Home · 2013 Honda Civic · Complaints

What 314 owners told NHTSA about the 2013 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 (314)Crash / fire / injury (36)Airbags (110)Electrical system (39)Brakes (37)Steering (37)Body & structure (23)Engine (22)Transmission & drivetrain (22)Speed control (20)Fuel system (17)Seats (16)

Newest first · 314 complaints · page 1 of 13

Jun 23, 2026Electrical systemBrakes

The ABS misfired and locked my brakes without warning during normal driving. This was without pumping the brakes or any engagement of the brake system.

NHTSA ODI 11745914

Jun 22, 2026Airbags

The contact owns a 2013 Honda Civic. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle, the driver’s side air bag warning light remained illuminated. The contact stated that the failure was intermittent. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer to be diagnosed, and it was determined that the air bag inflater needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 92,000.

NHTSA ODI 11745722

Apr 22, 2026Transmission & drivetrainElectrical systemEngine

car inverter failure, 2013 civic hybrid inverter recall for said year but refuse to include in recall lemon

NHTSA ODI 11732997

Mar 19, 2026Airbags

I bought a 2013 Honda Civic used off the first and only owner, got it at about 98,000 miles. A month later the check airbag system light came on. Brought it to the mechanic down the road from me and it threw a B0001-13 code - driver side airbags faulty. I ran my VIN and it looks like there are no recalls, although there is an investigation into airbag deflators for cars from this year. Really frustrated as I paid a lot of money of this car and was hoping to move to Arizona with it. Now I'm scared to take it down the block.

NHTSA ODI 11725498

Feb 16, 2026SuspensionLightsAirbagsCrash5 injuries

A drunk driver hit my car along with six others, and my car spun into the highway wall and totaled the car with an impact probably 40 or 50 mph and airbags did not go off

NHTSA ODI 11718337

Jan 28, 2026Electrical systemBrakes

I am writing to express my frustration and disappointment regarding the ongoing VSA/ABS module failure in my 2013 Honda Civic Si. This issue, common among Honda vehicles from 2013–2017, has caused significant stress, both financially and emotionally. The ABS module in my vehicle has malfunctioned, affecting the vehicle’s anti-lock braking and stability assist systems. This is a serious safety concern, as the failure could impair the car’s ability to brake effectively, especially in adverse driving conditions. The failure of this critical component puts my safety, and the safety of others, at risk.I took my car to two separate service centers, a certified Honda dealer and a Honda tuner shop, both of which confirmed the ABS module failure. They quoted over $2,200 for installation and reprogramming of a new module, which itself costs approximately $1,800. The car has had recurring ABS and VSA warning lights for several weeks prior to the issue becoming critical, and I was not informed by Honda about any recalls or known issues with the module. But this is common. As a loyal Honda customer, I am extremely disappointed that I have to shoulder the cost of what seems to be a widespread design flaw. I am requesting that Honda take responsibility for this issue and assist in covering the repair costs, as this is not an isolated problem but a defect in vehicles from this generation.

NHTSA ODI 11713974

Dec 22, 2025Airbags

The contact owns a 2013 Honda Civic. The contact stated that the air bag warning light illuminated and remained illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed, and determined that the driver’s side inflator needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired due to the cost. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 47,412.

NHTSA ODI 11706507

Dec 19, 2025Electrical system

Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2013 Honda Civic. The contact discovered a mileage discrepancy after the purchase. The vehicle was a dealer sale. At the time of purchase, the vehicle mileage was 113,000. The contact paid for the vehicle in full, and when the Title arrived, it was later discovered that the mileage on the Title was 224,000. The contact reached out to the dealer. However, the dealer had not responded.

NHTSA ODI 11706099

Dec 6, 2025Airbags

The light for the air bag came on. I have not been in an accident. But this is the car of my 16 year old daughter. I did some research it looks like once the light come on the air bags may not deploy if in an accident. It is a sensor problem. Thank goodness she has not been in an accident but this is definitely a concern.

NHTSA ODI 11703402

Nov 25, 2025Electrical systemBrakesEngine

I was driving 35 MPH toward a busy intersection when I lost my brakes and power. A service message “IMA CHECK SYSTEMS” light lit up on the dash. I lost brakes and power while entering an intersection putting myself and other drivers in danger of an accident narrowly missing a container truck. The car shut off with my front end in the intersection. I was able to restart the car and drive it to the nearest garage. They connected the code machine to the vehicle showing “P1437.” I then had my car towed to the nearest Honda dealership. They told me my VIN was not listed under service bulletin 20-030 even though my car fit all of the parameters and showed the same code(s). After giving me a quote of $1900+ to fix the issue, they are claiming to have fixed the problem but I am questioning if the real issues were fixed and if I am responsible for any costs.

NHTSA ODI 11701597

Nov 8, 2025Wheels

The lugnuts on the driver’s side front wheel must have become loose somehow. I was driving along and noticed a strange thumping sound. Before I could pull over the wheel became detached and was rolling away. I pulled off safely and called a tow truck. The tires were last rotated by Annapolis Honda 6 months prior to the date of the accident (11.4.25). The damage estimate – the front brakes and rotors need to be replaced. Also body damage to the front left quarter-panel and front bumper. Likely at least $4,000 in total costs. There were no warning lights, the vehicle was repaired at AAA car care center in Annapolis, MD and Caliber Collision in Edgewater, MD.

