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.
Other or unspecified, Mar 4, 2020
THE A/C COMPRESSOR IS BROKEN DUE TO THE FAULTY CONDENSORS THAT HAVE NOW BEEN RECALLED. HONDA IS NOT DOING ANYTHING TO ADDRESS THIS AND IS KNOWINGLY ALLOWING FREON TO BE LEAKED OUT INTO THE ATMOSPHERE ON ALL THESE FAULTY CIVICS.
Power train, Electrical system, Engine, Feb 28, 2020
MY CAR AC IS BLOWING HOT AIR SINCE JANUARY 2019. MY CAR IS MAKING SOUND WHENEVER I TURN ON. FEBRUARY 28, 2020, MY CAR WAS SUDDENLY STOPPED WHEN I WAS DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY.
Service brakes, Feb 28, 2020, crash
MY STATIONARY CAR WAS PARKED ON A FLAT SURFACE IN THE GARAGE. I WENT INSIDE WHEN MY NEIGHBOR INFORMED ME THAT THE CAR HAD BACKED OUT OF MY GARAGE AND ROLLED DOWN THE HILL INTO MY NEIGHBORS DRIVEWAY, HITTING THEIR CAR. NO ONE WAS IN THE CAR.
Steering, Feb 28, 2020
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 HONDA CIVIC. THE CONTACT STATED THE STEERING FAILED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT EXTRA EFFORT WAS NEEDED WHEN TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL IN EITHER DIRECTION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT NO WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED WHEN THE FAILURE OCCURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER TO BE DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE 53,651.
Steering, Feb 22, 2020
ELECTRONIC STEERING BOX FAILURE CAUSING STEERING TO STICK AND VEER LEFT AND RIGHT WHILE ON THE INTERSTATE.
Other or unspecified, Feb 21, 2020
A/C NOT WORKING. JUST HIT 3 YEARS AND 50,000 MILES AND NOW NO MORE COLD A/C. I TOOK CAR IN TO LOCAL DEALER AND THEY JUST TRIED TO SAY MY SYSTEM NEEDED RECHARGING AND HAD NO LEAKS. I TOLD THEM I WANTED MY CAR BACK BECAUSE I KNOW THEY, KNEW IF THIS ISSUE AND WAS JUST AVOIDING TRYING TO FIX THE PROBLEM, AT MY EXPENSE. A WHOLE $390 QUOTE TO RECHARGE. TOOK MY CAR TO LOCALE REPARIE SHOP AND GUY LOOKED AT MY FOR 5 MINUTES AND TOLD MY COMPRESSOR WAS BAD, AND HE'S HAD 5 OTHER PEOPLE COME IN WITH SAME ISSUE. THIS ISSUE NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED.
Steering, Feb 20, 2020
WHILE DRIVING THE STEERING GETS STIFF AND WHEN YOU TURN STEERING WHEEL IT DARTS UNEXPECTEDLY TO THE RIGHT OR LEFT . THIS CAR IS A 2016 WITH ONLY 31000 MILES ON IT. I HOPE IT DOESN'T GET ANY WORSE BECAUSE IT'S NOT SAFE. N
Visibility/wiper, Feb 18, 2020
I WAS DRIVING DOWN INTERSTATE 30 AT 70 MPH WHEN I HEARD A LARGE EXPLOSION. I PULLED OFF OF THE INTERSTATE TO CHECK MY TIRES AND FINALLY REALIZED THE SUNROOF EXPLODED. IT WAS NOT RAINING, THERE WAS NOT A DUMP TRUCK IN FRONT OF ME, I WAS NOT ON MY PHONE OR DISTRACTED, I WAS PAYING CLOSE ATTENTION TO THE ROAD AND THE SUNROOF EXPLODED OUT OF THE BLUE. THERE WAS NO POINT OF IMPACT BELOW THE GLASS INSERT, BUT THE ENTIRE SUNROOF WAS SHATTERED INTO A MILLION PIECES.
