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.
Steering, Air bags, Jul 12, 2018
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 HONDA CIVIC. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CENTER SECTION OF THE STEERING WHEEL DEVELOPED A CRACK. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED THAT IT COULD POSSIBLY AFFECT THE OPERATION OF THE AIR BAG DURING DEPLOYMENT. THE LOCAL DEALER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND DID NOT ASSIST. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 69,000.
Air bags, Jul 2, 2018, crash
FRONT END COLLISION. 30 MPH. RAN INTO STOPPED CAR AHEAD. AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY.
Other or unspecified, Service brakes, Jun 13, 2018, crash
MY CAR (MANUAL) WAS PARKED IN FIRST GEAR ON AN INCLINE IN MY JOBSITE PARKING LOT. THE EMERGENCY BRAKE WAS NOT ENGAGED. WITHIN 1-2HRS IT ROLLED BACK NEARLY HITTING MY PLACE OF BUSINESS AND AN AC UNIT. IT IS ALL ON CAMERA. IT ROLLED SOME, THEN STOPPED, THEN AGAIN ROLLED AND STOPPED. IT HAS NEVER DONE THIS IN THE PAST BUT I TYPICALLY HAVE THE E-BRAKE ENGAGED. DAYS BEFORE, I WAS SITTING IN MY SAME VEHICLE AFTER IT WAS PARKED FOR SEVERAL MINUTES AND IT JERKED SUDDENLY. IT DID NOT ROLL BACK AT THIS TIME.
Service brakes, Jun 5, 2018
I AM EXPERIENCING VERY RAPID REAR BRAKE PAD WEAR ON MY CIVIC. IT IS A 2012 MODEL, AND IS DRIVEN QUITE NORMALLY AS A COMMUTER VEHICLE TO AND FROM WORK DAILY. IN 2015 AT ABOUT 60K MILES, THE REAR PADS WERE WORN TO 0%. I WAS SURPRISED, BUT REPLACED THEM THEN. JUST RECENTLY, AT ABOUT 80K MILES, I AM JUST HAD MY MECHANIC REPORT THEY'RE BACK DOWN TO ABOUT 10% LIFE AND NEEDING REPLACEMENT SOON. THIS IS UNNATURALLY FAST, IS EXPENSIVE, AND UNSAFE AS MECHANICS AND CONSUMERS ARE USED TO REAR BRAKES WEARING MUCH MORE SLOWLY THAN FRONT BRAKES. IN THE SAME PERIOD OF TIME, THE FRONT BRAKES ARE STILL THE ORIGINAL PADS, AND ARE SHOWING ABOUT 35% LIFE REMAINING - THEY HAVE NEVER BEEN REPLACED. I'VE READ AROUND ON FORUMS ONLINE, AND THIS SEEMS TO BE A RECURRING PROBLEM FOR OTHER CIVIC OWNERS.
Structure, May 17, 2018
SUNROOF SPONTANEOUSLY SHATTERED WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY ON 5/16/2017 @ 645 AM. TEMPERATURE WAS UPPER 60S WITH CALM WEATHER. THE GLASS COVERED THE FRONT SEATS OF THE VEHICLE.
Air bags, May 16, 2018
SINCE THE FIRST WEEK I BOUGHT MY HONDA DASH SCREEN READ THAT "PASSANGER AIRBAG IS OFF". I NOTIFIED THE WORKERS AT THE HONDA SERVICE DEPARTMENT SEVERAL TIMES WHEN I WOULD GET IT SERVICED. THEY STATED THAT IT WASN'T ANYTHING TO BE CONCERNED ABOUT, SOMETIMES THAT HAPPENS. IT DOESN'T SHOW UP ALL THE TIME BUT EVERY NOW AND THEN IT'LL POP UP. I HOPE I WON'T EVER HAVE TO FIND OUT IF IT IS PROPERLY WORKING IN A CAR INCIDENT BUT IT IS A CONCERN OF MINE IF IT WERE TO HAPPEN THAT THE AIRBAG WOULD NOT WORK. WHEN IT DOES OCCUR IT OCCURS WHEN I'M DRIVING.
Air bags, Apr 30, 2018, crash
CAR IN FRONT OF ME SLAMMED ON BRAKES SUDDENLY AND I COLLIDED WITH THE REAR OF OTHER CAR IN A FORWARD MOTION. THE AIRBAG WAS DEPLOYED AND MY WRIST WAS BROKEN.THE AIRBAG DEPLOYED WITH SUCH FORCE THAT THE WINDSHIELD WAS SHATTERED. THE INSIDE OF THE CAR WAS SMOKEY FROM THE CHEMICALS OF THE AIRBAG, I HAD WHEEZING FOR 2 DAYS FOLLOWING ACCIDENT.
