2016 Honda Civic
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Steering is the leading concern among 1,081 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 4th highest complaint count among 26 Civic model years with reports.
Of the 2016 reports, 36 involved a crash and 4 involved a fire. 16 people were injured.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
Air bags, sensor, occupant classification, front passengerMay 21, 2026
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2018-2021, 2023 Acura TLX, 2019-2024 RDX, 2017-2020, 2022-2026 MDX, 2017-2021, 2023, 2025 Honda Ridgeline, 2017-2022 Pilot, 2019-2021 Passport, 2018-2026 Odyssey, 2019-2022 Insight, 2019-2021 HR-V, 2018-2020 Fit, 2020-2022 CR-V Hybrid, 2017-2022 CR-V, 2017-2018, 2021 Civic Type R, 2017-2021 Civic hatchback, 2016-2020 Civic coupe, 2016-2022 Civic, 2017-2022 Accord Hybrid, and 2016-2022 Accord vehicles. The front passenger seat weight sensor may crack and short circuit, which can cause the air bags to deploy unintentionally during a crash.
Air bags that deploy unintentionally during a crash increase the risk of injury.
Dealers will replace the seat weight sensors, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 7, 2026. Owners may contact Honda's customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are BOL, WO9, OOA, WOM, XOH, NOC, POD, BOE, UOF, POB, EOG, AOI, QO8, TOJ, DO7, and SOK. This recall expands previous NHTSA recall number 24V064. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will be searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning May 29, 2026.
Campaign 26V332000 on NHTSA.gov
Fuel system, gasoline, delivery, fuel pumpDec 18, 2023
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2013-2023 Honda Accord, Civic Coupe, Civic Sedan, Civic Hatchback, Civic Type R, CR-V, HR-V, Ridgeline, Odyssey, Acura ILX, MDX, MDX Hybrid, RDX, RLX, TLX, 2019-2022 Honda Insight, Passport, 2020 Honda CR-V Hybrid, 2018-2019 Honda Clarity PHEV, Fit, and 2015-2020 Honda Accord Hybrid, Pilot, Acura NSX vehicles. The fuel pump inside the fuel tank may fail.
Fuel pump failure can cause an engine stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.
Dealers will replace the fuel pump module, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed September 6, 2024. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are KGC and KGD. This recall is an expansion of NHTSA recall numbers 21V-215 and 20V-314.
Campaign 23V858000 on NHTSA.gov
Parking brakeOct 11, 2016
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain model year 2016 Honda Civic two door and four door 1.5L turbo and 2.0L vehicles. The electric parking brake (EPB) may not engage if it is applied immediately after turning the ignition off.
If the EPB is not applied, the vehicle may roll away, increasing the risk of a crash.
Honda will notify owners, and dealers will update the vehicle's software to allow the EPB to engage immediately after the ignition is turned off, free of charge. The recall began on November 8, 2016. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's number for this recall is KC6.
Campaign 16V725000 on NHTSA.gov
Exterior lightingJul 11, 2016
American Honda Motor Co. (Honda) is recalling certain model year 2016 Civic 2-Door vehicles manufactured February 23, 2016, through May 20, 2016. The affected vehicles may have a damaged LED side marker light circuit board inside the taillight assembly, making the marker light inoperable. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Assoc. Equipment."
If a side marker light does not function, vehicle visibility can be decreased to other drivers, increasing the risk of a crash.
Honda will notify owners, and dealers will inspect both the taillight assemblies, replacing them as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on August 31, 2016. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's number for this recall is KB8.
Campaign 16V526000 on NHTSA.gov
Engine and engine cooling, engineFeb 9, 2016
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain model year 2016 Civic vehicles manufactured September 22, 2015, to February 3, 2016 and equipped with 2.0L engines. The affected vehicles have engines with piston assemblies that may have been manufactured without a piston wrist pin circlip or with an incorrectly installed piston wrist pin circlip.
If a circlip is missing or incorrectly installed, the piston wrist pin may not be secure and may drift and damage the engine cylinder causing the engine to seize, and increasing the risk of a crash or a fire.