Steering, Feb 15, 2020
I WAS DRIVING MY WIFE TO HER DOCTORS APPOINTMENT IN MELBOURNE FLORIDA. AFTER 20 MINUTES AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS 55-65 MPH I NOTICED THE STEERING WHEEL SEAMED TO BE STICKING IN THE NEUTRAL POSITION.IF I HAD TO CORRECT LEFT OR RIGHT I WOULD HAVE TO USE FORCE AND IT WOULD SNAP AND JUMP ABOUT AN INCH CAUSING ME TO WEAVE INTO THE NEXT LANE. I PULL OFF AT THE NEXT INTERSECTION TO CHECK MY TIRES AND COULD NOT FIND A PROBLEM. I NOTICED THAT AFTER I SLOWED DOWN TO LESS THAN 40 MPH THE STEERING WORKED FINE, I GOT BACK ON THE INTERSTATE GOT UP TO SPEED AND IT STARTED STICKING AGAIN.GOT OFF THE INTERSTATE AND TOOK BACK ROADS THE REST OF THE WAY THERE AND HOME. TOOK IT OUT THE NEXT DAY AND IT WOULD NOT DO IT BUT NOW AFRAID TO TAKE LONG TRIPS FOR FEAR OF HAVING AN ACCIDENT. CHECKED THE INTERNET AND FOUND HUNDREDS OF COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS AND NO RECALL.WHY DOE'S SOMEONE HAVE TO DIE TO GET THINGS FIXED.
Other or unspecified, Feb 14, 2020
I PURCHASED THIS YEAR AFTER MY 3 YEAR LEASE WAS UP. WITHIN MONTHS, THE AC STARTED BLOWING HOT AIR. I FOUND OUT (ONLY BY LOOKING ONLINE) THAT THERE WAS A REPORTED ISSUE WITH THE AC CONDENSOR. I CALLED HONDA OF AMERICA, THEY CONFIRMED THAT IF IT WAS FOUND TO HAVE AN ISSUE NOT DUE TO DAMAGE, THEY WOULD PAY FOR THE ASSESSMENT ($150) AND THE REPLACEMENT. I TOOK IT IN, THE HONDA DEALER SAID YES, THE CONDENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED, AND WOULD BE UNDER WARRANTY, BUT ALSO THE COMPRESSOR AND FRONT SEAL, FOR A TOTAL OF NEAR $2000. I CALLED HONDA OF AMERICA BACK, THEY CALLED THE DEALER TO CONFIRM AND SIMPLY INFORMED ME THAT YES, I'D HAVE TO PAY. THIS EXTENDED WARRANTY SEEMS LESS LIKE A WAY OF ACKNOWLEDGING AN ISSUE WITH THE VEHICLE, AND MORE AS A PLOY TO GET RECENT BUYERS OFF LEASE TO PAY THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS TO HONDA DEALERS. I'VE SEEN MULTITUDES OF PEOPLE REPORT ONLINE WITH THIS SAME ISSUE, THERE SHOULD DEFINITELY BE A RECALL OR AT LEAST THE EXTENDED WARRANTY SHOULD COVER THE ENTIRE AC SYSTEM.
Other or unspecified, Feb 5, 2020
MY 2016 HONDA CIVIC TOURING WHILE DRIVING APPROX. 60 MPH ON THE INTERSTATE IN ABOUT 60 DEGREE WEATHER WHILE RAINING. MY SUNROOF EXPLODED THE CENTER PORTION OF IT WHICH IN TURN DAMAGED MY DRUNK AND IF SOMEONE WAS BEHIND ME COULD HAVE HAD OTHER CATASTROPHIC EVENTS. NOTHING HIT MY CAR I HEARD THE EXPLOSION SOUNDED LIKE A GUNSHOT THEN SEEN THE BIG CHUNK OF GLASS HIT MY TRUNK AND HEARD IT AS WELL.
Other or unspecified, Feb 3, 2020
I BOUGHT MY CAR IN APRIL 2016 AND IN SEPTEMBER 2016 I COMPLAINED ABOUT THE AC BLOWING HOT AIR. HONDA TOLD ME THEY FOUND NOTHING. I RECEIVED A LETTER FROM HONDA NOVEMBER 2019, THAT THERE WERE ISSUES WITH THE CONDENSER. ASSUMING THIS WAS THE PROBLEM I TOOK IT SO THEY CAN TAKE A LOOK AT IT. BECAUSE IT WAS A LEAKY COMPRESSOR AND NOT THE CONDENSER, I HAD TO PAY $150 FOR DIAGNOSTICS. FROM OTHER COMPLAINTS I HAVE READ HERE, THERE IS OBVIOUSLY A PROBLEM WITH A LEAKING COMPRESSOR. HOW CONVENIENT FOR HONDA!! THEY ARE NOW PROFITTING FROM THESE DIAGNOSTICS TEST AND IGNORING THAT THEIR AC HAS OTHER PROBLEMS. AND TO TOP IT OFF THEY ARE CHARGING $1600 TO FIX A FAULTY AC.
