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2012 Honda Civic Problems and Recalls

Owners filed 456 complaints with NHTSA about the 2012 Honda Civic, most often about the air bags (33% of complaints, typically around 41,000 miles). It is 11th of 27 Civic model years by number of complaints and has 3 recalls.

Complaints456
Recalls3
Crashes reported55
Fires reported5
Injuries reported41

Most common 2012 Honda Civic problems

  1. Air bags

    149 complaints · 33%

    Half of these problems showed up before 41,000 miles. Parts named most often: frontal.

    I was pulling into a parking lot when another driver pulled out and t-boned my 2012 Honda Civic. The car was hit on the driver side right in the middle where the front driver and back passenger door meet, none of the side curtain airbags deployed. The car now has extensive frame damage... The lumbar support in this…
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2014, at 42,000 miles
    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…
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2015, at 40,000 miles

  2. Steering

    74 complaints · 16%

    Half of these problems showed up before 60,000 miles. Parts named most often: steering wheel/handle bar.

    Difficult to steer at both low and high speed. A lot of resistance to turning the wheel. Took it to dealer who could find nothing wrong, and would not investigate further under warranty. Slightly more than 60,000 miles
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2016, at 60,000 miles
    Check power steering warning indicator displays on dash, would go away and come back, steering loss during driving. Immediately took the car to the dealer and they charged $130 to diagnose that the problem was due to faulty software.this is a safety issue and all Civic should receive the software updated as a part of…
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2019, at 58,700 miles

  3. Electrical

    60 complaints · 13%

    Half of these problems showed up before 40,000 miles. Parts named most often: instrument panel, wiring.

    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…
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2015, at 40,000 miles
    Battery will not charge, alternator and battery issues. Does not want to charge the battery most of the times. This ecco mode and charging system, must be the issue. I am a mechanical engineer, licensed.
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2015, at 39,000 miles

  4. Transmission

    49 complaints · 11%

    Half of these problems showed up before 18,500 miles. Parts named most often: automatic transmission, driveline.

    My wife came to a stop at our security gate, used the remote for the gate but it wouldn't open. She backed up about 15 feet to turn around. When she put the car in drive, it lurched forward back towards the gate and wouldn't stop when she applied the brakes. It didn't speed up and it wouldn't stop. The car was making…
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2012, at 17,500 miles
    I was driving on an exit ramp from a highway, car was coasting, and as I was approaching the stop sign, I applied the brakes softly, the car started slowing down further due to braking and then suddenly came to a brutal stop with tires screeching. Engine was stalled, automatic gear had shifted in neutral by itself…
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2014, at 19,822 miles

  5. Brakes

    40 complaints · 9%

    Half of these problems showed up before 18,000 miles.

    My wife came to a stop at our security gate, used the remote for the gate but it wouldn't open. She backed up about 15 feet to turn around. When she put the car in drive, it lurched forward back towards the gate and wouldn't stop when she applied the brakes. It didn't speed up and it wouldn't stop. The car was making…
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2012, at 17,500 miles
    The contact owns a 2012 Honda Civic. The contact stated she heard a grinding noise while braking. The contact took the vehicle into the dealer for an inspection and was informed that the brake pads needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The contact then attempted to forcefully apply the brakes and the…
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2012, at 17,000 miles

  6. Speed control

    38 complaints · 8%

    Half of these problems showed up before 9,500 miles. Parts named most often: accelerator pedal.

    Car suddenly stops dead while accelerating to make left hand turn. It will resume acceleration only after a four second pause. Turning into on coming traffic with a dead vehicle is going to cause an accident involving injuries or death. This is the third time that this incident has occurred to my vehicle. The Honda…
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2012, at 10,180 miles
    The contact owns a 2012 Honda Civic. The contact stated that while attempting accelerate, the vehicle failed to accelerate in a timely manner. The vehicle was taken to the dealer but they were unable to duplicate the problem. The vehicle was not repaired and the manufacturer was not notified. The approximate failure…
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2013, at 9,000 miles

  7. Engine

    36 complaints · 8%

    Half of these problems showed up before 20,000 miles.

    I was driving on an exit ramp from a highway, car was coasting, and as I was approaching the stop sign, I applied the brakes softly, the car started slowing down further due to braking and then suddenly came to a brutal stop with tires screeching. Engine was stalled, automatic gear had shifted in neutral by itself…
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2014, at 19,822 miles
    Sudden acceleration: I have been observing that the vehicle suddenly accelerates while driving downhill or merging on the highway. I have also noticed that it will accelerate when you turn off the cruise control. The speed is uncontrollable for few seconds before the engine starts the deceleration. I have taken a…
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2013, at 18,559 miles

  8. Body and structure

    35 complaints · 8%

    Half of these problems showed up before 38,500 miles. Parts named most often: body.

    Involved in a hit and run accident where the airbag sensors where hit but the airbags did not deploy. All panels of car had to be replaced. We where hit going thru an intersection and the car ran a red light going 65 sideswiped US into a wall and electrical box....updated 09/15/15 updated 11/13/2017
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2015, at 38,563 miles
    The sunroof on my 2012 Honda Civic sunroof won't close. It gets stuck and it does a clicking sound. Based on previous forum pages this issues is ongoing with many other cars with the same model and year. Honda refuses to fix the issue. This issue can lead to water getting in the vehicle and other debris.
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2018, at 40,000 miles

Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.

2012 Honda Civic recalls

  1. Steering: column

    NHTSA 12V548000 · November 21, 2012 · 157 vehicles

    Risk: The steering column may not have proper energy absorbing characteristics, which could increase the risk of injury during a vehicle crash.

    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 1-800-999-1009.

    Full defect summary

    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.

  2. Transmission: driveshaft

    NHTSA 12V256000 · June 4, 2012 · 50,190 vehicles

    Risk: 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 â“park┠position, increasing the risk of crash or pedestrian injury.

    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 honda customer service at 1-800-999-1009.

    Full defect summary

    Honda is recalling certain model year 2012 honda civic vehicles. During assembly, the process required to seat the driverâ’s side driveshaft and set the retaining clip was not completed. As a result, the driveshaft may separate.

  3. Fuel system: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings

    NHTSA 11V288000 · May 18, 2011 · 1,156 vehicles

    Risk: Fuel leakage, in the presence of an ignition source, could result in a fire.

    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.

    Full defect summary

    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 misaligned, a small fuel leak may occur.

Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which recalls are still open on your car.

NHTSA defect investigations

Questions about the 2012 Honda Civic

What are the most common problems with the 2012 Honda Civic?
By NHTSA owner complaints: air bags (149 complaints, typically around 41,000 miles); steering (74 complaints, typically around 60,000 miles); electrical (60 complaints, typically around 40,000 miles).
How many recalls does the 2012 Honda Civic have?
3 recalls listed by NHTSA, the latest from November 21, 2012 (steering). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which ones are still open on your car.
Is the 2012 a bad year for the Honda Civic?
It is 11th of 27 Civic model years by number of complaints, with 456 complaints. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so popular years collect more of them, and the newest years have had less time to.

Other Honda Civic years

Honda Civic problems by year