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What 443 owners told NHTSA about the 2012 Honda Civic Cng

These are the actual owner complaints behind this car’s reliability verdict, filed with the federal government, unedited. They’re unverified reports, not confirmed defects: read them as leads for your pre-purchase inspection, not a diagnosis.

All (443)Crash / fire / injury (63)Airbags (144)Steering (73)Electrical system (56)Transmission & drivetrain (45)Brakes (38)Speed control (38)Body & structure (34)Engine (31)Fuel system (24)Seat belts (14)

Newest first · 443 complaints · page 4 of 18

Dec 15, 2020

THE HOOD DOES NOT OPEN. THE LATCH HAS FAILED WITH ONLY 80,000 MILES AND THE OFFICIAL POSITION OF AMERICAN HONDA IS GO SCREW YOURSELF THE CAR IS A 2012 AND HAS A SALVAGED TITLE BUT IT NEVER HAD A SALVAGED TITLE AND THEY LIE AND NEVER PROVIDED US ANY WARRANTY SERVICES EVER. WE HAVE OWNED OVER 10 HONDAS AND THEY ARE UNLOYAL.

NHTSA ODI 11383525

Dec 15, 2020

HONDA WONT FIX HOOD LATCH THAT FAILS TO OPEN AND NOW HAS ASKED FOR A COPY OF MY NORMAL STATE TITLE SO THAT THEY CAN HAVE THE STATE MAKE IT A SALVAGED TITLED IN ERROR. THEY ARE DIRTY. THEY HAVE NEVER HONOR ANY WARRANTY ON THE CAR AND HAVE SAID IT IS A SALVAGE TITLE WHEN I BOUGHT IT NOT AS SUCH A VEHICLE THE LOCAL HONDA DEALERSHIPS HAVE RIPPED US OFF...PLEASE REFER TO CONSUMER PROTECTION BUREAU TOO

NHTSA ODI 11383537

Dec 10, 2020

2012 HONDA CIVIC EX. SEAL COAT FAILURE, MOSTLY ON ROOF WITH SOME PAINT PEELAGE ON DOOR HANDLE AND SPOILER ALSO. THIS STARTED 2 1/2 YEARS AGO AND IS GETTING PROGRESSIVLEY WORSE. HONDA WILL NOT RECTIFY THE ISSUE ALTHOUGH THEY ARE AWARE OF PAINT DEFECTS AND HAVE COVERED A FEW MODELS BUT NOT ALL MODELS AFFECTED.

NHTSA ODI 11382837

Dec 5, 2020Steering

THE EPS(ELECTRONIC POWER STEERING) INDICATOR TURNED ON AFTER IGNITION AND STAYS ON. BECAUSE OF THIS, I AM NOT ABLE TO STEER THE VEHICLE, IT CAN GO UP AND DOWN IN A STRAIGHT LINE BUT CANNOT STEER. IT STARTED WHILE REVERSING MY VEHICLE FROM THE DRIVEWAY, I COULD NOT DRIVE IT WITH THE EPS LIGHT ON, SO IT IS CURRENTLY PARKED AT THE DRIVEWAY. I SEE SIMILAR INCIDENTS REPORTED BY OTHERS ON COMMON FORUM. PLEASE INVESTIGATE THIS WITH COMPLAINTS FROM OTHER CUSTOMERS AND GET THIS FIXED BY THE MANUFACTURER

NHTSA ODI 11378004

Nov 26, 2020Steering

ELECTRONIC POWER STEERING FAILURE WITH CHECK POWER STEERING SYSTEM WARNING.

NHTSA ODI 11376462

Oct 7, 2020Airbags

THE CHECK AIR BAG SYSTEM COMES ON AND STAYS ON!

NHTSA ODI 11363280

Sep 9, 2020Body & structure

THE PAINT IS PEELING ALL OVER MY CAR ESPECIALLY THE ROOF AND TRUNK

NHTSA ODI 11354048

Aug 25, 2020Steering

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 HONDA CIVIC. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER TURNING THE VEHICLE ON AFTER BEING PARKED IN THE DRIVEWAY, THEY NOTICED THAT THE CHECK POWER STEERING SYSTEM WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL FAILED TO TURN LEFT OR RIGHT, MAYBE MOVING APPROXIMATELY A HALF OF AN INCH IN EITHER DIRECTION. THE CONTACT HAD NOT TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO A DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 115,000.

