2012 Honda Civic Hybrid

Routine

Owners filed 12 complaints about this vehicle with federal regulators, most often about the electrical system. It has been recalled 1 time.

What fails
ComponentReportsCrashesFiresInjuries
Power Train3
000
Service Brakes2
103
Engine2
000
Structure › Body1
101
Seat Belts1
102
Fuel System, Gasoline › Delivery › Hoses, Lines/Piping, and Fittings1
000
Electrical System › Propulsion System › Inverter1
000
Electrical System1
000

1 safety recall

Part 573 reports
Power Train › Driveline › Driveshaft20V770000
Filed Dec 10, 2020248,358 vehiclesHonda (american Honda Motor Co.)

Defect. Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2013-2015 Acura ILX, 2013 Acura ILX Hybrid, 2012 Honda Civic Hybrid, and 2007-2008 Honda Fit vehicles with a manual transmission and 2009-2013 Honda Fit vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, and Wisconsin. The drive shafts' protective coating may not have been applied properly during manufacturing, making it more susceptible to damage from road salt, or other contaminants, and potentially cause it to break.

Risk. A broken drive shaft may cause a sudden loss of drive power. The vehicle could also roll away if the parking brake has not been applied before the vehicle has been exited. Either condition can increase the risk of a crash or injury.

Remedy. Honda will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the drive shafts, replacing either the left or right drive shaft, if necessary, free of charge. Owners were notified of the safety risk with an interim letter mailed February 2, 2021. A second letter will be sent once the remedy is available. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are P9M, PAV, BAY, TAX, CA0, and MAZ.

What owners reported

Newest filings
Engine
Filed Mar 26, 202590,000 milesPA

The contact's stepdaughter owns a 2012 Honda Civic Hybrid. The contact stated that while his stepdaughter was driving at approximately 40 MPH, the check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who informed the contact about Service Bulletin 20-030 Warranty Extension related to the IMA motor power inverter (MPI) and was referred to the dealer. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, who diagnosed that the failure was due to the IMA Motor Power Inverter (MPI). The dealer informed him there was no recall or warranty coverage. The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline. The failure mileage was approximately 90,000.

Electrical System › Propulsion System › Inverter
Filed Apr 25, 2024100,600 milesCA

The contact owns a 2012 Honda Civic Hybrid. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 65 MPH, the contact became aware that the braking system, ABS, and battery warning lights were illuminated. The contact stated that the vehicle lost motive power and stalled. Additionally, while attempting to start the vehicle, the vehicle took longer than normal to start. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who related the failure to Technical Service Bulletin: 20-030 (Warranty Extension: 2012-15 Civic Hybrid IMA Motor Power Inverter); however, the vehicle was not covered under the TSB. The contact replaced the battery, but the failure persisted. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 100,600.

Power Train
Filed Aug 25, 2022130,000 milesIL

The contact owns a 2012 Honda Civic Hybrid. The contact stated while driving 50 MPH on the highway, the suspension lowered inadvertently, causing her to lose control of the vehicle, and the vehicle stopped. The vehicle was towed to the residence where it was diagnosed by an independent mechanic. The independent mechanic diagnosed that the front driver's side axle had detached and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure reoccurred on the front passenger's side axle five months later. The vehicle was towed to the independent mechanic on three different occasions where the front passenger's side axle was replaced three times. However, the failure persisted. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V770000 (Power Train) however, the dealer informed the contact that the vehicle could not be repaired under the recall as the front axles were not the original parts. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but provided no assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 130,000. Parts distribution disconnect.

Power Train
Filed Jul 12, 2021NY

The contact owns a 2012 Honda Civic Hybrid. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number 20V770000 (Power Train) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The local dealer was contacted, and it was confirmed that the part was not available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced the failure. The VIN was not available.

