Home · 2012 Honda Civic Cng · Complaints

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)

13 of 443 complaints match · Brakes · crash/fire/injury only · clear filters

Nov 21, 2023BrakesCrash

While driving at about 40 mph the car suddenly started to pull toward the left. I pressed on the brake pedal as I steered to the right to try to bring the car back to my lane but I noticed the brake pedal was already very hard. In a second the car skidded out of control toward the right side of the road and it slammed its left side against some big rocks. The driver's door window broke and the side airbags deployed. The big rocks kept us from going into the water of a lake that the road runs next to. The passengers in the car were myself and my wife and were not injured but it was a very terrifying incident and the consequences could have been a lot worse. The vehicle has been released to Progressive, the Insurance Company.

NHTSA ODI 11556312

Jun 13, 2018BrakesCrash

MY CAR (MANUAL) WAS PARKED IN FIRST GEAR ON AN INCLINE IN MY JOBSITE PARKING LOT. THE EMERGENCY BRAKE WAS NOT ENGAGED. WITHIN 1-2HRS IT ROLLED BACK NEARLY HITTING MY PLACE OF BUSINESS AND AN AC UNIT. IT IS ALL ON CAMERA. IT ROLLED SOME, THEN STOPPED, THEN AGAIN ROLLED AND STOPPED. IT HAS NEVER DONE THIS IN THE PAST BUT I TYPICALLY HAVE THE E-BRAKE ENGAGED. DAYS BEFORE, I WAS SITTING IN MY SAME VEHICLE AFTER IT WAS PARKED FOR SEVERAL MINUTES AND IT JERKED SUDDENLY. IT DID NOT ROLL BACK AT THIS TIME.

NHTSA ODI 11101596

Feb 9, 2018BrakesCrash1 injury

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2012 HONDA CIVIC. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED AND TRAVELED TO THE FLOORBOARD. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE REAR ENDED ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE DRIVER'S AIR BAG DEPLOYED AND CAUSED IRRITATION TO THE FACE. NO MEDICAL ATTENTION WAS REQUIRED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED BY THE INSURANCE COMPANY WHO ADVISED HIM TO HAVE THE VEHICLE INSPECTED FOR THE BRAKE FAILURE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT DIAMOND VALLEY HONDA (300 CARRIAGE CIR, HEMET, CA 92545 (888) 794-1620) WAS CONTACTED, BUT DECLINED TO INSPECT THE VEHICLE DUE TO THE BODY DAMAGE AND AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THERE WAS A LEAK IN THE BRAKE LINE AND THE BRAKE LINE NEEDED REPLACEMENT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED DUE TO BEING DEEMED A TOTAL LOSS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 134,000.

NHTSA ODI 11071957

Feb 24, 2016Transmission & drivetrainSpeed controlBrakesCrash

FOR MANUAL TRANSMISSIONS RPMS REMAIN HIGH EVEN AFTER FOOT IS OFF THE GAS PEDAL CONSEQUENTLY MAKING IT IMPOSSIBLE TO MATCH RPMS AND CAUSING PREMATURE FAILURE TO FRICTION DISKS (CLUTCH). UN NECESSARY WEAR CAUSING 1200+ IN REPAIRS. BRAKES LOCKED UP ON HIGHWAY.. LOST CONTROL SPUN 5 TIMES AND EVEN AFTER NEW ALTERNATOR.. THE RPM NEVER REDUCES PROPERLY.. HAD IN SHOP 3 X'S SET AT YOUR SPEC IS WRONG TO MAKE BRAKE ELEASE JERK, CAR SHAKE AT LIGHTS AND CAUSES ME TO REAR END ANOTHER CAR. 2/6/16

NHTSA ODI 10838022

Jul 26, 2015BrakesCrash1 injury

WAS FOLLOWING 2 CAR LENGTHS BEHIND A TRUCK WHEN A DRIVER FROM THE ONCOMING SIDE OF TRAFFIC FELL ASLEEP AND ROLLED INTO MEDIAN THREATENING TO CONTINUE ROLLING ONTO OUR SIDE OF THE ROAD. TRUCK AHEAD OF ME SLAMMED ON BRAKES AND IN TURN I SLAMMED ON BRAKES AND RAN INTO THE BACK OF THE TRUCK AHEAD OF ME. ABS BRAKES DID NOT PUMP AND WORK AS THEY SHOULD HAVE. CAR WRITTEN UP AS TOTALED BY GEICO.

