Equipment Problems of Honda Civic - part 1

This is a 2018 Honda Civic with only 30,000 miles on it. The a/c system has now broken down for the 7th time. I am [xxx] old this has caused me to be stranded and has also caused me to become dizzy, nauseous and have blurry vision because I cannot tolerate the summer heat without air conditioning. I have tried to have it repaired 7 times & the dealership even though Honda has "warrantied" it has also forced me to pay over $1400 for a faulty system they never actually fix. It is absolutely a safety hazard for me and also elder abuse. I have all the invoices but it's too many to send. I can send the 3 from the first year it started. But it's happened every summer since! information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u. S. C. 552(b)(6).

See all problems of the 2018 Honda Civic 🔎.

My car ac has been having issues as the driver side produces warmer air than the passenger side. Honda issued a 10 year extended warranty for two of the three ac components; the warranty covers only the compressor and condenser. My 2017 Honda Civic has roughly 64k miles on it and the ac evaporator needs to be replaced. The Honda dealership has responded that this would cost out of pocket to replace. Seeing as the extended warranty covers the other components but not the third related one I'm writing a formal complaint. My vehicle doesn't meet the minimum threshold of usage for the ac evaporator to fail having been in use for under 10 years and having about 64k miles on it.

See all problems of the 2017 Honda Civic 🔎.

On 7-28-26 after filling my vehicle with gas at the next red light, all lights on dashboard went on flickering warning (christmas tree effect). On 7-29-26 after researching online roadside came out and did battery and alternator test that passed. I did hard reboot from instructions I found online and after several attempts the lights cleared twice, the morning of 7-30-26 when leaving for work the flickering lights came back on. Vehicle had a slight tremble but cleared after a few seconds while vehicle warmed up. I went to get the battery checked at the shop and it passed also had air filter changed. Lights still on, car is running fine, but I feel unsafe to drive and have an appt at the dealer for a diagnosis check on 7-31-26.

See all problems of the 2020 Honda Civic 🔎.

Ac system has engineering problem. It uses new regfirgirant type and it corrodes the shaft seal and the compressor and also the evaporator core. Honda has an extended warranty on shaft seal and the compressor leak but not on evaporator. But overall system is an issue. My shaft seal and the compressor were replaced under the extended warranty in 2024 but again the same thing happend and now evaporator core is also needing the replacement. The cost of that part replacement is close to 2600 dollars. This is a theft and you should hold Honda responsible for this faulty ac system and its engineering.

The rear windshield imploded upon itself.

See all problems of the 2025 Honda Civic 🔎.

On 07/08/2026, the infotainment system on my 2018 Honda Civic ex failed throughout the entire day into the morning of 07/09/2026. The screen became pixelated and would then turn black, not allowing me to see the screen at all. No matter how many times I attempted to reboot the unit or restart the vehicle, the issue did not resolve. Although this is not an urgent safety issue since it is related to the radio unit, this screen does display other components that are critically related to safety, such as the backup camera and passenger’s side blind spot camera. While being unable to see the screen, these added safety features are not available to the driver because they are not functional. Being that the vehicle is not equipped with backup/blind spot sensors as most other modern vehicles are, a driver would be dependent on these cameras to avoid a crash. I then serviced the vehicle at planet Honda on route 22 in union, new jersey, where the technicians completed a full diagnostic inspection. After running several electrical codes, technicians found no mechanical/electrical issue with my vehicle that would cause the system to fail. The service advisor stated that this is a common issue among many Honda owners and the issue lies within the system itself. Unfortunately the only fix would be to replace the entire unit totaling almost $2,700. 00. If this is a common issue with other Honda vehicles, why has Honda not addressed this? my brother also owns a crv and has noted that he has similar issues with his display. The entertainment system of the vehicle contains everything related to the vehicle, between camera views, settings, etc. If it is failing for many Honda owners and the only remedy is an expensive replacement, Honda should be held responsible. I cannot afford to pay almost $3,000. 00 for something so essential.

The a/c went out on this vehicle. The a/c only worked half way in the car. It would only cool the passenger side and not drivers side. When I took it in to get it fixed, they said it was the condenser. There was a recall for the compressor shaft seal but not the condenser. They replaced the condenser and compressor shaft seal. As I checked the internet I found a recall for this problem in canada but not in the u. S. I asked Honda about it. They said it was VIN specific right now unless enough people complain about this problem. If it happened in canada it should be dealt with here. According to my search there are others in the u. S. That have had this problem. How many complaints does it take before this is dealt with?.