Honda will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and replace the piston assemblies and damaged engine components, as necessary, free of charge. Parts are expected to be available in the Summer of 2016. Owners were mailed an interim notification beginning March 31, 2016, and will be mailed a second notice when parts are available. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's number for this recall is JX9.
Campaign 16V074000 on NHTSA.gov
Representative owner complaints: other or unspecified
253 reports, newest first. Show all
Other or unspecified, Jun 1, 2023
I have had multiple problems with the vehicles air conditioning system leaking and adding harmful HFC chemicals to the atmosphere and making driving uncomfortable on warm days. There are known issues with Honda years 2016-2018 air conditioning systems and they should be fixing these problems under warranty or recalls. My first issue of the A/C blowing warm air was 8/10/2021 and cars mileage was 49,760 miles. I brought it into a Honda dealer and they stated they found high side and low side O rings leaking . They replaced them, recharged system and charged me $425.00. The next issue with blowing warm air was May 2023 and 56,311 miles. I brought the vehicle to an independent repair garage . They found a leak in the evaporator and a defective expansion valve. They replaced the evaporator core and expansion valve. This cost me another $2008.43. These year 2016-2018, Honda's have many issues with the air conditioning system and all major components compressor, condenser, evaporator and the expensive refrigerant should be covered under warranty for these system leaks in multiple components. I understand Honda has a 10 year warranty extension on the A/C condenser. Honda needs to step up and take responsibility and fix all of the issues with the air conditioning systems and quit adding all these refrigerants to the atmosphere .
Other or unspecified, Apr 24, 2023
The A/C began to take longer and longer to cool the car. After not driving the car for a year due to illness, I drove it again and the A/C blew nothing but hot air. After an initial Google search I discovered Honda had extended a warranty to 10 years for defective A/C condensers. However, I cannot find a recall for this repair anywhere. I've taken the car to a mechanic and was quoted a price of $1200 repair the condenser.
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Engine, Apr 20, 2023
All engine lights flashed while driving, check engine light remained on after all others went off, emission system warning keeps prompting attention, and car just slowed to only 8 mph as I was driving down the road. Available for inspection any day. I had my 7 month old child in the backseat and almost got slammed in the back while going down the road as my car slowed abruptly as I was driving. Nothing was wrong prior, and I took it to a service department when I went for my oil change, but it was going to be very costly to just hook up for diagnostic testing. Car ran at normal speed after this incident, but engine sounds louder and rougher and check engine light and warnings are still present.
Other or unspecified, Apr 19, 2023
On 4/16/23, I noticed that the paint surrounding my rear window is peeling from the body of the car. There have been no dings nor accidents; the paint just started peeling. Obviously, this is not a safety issue, but I have read that Honda has had issues with defective paint with other models.
Other or unspecified, Apr 15, 2023
Air conditioner not working
Other or unspecified, Apr 13, 2023
The transmission failed in the middle of a busy boulevard. I was waiting, then attempting to drive forward to make a u-turn. The speed limit was 55 mph, cars were honking and had to change lanes not to hit me - and it was raining. The car was towed to our local dealer where we purchased and seek all maintenance on the car (and 3 previous Hondas). We were told a belt may have broken and that it had to be replaced; the cost $6400. There were no warning lamps or messages. Probably not relevant but the dealer could not replace the transmission as none are available currently and there is no available estimation of when one would come available. We had to choose between trading the car in without a transmission or (what we chose) have the dealer install a used transmission.
Other or unspecified, Apr 12, 2023
First AC condenser went out Now theres a problem (leakage) with the AC Evaporator. Ive been hearing this happening to alot of the same hondas!
Other or unspecified, Jan 27, 2023
The back up camera does not work if the car is put into reverse immediately after starting the car. The Honda logo appears on the screen and the car still reverses. If you put the car back in park and then move it back to reverse, usually the camera will come on. Sometimes, the car has to be restarted for the backup camera to work. I did not know this was something that needed to be reported until I saw that Ford recalled several of their vehicles for this same issue.
