Home · 2020 Honda Civic · Complaints

What 216 owners told NHTSA about the 2020 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 (216)Crash / fire / injury (19)Electrical system (34)Fuel system (31)Transmission & drivetrain (31)Airbags (29)Steering (27)Driver assistance (23)Brakes (14)Visibility & wipers (12)Engine (11)Wheels (7)

Newest first · 216 complaints · page 3 of 9

May 9, 2025Airbags

The contact owns a 2020 Honda Civic. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V064000 (Air Bags); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The dealer was made aware of the issue but confirmed that parts were not yet available, and to wait for the second owner notification letter to be mailed. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.

NHTSA ODI 11659899

May 9, 2025Airbags

The passenger side seat belt light comes on when someone is sitting in the passenger seat. We have had to McGrath Honda in St Charles IL, but they say there is no recall. First time they did a diagnostic and said nothing wrong. Still came on sporadically. Took back, McGrath said they could do a diagnostic but it would cost $159. I said, you already did that. Why not change the sensor. They said we have a service bulletin that states it may be a problem, but you will have to pay to fix. I said it does not come on all the time, so obviously it is a Honda problem. Left the dealership. That was three months ago. It has started coming on again. This is ridiculous. Honda has a seat belt safety issue and refuse to address it. What can be done? Do I need to contact the Consumer Protection Agency in Illinois or the National Safety and Transportation board?

NHTSA ODI 11659999

Apr 27, 2025Fuel system

UNKNOWN

NHTSA ODI 11657076

Apr 16, 2025Steering

The steering wheel tightens up when going on the highway. Researching the internet it is for a lot of Honda Civic models. People in the internet call it "sticky steering wheel" & that is exactly how it feels. It is a safety concern.

NHTSA ODI 11654948

Apr 14, 2025Steering

Steering is very sticky and fights me to correct to center. It is especially bad at high speeds and wet road conditions. It is unsafe to have to fight my steering wheel when correcting back to straight after a curve in the road. Dealership has been notified and was dismissed as caused by wind. Alignment has been corrected and it is still an issue. No dash warning lights. Just difficulty steering on a daily basis.

NHTSA ODI 11654614

Apr 10, 2025

I am the owner of a 2020 Honda Civic Sport, and my air conditioning system has stopped working due to a failed evaporator. A certified Honda dealer confirmed the diagnosis and quoted a high cost for repairs. After researching, I found many other Civic owners with the same issue across multiple model years (2016–2021). Honda has issued an extended warranty for the AC condenser but not for the evaporator, even though both are key components of the same system. This issue negatively impacts the comfort and safety of the vehicle, especially in hot climates, and appears to be widespread. I believe it warrants investigation and possibly a broader warranty extension or recall.

NHTSA ODI 11653913

Apr 3, 2025Steering

At high speeds and exceptionally worse during rainy weather, my steering is very sticky and fights me to maintain my lane. It is tough to make micro adjustments to stay straight and it sticks harder making a curve and coming back to straight. I have made my concerns with my dealership who said they felt it but blamed it on high winds at the time. It has not been rectified in non windy weather. It feels very unsafe while driving highway speeds. There are several of the same complaints from the same make and model year of this car on many forums

NHTSA ODI 11652666

Mar 21, 2025Airbags

The contact owns a 2020 Honda Civic. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V064000 (Air Bags); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.

NHTSA ODI 11649675

Mar 16, 2025Fuel system

I received notice of the recall for my car more than six months ago, and since then, I have been trying to schedule an appointment at the Honda dealership in Paramus, NJ. However, they always tell me that the replacement part is unavailable and that they will call me back. It has now been at least six months, and my car is losing power and consuming more fuel than usual. For my safety and the safety of others, I request that this issue be resolved as soon as possible. Thank you.