In June 2026, the hvac system in my 2019 Honda Civic 2. 0l failed because the evaporator core developed a premature leak or crack. Autonation Honda o’hare inspected the vehicle and diagnosed the evaporator core as the failed component. The vehicle is available for inspection upon request. This failure creates a serious visibility hazard. During rain and humid conditions, the windshield and side windows fog rapidly. Because the air-conditioning system can no longer adequately remove moisture from the cabin air, the defrost and defog functions do not clear the glass effectively. This can severely obstruct my view of the road, nearby vehicles, pedestrians, and other hazards while driving. I have also noticed a persistent chemical odor coming from the vents. Because the evaporator core is located inside the hvac housing, I am concerned that refrigerant, compressor oil, or other hvac residue may be entering the passenger compartment. This creates a potential exposure concern, especially when the vehicle is operated with the windows closed. I received no specific dashboard warning that the evaporator core was failing. The first noticeable symptoms were reduced cooling, ineffective windshield defogging, and the chemical odor from the vents. Honda has extended warranty coverage for certain air-conditioning condenser and compressor failures affecting this generation of Civic, but it does not cover the evaporator core. I contacted Honda and requested goodwill assistance with the costly repair. Honda refused to provide any goodwill discount despite the known pattern of air-conditioning failures and the safety consequences of losing effective windshield dehumidification. I request that NHTSA investigate evaporator-core failures in 10th-generation Honda Civics and determine whether a safety recall or expanded manufacturer remedy is warranted.

See all problems of the 2019 Honda Civic 🔎.

Honda dealership diagnosed my vehicle with an evaporator core leak. Found a/c system pressures low. Further inspection found dark spots on the evaporator. A/c evaporator leaking. The evaporator core is suffering from the exact same chemical reactions to the r1234yf refrigerant that forced Honda to issue 10-year warranty extensions for the a/c condenser and compressor shaft seals (under TSB 19-091 and TSB a23-039).

Spontaneous rear window shattering while parked. Problem not confirmed or reproduced insurance claim filed for repair no warning lamps, messages or symptoms of impending problem.

See all problems of the 2021 Honda Civic 🔎.

Ac unit blows hot air only on the left side. Temp in IL is over 90 degrees f. Yes, it has been confirmed by the dealer, but they are saying they are not liable if I pay for them to conduct the service and they cannot fix it. No, but the manufacturer had issues with the a/c compressor and condenser and for this specific 2019 Honda Civic. Those were recently replaced, but now I am still having a/c issues. No warnings. It appeared June 9th. My husband and I bought the same exact vehicle at the same exact location on the same exact date and both vehicles are having this same exact issue only one week apart. Mine occurred on 6/9/2026 and his first occurrence started 7/12/2026.

About one month ago, I noticed that the paint on my rear quarter panel (to the right of my rear window) was peeling. It continues to peel. My insurance will not cover the paint failure, as the adjuster stated that they "will not touch my car because there are several class action lawsuits again Honda for the paint on this specific model and color of white" '. I have contacted Honda and they stated that after looking up my VIN, there are no lawsuits or recalls associated with my specific VIN. I am at a loss because the paint looks like a paint failure - not as though something hit or scratched the paint and caused it to peel. I am looking for assistance for reimbursement or how to get this covered. Because this is not an at fault event, I am unsure of next steps because the paint will continue to peel and then there is a possibility that the car will rust.

Unknown component/system issue; entirety of vehicle is available for inspection. Problem has been reproduced by independent service center. Vehicle has been inspected by independent service center and local Honda dealership. No warning lamps/messages or stores codes. 1. Vehicle shakes at idle; periodically jerks and lurches when driving (rpms, current gear are not relevant, no correlation). 2. When letting off the gas to “coast,” vehicle drops in speed abruptly as if the brakes are being applied which results in a “jolt. ” the consequence is the vehicle essentially braking without signal; gas pedal must be engaged at all times unless intending to brake. 3. Vehicle hesitates significantly when accelerating. Even at >80% compression of the gas pedal, the speed of the vehicle will not increase. Only at full compression will the vehicle shift gears and begin to gain in speed yet accompanied by rough shuttering and loud, “airy” sounding rev. This is outside of the operational characteristics expected with the cvt transmission. Moderate to severe safety concern. Notes: oil and transmission fluid have been drained and replaced at the dealership both less than 3k miles ago. Spark plugs and ignition coils have all been replaced with Honda parts less than 1k miles ago.