NHTSA ODI 10743534

Dec 18, 2014AirbagsEquipment Adaptive/mobilityBrakesCrash

WAS DRIVING ON FREEWAY IN HEAVY TRAFFIC, CAR IN FRONT BRAKED, HIT BRAKES AND THEY JUST WENT TO THE FLOOR WITH NO EFFORT TO STOP THE VEHICLE. SLAMMED INTO CAR IN FRONT WITH OUR 4 AND 5 YEAR OLD BOYS IN BACK SEAT. GEICO CALLED THE CAR A TOTAL LOSS. HONDA REFUSES TO INSPECT THE CAR IN FEAR OF MANUFACTURER DEFECTS. TO MAKE IT WORSE THE AIRBAGS DIDN'T DEPLOY. ROADS WERE DRY, NO ICE OR ANYTHING ELSE TO CAUSE INABILITY TO STOP. *TR

NHTSA ODI 10667165

Sep 6, 2014BrakesCrash2 injuries

TWICE I WAS STOPPED AND FOOT ON BRAKE. CAR ROLLED INTO CAR UP FRONT. MY FOOT WAS STILL ON THE BRAKE. I READ THAT OTHER PEOPLE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM. MY INSURANCE PAID FOR ONE AUTO AND THE OTHER LET IT GO. *TR

NHTSA ODI 10631251

May 18, 2014AirbagsSeat beltsBody & structureBrakesCrash2 injuries

I CAME UPON STOP AND GO TRAFFIC AND CAME TO MY STOP BEHIND THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME. THE DRIVER BEHIND ME FAILED TO STOP AND HIT THE REAR OF MY CAR. MY BRAKE PEDAL WENT ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR AS ALL THE ELECTRICAL PARTS TURNED OFF AND ON. THIS INCLUDED MY MOTOR, GAUGES, AND RADIO. THIS PUSHED ME INTO THE DRIVER IN FRONT OF ME. I WAS SHOCKED TO SEE MY AIRBAG DIDN'T DEPLOY AND THAT MY CARS I-MID DISPLAY SHOWED TO CHECK MY AIRBAG SYSTEM. ALSO MY SEATBELT DIDN'T LOCK UP FAST ENOUGH TO KEEP MY HEAD FROM HITTING MY STEERING WHEEL. THIS CAUSED ME TO HAVE A STRAIN IN MY UPPER LUMBAR OF THE RIGHT SIDE OF MY BACK. UPDATED 11/24/2014 *JS

NHTSA ODI 10592245

Feb 5, 2013Electrical systemAirbagsBrakesCrash

I WAS DRIVING HOME FROM WORK AND WAS MAKING A TURN FROM COMING OFF A STOP LIGHT AND THE CARS IN FRONT OF ME WERE STOPPED TO MERGE ONTO THE HIGHWAY, I WENT TO PRESS THE BRAKE AND MY FOOT WENT TO THE FLOOR AND THE BRAKES NEVER KICKED IN. I SWERVED TO TRY AND MISS THE SUV IN FRONT OF ME BUT WAS NOT ABLE TO MISS THE SUV AND REAR ENDED HIM. I GOT OUT OF THE CAR AND DID NOT NOTICE ANY ICE OR ANY FLUID ON THE ROAD THAT WOULD CAUSE ME TO LOOSE TRACTION. I HIT MOSTLY ON THE PASSENGER SIDE WHICH SAVED THE AIR BAGS FROM GOING OFF, HAD I HIT FRONT ON I AM POSITIVE THE AIR BAGS WOULD HAVE GONE OFF AS UPON IMPACT THE SCREENS ON THE INSIDE OF THE CAR TURNED RED AND READ "CHECK AIRBAGS" AND THEN MY CAR SHUT OFF AND HAZARD LIGHTS TURNED ON. THIS ACCIDENT HAPPENED 2/1 AND AM WAITING TO GET AN ESTIMATE FROM MY INSURANCE COMPANY AS TO THE TOTAL DAMAGE AMOUNT IF MY CAR WILL BE TOTALED OUT OR NOT. *TR

