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.

Complaints by model year
  1. 455

Of the 2012 reports, 55 involved a crash and 5 involved a fire. 41 people were injured.

Primary concernAir bags149 reports · 33% of complaints
Owner complaints455Filed with NHTSA
Recall relationship3 safety recallsNHTSA campaign records

What owners report most often

  1. Air bags149
  2. Steering74
  3. Electrical system59
  4. Power train49
  5. Service brakes39
  6. Vehicle speed control38
  7. Structure35
  8. Engine32

Recalls and investigations

  1. 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

  2. Power train, driveline, driveshaftJun 4, 2012

    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.

    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

  3. 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.

  1. 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

  2. Power train, Aug 4, 2011

    TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 HONDA CIVIC. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE HAD BECOME EXTREMELY RESISTANT TO ACCELERATION ATTEMPTS. IN ADDITION, THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL SHIFTING WHEN THE VEHICLE SHIFTED GEARS. THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN TAKEN TO THE DEALER SEVERAL TIMES FOR THE FAILURE AND AN ENGINEER ALSO FURTHER INSPECTED THE VEHICLE BUT WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 4,900.

  3. Parking brake, Power train, Vehicle speed control, Jul 26, 2011

    TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 HONDA CIVIC. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE REVERSING INTO A RESIDENTIAL GARAGE, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED FORWARD AS THE BRAKE WAS DISENGAGED. ON A DIFFERENT OCCASION, WHILE DRIVING UPHILL AND RELEASING THE BRAKES, THE VEHICLE SURGED BACKWARD. IN ORDER TO STOP THE VEHICLE FROM ROLLING BACKWARD, THE CONTACT HAD TO CONTINUOUSLY DEPRESS THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER, WHO STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS NORMAL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE, BUT OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 600 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 1,200. UPDATED 09/21/11*LJ THE CONSUMER STATED SHE PARKED THE VEHICLE ON A DOWNHILL SLOPE. AS SHE STARTED THE VEHICLE, SHIFTED INTO REVERSE, RELEASED THE FOOT BRAKE, AND BEFORE SHE PRESSED THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL TO BACK OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY, THE VEHICLE ROLLED FORWARD ALMOST HITTING A DOOR. UPDATE 09/30/11

  4. Other or unspecified, Jun 28, 2011

    THE SUNLIGHT REFLECTION FROM THE DASHBOARD TO THE WINDSHIELD MAKES SOME DAYLIGHT DRIVING DIFFICULT TO SEE AND REDUCE VISIBILITY.

  5. Service brakes, Hydraulic, Electrical system, Jun 22, 2011

    HONDA CIVIC HYBRID 2012 BOUGHT JUST AFTER SIX DAYS FAILED AFTER DOING A LEFT TURN. ALL WARNING LIGHTS LIT FROM THE DASHBOARD. RESTARTED AND WAS ABLE TO DRIVE HOME BUT FAILED TO START NEXT DAY. TOWED TO THE NEAREST HONDA DEALER. SERVICE GUY AFTER CALLING HONDA HEADQUARTERS DETERMINE IT WAS THE ABS SYSTEM THAT CAUSED THE FAILURE. STILL IN THE SHOP FOR REPAIRS. *TR