See all problems of the 2014 Honda Civic 🔎.

Honda refused to cover failed ac evaporator under extended warranty or goodwill warranty. They cover the compressor and condenser but not the evaporator. This is the 4th time my ac has gone out on my 2018 Civic. There is a film on the inside of my windshield and I am also concerned about what I may have been breathing in while the ac is on. I have read that issues with your condenser can cause issues with your evaporator. I don't understand why the evaporator isn't covered. I have all the receipts from the prior repairs.

Rear camera view distorted.

See all problems of the 2016 Honda Civic 🔎.

The a/c failed completely, blowing hot air (80+°f) in extreme phoenix heat. The issue recurred identically after a dealer misdiagnosis and gas recharge last year. A formal inspection by showcase Honda on may 28, 2026 (ro# 838832), confirmed a dual leak: the a/c compressor shaft seal (under warranty extension) and the a/c evaporator core were leaking refrigerant simultaneously. Due to severe local heat waves, repairs were completed at the dealer on June 15, 2026. Invoices are available upon request. This defect severely risks vehicle safety. Driving in arizona's 100+°f heat without a/c causes immediate heat exhaustion for passengers. Also, losing the defroster causes sudden windshield fogging during humidity shifts, creating a blind visibility hazard. No warning lamps preceded the failure. Crucially, the 10-year warranty extension is rapidly expiring for early 10th-gen Civic owners, leaving us unprotected. Nhtsa must mandate Honda to extend the compressor/condenser warranty to a lifetime warranty. Furthermore, because the evaporator core inherently fails at the exact same time due to the same loop defect, Honda must expand coverage to include the evaporator core as a fully covered component. Partial coverage is a widespread safety hazard and a financial injustice for consumers.

I am reporting a serious ongoing issue with my 2019 Honda Civic sport involving the trunk repeatedly opening on its own both while driving and while parked. The issue is also causing the vehicle alarm to activate unexpectedly. The trunk has opened while the vehicle was in motion, creating a major safety concern. It also randomly opens while parked, sometimes triggering the alarm system for no apparent reason. The problem appears to happen intermittently but has become frequent enough that I no longer feel safe leaving the vehicle unattended or driving it normally. I attempted to clean the trunk latch area, but the issue continues. I believe there may be a malfunction involving the trunk latch, actuator, key fob system, electrical wiring, sensor, or alarm system. This situation is dangerous because the trunk can unexpectedly unlatch while driving, potentially blocking visibility or causing damage. The repeated alarm activations and trunk openings while parked are also causing concern about battery drain, security, and reliability. Vehicle information: 2019 Honda Civic sport symptoms: • trunk opens while driving • trunk opens while parked • alarm randomly activates • trunk may not remain securely latched • ongoing intermittent electrical or latch-related issue I am requesting that this issue be documented and inspected as soon as possible due to the safety risk involved.

I am writing to file a complaint regarding the air conditioning system failure in my 2020 Honda Civic sport. The air conditioner in my vehicle began blowing hot air instead of cold air. I took the vehicle to Honda for inspection and paid $545. 15 to have the system recharged and dye inserted in order to diagnose the issue. After this service was completed, I was informed that the evaporator has failed and needs to be replaced. I was then quoted $2,475. 13 for the repair. While researching this issue, I discovered that many other Honda Civic owners have reported similar air conditioning problems involving the evaporator and ac system. I also became aware of a 2021 letter involving american Honda motor CO. And Honda dealership personnel regarding evaporator leaks in vehicles with VIN numbers beginning with 2hg or 19x. The letter stated that Honda was researching these vehicles in an effort to better understand the issue. Given the number of similar complaints and Honda’s apparent awareness and investigation into evaporator leaks, this appears to be a potentially widespread defect affecting these vehicles, even when properly maintained. The failure of the air conditioning system has caused significant inconvenience and financial burden. I believe this issue should be investigated further, as it may indicate a defect in the vehicle’s air conditioning system. I respectfully request that the NHTSA review this matter and investigate whether the evaporator failure in the 2020 Honda Civic sport is a recurring manufacturing defect that may warrant further action or assistance for affected vehicle owners. Thank you for your time and attention to this matter.

