CarBrief

Owners filed 1,083 complaints with NHTSA about the 2016 Civic, and steering is the biggest group[1][2]. The car also has 5 recalls on file, so check each one before you buy or keep it[3].

1,083owner complaints[1]
5recalls[3]
30–35MPG combined (EPA)[4]
5★NHTSA overall rating[5]

Most reported problems

NHTSA lists 1,083 owner complaints for the 2016 Civic[1]. Of those, 36 mention a crash, 4 a fire and 16 injuries[1]. No deaths are reported[1]. These are unverified owner reports, and one complaint can name several parts of the car. The counts are also not adjusted for how many cars were sold.

Here is how the complaints split by component group:

Component group Complaints Median mileage at failure
Steering[2] 446 39,000
Unknown or other[6] 253 34,500
Electrical system[7] 119 26,575
Engine[8] 99 29,000
Brakes[9] 96 23,000
Structure[10] 48 12,900
Visibility/wiper[11] 47 8,907
Power train[12] 37 30,473

Steering. This is the largest group by a wide margin[2]. We read a small sample of 12 steering complaints[2]. In 8 of them, owners describe a wheel that sticks, feels heavy or moves on its own, sometimes with warning lights[2]. In 4, owners say the dealer could not find or reproduce the problem[2]. Four crashes and 1 injury are tied to steering complaints[2].

Engine. In a sample of 12 engine complaints we read, 10 are about the piston recall and the stop-sale that came with it[8]. Several owners say they bought a new car around the time of the stop-sale. In 3 of the 12, an engine failed, shook or leaked oil[8]. The engine group includes 3 fires[8]. The recall itself is covered below.

Electrical system. In a sample of 12 texts, 7 describe dashboard warning messages or display errors, such as brake, stability, tire pressure or emissions alerts[7]. In 4, owners describe several dealer visits without a lasting fix[7].

Brakes. The brakes group is small at 96 complaints, but it has the most crashes of any group listed, at 10[9]. In a sample of 12 brake complaints, 5 describe the electric parking brake or brake hold acting unexpectedly[9]. In 6, owners describe brake system or stability warnings on the display[9].

Recalls

NHTSA lists 5 recalls for this model year[3]. Newest first:

Fuel economy

EPA rates the 2016 Civic at 30 to 35 combined mpg, depending on the body style, engine and transmission[4][18]. Estimated annual fuel cost runs from $1,900 to $2,250[4][18]. EPA bases that cost on its current fuel price assumptions, not the prices when the car was new[4].

Body Engine and transmission City / highway / combined Annual fuel cost
4-door[4] 1.5L turbo, Automatic (variable gear ratios) 31 / 42 / 35 $1,900
4-door[19] 2.0L, Automatic (variable gear ratios) 30 / 40 / 34 $1,950
4-door[20] 2.0L, Manual 6-spd 27 / 38 / 31 $2,150
2-door[21] 1.5L turbo, Automatic (variable gear ratios) 31 / 41 / 35 $1,900
2-door[22] 2.0L, Automatic (variable gear ratios) 30 / 39 / 34 $1,950
2-door[18] 2.0L, Manual 6-spd 26 / 37 / 30 $2,250

All versions use regular gas and front-wheel drive[4]. In this data the 1.5L turbo with the automatic is the most efficient, and the 2.0L manual is the least[4][18].

Safety ratings

NHTSA gives the 4-door 5 stars overall, with 5 stars for frontal, side and rollover[5]. Its rollover risk is 9.5%[5].

The 2-door also earns 5 stars overall and 5 stars for side and rollover[23]. Its frontal rating is 4 stars, and its rollover risk is 9.3%[23].

Engine and size

Dimensions below are Canadian-market specifications from Transport Canada via NHTSA, converted to inches and pounds. They can differ slightly from US models.