Air bags, Seat belts, Apr 4, 2018
THE AIR BAG LIGHT TURN ON FOR NO REASON AND PASSAGES AIR BAG NEVER ACTIVATES. I TOOK MY CAR WITH A MECHANIC AND THE DIAGNOSTIC WAS THERE'S SOMETHING WRONG WITH AIR BAG AND SEAT BELT.
Steering, Apr 3, 2018
DRIVING BACK HOME FROM WORK, CHECK POWER STEERING LIGHT CAME ON. DIFFICULT TO DRIVE HOME. NEXT DAY I STARTED MY CAR, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS NOT DISPLAYING.
Power train, Electrical system, Engine, Apr 3, 2018
THE CAR RANDOMLY DISPLAYS A CHECK EMISSIONS SYSTEM AND CHECK TRANSMISSION SYSTEMS ERROR ON THE DASHBOARD WHILE DRIVING. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON AND THE "D" INDICATOR ON THE DISPLAY FLASHES. WHEN THE CHECK TRANSMISSION SYSTEMS ERROR DISPLAYS THE CAR DOES NOT SHIFT AS IT SHOULD. I TOOK IT TO MY MECHANIC AND HE COULDN'T FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH THE ENGINE OR TRANSMISSION, AND NO ERROR CODES CAME UP ON HIS COMPUTER. I CALLED THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAID A SOFTWARE UPDATE IS NEEDED. I AM CONCERNED ABOUT WEAR AND TEAR ON THE ENGINE AND/OR TRANSMISSION DUE TO THESE ISSUES.
Other or unspecified, Mar 25, 2018
WHEN THE PASSENGER SIDE DOOR ARM REST IS LEANED ON, THE DASHBOARD SIMULATES "DOOR OPEN" AND THE INTERIOR LIGHT COMES ON. THIS HAPPENS WHEN SITTING STILL OR MOVING.
Steering, Feb 27, 2018
I LEFT THE HOUSE TO PICK UP MY DAUGHTER FROM DAYCARE. LEFT THE HOUSE TO THE DAYCARE AND EVERYTHING WAS FINE. WHEN I LEFT THE DAYCARE, STARTED THE CAR EVERYTHING WAS GOOD UNTIL I WENT TO TURN THE WHEEL TO GET ONTO THE MAIN ROAD AND I RECEIVED THE WARNING LIGHT ON THE DASH THAT SAID "CHECK POWER STEERING SYSTEM". NEEDLESS TO SAY, MY POWER STEERING WAS GONE. I BACKED UP, WITH TURNING THE WHEEL HARD, AND TURNED THE CAR OFF HOPING IT WAS FLUKE. TURNED THE CAR BACK ON AND SAME ISSUE. SINCE I DON'T LIVE TOO FAR FROM THE DAYCARE, I DID DRIVE HOME WITH MY DAUGHTER IN THE CAR. PULLED IN DRIVEWAY AND TURNED CAR OFF AND ON A FEW TIMES AND STILL AN ISSUE. DROVE TO LOCAL MAINTENANCE SHOP TO INVESTIGATE- THEY DIDN'T GET TO IT UNTIL NEXT DAY.....NO ISSUES WHEN THEY STARTED THE CAR! APPEARS OTHERS HAVE HAD THIS SAME ISSUE. I MAY TAKE TO LOCAL HONDA DEALER FOR FURTHER DIAGNOSIS IF ISSUE PERSISTS, BUT I DON'T WANT POWER STEERING TO GO ON THE MIDDLE OF THE HIGHWAY WHEN HITTING 65 MILES / HOUR! BELIEVE THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE FOR HONDA TO INVESTIGATE.
Steering, Feb 12, 2018
STARTED CAR IN MORNING AND A LIGHT CAME ON TO "CHECK POWER STEERING SYSTEM". BROUGHT CAR IN TO BE CHECKED AND POWERS STEERING RACK OF PINION IS MISSING A PIECE (WAS EITHER NEVER IN PLACE OR FELL OUT). HONDA DEALERSHIP UNWILLING TO COVER ANY COST BECAUSE THE CAR WAS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY.
Air bags, Feb 10, 2018
FROM THE TIME I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE IT'S BEEN SHOWING THE AIR BAG LIGHT AND THE DEALER STAYED IT'S THE SENSORS BEHIND THE SEAT THAT ARE DEFECTIVE. THEY REPLACED THE SENSORS AND CONTINUED HAPPENING DIDN'T WORRY ABOUT IT BECAUSE CAR ALWAYS PASSED STATE INSPECTION. I WENT BACK TO THE DEALER AND THE DEALER STATED IT'S THE SAME PROBLEM AND IT'S OUT OF WARRANTY.
Service brakes, Feb 9, 2018, crash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2012 HONDA CIVIC. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED AND TRAVELED TO THE FLOORBOARD. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE REAR ENDED ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE DRIVER'S AIR BAG DEPLOYED AND CAUSED IRRITATION TO THE FACE. NO MEDICAL ATTENTION WAS REQUIRED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED BY THE INSURANCE COMPANY WHO ADVISED HIM TO HAVE THE VEHICLE INSPECTED FOR THE BRAKE FAILURE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT DIAMOND VALLEY HONDA (300 CARRIAGE CIR, HEMET, CA 92545 (888) 794-1620) WAS CONTACTED, BUT DECLINED TO INSPECT THE VEHICLE DUE TO THE BODY DAMAGE AND AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THERE WAS A LEAK IN THE BRAKE LINE AND THE BRAKE LINE NEEDED REPLACEMENT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED DUE TO BEING DEEMED A TOTAL LOSS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 134,000.
Steering, Electrical system, Feb 8, 2018
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 HONDA CIVIC. WHILE THE CONTACT'S DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING 50 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED AND THE POWER STEERING WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED WITH A POWER STEERING AND ELECTRICAL FAILURE. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE POWER STEERING COLUMN NEEDED REPLACEMENT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED DUE TO COST AND BELIEVED THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL. THE HONDA MANUFACTURER AND LOCAL DEALER (MILLENNIUM HONDA, 286 N FRANKLIN ST, HEMPSTEAD, NY 11550, (516) 481-2800) WERE CONTACTED AND INFORMED THE CONTACT OF NO OPEN RECALLS. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 30,000. *TT *TR
Other or unspecified, Feb 1, 2018
THE TPMS ALERT IS ALWAYS ON EVEN THOUGH THE TIRES ARE INFLATED AT THE APPROPRIATE PSI. I HAVE TAKEN MY CAR TO HONDA NUMEROUS TIMES TO GET THE TPMS RESET SO THAT IT WOULD TURN ON ONLY WHEN NECESSARY. BECAUSE THE TPMS ALERT IS ALWAYS ON, I NEVER KNOW WHEN THE TIRE IS LOW ON AIR PRESSURE. I TOOK IT TO HONDA MULTIPLE TIMES TO CORRECT THIS ISSUE, BUT I WAS TOLD THAT THIS HAS BEEN A KNOWN ISSUE WITH HONDA CIVICS AND THAT TO GET IT FIXED, IT WOULD COST $200-300 WITH THE POSSIBILITY THAT THE TPMS CAN ACT UP LIKE THIS AGAIN. THIS IS A BIG SAFETY CONCERN BECAUSE I ONCE DROVE FOR MILES AND MILES WITHOUT KNOWING THAT ONE OF MY TIRES WAS AT 14 PSI. I HAD NO IDEA THAT MY TIRES WERE SO FLAT BECAUSE AS MENTIONED PREVIOUSLY, THE TPMS ALERT IS ALWAYS ON. HONDA NEEDS TO ISSUE A SAFETY RECALL ON THIS IF THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE AMONGST HONDA CIVICS AND GET THIS ISSUE FIXED.