I was hand washing my car and large flakes of paint started coming off around the back window. I have never experienced this with a vehicle before and it appears to be a manufacturer paint adhesion defect.

The vehicle’s hvac/a/c system malfunctioned. The primary symptom was hot air blowing from the driver-side vents while the passenger side intermittently continued blowing cooler air. The issue appeared suddenly with no prior indication of problems. The vehicle is available for inspection upon request. 2. I currently live in [xxx] , where extreme heat makes functioning air conditioning an important safety feature. Loss of reliable a/c creates risk of heat exhaustion, dehydration, impaired concentration, and unsafe driving conditions for both the driver and passengers, especially during long drives or heavy traffic in high temperatures. A significant risk to health and safety. 3. Yes. The issue was reproduced and confirmed during inspection by a service center/dealership. The vehicle demonstrated inconsistent cooling performance and hot air from the driver-side vents. 4. The vehicle has been inspected by a service center/dealership for diagnostic and repair purposes. 5. No warning lights, dashboard messages, or hvac-related diagnostic codes appeared prior to the failure. Additionally, during regular maintenance visits and dealership multi-point inspections over the years, no hvac concerns, refrigerant leaks, or preventative maintenance recommendations were identified. The issue appeared suddenly during normal vehicle operation without advance warning. Information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u. S. C. 552(b)(6).

Spontaneously the sunroof blew out and exploded. Luckily the sunroof was not open from the inside. If it was the glass would have shattered on the passengers including my 1 year old.

See all problems of the 2024 Honda Civic 🔎.

Rpm slighting rising at low mph and it hesitates/jerks a bit.

The component or system that failed their malfunction is the evaporation system in the Honda vehicles especially after 2017 that regarding the r – 1234yf refrigerant - yes it has been confirmed by the dealership that the evaporator is leaking inside the car, but it is a known issue that warranty only covers the condenser in front of the car which also leaks. My problem is is since both equally run the same r – 1234yf refrigerant this type of refrigerant is known to cause corrosion and pinholes within the condenser and evaporated tubes leading to further issues with ac and cooling problems. There are no warning lights when it comes to these issues, which also pushes a further problem. If you were to go to any Honda dealership or ask, usual people who have condenser issues it could usually and most cases lead back to the evaporator, which also has systematic problems due to Hondas negligence and they knew about this refrigerant because they released it in 2017 to all the models that run the r – 1234yf refrigerant the main problem is the evaporator is supposed to suck out hot air from the car, but if it doesn’t do that and the car can have overheating problems, or it can cause dangerous heat inside the car, causing extreme sweating or even death in certain cases.

The auto safety braking system has braked for no reason twice now. Both going 70 mph and going under a bridge. The car senses a car in front and slams on its brakes but there is nothing in front of the car. And all sensors were clean and free of obstructions. Pretty scary going 70 mph and the car just slams on the brakes.

While driving the car on April 19, 2026, the car started losing engine power, was unable to maintain current speed of roadway, had to drive less than 15 miles an hour to a safe location. Had the car towed to the dealership they said there was a faulty code throwing for cylinder three had the fuel injectors replaced. Pick the car up drove not even 2 miles and car was still having the same issue turned around went back to the dealership. They said the car wasn’t throwing any codes picked the car up. It drove fine for less than a week and had to repeat of the same situation, had the car towed again to the dealership all to find out there is a crack in the head gasket, unsure if the turbo was affected after researching apparently this is a very common problem for this make, and model of car.

I am reporting a critical security and safety defect regarding the 2026 Honda Civic sport hybrid. The vehicle was stolen only 10 days after purchase. Despite being equipped with factory-installed anti-theft systems and immobilizers, the security was easily bypassed without any physical keys. ?as a professional engineer, I believe this indicates a significant vulnerability in the vehicle's electronic security infrastructure or 'Smart key' encryption. A security breach of this nature on a brand-new 2026 model, occurring within such a short timeframe, suggests a systemic manufacturing defect that puts other consumers at risk of vehicle theft and unauthorized operation.

