Home · 2012 Honda Civic · Complaints

What 454 owners told NHTSA about the 2012 Honda Civic

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 3 of 19

Apr 8, 2023Airbags

Air bag light came on sometime back. Took it to dealer from where we purchased the car and we were told a specific part had failed which came up during Airbag Diagnostics - 77900-TR0-A11 (Reel). Had it replaced per Dealer suggestion. Dealer 'OPEN ROAD HONDA, Edison, NJ'. However the light came back up again. Now the Dealer is saying the Airbag Control Unit is malfunctioning and now I have to replace this part. Please check if there are recalls associated with this model Honda Airbags.

NHTSA ODI 11516110

Mar 9, 2023Steering

EPS warning light came on while I was pulling into a local gas station. When I came out and started vehicle, wheel would not turn. Realized with EPS assist off it reverts to manual steering and, with great difficulty, made it to garage. Rack and pinion replaced ($1514.77). Now EPS warning light still continues to come on randomly with sudden loss of steering, once at 70 mph on interstate and another at 35 mph on secondary road. This is EXTREMELY dangerous. If you turn car off and wait 10-15 minutes the system resets and steering works perfectly (until it doesn’t).I refuse to drive it now and, since it is an older car with high mileage, it would be cost prohibitive. Even if I could find a buyer, I can’t in good conscience sell it to someone and worry about their safety. Other potential repairs could be EPS motor, steering sensors, bad wiring, computer issues, etc.

NHTSA ODI 11510934

Feb 12, 2023Transmission & drivetrain

Emissions systems

NHTSA ODI 11506832

Oct 29, 2022AirbagsCrash

I braked unexpectedly and only my license plate was curved, but the driver passenger bag component popped open. The airbag didn't deploy properly. So if I was in an actual accident, I would have died.

NHTSA ODI 11491462

Sep 21, 2022AirbagsSeat beltsCrash

1 airbags didn't deploy on highway accident on 1/11/2021. Honda usa rejected inspection upon request. 2 14 wheeler hit driverside on civic on hwy we almost died. 3 I reported accident of bags not deploying to Hobda USA. They denied case open for free inspection. 4 Airbags have not been inspected by no one. 5 unknown on the warning lamps . Dont know system.

NHTSA ODI 11485582

Jul 13, 2022Engine

So on 11/6/19 Silko Honda Raynham, MA worked on my car for recall {campaign recall 19-106 6bd00- 2012 civic cold emissions gas reduction) So ever since this update on my computer I had non stop tightening gas cap which has been replaced with dealer cap did not work, and when the gas cap light goes out then get check emissions light does this non stop between both lights throughout the day everyday, I've had every single thing fixed that says with the code I get from check engine light nothing works but it passes inspection all I can think of is computer update only thing makes since .Also had 3 smoke test to comes back no leaks. the code I get is this P0497,p145c it has 7 things to do to resolve code which are 1)reconnection of hoses 2)wiring replacement 3)vacuum 4)charcoal canister replacement 5)canister purge valve replacement 6)gas cap replacement 7)clearing of codes and retesting with scan tool to ensure the problem is fixed. IVE DONE ALL AND STILL HAPPENING!! VIN # [XXX] 2012 Honda civic LX Mileage is at -99,535 [XXX] Cell # [XXX] “INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

NHTSA ODI 11473758

Jul 9, 2022Fuel system

I did not receive a recall for fuel system. My car was manufactured on May 2011 and I have been having problems with gas cap light on.

NHTSA ODI 11473063

Jun 29, 2022Airbags1 injury

The contact's girlfriend owns a 2012 Honda Civic. The contact stated that upon his girlfriend placing the vehicle into drive(D) while in her garage; the air bags deployed without warning. Black smoke emitted from the vehicle as his girlfriend exited the vehicle; the air bag hit his girlfriend in the face which resulted in a headache, she did not seek medical attention. She called the dealer and they informed her to bring in the vehicle for an inspection. The contact's girlfriend took the vehicle to the dealer on two occasions where they discovered that the air bag light had illuminated on the instrument panel but quickly disappeared prior to failure. His girlfriend was given an estimate for repair. The contact called Performance Kings Honda(9131 Fields Ertel Rd, Cincinnati, OH 45249) where he was given an appointment to have a second diagnostic performed on the vehicle. The contact attempted to reach the manufacturer but was unsuccessful. The vehicle had yet to be repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 86,000.

NHTSA ODI 11471611

Jun 17, 2022Engine & coolingElectrical system

The contact owns a 2012 Honda Civic. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, there was extremely hot air was throughout the vehicle. There was an abnormal burning odor detected. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer where it was diagnosed that the air condition compressor needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 64,000.

NHTSA ODI 11469777

Mar 17, 2022Fuel system

We have had the high pressure fuel line replaced twice which is very expensive (labor). I can google and see recalls on this model, however, when I search it says no recalls.

NHTSA ODI 11457088

Mar 9, 2022Body & structure

Paint on the Vehicle is chipping off and getting oxidized. It started happening an year ago and its never ending. We are able to see the patches almost everywhere on the body of the car.

NHTSA ODI 11455833

Mar 5, 2022Steering

Intermittent power steering loss. Vehicle would lose power steering sometimes while driving and other times at startup. Very random. For months nothing would happen until all of a sudden eps warning light would come on and power steering wouldn’t engage right away. Now it is permanently on and the power steering does not work at all. This issue started around 65k and complete power steering loss happened at 80k. Definitely scary to think you might lose power steering all of a sudden.