Power Train
Filed May 19, 2021IL

THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 HONDA CIVIC HYBRID. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 20V770000 (POWER TRAIN) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE RECALL REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE LOCAL DEALER WAS CONTACTED AND IT WAS CONFIRMED THAT THE PART WAS NOT YET AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE AND REFERRED THE CONTACT BACK TO THE DEALER. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

Fuel System, Gasoline › Delivery › Hoses, Lines/Piping, and Fittings
Filed Aug 16, 201843,214 milesMD

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 HONDA CIVIC HYBRID. THE CONTACT DISCOVERED A STRONG ODOR OF FUEL IN THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TURNED OFF IN TRAFFIC AND WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO FOUND A FAULTY FUEL FEED LINE. THE MECHANIC ORDERED THE PART AND THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THERE WAS A RECALL FOR THE REGULAR HONDA, BUT NOT THE HYBRID MODEL. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 43,214.

Service Brakes
Filed Apr 19, 201873,000 milesIL

IT SHOWS A PROBLEM ON BOOSTER CONTROL MODULE FIRST, AND THEN ABS CONTROL MODULE PROBLEM WAS FOLLOWED IN A MONTH AFTER FIXING FIRST ONE. I AM SECOND OWNER AND BOUGHT IT 2 YEARS AGO. THERE HAS NOT BEEN PROBLEM AT NORTH CAROLINA, BUT AFTER MOVING HERE PEORIA IL WHERE IS COLDER IN WINTER HERE 2 YEARS AGO, "CHECKING BRAKE SYSTEM FOLLOWED BY CHECKING ABS, POWER STEERING, IMA ETC" ABOUT 5 CHECKING SIGNS SHOWED ON THE PANEL. THE MECHANIC SAID IT WAS BOOSTER CONTROL MODULE PROBLEM. AFTER HE REPLACING IT, THERE WAS NO PROBLEM FOR A WEEK. AND THEN WHEN I DRIVE SLIPPERY GROUND SURFACE IN A RAIN, AND SLIPPED A LITTLE, THE SAME SYMPTOM WITH CONTINUOUS WORKING MOTER ON ABS ASSEMBLY SHOWED OFF. EVEN WHEN THE KEY OUT, THE MOTER WAS STILL WORKING SO THAT THERE IS NO ELECTRICAL POWER LEFT DUE TO DISCHARGING IN THE MORNING. THE MECHANIC SAID THAT IT IS ABS CONTROL MODULE PROBLEM SO THAT HE IS FIXING IT NOW.

Electrical System
Filed Feb 26, 201420,000 milesCA

WHEN THE CAR BECOMES LOW ON GAS YOU RECEIVE A LOW GAS NOTIFICATION VIA THE INDICATOR (ICON ON THE LEFT SIDE OF THE DASH) AND A NOTIFICATION VIA THE INFORMATION SCREEN, WHICH YOU CAN ACKNOWLEDGE AND WHILE THE INDICATOR STAYS ON (NORMAL) YOU CAN CLEAR THE INFORMATION SCREEN (AND AUDIBLE BEEPS) AND HAVE THE INFORMATION SCREEN GO BACK TO SHOWING THE ODOMETER OR SOME OTHER INFORMATION. THIS WAS THE STATUS ON MY 2012 HYBRID UNTIL ~90 DAYS AGO. WHEN THE VEHICLE NOW RECEIVES A LOW GAS WARNING (VERBAL BEEP AND LOW GAS SCREEN ON THE INFORMATION SCREEN) I ACKNOWLEDGE THE ERROR AND CLEAR THE INFORMATION SCREEN SO IT GOES BACK TO SHOWING ODOMETER, ETC. BUT WHILE CONTINUING TO DRIVE THE SYSTEM WILL ACTIVATE THE LOW GAS WARNING (BEEP AND SCREEN) CONTINUOUSLY (I.E., 25 OR MORE TIMES IN 10 MILE PERIOD) SIMILAR TO A SEAT BELT WARNING. THIS HAVE NEVER HAPPENED IN 2 YEARS OF PREVIOUS OWNERSHIP. HONDA SERVICE PEOPLE BELIEVE THIS IS NORMAL AND THAT EVERY HONDA HAS THIS "FEATURE" BUT THEY WILL NOT SHOW ME IN ANY OTHER CAR. NOBODY WOULD BUY A CAR WITH THIS KNOWLEDGE. *TR