NHTSA ODI 11648557

Feb 26, 2025Fuel system

Was driving and vehicle broke down. Pulled a code P0087 which has to do with fuel pressure and do to all the fuel pump recall and everyone else’s experience, I believe the 2020 ex civics need to be recalled as well. Put my life in danger breaking down while diving down the road.

NHTSA ODI 11645072

Feb 10, 2025Body & structure

the car gets wet in the floor area after it rains. took to dealer and said it was p/S issue. the car is 5 years old, yet now there is mold on the floor carpet due to the water damage.

NHTSA ODI 11641742

Feb 6, 2025Transmission & drivetrain

2020 Honda Civic EX-L Bought In 2021, December 2024 car has 102K miles and transmission went out. No warning at all, in the middle of highway. It's now Febuary 2025 a used transmission provided under the power train warranty got installed. That transmission is also failing on the vehicle. Dealership service manager doesn't know what the problem is nor why it is showing failure. I have no update on repair as of now. My only options were to trade in or buy a brand new $10k transmission out of pocket. HIGHLY disappointed and stressed out. - Regular maintenance/service on vehicle performed at shop. - All documentation was provided to dealership and warranty, all documents were accepted. - vehicle never gave me a warning of any failure. - No car, no rental, no replacement. ***dealership and warranty have not provided any information in writing or documentation as requested.

NHTSA ODI 11641189

Jan 25, 2025Electrical system

The car cuts off while driving

NHTSA ODI 11638539

Jan 19, 2025Steering

After about twenty minutes of driving the vehicle, the steering wheel will become notchy and sticky feeling, making it hard to perform slight adjustments in the steering while driving in a straight line. This sticky steering feeling causes me to overcorrect in my steering because I am forced to fight the steering wheel. This becomes a larger issue at highway speeds, as this sticky steering issue can make it hard to keep the vehicle in a straight line which poses a safety concern for me and other drivers on the road. My vehicle has not been inspected by anyone. I am open to having my vehicle inspected for this issue. My vehicle has around 54,000 miles.

NHTSA ODI 11636973

Jan 16, 2025Brakes

I believe my car is affected by this recall and although it isn't showing up by my vin number, I am experiencing braking issues that cause the pedal to bounce while braking and it is getting worse by the day. NHTSA RECALL NUMBER:23V-458 MFR CAMPAIGN ID:VEU CAMPAIGN DESCRIPTION:2020-21 Civic Master Cylinder Mounting Inspection Safety Recall RECALL DATE:06/29/2023 RECALL STATUS:17 Character VIN Required SUMMARY: American Honda Motor Co., Inc. (Honda) is recalling certain 2020-21 model year Civic vehicles. The brake master cylinder may have been improperly fastened to the brake booster assembly during production, resulting in loose or missing tie rod nuts. During application of the brake pedal, the tie rod studs may break, leading to the brake master cylinder separating from the brake booster assembly and a failure to comply with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS) 135 - Light vehicle brake systems.

NHTSA ODI 11636242

Jan 4, 2025Electrical system

While driving on interstate highway, main dash display went almost completely dark. Could not see speed, warning lights, gas gauge, engine temp, etc. Pulled over to check out problem and "push to start" button would not turn off engine. It did on second try. Dealer diagnosed fault in gauge control module. Must be replaced.

NHTSA ODI 11634133

Jan 3, 2025Electrical systemDriver assistance

The vehicle’s emergency braking system randomly applies the brakes even when the front is not obstructed. Front sensors are kept clear of any debris, dirt, or bugs. I went to Honda of El Cajon in El Cajon, Ca and they could not help me even though the service advisor admitted that another Honda CR-V driver had the same problem the same day. This is a safety concern as my car has applied he brakes while on the freeway and at stop signs at random. Honda has failed to acknowledge the issue.

NHTSA ODI 11633970

Dec 30, 2024Steering

The steering wheel will often stick while turning at high speeds on the high way, causing forceful correction of the steering wheel for it to un stick. This also happens at moderate speeds on city roads. The force required to unstick the steering wheel can cause sharp swerving motions with the car. This can be unsafe.