NHTSA ODI 11455344

Jan 28, 2022Lights

dealership found this Honda one brake light blub only with 26764 miles in early 2021. I complained to Honda, they claimed and a case 12786775 and let me called them, then told me "out of warranty". Honda then closed the case. This is a quality of light blub issue, not warranty. In fact 1. Dealership said it is not often saw, only saw a few, you are unluck. One out of 10000 blub can like that. 2. I had a few Honda before, all light blubs will be good even they were more than 80000 miles and more than 12 or 15 years old. This is a clearly quality issue. Honda need replace it freely. Thanks.

NHTSA ODI 11449323

Oct 27, 2021Steering

The contact owns a 2012 Honda Civic. The contact stated that while driving approximately 5 MPH, the emergency steering warning light illuminated, and the steering wheel seized. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, then to the dealer. Initially, the dealer could not replicate the failure but later diagnosed the vehicle with steering column failure. The vehicle was not repaired and remained at the dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 72,500.

NHTSA ODI 11438416

Oct 23, 2021Body & structure

About 2 years ago, I purchased my first Honda, on September 2019. It looked perfect. However, for the past 10 months its paint has been fading, specially on the car top. Now my car is looking absolutely aweful. If Honda does not fix this problem, I will switch back to Toyota because I never had this problem before.

NHTSA ODI 11437918

Oct 13, 2021Airbags

The contact owns a 2012 Honda Civic. The contact stated that the air bag warning light was illuminated. The contact took the vehicle to multiple local dealers and made them aware of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 10,000.

NHTSA ODI 11436568

Oct 12, 2021Airbags

My light for airbag inspection came on shortly after purchase. When we asked about it during a routine service we were told that shouldn't be happening. We were told the airbags are still working and they do not know why that is happening but, they were not interested in taking care of the issue even tho the car was under warranty at the time and several recalls were being issued for other cars with the Takata Airbags in them. Because of this poor service we decided to stop using your service. Now, several years later I have become aware of all the problems others are having with your airbags and requested a call back from a supervisor because no one answering your phones has offered any responsible response to this problem. No one is able to get a hold of a supervisor. I was finally given a case # thru an email from an unknown person with no contact information. I am very upset that I was not notified about this safety concern sooner and do not accept the system that you are using to get out of fixing a problem you pretended to know nothing about. Every time I try to find out which airbags are in my car I am referred to Takata Lawsuit over dysfunctional exploding bags are going off in older vehicles. I simply do not trust your process after many attempts to contact a responsible party and told they will get to it but, no one gets back and they have show no concern at all on their part. I do not wish to wait any longer for a correct response. it is long past due.

NHTSA ODI 11436441

Sep 16, 2021Steering

On or about August 2021, I drove my 2012 Civic to a store, and park. Leaving the location minutes later, I started the car and noticed I could not turn the wheel to back out. A dash light came on indicating a power steering system issue. I turned car off and tried again with the same results. Not able to drive, I left the car parked and returned the next morning to possibly have it towed. I started the car to check it, and the issue was gone. A mechanic checked the fuse and told me he "reset it." The problem has not returned to date.

NHTSA ODI 11433245

Aug 23, 2021Steering

The EPS Electric Power Steering failed on the vehicle with no warning. At 35-40 MPH the EPS warning light came on and the car could not be turned in any direction. The car was wrestled off to the side of the road. It was turned off for several minutes and turned back on. Problem persisted. Turned off ignition for 10 minutes and the warning light went out and steering came back. Thank God there was no accident. This is beyond dangerous. Honda needs to step up to the plate and recall these vehicles with defective steering. Somebody is going to die. Now my daughter is afraid to drive the vehicle. We need to get it to the shop.

NHTSA ODI 11430184

Aug 20, 2021Brakes

The parking brake control knob has broken off and parking brake can not be released without inserting a long object into release button. If I engage the parking brake it is stuck in that position and car will not move. If I don't engage the parking brake then there is no parking brake. If parking on an incline, it is a struggle to move out of park. An independent service center has tried to order a replacement part. Honda says there is not replacement part. There are no warning lights.

NHTSA ODI 11429864

Aug 12, 2021Body & structure

On the roof of my car the clearcoat/paint is fading off really bad. It’s in different spots all over.

NHTSA ODI 11428793

Aug 5, 2021Electrical system

The vehicle stop working because the mpi is bad, there is a service bulletin that cover the warranty

NHTSA ODI 11427897

Jun 29, 2021Steering

When leaving my parking space, my steering wheel locked and I was unable to turn the vehicle. If I had needed to maneuver my vehicle, I would not have been able to do so. The dashboard indicated that the power steering needed to be inspected.

NHTSA ODI 11422868

Jun 27, 2021Airbags

Check Airbag System light will turn on as soon as I start driving. SRS Code 11-10 open in the driver's airbag first inflator.

NHTSA ODI 11422519

Apr 14, 2021AirbagsCrash

COLLISION LEFT FRONT OF CAR, PASSENGER AIR BAG DEPLOYED, DRIVERS DID NOT. CAR WAS DRIVING ON A PARKING LOT STEERING TO THE LEFT AND I STRUCK CONCRETE PILLER PROTECTING LAMP POST

NHTSA ODI 11408165

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Working with the data? Download all 454 complaints as CSV · fetched from NHTSA July 10, 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 verdict →