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, Jul 22, 2019
CAR A/C JUST BLOWING WARM/HOT AIR, NEVER GETS COLD AND ITS BEEN 100F WITH A HEAT INDEX OF 115F. CAR IS JUST OUT OF WARRANTY. HONDA IS REFUSING TO ADMIT THERE IS A PROBLEM AND WILL NOT RECALL DESPITE ALL THE COMPLAINTS ONLINE AND IN FORUMS.
Structure, Engine, Jul 20, 2019
MY 2016 HONDA CIVIC EX-T WAS PURCHASED BRAND NEW ON 2016. IN LESS THAN 40,000 MILES, MY AIR CONDITIONING UNIT BLOWS HOT AIR. IT IS CURRENTLY IN THE SHOP REPLACING THE AC UNIT. THEY SAID THERE WAS A LEAK AND I AM SURE REFRIGERANT IS NOT A SAFE CHEMICAL TO BE LEAKING OUT IN THE ENVIRONMENT.
Electrical system, Electronic stability control (ESC), Service brakes, Jul 19, 2019
ALL SYSTEMS WARNING LIGHTS POP UP ON STARTING THE CAR. I CAME HOME PARKED THE CAR AND STARTED IT 10 MINUTES LATER AND ALL SYSTEMS WARNING LIGHTS CAME ON. POWER STEERING, PARKING BRAKE, BRAKE FAILURE, COLLISION MITIGATION SYSTEM, TPMS, LANE DEPARTURE SYSTEM, TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM, HILL ASSIST SYSTEM, ABS SYSTEM . ALL THESE WARNINGS SHOW UP ON THE DASH.
Steering, Jul 18, 2019
I BOUGHT THE CAR NEW AND AT ABOUT 35500 MILES THE STEERING WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED, STRAIGHT ALWAYS OR TURNS IT KEEPS FEELING LIKE IT IS STICKING. I HAVE BEEN TO THE DEALERSHIP WHO HAD ME PAY FOR AN ALIGNMENT EVEN THOUGH IT WAS NOT PULLING. IT DID NOT WORK AFTER REPEATED ATTEMPTS. THEY HAVE NO OTHER SOLUTIONS. IT IS DANGEROUS AND I AM STILL PAYING ON MY CAR SO I NEED IT.
Other or unspecified, Jul 18, 2019
A/C IS GONE WHILE THE CAR ONLY HAS 30K MILES ON IT. IT JUST HAPPENED ACTUALLY NOT TOO LONG AFTER THE WARRANTY EXPIRED. AS PER DEALER COMPRESSOR, CONDENSOR NEED TO REPLACE DEALER GAVE THE REPAIR COST FOR US $ 2150.00, AS I UNDERSTAND FROM INTERNET THERE ARE SO MANY VEHICLES HAVE SAME ISSUE WHAT I HAVE.
Other or unspecified, Jul 17, 2019
AC STOPED WORKING IN 90 DEGREE WEATHER THIS IS A SAFELY ISSUE ESPECIALLY WITH YOUNG CHILDREN OR THE ELDERLY
Electrical system, Visibility, Jul 16, 2019
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 HONDA CIVIC. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR CONDITIONER WAS BLOWING HOT AIR. THE CONTACT DROVE THE VEHICLE TO BROWNS HONDA CITY (7160 RITCHIE HWY, GLEN BURNIE, MD 21061, (410) 553-8014) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE AIR CONDITIONER COMPRESSOR WAS CRACKED AND A NEW ONE NEEDED TO BE INSTALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED BECAUSE THE DEALER DID NOT HAVE THE PART. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 44,837.
Steering, Jul 15, 2019
2016 HONDA CIVIC LX, APPROXIMATELY 20,000 MILES HAS A "STICKY" OR "NOTCHY" FEEL TO THE STEERING DURING HIGHWAY DRIVING. THE VEHICLE DRIFTS SLOWLY TO ONE SIDE OF THE LANE, THEN WHEN I TRY TO CORRECT BACK TO THE MIDDLE OF THE LANE, THE STEERING FEELS STICKY AND WITH SLIGHTLY MORE EFFORT TO NUDGE IT TO THE MIDDLE, IT OVERCORRECTS SLIGHTLY AND IS THEN DRIFTING TO THE OTHER SIDE OF THE LANE. THIS CONTINUES BACK AND FORTH FOR THE DURATION OF THE TRIP. NOTE THAT THIS IS SUBTLE AND IT TAKES 5-10 SECONDS FOR EACH DRIFT SIDE TO SIDE. THIS HAS ONLY HAPPENED ON LONG HIGHWAY TRIPS AFTER THE CAR HAS BEEN RUNNING FOR AT LEAST 30 OR 45 MINUTES. I AM CONCERNED THAT THIS ELECTRONIC STEERING PROBLEM WILL CAUSE SOMETHING WILL HAPPEN WHERE I DO NOT HAVE ANY CONTROL OF THE STEERING. I NOTICED ALSO A POSSIBLE RELATED PROBLEM WHEN AT PARKING SPEED, IF I INCH THE CAR WHILE TURNING AND PRESSING THE BRAKE LIGHTLY I CAN FEEL THE STEERING "TWITCH" A LITTLE.