NHTSA ODI 11351178

Aug 24, 2020Airbags

AIR BAG LIGHT COMES ON. HAVE THERE BEEN SIMILAR COMPLAINTS ON HONDA VEHICLES? THE LIGHT STAYS ON. WHILE DRIVING ON A CITY STREETS THE LIGHT STAYS ON.

NHTSA ODI 11350958

Aug 21, 2020Airbags

PASSENGER AIRBAG INFLATOR SENSOR STARTED SHOWING UP IN MY 2012 HONDA CIVIC. I'M WORRIED THE AIRBAGS MIGHT ACTIVATE. I WANTED TO KNOW IF IS A RECALL

NHTSA ODI 11350585

Aug 4, 2020Electrical system

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 HONDA CIVIC. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CHECK CHARGING SYSTEM WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A CERTIFIED MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT THE CHARGING SYSTEM WAS OPERATIONAL HOWEVER, THE SYSTEM NEEDED TO BE UPDATED OR REPROGRAMMED. THE CONTACT CONTACTED METRO HONDA (9399 AUTOPLEX ST, MONTCLAIR, CA 91763, (909) 542-9637) WHO INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE FAILURE WAS RELATED TO MANUFACTURER COMMUNICATION NUMBER: 12/041 HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND CONFIRMED VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000.

NHTSA ODI 11343236

Jul 14, 2020Body & structure

CAR CLEAR COAT IS COMING OFF ON THE TRUNK AND ROOF IN MULTIPLE LOCATIONS. IN AREAS WHERE THE CLEAR COAT IS GONE, THE PAINT IS NOW COMING OFF. VEHICLE IS A 2012 HONDA CIVIC PURCHASED NEW IN 2011. THE PROBLEM FIRST STARTED IN 2018 APPROXIMATELY 2 MONTHS AFTER EXTENDED PAINT WARRANTY EXPIRED. I CONTACTED HONDA CUSTOMER SERVICE AND THEY WOULD NOT COVER THE REPAIR COSTS AND SAID THERE WAS NO KNOWN PAINT DEFECT FOR MY VEHICLE YEAR/MODEL. THE PAINT IS DEGRADING AT AN ALARMING RATE. THE PROBLEM STARTED WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS 7 YEARS OLD. THE PROBLEM IS NOT CONSISTENT WITH NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR. I HAVE OWNED 2 OTHER HONDA'S AND NEVER HAD A PAINT ISSUE. THE NUMEROUS WEBSITES AND FACEBOOK GROUPS DEDICATED TO HONDA PAINT PROBLEMS SUGGESTS THIS IS A KNOWN DEFECT THAT HONDA HAS CHOSEN NOT TO ADDRESS. THE CAR IS CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN FLORIDA AND WAS PREVIOUSLY IN ILLINOIS AND MARYLAND. THE CAR WAS TYPICALLY WASHED ONCE A MONTH AT A CAR WASH OR BY HAND AND WAXED AT LEAST TWICE PER YEAR. SINCE THE PROBLEM STARTED, I NO LONGER WASH THE EXTERIOR SINCE THAT EXACERBATES THE PAINT DEGRADATION.

NHTSA ODI 11339348

Jun 8, 2020Airbags

SRS TROUBLE LIGHT COMES ON AND GOES OFF RANDOMLY. *TR

NHTSA ODI 11327851

Jun 6, 2020Electrical system

ALL MY KNOBS ARE MELTING. RADIO, AIR, ETC. ALSO THE NAMES ARE FADING ON THE WINDOW AND AIR CONDITIONING. *TR

NHTSA ODI 11327542

May 25, 2020Body & structure

FADING PAINT ON HOOD, ROOF, AND TRUCK OF THE VEHICLE. NOT ONLY HAVE I SEEN THE FADING OF PAINT ON MY CAR, BUT ON MANY MANY OTHER VEHICLES THE SAME ISSUE. I BELIEVE HONDA DID A VERY POOR PAINT JOB ON THESE VEHICLES.