Version Length Width Height Wheelbase Curb weight
DX/LX/EX 4-door sedan[24] 182 in 74 in 56 in 106 in 2,743 lb
EX-T/Touring 4-door sedan[25] 182 in 74 in 56 in 106 in 2,919 lb
LX 2-door coupe[26] 177 in 74 in 55 in 106 in 2,769 lb
EX-T/Touring 2-door coupe[27] 177 in 74 in 55 in 106 in 2,895 lb

The engines in EPA's data are a 1.5L 4-cylinder turbo and a 2.0L 4-cylinder[4][20].

How 2016 compares with other years

1995: 199 complaints, 0 recalls19951996: 305 complaints, 2 recalls1997: 373 complaints, 2 recalls1998: 435 complaints, 4 recalls1999: 338 complaints, 3 recalls19992000: 287 complaints, 6 recalls2001: 1,079 complaints, 14 recalls2002: 705 complaints, 11 recalls2003: 551 complaints, 11 recalls20032004: 386 complaints, 10 recalls2005: 366 complaints, 10 recalls2006: 1,465 complaints, 15 recalls2007: 1,278 complaints, 10 recalls20072008: 988 complaints, 7 recalls2009: 429 complaints, 8 recalls2010: 413 complaints, 8 recalls2011: 172 complaints, 9 recalls20112012: 474 complaints, 4 recalls2013: 329 complaints, 0 recalls2014: 298 complaints, 2 recalls2015: 394 complaints, 1 recalls20152016: 1,083 complaints, 5 recalls1,08320162017: 605 complaints, 6 recalls2018: 755 complaints, 6 recalls2019: 455 complaints, 4 recalls20192020: 236 complaints, 5 recalls2021: 161 complaints, 4 recalls2022: 961 complaints, 4 recalls2023: 336 complaints, 5 recalls20232024: 142 complaints, 3 recalls2025: 105 complaints, 2 recalls2026: 31 complaints, 1 recalls
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA for each Civic model year. The 2016 is highlighted[3].
Show the numbers
Model yearComplaintsRecalls
19951990
19963052
19973732
19984354
19993383
20002876
20011,07914
200270511
200355111
200438610
200536610
20061,46515
20071,27810
20089887
20094298
20104138
20111729
20124744
20133290
20142982
20153941
20161,0835
20176056
20187556
20194554
20202365
20211614
20229614
20233365
20241423
20251052
2026311

NHTSA's counts for each Civic model year from 1995 to 2026 put 2016 at 1,083 complaints and 5 recalls[3]. Only 2006 (1,465 complaints) and 2007 (1,278) are higher, and 2001 is just below at 1,079[3]. The years on either side of 2016 are much lower, with 394 complaints for 2015 and 605 for 2017[3].

On recalls, several years have more, such as 15 for 2006 and 14 for 2001[3]. Complaint counts are not adjusted for sales, so this is a rough guide, not a reliability score.

Should you buy a used 2016 Civic?

The 2016 Civic has good EPA mileage and 5-star overall crash ratings[4][5][23]. It also has a high complaint count for this model line, led by steering[1][2]. In the steering complaints we read, owners describe a wheel that sticks or moves on its own, and some say dealers could not reproduce it[2]. Before you buy, ask a dealer to check the VIN and confirm that all 5 recalls have been done[3]. Pay attention to the piston recall if the car has the 2.0L engine and was built in the range listed[17]. Ask for a test drive that checks the steering and the dashboard warning lights[2][7].

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2016 Honda Civic?
Steering has the most NHTSA complaints at 446 of 1,083[1][2]. Electrical system has 119, engine 99 and brakes 96[7][8][9]. These are unverified owner reports.
Does the 2016 Honda Civic have any recalls?
Yes, NHTSA lists 5[3]. They cover the passenger seat weight sensor, fuel pump, electric parking brake, side marker light and piston wrist pin circlip[13][14][15][16][17].
What is the gas mileage of the 2016 Honda Civic?
EPA rates it from 30 to 35 combined mpg[4][18]. The 1.5L turbo automatic gets 35 combined in both body styles[4][21]. The 2-door 2.0L manual gets 30 combined[18].
How safe is the 2016 Honda Civic?
NHTSA rates the 4-door 5 stars overall[5]. The 2-door also gets 5 stars overall, with 4 stars for frontal[23].
Is 2016 a bad year for the Honda Civic?
It has 1,083 complaints, the third highest of the model years listed, after 2006 and 2007[3]. Counts are not adjusted for sales, so it is a rough signal only.