NHTSA ODI 10496475

Oct 2, 2012Body & structureBrakesCrash

WE HAD THE HONDA CIVIC ALMOST 6 MONTHS,ALL THE DRIVING LIKE 99% HAS BEEN FWY DRIVING-ANYWAY,HAPPENED TO BE IN LA FOR AN APPT AND HAD A GOOD 40 FT BETWEEN ME AND THE CAR INFRONT OF ME.. CAR INFRONT APPLIED BRAKE SO DID I , I JUST KEPT GOING- BRAKE WENT TO FLOOR.. I WAS TOTALLY STUNNED.- HAPPENED SO FAST, I HAD NO OTHER OPTION BUT TO HIT CAR INFRONT.. IT KIND OF FELT LIKE SLIDING- IT WAS A SUNNY DAY, DRY OUTSIDE, NOTHING TO SLIDE ON BUT THAT IS THE ONLY WAY TO DESCRIBE NOTHING TO STOP ME BUT THE OTHER CAR.. IF I WENT LEFT TO AVOID CAR, I WOULD VE BEEN HIT BY ONCOMING TRAFFIC SO STUNNED THE BRAKES WERE NOT THERE..SO I REAR ENDED THE CAR THAT STOPPED US.. SHE HAD A LAREDO CHEROKEE- AFTER THE IMPACT WE WONDERED WHY THE AIR BAGS DIDN'T COME OUT, IT WAS PRETTY DIRECT.. I CAN ONLY GUESS THAT HER CAR WAS HIGHER SO THE SENSORS DIDN'T GO OFF?? CAR IS AT BODY SHOP FOR LAST TWO WEEKS.. I TOLD OUR INSURANCE, I TOLD THE BODY SHOP, I TOLD THE HUBBY AND EVERYONE ELSE THAT ASKED THAT I PUSHED THE BRAKE IN AND NOT A [XXX] THING HAPPENED.. I TALKED TO THE SERVICE GUYS AT THE HONDA THAT IT HAS SEEN FOR REGULAR MAINTENANCE GOING BY COMPUTER MENU THINGY.. I VE BEEN EARLY OR ON TIME GETTING IT SERVICED.. THEY SAID "THE BRAKES ARE SUPPOSE TO WORK THAT WAY" REALLY? I'D BE DEVASTATED IF THERE WAS AN ANIMAL, A PERSON, INFRONT OF ME I WOULD HAVE HIT THEM AND GONE OVER THEM.. I VE NEVER EVER HAD A CAR RESPOND THAT WAY.. AFTER THE HIT, I MOVED TO THE SIDE.. AUTOMATICALLY USED E BRAKE. I THEN DROVE IT A MILE FURTHER AT A CRAWL TO A PARKING GARAGE TO MAKE CALLS.. I DROVE AT A SNAILS PACE.. YOU COULD'VE WALKED NEXT TO US.. 2 HRS LATER, I DROVE IT TWO MORE MILES AT THE SAME SPEED TO BODY SHOP.. I HAVE ASKED THEM TO LOOK AT IT.. THEY HAVEN'T YET.. THE CAR IS IN PIECES AS THEY FIX BUT THEY PROMISED TOO. THE GUY WAS SURPRISED WE WEREN'T INJURED.. I DON'T WANT TO DRIVE IT AGAIN.. *TR INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

NHTSA ODI 10478391

Jul 26, 2012Transmission & drivetrainBrakesCrash

MY WIFE CAME TO A STOP AT OUR SECURITY GATE, USED THE REMOTE FOR THE GATE BUT IT WOULDN'T OPEN. SHE BACKED UP ABOUT 15 FEET TO TURN AROUND. WHEN SHE PUT THE CAR IN DRIVE, IT LURCHED FORWARD BACK TOWARDS THE GATE AND WOULDN'T STOP WHEN SHE APPLIED THE BRAKES. IT DIDN'T SPEED UP AND IT WOULDN'T STOP. THE CAR WAS MAKING A GRINDING NOISE AS IT MOVED ALONG. SHE WAS JAMMING ON THE BRAKES AND IT STILL WENT RIGHT THROUGH THE CLOSED GATE, PUSHING IT OPEN AS IT WENT. IT KEPT GOING FOR ANOTHER 40-50 FEET UNTIL SHE THOUGHT TO PULL ON THE EMERGENCY BRAKE. THE CAR STOPPED. SHE TURNED THE CAR OFF AND GOT OUT, BADLY SHAKEN BUT NOT INJURED. AFTER CALMING DOWN, SHE GOT BACK IN THE CAR TO SEE IF IT WOULD START. IT DID. SHE DROVE IT TWO MORE BLOCKS TO OUR HOUSE. SHE HASN'T DRIVEN IT SINCE. SHE'S TERRIFIED IT WILL HAPPEN AGAIN. *TR