NHTSA ODI 11325839

May 17, 2020Transmission & drivetrain

MANUAL TRANSMISSION-WHEN PULLING OUT FROM A STOP ON AN INCLINE, THE CLUTCH MAKES A GRINDING/VIBRATING SOUND. I TOOK TO THE DEALER 3X PRIOR TO THE WARRANTY EXPIRING AND THEY 'COULDN'T DUPLICATE IT' IT'S SO LOUD, A PEDESTRIAN STANDING ON THE SIDEWALK NEXT TO A ROAD CAN HEAR IT. IT STARTED PRIOR TO 30K MILES, STILL HAPPENING AT 100,000.

NHTSA ODI 11324880

May 15, 2020Electrical system

I HAVE HAD TO TAKE MY CAR IN FOR TWO REPAIRS RELATED TO RODENTS CHEWING THROUGH ELECTRICAL WIRING. ONE WAS FOR CHEWING THROUGH FUEL HARNESS AND FUEL PUMP WIRES RESULTING IN REPAIRS THAT COST $915 AND OCCURRED ON 9/5/2018. I WAS DRIVING ON A MAJOR ROAD WHEN MULTIPLE WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. I MADE IT HOME THEN TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP. THE SECOND INCIDENT WAS FROM CHEWING THROUGH GAS LINE AND IMA INVERTER THAT COST $1701 AND OCCURRED ON 3/15/19. I WAS DRIVING ON A CITY STREET WHEN MULTIPLE WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED (CHECK ENGINE, BRAKE MALFUNCTION, IMA BATTERY, CHARGING MALFUNCTION). I DROVE HOME AND DECIDED TO TAKE IT TO THE HONDA DEALERSHIP. WHEN I WENT TO TAKE IT TO HONDA, THE LIGHTS WERE NO LONGER ILLUMINATED. I DROVE ABOUT 2 MILES AND GOT ONTO A MAJOR HIGHWAY WHEN I STARTED TO SMELL A STRONG ODOR AND THE LIGHTS ILLUMINATED AGAIN. I GOT OFF ON THE NEXT EXIT WHEN I LOST POWER STEERING AND THE CAR WOULD NOT ACCELERATE. I BEGAN TO PULL OVER BUT THEN REGAINED THE ABILITY TO ACCELERATE AND LUCKILY MADE IT HOME. FUEL WAS POURING FROM UNDER THE CAR SO I HAD IT TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP. THEY DETERMINED I NEEDED A NEW FUEL LINE, NEW IMA SYSTEM AS WELL AS JUNCTION BOX. MY CAR WAS IN THE SHOP FOR ALMOST TWO MONTHS, DURING WHICH I HAD TO PAY FOR A RENTAL CAR. THE HONDA DEALERSHIP TOLD ME IT IS COMMON FOR CHEWING THROUGH WIRING OF THIS SPECIFIC YEAR AND MODEL HONDA BECAUSE THE MATERIAL WRAPPING AROUND THE WIRES WAS MADE FROM A SOYBEAN PRODUCT, WHICH RODENTS ARE ATTRACTED TO. *TR

NHTSA ODI 11324711

May 15, 2020Transmission & drivetrainEngineFuel system

ON 3/15/2019 I WAS DRIVING ON A CITY STREET WHEN MULTIPLE WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED (CHECK ENGINE, BRAKE MALFUNCTION, IMA BATTERY, CHARGING MALFUNCTION). THE CAR WAS TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP. ONCE THERE, THEY DETERMINE THAT THE PROBLEM WAS RELATED TO RODENTS CHEWING FROM WIRES WHICH DAMAGED THE FUEL LINE AND IMA SYSTEM. AFTER THIS WAS REPAIRED, THE CAR STILL HAD FAILURE CODES DUE TO MECHANICAL ISSUES WITH THE CAR'S SYSTEM. TROUBLESHOOTING LED THE TECHNICIAN TO DETERMINE THAT THE MOTOR POWER INVERTER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THIS REQUIRED THEM TO ALSO HAVE TO REPLACE THE JUNCTION BOARD. AFTER THEY WERE INSTALLED, THE IMA LIGHT STAYED ON, THE BATTERY WOULD NOT CHARGE, AND THE CAR CONTINUED TO RECODE. THEY HAD TO PUT IN A TEST MCM AND A SECOND MPI (SINCE THE FIRST ONE MALFUNCTIONED AS WELL). THIS OCCURRED OVER THE COURSE OF ALMOST TWO MONTHS. THEY COULD NOT DETERMINE A SPECIFIC CAUSE THAT LED TO THE SYSTEM MALFUNCTION, SO IT APPEARED TO BE A MANUFACTURING ISSUE. I WAS CHARGED FOR THE REPAIRS AS WELL AS ALMOST TWO MONTHS OF RENTAL CAR FEES. *TR

