Honda Civic 2012–2015 problems by year and mileage
9th generation · FB (sedan) / FG3-FG4 (coupe)
NHTSA data through 18 October 20261,495 complaints, 924 with mileageMethod
Which year is yours? Tap it to see what breaks on it.
The 2012 Honda Civic
Close- Median failure report
- 30,000 mi
- Complaints filed
- 474
- Recalls naming this year
- 4
Most reported on the 2012
- Airbag system153 reports · median 32,000 mi
- Steering74 reports · median 60,000 mi
- Electrical system64 reports · median 44,000 mi
Recall areas Power train — driveline · Steering — column · Fuel system, other — delivery
Check the VIN at NHTSA
The 2013 Honda Civic
Close- Median failure report
- 24,000 mi
- Complaints filed
- 329
- Recalls naming this year
- 0
Most reported on the 2013
- Airbag system116 reports · median 60,000 mi
- Electrical system41 reports
- Steering39 reports
The 2014 Honda Civic
Close- Median failure report
- 34,000 mi
- Complaints filed
- 298
- Recalls naming this year
- 2
Most reported on the 2014
- Transmission and driveline99 reports · median 42,000 mi
- Airbag system59 reports · median 58,000 mi
- Electrical system39 reports
Recall areas Power train — automatic transmission · Tires — bead
Check the VIN at NHTSA
The 2015 Honda Civic
Close- Median failure report
- 50,000 mi
- Complaints filed
- 394
- Recalls naming this year
- 1
† This median likely runs low (why).
Most reported on the 2015
- Transmission and driveline181 reports · median 84,000 mi
- Airbag system59 reports · median 43,000 mi
- Problems owners could not categorise59 reports
Recall areas Power train — automatic transmission
Check the VIN at NHTSA
Tiles: each year’s median failure mileage. † Median likely runs low (complaints filed after 2020). Latest: the 2015; earliest: the 2013, and the 2013 is 2 years older (part of the gap is age).
The short answer
“Is the 2012–2015 Honda Civic reliable?”
- Median of reported failures
- 35,000 mi
- 90% of reports came by
- 110,000 mi
- Reports with mileage
- 924
- Recalls
- 6
Most reported
- Airbag system25.9% of complaints · median 47,000 mi
- Transmission and driveline23.8% of complaints · median 62,000 mi
- Electrical system11.6% of complaints · median 37,000 mi
Documented problems
- Transmission (CVT)2014–2015
- Air Conditioning2012–2015
- Airbags (Takata Inflator)2012–2015
- Hybrid Battery (IMA)2012–2015
Owners filed 1,495 complaints with NHTSA about the 2012–2015 Honda Civic; the airbag system leads with 25.9% of them, and half of the 924 that record an odometer reading came by 35,000 miles — complaints, not a failure rate.
28% of complaints that record mileage fall within the first 12,000 miles, against 6.3 reports per 1,000 miles between 20,000 and 80,000. Failures clustered that early usually indicate a design or manufacturing problem rather than wear.
Before-you-buy checklist ↓At your mileage ↓Check this VIN — NHTSA ↗
How many miles does a 2012–2015 Honda Civic last?
On the 2012–2015 Honda Civic, half of the 924 complaints that record an odometer reading were filed by 35,000 miles and 90% by 110,000 miles (why that is not a lifespan).
28 reports came in past 150,000 miles and 7 past 200,000 — each one proof that a Civic reached that mileage, not that it failed there.
