Problems owners report
Complaints filed with NHTSA about the 2012 Honda Civic, by the system named in each complaint. One complaint can name several.
- Air bags149
- Steering74
- Electrical system60
- Power train49
- Vehicle speed control38
- Service brakes35
- Structure35
- Engine32
- Unknown or other31
- Fuel/propulsion system17
NHTSA ODI complaints (public domain) · updated 23 Oct 2026 · 41 injuries and 0 deaths reported
Compared with other years
NHTSA ODI complaints by model year
Fatal crashes in the US
From 2020 to 2023, 253 2012 Civic vehicles were involved in crashes on US public roads in which someone died; 129 people died inside them, and 15 of the vehicles rolled over. This is a count, not a crash rate: it grows with the number of cars on the road.
NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), crash years 2020–2023 (public domain)
New York safety inspections
At its first New York inspection the 2012 Honda Civic failed the safety check 2.30% of the time — 9% less often than the average 2012 passenger car (2.52%). Median odometer at inspection: 116,028 miles.
NY DMV Vehicle Inspections (vezn-fmmk), initial inspections since Aug 2021 · how we count
Registered new in Europe in 2012
32,571 new Honda Civic cars were registered in the EU, Norway and Iceland in 2012; the largest markets were the United Kingdom (14,383), Poland (3,797), France (3,003).
- Average mass
- 1,371 kg
- Average power
- 95 kW
- Fuel type recorded
- Petrol 73% · Diesel 27%
European Environment Agency, CO₂ emissions from new passenger cars · averages weighted by registrations; CO₂ is the type-approval value; fuel type as recorded at registration, where many non-plug-in hybrids appear as petrol · re-use permitted with acknowledgement
Engines
The most common engines in 2012 Honda Civic cars on Dutch roads are the 1.8 petrol (104 kW, 139 hp), 1.3 petrol (73 kW, 98 hp) and 2.2 diesel (110 kW, 148 hp).
| Engine | Power | Cars |
|---|---|---|
| 1.8 petrol | 104 kW 139 hp | 324 |
| 1.3 petrol | 73 kW 98 hp | 283 |
| 2.2 diesel | 110 kW 148 hp | 63 |
RDW Open Data (CC0): registered passenger cars and their fuel data · engine size rounded to 0.1 litre, net maximum power · versions with at least 20 cars
In the Netherlands
683 first registered in 2012 are on Dutch roads; 28% arrived later as imports. Median list price when new: €26,749.
Most common APK defects
- Bandenspanning niet op juiste waarde436
- Band onvoldoende profiel227
- Stadslicht werkt niet (goed)198
- Richtingaanwijzers kleur wijkt af/niet toegestaan175
- Kentekenplaatverlichting werkt niet (goed) / ontbreekt158
- Dimlicht onjuist afgesteld157
- Ruitenwisserinstallatie geeft onvoldoende zicht139
- Stofhoes stuurinrichting beschadigd, dicht niet af117
Colours
RDW Open Data: registered vehicles and APK defects (CC0) · defect descriptions in the RDW's Dutch wording
In the United Kingdom
12,740 cars built in 2012 were licensed for the road at the end of 2025, and 350 more were declared off the road (SORN).
Department for Transport and DVLA, vehicle licensing statistics (table VEH0124, year of manufacture) · Open Government Licence v3.0
MOT test results in Great Britain
In 2023, 13,361 of these cars first registered in 2012 took their annual MOT test. 74% passed first time; among all cars first registered in 2012 the figure was 66%.
| Failed on | These cars | All cars from 2012 |
|---|---|---|
| Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 13.3% | 14.3% |
| Brakes | 6.6% | 7.7% |
| Tyres | 6.1% | 7.0% |
| Visibility | 4.4% | 5.0% |
| Suspension | 3.5% | 12.2% |
| Noise, emissions and leaks | 1.5% | 3.2% |
DVSA anonymised MOT tests and results, 2023 (Department for Transport) · Open Government Licence v3.0 · first tests only; a fix made at the test station within the hour still counts as a fail
In Finland
1,133 of these cars first registered in 2012 were in use in Finland on 30 Jun 2026, with an average of 170,000 km on the odometer at their last inspection.
Traficom (Finnish Transport and Communications Agency), open data on vehicles in use · CC BY 4.0
In New Zealand
860 2012 cars are on the New Zealand register; 3% arrived as used imports, 96% were sold new in New Zealand.
NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi, Motor Vehicle Register (March 2026) · CC BY 4.0
Crash-test ratings
NHTSA 5-star results for 2 variants; 1 of 2 rated variants score five stars overall. Rollover risk is the estimated chance of rolling over in a single-vehicle crash.
| Variant | Overall | Rollover risk |
|---|---|---|
| 2012 Honda Civic 4 DR FWD | ★★★★★ | 10.9 % |
| 2012 Honda Civic 2 DR FWD | ★★★★☆ | 11.8 % |
- Electronic stability control
- Standard
- Forward collision warning
- No
- Lane departure warning
- No
- Best overall rating
- 5 / 5
NHTSA New Car Assessment Program (5-Star Safety Ratings), api.nhtsa.gov · US federal work, public domain
Fuel consumption
Official Canadian test results for 3 variants: combined 7.3–9.7 L/100 km (about 24–32 mpg US), CO₂ 168–223 g/km.
| Variant | City | Highway | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| Civic · Compact · Regular gasoline | 8.4 | 6.0 | 7.3 |
| Civic · Compact · Regular gasoline | 8.4 | 6.5 | 7.6 |
| Civic · Compact · Premium gasoline | 11.4 | 7.6 | 9.7 |
Litres per 100 km. Natural Resources Canada, Fuel consumption ratings (open.canada.ca) · Open Government Licence – Canada
Recalls in Canada
3 Transport Canada recalls for the 2012 Honda Civic.
| 2012174 1 Jun 2012 | Powertrain On certain vehicles equipped with automatic transmissions, the driver's side driveshaft could separate from the CV joint due to an improperly seated snap ring. … |
| 2012031 31 Jan 2012 | Airbag On certain vehicles, the side curtain airbag inflators may have been incorrectly manufactured and, as a result, one or both airbags may not deploy as intended. … |
| 2011200 17 May 2011 | Fuel System On certain vehicles, the fuel supply line may have been manufactured incorrectly, which could allow a fuel leak to develop. Fuel leakage, in the presence of an… |
Transport Canada Vehicle Recalls Database · Contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence – Canada
Recalls
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.
HONDA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2012 HONDA CIVIC VEHICLES. DURING ASSEMBLY, THE PROCESS REQUIRED TO SEAT THE DRIVERS SIDE DRIVESHAFT AND SET THE RETAINING CLIP WAS NOT COMPLETED. AS A RESULT, THE DRIVESHAFT MAY SEPARATE.
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.
Whether a recall was fixed on a particular car is known only to the manufacturer: check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
NHTSA recalls · summaries in NHTSA's own words
Service bulletins
What Honda told its dealers about the 2012 Honda Civic: known faults, fixes and updates.
| Bulletin | Summary |
|---|---|
| 10204289 | 2012 Civic Front Passenger's Air bag Inflator Collection. American Honda is conducting a study of front passenger's airbag inflators. This collection involves a small number of front passenger airbag inflators from specific locations. Once customers are located, an appointment will be set up at a local dealership to collect the parts |
| 10198771 | Owner Notification Letter - Our records indicate that a EMISSIONS RECALL has not been completed on this vehicle (Vehicle Identification Number XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX). Under certain circumstances, your vehicle's powertrain control module (PCM) may not properly adjust the air-fuel ratio resulting in your vehicle releasing air pollutants which exceed California and Federal standards. In addition, your vehicle is equipped with an improperly functioning on-board emission-related diagnostic system that violates California and Federal standards and regulations. |
| 10167173 | Owner Notification Letter - Under certain circumstances, your vehicle's powertrain control module (PCM) may not properly adjust the air-fuel ratio resulting in your vehicle releasing air pollutants which exceed California and Federal standards. In addition, your vehicle is equipped with an improperly functioning on-board emission-related diagnostic system that violates California and Federal standards and regulations. |
| 10165578 | Dealer Message - Today, September 24, 2019, American Honda is announcing a stop sale and emissions recall for certain 2012 Civic vehicles that may be releasing air pollutants that exceed applicable state and federal standards. |
| 10165576 | Service Bulletin - Due to an improper PCM calibration, after starting the engine the PCM cannot properly adjust the air-fuel ratio under certain conditions and the on-board emission-related diagnostic system may not appropriately detect a malfuction. As a result, vehicle emissions may exceed applicable emissions standards and the vehicle contains an improperly functioning on-board emission-related diagnostic system that violates applicable state and federal standards. |
| 10165571 | Service Bulletin - Due to an improper PCM calibration, under certain conditions after starting the engine the PCM cannot properly adjust the air-fuel ratio. As a result, vehicle emissions may exceed applicable standards. |
| 10160545 | ServiceNews Article - When removing and installing a cable reel, you need to keep both the cable reel and the steering angle sensor in position. If you don't , the VSA indicator may come on along with one or more VSA DTCs. And when you run the Neutral Memorization Procedure in the i-HDS, it won't complete. |