The a/c evaporator core failed on my 2018 Honda Civic hatchback with approximately 67,000 miles, confirmed by an authorized Honda dealership in April 2026. This is my second major a/c system failure in under one year on this vehicle. Approximately one year ago, the same dealership replaced the a/c condenser and compressor shaft seal. Now the evaporator core has failed and requires full replacement at a cost of $1,741. 58, plus $381. 99 already paid for diagnosis. The failed component is currently at the dealership and available for inspection upon request. The failure was confirmed by the dealership’s technician and documented in the repair order. Safety risk: the a/c system completely stopped producing cold air with no prior warning lights or symptoms. In atlanta, GA summer temperatures regularly exceed 95°f with high humidity. Complete loss of cabin cooling poses a serious heat-related safety risk, particularly for children and elderly passengers. This is a known widespread defect across 2016-2019 Honda Civics. Hundreds of owners have reported identical evaporator failures. Honda has acknowledged the pattern through case-by-case goodwill assistance but has not issued a formal recall. A goodwill assistance case is currently open.

I was driving merging onto the freeway and my sunroof completely shattered, no car was in front of me so, nor was I driving under a bridge, it just completely shattered. Looking as if someone grabbed a hammer or punched it, I know a rock wouldn’t shatter it, maybe crack but no it shattered. The glass looks like it lifted too , not caved in , so almost as if there was too much pressure as well. Have seen similar cases , not sure if any have reported but yes I have seen similar issues occurring. Thankfully I had my headliner closed , so the glass fell on there I had to pull over and figure it out, I did not touch the glass at all, as I’m currently having my Honda dealership look at it. Just hope it doesn’t happen to others.

To whom it may concern at NHTSA, I am filing a formal complaint regarding a critical technical discrepancy in Honda’s manufacturing records that is preventing essential safety diagnostics and maintenance for my vehicle. Vehicle details: • VIN: [xxx] • model: 2022 Honda Civic touring (11th generation) • manufacturing plant: Honda of canada mfg. The issue: according to the NHTSA part 565 submittal (which I have verified), this specific VIN is registered with an l15b7 engine (normally associated with the 10th gen Civic). My vehicle physically carries this engine, and it is documented in my official registration. However, when I take the vehicle to the authorized Honda distributor (nile trading & engineering) for service, their Honda diagnostic system (hds) fails to establish a connection with the vehicle’s ecu. The system identifies a "software/model year mismatch" because the global hds software expects an l15ca engine for all 2022 models, while my car carries the l15b7 as per the manufacturer's early 2022 production records. Lack of cooperation from Honda: I have contacted american Honda motor CO. (case #xxx) multiple times to request a technical solution or a software patch to allow the local dealer to access the car’s systems. Despite the clear evidence of a manufacturing record anomaly: 1. American Honda has been completely uncooperative, refusing to escalate the issue to their engineering team in canada. 2. They have formally closed my case, stating they "operate independently" and cannot assist with vehicles outside their immediate region, even though the error originates from their own manufacturing database. Safety risk: due to this "diagnostic lock," I am unable • perform critical safety recalls. • update vehicle software/firmware. • diagnose potential engine or safety system failures. Information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u. S. C. 552(b)(6).

See all problems of the 2022 Honda Civic 🔎.

My vehicle's maintenance minder system—the sole official schedule for maintenance per the owner's manual (pages 649-658)—was corrupted by an authorized Honda dealer. The service advisor stated that sometimes technicians reset all the maintenance minder codes rather than just the applicable ones. Honda corporate admitted this is a possibility when I followed up after the service. They stated that resetting all the codes rather than the ones that apply, can affect when and how future maintenance minder codes appear. Honda provided contradictory information: first stating that the maintenance minder state cannot be reconstructed to accurately alert the owner to future necessary maintenance, then subsequently stating that reconstruction is possible if 'deemed necessary. ' this leaves the owner with a corrupted safety maintenance system, with the remedy apparently contingent on Honda's discretion rather than the owner's right to accurate maintenance alerts. Without accurate alerts, critical maintenance items (brake fluid, coolant, transmission fluid) may not be serviced at proper intervals, increasing risk of component failure. Attached: service invoice (ro #189526, 04/03/26) showing dealer added unscheduled coolant flush (item 5) to my b1 request and reset all codes. Manual (pp. 649-658) confirms item 5 is a separate sub-item triggered only by the system, not mileage. Honda corporate emails admit resetting all codes corrupts future alert accuracy but offered contradictory remedies (first 'cannot fix,' then 'if deemed necessary'). This systemic failure—dealers bypassing the algorithm and Honda failing to enforce corrections—leaves owners with corrupted safety maintenance data, risking missed critical service intervals.

