Home · 2012 Honda Civic Type R · Complaints

What 454 owners told NHTSA about the 2012 Honda Civic Type R

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 (454)Crash / fire / injury (63)Airbags (149)Steering (74)Electrical system (59)Transmission & drivetrain (49)Brakes (38)Speed control (38)Body & structure (35)Engine (32)Fuel system (25)Seat belts (14)

Newest first · 454 complaints · page 13 of 19

Mar 4, 2015Electrical system

ON THE FIRST OCCASION, UPON TURNING THE KEY TO START THE ENGINE THERE WAS NO IGNITION. I TURNED THE KEY OFF AND TRIED IT AGAIN AND THE ENGINE STARTED SO I THOUGHT IT JUST MY IMAGINATION PLAYING TRICKS ON ME. ABOUT SIX MONTHS LATER, THIS OCCURRED AGAIN AND IT TOOK NUMEROUS TURNS OF THE KEY TO START THE CAR. HONDA INSPECTED THE CAR AND REPORTED NOTHING WRONG. ON THE NEXT OCCASION, I LEFT THE CAR WITH HONDA FOR A WEEK. THE RELATIVELY NEW LOANER CAR (HONDA CROSSTOUR) GAVE ME THE SAME PROBLEM ONE DAY WHILE MY CAR WAS BEING INSPECTED. I PRESENTED VIDEO TO THE SERVICE MANAGER WHEN I PICKED MY CAR UP AND RECEIVED THE SAME DUMBFOUNDED LOOK I HAD BEEN GETTING ALL ALONG FROM THE SERVICE REPS AT CARY, NC AUTOPARK HONDA. UPON PICKING MY CAR UP, I WAS TOLD THEY HAD FOUND A TECHLINE REFERENCE CONCERNING OCCASIONAL STARTER ISSUES WITH SOME OF THE NEWER HONDAS. THEY WOULD NOT PROVIDE A COPY UPON MY REQUEST, BUT THEY DID CHANGE OUT THE STARTER. WHEN I CONTACTED AMERICAN HONDA, MY REQUEST TO GET THIS CHANGE OF STARTER AND THE ISSUE IN WRITING FOR POTENTIAL PROBLEMS IN THE FUTURE, THE REQUEST WAS DENIED AND I WAS TOLD ALL MY FILES ARE SAVED BY HONDA AND THAT IF ANY NEEDS WERE TO ARISE IN THE FUTURE, THEY WOULD EVALUATE COVERAGE FOR THE REPAIR. ON A SEPARATE OCCASION (BATTERY WOULDN'T CHARGE PROPERLY), I WAS TOLD (AFTER THE UPDATE) THAT THE CHARGING FREQUENCY SOFTWARE HAD TO BE UPDATED AND THAT IT WOULD ONLY COST ME $60. I WAS QUITE IRRITATED WITH HONDA TRYING TO MAKE ME PAY FOR THE SUB-PAR SOFTWARE ENGINEERING AT THE MANUFACTURING LEVEL AND REFUSED TO PAY A DIME. IT IS A SHAME HONDA SEEMS TO BE CONTENT WITH SINKING TO THE DEPTHS OF OTHER CAR MANUFACTURERS, AND I WILL BE LOOKING AT OTHER MAKES NEXT TIME AS HONDA IS NO LONGER THE COMPANY I HAD BELIEVED IT WAS. IT IS A REAL SHAME WHEN LOYAL CUSTOMERS ARE TREATED LIKE THEY ARE NOT NEEDED FOR THE CONTINUED SUCCESS OF HONDA. OH WELL! *TR

NHTSA ODI 10692199

Feb 19, 2015Fuel system

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 HONDA CIVIC. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS AN EXTREMELY STRONG ODOR OF FUEL PRESENT AND THERE WAS FUEL LEAKING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED SOME TYPE OF ANIMAL HAD CHEWED A HOLE IN THE FUEL LINES AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 30,000.