NHTSA ODI 10467881

Feb 20, 2012SteeringBrakesSpeed controlCrash

I GOT INTO A ACCIDENT LAST MONDAY, FEB. 13, 2012, LIKE AROUND 8 OR 9 IN THE MORNING. I WAS MAKING A RIGHT TURN WHEN MY CAR WENT OUT OF CONTROL EVEN THOUGH I WAS ALREADY STEPPING ON THE BRAKES AND I WAS TRYING TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL TO THE LEFT BUT THE CAR JUST KEPT GOING TO THE RIGHT UNTIL I HIT THE POLE SIGN THAT SAYS "NO PARKING AT ALL TIMES" (SOMETHING LIKE THAT). THE METAL POLE THAT I HIT BROKE AND ALMOST 1/4 OF THAT METAL POLE THAT WAS STUCK TO THE GROUND SCRAPED THE BOTTOM OF PART OF MY CAR AND THE BOTTOM COVERING FELL OFF AND IT COST $4,000.00 TO REPAIR AND NOW I HAVE TO PAY $500.00 FOR MY DEDUCTIBLE WHICH IS NOT EVEN MY FAULT WHY MY CAR DID THAT. IT WASN'T THE FIRST TIME MY CAR DID THAT. IT DID SOMETHING WEIRD TWICE LAST YEAR BEFORE I GOT INTO THIS ACCIDENT LAST WEEK. FIRST WAS LAST YEAR, A MONTH OR TWO AFTER I GOT MY CAR WHEN I WAS DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY WHEN I TRIED STEPPING ON THE BREAKS AND INSTEAD OF MY CAR SLOWING DOWN, IT SUDDENLY ACCELERATED. THANK GOODNESS THERE'S NO CAR IN FRONT OF ME. THEN THE SECOND TIME WAS I THINK AROUND NOVEMBER OR DECEMBER OF LAST YEAR WHEN MY FRIEND WAS TEST DRIVING THE CAR TO SEE IF SHE WANTS TO BUY THE SAME THING. WE WERE TOGETHER IN THE CAR AND SHE WAS DRIVING WHEN SHE STOPPED STEPPING ON THE GAS AND BRAKES AND THE CAR JUST ACCELERATED BY ITSELF. SHE WAS SURPRISED THAT IT THAT BUT WE BOTH FIGURED THAT ANY CAR IS JUST LIKE THAT AND SINCE WE BOTH DON'T KNOW ANYTHING ABOUT CARS WE THOUGHT IT WAS NORMAL FOR MY CAR TO ACCELERATE ON ITS OWN UNTIL I GOT INTO THIS ACCIDENT, THE POLICE TOLD ME THAT IT IS NOT NORMAL FOR MY CAR TO DO THAT SPECIALLY WHEN I'M ALREADY STEPPING ON THE BRAKES. :( *TR

NHTSA ODI 10448535

Feb 13, 2012BrakesEngine & coolingCrash1 injury

THE CIVIC I HAVE IS ONLY FOR 3 MONTH AND AROUND 3000 MILES. IT WAS A SUNNY DAY, THE ROAD IS DRY. I DRIVE LIKE AROUND 50 MILES/HR ON GRAND CENTRAL PARKWAY IN NY, SUDDENLY I SAW PEOPLE HIT THE BREAK IN FRONT OF ME, THEN I HIT THE BREAK AS SOON AS I CAN. I DIDNT HIT THE BREAK TO THE END (JUST AROUND HALF) BUT THE TIRE START TO SCREAM. I RELEASE THE BREAK A LITTLE BIT AND HIT IT AGAIN BUT THE TIRE STILL SCREAM AND I KEEP SLIDING. I SLIDE WITH MY TIRE LOCKED FOR MORE THE 5 CAR DISTANCE. THE TIRES KEEP SCREAMING AND I COULDNT STOP. THEN I HIT THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME. I HAVE A DRIVING RECORDER AND RECORD EVERYTHING. WHICH I UPLOAD TO YOUTUBE. HTTP://WWW.YOUTUBE.COM/WATCH?V=CTU66KPO8YM AFTER THE CAR FIXED BY THE BODY SHOP, THE CAR BECOME BETTER. THE BODY SHOP HAD CHANGE A NEW ABS SYSTEM AND BREAK AND RESET THE COMPUTER IN THE CAR. NOW THE BREAK IS MORE SHARP THEN BEFORE AND THE ABS WORK FINE. (I TEST IT ON A RAINING DAY IN MY DRIVEWAY) OTHER THING IS THAT THE CAR BECOME MORE FUEL EFFICIENT. I TRY SO HARD IN THE BEGINNING BUT ONLY GET 26 GALLON PER MILE. NOW IT IS SO EASY TO GO UP TO 29-30. (IT HAS BEEN USED FOR ANOTHER 800 MILE AND I DRIVE IT ON THE SAME ROAD I GO TO WORK) I DON'T KNOW WHAT IS WRONG WITH IT AND DON'T WANT TO LET IT HAPPENS ON OTHERS.

NHTSA ODI 10448672

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 →