Other or unspecified, Dec 20, 2022
EXPLODING SUNROOF: (editing from an email to Honda on June 13, 2022) I have had numerous Hondas (and Civics) over the years and bought a 2016 Honda Civic (with extended warranty (just expired I think). While driving from Oregon to California (for a conference in Asilomar) June 13, 2022 on Hwy 680, I heard a noise and thought someone had hit me - but didn't see any car. I pulled off the freeway and pulled over and examined the car and see that the sunroof had exploded. I stopped at Envision Honda (Milpitas) to ask them about it and see what it would take to repair (they had mentioned they had heard that happening to several others), then proceeded to ValStrough Honda (Seaside) closer to my conference - I asked them to order the part ($541.72 + labor (they didn't have anyone there at the time to quote (the previous dealer thought ~$146). The dealer in Seaside thinks the part should be in on Wed and I hope to have it replaced. I have not had time to see how much of the roof or trunk has been scratched (one of the employees at Envison pointed it out to me) Had I not had the visor closed the glass presumably would have come into the car, and likely causing me to have an accident - this is a HUGE safety issue. The glass did stream behind my car, but luckily did not cause an accident as far as I know. I have started googling the issue and see others such as the person below had a nearly identical experience. I think that Honda should pay for the repairs to my vehicle; as well as put out a warning. I believe that this could easily led to deaths of some drivers in the future. Update: I was charged $541.72 + 245.00= $786.72 for the repair Richard Sniezko 541-954-6793 https://www.wesh.com/article/hundreds-of-sunroofs-spontaneously-exploding/30970599 https://www.consumerreports.org/car-safety/exploding-sunroof-cases-head-to-court/
Steering, Other or unspecified, Nov 17, 2022
1st Steering wheel pops on highway 65+mph, I've taken my vehicle to dealership to get diagnosed supposedly couldn't find anything wrong, I've even taken a service rep for a drive to show them what is happening they noticed but service told him not to do anything! Second issue squealing noise coming from wheel bearings I took my car to 2 different shops, Honda and wheel shop both places can't determine where noise is coming from!
Structure, Other or unspecified, Oct 10, 2022
Paint is chipping around the back windshield and is starting to cause paint chipping towards the top of the vehicle. Have never been in a collision.
Other or unspecified, Oct 7, 2022
Although my car runs fine and the Check Engine Light (or any other warning light) did not illuminate, my car suddenly went into Limp Mode. I was on the I-90 East Freeway out of Seattle, just heading into a tunnel plus a bridge. Everyone was going about 65 (as was I), and suddenly I'm cut down to about 20 mph with no shoulder to turn onto. I'm surprised I didn't cause a huge pile-up - as cars curved toward the tunnel and into relative darkness, they had to suddenly slam on their breaks. I guess it would be one thing if Limp Mode engaged because my engine was about to blow up. But my mechanic found no error codes, nothing wrong. I am reading similar stories all over the Internet and never have I once seen a case in which an engine had a catastrophic problem that justified Limp Mode. Is Honda waiting around for a fatality before they'll issue a recall? They came very close to having one on the day this happened to me, and there have surely been many other near-misses. I'm afraid to drive on the freeway now!
Other or unspecified, Aug 30, 2022
AC compressor is leaking causing damage to the rest of the system and in the winter frost to build up on the inside of the car and during the summer the humidity in the car become so much your windows fog up to dangerous conditions.
Other or unspecified, Jul 18, 2022
structure --- : 2016-2019 Civic C-Pillar Paint Peel in rear window area
Other or unspecified, Jul 5, 2022
AC Compressor failed resulting in all refrigerant to leaking out of system. By law automotive refrigerant is required to be recycled as to not pollute the environment, Honda replaced the AC condenser because a lawsuit found that holes in the AC condenser tubes resulted in refrigerant leaking from the system and inevitable the failure of the AC system. AC system was inspected and found that the AC compressor had leaked and is defective. From doing some research it turns out that the AC compressor on Hondas is a common issue a lot of Honda owners have, spending thousands to replace the defective part. Also from all these defective compressors so much of the refrigerant ends up leaking and polluting the environment.
Seat belts, Other or unspecified, Jul 1, 2022
The center console under the radio is not equipped to hold anything like a phone or something of similar size. When accelerating, the phone or item will become unsecured and fall. In this particular incident, it caused my phone to slide backwards and undo my seatbelt while driving. A car was about to rear end me as this was happening. This is not the first time this has happened. This could be incredibly dangerous and cause a restrained driver to suddenly become unrestrained and before an accident. The center console is not large enough or secure enough to hold a phone or similar item. This is also where they would place a wireless charging pad so it is intended for your phone to sit in the center console under the radio.