NHTSA ODI 11324716

Mar 30, 2020Steering

STARTED CAR AND CHECK POWER STEERING WARNING CAME UP. THERE WAS A SLIGHT SHUTTER THEN STEERING WAS HARD. SHUT CAR AND RESTARTED AND WARNING WERE GONE AND STEERING OK. 1 WEEK LATER SAME PROBLEM, BUT WILL NOT CLEAR AND NO POWER STEERING. SHUT CAR AND RESTARTED, WARNING STILL ON, BUT POWER STEERING WORKING, BUT THERE IS A SLIGHT NOISE ON AND OFF. SOMETHING TO DO WITH THE ELECTRONIC POWER STEERING.

NHTSA ODI 11319743

Mar 16, 2020Airbags

EVERY SINCE I GOT THIS CAR (ABOUT 3 OR 4 YEARS AGO) DRIVING THE CAR ANYTIME IF I EVEN JUST PLACED MY PURSE ON THE SEAT I WOULD GET MULTIPLE AIR BAG WARNINGS THAT MY PASSENGER AIR BAG WOULD BE TURNED OFF. IF ANYONE WOULD SIT ON THE SEAT IT WOULD GIVE ME EVEN MORE WARNINGS AND TURN OFF THE AIR BAGS. WHEN I WOULD GO GET IT CHECKED EVERYONE WOULD TELL ME THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO SINCE THEY SAW NO WARNING SINCE IT WOULD DISAPPEAR ONCE NO ONE WAS IN MY PASSENGER SEAT. MY CAR NOW CONSTANTLY HAS THE AIR BAG WARNING SIGN ON

NHTSA ODI 11318209

Mar 8, 2020Engine

EMISSIONS RECALL THAT AFFECTS ME PASSING A SMOG CHECK

NHTSA ODI 11316881

Mar 2, 2020Body & structure

PAINT COMING OFF OF CAR. WAS TOLD I WAS NOTIFIED BY A LETTER IN MAIL. NEVER WAS. ASKED FOR WHEN IT WAS MAILED, ASKED RIP WHAT ADDRESS IT WAS SENT AND ALSO ASKED FOR A COPY OF THIS SUPPOSED NOTIFICATION TO BE EMAILED TO ME. WAS TOLD BY MULTIPLE HONDA PEOPLE THEY DON'T HAVE THAT INFORMATION.... IT'S BECAUSE THEY DID NOT SEND IT. I WAS NEVER TOLD THAT THIS WOULD HAPPEN BY ANYONE !

NHTSA ODI 11315669

Feb 21, 2020Steering

THE POWER STEERING LIGHT WILL COME ON AND THE CARS POWER STEERING COLUMN WILL LOCK UP. I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH AND THE POWER STEERING LIGHT CAME ON. I COULD BARELY TURN THE STEERING WHEEL . I WAS ABLE TO SLOW DOWN AND PEOPLE HELPED ME GET IT TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. I HAD THE CAR TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP AND I WAS INFORMED I NEEDED TO UPDATE THE EPS. IT COST $70 AND MY SYSTEM SOFTWARE WAS UPDATED. A MONTH LATER I WAS DRIVING AGAIN AND THE LIGHT CAME ON. THE POWER STEERING IMMEDIATELY LOCKED U AGAIN. THIS IS SO DANGEROUS. I WAS ABLE TO GET STOPPED, TURN THE CAR OFF AND BACK ON. IT RESET IT I GUESS CAUSE IT STARTED WORKING. I DROVE IT TO THE DEALER VERY SLOW AND WAS TOLD I NEED AN EPS CONTROL UNIT SYSTEM AND IT WOULD BE AROUND $867 WITH LABOR. I'VE NOTICED TONS OF OTHER PEOPLE HAVE THIS SAME COMPLAINT AND IT SHOULD BE A RECALL ISSUE AND FIXED. IT'S VERY DANGEROUS AND SOMEONE IS GOING TO GET KILLED.