Electrical system, Feb 1, 2020
SYSTEM THROWS CODES NON STOP RECENTLY ELECTRONIC BRAKE SYSTEM LIGHT EMISSION LIGHT SAYING TRANS AND ECU AREN'T ON SAME PROGRAM. EVERY TIME I TAKE TO HONDA THEY WANNA BLAME THE OWNER. I GO THERE WITH TONS OF DOCUMENTS ABOUT HOW OTHERS HAVING SAME ISSUES BUT THEY WON'T DO ANYTHING ABOUT THIS, I'M TOLD I HAVE TO PAY IN ORDER FOR THEM TO DIAGNOSE THE ISSUE AND THAT'S WITH AN EXTENDED WARRANTY BWT. THEY WILL COME UP WITH EVERY EXCUSE NOT TO HELP YOU, HONDA IS PUTTING A LOT OF DRIVERS IN DANGER BY NOT FIXING THESE SYSTEM AND COMPUTER PROBLEMS . I WORK FOR A HONDA DEALERSHIP I KNOW WHAT AND HOW MECHANICS ARE INSTRUCTED TO DO
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Jan 25, 2020
OVER 12 DIFFERENT TIMES IN THE PAST 6 MONTHS SINCE I PURCHASED THE CAR IT HAS HAD SERIOUS ELECTRICAL ISSUES RANGING FROM LOCKING ITSELF WITH THE KEYLESS FOB INSIDE THE VEHICLE DURING A SNOW STORM, ALL WINDOWS INCLUDING MOON ROOF ROLLING COMPLETELY DOWN DURING A RAINSTORM WHEN PARKED OR IN MOTION. WHEN PARKED, THE ALARM BLARING NON STOP FOR HOURS AND THE BATTERY DYING COMPLETELY WITHOUT WARNING OR DRAINAGE ON MY PART OF ANY KIND. ALL SYSTEMS ON THE CAR SHUT DOWN COMPLETELY AFTER LOSS OF POWER INCLUDING THE BRAKING SYSTEM AND YOU CAN DIVE IT THAT WAY. IT BRAKES HARD ON ITS OWN ON THE FREEWAY. THERE IS A USB PORT IN THE CENTER CONSOLE RIGHT NEXT TO CUP HOLDER THAT CAN GET WET IF YOU HAVE A DRINK IN THERE. I NOTICE THE WEATHER CONDITIONS WERE CLOUDY, RAINING, OR SNOWING DURING THE MAJORITY OF THE BIGGER ISSUES.
Other or unspecified, Jan 14, 2020
STEERING WHEEL IS PEELING OFF LEAVING STICKY RESIDUE UNDERNEATH
Engine, Jan 11, 2020
EVERY TIME I CHANGE OR CHECK MY OIL, THERE IS A STRONG GASOLINE SMELL. WHEN I TAKE THE DIP STICK OUT AND SMELL IT, ALL I SMELL IS GASOLINE.
Other or unspecified, Jan 2, 2020
FAULTY AIR CONDITIONER SYSTEM THAT HAS AN EXTENDED WARRANTY COVERING THE COMPRESSOR AND REFRIGERANT LEAKS.
Steering, Jan 1, 2020
MY VEHICLE, HONDA CIVIC 2016, WAS PARKED IN THE PARKING LOT. IN THE MORNING WHEN I STARTED THE VEHICLE, IT GAVE ME ERRORS IN ALL SYSTEMS: BRAKE SYSTEM ERROR, POWER STEERING ERROR, TIRE PRESSURE ERROR, ETC. I COULD SHIFT THE GEAR, BUT STEERING WHEEL WOULD NOT TURN. I TOWED A CAR TO A HONDA DEALERSHIP AND THEY TOLD ME AN ELECTRIC POWER STEERING PUMP NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. THE CAR IS 3.5 YEARS OLD, 36000 MILES, THE WARRANTY ENDED ONLY 6 MONTH AGO. HONDA PROVIDED AN ESTIMATE OF $1500 TO FIX THE PROBLEM. IN A FEW DAYS WHEN I WAS SUPPOSE TO PICK UP THE VEHICLE, HONDA CALLED ME SAYING THAT THEY WEREN'T ABLE TO FIX THE PROBLEM AND NOW THEY NEED TO REPLACE A POWER STEERING RACK AND POWER STEERING MOTOR AND IT WOULD COST $3000. THE CAR IS NOT DRIVABLE, IT'S A MAJOR SAFETY CONCERN AND SHOULDN'T HAPPEN AFTER ONLY 36000 MILES.