Steering, Jul 15, 2019
STEERING IS NOTCHY AND WHEN I DRIVE THE CAR THE STEERING IS JITTERY, STICKY AND HARD TO MOVE. IT'S VERY NOTICEABLE WHEN DRIVING IN A STRAIGHT LINE FROM SPEEDS BETWEEN 20-70 MILES PER HOUR. ALSO WHEN THE CAR IS IN PARK, WHEN I TRY TO SLOWLY TURN THE STEERING WHEEL IT WILL SHAKE AND STUFFER. IT'S VERYBHARD TO MOVE THE STEERING RACK. THIS IS VERY UNSAFE AND MIGHT CAUSE A COLLISION.
Steering, Jul 15, 2019
STEERING WHEEL IS NOTCHY, WHEN I DRIVE THE STEERING WHEEL STICKS AND THERE DOESN'T WANT TO TURN MAKING THE CAR WEAVE. ALSO WHEN IT'S IN PARK AND YOU TRY TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL SLOWLY IT SHAKES AND JITTERS. CAR FEELS VERY UNSAFE WHILE DRIVING
Other or unspecified, Jul 13, 2019
THE AC COMPRESSOR IS NOT WORKING, AND LEAKING FLUIDS WHICH IS BAD FOR THE ENVIRONMENT. PURCHASED VEHICLE AND DEALERSHIP "CHARGED UP" THE COMPRESSOR, 3 DAYS LATER IT WAS NOT WORKING. TOOK IT BACK IN AND THEY FILLED IT UP AGAIN, 3 DAYS LATER IT STOPPED WORKING. THEY CANNOT SEEM TO FIND THE ISSUE, BUT THERE IS AN AC COMPRESSOR FAILURE IN THIS MODEL, WHICH I UNFORTUNATELY HAVE.
Engine, Jul 12, 2019
ENGINE OIL LEVEL ABOVE MAXIMUM LEVEL, AND THE ENGINE OIL SMELLS LIKE GASOLINE.
Vehicle speed control, Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Jul 12, 2019
TAKATA RECALL. I'VE HAD THIS CAR FOR 3 YRS. THE PROBLEM WITH IT IS THAT, WHEN I COME TO A STOP WHILE DRIVING IT DOESN'T WANNA TAKE OFF. IT HESITATES FOR ABOUT 30 SEC. THE PROBLEM IS THAT ITS DANGEROUS WHEN I TURN LEFT IT STAYS IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ST AND I CAN GET HIT. AT ONE POINT I HAD TO PUT IT IN EMERGENCY LIGHTS AND TURN IT OFF AND ON. THEN IT WORKED. ITS BEEN DOING IT FOR ABOUT 4 MONTHS AT LEAST TWICE A DAY. IT STARTED IN ABOUT APRIL. AT FIRST IT WASN'T THAT OFTEN THEN IT STARTED EVERYDAY. IT HAPPENS ANYWHERE, ST HIGHWAY, FWY, CITY EVEN WHEN I WANNA REVERSE. IM NOT SURE WHY ITS DOING IT I'VE TAKEN IT TO THE MECHANIC ABOUT 4 TIMES. I DO ALL OIL CHANGES EVERYTHING , TIRE CHANGES, ROTATIONS, THE MECHANIC CAN'T FIND ANYTHING. HE EVEN CHANGED A SENSOR AND IT STILL DOES IT.
Other or unspecified, Jul 11, 2019
NO COLD AIR COMING OUT WITH AC ON. NEEDED TO REPLACE A LEAKING AC COMPRESSOR AT 45,000 MILES.
Engine, Jul 10, 2019
MY AIR CONDITION COMPRESSOR IS DEFECTIVE AND LEAKING THE NEW VERY FLAMMABLE REFRIGERANT R1234YF GAS OUT FROM THE COMPRESSOR ITSELF. THE SHAFT SEAL SEEMS TO BE WHERE IT IS LEAKING. THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM AND HONDA SHOULD ISSUE A RECALL TO REPLACE ALL OF THE DEFECTIVE COMPRESSORS THEY INSTALLED IN THEIR CARS.
