2020 Honda Civic

Above average

Owners filed 224 complaints about this vehicle with federal regulators, most often about the unknown or other. It has been recalled 5 times.

When it fails
020k40k60k90k120k200k
15,400 milesMedian miles at failure

53 complaints record an odometer reading. Failures cluster around 010,000 miles.

What fails
ComponentReportsCrashesFiresInjuries
Power Train29
000
Air Bags28
515
Unknown or Other26
000
Steering25
102
Electrical System23
102
Fuel/Propulsion System18
000
Service Brakes12
300
Forward Collision Avoidance › Automatic Emergency Braking8
001
Fuel System, Gasoline5
000
Suspension4
000

5 safety recalls

Part 573 reports
Air Bags › Sensor › Occupant Classification › Front Passenger26V332000
Filed May 21, 202698,892 vehiclesHonda (american Honda Motor Co.)

Defect. 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.

Risk. Air bags that deploy unintentionally during a crash increase the risk of injury.

Remedy. 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.

Air Bags › Sensor › Occupant Classification › Front Passenger24V064000
Filed Feb 1, 2024750,114 vehiclesHonda (american Honda Motor Co.)

Defect. Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Pilot, Accord, Civic sedan, HR-V, Odyssey, 2020 Civic coupe, Fit, 2021-2022 Civic hatchback, 2021 Civic Type R, Insight, 2020-2021 CR-V, CR-V Hybrid, Passport, Ridgeline, Accord Hybrid, 2020 Acura MDX, 2022 Acura MDX, 2020-2022 Acura RDX, and 2020-2021 Acura TLX vehicles. The front passenger seat weight sensor may crack and short circuit, failing to suppress the air bag as intended.

Risk. An air bag that deploys unintentionally during a crash can increase the risk of injury.

Remedy. Dealers will replace the seat weight sensors, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 28, 2024. This is a phased recall. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for these recalls are XHP and VHQ.

Fuel System, Gasoline › Delivery › Fuel Pump23V858000
Filed Dec 18, 20232,490,460 vehiclesHonda (american Honda Motor Co.)

Defect. 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.

Risk. Fuel pump failure can cause an engine stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy. 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.

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components › Master Cylinder23V458000
Filed Jun 29, 2023124,077 vehiclesHonda (american Honda Motor Co.)

Defect. Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Civic, 2020-2023 Ridgeline, 2021-2023 Passport, 2021-2022 Pilot, and 2020 Acura MDX vehicles. The tie rod fastener that connects the brake booster and the brake master cylinder may have been improperly assembled during manufacturing, which can cause the brake master cylinder to separate from the booster assembly.

Risk. Brake master cylinder separation can cause a loss of brake function and increase the risk of a crash.

Remedy. Dealers will inspect and repair the brake booster assembly as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 7, 2023. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are VEU, AEV, and ZET.

Fuel System, Gasoline › Delivery › Fuel Pump21V215000
Filed Mar 25, 2021624,552 vehiclesHonda (american Honda Motor Co.)

Defect. Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2019-2020 Acura MDX, MDX Sport Hybrid, RDX, TLX, Honda Accord, Civic Hatchback, Insight, 2019 Acura ILX, Honda Accord Hybrid, Civic Coupe, Civic Coupe Si, Civic Sedan, Civic Sedan Si, Civic Type R, Fit, HR-V, Odyssey, Passport, Pilot and Ridgeline, and 2018-2019 CR-V vehicles. The low-pressure fuel pump inside the fuel tank may fail.

Risk. Fuel pump failure can cause an engine stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy. Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel pump assembly, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed May 18, 2021. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Note: This recall is an expansion of recall 20V-314.

What owners reported

Newest filings
Equipment › Appliance › Air Conditioner1 injured
Filed Sep 10, 2026CA

I am writing to file a complaint regarding the air conditioning system failure in my 2020 Honda Civic Sport. The air conditioner in my vehicle began blowing hot air instead of cold air starting in January 2024. I took the vehicle to a mechanic for inspection, I was informed that the evaporator has failed and needs to be replaced. While researching this issue, I discovered that many other Honda Civic owners have reported similar air conditioning problems involving the evaporator and AC system. I also became aware of a 2021 letter involving American Honda Motor Co. and Honda dealership personnel regarding evaporator leaks in vehicles with VIN numbers beginning with 2HG or 19X. The letter stated that Honda was researching these vehicles in an effort to better understand the issue. Given the number of similar complaints and Honda’s apparent awareness and investigation into evaporator leaks, this appears to be a potentially widespread defect affecting these vehicles, even when properly maintained. The failure of the air conditioning system has caused significant inconvenience, medical issues and financial burden. I have severe Hyperthyroidism, and reside in CA. Due to extremely hot weather & no A/C, the heat affected my heart rate and health severely. My honda is utilized daily for employment & commitments. Without proper air conditioning in almost 3 years now, while driving my car, I was admitted into the hospital last summer 2026 for 5 days due to the extreme heat affecting my h

Electrical System › Instrument Panel › Speedometer/Odometer
Filed Sep 4, 2026247,000 milesNJ

Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2020 Honda Civic. It was discovered that there was a mileage discrepancy. The vehicle was a dealer sale. At the time of purchase, the mileage was 87,000. At the time of registration, it was discovered that the mileage was 247,000.