Engine
Filed Feb 5, 2014NY

2012 HONDA CIVIC. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO VEHICLE SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER WHILE DRIVING. *SMD THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER. THEY INFORMED THE CONSUMER, THE VEHICLE NEEDED THREE SOFTWARE UPDATES, IN ORDER TO CHARGE THE BATTERY PROPERLY. *JB

Structure › BodyCrash1 injured
Filed May 24, 20134,267 milesCA

I WAS PULLING INTO A PARKING SPACE AND MY CAR ACCERLERATED AND CRASHED INTO A STONE WALL AND THEN WENT BACKWARDS SEVERAL FEET BEFORE I WAS ABLE TO BRAKE THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY AND THE SEAT BELT CAME LOOSE FROM THE WALL. I WAS TAKEN TO THE HOSPITAL SINCE MY CHEST WAS HURT FROM THE STEERING WHEEL. *TR

Seat BeltsCrash2 injured
Filed Mar 4, 201318,357 milesCA

I WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT AND THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT BELT MALFUNCTIONED AND THE SEAT BELT DID NOT RESTRAIN MY BODY FROM MOVING FORWARD; DUE TO THE SEAT BELT MALFUNCTION, MY CHEST AND HEAD HIT THE STEERING WHEEL LEAVING ME WITH A CONCUSSION AND SIGNIFICANT BRUISING/SORENESS ON MY CHEST. IN ADDITION, MY AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY, BUT THE LIGHT FOR THE AIRBAG ON THE DASH IS NOW LIT AND THE INFORMATION DISPLAY STATES "CHECK AIRBAG SYSTEM". *TR

Service BrakesCrash3 injured
Filed Nov 23, 20128,000 milesCA

WE WHERE REAR ENDED ON THE 805 SOUTH AT E ST IN SAN DIEGO CA. THE TRAFFIC CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP AND A OLDER FORD EXPEDITION PLOWED INTO US AT 55 MPH , UPON IMPACT THE HONDA ACCELERATED FULL THROTTLE WITH COMPLETE LOSS OF BRAKES , MY WIFE WAS DRIVING I WAS FRONT PASSENGER AND MY HANDICAPPED SON WAS R/R , SHE WAS ABLE TO STEER THE CAR TO THE RIGHT SHOULDER AS I SLAMMED THE CAR INTO PARK AND TURNED THE IGNITION OFF AT ABOUT 40 MPH , IT TOOK ABOUT 100 YARDS BEFORE IT CAME TO A STOP, THE CAR IS AT TIPTON HONDA IN EL CAJON AND THEY SAY THAT THERE IS NO EVIDENCE OR COMPUTER FAULT CODE OF SAID PROBLEM , HOW DO I PUT MY FAMILY BACK INTO THE CAR AND FEEL COMPLETELY SAFE KNOWING IT MIGHT HAPPEN AGAIN. *TR

12 of 12 complaints, reproduced as filed.

Across model years

Worst on record: 2008
YearComplaintsRecallsFiresDeathsAssessment
20257200Routine
20155000Routine
20145000Routine
20139000Routine
2012 — this page12100Routine
20111600Routine
201012600Routine
200928500Routine
200864401Fatalities reported
200764500Routine
200655700Routine
200548600Routine
200435600Routine
200351600Routine

Compare every Civic Hybrid year →

Reading this record

No unusual pattern of severe incidents in the complaint record.

Complaint counts track how many cars were sold and how long they have been on the road as much as they track quality. A common model from 2013 has had a decade to accumulate reports; a rare one from last year has not. The signal worth weighing is in the severity columns, in whether the same component keeps appearing, and in whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.

Recall repairs are free for as long as the recall stands. Check whether a specific car still has open work at NHTSA's VIN lookup.

Most recent recall on file: Dec 10, 2020. Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.