See all problems of the 2023 Honda Civic 🔎.

What component or system failed: the entire air conditioning system, specifically the ac compressor, condenser, and evaporator, failed catastrophically. The authorized Honda dealer diagnosed it as "black death," meaning the ac compressor internally shattered, sending metal shrapnel and contaminated oil throughout all ac lines and components. How was your safety put at risk: this failure is a severe safety hazard. Because the ac compressor is dead, the windshield defroster/defogger system no longer functions. During rain or changes in temperature/humidity, the inside of the windshield fogs up instantly and cannot be cleared. This causes a sudden and complete loss of driver visibility, creating a high risk of a fatal crash on the highway. Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed: yes. The vehicle was inspected by an authorized Honda dealership. The technician confirmed the catastrophic failure ("black death") and stated the entire system needs to be replaced. Previous history & manufacturer response: Honda has known defects with the 2016 Civic ac system (warranty extensions 19-091 & 23-039). The condenser was previously replaced under warranty in 2023. Now, the defective compressor shaft seal has led to the complete destruction of the system. Despite this being a known defect that causes secondary damage to the entire system, Honda corporate has refused to cover the repair costs for the collateral damage (evaporator and lines). The parts are currently on the vehicle and available for inspection. Were there warning lamps: there were no warning lights on the dashboard prior to the failure. The only symptom was the ac suddenly blowing hot air and the immediate loss of the defogging capability.

The ac evaporator failed, this is after the condenser and compressor failed twice, which are also known issues within Honda's ac system. A failed evaporator can cause the windshield foggy issues and cause drivers visibility issue which endangers driver and passengers. Yes dealer has diagnosed the issue. There was no warning of the failure, and there are already many reports about this part failing. Honda refused to cover it under their warranty.

I purchased a vehicle from a private seller on offer up. The seller stated the vehicle was clean title, he also stated the vehicle was low mileage with 112,000. When I got the vehicle the tire sensor was showing on the dash and the air bag sensor. After purchasing the vehicle I later found out the vehicle was salvage, and the mileage is also roughly 180,000 miles or more.

See all problems of the 2012 Honda Civic 🔎.

I've had two 2018 Civics (first one was totaled) and the a/c issues are a serious hazard. The condenser and seal thankfully has been addressed with a recall, but after having had the condenser and seals replaced twice now (once on each car), my car is now experiencing evaporator failure :,) which makes my car stink :,) and I can't afford the repair at nearly twice my monthly rent :,) this of course is all happening during the anomalous, record-breaking 100+ degree heat waves in southern California. I suffered mild heat exhaustion driving home with the windows down while waiting to hear word back from Honda on whether or not they would accept my request for goodwill assistance, only to find that they initially denied it. I'm still trying to reopen my case with them, and I'd hate to have to sell the car for another, safer option. My whole family owns older model Hondas, and they have never experienced any "wear and tear" on their a/c systems. This is clearly a 2018 model design flaw and a serious safety issue that warrants investigation.

My 2019 Honda Civic has experienced repeated air conditioning system failures over multiple years. The failures include confirmed refrigerant leaks, condenser replacement, and evaporator replacement. The system has again failed due to a refrigerant leak traced to the evaporator. This vehicle has a documented history of recurring a/c system issues, including abnormal pressure conditions and repeated refrigerant loss. Honda has acknowledged defects within this system by extending warranty coverage for certain components, including the compressor. Despite this, the system continues to fail, requiring multiple major component replacements. Loss of air conditioning in high-temperature conditions presents a safety concern, particularly during extreme heat, as it can affect driver alertness, passenger safety, and overall vehicle usability. This appears to be a systemic defect involving the a/c system rather than isolated component failures.