What are the most common problems with the 2012 Honda Civic?

Owners name the air bag group most often. Steering and the electrical system come next. The full list of groups is in the problems section above.

Has the 2012 Honda Civic been recalled?

Yes, the page data shows recalls for this model year. The Recalls section lists each one by code.

How many complaints are there for the 2012 Honda Civic?

NHTSA has 474 owner complaints on file. They are unverified reports and are not adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What gas mileage does the 2012 Honda Civic get?

See the fuel economy section on this page, which is built from EPA data.

Is the 2012 Honda Civic reliable?

The complaint groups above give a picture of what owners reported, with air bags at the top. See the by-year section to compare it with other years of the same model.

2012 Honda Civic Problems, Recalls and MPG

NHTSA has 474 owner complaints on file for the 2012 Honda Civic^[1]. The air bag group is the biggest, with 153 complaints^[2].

474owner complaints^[1]

4recalls^[3]

25–44MPG combined (EPA)^[4]

4–5★NHTSA overall rating^[5]

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

Most reported problems

Owners filed complaints across several parts of the car, and these are the groups listed in the facts, biggest first.

Air Bags. 153 complaints^[2]. In the stories we read, owners describe a passenger air bag light that switches off or flickers, an air bag that did not open in a low speed crash, and sudden lunges forward that ended in a collision.
Steering. 74 complaints^[6]. Owners describe a vague feel at highway speed, a pull to one side that needs constant correction, and a sudden loss of power assist with a warning light.
Electrical System. 64 complaints^[7]. Owners describe dash lights that flash or go dark, a battery that drains after the car sits, and warning lights that come on together after a restart.
Power Train. 53 complaints^[8]. Owners describe the car rolling back on a hill, a delay when pressing the pedal, odd shifting, and stalling at low speed.
Brakes. 42 complaints^[9].
Speed Control. 40 complaints^[10].
Engine. 39 complaints^[11].
Structure. 36 complaints^[12].

These are unverified reports sent in by owners, and one complaint can name more than one part.

Recalls

Newest first. Each recall covers only certain vehicles, so not every 2012 Civic is necessarily included.

Power Train › Driveline › Driveshaft (20V770), December 2020. About 248,358 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: a crash, injury, reduced braking, the car rolling away. Dealers do the repair free of charge.^[13]
Steering › Column (12V548), November 2012. About 157 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: a crash, injury, steering problems. Dealers do the repair free of charge.^[14]
Power Train › Driveline › Driveshaft (12V256), June 2012. About 50,190 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: a crash, injury, reduced braking, the car rolling away. Dealers do the repair free of charge.^[15]
Fuel System, Other › Delivery › Hoses, Lines/Piping, And Fittings (11V288), May 2011. About 1,156 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: fire. Dealers do the repair free of charge.^[16]

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^[17]	28 / 38 / 31	$2,150
Civic, 1.8L 4-cyl, Manual 5-spd, Regular, Front-Wheel Drive^[18]	28 / 35 / 31	$2,150
Civic, 2.4L 4-cyl, Manual 6-spd, Premium, Front-Wheel Drive^[19]	22 / 31 / 25	$3,300
Civic HF, 1.8L 4-cyl, Automatic 5-spd, Regular, Front-Wheel Drive^[20]	28 / 39 / 32	$2,100
Civic Hybrid, 1.5L 4-cyl, Automatic (variable gear ratios), Regular, Front-Wheel Drive^[4]	43 / 44 / 44	$1,500
Civic Natural Gas, 1.8L 4-cyl, Automatic 5-spd, CNG, Front-Wheel Drive^[21]	27 / 38 / 31	$1,500

Safety ratings

Version	Overall	Frontal	Side	Rollover	Rollover risk
2 DR FWD^[22]	4	4	4	4	11.8%
4 DR FWD^[5]	5	5	5	4	10.9%
4 DR FWD^[23]	5	5	5	4	10.9%

Engine and size

Horsepower is the rating listed for EPA test vehicles.

Engine	Horsepower
2012 Honda Civic with 1.5L 4-cylinder^[24]	90 to 113 hp
2012 Honda Civic with 1.8L 4-cylinder^[25]	110 to 140 hp
2012 Honda Civic with 2.4L 4-cylinder^[26]	201 hp

How 2012 compares with other years

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA for each Civic model year. The 2012 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 474 complaints and 4 recalls for 2012^[3]. Among the 32 model years listed, 21 have fewer complaints than 2012 and 10 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 2012 Civic?

The complaint record for this Civic is spread over many parts, with air bags named most often^[2]. Steering and the electrical system follow^[6]^[7]. NHTSA also lists recalls for this model year, so check the Recalls section above for your car^[3]. Complaint counts are not adjusted for sales, so they say little when set beside a different model. If you are shopping, ask for service records and test the air bag light, the steering feel and the dash lights on a drive.

