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
1,081 reports, newest first.
Steering, Jul 13, 2024
The steering is very sticky when driving at higher speeds on the highway. It seems to start after hot days or after 15 to 30 min. of driving. The over correction when it gets stuck and having to force it back to center makes it swerve while driving. I have read many forums with the same model reporting the same issues with their EPS system and steering rack system. This is a huge safety issue and should be recalled and fixed as soon as possible.
Steering, Jul 13, 2024
Over the past year, the steering became increasingly stiff and difficult to ;control, particularly at higher speeds. When we took it to our local Honda dealership, we were told that this is a common (and expensive) problem with this year and model. They also said not to take it on long trips, as the steering could lock if turned hard. The needed repair parts (see attached repair bill) were on backorder for nearly 2 months and cost over $4,000 to install.
Steering, Jul 7, 2024
When driving the vehicles steering is not smooth. When making adjustments the steering is very jerky causing you to overcorrect. Searching the honda forums I'm finding lots of others reporting the same issue.
Steering, Jun 30, 2024
The steering is sticky. When driving the car the steering wheel will stick and the driver has to force the wheel. This causes a very scary driving experience.
Steering, Jun 28, 2024
Steering wheel is ongoing stiff and jerky when going above 45mph. It has been almost two years of dealing with it. We have tried troubleshooting but it seems to be a common issue as well as AC system keeps failing. We are repairing for 2nd time within a year and half. While AC failure isn't a safety issue the faulty steering is. It makes car hard to control and can cause an accident because minor adjustments can't be made while driving. There dozens of complaints besides mine.
Steering, Jun 24, 2024
The contact owns a 2016 Honda Civic. The contact stated while driving at various speeds and attempting to adjust the steering wheel, the steering wheel was sticking. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, where it was test-driven, and the failure was replicated. The dealer determined that further diagnostic testing was required. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 45,000.
Steering, Jun 22, 2024
Sticky steering have to over correct and not really safe to drive. Went to the Honda dealership and they quotes me 3500 for repair but I have no warranty! It isn't safe for my kids and I to drive but it's my only transportation. I've read many complains of these cars having this issue and having to have rack replacements.
Other or unspecified, Jun 21, 2024
There was white padding between my speakers and trunk that had a malodorous smell.
Electrical system, Jun 21, 2024
After a year of purchasing the 2016 Honda Civic with 5 miles on it the Bluetooth connection stopped working.
Other or unspecified, Jun 19, 2024
My 2016 Honda Civic recently started having a problem with the air conditioner. The air blowing through is not cold and also smells strange. After taking it to an official Honda dealer, they've confirmed it's a problem with the evaporator and it needs to be replaced. An extended warranty exists for the compressor and condenser but not the evaporator. I believe the three are related and the evaporator should also be covered under warranty. This problem affects the air being pushed through the AC unit and could harm the passenger's well being.
Steering, Jun 19, 2024
While driving at highway speeds the steering can feel "sticky" where extra effort is required to make small adjustments to keep the car properly centered in the lane. It happens most frequently during warm weather and/or when driving for longer than 20-30 minutes. The effort required to compensate for the issue leads to a delay in the course correction and frequently over steering. Either of which can be a safety issue as the former could lead to being unable to avoid an object on the road and the latter could lead to veering into oncoming traffic.
Power train, Other or unspecified, Jun 17, 2024
- HONDA CVT TRANSMISSION: 4356 - Went out. Is available for inspection within the week. - My daughter was driving on the freeway in the fast lane when vehicle started making loud hum noise then, came to a stop. She had to coast to the side of the road, where she was almost hit by multiple vehicles. - Yes Vehicle has been inspected by a independent service center - towed by USAA insurance. - Has been inspected by other: Davis Auto Clinic, Davis, CA 95616 - No warning lights came on, or symptoms of the problem. Only hum noise which began 5 minutes before car stalled in middle of freeway. First appeared at time of stall, no warning at all.
Steering, Jun 17, 2024
Steering wheel sticks noticeably above 40 miles per hour. Mostly sticks whenever the steering wheel is straight, but happens otherwise as well. Trying to make minor or major corrections results in needing to fight the steering wheel to do necessary movements. Is consistent at this point and has been reproduced by an independent service center. No warning lamps are on and no DTCs (diagnostic trouble codes) either.