Figure 1 · Honda Civic 2012–2015 · 924 reports with mileage
Mileage at failure
10,000-mile bins, 0 to 200,000 miles, linear scale; tallest bar 235 complaints
- First 12,000 miles — 28% of all failures
- Rest of the range
- Median
- 200,000+ — 7 complaints (0.8%), plotted separately
- 10%
- 600
- 25%
- 9,000
- Median
- 35,000
- 75%
- 74,000
- 90%
- 110,000
Show the numbers
| Mileage | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| 0–10,000 | 235 | 25.4% |
| 10,000–20,000 | 109 | 11.8% |
| 20,000–30,000 | 81 | 8.8% |
| 30,000–40,000 | 76 | 8.2% |
| 40,000–50,000 | 62 | 6.7% |
| 50,000–60,000 | 48 | 5.2% |
| 60,000–70,000 | 56 | 6.1% |
| 70,000–80,000 | 53 | 5.7% |
| 80,000–90,000 | 51 | 5.5% |
| 90,000–100,000 | 36 | 3.9% |
| 100,000–110,000 | 21 | 2.3% |
| 110,000–120,000 | 17 | 1.8% |
| 120,000–130,000 | 23 | 2.5% |
| 130,000–140,000 | 21 | 2.3% |
| 140,000–150,000 | 7 | 0.8% |
| 150,000–160,000 | 8 | 0.9% |
| 160,000–170,000 | 3 | 0.3% |
| 170,000–180,000 | 3 | 0.3% |
| 180,000–190,000 | 1 | 0.1% |
| 190,000–200,000 | 6 | 0.6% |
| 200,000+ | 7 | 0.8% |
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation, public domain.
Common Civic problems, and when they happen
Figure 2 · Honda Civic 2012–2015
When each system fails
Bar: middle half of reports · notch: median · proportional (log) scale (how to read it)
- Brakes107 reportsmedian 18,000middle half 8,000–48,000
- Engine117 reportsmedian 20,000middle half 2,000–64,000
- Electrical system173 reportsmedian 37,000middle half 13,000–71,000
- Problems owners could not categorise163 reportsmedian 38,000middle half 14,000–78,000
- Airbag system387 reportsmedian 47,000middle half 19,000–80,000
- Steering150 reportsmedian 48,000middle half 16,000–76,000
- Transmission and driveline356 reportsmedian 62,000middle half 12,000–96,000
- Your odometer, once entered below
Ordered by median mileage, earliest first.
All systems in a table
| System | Complaints | Share | Median | 25–75% |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Airbag system | 387 | 25.9% | 47,000 | 19,000–80,000 |
| Transmission and driveline | 356 | 23.8% | 62,000 | 12,000–96,000 |
| Electrical system | 173 | 11.6% | 37,000 | 13,000–71,000 |
| Problems owners could not categorise | 163 | 10.9% | 38,000 | 14,000–78,000 |
| Steering | 150 | 10.0% | 48,000 | 16,000–76,000 |
| Engine | 117 | 7.8% | 20,000 | 2,000–64,000 |
| Brakes | 107 | 7.2% | 18,000 | 8,000–48,000 |
| Throttle and speed control | 89 | 6.0% | 10,000 | 967–33,000 |
| Body structure | 84 | 5.6% | 25,000 | 3,500–57,000 |
| Wheels | 55 | 3.7% | 14,000 | 3,500–59,000 |
Known problems with the 2012–2015 Civic
Transmission (CVT) 2014–2015
Start-clutch judder and shudder on light acceleration after the 2014 switch from the 5-speed automatic to a CVT on the 1.8L; addressed by control software updates and fluid service. Note this defect cannot exist on 2012-2013 cars, which used a conventional automatic.
Air Conditioning 2012–2015
A/C condenser refrigerant leaks causing loss of cooling; a high-volume complaint across the generation.
Airbags (Takata Inflator) 2012–2015
Takata inflator recall population continues through this generation.
Hybrid Battery (IMA) 2012–2015
IMA battery degradation on the Civic Hybrid, same failure mechanism as the prior generation.
Before you buy a 2012–2015 Civic: the 3-minute check
Generated from 924 mileage-tagged complaints, 6 recall campaigns, 4 documented problem areas.
- Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 6 campaigns cover this generation.
- Ask for throttle and speed control repair records. Reports on this area come at a median of 10,000 miles — on any car this age it already happened or never will; the question is whether it was fixed under warranty.
