2013 Honda Civic
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Air bags is the leading concern among 319 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 17th highest complaint count among 26 Civic model years with reports.
Of the 2013 reports, 29 involved a crash and 1 involved a fire. 34 people were injured.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
No safety recalls on file.
Representative owner complaints
319 reports, newest first.
Steering, Electrical system, Service brakes, May 24, 2023
There are four lights with a warning that shows up and stay on Check Brake, Power Steering, ABS and VBS Systems. These four lights occurs immediately or even occasionally delayed but they appear everytime my vehicle is running. It is the VSA System per service repair shop. This is a known problem for the Honda Civic 2013 and also Honda Accord. My concern is when these lights are present there is a safety hazard issue. A recall should HAPPEN. My thorough research shows that it should’ve been a recall in the USA for vehicles in 2012-2013 regarding an expansion of VSA Non-compliance Recall: 2012-2013 Honda Fit done free of charge. This article was July 23, 2013 and it was a little over 48,000 vehicles. They all qualified for a repair if indicated. The repairs happened in Thailand but not USA. The repairs are very, very costly. I’m the only owner of my vehicle and purchased new.
Steering, Power train, Service brakes, May 21, 2023
Traveling down Interstate 49 in Arkansas. Hit a patch of "chicken byproduct" that was spilled on the highway. My car fishtailed. VSA module out of service. Did a vehicle diagnostic scan on it. Scanner said VSA module malfunctioning. No ABS past 30 mph. Took vehicle to shop. They said VSA module needed to be replaced. VSA is suppose to be a safety mechanism in the 2013 Honda Civic. I have read that I am not the only owner to have this problem. Should be a recall. They are expensive to replace.
Electrical system, Air bags, May 1, 2023
Airbag warning light comes on sporadically. Consistently when it is cold out, all the time after hitting the horn. There is an issue apparently with the driver side airbag inflator which occurs in this model year vehicle that both NHTSA and Honda is ignoring.
Electrical system, Air bags, Apr 25, 2023
Air bag warning comes on intermittently . Has increased to a weekly occurrence. I’ve recorded 27 instances in the last 6 months that this has happened. Occurs when starting car after sitting and also just comes on when driving. Have had seat sensors and seat belt replaced which did nothing. Problem still exists. I am not going to put any more money into an unsafe vehicle. Research shows that this is a common consumer complaint and a safety problem . Airbags for this model were recalled through the 2012 model year. Certainly appears that the 2013 model year should have been included.
Engine, Apr 18, 2023
Ac compressor /condenser system - endangers engine as it can cause overheating in engine. Should have similar warranty for original parts as the Honda civic ac recalls for 2016-2019 models.
Air bags, Mar 15, 2023
My Check air bag system light came on today. No one as been involved in an accident but it does worry me to know that while this light is on the air bag would not deploy if me or my child are involved in an accident. Would like to have this problem investigated and repair before anything bad were to happen.
Air bags, Feb 27, 2023, crash
The contact owns a 2013 Honda Civic. The contact stated that while driving approximately 40 mph, the driver crashed into the rear of a Ford Focus. The front passenger air bag was partially deployed. The check air bag system and the passenger air bag off message were displayed. There were no reported injuries, police report filed, or fire. The contact called the local dealer who informed her to take the vehicle to a collision center. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 250,000. The VIN was not available.
Air bags, Jan 21, 2023
B0001-13 a known defective airbag issue with no repair in sight according to other civic owners.
Air bags, Dec 12, 2022
The contact owns a 2013 Honda Civic. The contact stated that on several occasions, the check air bag system warning light intermittently illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was placed on a diagnostic machine and produced code: B0001-13. The vehicle was then taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the front driver’s side wiring assembly needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and the contact was informed that there was no recall for the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 62,000. The consumer stated the dealer found the problem which was a driver's side airbag assembly internal failure.
Air bags, Sep 29, 2022
The check airbag light comes on and off intermittently.
Steering, Other or unspecified, Service brakes, Sep 21, 2022
ABS check light, VSA check light, Power Steering light comes on. They come on everytime the car is started. Sometimes it is immediately. Sometimes it is delayed. The lights come in that order. My car diagnostic scanning tool says ABS will fail at 30 mph. I lack the funds to get car looked at.
Seat belts, Aug 10, 2022, crash
After a low impact car accident frint end collision seatbelt on driverside will not release and horn does not work despite no airbag deployment. Also paint on several parts of car look like chalk.