NHTSA ODI 10689454

Feb 18, 2015SteeringAirbags

I HAVE A 2012 HONDA CIVIC AND I TAKE VERY GOOD CARE OF IT. I JUST NOTICED THAT MY STEERING WHEEL HAS A CRACK IN THE MIDDLE OF IT WHERE THE AIRBAG COMES OUT OF. MY VEHICLE HAS NEVER BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT SO FOR THIS TO START CRACKING OUT OF NO WHERE IS VERY UNSAFE. I'VE GONE TO HONDA TO GET IT FIXED AND THEY DON'T WANT TO HELP ME BECAUSE IT'S "NOT A BIG DEAL". MY SAFETY AND MY PASSENGERS SAFETY IS A BIG DEAL TO ME SO I NEED HELP GETTING THIS ISSUE FIXED BY HONDA. *TR

NHTSA ODI 10684017

Feb 16, 2015Electrical systemLightsFire

WHILE CAR WAS PARKED AND IDLING, I NOTICED FLAMES COMING FROM BACKSEAT CEILING LIGHT. PLASTIC AND FLAMES DRIPPED ONTO THE UPHOLSTERY CATCHING IT ON FIRE AS WELL AS THE CEILING AREA. I WAS ABLE TO EXTINGUISH THE FLAMES WITH A SNOW BRUSH. I IMMEDIATELY CALLED THE HONDA DEALERSHIP IN TOWN AND AM WAITING FOR A TOW TRUCK TO TAKE IT TO THE DEALERSHIP SO THEY CAN DIAGNOSE THE ISSUE. *TR

NHTSA ODI 10683683

Feb 13, 2015Airbags

I AM VERY CONCERNED ABOUT THE TAKATA AIR BAG SITUATION. I QUESTION THE SAFETY OF MY CAR. FORTUNATELY I HAVEN'T HAD AN INCIDENT OR ACCIDENT HOWEVER I AM CONCERNED THAT TAKATA AND HONDA HAVE NOT BEEN FORTHRIGHT & TRANSPARENT IN RE: IDENTIFYING MODELS THAT ARE AT RISK OF FAULTY AIR BAGS. I HAVE CONTACTED HONDA SAN FRANCISCO WHERE I PURCHASED MY CAR AS WELL AS HONDA AMERICA. BECAUSE MY VIN INDICATES NO RECALL, NEITHER HONDA SAN FRANCISCO OR HONDA AMERICA WILL ADDRESS MY CONCERN. I'VE ASKED HONDA SAN FRANCISCO TO CHECK MY CAR FOR CONFIRMATION THAT MY AIR BAGS ARE TAKATA AND IF SO, FOR A SAFETY CHECK AND/OR TO DISCONNECT MY AIR BAG. THEY REFUSED TO DO THE SAFETY CHECK OR DISCONNECT BECAUSE THEY SAID THAT MY CAR WAS NOT PART OF THE CURRENT RECALL. I ASK, WHAT DOES IT TAKE TO GET THIS ADDRESSED? AN ACCIDENT OR DEATH? I WOULD LIKE FURTHER ACTION TO ENSURE THE SAFETY OF ALL CARS WITH TAKATA AIR BAGS. I WELCOME RECOMMENDATIONS FOR FURTHER ACTION. *TR

