What are the most common problems with the 2010 Honda Civic?

Owners name the air bags group most often, then brakes and structure. See the problems section above for what owners describe.

How many complaints does the 2010 Honda Civic have?

NHTSA has 413 owner complaints on file for this model year. They are unverified owner reports.

Does the 2010 Honda Civic have recalls?

Yes. The by-year fact shows 8 recalls for this model year. The Recalls section lists each one by code.

How much gas does the 2010 Honda Civic use?

The fuel economy section of this page shows the EPA figures, so check it there.

Is the 2010 Honda Civic reliable?

Owner complaints are one clue. Air bags and brakes are the biggest groups, and the by-year section lets you compare this year with others of the same model.

2010 Honda Civic Problems, Recalls and MPG

NHTSA has 413 owner complaints on file for the 2010 Honda Civic^[1]. Air bags are the biggest group, with 100 of them^[2].

413owner complaints^[1]

8recalls^[3]

24–42MPG combined (EPA)^[4]

Problems
Recalls
Fuel economy
Safety
Engine and size
By year
Verdict
FAQ

Most reported problems

These are the complaint groups owners name most often, biggest first. One complaint can name more than one group.

Air bags. 100 complaints^[2]. In the stories we read, owners describe serious crashes where the air bags did not open when they expected them to.
Brakes. 91 complaints^[5]. Owners describe pads and discs wearing out early, and one driver says the car lurched forward when the pedal was pressed.
Structure. 44 complaints^[6]. Owners describe paint bubbling under the clear coat, rain water leaking into the cabin, and worry about the body after front end collisions.
Unknown or other. 39 complaints^[7]. These reports do not fit a single named group.
Visibility and wipers. 35 complaints^[8]. Owners describe the driver side sun visor splitting at the joint and dropping into their view.
Electrical system. 32 complaints^[9].
Engine. 31 complaints^[10].
Steering. 20 complaints^[11].

Recalls

Newest first. Each recall covers only certain vehicles, so not every 2010 Civic is necessarily included.

Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module (19V502), June 2019. About 9,555 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: explosion, injury, death. Dealers do the repair free of charge.^[12]
Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module (19V378), May 2019. About 19,138 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: a crash, injury, stalling, an air bag that may not work as intended. Dealers do the repair free of charge.^[13]
Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module (18V661), September 2018. About 1,355,406 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: explosion, injury, death. Dealers do the repair free of charge.^[14]
Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module (18V268), April 2018. About 1,335 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: a crash, injury, stalling, an air bag that may not work as intended. Dealers do the repair free of charge.^[15]
Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module (18V042), January 2018. About 691,726 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: explosion, injury, death. Dealers do the repair free of charge.^[16]
Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module (17V545), August 2017. About 3,257 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: a crash, injury, stalling, an air bag that may not work as intended. Dealers do the repair free of charge.^[17]
Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module (17V030), January 2017. About 977,708 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: injury, death. Dealers do the repair free of charge.^[18]
Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module (16V346), May 2016. About 2,719,386 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: injury, death. Dealers do the repair free of charge.^[19]

Fuel economy

EPA ratings depend on the engine and drive. Annual fuel cost uses EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not prices when the car was new.

Version	City / highway / combined MPG	Annual fuel cost
Civic, 1.8L 4-cyl, Automatic 5-spd, Regular, Front-Wheel Drive^[20]	25 / 36 / 29	$2,300
Civic, 1.8L 4-cyl, Manual 5-spd, Regular, Front-Wheel Drive^[21]	26 / 34 / 29	$2,300
Civic, 2.0L 4-cyl, Manual 6-spd, Premium, Front-Wheel Drive^[22]	21 / 29 / 24	$3,400
Civic Hybrid, 1.3L 4-cyl, Automatic (variable gear ratios), Regular, Front-Wheel Drive^[4]	40 / 45 / 42	$1,600
Civic CNG, 1.8L 4-cyl, Automatic 5-spd, CNG, Front-Wheel Drive^[23]	24 / 36 / 28	$1,650

Safety ratings

NHTSA lists these versions as not rated: 4 DR FWD^[24], 2 DR FWD^[25], 4 DR FWD^[26].

Engine and size

Horsepower is the rating listed for EPA test vehicles.

Engine	Horsepower
2010 Honda Civic with electric motor^[27]	110 hp
2010 Honda Civic with electric motor^[28]	113 to 140 hp
2010 Honda Civic with electric motor^[29]	197 hp

How 2010 compares with other years

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA for each Civic model year. The 2010 is highlighted^[3].

Show the numbers

Model year	Complaints	Recalls
1995	199	0
1996	305	2
1997	373	2
1998	435	4
1999	338	3
2000	287	6
2001	1,079	14
2002	705	11
2003	551	11
2004	386	10
2005	366	10
2006	1,465	15
2007	1,278	10
2008	988	7
2009	429	8
2010	413	8
2011	172	9
2012	474	4
2013	329	0
2014	298	2
2015	394	1
2016	1,083	5
2017	605	6
2018	755	6
2019	455	4
2020	236	5
2021	161	4
2022	961	4
2023	336	5
2024	142	3
2025	105	2
2026	31	1

NHTSA's counts for the Civic show 413 complaints and 8 recalls for 2010^[3]. Among the 32 model years listed, 17 have fewer complaints than 2010 and 14 have more^[3]. The fewest complaints are for 2026 (31) and the most are for 2006 (1,465)^[3]. These counts are not adjusted for sales, so treat them as a rough guide. The chart above shows every year.

Should you buy a used 2010 Civic?