NHTSA ODI 11698321

Sep 22, 2025Electrical systemEngineFuel system

The hybrid motor DC to DC convert failed. When this fails it stops providing 12 V power to the rest of the vehicle resulting in multiple systems stopping or working very slowly. This vehicle does not have a traditional alternator. There was a TSB and an extended warranty offered to some models, but not all included in the VIN range for this vehicle. The vehicle was scanned and pulls the same codes as the TSB notes as the issue.

NHTSA ODI 11688991

Sep 21, 2025Service Brakes, Air

Several warning lights on the dashboard illuminated: powersteering warning, ABS system warning, VSA warning. We had to pay almost $300 for dealer diagnostics which advised our ABS VSA module must be replaced, reprogrammed and brake fluid bleed otherwise our ABS brake system would fail. There are hundreds of similar complaints on-line of Honda owners with the exact issue costing over $3000 to make the repair. It will cost us almost $2600 for the repair. This appears to be a defect in Honda's VSA Module circuitboard across several models (Accord, Civic).

NHTSA ODI 11688767

May 27, 2025AirbagsCrash2 injuries

The contact owns a 2013 Honda Civic. The contact stated that while driving at 20 MPH, the contact was rear-ended by another vehicle, which caused the contact to crash forward into another vehicle. The contact and their spouse were taken to a local emergency room to be evaluated. The contact and their spouse sustained multiple injuries, such as whiplash and back injuries. In addition, the contact's spouse sustained an arm injury. A Police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic. The dealer was contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 70,000.

NHTSA ODI 11663184

May 1, 2025AirbagsBody & structureBrakes1 injury

I stepped on brakes and airbags opened up on my steering wheels made me hit

NHTSA ODI 11658235

Apr 24, 2025Transmission & drivetrain

The contact owns a 2013 Honda Civic. The contact stated while driving 65 MPH, the accelerator pedal was depressed, and the vehicle failed to respond. The check emission system and check transmission system warning lights were illuminated. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to exceed 65 MPH, the vehicle was losing motive power, jerking, and was slow to respond. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who removed and replaced the speed sensor. The vehicle was then taken to another independent mechanic who sprayed the wires and thought it would repair the vehicle; however, the warning light illuminated again. The vehicle was taken to a dealer; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 75,156.

NHTSA ODI 11656543

Mar 19, 2025Other/i Am Not SureI Suspect The Car Seat IS Counterfeit

I got a recall on car seat from amazon where i bought it an others

NHTSA ODI 11649280

Jan 13, 2025Brakes

The ABS module is defective. I was told by the auto repair shop that he has been getting a lot of Honda vehicles that have defective ABS modules and that it should have a recall on this vehicle. This is dangerous for my vehicle to be on the road. The auto place is having a hard time finding a replacement part for my car. If this is happening to many other cars this should be a recall.

NHTSA ODI 11635587

Dec 29, 2024SteeringBrakes

Wheel bearing

NHTSA ODI 11632953

Nov 4, 2024Seat belts

The driver seatbelt, the portion that accepts the buckle when you "buckle up" has become sloppy over time with excessive free play. This part is free to wobble around. I feel this is a passenger safety risk. The restraint and crash systems in a car work together, and with excessive ship and play in the restraint system, it could experience unexpected forces leading to an interesting or improperly restrained driver. I have spoken to two dealership service departments and neither of them actually inspected the seatbelt, I was only told it would not be replaced under warranty. I told them it is a safety issue, but they do not budge. The seatbelt was inspected by my mechanic who said the part would need replaced, saying there is excessive slop and play in the restraint system. No warning lamps or codes, airbags have never deployed, clean title. Going back to Honda dealer tomorrow to have them actually inspect the restaurant system and put in writing that they aren't willing to replace or repair it, when I went yesterday, neither of the two dealership service departments even visually inspected my seatbelt.

NHTSA ODI 11623564

Aug 30, 2024

Intelligent inverter unit need replace, there was a recall on Honda Civics with this problem. "But our civic was not on the recall list, which it should have been no reason was given why it was not, it fit all the recall criteria but was not recalled. Could have broken down on the highway in an unsafe area. Sterling Honda inspected the unit and said it needed to be replaced, which we did at a cost of $2500. Would like to know why it was not recalled. It fit all the recall criteras.

NHTSA ODI 11611823

Aug 1, 2024Airbags

The contact owns a 2013 Honda Civic. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the air bag warning light illuminated. The contact stated that the failure occurred intermittently. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed with a failed front driver's side air bag clock spring and inflator. The contact was informed that the front driver's side air bag clock spring and inflator needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and a case was filed. The failure mileage was approximately 99,000.

NHTSA ODI 11605901

Jul 26, 2024Airbags

Recently purchased vehicle. When test driving airbag light did not light. Now airbag light goes on intermittently indicating fault in srs airbag protection system. Multiple owners of this vehicle have reported this problem on this make and model on internet.

NHTSA ODI 11604633

Jul 21, 2024

ABS (Antilock Brake System) failure which also affects the VSA (Vehicle Stability Assist).

NHTSA ODI 11603607

Jul 13, 2024Airbags

Airbag system warning appeared in front of the dashboard without any accident or fault. We need the specific concerned government or entity for recall action of Honda company with this for safety purposed before its too late.

NHTSA ODI 11601647

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Working with the data? Download all 314 complaints as CSV · fetched from NHTSA July 13, 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 2013 Honda Civic verdict →