NHTSA ODI 10683126

Feb 11, 2015Airbags

I PURCHASED A NEW 2012 HONDA CIVIC LX ON MAY 2012. UNTIL NOV 2014, I HAD DRIVEN THE CAR WITHOUT A PASSENGER. MID NOVEMBER, I TRIED TO TAKE THE CAR ON AN OUT OF TOWN TRIP TO ADD MILEAGE; I WAS THE PASSENGER......UPDATED 12/29/15 *BF A FEW MILES INTO THE TRIP, THE "PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG OFF" INDICATOR LIKE STARTED GOING ON AND OFF. THIS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES. THE LIGHT KEPT GOING ON AND OFF; WE ABORTED THE TRIP IN THIS CAR; AIRBAGS ARE AN INTEGRAL PART OF THE SAFETY SYSTEM. CAR WAS SERVICED AT THE HONDA DEALER ON NOV 18; THEY FOUND NOTHING WRONG; I TOOK THE CAR HOME. I AGAIN TRIED TO RIDE THE PASSENGER SEAT - THE LIGHT WENT OFF MULTIPLE TIMES (10 OR MORE); ONCE AGAIN THE CAR WAS SERVICED BY HONDA ON JAN 7, 2015. AGAIN, I WAS TOLD THE CAR WAS "SAFE" AND THAT I MUST BE TOO LIGHT/PETITE FOR THE AIRBAG, SO THE PASSENGER AIRBAG OFF LIGHT WAS GOING ON AND OFF. MILEAGE WAS NOW 4,307 MILES AND CAR LESS THAN 3 YEARS OLD. PER THE INVOICE "THE SYSTEM OPERATES AS DESIGNED AT THIS TIME. SYSTEM DISABLES SIDE AIR BAG FOR CUSTOMER SAFETY". I EXPRESSED MY CONCERN TO THE HONDA SERVICE REP. THE CIVIC MANUAL SAYS THE SYSTEM OPERATES WITH PERSON "65 POUNDS" AND UP (I WEIGH 115 LBS). I AM NOW EXPECTED TO DRIVE A CAR THAT I CANNOT USE AS A PASSENGER - AND GET THIS - IT IS FOR "MY PROTECTION" THAT THE AIRBAG IS TURNED OFF. I REPORTED THE SITUATION TO HONDA CORP ON FEB 4 AND OPENED A CASE. AS I WRITE, I AM SCHEDULED TO TAKE THE CAR WITH A TECHNICIAN'S 2/12 TO SEE IF TECH CAN DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM. ISSUE IS THAT THE INCIDENTS ARE RANDOM AND A TEST DRIVE MAY NOT DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM. I HAVE SEARCHED "CAR COMPLAINTS AND HONDA SITES" AND FOUND MANY OTHER SIMILAR INCIDENTS. I PURCHASED THIS CAR FOR SAFETY AND IN GOOD FAITH ; HONDA WAS PAID A FAIR PRICE. HONDA NEEDS TO DELIVER A CAR THAT WORKS AS ADVERTISED!!!

NHTSA ODI 10682718

Feb 9, 2015Electrical system

THE TPMS SYSTEM FAILS DESPITE THE FACT THE ALL THE TIRES ARE PROPERLY INFLATED. THIS ILLUMINATES 2 WARNING LIGHTS PLUS ACTIVATE THE INFORMATION CENTER DISPLAY. TWO OF THE SENSORS HAVE BEEN REPLACED BY THE DEALER UNDER WARRANTY BUT THE PROBLEM KEEP OCCURRING. *TR

NHTSA ODI 10682096

Feb 6, 2015Electronic Stability Control (esc)Brakes

WHILE DRIVING ON HILLY CITY STREETS DURING A SNOW STORM, THE VEHICLE STABILITY CONTROL AND ABS SYSTEMS ENGAGED, FOLLOWED SHORTLY BY WARNING LIGHTS AND MESSAGES THAT THESE SYSTEMS NEEDED ATTENTION. DESPITE PARKING THE CAR AND TURNING OFF THE ENGINE, A SMALL MOTOR WITHIN THE "ABS MODULATOR CONTROL UNIT" CONTINUED TO OPERATE AND WOULD NOT STOP UNTIL I DISCONNECTED THE BATTERY. THE MODULATOR/CONTROL UNIT HAD TO BE REPLACED WITH A USED UNIT COSTING $280, NOT COUNTING DIAGNOSTIC AND LABOR CHARGES. (TOTAL REPAIR COST: $602.) A NEW UNIT WOULD HAVE COST OVER $1000. THE USED PART CAME WITH A "LIFETIME WARRANTEE." IT SEEMS THAT THE ORIGINAL DEVICE SHOULD HAVE BEEN WARRANTEED BEYOND THE STANDARD 3YR/30,000 MILE LIMIT AS IT IS AN IMPORTANT SAFETY FEATURE. DESPITE SIMILAR COMPLAINTS POSTED ON VARIOUS WEBSITES, THIS PROBLEM HAS NOT BEEN ADDRESSED WITH A RECALL. *JS

NHTSA ODI 10681766

Feb 1, 2015Electrical systemAirbags

I HAVE HAD SEVERAL ISSUES WITH MY AIRBAG STATING THERE IS AN AIRBAG ERROR IN MY CAR. I TOOK IT TO HONDA AND THEY CONFIRMED THAT IN THEIR COMPUTER IT SHOWS THAT THERE IS SOMETHING WRONG WITH THE DRIVER SIDE AIRBAG BUT THEY DON'T KNOW WHAT. THEY TOLD ME IN ORDER TO CHECK IT THEY WOULD HAVE TO TAKE THE CAR APART AND I WILL HAVE TO PAY $300 UP FRONT JUST TO CHECK IT. THEY ALSO STATED THAT IT ISN'T COVERED IN THE WARRANTY EVEN THOUGH MY CAR HAS NEVER BEEN IN A CAR ACCIDENT AND IT IS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE. I HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO GET IT FIXED BECAUSE I CANNOT AFFORD FOR THEM TO EVEN JUST LOOK AT MY CAR. WHAT IS THE POINT OF HAVING A 6 YR WARRANTY COVERAGE IF HONDA DOESN'T WANT TO COVER ANYTHING! OVER THE SUMMER I HAD A DRAINAGE LEAK THAT WAS COMING FROM THE ELECTRICAL FUSE IN MY CAR, GUESS WHAT HONDA DID NOT CARE!... THESE DAYS I THINK A BICYCLE WOULD BE THE SAFEST THING... LOL... SUFFICE IT TO SAY LIFE IS EXPENSIVE AND I DON'T THINK WE WILL BE GETTING A BREAK. THANKS HONDA FOR ONLY CARING ABOUT YOUR SALES & MONEY AND NOT CARING ABOUT YOUR CUSTOMERS SAFETY! LIVES! FAMILIES! WIVES! HUSBANDS! & CHILDREN! *TR

NHTSA ODI 10680317

Jan 12, 2015Electrical systemAirbags

EVER SINCE I BOUGHT THE HONDA CIVIC 2012, I'VE HAD PROBLEMS. THE FIRST PROBLEM IS THE AIR BAGS TURNING ON AND OFF. APPARENTLY, THE AIR BAGS TURN OFF IF A CHILD/SOMEONE IS UNDER 100 POUNDS. HOWEVER, ALL MY PREVIOUS EX'S WERE AROUND 110 POUNDS, SO THE AIRBAGS TURN OFF OR ON. I WOULD HATE TO HAVE ONE OF MY GIRLFRIENDS DIE BECAUSE OF A CRASH WHERE THE AIRBAG DID NOT GO OFF. SECOND PROBLEM: THE CAR WILL NOT START MULTIPLE OF TIMES! I HAD MY BATTERY CHECKED MULTIPLE TIMES AND IT IS NOT THE ALTERNATOR, EITHER! APPARENTLY THE STEERING WHEEL PROBLEM OR THE SECURITY SYSTEM DRAINS THE BATTERY. I HAD TO BUY A RECHARGEABLE BATTERY AND JUMPER CABLES WHICH I CARRY IN MY TRUNK BECAUSE I AM TIRED OF CALLING MY INSURANCE COMPANY OR SECURITY AT THAT LOCATION TO JUMP START MY CAR. *TR

NHTSA ODI 10671748

Jan 11, 2015SteeringAirbagsBrakes

ON SATURDAY JANUARY 10 2015 I WAS DRIVING I WAS COMING TO A INTERSECTION WHEN THE STOP LIGHT CHANGE I PRESS ON MY BRAKES AND MY CAR DID NOT STOP EVEN AFTER I WAS PUMPING IT. IT DID NOTHING MY STEERING BECAME LOCKED THE ONLY RECOURSE I HAD WAS TO PULL THE EMERGENCY BRAKES TO PREVENT MY CAR FROM HITTING ANYONE. I ENDING UP IN THE MIDDLE OF THE INTERSECTION. EVEN AFTER I WAS ABLE TO STOP AND MOVE MY CAR AWAY THE BRAKES AND STEERING DID NOT WORK. THIS IS NOW PREVENTING ME FROM DRIVING SINCE I DON'T KNOW IF AND WHEN IT MIGHT HAPPEN AGAIN. ALSO I HAVE NOTICE ANY ONE THAT IS SITTING IN THE PASSENGER SEAT AND IS SEAT BELTED THE SENSOR IS NOT ABLE TO RECOGNIZED THAT IT GIVING ALERT THAT THE PERSON NEED TO PUT ON THE SEAT BELT THIS IS A SAFETY CONCERN THAT HONDA REFUSE TO ACKNOWLEDGE. ....UPDATED 01/23/15 *BF *TR

NHTSA ODI 10671660

Dec 30, 2014Electrical systemBody & structureEngineCrashFire

I WAS DRIVING A 2012 HONDA CIVIC WHEN THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME SLAMMED ON THEIR BRAKES AND CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP DUE TO SOMETHING IN THE ROAD. I SLAMMED ON MY BRAKES AND TRIED TO AVOID THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME BY SWERVING TO THE RIGHT. THE DRIVER SIDE OF THE FRONT OF MY CAR HIT THE BACK OF THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME. MY CAR WAS COMPLETELY SMASHED IN THE FRONT. AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. AFTER I CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP, MY CAR LIT ON FIRE. THE CAR WAS BURNED AND COMPLETELY DESTROYED. *JS

NHTSA ODI 10669091

Dec 29, 2014Transmission & drivetrainEngineFuel system

THIS HAS HAPPENED MORE THAN ONCE. WHEN DESCENDING A HILL AFTER LETTING UP ON GAS PEDAL THE VEHICLE WILL REV UP FOR A FEW OF SECONDS AND HITTING THE BRAKES DID NOT DISENGAGE THROTTLE, ALSO WHEN PASSING ANOTHER VEHICLE AFTER PULLING IN AND LET UP ON PEDAL THE CAR STILL REVVED UP FOR A COUPLE OF SECONDS. HAVE NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER YET AS I AM TRYING TO FIND EXACTLY HOW AND WHEN THIS PROBLEM OCCURS SO I CAN GET THE DEALER TO REPRODUCE THIS PROBLEM (SPEED, ROAD CONDITIONS, AND ANY OTHER CONDITIONS THAT MIGHT CAUSE THIS PROBLEM). AS WE ALL KNOW THEY CAN NEVER GET THE PROBLEMS TO REPRODUCE. *TR

NHTSA ODI 10668870

Dec 27, 2014Steering

A FEW HOURS AGO (2012 CIVIC SI) THE CHECK POWER STEERING SYSTEM INDICATOR CAME ON AS I WAS LEAVING THE PARKING LOT. IT WAS HECK TRYING TO STEER BACK INTO PARKING. CALLED THE DEALER; BUT SINCE IT WAS CLOSING TIME, HE ADVISED ME TO CALL BACK IN THE A.M. THE ENGINE SEEMS TO BE REVVING ITSELF WHEN I'M IN NEUTRAL. IT'S BEEN DOING THIS FOR SEVERAL MONTHS. THIS WAS THE FIRST TIME THAT THE POWER STEERING STOPPED. *TR

NHTSA ODI 10668426

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

Dec 13, 2014AirbagsBody & structureCrash1 injury

UPON IMPACT THE AIRBAG DEPLOYED AND I HAD 3 RIB FRACTURES AND A FRACTURED STERNUM. I AM CURRENTLY HAVING BURSAR KNEE PAIN. I WAS TAKEN BY AMBULANCE TO AN EMERGENCY ROOM AND WAS LATER SENT TO A TRAUMA CENTER ER. I HAD ONE OVERNIGHT HOSPITALIZATION. *TR

NHTSA ODI 10664104

Nov 21, 2014Electrical system

ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS UPON TURNING THE KEY TO START THE ENGINE THERE IS NO IGNITION. I TURN THE KEY OFF AND TRY IT AGAIN AND THE SECOND TIME THE ENGINE STARTS. *TR

NHTSA ODI 10660054

Nov 14, 2014AirbagsSeat belts

DRIVING THROUGH PARKING LOT AT ABOUT 3 MILES AN HOUR PEDESTRIAN STEPPED IN FRONT OF THE VEHICLE I DO APPLY THE BRAKES UPON DOING SO THE DRIVER SIDE AIRBAG IN THE STEERING COLUMN DEPLOYED. THERE WAS NO CONTACT WITH ANY OTHER VEHICLE NO DAMAGE WHATSOEVER TO THE CAR OTHER THAN THE AIRBAG SEATBELT DEPLOYING. TOOK THE CAR TO THE LOCAL HONDA DEALERSHIP A REPRESENTATIVE FROM HONDA AMERICA LOOKED UP THE CAR AND SAID SINCE THERE WAS A SCRATCH ON THE BUMPER PROBABLY FROM A SHOPPING CART, THAT THERE WAS SUFFICIENT EVIDENCE TO SAY THAT THE AIRBAG SHOULD'VE WENT OFF. HONDA REFUSES TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE REPAIRS FOR THIS VEHICLE THAT IS NOW UNSAFE BUT ON THE ROAD. *TR

NHTSA ODI 10654908

Nov 12, 2014AirbagsCrash1 injury

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 HONDA CIVIC. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE AT A STOP, ANOTHER VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE DRIVER SIDE OF THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED A LACERATION TO THE RIGHT LEG AND MULTIPLE FRACTURES TO THE PELVIS WHICH REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE CONTACT BELIEVED THAT ALL THE INJURIES SUSTAINED WERE CAUSED BY THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYING. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 25,210.

