, Jun 1, 2017, crash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 HONDA CIVIC. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 2-3 MPH AND MAKING A U-TURN, THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE ACCELERATED INDEPENDENTLY AND CRASHED INTO A PARKED VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED AND THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO BE DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 7,000.
Steering, Electrical system, Electronic stability control (ESC), May 26, 2017
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 HONDA CIVIC. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE POWER STEERING, VSA, AND ESC INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE LOCAL DEALER (BARBER HONDA PARTS, LOCATED AT 4500 WIBLE RD, BAKERSFIELD, CALIFORNIA, 93313) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE VEHICLE STABILITY ASSIST MODULATOR FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 57,000.
Exterior lighting, Air bags, Structure, May 26, 2017, crash
DRIVING ON A RURAL HIGHWAY AND HIT A DEER. IMPACT BENT THE BRACKET THAT HOLDS THE AIRBAG SENSOR COMPLETELY BACKWARDS AND INTO THE SENSOR ITSELF, WHICH CRACKED. AIRBAG NEVER DEPLOYED. NOW, POST REPAIR, AIRBAG WARNING AND LIGHT ARE ON CONSTANTLY.
Electrical system, Air bags, Apr 12, 2017
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 HONDA CIVIC. THE CONTACT OBSERVED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE COMPUTER MODULE NEEDED TO BE UPDATED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AGAIN AFTER THE REPAIR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AGAIN WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ENTIRE AIR BAG SYSTEM NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THEY NEEDED 24 HOURS TO REVIEW AND WOULD CONTACT THE CONSUMER BACK. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 25,000.
Other or unspecified, Apr 11, 2017, fire
I WAS DRIVING HOME FROM WORK ON A HIGHWAY (THOUGH SLOWLY, AS THERE WAS TRAFFIC), WHEN I NOTICED SMOKE FROM UNDER THE HOOD ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE. I PULLED OVER, GOT OUT OF THE CAR, AND WENT TO OPEN THE HOOD TO SEE WHAT WAS GOING ON. AS I WENT TO OPEN IT, I SAW FLAMES, SO I LEFT IT DOWN, GRABBED SOME BELONGINGS, GOT FAR AWAY, AND CALLED 911. WITHIN SECONDS, THE FLAMES ENGULFED THE ENTIRE FRONT END OF THE CAR. MY CAR WAS WELL-MAINTAINED WITH REGULAR SERVICE. THERE WERE NO LIGHTS ON THE DASHBOARD INDICATING THAT ANYTHING WAS AMISS. I DID NOT HEAR ANY UNUSUAL SOUNDS PRECEDING THE FLAMES, AND THE CAR HAD BEEN HANDLING THE SAME AS IT ALWAYS DID.
Other or unspecified, Mar 16, 2017
WHINING NOISE IN FRONT LEFT OF MOTOR WHEN TAKING OFF IN FIRST GEAR. READ MULTIPLE COMPLAINTS FROM OTHER CONSUMERS HAVING THE SAME ISSUES.
Wheels, Feb 2, 2017
THE TPMS SYSTEM WILL NOT TURN OFF. THE CAR HAS BRAND NEW TIRES AND COSTS $99 TO SCAN THE PROBLEM.
Air bags, Dec 13, 2016, crash
I WAS ON A RESIDENTIAL STREET AND HAD A VERY LOW FRONT IMPACT CAR ACCIDENT. I WAS AT A STOP SIGN. I BARELY TOOK MY FOOT OFF OF THE BRAKE AND PUT MY FOOT ON THE ACCELERATOR. A CAR CAME OUT OF NO WHERE AND I HIT THEM. I WAS GOING 5-7MPH, MY FRONT STEERING WHEEL AND PASSENGER AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. I DON'T THINK THEY SHOULD HAVE AT SUCH A SLOW SPEED. THE DRIVER AIRBAG BROKE MY RIGHT LOWER ARM. IT BROKE BOTH BONES AND TORE A NERVE WHICH REQUIRED SURGERY. I NOW HAVE TWO PLATES AND MANY SCREWS IN MY ARM WITH NERVE DAMAGE. I HAVE NO FEELING IN PARTS OF MY THUMB AND FIRST TWO FINGERS AND HALF OF MY KNUCKLE AREA IS ALSO NUMB. THIS ACCIDENT HAPPENED ON SEPTEMBER 16, 2016. IT IS THE MIDDLE OF DECEMBER AND I AM STILL TOO SCARED TO DRIVE. I STILL CAN'T USE MY ARM BECAUSE IT STILL HASN'T HEALED. I HAVE SUFFERED PHYSICALLY AND EMOTIONALLY BECAUSE OF THE AIR BAG BREAKING MY ARM. IF THE AIR BAG DIDN'T DEPLOY, I WOULDN'T HAVE BEEN HURT AT ALL. COULD THERE HAVE BEEN SOMETHING WRONG WITH MY AIRBAGS? A RECALL?? I WOULD HATE FOR THIS TO HAPPEN TO SOMEONE ELSE.