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2012 Honda Civic?: Owners name the air bag group most often^[2]. Steering^[6] and the electrical system^[7] come next. The full list of groups is in the problems section above.
Has the 2012 Honda Civic been recalled?: Yes, the page data shows recalls for this model year^[3]. The Recalls section lists each one by code.
How many complaints are there for the 2012 Honda Civic?: NHTSA has 474 owner complaints on file^[1]. They are unverified reports and are not adjusted for how many cars were sold.
What gas mileage does the 2012 Honda Civic get?: See the fuel economy section on this page, which is built from EPA data.
Is the 2012 Honda Civic reliable?: The complaint groups above give a picture of what owners reported, with air bags at the top^[2]. See the by-year section to compare it with other years of the same model.

Keep exploring

Other model years of the Honda Civic

2010 413 complaints, 8 recalls
2012 this page
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 2012

2012 Honda Accord 381 complaints, 8 recalls
2012 Honda Pilot 171 complaints, 9 recalls

All Honda models

Similar cars from 2012: compact cars

2012 Subaru Impreza/Outback Sport 243 complaints, 6 recalls
2012 Volkswagen Golf/GTI 89 complaints, 6 recalls
2012 Volkswagen Jetta 527 complaints, 6 recalls
2012 Volvo S60 121 complaints, 8 recalls
2012 Audi A4 45 complaints, 0 recalls
2012 Chrysler 200 638 complaints, 4 recalls

All compact cars we cover

Facts and sources

NHTSA has 474 owner complaints on file for the 2012 Honda Civic (58 mention a crash, 5 a fire, 47 injuries, 0 deaths reported). NHTSA vehicle records
153 complaints name the air bags component group (36 crashes, 0 fires, 29 injuries, median mileage at failure 32,000). NHTSA vehicle records
Owner complaints and recalls for every Honda Civic model year (chart above). NHTSA recall database
EPA rating for Civic Hybrid, 1.5L 4-cyl, Automatic (variable gear ratios), Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 43 city / 44 highway / 44 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $1,500. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, 4 DR FWD: overall 5 stars, frontal 5 stars, side 5 stars, rollover 4 stars; rollover risk 10.9%. NHTSA vehicle records
74 complaints name the steering component group (3 crashes, 0 fires, 1 injuries, median mileage at failure 60,000). NHTSA vehicle records
64 complaints name the electrical system component group (2 crashes, 2 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 44,500). NHTSA vehicle records
53 complaints name the power train component group (4 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 19,129). NHTSA vehicle records
42 complaints name the brakes component group (14 crashes, 0 fires, 10 injuries, median mileage at failure 17,750). NHTSA vehicle records
40 complaints name the speed control component group (11 crashes, 0 fires, 8 injuries, median mileage at failure 8,511). NHTSA vehicle records
39 complaints name the engine component group (3 crashes, 1 fires, 1 injuries, median mileage at failure 22,411). NHTSA vehicle records
36 complaints name the structure component group (11 crashes, 1 fires, 6 injuries, median mileage at failure 31,823). NHTSA vehicle records
Recall 20V770, filed December 10, 2020: Power Train › Driveline › Driveshaft. NHTSA recall database
Recall 12V548, filed November 21, 2012: Steering › Column. NHTSA recall database
Recall 12V256, filed June 4, 2012: Power Train › Driveline › Driveshaft. NHTSA recall database
Recall 11V288, filed May 18, 2011: Fuel System, Other › Delivery › Hoses, Lines / Piping, And Fittings. NHTSA recall database
EPA rating for Civic, 1.8L 4-cyl, Automatic 5-spd, Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 28 city / 38 highway / 31 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,150. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
EPA rating for Civic, 1.8L 4-cyl, Manual 5-spd, Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 28 city / 35 highway / 31 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,150. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
EPA rating for Civic, 2.4L 4-cyl, Manual 6-spd, Premium, Front-Wheel Drive: 22 city / 31 highway / 25 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,300. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
EPA rating for Civic HF, 1.8L 4-cyl, Automatic 5-spd, Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 28 city / 39 highway / 32 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,100. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
EPA rating for Civic Natural Gas, 1.8L 4-cyl, Automatic 5-spd, CNG, Front-Wheel Drive: 27 city / 38 highway / 31 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $1,500. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, 2 DR FWD: overall 4 stars, frontal 4 stars, side 4 stars, rollover 4 stars; rollover risk 11.8%. NHTSA vehicle records
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, 4 DR FWD: overall 5 stars, frontal 5 stars, side 5 stars, rollover 4 stars; rollover risk 10.9%. NHTSA vehicle records
EPA Test Car List, 2012 Honda Civic with 1.5L 4-cylinder: rated 90 to 113 hp depending on version. www.epa.gov
EPA Test Car List, 2012 Honda Civic with 1.8L 4-cylinder: rated 110 to 140 hp depending on version. www.epa.gov
EPA Test Car List, 2012 Honda Civic with 2.4L 4-cylinder: rated 201 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.

2012 Honda Civic: problems, recalls and fuel economy