Steering, Dec 30, 2019
STEERING WHEEL STICKS WHILE ATTEMPTING TO DRIVE STRAIGHT CAUSING THE CAR TO EITHER DRIVE TO THE RIGHT OR LEFT. THIS HAPPENS WHILE DRIVING FOR APPROXIMATELY 30 MINUTES OR SO AND ESPECIALLY HAS AN EFFECT ON THE VEHICLE AT HIGHER SPEEDS. MULTIPLE FORUMS AND OVER 60+ COMPLAINTS ON THIS AND NO RECALL YET?
Other or unspecified, Dec 30, 2019
I WAS DRIVING STRAIGHT DOWN I-20, THE ONLY CAR CLOSE TO ME WAS BEHIND ME AND IN THE OTHER LANE. THERE WERE NO OVERPASSES OR POTHOLES. THERE WAS A LOUD NOISE LIKE A CAR BACKFIRE OR GUNSHOT, AND I THOUGHT I MUST HAVE BLOWN A TIRE. I PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND DISCOVERED MY MOONROOF HAD SHATTERED - LUCKILY THE SHIELD HAD BEEN CLOSED. HONDA REFUSED TO CONSIDER THAT IT MIGHT BE A DEFECT AND SAID THAT EVEN IF IT WAS, IT DIDN'T MATTER AS MY CAR WASN'T UNDER WARRANTY. I ASKED TO SPEAK TO A MANAGER SEVERAL TIMES AND WAS REFUSED.
Other or unspecified, Dec 26, 2019
MY 2016 HONDA CIVIC ONLY HAS LESS THAN 25000 MILES, THE AC HAD NOT WORKING SINCE THIS SUMMER, AFTER I TOOK THE CAR TO SCHAUMBURG HONDA IN ILLIONIS, THEY SAID THE CONDENSER IS FIND BUT COMPRESSOR HAS A LEAK WHICH WILL COST OVER $1000 TO BE FIXED. I DECIDED NOT REPAIR BUT STILL WAS CHARGED $140 FOR THE INSPECTION. TOTALLY NOT ACCEPTABLE!
Exterior lighting, Other or unspecified, Dec 26, 2019
I BOUGHT A HONDA CIVIC 2016. I NOTICE THAT MY FRONT LED LIGHT MAKER DOES NOT WORK ONLY LEFT SIDE WORK AND IT IS ABOUT TO GO OUT TOO. SOMETIME IT GOES ON AS ITS PLEASE. AND AIR CONDITION DOES NOT BLOW COLD AIR . I HOPE THEY RECALL ALL THESE PROBLEMS..
Steering, Dec 22, 2019
STEERING AT 40 PLUS MPH GETS STIFF MAKING IT DIFFICULT TO STAY IN LANE
Other or unspecified, Dec 20, 2019
AIR CONDITIONING NOT BLOWING COLD AFTER 3 MONTHS OF FILLING UP FREON.
Steering, Dec 19, 2019
I HAVE A 2016 HONDA CIVIC. AFTER 20 MINUTES DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY, THE STEERING WHEEL STIFFENS UP A LOT AND THE CAR STARTS DRIFTING LEFT OR RIGHT. THEREFORE, I HAVE TO USE EXCESSIVE FORCE TO MOVE THE STEERING WHEEL IN THE OPPOSITE DIRECTION IT IS DRIFTING IN. THIS OCCURS EVERY COUPLE MINUTES. I HAVE TO ESSENTIALLY DRIVE IN A ZIG ZAG FORMATION TO STAY IN THE SAME LANE. AFTER GETTING OFF THE HIGHWAY AND ONTO LOCAL ROADS, THE PROBLEM PERSISTS ON LOCAL ROADS BUT IS LESS FREQUENT THAN ON THE HIGHWAY. HAVING THIS MUCH DIFFICULTLY STEERING THE CAR IS A HUGE SAFETY CONCERN AND CAN LEAD TO CAR ACCIDENTS. AT THE HONDA DEALERSHIP, THEY DETERMINED THAT THE STEERING RACK HAD TO BE REPLACED. SINCE THE WARRANTY PERIOD FOR THE CAR HAS ALREADY PASSED, THEY QUOTED ME OVER $3,000. THERE IS AN EXISTING RECALL BY HONDA ON THE 2017 AND 2018 CIVICS FOR THE ELECTRONIC POWER STEERING SYSTEM (EPS). BUT, THE EPS IN THE 2016 MODEL GETS OVERLOOKED. 2016 CIVIC DRIVERS SHOULD NOT HAVE TO SHELL OUT SO MUCH MONEY TO GET A CAR WITH A PROPERLY FUNCTION EPS.