Electrical System
Filed Aug 30, 2026FL

The turbocharger bypass control solenoid valve circuit on my 2020 Civic Si has developed an intermittent open, setting DTC P0035. I diagnosed it myself: the solenoid coil measures 45 ohms and functions when commanded via bi-directional scan tool, and supply voltage is present at the harness connector. However, the control circuit reads approximately 9V in the off state when it should be near ground, and the reading fluctuates when the harness is flexed near the connector — indicating a partial break in the wiring consistent with vibration fatigue. This is a safety concern because the ECM fault cascades to other systems. My scan report shows U0401-68 in the ABS module and U0416-68 in both the EPS and Integrated Driver Assistance modules. The result is that VSA stability control is disabled. I first noticed the problem because warning lights appear during hard cornering — precisely when stability control is most needed. Honda has acknowledged this exact failure mode. Service Bulletin 18-044 (NHTSA ID 10142655), issued June 2018, covers the 2017 Civic Type R for DTC P0035 and states the cause as: heat and the natural frequency of the harness cause the coupler wire to oscillate, producing an open circuit to the turbocharger bypass control solenoid valve. The remedy was a replacement engine wire harness kit. The Si shares the same L15B7 engine family and the same bypass control solenoid circuit, but no campaign covers it. Owner forums document numerous P0035 wiring failures on non

Visibility › Defroster/Defogger/Hvac System
Filed Aug 20, 2026166,000 milesVA

The contact owns a 2020 Honda Civic. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the compressor shaft failed, and the shaft seal caused further damage to the compressor and caused an additional failure. The contact associated the failure with Technical Service Bulletin: 23-039. The dealer was contacted and diagnosed the vehicle with compressor failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and stated that the warranty only covered the shaft seal and not the compressor. The failure mileage was approximately 166,000.

Exterior Lighting › Headlights
Filed Aug 14, 202676,000 milesWI

The contact owns a 2020 Honda Civic. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed and making a turn, the headlights failed to operate properly and failed to provide adequate illumination while driving. The dealer was contacted, and headlight failure was repaired; however, headlights were not recalibrated. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 76,000.

Steering
Filed Aug 11, 2026120,000 milesVT

The contact owns a 2020 Honda Civic. The contact stated that while driving at highway speeds, the steering wheel was sticking with resistance while turning the steering wheel to the left. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The manufacturer and local dealer were notified of the failure, but no assistance was offered. The contact was informed that the vehicle was not under a recall associated with the failure. The failure mileage was 120,000.

Back Over Prevention › Warnings
Filed Jul 30, 2026NJ

On 7-28-26 After filling my vehicle with gas at the next red light, all lights on dashboard went on flickering warning (Christmas tree effect). on 7-29-26 After researching online Roadside came out and did Battery and alternator test that passed. I did hard reboot from instructions I found online and after several attempts the lights cleared twice, the morning of 7-30-26 when leaving for work the flickering lights came back on. Vehicle had a slight tremble but cleared after a few seconds while vehicle warmed up. I went to get the battery checked at the shop and it passed also had air filter changed. Lights still on, car is running fine, but I feel unsafe to drive and have an appt at the dealer for a diagnosis check on 7-31-26.

Unknown or Other
Filed Jul 10, 2026NV

The A/C went out on this vehicle. The A/C only worked half way in the car. It would only cool the passenger side and not drivers side. When I took it in to get it fixed, they said it was the condenser. There was a recall for the compressor shaft seal but not the condenser. They replaced the condenser and compressor shaft seal. As I checked the Internet I found a recall for this problem in Canada but not in the U.S. I asked Honda about it. They said it was VIN specific right now unless enough people complain about this problem. If it happened in Canada it should be dealt with here. According to my search there are others in the U. S.that have had this problem. How many complaints does it take before this is dealt with?

