Is the Acura Integra more reliable than the Honda Civic?

Based on our data, the Honda Civic is more reliable with an average score of 76/100 compared to 68/100. The difference is modest, so both are reasonable choices.

Which has more recalls, the Acura Integra or the Honda Civic?

The Honda Civic has more recalls (37) compared to the Acura Integra (9). More recalls don't always mean worse reliability — some are minor — but it's worth reviewing what each recall covers.

Which has fewer owner complaints, the Acura Integra or the Honda Civic?

Adjusted for sales volume, the Honda Civic has a lower complaint rate at 4.8 per 10,000 vehicles sold versus 28 for the Acura Integra. Normalizing by sales gives a fairer comparison than raw totals.

Which is cheaper to maintain, the Acura Integra or the Honda Civic?

Based on independent repair cost estimates, the Honda Civic is cheaper to maintain at $368/year versus $801/year for the Acura Integra.

Is the Acura Integra or Honda Civic safer?

Both the Acura Integra and Honda Civic received the same NHTSA overall safety rating of 5/5 stars. Check the frontal, side, and rollover sub-ratings above for a more detailed comparison.

Last updated: 2026-05-15

Acura Integra vs Honda Civic: Reliability Compared

Acura Integra

Good

More Reliable

Honda Civic

Good

Choosing between the Acura Integra and the Honda Civic? This page compares their reliability scores, NHTSA recall history, owner-reported complaints, and estimated annual repair costs so you can make a confident long-term ownership decision between these two compact sedans.

Our reliability scores are based on NHTSA recall and complaint data, independent repair cost estimates, and sales-normalized complaint rates. The Honda Civic currently leads with an average score of 76/100 compared to 68/100. Scroll down for the full year-by-year breakdown, common problem areas, and repair cost comparison.

How Do the Acura Integra and Honda Civic Generations Compare?

As of 2026, the Honda Civic is in its eleventh generation, which was introduced in 2022. Being early in its generation cycle, this platform might still be ironing out first-year issues, although Honda's reputation for reliability often mitigates these concerns over time. The previous tenth generation (2016–2021) was well-regarded for its maturity and reliability, benefiting from years of refinement. In contrast, the Acura Integra lacks detailed generation history, making it challenging to directly compare its platform evolution. However, Acura's focus on performance and luxury typically ensures a robust design, though specifics about its generation updates remain unspecified.

Verdict

The Honda Civic is more reliable than the Acura Integra, scoring 76/100 vs 68/100.

The Honda Civic outshines the Acura Integra in reliability with a higher average reliability score of 76/100 compared to the Integra's 68/100. The Civic also has a lower owner complaint rate of 4.8 per 10,000 sold versus the Integra's 28, and its estimated annual repair cost is significantly lower at $368 compared to $801 for the Integra. While both models share common issues like steering and electrical systems, the Civic's overall track record with fewer complaints and lower repair expenses makes it the more reliable choice in the compact sedan segment.

Key Differences

1Honda Civic costs $433 less per year to repair
2Acura Integra has 28 fewer total recalls
3Honda Civic has 23.2 fewer complaints per 10k sold

Category Scoreboard

1Acura Integra

—

4Honda Civic

Reliability ScoreTotal RecallsComplaint RateAnnual Repair CostRepair FrequencySafety Rating

Acura Integra vs Honda Civic: Which Is More Reliable?

Acura Integra vs Honda Civic at-a-glance reliability comparison
Metric	Acura Integra	Honda Civic
Reliability Score	68/100	76/100
Years Tracked	4	9
Total Recalls	9	37
Complaints per 10k Sold	28	4.8
Annual Repair Cost	$801/yr	$368/yr
Repair Frequency	0.7/yr	0.2/yr
Safety RatingNHTSA overall	2026 NHTSA	2026 NHTSA
Frontal
Side
Rollover
Year Wins	0	3

What Are the Common Problems With the Acura Integra and Honda Civic?

The Honda Civic exhibits a higher number of complaints overall, particularly in the steering category, with 1538 complaints and 58 linked to crashes, indicating a significant area of concern. In contrast, the Acura Integra's primary issue also lies in steering, with 237 complaints, but only 2 are crash-linked, suggesting less severe implications. The Civic also shows notable complaint volumes in the air bags and electrical system categories, with 21 and 7 crash-linked incidents respectively, pointing to safety and reliability issues. Meanwhile, the Integra has minimal issues in other categories, with only a notable crash-linked concern in the air bags, reflecting a more concentrated problem profile.

Acura Integra vs Honda Civic common problem areas comparison
Component	Acura Integra	Honda Civic
STEERING	24.8High	2.5Low
UNKNOWN OR OTHER	0.7Very Low	0.3Very Low
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM	0.3Very Low	0.3Very Low
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE	0.4Very Low	0.1Very Low
SERVICE BRAKES	0.2Very Low	0.1Very Low
POWER TRAIN	0.2Very Low	0.1Very Low
AIR BAGS	0.2Very Low	0.1Very Low
FUEL SYSTEM	—None	0.3Very Low
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM	—None	0.1Very Low
ENGINE	—None	0.1Very Low
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL	—None	0.1Very Low
STRUCTURE	—None	—None
SUSPENSION	—None	—None
LANE DEPARTURE	—None	—None
SEATS	—None	—None
SEAT BELTS	—None	—None
WHEELS	—None	—None
VISIBILITY/WIPER	—None	—None

Complaints per 10,000 units sold, aggregated across all tracked model years from NHTSA owner reports.