Steering, Jun 16, 2024
Power steering sticks making small lane maintaining adjustments difficult. Usually happens after the vehicle has been outside in warm weather. Often results in over-correcting, causing vehicle to veer too far within the lane resulting in another correction in the opposite direction. It makes maintaining safe distance from other vehicles or barriers difficult. There are no warning lamps, check engine light, or messages prior to or after the problem. The vehicle is in otherwise excellent condition and has not been inspected by a dealer or mechanic for this problem.
Steering, Jun 16, 2024
Steering becomes “sticky” intermittently. Steering wheel requires additional force beyond what is normal to change direction and turn wheels. Issue seems most prevalent at highway speeds when navigating bends in the road that require 10-20 degrees of steering deflection in either direction of center. Once the steering wheel is held at such an angle for a few seconds consecutively it takes substantially more force than normal from the driver to move the steering wheel back towards center. This results in over correction and makes it difficult to control the vehicle and keep it in one lane. Issue is also observed occasionally when making minor corrections to keep the vehicle in its lane on straight stretches of highway. Issue occurs with VSA system on and off. Turning the LKAS on or off has no effect. Issue is intermittent but seems more prevalent during warmer weather.
Steering, Jun 13, 2024
Steering "sticks" when moving the wheel from center in order to make minor corrections at highway speeds. Overcoming the "stick" requires using additional force resulting in overcorrection and swerving. This is a serious safety concern.
Steering, Jun 12, 2024
The steering “locks”. To make a small steering adjustment, the car JERKS to the right. A “clicking” has also recently started at the same time of the steering and jerking motion of the car. I was stopped for suspicious DUI. I had to provide the officer with multiple forums discussing the EXACT problem. I reported the problem more than a year ago to the dealership.
Steering, Jun 10, 2024
Steering feels sticky when driving on highways. It required some force to move it slightly.
Engine, Jun 8, 2024
Lost Transmission fluid cap, don’t turn on any sensor light. I realized only because a friend just replace his. He shared the information I check it was gone. I had to buy a new one at Honda. High risk since temperature is super high in California, potential risk to lose all the transmission oil and brake.
Steering, Jun 7, 2024
After driving for about 15-20 mins and driving at highway speeds, the steering becomes "sticky" to the point that gentle force meets resistance and more force has to be applied for correction. There is resistance to the wheel that has to be overcome. Standard steering controls. The advanced driving assisted steering is NOT an option on this model. The wheel resists the gentle input at first and greater force has to be issued until enough pressure is exerted and then an over correction happens. This overcorrection has lead to "lane drift" and then has to be corrected AGAIN...and with same sequence....gentle input with locked response then greater force....this has to be done quickly to avoid collision in heavy fast moving traffic which is ALL I drive in. I bought the car certified used 3 years ago while this issue was present but this is a KNOWN issue by you. NO warning lamps.
Steering, Jun 6, 2024
The contact owns a 2016 Honda Civic. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the steering wheel was difficult to maneuver. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The contact research and learned that it was a known issue. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 55,000.
Steering, Jun 4, 2024
Steering becomes “sticky” when ambient temperature is about 70 degrees Fahrenheit or after driving from 30 minutes. Small adjustments in steering can not be done because steering sticks in position and causes more force to move it. This causes an over adjustment and swerving to keep the car in the lane.
Power train, Engine, Jun 4, 2024
Turbo charger malfunctioned went out
Steering, May 31, 2024
While going down the highway the wheel will stick you have to push it to put back in line with the road. Kinda like sticky steering.
Steering, May 29, 2024
“Sticky steering” The steering wheel will “stick” while driving causing the driver to over compensate to “unstick” it. I have owned the vehicle since new from dealer and it has always been a problem to some degree. In the beginning it would happen very sporadically maybe 1 or 2 times a year for very short periods. The longer it has gone the worse it has gotten and is now to the point of happening every time it is driven. It will starting pulling slightly in one direction and then when you jerk it to pull it back it wants to pull in the other direction. It’s a constant fight to keep it on the road and I have had many close calls so much that I am not comfortable driving it and took it to the Honda dealership for diagnosis. They came back stating that the steering gearbox had an internal fault and needed to be replaced. Honda is aware of the issue with this make and model but is not willing to correct the it. This, needs to be addressed as it is truly a safety hazard not only for the driver of the vehicle but also other drivers on the road.