NHTSA (USA)Critical
At a glance
What can fail
The transmission control software may cause damage to the transmission drive pulley shaft.
What the fix does
Dealers will update the transmission software at no cost to you.
This page covers 4 recalls, 291 owner complaints, NHTSA crash-test ratings and EPA fuel economy for the 2014 Honda Civic.
25–44 mpg combined
5.3–9.4 L/100km
Compact Cars
Fuel economy data from fueleconomy.gov (EPA / U.S. Dept. of Energy). Annual cost based on 15,000 mi/yr at 55% city driving and current fuel prices. MPG is U.S. gallons; L/100km converted. Ranges reflect the 5 tested variants for this model year.
4/5 Overall
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Rating
The dominant complaint pattern for the 2014 Honda Civic centers on powertrain and airbag system issues. Transmission problems lead the complaint volume by a wide margin, owners frequently report hesitation, jerking, and loss of drive power, with several describing the vehicle suddenly behaving as though it shifted to neutral while moving. Stalling during acceleration and complete transmission failure are also recurring themes, sometimes accompanied by a "Check Transmission" warning. The airbag system draws the second-largest complaint cluster, with owners commonly reporting a persistent "Check Airbag System" dashboard warning appearing without any prior crash event or airbag deployment. Wheel-related complaints represent a third, smaller pattern, with some owners noting unusually rapid brake and rotor wear requiring repeated replacement within short timeframes.
291
Total Complaints
31
Crash-Related
4
Fire-Related
20
With Injuries
By System
The 2014 Honda Civic has 4 recalls, the most serious being a transmission and tire issue that can each cause a crash: the CVT drive pulley shaft can break and cause sudden loss of acceleration or front wheel lockup, and certain tires may have been damaged during mounting and can lose air rapidly or fail.
The transmission concern involves two related filings that describe the same problem: the drive pulley shaft in CVT-equipped models can crack under stress, and a software update to the transmission control module is part of addressing how the shaft is loaded during operation. Both point to the same outcome, a shaft failure that can leave the vehicle unable to accelerate or cause the front wheels to lock while moving. The tire issue similarly appears across two filings and affects certain vehicles where the tire bead was pinched against the wheel rim during mounting, weakening the tire and raising the risk of air loss while driving.
At a glance
What can fail
The transmission control software may cause damage to the transmission drive pulley shaft.
What the fix does
Dealers will update the transmission software at no cost to you.
We may earn a commission for purchases made through these links.
Ratings from NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program (NCAP). Based on 2 tested variants; worst-case ratings shown.
Complaints are owner-reported and reflect individual experiences, not confirmed defects. They are distinct from recalls. Data sourced from the national vehicle safety complaint database. See trending complaints →
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
On some CVT-transmission vehicles, the drive pulley shaft may have been made softer than specified. Repeated high-pressure operation could cause this shaft to break, resulting in loss of power or front wheel lockup while driving.
What the fix does
Dealers will install a CVT software update that reduces stress on the transmission system.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
During tire mounting, the tire bead may have been pinched between assembly equipment and the steel wheel rim, causing damage to the tire.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect your tires and replace any damaged ones at no charge.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
Tires may have tears in the bead from mounting, causing rapid air loss or failure that could lead to a crash.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect your tires and replace any that are damaged.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