Steering, Nov 7, 2016
ELECTRIC POWER STEERING MODULE FAILED WHILE DRIVING AT SLOW SPEED (STRAIGHT). EPS WARNING CAME ON. EPS RE-ACTIVATED 1 HOUR LATER BUT FAILED AGAIN AFTER VEHICLE WAS SWITCHED-OFF AND RESTARTED. EPS WORKING AGAIN AFTER 14 HRS.
Air bags, Seat belts, Nov 1, 2016
I WAS IN A STOP AND GO TRAFFIC THE VAN IN FRONT MADE A SUDDEN STOP I SLAMMED ON MY BRAKE BUT HIT THE VAN. IMPACT WAS BIG NO MAJOR DAMAGE BUT SEAT BELT WAS LOCKED AND I CAN SMELL NEAR AIR BAG I HAVE CHECK AIR BAG SYSTEM SIGN ON BUT AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY
Air bags, Oct 18, 2016
RECEIVED RECALL NOTICE, AND IT SAYS THE MANUFACTURER IS NOT ABLE TO PERFORM THE FIX IN A TIMELY MANNER, IT SAYS TO AVOID PASSENGERS IN MY VEHICLE. I AM REQUESTING INFORMATION ON WHAT TO DO, BECAUSE IT IS IMPERATIVE FOR MY JOB TO HAVE PASSENGERS IN MY CAR. NO INCIDENT HAS TAKEN PLACE INVOLVING A MALFUNCTION, BUT I WISH TO RESOLVE OR KNOW MY OPTIONS AND LIMITATIONS MORE THOROUGHLY REGARDING THIS ISSUE. *TR
Electrical system, Electronic stability control (ESC), Oct 1, 2016
THREE DIFFERENT TIME, THE CAR WAS PARKED OVERNIGHT AND WOULD NOT START THE NEXT MORNING. IT HAD TO BE TOWED. I WAS TOLD THAT RODENTS HAD CHEWED THROUGH THE SOY BASED WIRING INSULATION IN MULTIPLE AREAS, INCLUDING THE FUEL TANK PRESSURE SENSOR, THE FUEL HOSE. THE MECHANIC COULD NOT OFFER ME ANY CONCRETE SOLUTION TO PREVENT THIS FROM HAPPENING AGAIN AND I FEAR A PROBLEM MIGHT OCCUR WHILE I AM ACTUALLY DRIVING.
Wheels, Other or unspecified, Service brakes, Aug 12, 2016
I HAD BEEN DRIVING ON THE STREET FOR ABOUT 5 MINUTES WITH MY TWO KIDS. I HAD STEPPED ON MY BRAKES A FEW TIMES AND EVERYTHING SEEM TO WORK. SUDDENLY, I NEEDED TO SLOW DOWN AND PRESSED ON MY BRAKE AND THE BRAKE WAS HARD WHERE I COULDN'T STEP DOWN ON IT. IT SEEMED LIKE IT GOT STUCK. I KEPT PRESSING ON IT AND IT DID NOT WORK. I STARTED ZIG ZAGGING BACK AND FORTH ON THE ROAD TRYING TO GET THE CAR TO STOP. I WAS TRYING MY BEST TO CONTROL THE CAR SO I WOULDN'T RUN INTO A HOUSE OR ANOTHER CAR. I SHIFTED THE CAR TO PARK AND THE CAR DID NOT STOP. ALL THIS TIME I KEPT TRYING TO STEP ON THE BRAKE AND NOTHING WOULD HAPPEN. FINALLY, MY LAST RESORT I PULLED THE HAND BRAKE AND THE CAR FINALLY STOPPED. MY CAR GOT VERY DAMAGED.
Wheels, Jul 28, 2016
CHECK TPMS SYSTEM WARNING KEPT COMING BACK AFTER SENSOR HAS BEEN REPLACED TWICE.
Vehicle speed control, Jul 26, 2016
DRIVING UP TO A DRIVE-IN BANK THE CAR SUDDENLY ACCELERATED. I STOPPED THE CAR A FEW FEET BEYOND THE TELLER WINDOW BY A HEAVY APPLICATION OF THE BRAKES. I PUT THE CAR IN REVERSE AND BACKED UP TO THE WINDOW. IN REVERSE THE ENGINE WAS STILL RACING. I PUT THE CAR IN NEUTRAL AND THE ENGINE CONTINUED TO RACE. UPON FINISHING MY BANKING TRANSACTION I PUT THE CAR IN DRIVE. THE ENGINE SLOWED TO A NORMAL IDLE I TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALER FOR SERVICE FOUR DAYS LATER; THE DEALER FOUND NOTHING ABNORMAL.