Forward Collision Avoidance › Warnings
Filed Jul 8, 2026IL

At least a half dozen times the car would brake automatically when nothing was in front of the car. The BRAKE warning light would appear on the dashboard as the car abruptly slowed down. The car slowed down but never came to a complete stop. This happened at various speeds. Once on the freeway at high speeds, 3 times just before an intersection where I had a green light and other various times. I brought the car to 2 different dealers. They could not replicate the problem so they said there was nothing they could do. The courtesy car driver who gave me a ride said they occasionally experience the same thing in the courtesy car.

Structure › Body
Filed Jul 2, 2026NY

I reported this issue to insurance. The facts are that when I was watching a family member’s toddler, I went to my vehicle to grab a stack of papers. While holding her, I reached in and grabbed the papers sitting directly on the back seat of the coupe vehicle (I.e., easy to reach). Upon grabbing the papers in one hand and holding her on my left hip, I shut the drivers side door and began walking toward the home. Immediately, I heard an odd sound like a rustle or possibly an animal scurrying. I looked around confused because I hadn’t seen anything and it wasn’t too dark. Then I looked closer and the entirety of my back windshield was shattered into a billion pieces leaking into my back seats and onto the car seat placed there for when I frequently pick up the toddler. I can’t help but think of what would’ve happened if she was in her car seat and the glass shards (which were many, sharp and permeating through each crevice and likely will remain until somehow discovered or hurting someone) would’ve fell there. Many honda owners experienced this issue of combustion in the rear windshield. It’s not safe or right. A recall should be made.

WheelsCrash
Filed Jul 2, 2026CO

On passenger side, 4 of 5 wheel hub bolts (lug bolts) broke off during driving. The lug nuts did not come loose. The bolts actually broke off with lug nuts attached. This caused the wheel to separate from the car while driving. This caused an accident and $5,500 damage to the car. There were no warnings from the in-car information center.

Power Train
Filed Jun 12, 2026TX

I am the second owner of this year and model of Civic. I initially bought it back in 2021 with 14,000 miles on it. The clutch slipped and blew at around 29K miles in 2023. I brought it into a honda dealership and they were at least able to replace the clutch with the SAME CLUTCH under warranty but now it's 2026 and the clutch is going out again. Clutches should not be going out this frequently. I've driven several manuals and if you were to look up this specific year and model, it is a known issue across several forums online and youtube videos for having a "weak clutch". Despite it being a known issue, Honda refuses to announce a recall or make right by their customers who bought this specific year and model. I along with other owners of this specific year and model had our "Good Will" declined after the warranty period ended; how convenient for Honda. It would've essentially cost at least $10K in repairs for an average owner over 5 years on a relatively brand new car. That's more than 30% of the car's worth and value at MSRP.. They keep saying that all of these issues and feedbacks are being reported to the NHTSA but I honestly believe they're waiting for it to be long enough for warranties to expire and hop they can sweep it under the rug. I've driven Hondas all of my life and have loved their cars but their refusal to do right by this well known issue is leaving a sour taste in my mouth.

Visibility/Wiper
Filed May 26, 2026VT

The vehicle has experienced a complete failure of the A/C condenser unit due to refrigerant leaks originating from manufacturing defects in the tube walls. This matches the exact physical failure described in Honda Service Bulletin TSB #19-091. However, the manufacturer is refusing coverage because this specific VIN falls just outside their current arbitrary cutoff list. This component failure directly impacts vehicle safety by disabling the vehicle's capability to dehumidify the cabin and clear a heavily fogged windshield during sudden humidity or temperature changes, causing an immediate visibility hazard.

Unknown or Other
Filed May 16, 2026FL

I am writing to file a complaint regarding the air conditioning system failure in my 2020 Honda Civic Sport. The air conditioner in my vehicle began blowing hot air instead of cold air. I took the vehicle to Honda for inspection and paid $545.15 to have the system recharged and dye inserted in order to diagnose the issue. After this service was completed, I was informed that the evaporator has failed and needs to be replaced. I was then quoted $2,475.13 for the repair. While researching this issue, I discovered that many other Honda Civic owners have reported similar air conditioning problems involving the evaporator and AC system. I also became aware of a 2021 letter involving American Honda Motor Co. and Honda dealership personnel regarding evaporator leaks in vehicles with VIN numbers beginning with 2HG or 19X. The letter stated that Honda was researching these vehicles in an effort to better understand the issue. Given the number of similar complaints and Honda’s apparent awareness and investigation into evaporator leaks, this appears to be a potentially widespread defect affecting these vehicles, even when properly maintained. The failure of the air conditioning system has caused significant inconvenience and financial burden. I believe this issue should be investigated further, as it may indicate a defect in the vehicle’s air conditioning system. I respectfully request that the NHTSA review this matter and investigate whether the evaporator failure in the 2020 Honda Civ

