3 Most Common Honda Civic Problems Reported by Hundreds of Real Owners
Like most other Honda models, the Honda Civic compact car is reliable. It has a reputation for lasting many miles and years — with minimal problems. However, no vehicle is perfect — and completely free of issues. Here are the three most common Honda Civic problems reported by hundreds of real owners.
What are the most common problems for the Honda Civic?
RepairPal collects data from owners of the Honda Civic to determine the most common problems. This is an advantageous way of determining reliability. It demonstrates real-world scenarios. In comparison, some other automotive sites base the reliability on their own testing.
Here are the three most common Honda Civic problems:
- Airbag light due to failed occupant position sensor
- Bad engine mounts may cause vibration, roughness, and rattle
- Power window switches may fail
Something to keep in mind is most Civic models are not affected by these problems. Overall, it’s a reliable vehicle. However, according to the data that RepairPal collected from owners, they are the most common ones. We go into greater detail for each of these three issues.
Most common Honda Civic problem is an illuminated airbag light due to a failed occupant position sensor
The most common Honda Civic problem reported by real owners is the airbag light illuminating due to a failed occupant position sensor. Honda has a recall for some model year vehicles that are affected by this issue (1996; 2001-2016). Resolving the problem requires the replacement of the defective sensor. Like most recalls, Honda should cover the cost of the sensor replacement. However, RepairPal estimates that the cost of the general diagnosis of the problem averages between $88 -$111.
Bad engine mounts may cause vibration, roughness, and rattle
The second most common problem that owners reported for the Honda Civic is a bad engine mount, which might cause vibration, roughness, and rattling. The issue most typically occurs when owners place the compact car in reverse, but it can also happen in drive. The replacement of the engine mount will usually rectify the problem.
Power window switches may fail
The other frequent issue reported by Honda Civic owners is the failure of the power window switches. With the defective window switches, the power windows in the compact car might stop opening or closing. Also, this is an intermittent issue. Sometimes, a switch will fail for no apparent reason. And then it will mysteriously resolve itself.
Some owners said that they were able to get the power window switches to work by pressing them with slightly more force than usual. All of this evidence suggests that the electric window switch might be failing. When taking the Civic to an auto service center, be sure to ask the mechanic to verify that there’s a defective switch — and not a broken window motor. Doing so might save you money from having any unnecessary replacement and repairs.
How reliable is the Honda Civic?
For overall reliability, RepairPal gives the Honda Civic an “excellent” rating of 4.5 out of five. Compared to other compact cars that RepairPal evaluated, the Civic is very reliable, ranking 3rd out of 36 models. Also, the average annual cost for repairs is only $368, which is lower than most vehicles.