Vehicle speed control, Jul 26, 2016
DRIVING UP TO A DRIVE-IN BANK THE CAR SUDDENLY ACCELERATED. I STOPPED THE CAR A FEW FEET BEYOND THE TELLER WINDOW BY A HEAVY APPLICATION OF THE BRAKES. I PUT THE CAR IN REVERSE AND BACKED UP TO THE WINDOW. IN REVERSE THE ENGINE WAS STILL RACING. I PUT THE CAR IN NEUTRAL AND THE ENGINE CONTINUED TO RACE. UPON FINISHING MY BANKING TRANSACTION I PUT THE CAR IN DRIVE. THE ENGINE SLOWED TO A NORMAL IDLE I TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALER FOR SERVICE FOUR DAYS LATER; THE DEALER FOUND NOTHING ABNORMAL.
Steering, Jul 21, 2016
DIFFICULT TO STEER AT BOTH LOW AND HIGH SPEED. A LOT OF RESISTANCE TO TURNING THE WHEEL. TOOK IT TO DEALER WHO COULD FIND NOTHING WRONG, AND WOULD NOT INVESTIGATE FURTHER UNDER WARRANTY. SLIGHTLY MORE THAN 60,000 MILES
Steering, Jul 21, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 HONDA CIVIC. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH, THE POWER STEERING FAILED WITHOUT WARNING AND THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO TURN. THE VEHICLE WAS MANEUVERED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD WITH CAUTION. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING, BUT THE RESULTS WERE UNKNOWN. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 36,000.
Steering, Jul 15, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 HONDA CIVIC. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED. IN ORDER FOR THE STEERING TO OPERATE, THE CONTACT HAD TO TURN THE IGNITION SWITCH ON AND OFF FOUR TIMES. THE FAILURE RECURRED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED AND THE POWER STEERING RACK WAS REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 35,000. UPDATED 12/13/16*LJ THE CONSUMER STATED THE STEERING WOULD LOCK UP, PLACING HIM AT RISK. THE DEALER STATED THE POWER STEERING RACK NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. UPDATED 12/19/16. *JB
Steering, Jul 6, 2016
CHECK YOUR POWER STEERING SYSTEM, ERROR MESSAGE CAME ON WHILE STOPPED. AM UNABLE TO STEER MY CAR. CAR IS ONLY A 2012 WITH 23,000 MILES.
Air bags, Jul 5, 2016, crash
"TAKATA RECALL" I WAS DRIVING HONDA CIVIC 2012 ON A FRONTAGE ROAD WITH MY WIFE SITTING ON THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT . UNFORTUNATELY, OTHER CAR CRASHED IN MY HONDA CIVIC 2012 AND DRIVER, PASSENGER SIDE AIR BEGS GOT DEPLOYED. SURPRISINGLY, I GOT INJURY MARKS ON MY HAND FROM THE AIR BAG. I SUSPECT MOST LIKELY THERE WAS SOME FAULT IN MY AIR BAGS WHICH RESULTED IN INJURY MARKS ON MY HAND. I DO SEE THAT 2012 HONDA CIVIC CARS ARE NOT PART OF TAKATA RECALL BUT I SUSPECT SOME OF 2012 HONDA CIVIC CARS INCLUDING MINE COULD HAVE FAULTY AIR BAGS INSTALLED FROM THE MANUFACTURER. PLEASE TAKE NEEDFUL ACTIONS.
Air bags, Jun 9, 2016
TAKATA RECALL: I BROUGHT MY 2012 HONDA CIVIC LX INTO TODAY 6/9/2016 IN REGAL HONDA IN LAKELAND, FLORIDA TO HAVE THE AIRBAG PASSENGER SEAT SENSORS REPLACED, THE PARTS REPLACED WERE: PAD, R, F, 81127, OPDS UNIT 81334 AND C-CLIP SE 90600. PLUS A COUPLE OF WEEKS AGO I HAD THE DIAGNOSTIC PERFORMED FOR $49.95. THE SYMPTOM WAS THE AIRBAG SENSOR WAS BEING DISPLAYED.
Air bags, Structure, May 23, 2016, crash
I DON'T KNOW WHAT A TAKATA RECALL IS, BUT PER HONDA'S WEBSITE I HAVE NO RECALLS. I WAS IN AN ACCIDENT ON 5/21 AROUND 2PM. I WAS DRIVING ON A STRAIGHT CITY ROAD CLOSE TO GETTING ON THE HIGHWAY GOING ABOUT 25MPH. THE WOMAN WHO WAS DRIVING NEXT TO ME "DIDN'T SEE ME" AS SHE TURNED INTO MY LANE. SHE SCRAPED THE WHOLE PASSENGER SIDE DOOR THEN HER CAR LODGED INTO MY CAR NEAR WHERE THE DOOR & FRONT PART OF THE CAR MEET ON THE PASSENGER SIDE. THE CAR HIT RIGHT NEAT THE SIDE AIRBAG, BUT NONE OF THE AIRBAGS WENT OFF. THAT IS WHAT I'M WORRIED ABOUT. WHY DID NONE OF THE AIRBAGS GO OFF?
Air bags, Seat belts, May 11, 2016
SRS AIRBAG LIGHT IS ON...WARNING LIGHT ON THE SCREEN KEEPS FLASHING.