NHTSA ODI 10654329

Nov 8, 2014AirbagsSeats

EVERY NOW AND THEN AT RANDOM TIMES, SPEEDS,ETC. THE WARNING LIGHT THAT SAYS "PASSENGER AIRBAG OFF" COMES ON. THIS HAPPENS WHEN SOMEONE WEIGHING AS MUCH AS 145 LBS. IS SITTING IN THAT SEAT. *TR....UPDATED 12/15/15 *BF UPDATED 09/01/2017*CN

NHTSA ODI 10653564

Oct 28, 2014Airbags

I JUST NOTICED THAT EVERYTIME I HAVE A LIGHTWEIGHT PASSENGER LET US SAY 120 LBS AND BELOW, SITTING ON THE PASSENGER'S SEAT ON MY RIGHT A WARNING WOULD APPEAR ON THE CONSOLE THAT SAYS "AIR BAG PASSENGER" WHAT IS THAT MEAN? IT MAKES ME WORRIED. DOES THAT WARNING SUPPOSE TO APPEAR THERE? PLEASE ADVISE. THANK YOU. *TR

NHTSA ODI 10650763

Oct 22, 2014Body & structure

SENSE THE DATE OF PURCHASE THE NOISE LEVEL FROM THE ROAD SURFACE INSIDE THE CAR HAS BEEN VARY LOUD. I DOWN LOADED A DB APP IN OUR IPHONE AND HAVE MEASURED SOUND LEVELS ABOVE 90DB. ON OUR RECENT VACATION ON HIGHWAY 197 BETWEEN THE DALLES AND BEND OR WHICH HAD BEEN JUST TAR&GRAVELED THE NOISE LEVEL WAS IN THE 90DB+ RANGE FOR CLOSE TO 4 HOURS. THIS NOISE LEVEL IS HAZARDOUS FOR ADULTS BUT EXTREMELY DANGEROUS FOR INFANTS AND YOUNG CHILDREN. I COMPLAINED TO THE DEALER AND THEY BLAMED THE TIRES (WHICH ARE THE ORIGINALS), BUT THEY DID NOT REPLACE THEM. IT'S ILLEGAL FOR THE DRIVER TO WEAR HEAD PHONES OR EAR PLUGS IN CA. THE CAR SHOULD NOT REALLY ON SPECIAL TIRES TO MAINTAIN AN EXCEPT-ABLE NOISE LEVEL IN THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT. *TR

NHTSA ODI 10649260

Oct 21, 2014Electrical system

WHEN I GO OUT TO START MY VEHICLE IT WILL NOT TURN OVER. I HAVE HAD THE BATTERY TESTED, ALTERNATOR, HARNESS BUT HAVE BEEN ASSURED THAT THESE TEST OUT POSITIVE. I WENT ONLINE AND READ THAT A LOT OF PEOPLE WITH 2012 HONDA CIVICS ARE HAVING THE SAME EXPERIENCE AND GO THROUGH THE SAME PROCESS AS I WITH NO RELIEF. SOME DESCRIBE SITUATIONS THAT ARE MORE FRIGHTENING THAN MINE SUCH AS DRIVING ALONG AND ALL THE PANEL LIGHTS COME ON AND THEN DIE AND THE CAR QUITS.

NHTSA ODI 10649020

Oct 16, 2014Engine

ENGINE IS CONSUMING OIL, I CHECK MY OIL EVERY TWO WEEKS AND HAVE TO ADD OIL. GENERALLY 1/2 TO 3/4 A QUART A MONTH. THERE IS NO OIL IS ON THE DRIVE WAY OR ON THE UNDER CARRIAGE. *TR

NHTSA ODI 10645004

Oct 4, 2014Brakes

DRIVERSIDE REAR BRAKE PADS AND ROTOR EXCESSIVE WEAR MORE THAN FRONT DISC BRAKES. USUALLY THE FRONT DISC BRAKE PADS HAVE TO BE REPLACED BEFORE THE REAR. *TR

NHTSA ODI 10641471

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Working with the data? Download all 454 complaints as CSV · fetched from NHTSA July 22, 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 Type R verdict →