The 2010 Civic has a long list of owner reports, with 413 complaints on file^[1]. Air bags and brakes sit at the top, with 100^[2] and 91^[5] complaints. These are unverified reports sent to NHTSA, and the counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold. A used buyer should check the brakes and the driver side sun visor, and ask the seller about any air bag work. The page also lists the recalls that apply to this model year.

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2010 Honda Civic?: Owners name the air bags group most often^[2], then brakes^[5] and structure^[6]. See the problems section above for what owners describe.
How many complaints does the 2010 Honda Civic have?: NHTSA has 413 owner complaints on file for this model year^[1]. They are unverified owner reports.
Does the 2010 Honda Civic have recalls?: Yes. The by-year fact shows 8 recalls for this model year^[3]. The Recalls section lists each one by code.
How much gas does the 2010 Honda Civic use?: The fuel economy section of this page shows the EPA figures, so check it there.
Is the 2010 Honda Civic reliable?: Owner complaints are one clue. Air bags^[2] and brakes^[5] are the biggest groups, and the by-year section lets you compare this year with others of the same model.

Keep exploring

Other model years of the Honda Civic

2010 this page
2012 474 complaints, 4 recalls
2015 394 complaints, 1 recall
2016 1,083 complaints, 5 recalls
2017 605 complaints, 6 recalls
2018 755 complaints, 6 recalls

Compare all model years of the Honda Civic

Other Honda models from 2010

2010 Honda Accord 641 complaints, 13 recalls
2010 Honda Fit 184 complaints, 12 recalls
2010 Honda Insight 119 complaints, 10 recalls
2010 Honda Odyssey 255 complaints, 1 recall

All Honda models

Similar cars from 2010: compact cars

2010 Mazda 3 686 complaints, 3 recalls
2010 Subaru Impreza/Outback Sport 46 complaints, 15 recalls
2010 Chevrolet Camaro 295 complaints, 2 recalls
2010 Chevrolet Cobalt 583 complaints, 5 recalls
2010 Chrysler Sebring 104 complaints, 3 recalls
2010 Dodge Challenger 299 complaints, 7 recalls

All compact cars we cover

Facts and sources

NHTSA has 413 owner complaints on file for the 2010 Honda Civic (32 mention a crash, 5 a fire, 33 injuries, 47 deaths reported). NHTSA vehicle records
100 complaints name the air bags component group (21 crashes, 0 fires, 22 injuries, median mileage at failure 61,006). NHTSA vehicle records
Owner complaints and recalls for every Honda Civic model year (chart above). NHTSA recall database
EPA rating for Civic Hybrid, 1.3L 4-cyl, Automatic (variable gear ratios), Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 40 city / 45 highway / 42 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $1,600. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
91 complaints name the brakes component group (5 crashes, 0 fires, 8 injuries, median mileage at failure 19,800). NHTSA vehicle records
44 complaints name the structure component group (2 crashes, 0 fires, 1 injuries, median mileage at failure 62,409). NHTSA vehicle records
39 complaints name the unknown or other component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 62,500). NHTSA vehicle records
35 complaints name the visibility/wiper component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 45,000). NHTSA vehicle records
32 complaints name the electrical system component group (1 crashes, 3 fires, 1 injuries, median mileage at failure 50,500). NHTSA vehicle records
31 complaints name the engine component group (2 crashes, 4 fires, 1 injuries, median mileage at failure 57,000). NHTSA vehicle records
20 complaints name the steering component group (5 crashes, 0 fires, 1 injuries, median mileage at failure 42,000). NHTSA vehicle records
Recall 19V502, filed June 27, 2019: Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module. NHTSA recall database
Recall 19V378, filed May 16, 2019: Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module. NHTSA recall database
Recall 18V661, filed September 27, 2018: Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module. NHTSA recall database
Recall 18V268, filed April 26, 2018: Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module. NHTSA recall database
Recall 18V042, filed January 9, 2018: Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module. NHTSA recall database
Recall 17V545, filed August 31, 2017: Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module. NHTSA recall database
Recall 17V030, filed January 10, 2017: Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module. NHTSA recall database
Recall 16V346, filed May 24, 2016: Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module. NHTSA recall database
EPA rating for Civic, 1.8L 4-cyl, Automatic 5-spd, Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 25 city / 36 highway / 29 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,300. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
EPA rating for Civic, 1.8L 4-cyl, Manual 5-spd, Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 26 city / 34 highway / 29 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,300. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
EPA rating for Civic, 2.0L 4-cyl, Manual 6-spd, Premium, Front-Wheel Drive: 21 city / 29 highway / 24 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,400. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
EPA rating for Civic CNG, 1.8L 4-cyl, Automatic 5-spd, CNG, Front-Wheel Drive: 24 city / 36 highway / 28 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $1,650. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, 4 DR FWD: not rated. NHTSA vehicle records
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, 2 DR FWD: not rated. NHTSA vehicle records
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, 4 DR FWD: not rated. NHTSA vehicle records
EPA Test Car List, 2010 Honda Civic with electric motor: rated 110 hp. www.epa.gov
EPA Test Car List, 2010 Honda Civic with electric motor: rated 113 to 140 hp depending on version. www.epa.gov
EPA Test Car List, 2010 Honda Civic with electric motor: rated 197 hp. www.epa.gov

Complaints submitted to NHTSA by owners; unverified reports, one complaint can name several components. Complaint counts are not normalized by sales; compare years of the same model, not different models. EPA annual fuel cost uses EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not the price when the car was new. Horsepower is the rating listed for EPA test vehicles. Dimensions are Canadian-market specifications and can differ slightly from US models.

2010 Honda Civic: problems, recalls and fuel economy