Steering, Jul 10, 2019
STEERING ISSUE- ONCE WARMED UP AND AT HIGHER SPEEDS (NOTICED ON HIGHWAY) CAR PULL LEFT AND RIGHT. MUST USE FORCE TO CORRECT MERGING OF THE CAR. RESPONSE TIME IS LOW WHEN YOU TRY TO CORRECT THE CAR BACK INTO YOUR LANE. ALMOST FEELS LIKE THE WHEEL IS STICKING. CAR ONLY HAS 34K MILES- NO REPORTED ACCIDENTS. NO DAMAGE TO STEERING THAT I CAN SEE. MANY SITES HAVE SIMILAR COMPLAINTS THAT WERE FOUND BY A SEARCH
Other or unspecified, Jul 9, 2019
THE AIR CONDITIONING UNIT OF MY 2016 HONDA CIVIC SEDAN FAILED TO FUNCTION NORMALLY AFTER HAVING WORKED PROFITABLY AT THE START OF THIS SUMMER SEASON. REPLACING THE FUSES ASSOCIATED WITH THE AIR CONDITIONER'S FUNCTION DID NOT YIELD IN A CHANGE IN PERFORMANCE. AFTER HAVING TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO A DEALERSHIP FOR SERVICE, IT WAS FOUND THAT THE CONDENSER OF THE CIVIC WAS FAULTY. NEITHER TRAUMA NOR DAMAGE WAS FOUND BY THE SERVICE PERSONNEL. FURTHERMORE, THEY HAD INDICATED THAT THIS IS QUITE A COMMON COMPLAINT OF THIS YEAR'S MODEL. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME AND FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION OF THIS MANUFACTURING ISSUE.
Other or unspecified, Visibility/wiper, Jul 9, 2019
2016 HONDA CIVIC, AIR CONDITIONING QUIT WORKING CAUSING THE DEFROSTER NOT TO WORK CREATING A DANGEROUS VISIBILITY BECAUSE THE WINDSHIELD REMAINED FOGGY.
Steering, Jul 7, 2019
STEERING BECOMES VERY RESISTANT TO INPUT AT HIGHWAY SPEED (60MPH +) REQUIRING CONSIDERABLE FORCE TO OVERCOME OFTEN RESULTING IN OVER CORRECTION. HAS BEEN HAPPENING INTERMITANTLY SINCE PASSING THE 50000 MILE MARKER.
Electrical system, Jul 7, 2019
POWER WINDOW ON DRIVER'S SIDE WHEN TRYING TO AUTO CLOSE (WIND UP FEATURE) IT GOES HALF WAY AND THEN AUTO OPENS (GOES BACK DOWN). NOTICED MULTIPLE TIMES WHEN STATIONARY (BOTH IN PARK, NEUTRAL, AND DRIVE WITH FOOT ON BRAKE).
Electrical system, Jul 6, 2019
EPS SUB HARNESS IS MADE FROM A SOY BASED PRODUCT THAT ATTRACTS RODENTS AND A COMMON CAUSE FOR WIRES BEING CHEWED AND DESTROYED. AS SOON AS WE PRESENTED THE PROBLEMS WITH HONDA MECHANIC HE IMMEDIATELY AND SUSPICIOUSLY ASKED IF WE PARKED THE CAR OUTSIDE. UPON HIS INSPECTION OF THE ENGINE HE ONLY LOOKED AT WIRES WITH PREDETERMINATION THAT THE CAUSE OF THE ISSUES WAS WIRING. THIS APPEARS TO BE A COMMON COMPLIANT AMONG THE HONDA COMMUNITY AND LAW SUITS HAVE BEEN FILED, ONLY TO BE DISMISSED DUE TO TECHNICALITIES OF PROBABLE CAUSE. THE DAMAGE ENDANGERS THE CONSUMER DRIVING BECAUSE THE CAR STALLS AND THE DRIVER LOSES THE ABILITY TO STEER BECAUSE OF THE LOSS OF POWER STEERING AND FUNCTION. BECAUSE THESE ARE SHORTS OCCURRING IN THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM THEY TEND TO CLEAR UP IN BETWEEN DRIVES MAKING THE DRIVER BELIEVE THE CAR IS FUNCTIONAL, BUT THIS ONLY RISES THE RISK TO INJURY BY ACCIDENT AND OR EVEN DEATH.
Electrical system, Jul 6, 2019
MY 2016 HONDA CIVIC AIR CONDITIONING COMPRESSOR FAILED AND NO LONGER BLOWS COLD AIR. I REVIEWED SEVERAL HONDA MESSAGE BOARDS AND FORUMS AND DISCOVERED THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS MODEL VEHICLE THAT HOMDA REFUSES TO ACKNOWLEDGE.