NHTSA ODI 11310510

Feb 20, 2020Body & structure

I LEASED A HONDA CIVIC 2012-2015 , IN 2015 I BOUGHT THE CIVIC THAT I HAD LEASED FOR 3 YEARS. IN 2018 I STARTED TO NOTICE THE PAINT WAS LOOKING DULL IN CERTAIN SPOTS AND STARTING TO SHOW A WHITE RING LIKE I DUMPED SALT FOR MELTING ICE ALL OVER IT. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AND WAS TOLD I MISSED THE EXTENDED WARRANTY ON GETTING MY CIVIC PAINTED AND THAT I WAS NOTIFIED BY MAIL ABOUT THE PAINT ISSUE. I NEVER RECEIVED ANY NOTICE FROM ANYONE REGARDING THE PAINT COMING OFF OF MY CAR. I ASKED THE DEALER AND HONDA SEVERAL TIMES NOW TO TELL ME WHEN AND TO WHAT ADDRESS THE NOTICE WAS SENT AND TO EMAIL THE SUPPOSED NOTICE THAT WAS MAILED. NOBODY CAN ANSWER ME. SUPPOSEDLY IT'S THROUGH A 3RD PARTY WHICH THEY COULDN'T TELL ME THE NAME OF. I JUST PAID OFF MY 30,000 $ CAR THAT NOW IS WORTH MARBLES BECAUSE IT LOOKS LIKE GARBAGE. I CAN'T TRADE IT IN OR SELL IT BECAUSE IT LOOKS HORRIBLE AND NOBODY WANTS A CAR THAT'S MISSING PAINT EVERYWHERE. IT'S NOW 2020, I WENT ONLINE TO INVESTIGATE AND TURNS OUT HONDA HAS BEEN SELLING THIS DEFECTIVE PAINT/CLEARCOAT TO PEOPLE FOR DECADES, SAYS THEY NOTIFIED THEIR CUSTOMERS, EVEN THOUGH THEY DID NOT, AND TRIES TO MAKE A DEAL WITH YOU TO PAY MORE MONEY TO THEM ON A CAR THAT THEY SHOULD HAVE NEVER SOLD YOU TO BEGIN WITH. MY OFFER, FROM HONDA, WAS TO PAINT MY CAR, MINUS THE HOOD, FOR 600.00$ THEY NEED IT FOR 7-8 BUSINESS DAYS AND I HAVE TO GET AND PAY FOR MY OWN RENTAL. WHEN THEY GAVE ME THIS NONSENSE OFFER, THEY THEN TOLD ME I ONLY HAVE 30 DAYS TO SCHEDULE OR THEIR OFFER WAS OFF THE TABLE AND I PAY FULL PRICE MYSELF WITH NO ASSISTANCE FROM THEM. I WANT TO KNOW WHO , WHEN AND TO WHAT ADDRESS THIS SUPPOSED NOTICE ABOUT MY CAR LOOKING LIKE JUNK IN THE FUTURE WAS SENT. I WANT HONDA TO FIX THE ISSUE IN FULL BECAUSE IT'S THEIR FAULT. I ALSO WANT TO JOIN A CLASS ACTION SUIT WITH OTHERS GETTING SCREWED BY HONDA.

NHTSA ODI 11310404

Feb 3, 2020AirbagsSeats

PASSENGER AIRBAG NEVER DETECTS WHEN MY SON OR ANOTHER PRETEEN CLOSE TO HIS AGE IS SITTING IN THE SEAT. IT ALWAYS TURNS OFF/ DEACTIVATES. IF THERE WAS AN ACCIDENT THE AIRBAG WOULD NOT DEPLOY AND PROVIDE SAFETY FOR MY CHILD OR HIS COUSINS WHEN INSIDE MY VEHICLE.

NHTSA ODI 11306854

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Working with the data? Download all 443 complaints as CSV · fetched from NHTSA July 28, 2026

How to use these: a complaint is one owner’s report, filed voluntarily and published unverified. Patterns matter more than any single story. If several owners describe the same failure at similar mileage, put that system at the top of your pre-purchase inspection list. Back to the full 2012 Honda Civic Cng verdict →