- Check transmission (CVT) on 2014–2015 cars. What each looks like: Known problems.
- Check air conditioning on 2012–2015 cars.
- Check airbags (Takata inflator) on 2012–2015 cars.
- End with a pre-purchase inspection of this car.
Civic problems by mileage: where your car sits
Type your odometer, or read the table.
| System | Middle half of reports, mi | At 60k mi66% below | At 90k mi83% below | At 120k mi91% below | At 150k mi97% below | At 200k mi99% below |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Airbag system | 19,000–80,000 | in window | earlier | earlier | earlier | earlier |
| Transmission and driveline | 12,000–96,000 | in window | in window | earlier | earlier | earlier |
| Electrical system | 13,000–71,000 | in window | earlier | earlier | earlier | earlier |
| Problems owners could not categorise | 14,000–78,000 | in window | earlier | earlier | earlier | earlier |
| Steering | 16,000–76,000 | in window | earlier | earlier | earlier | earlier |
| Engine | 2,000–64,000 | in window | earlier | earlier | earlier | earlier |
| Brakes | 8,000–48,000 | earlier | earlier | earlier | earlier | earlier |
Figure 3 · Honda Civic 2012–2015 · 924 reports with mileage
Share of reports below each mileage
Steps at bin edges (how to read it)
- 60,000 mi — 66% of reports below
- 90,000 mi — 83% of reports below
- 120,000 mi — 91% of reports below
- 150,000 mi — 97% of reports below
- 200,000 mi — 99% of reports below
- Median (the 50% line)
- Your odometer, once entered
Linear axis, same as Figure 1.
2012–2015 Honda Civic recalls (6)
NHTSA records 6 recall campaigns covering vehicles in this generation (what a recall is).
The campaigns cluster around the transmission and driveline (3), the tyres (1), the steering (1) (why one area can repeat).
Dec 2020 · 2012 · Power TrainA broken drive shaft may cause a sudden loss of drive power.
The defect. Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2013-2015 Acura ILX, 2013 Acura ILX Hybrid, 2012 Honda Civic Hybrid, and 2007-2008 Honda Fit vehicles with a manual transmission and 2009-2013 Honda Fit vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in…
What can happen. A broken drive shaft may cause a sudden loss of drive power. The vehicle could also roll away if the parking brake has not been applied before the vehicle has been exited. Either condition can…
The free fix. Honda will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the drive shafts, replacing either the left or right drive shaft, if necessary, free of charge. Owners were notified of the safety risk with an…
Sep 2015 · 2014–2015 · Power TrainIf the transmission drive pulley shaft is damaged, it may break, and the vehicle may lose acceleration or the…
The defect. Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain model year 2014-2015 Civic vehicles manufactured January 16, 2014, to November 6, 2014 and 2015 Fit vehicles manufactured March 12, 2014, to May 12, 2015. The software settings that control the…
What can happen. If the transmission drive pulley shaft is damaged, it may break, and the vehicle may lose acceleration or the front wheels may lock up while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.
The free fix. Honda will notify owners, and dealers will update the software for the transmission, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin October 30, 2015. Owners may contact Honda customer service at…
Mar 2014 · 2014 · TiresThe tire damage could cause the tire to lose air, increasing the risk of a crash.
The defect. American Honda Motor Co., Inc. (Honda) is recalling certain model year 2014 Honda Civic LX vehicles manufactured November 26, 2013, through January 21, 2014. In the affected vehicles, during mounting of the tires, the tire bead may have gotten pinched between…
What can happen. The tire damage could cause the tire to lose air, increasing the risk of a crash.
The free fix. Honda will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and replace any damaged tire, free of charge. The recall began on April 15, 2014. Owners may contact Honda at 1-800-999-1009. Honda's number for…
Nov 2012 · 2012 · SteeringThe steering column may not have proper energy absorbing characteristics, which could increase the risk of…
The defect. Honda is recalling certain model year 2012 Civic passenger vehicles, manufactured from October 26, 2012, through October 30, 2012. These vehicles were assembled with the incorrect steering column assembly.