NHTSA ODI 11633120

Dec 11, 2024EngineFuel system

Today my 19 year old daughter was driving and her car just died in the middle of the road. And it wouldn’t start back up. It finally did start and she was able to pull over out of traffic. This is a huge safety issue and about the 20th time this has happened to my daughter. It is maybe even happen more. I fill out one of these reports every time and I don’t feel like my voice is heard or that anybody cares. One of these times somebody is going to hit my daughter and I hope she doesn’t die due to an accident. This is a huge safety issue and I know there is a safety recall on fuel pumps. Just not my daughter‘s model. She needs this fuel pump fixed and replaced and Honda needs to pay for it. Every other 2020 Honda has a fuel pump recall except my daughter’s model and I think that this issue happening about 20 times warrants a recall. Would Honda rather fix the fuel pump or have somebody get into a serious accident because they didn’t. We don’t have the money to just buy another car or pay to get it fixed as it is expensive and I know that other cars are being fixed for free under the recall. If this is the wrong site to to bring this issue forward and have something be done please somebody let me know so I can address the correct people. Like I said I have filled this out about 20 times and nobody has ever contacted me or got back to me.

NHTSA ODI 11630228

Dec 9, 2024Airbags

On January of 2024 I received a letter from Honda informing me that my vehicle was affected by a recall regardimg a seat sensor of the airbag. I contacted the dealership to get the recall fixed because my vehicle is used for a car rental business and with the recall I am not able to operate the vehicle for rental purposes. I was told by my local dealer that if my dash oard light is not on they cannot fix it. I called several times for several months, the last time being today, December 09, 2024. Basically, I received the letter to notify me of tje recall, bit the dealer will not fix it. The recall description is provided below. Manufacturer Safety-related recall issued NHTSA #24V-064 Recall #ZHF 2020-21 Civic Seat Weight Sensor Safety Recall

NHTSA ODI 11629658

Dec 4, 2024Steering

Steering sticks to one side, especially at highway speeds. For example, if you're going around a left hand curve, you can let go of the wheel and the car will continue turning left. When changing the steering direction at highway speeds, especially to maintain lane position, the steering initially has high resistance, then seems to suddenly release and the vehicle darts to the side. Confirmed that no driver assist was active when seeing this behavior. Have not taken it in to be examined, no warning lamps or messages.

NHTSA ODI 11628869

Nov 12, 2024Fuel system

Honda Motor Co. has not made replacement parts available. This recall is 8 months old, is a severe safety risk and dealers are unable to provide any estimates for when parts will be available. Although we have received a letter stating parts are available dealers tell us to call on Monday to see if replacement parts have been received. For an IMPORTANT SAFETY RECALL, this situation is untenable.

NHTSA ODI 11624883

Nov 4, 2024Fuel system

Received 2 letters regarding fuel pump module and that parts are now available. However, contacted 3 dealerships and Honda National and now being told parts are unavailable till end of the year. Though I have option to have part replaced elsewhere are reimbursed for only part of expense. Problem ongoing since February 2024. I feel Honda is dropping the ball on this safety recall and someone needs to step in to ensure Honda complies and corrects issue asap and not make consumers wait another 10 months.

NHTSA ODI 11623521

Oct 22, 2024Fuel system

The contact owns a 2020 Honda Civic. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V858000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE); however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The local dealer was contacted, and it was confirmed that the part was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.

NHTSA ODI 11621203

Oct 20, 2024Transmission & drivetrain

Clutch has begun slipping very badly at 40,000 miles, sometimes to the point of not being able to accelerate. It is worse at highway speeds. There is a known service bulletin 22-017 outlining this issue. According to the VIN, this vehicle was assembled in the Alliston, Ontario, Canada plant and further online research has found multiple others having the same issue on vehicles from the same plant.

NHTSA ODI 11620904

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Working with the data? Download all 216 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 2020 Honda Civic verdict →