Unknown or Other
Filed May 7, 2026CA

To Whom It May Concern, I am writing to formally address a serious issue regarding my recent service experience at Freeway Honda and the unfair handling of my case by American Honda concerning my Honda Civic (VIN: [XXX] ). On January 2, 2024, I brought my vehicle to Freeway Honda due to recurring air conditioning issues. My service advisor, Erick Zermeno, informed me that the system had three leaks: the condenser, the compressor, and the evaporator. While he acknowledged that the condenser and compressor were covered under warranty, he stated that the evaporator was not and quoted approximately $1,900.00 for the repair. Furthermore, he refused to repair the warranty-covered parts unless I agreed to pay out-of-pocket for the evaporator repair at the same time. When I declined, the manager, Jamie, required me to pay a $175.00 diagnostic fee to have my vehicle released, despite the fact that the inspection identified defects covered by the extended warranty. Seeking a second opinion, I visited Norm Reeves Honda in Irvine on January 31, 2024. Their technicians determined that only the A/C condenser and compressor were leaking. They repaired both parts at no charge under the warranty and found no issues with the evaporator at that time. It appears Freeway Honda attempted to charge me for an unnecessary repair and wrongfully collected a diagnostic fee for a warranty-related inspection. This matter has been reported to the Bureau of Automotive Repair. I previously filed a complaint

Steering
Filed Apr 27, 2026FL

Steering system failed and started to jerk -- Contacted Honda and while there was a recall on the NEWER models, we experienced a similar issue on our 2020 Civic.

Electrical System
Filed Apr 22, 2026TX

I have owned my vehicle for nearly 18 months and absolutely NO ACTION has been taken on Honda's part to remedy this solution with the capacitor in the circuit board of the front passenger seat weight sensor. Tired of waiting! I want results. This could lead to the front passenger frontal and knee airbags deploying unexpectedly.

Steering
Filed Apr 14, 202664,000 milesKY

The contact owns a 2020 Honda Civic. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle, the steering wheel became sticky and jerked while turning in either direction. The vehicle was taken to the local mechanic to be diagnosed, and it was determined that the electronic steering rack needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer and local dealer were notified of the failure, but no assistance was offered. The contact was informed that the VIN was not included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V744000 (STEERING). The contact stated that the vehicle had experienced the failure listed in the recall. The failure mileage was 64,000.

Wheels
Filed Mar 16, 202663,000 milesMO

The contact owns a 2020 Honda Civic. While driving 50 MPH on the highway, the passenger’s side wheel felt as if the wheel was about to detach, causing the vehicle to veer to the right. The vehicle returned to normal functionality and operated as designed. No warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 25E071000 (Wheels). The approximate failure mileage was 63,000.

Air BagsCrash
Filed Mar 4, 202678,000 milesTX

The contact owns a 2020 Honda Civic. The contact stated that while driving 60 MPH, a bobcat crossed the road, and the bobcat was struck by the vehicle. The contact stated that there was extensive front-end damage and undercarriage damage to the vehicle. The driver’s and passenger’s side air bags did not deploy. The contact was unsure whether there was a warning light illuminated. The contact was not injured. The vehicle was driven to a gas station, inspected, and then driven back to the residence. However, the vehicle failed to accelerate above 40 MPH. The vehicle was taken to a collision center for repair. The contact received a call from the collision center and was informed that all the air bags in the vehicle had been removed and that the wires were cut and twisted together, which led the sensors to believe the air bags were still connected. The vehicle was not repaired due to the cost. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 78,000.

20 of 224 complaints, reproduced as filed.

Across model years

Worst on record: 2006
YearComplaintsRecallsFiresDeathsAssessment
202628000Routine
202570210Routine
2024122310Routine
2023254400Above average
2022881430Above average
2021143420Routine
2020 — this page224510Above average
2019428410Above average
2018739641Fatalities reported
2017592660Above average
20161,080540Above average
2015380120Above average
2014291240Above average
2013319010Above average
2012454350High concern
2011168950Routine
2010396852Fatalities reported
2009395861Fatalities reported
2008916760High concern
20071,2049910Fatalities reported
20061,40215213Fatalities reported
20053141593Fatalities reported
20043501561Fatalities reported
20034992451Fatalities reported
200270224144Fatalities reported
20011,07927156Fatalities reported
20002871850High concern
19993381551Fatalities reported
19984351831Fatalities reported
19973731620High concern
19963051741Fatalities reported
19951991225Fatalities reported
19941351400High concern
19931461340Routine
1992981330Routine
1991110851Fatalities reported
1990911032Fatalities reported

Compare every Civic year →

Reading this record

Complaint volume is well above typical for a single model year.

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: May 21, 2026. Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.