What can happen. The steering column may not have proper energy absorbing characteristics, which could increase the risk of injury during a vehicle crash.
The free fix. Honda will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and replace the steering column, as necessary, free of charge. The safety recall began on December 10, 2012. Owners may contact Honda at…
Jun 2012 · 2012 · Power TrainIf this occurs, the vehicle will have a loss of drive power and may roll away if the parking brake has not…
The defect. Honda is recalling certain model year 2012 Honda Civic vehicles. During assembly, the process required to seat the driver’s side driveshaft and set the retaining clip was not completed. As a result, the driveshaft may separate.
What can happen. If this occurs, the vehicle will have a loss of drive power and may roll away if the parking brake has not been set when the gear selector has been placed in the “park” position, increasing the risk…
The free fix. Honda will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the driver's side driveshaft and install a new driveshaft as needed, free of charge. The safety recall began on June 21. 2012. Owners may contact…
May 2011 · 2012 · Fuel System, OtherFuel leakage, in the presence of an ignition source, could result in a fire.
The defect. Honda is recalling certain model year 2012 Civic 2-door and 4-door vehicles manufactured from april 21, 2011, through may 2, 2011. There is a possibility that an o-ring, which seals a connection in the fuel feed line, is misaligned. If the o-ring is…
What can happen. Fuel leakage, in the presence of an ignition source, could result in a fire.
The free fix. Dealers will replace the fuel feed line assembly free of charge. The safety recall began on may 27, 2011. Owners may contact Honda at 1-800-999-1009.
Crashes, fires and injuries owners reported
Out of 1,495 complaints against this generation, owners also reported:
- Crashes
- 155 (10.4%)
- Fires
- 12
- Injury reports
- 93
- Fatality reports
- 0
Civic problems by model year
The 2012 drew the most complaints of this generation, 474, most of them about the airbag system, and the 2014 the fewest, 298. A typical year drew about 362.
| Year | Complaints | With mileage | Median miles | Most reported | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 | 474 | 333 | 30,000 | Airbag system (153) | 4 |
| 2013 | 329 | 201 | 24,000 | Airbag system (116) | 0 |
| 2014 | 298 | 178 | 34,000 | Transmission and driveline (99) | 2 |
| 2015 | 394 | 212 | 50,000† | Transmission and driveline (181) | 1 |
What Civic owners reported
The contact owns a 2015 Honda Civic. The contact had experienced intermittent power steering assist failure, causing the steering wheel to lock up while driving at various speeds. The contact stated that after the failure, the vehicle failed to restart, and the "Air Bag" warning light illuminated. The vehicle has been…
2015 · 50,000 miles · Airbag system
The contact owns a 2015 Honda Civic. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle hesitated while depressing the accelerator pedal. There was no warning light illuminated. An independent mechanic diagnosed the vehicle with transmission failure. The contact associated the failure with NHTSA…
2015 · 147,000 miles · Transmission and driveline
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…
2013 · 92,000 miles · Airbag system
The contact owns a 2014 Honda Civic. The contact stated that while driving on the highway at approximately 65 MPH, the vehicle lost power steering functionality, the vehicle lost power steering assist, and the steering wheel became difficult to turn. The vehicle was towed to a dealer; however, the vehicle was not…
2014 · 200,000 miles · Steering
Built from 924 NHTSA complaints with mileage · snapshot 2026-10-20 · open data · how it is built
Other Civic generations
- Civic 1996–2000 504 reports with mileage, most about the airbag system
- Civic 2001–2005 2,109 reports with mileage, most about the airbag system
- Civic 2006–2011 3,505 reports with mileage, most about the airbag system
- Civic 2016–2021 1,118 reports with mileage, most about the steering
- Civic 2022–2025 119 reports with mileage, most about the steering