Facts and sources

  1. NHTSA has 1,083 owner complaints on file for the 2016 Honda Civic (36 mention a crash, 4 a fire, 16 injuries, 0 deaths reported). NHTSA vehicle records
  2. 446 complaints name the steering component group (4 crashes, 0 fires, 1 injuries, median mileage at failure 39,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  3. Owner complaints and recalls for every Honda Civic model year (chart above). NHTSA recall database
  4. EPA rating for Civic 4Dr, 1.5L 4-cyl turbo, Automatic (variable gear ratios), Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 31 city / 42 highway / 35 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $1,900. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  5. NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, 4 DR FWD: overall 5 stars, frontal 5 stars, side 5 stars, rollover 5 stars; rollover risk 9.5%. NHTSA vehicle records
  6. 253 complaints name the unknown or other component group (3 crashes, 2 fires, 1 injuries, median mileage at failure 34,500). NHTSA vehicle records
  7. 119 complaints name the electrical system component group (4 crashes, 0 fires, 3 injuries, median mileage at failure 26,575). NHTSA vehicle records
  8. 99 complaints name the engine component group (1 crashes, 3 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 29,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  9. 96 complaints name the brakes component group (10 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 23,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  10. 48 complaints name the structure component group (4 crashes, 0 fires, 2 injuries, median mileage at failure 12,900). NHTSA vehicle records
  11. 47 complaints name the visibility/wiper component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 8,907). NHTSA vehicle records
  12. 37 complaints name the power train component group (4 crashes, 0 fires, 2 injuries, median mileage at failure 30,473). NHTSA vehicle records
  13. Recall 26V332, filed May 21, 2026: Air Bags › Sensor › Occupant Classification › Front Passenger. NHTSA recall database
  14. Recall 23V858, filed December 18, 2023: Fuel System, Gasoline › Delivery › Fuel Pump. NHTSA recall database
  15. Recall 16V725, filed October 11, 2016: Parking Brake. NHTSA recall database
  16. Recall 16V526, filed July 11, 2016: Exterior Lighting. NHTSA recall database
  17. Recall 16V074, filed February 9, 2016: Engine And Engine Cooling › Engine. NHTSA recall database
  18. EPA rating for Civic 2Dr, 2.0L 4-cyl, Manual 6-spd, Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 26 city / 37 highway / 30 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,250. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  19. EPA rating for Civic 4Dr, 2.0L 4-cyl, Automatic (variable gear ratios), Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 30 city / 40 highway / 34 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $1,950. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  20. EPA rating for Civic 4Dr, 2.0L 4-cyl, Manual 6-spd, Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 27 city / 38 highway / 31 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,150. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  21. EPA rating for Civic 2Dr, 1.5L 4-cyl turbo, Automatic (variable gear ratios), Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 31 city / 41 highway / 35 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $1,900. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  22. EPA rating for Civic 2Dr, 2.0L 4-cyl, Automatic (variable gear ratios), Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 30 city / 39 highway / 34 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $1,950. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  23. NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, 2 DR FWD: overall 5 stars, frontal 4 stars, side 5 stars, rollover 5 stars; rollover risk 9.3%. NHTSA vehicle records
  24. Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, CIVIC DX/LX/EX 4DR SEDAN: length 182 in, width 74 in, height 56 in, wheelbase 106 in, curb weight 2,743 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov
  25. Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, CIVIC EX-T/TOURING 4DR SEDAN: length 182 in, width 74 in, height 56 in, wheelbase 106 in, curb weight 2,919 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov
  26. Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, CIVIC LX 2DR COUPE: length 177 in, width 74 in, height 55 in, wheelbase 106 in, curb weight 2,769 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov
  27. Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, CIVIC EX-T/TOURING 2DR COUPE: length 177 in, width 74 in, height 55 in, wheelbase 106 in, curb weight 2,895 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.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.