Other or unspecified, Jun 5, 2022
I have been giving the run around on my car ac problem. At first dealer they said it was a part that was on recall from Honda corporate that was on recall that was giving intermittent ac problem. They said it was the condenser. It ended up not fixing my issue. So after a while the AC completely stop working had a mechanic check it out and turned out it was the compressor. Seems online people are having issues on all components of the ac system because it was not designed to handle the new refrigerant they use on this car. It’s to the point there’s a lawsuit please have them recall the entire ac system.
Other or unspecified, May 31, 2022
The Condensor on my 2016 Honda Civic Sedan is not working AGAIN. The condenser was replace by recall 2 years ago, I went on a trip to Nebraska last year from Utah, and a rock punctured the system. I go to use my car this spring and the AC doesn't work again. I took it into Ken Garff Riverdale of Utah, and I was just informed the condenser has seized yet again, and they are hoping that none of the motor fragments are in the system. Or the call it the "Black Death" and the whole internal system of the vehicle has to be replaced. I was sold a lemon of a car from Larry H Miller Murray of Utah. I am now close to $15,000 in repairs on this stupid car.
Other or unspecified, May 8, 2022
A/C Compressor had to be replaced after 3.5 years of purchased. After 2.5 years, AC is blowing hot air again.
Other or unspecified, May 6, 2022
THE A/C was not functioning. It was not blowing cold air. The A/C suction hose was leaking. The A/C suction hose was replaced and refrigerant was added. After the repair, the A/C functioned normally.
Other or unspecified, Apr 22, 2022
Air conditioning unit slowly quit blowing out cold air. Actually it happened in 2020. I read there was a problem with the unit holding Freon.
Other or unspecified, Apr 22, 2022
Both Honda Fit 2012 and Honda Civic 2016 door actuators do not work properly not allowing the door to unlock or lock consistently
Other or unspecified, Apr 21, 2022
I own a 2016 Honda Civic EX, that had the condenser issue. My condenser has failed for the 3rd time in 6 years. I faced the first issue in 2018, but was re-imbursed for the damages in 2021. The second issue was in 2019 and it was covered under the condenser warranty extension The third issue is in 2022 and the American Honda representative told me that I might have to pay out of pocket since the warranty extension was covered only for condensers installed in the factory. In short, I'm having to come to the dealer every 1-2 years for a condensor replacement. If the warranty does not cover my repair, then I'll have to shell out a high sum of money for replacement. This can't be done at a local garage due to a unique refrigerant used in the vehicles. All in all, I'm sick of the repeated repairs with my condensor.
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Mar 26, 2022
I’ve had this car for about 1 year now. On the 4th month of having the vehicle I got the battery replaced by the dealer for free. Now here we are a year later and my car is having the same issue. When I go to crank it, it stutters as if it doesn’t want to turn on than turns on. I went to autozone and they said battery needs to be changed again. Which makes no sense because never in my life have I had to change a battery 2x in year & it’s practically still a new vehicle. I started to investigate and when I go in my trunk That I barely use. I have a little bucket with things I keep in it. The bucket was filled with water as if it was leaking from the tail light area. So my trunk is soaked. I’ve noticed before a little moisture back there but I thought nothing of it. I wonder if others are having the same issue or they may not have noticed yet. The vehicle getting wet in the inside can become a very big electrical & rust issue. Which is very unsafe, can lead to things like a fire or even mildew which can get you sick breathing in it. I feel this matter should be addressed and investigated immediately! For not only the safety of my self but the other civic drivers !
Other or unspecified, Mar 2, 2022
Air conditioner suddenly not functioning. The dealership confirmed that the AC condenser and evaporator core were leaking and needed to be replaced. The condenser was covered under an extended 10 year warranty issued by Honda because of manufacture defect. However, the evaporator core is not and had to pay out of pocket for it to be repaired. I’ve have done research and have discovered that the evaporator core malfunctions just as mush as the condenser. That is why I feel Honda needs to also establish an extended warranty for that part as well since they are both related. There were no indicators telling me the parts were failing.