| 10154179 | Service Bulletin - This bulletin has been cancelled because the collection is now complete. If you did the collection in this Service Bulletin on or before February 26, 2019 (RO date), use the Warranty Claim Information provided below. |
| 10152788 | "Service bulletin - Clearance between the motor pinion and the plate hole causes the plate body to flex, which allows the gear to move up and jump off the motor teeth." |
| 10144037 | Dealer message - Today, American Honda is notifying dealers of a voluntary noncompliance recall for a small number of Honda vehicles due to an error on the replacement (service part) underhood emissions labels. American Honda previously notified CARB and the EPA for this action. |
| 10144032 | Service bulletin - Emission certification labels that were replaced on a small number of vehicles may have been replaced with a label listing incorrect information. The affected emission labels are replacement service parts, and were not installed at the factory; they were installed during postmanufacturing repairs that required replacement of the underlying part. This will cause the vehicle to be non-compliant with emissions regulations. |
| 10143689 | Service bulletin - 2012 and 2015 Civic Front Passenger Inflator Collection. This bulletin has been cancelled because the collection is now complete. |
| 10142442 | Service bulletin - This bulletin is a notification of a class action settlement relating to airbag inflators. American Honda is offering a Customer Support Program (Warranty Extension) to cover any manufacturing defects in the replacement front passengers airbag inflator only. |
| 10139610 | Service bulletin - The starter motor intermittently whines and does not crank the engine. The starter pinion does not extend far enough to properly engage the engine flywheel. |
| 10129790 | Service bulletin - The oil consumption is more than the customer expects; the engine oil level is low on the dipstick sooner than expected based on overall vehicle usage, condition, and maintenance history. In some cases, the oil warning light may come on. |
| 10129552 | Service bulletin - The MIL comes on and DTC P0455 (EVAP system large leak) and/or DTC P0456 (EVAP system very small leak detected) is set. The fuel fill cap (gas cap) may also be loose or have a stick-slip feeling when tightened. The fuel fill cap gasket creates too much friction, preventing the cap from sealing properly. |
| 10129506 | Service bulletin - A buzz or rattle is heard from the dash when the heater is on low to medium fan speed. The air mix door is warped. |
| 10129492 | Service bulletin - The customer states the vehicle did not start due to a low state of battery charge. The vehicle?s battery sensor monitors battery condition and the PCM determines charging mode. Based on the sulfation of the battery and customer driving habits, the PCM may not select the correct charge mode. |
| 10129290 | Service bulletin - The MIL comes on and DTC P0101 (MAF sensor circuit range/performance problem) is stored. The PCM misinterprets the mass air flow sensor inputs while driving with constant throttle movement. |
| 10128561 | Service bulletin - The customer states the vehicle did not start due to a low state battery charge. The vehicle?s battery sensor monitors battery condition and the PCM determines charging mode. Based on the sulfation of the battery and customer driving habits, the PCM may not select the correct charge mode. |
| 10124263 | Service bulletin - The exterior paint on the hood and the leading edge of the front fenders may crack or look chalky or cloudy. Also the roof, trunk, upper portions of the quarter panel, and the upper portions of the doors may look chalky or cloudy. American Honda is extending the warranty on the paint of the affected vehicles to 7 years from the original date of purchase with no mileage limit. This warranty extension does not apply to other paint issues like rock chips, scratches, bird droppings, sap, etc. |
| 10120770 | Dealer message - American Honda (AHM) is investigating certain 2012 Civics with a complaint of an inaccurate fuel gauge. To fully understand the cause of this condition, AHM would like to inspect the vehicle prior to you attempting a repair of any kind. |
| 10118179 | Engineering request for investigation - American Honda (AHM) is investigating certain 2012 Civics with a complaint of an inaccurate fuel gauge. To fully understand the cause of this condition, AHM would like to inspect the vehicle prior to you attempting a repair of any kind. |
| 10118024 | Dealer message - American Honda (AHM) is investigating certain 2012-2013 Civics with a complaint of an inaccurate fuel gauge. To fully understand the cause of this condition, AHM would like to inspect the vehicle prior to you attempting a repair of any kind. |
| 10115219 | Service bulletin - For any TPMS-related warranty repairs, all recorded DTCs must now be entered into the warranty claim. Make sure your repair order includes those DTCs. |
NHTSA manufacturer communications (public domain)
NHTSA investigations
Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture
Electrical overstress
NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation