This page covers 8 recalls, 1040 owner complaints and NHTSA crash-test ratings for the 2016 Honda Civic.
5/5 Overall
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Rating
Steering dominates the complaint picture for the 2016 Honda Civic by a wide margin. Owners frequently describe the steering feeling sticky or heavy at center, requiring extra effort to initiate a turn, which can lead to overcorrection. Many describe the problem worsening over time to the point where lane-keeping becomes difficult. Engine and electrical complaints each come in at a much lower volume. On the engine side, a recurring pattern involves coolant loss with no visible external leak, with owners reporting a diagnosis of head gasket failure, some noting it at relatively high mileage, others earlier. Electrical complaints are spread across various symptoms without a single dominant thread. The steering sticking-at-center issue is the clearest pattern here, with owners consistently describing it as a progressive condition rather than a sudden failure.
1,040
Total Complaints
36
Crash-Related
4
Fire-Related
13
With Injuries
By System
The 2016 Honda Civic has 8 recalls, the most serious being an engine defect on 2.0L models where a missing or improperly installed piston pin can allow the pin to shift, damage the cylinder wall, and cause the engine to seize while driving.
A second significant concern involves the front passenger seat's weight sensor, which on certain vehicles may not function correctly, causing the passenger airbag and knee airbag to deploy during a crash that does not warrant them, raising the risk of injury. On the braking side, the electric parking brake on 1.5L turbo and 2.0L models can fail to engage if applied immediately after shutting off the ignition, allowing the vehicle to roll away. The fuel pump on certain vehicles can fail and stall the engine while driving. Two recalls address the same exterior lighting issue on two-door models: a damaged LED circuit board inside the taillight assembly can leave the rear side marker light inoperable, reducing the vehicle's visibility to other drivers.
At a glance
What can fail
The front passenger seat weight sensor may be defectively manufactured, causing the passenger-front and knee airbags to deploy unnecessarily during a crash.
What the fix does
The weight sensor in the front passenger seat will be replaced at a dealership.
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Driver Assistance
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
The front passenger seat weight sensor may crack and create an electrical short, potentially causing airbags to deploy unexpectedly during a crash.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the front passenger seat weight sensor at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The fuel pump inside the fuel tank may fail, potentially stopping fuel delivery to the engine.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the fuel pump module at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The electric parking brake may fail to engage if applied right after turning off the ignition.
What the fix does
Dealers will update the vehicle's software to allow the parking brake to engage immediately after the ignition is turned off.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The LED side marker light circuit board inside the taillight assembly may be damaged, causing the marker light to stop working and fail to meet federal lamp safety standards.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect both taillight assemblies and replace them as needed at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
Some taillight assemblies have a damaged rear LED side marker light that doesn't work, making the vehicle non-compliant with lighting safety standards. This reduces how visible your vehicle is to other drivers.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect the taillight assembly and replace it if the side marker light is damaged.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The piston assembly in the engine may be missing a retaining clip or have it installed incorrectly, which could cause internal engine damage.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect the piston assembly and replace it and any damaged engine parts as needed, at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
On 2.0L engines, a piston pin circlip may be missing or installed incorrectly. This allows the piston pin to rub the cylinder wall, causing noise and damage, or potentially detach and cause engine failure and stalling.
What the fix does
The dealer will inspect the engine and repair or replace parts as needed to ensure the piston pin circlip is properly installed.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