Steering, Jul 6, 2019
I HAVE A 2016 HONDA CIVIC AND ABOUT 4 MONTHS AGO, WHILE DRIVING I NOTICED MOSTLY ON THE INTERSTATE, THAT MY STEERING WHEEL WOULD GET "STICKY". I HAD TAKEN MY CAR IN FOR AN OIL CHANGE AND I ADDRESSED MY CONCERN TO THE MECHANIC. WHEN I CAME BACK HE TOLD ME HIM AND ALL OF HIS TECHNICIANS DROVE THE CAR AND NO ONE HAD A CLUE AS TO WHAT I WAS TALKING ABOUT. OVER TIME IT HAS GOTTEN WORSE. IT HAPPENS AFTER DRIVING AT INTERSTATE SPEED FOR ABOUT 20 MINUTES. ONLY WHEN THE STEERING WHEEL IS POSITIONED 100% STRAIGHT. WHEN YOU PULL TO ONE SIDE, AND IT NEVER MATTERS LEFT OR RIGHT BECAUSE IT'S BOTH SIDES, IT'S LIKE ITS STUCK OR PULLING AGAINST YOU, LIKE A RESISTANCE. THEN IT SUDDENLY LET'S GO AND IT JERKS. AND THEN IT'S BACK THE OTHER WAY. SO YOU'RE FIGHTING THE STEERING WHEEL THE WHOLE TIME DRIVING WHILE YOU'RE JERKING BACK AND FORTH SIDE TO SIDE ALL OVER THE LANE. AND IT DOESN'T HAVE TO BE JUST INTERSTATE. DUE TO BEING A SINGLE MOM AND NOT HAVING THE "TIME OFF WORK" AS WELL AS NO ONE BELIEVING ME, HERE I AM ABOUT 4 MONTHS LATER AND IT'S SO MUCH WORSE. IT'S ALSO SUMMER NOW WHICH I NOTICE IT'S ALSO AT ITS WORST WHEN ITS BLAZING TEMPERATURES. IT'S GOTTEN SO BAD THAT I CAN ACTUALLY HEAR A NOISE NOW WHEN IT DOES IT. I'VE LOOKED THIS UP BECAUSE I FELT LIKE PEOPLE THOUGHT I WAS CRAZY AND WITH THE AMOUNT OF PEOPLE REPORTING THIS SAFETY ISSUE, I CAN'T FIGURE HOW THIS HASN'T BEEN A RECALL. I UNDERSTAND THINGS ON VEHICLES NEED TO BE REPLACED AFTER A WHILE. THEY NEED MAINTENANCE AND THEY COST MONEY. BUT FOR THIS WIDESPREAD ISSUE ON THE SAME CAR AND NOTHING IS BEING DONE?! I BOUGHT A HONDA FOR THE NAME, FOR THE QUALITY, AND FOR THE CUSTOMER SERVICE, BUT AT THIS POINT, THAT IT'S BEING LOOKED OVER, I'M ON THE VERGE OF TRADING IT IN FOR SOMETHING OTHER THAN A HONDA.
Steering, Jul 6, 2019
STICKING STERING WHEEL. MY STEERING "STICKS" AFTER I'VE BEEN DRIVING FOR ABOUT 20-30 MINS AT AROUND 40/45+ MPH WHEN TEMPERATURE IS ABOVE 70F. TAKE YOUR HAND OFF THE WHEEL ON A SLIGHT CURVE AND IT STAYS WITH THE CURVE. TRYING TO DO A SLIGHT CORRECTION WHEN IT'S LIKE THIS AND IT LITERALLY STICKING IN PLACE FOR A SEC THEN ALLOWS THE WHEEL TO TURN MORE FREELY.
Other or unspecified, Jul 5, 2019
AC IS FAULTY FROM THE FACTORY. FROM THE TIME I BOUGHT THE CAR IN 2016, THE AC HAS BEEN MAKING HISSING NOISES THAT WERE RPM DEPENDENT. WHEN I TOOK IT IN UNDER WARRANTY, THEY CHARGED THE FREON AND IT WAS BACK TO HOW IT WAS IN THE BEGINNING. BECAUSE IT WAS BLOWING COLD AIR, I THOUGHT THE HISSING NOISE WAS NORMAL. BUT IT STARTED BLOWING HOT AIR ANOTHER YEAR AFTER IT WAS FIXED. THIS TIME, THE DEALERSHIP SAYS A FAULTY CONDENSOR WAS THE CULPRIT, AND THE REPAIR BILL WOULD BE $1160. IT TURNS OUT MANY OTHER OWNERS OF THIS CAR ALSO EXPERIENCED THIS SAME ISSUE, WHERE DEALERS CHARGED THE FREON WITHOUT FIXING THE PROBLEM BEFORE WARRANTY, BUT QUICKLY FIND THE CONDENSOR OR COMPRESSOR BROKEN AFTER THE WARRANTY FOR THE SAME SYMPTOMS.