Steering, Jul 26, 2022
Electric Power Steering assist occasionally does not work when car is driving under a low speed, making the turning very diffcult.
Steering, Power train, Service brakes, Jul 26, 2022
Check brake system, check powertrain system, check VAS system keeps making notifications to be checked.
Air bags, Jun 30, 2022
The "Check Airbag System" light intermittently comes on. At first it came on once every couple of weeks, but now it comes on everyday, especially when it is hot outside. I've looked up my issue online and a lot of other people with the same model are having these issues as well. Given that the airbag won't deploy while this light is on, there definitely should be a deeper cause for concern especially since I'm not the only '13 civic owner with this issue.
Air bags, Jun 24, 2022
Took Honda to Toyota service dept.was informed i had a faulty Drivers side cable rail,i would think that would be covered as a safety issue.My Honda has 59000 miles.
Structure, Jun 13, 2022
Paint pealing/chipping near edges of both driver and passenger side window.
Air bags, Feb 18, 2022
This is the second time I report this problem with the airbags. The check airbag light keep coming on and off, sometimes couple of time a day, specially in hot days. All this started about 2 years ago, and reported here and contact the dealer which they want to charged me for a diagnostic. I seen many people also reporting the same issue here, I hope this can address as soon as possible because is a safety hazard.
Air bags, Feb 14, 2022
The "Check Airbag System" warning light has been coming on intermittently for the past several weeks. My safety as well as a passenger's safety is at risk as I've been informed that when this light is on the airbag system is not functionally properly and will not deploy which could result in serious injury or death. I reported this to the dealer today when I got an oil change however they wanted to charge me $138 for a diagnostic check which is unacceptable. Airbags are essential safety systems. This cost should be on the manufacturer not the customer. Since there have been many complaints filed regarding this issue by 2013 Civic owners, it should be investigated by NHTSA for a recall. This is especially warranted considering the millions of recalls on vehicles with Takata airbags including Honda due to defects.
Steering, Other or unspecified, Feb 2, 2022
The electric power steering pump is failing while driving my vehicle. When driving the vehicle, if I make a turn any way, than my vehicle shuts off and locks up completely causing me to not be able to go or move without turning the vehicle off and on quickly to get out of the way. It has caused me to almost get rear ended as well. I have spoke to mechanics at multiple shops and even Spoke to honda world about it; who advised me to take the steps of looking into a recall or submitting an incident report to make a claim.
Electrical system, Jan 13, 2022
The contact owns a 2013 Honda Civic. The contact stated that the steering wheel and seats would frequently shock her and other occupants while inside the vehicle. The contact stated that her check engine and TPMS warning lights would intermittently flash on the instrument panel. The contact had taken the vehicle to a dealer twice for repair; however, the failure remained. The contact then took the vehicle to an independent mechanic where they requested a blueprint of the vehicle's wiring mechanism from the manufacturer. Despite receiving the blueprint and rewiring the vehicle, the mechanic was unable to correct the failure. The manufacturer was also notified of the failure by the contact, but they offered no assistance. The vehicle had yet to be repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 35,000.
Air bags, Dec 29, 2021, crash
A side impact collision that resulted in the tire snapping off the frame and the airbags did not deploy. Astonished by the craftsmanship of the wheel assembly because of how easily the tire can snap off. The other driver speed at impact was approximately 30+mph. This is not a safe vehicle to be involved in a collision.
Air bags, Oct 28, 2021
What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? - "Check Airbag System" warning light comes on intermittently. No OBDII codes are readable with this warning shown. How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? - "Check Airbag System" implies that system isn't working properly. Airbags are essential safety equipment and put users at risk if not functioning. Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center? - No Has the vehicle or component been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives or others? - No Were there any warning lamps, messages or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure, and when did they first appear? - No other warnings or codes present.
Air bags, Sep 15, 2021
The Check Airbag System light comes on continually. It will shut off when you turn the vehicle off, but typically comes on again after driving a few miles. The dealer, a Honda dealer, confirmed what was happening and told me that if the light is on, the airbag system is disabled and airbags will not deploy, which is obviously a huge safety concern while driving a compact car. Nothing happens before the light comes on (no bumps in the road or anything). We purchased the car used with 101,000 miles on it. The issue occurred with 101,100 miles on it, but may have occurred prior to our purchase of the vehicle.
Air bags, Sep 1, 2021
Airbag warning indicator has been coming on Intermittently for the last 3 weeks and now is on all the time. Started as passenger airbag warning then went to just airbag warning indicator.