Which Is Cheaper to Maintain: Acura Integra or Honda Civic?

Independent repair cost data reveals that the Honda Civic is a more cost-effective option for maintenance and repairs compared to the Acura Integra. With an annual repair cost of $368, the Civic costs significantly less than the Integra's $801 per year. Over five years, this translates to a savings of $2,165 for Civic owners. Additionally, the Civic requires fewer trips to the shop, with a repair frequency of 0.2 visits per year versus the Integra's 0.7 visits. Furthermore, the Civic has a 10% major repair risk, while the Integra's major repair risk is unspecified, potentially indicating higher unforeseen expenses. For cost-conscious buyers, the Honda Civic offers better value with its lower maintenance costs and reduced repair frequency.

How Does Acura Integra vs Honda Civic Reliability Compare by Year?

Acura Integra vs Honda Civic year-by-year reliability scores
Year	Acura Integra	Honda Civic	Edge
2025	74/1002R / 2C	84/1005R / 49C	Honda Civic
2024	68/1005R / 61C	81/1005R / 131C	Honda Civic
2023	63/1002R / 204C	74/1007R / 315C	Honda Civic
2026(predicted)	68/100(predicted)	80/100(predicted)	Honda Civic

Best years to cross-shop: The 2025 Acura Integra scored 74/100 and the 2025 Honda Civic scored 84/100 — these represent the strongest model years in our tracking range.

Who Should Buy the Acura Integra vs the Honda Civic?

If you prioritize low running costs and reliability, the Honda Civic is your best bet. With a reliability score of 76/100 and an estimated annual repair cost of $368, it provides a balance of affordability and dependability. The Civic's repair frequency is notably low at 0.2 times per year, and it carries a moderate major repair risk of 10%. Despite having 37 recalls, it garners fewer owner complaints, with 4.8 per 10,000 sold, indicating overall satisfaction from its user base. On the other hand, if you are drawn to a more premium brand experience and can accommodate higher maintenance expenses, consider the Acura Integra. Although it has a lower reliability score of 68/100, it has fewer total recalls at 9. However, the Integra comes with a higher estimated annual repair cost of $801 and a repair frequency of 0.7 times per year. Keep in mind the higher owner complaints rate of 28 per 10,000 sold, which may affect your long-term satisfaction.

Acura Integra vs Honda Civic: Common Questions

Is the Acura Integra more reliable than the Honda Civic?: Based on our data, the Honda Civic is more reliable with an average score of 76/100 compared to 68/100. The difference is modest, so both are reasonable choices.
Which has more recalls, the Acura Integra or the Honda Civic?: The Honda Civic has more recalls (37) compared to the Acura Integra (9). More recalls don't always mean worse reliability — some are minor — but it's worth reviewing what each recall covers.
Which has fewer owner complaints, the Acura Integra or the Honda Civic?: Adjusted for sales volume, the Honda Civic has a lower complaint rate at 4.8 per 10,000 vehicles sold versus 28 for the Acura Integra. Normalizing by sales gives a fairer comparison than raw totals.
Which is cheaper to maintain, the Acura Integra or the Honda Civic?: Based on independent repair cost estimates, the Honda Civic is cheaper to maintain at $368/year versus $801/year for the Acura Integra.
Is the Acura Integra or Honda Civic safer?: Both the Acura Integra and Honda Civic received the same NHTSA overall safety rating of 5/5 stars. Check the frontal, side, and rollover sub-ratings above for a more detailed comparison.

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How We Calculate Reliability Scores

Auto Reliability Index scores are calculated on a 0–100 scale using a weighted formula that combines multiple public data sources. Each factor is weighted based on its predictive value for real-world ownership experience.

Key Ranking Factors

Complaint Severity

NHTSA owner complaints weighted by component category (e.g., powertrain, safety systems, electronics, cosmetic) — safety-critical issues carry more weight than cosmetic ones. Adjusted for sales volume so high-volume models aren't unfairly penalized.

Repair Costs

Independent reliability ratings based on repair frequency, average repair costs, and severity of typical repairs for each model.

Recall Impact

Number of NHTSA recalls weighted by severity. “Stop driving” and fire-risk recalls are penalized more heavily than minor software or labeling recalls.

Issue Diversity

Measures how many major vehicle systems (engine, transmission, electrical, braking, etc.) have recorded complaints. A vehicle with issues spread across many systems may indicate systemic quality issues.

Scores are grouped into four tiers:

80–100: Excellent— Top-tier reliability, minimal issues
60–79: Good— Reliable with some minor concerns
40–59: Mixed— Notable issues, research before buying
0–39: Risky— Significant problems, proceed with caution

Data is sourced from NHTSA recall records, owner complaint filings, and independent repair databases. Scores are recalculated as new data becomes available. While the weighting model is proprietary, all underlying data sources are public and traceable.

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