Steering, Jan 29, 2018
I WAS DRIVING ON HIGHWAY YESTERDAY WITH 2 OF MY TODDLER KIDS IN MY HONDA. SUDDENLY THE POWER STEERING LIGHT TURNED ON AND IMMEDIATELY THE STEERING BECAME EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO TURN AND LIKE DEAD. I WAS VERY SCARED AND TRY TO SLOW DOWN. BUT IT IS STILL VERY EXTREME DIFFICULT TO TURN. I TURNED ON THE DOUBLE FLASHING LIGHT AND SLOWED MOVED TO THE NEARBY GAS STATION AND ASKED MY INSURANCE TO TOW MY CAR TO DEALER. I AM 20WEEKS PREGNANT SO I HAVE 3 CHILDREN IN THE CAR. THE SECOND DAY THE DEALER CHECKED EVERYTHING BUT TOLD ME THEY CANNOT FIND ANY PROBLEM WITH IT. I FOUND A LOT OF COMPLAINT FILED ONLINE WITH 2012 HONDA CIVIC AND THERE IS A RECALL WITH CERTAIN 2012 HONDA CIVIC THAT WAS MADE LATE THAT YEAR. I CALLED HONDA INC AND CHECKED MY VIN, I WAS INFORMED THERE IS NO RECALL ON MY CAR. I EXPLAINED THIS IS VERY SIMILAR TO OTHER CASES THEY MADE RECALL ON ABOUT THE STEERING SYSTEM AND THIS IS VERY LIKELY DUE TO THEIR MANUFACTURE MISTAKE AS I HAVE BEEN DRIVING THIS CAR WITHOUT ANY ISSUE IN 5 YEARS AND NO ANY ACCIDENT OR INJURY. THEY SAY THERE IS NOTHING THEY CAN DO. THE CAR DEALER ALSO INFORM ME THERE IS NOTHING THEY CAN DO BUT HAVE ME DRIVE CAREFULLY AND THEY TOLD ME THIS CAN HAPPEN AGAIN!!!. I AM PREGNANT AND HAVE 2 LITTLE CHILDREN I SENT TO SCHOOL WITH DAILY. I CANNOT HAVE THIS HAPPEN AGAIN IN A TRAGIC ACCIDENT.!!!
Steering, Service brakes, Jan 27, 2018
THE BRAKES HAVE FAILED ON THIS CAR TWICE. WE WERE FORTUNATE THAT BOTH TIMES WERE IN A PARKING LOT AND MY DAUGHTER WAS ABLE TO STOP THE CAR WITH THE EMERGENCY BRAKE. AT THE SAME TIME THE BRAKES WENT OUT THE POWER STEERING WENT OUT AS WELL AND SHE HAD GREAT DIFFICULTY TURNING THE CAR AS WELL AS STOPPING IT. THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY AT THE TIME, SHE WAS ATTEMPTING TO BACK OUT OF A PARKING PLACE ONE TIME AND THE SECOND TIME WAS ABLE TO LET THE CAR ROLL FORWARD IN TO AN EMPTY PARKING SPOT WHERE SHE PULLED THE EMERGENCY BRAKE.
Air bags, Jan 18, 2018
TAKATA RECALL ON AIRBAGS ASSOCIATED WITH MY VEHICLE.
Air bags, Jan 7, 2018
MY CHECK AIR BAG LIGHT HAS BEEN ON AND OFF AGAIN FOR MONTHS. AFTER SEVERAL VISITS TO THE DEALER THEY DETERMINED THE INFLATOR IS THE ISSUE AND I NEED TO PAY FOR IT AS IT IS NOT AFFECTED BY THE RECALL. I COMPLETELY DISAGREE WITH THIS AND FEEL IT IS IMPACTED BY THE RECALL.
Air bags, Jan 7, 2018
EVERY SO OFTEN THE AIRBAG MESSEGE ON MY CAR COME SUP. IT SAYS THAT THE PASSENGER AIRBACK IS NOT WORKING OR DISABLED. SOME DAYS THESE IS PROMPTED ON MY CARS DASH BOARDS. ON SAME DAYS IT DOES NOT SHOW UP
Air bags, Jan 5, 2018
TAKATA RECALL ....I RECEIVED A NOTICED IN THE MAIL ABOUT THIS RECALL AND I LOOKED INTO IT. LOW AND BEHOLD MY VIN# WAS ONE OF THE ONES THAT WAS TIED TO THE TAKATA RECALL. IF THERE IS ANYTHING WRONG WITH MY VEHICLE IN ANYWAY I WOULD LIKE FOR IT TO BE CORRECTED BEFORE THE PROBLEM GETS OUT OF HAND.
Air bags, Dec 31, 2017
TAKATA RECALL, THE AIRBAGS TURN OFF WHEN GOING DOWNHILL ON A STREET AND HIGHWAY WHEN TRYING TO USE THE BRAKES AND WHILE NOT USING THE BRAKE. THIS HAPPENS WHEN THE CAR IS IN MOTION. THIS CONTINUES TO OCCUR AND HAS HAPPENED MORE THEN ONCE.
Air bags, Dec 28, 2017
THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG SIGN KEEPS COMING OUT TO TELL THE DRIVER THE AIRBAG IS DISABLED SOMETIMES WHEN THERE IS A PERSON WHO SITS ON THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. ALSO RECEIVED A RECALL OF MONTHS AGO BUT THE DEALER KEEPS SAYING EVERYTHING IS FINE NO RECALL ON THE LIST. IT HAPPENED SINCE THE DAY I PURCHASED IN 2012 AND IT HAPPENS VERY OFTEN RECENTLY.