Last updated: 2026-04-20
2026 Honda Civic Reliability Report
The 2026 Honda Civic scores 94/100 ("Excellent") with a complaint rate below the segment average. Data shows a dependable ownership experience across 0 recalls and 7 owner complaints.
Recalls
0
Complaints
7
Complaint Rate
N/A
Est. Repair Cost
$368
Annual Fuel Cost
$1,650–$2,900
Detailed Score Breakdown
Component-weighted complaints normalized by sales volume
Independent repair cost ratings
Recall count weighted by severity
Breadth of reported problem categories
The Verdict
Strong reliability record — a solid choice for buyers.
Top Issues to Watch
- SERVICE BRAKES (2)
- STEERING (1)
- ELECTRICAL SYSTEM (1)
Should You Buy the 2026 Honda Civic?
The 2026 Honda Civic earns an Excellent 94/100 reliability score.
Across 0 recalls and 7 owner complaints, the ownership picture is dependable.
A solid choice for buyers prioritizing dependability, new or used.
See also the 2025 Honda Civic for an earlier comparison.
Pros
- +Strong reliability score
- +$158 cheaper to maintain than avg compact cars
- +Infrequent unscheduled repairs
- +Low major repair risk (10%)
- +No recalls issued
Cons
- −UNKNOWN OR OTHER issues reported (3 complaints)
- −Collision Mitigation Braking System failures reported at 0–1,000 miles
Compare 2026 Honda Civic With
2026 Toyota Corolla
Reliability: 94/100
2026 Volkswagen Golf
Reliability: 84/100
2026 Hyundai Elantra
Reliability: 94/100
2026 Nissan Sentra
Reliability: 88/100
2026 Acura Integra
Reliability: 76/100
Common Problem Categories
Other
HIGH RISK- UNKNOWN OR OTHER (3)
- SERVICE BRAKES (2)
Recall Overview
0
recalls on record
No recalls are on record for the 2026 Honda Civic — uncommon, and a strong signal of manufacturing quality.
NHTSA.gov →Complaint Breakdown
7
complaintsSafety Incidents
1
Crashes
0
Fires
1
Injuries
0
Deaths
NHTSA 5/5 Stars
Data sourced from NHTSA complaint filings and manufacturer recall notices. Complaint narratives are owner-reported.
Buying a used 2026 Honda Civic? Check its history first
Every 2026 Honda Civic has a different past. A VIN check reveals hidden accidents, title problems, odometer rollbacks, and open recalls that reliability scores can't show you.
- Accidents
- Open Recalls
- Title History
- Odometer Rollback
2026 Honda Civic NHTSA Safety Ratings
Overall Safety Rating
Crash Test Results by Configuration (expand)
Gas Powertrain
Rollover risk: 9.5%
Safety Technologies
HEV Powertrain
Rollover risk: 9.5%
Safety Technologies
Honda CivicRepair Costs & Maintenance
Maintenance Rating
4.5Maintenance rating: 4.5 out of 5Based on NHTSA complaint patterns, recall severity, and publicly available cost benchmarks.
Est. Annual Maintenance
$368
vs $526 avg for compact cars
vs $652 avg for all vehicles
Repair Frequency
0.2
unscheduled repair visits per year
Severe Repair Probability
10%
chance of a major repair
Annual Cost Comparison
Category-level averages derived from publicly available industry reports (AAA, CarMD). Model-level estimates produced by Auto Reliability Index.
Honda Civic Resale Value
The Honda Civic is estimated to retain about 85.8% of its original value after 5 years, based on observed used-car listings.
This benchmark covers the Honda Civic model overall and is not specific to the 2026 model year.
- Value Retained
- 85.8%
- Depreciation
- 14.2%
- Listings Analyzed
- 720
after 5 years
over the same period
U.S. used-car listings
Listings observed in . Actual resale value varies by trim, mileage, condition, and location.
Explore Honda Civic depreciation and resale value on CarResaleValue.comMPG & Annual Running Costs
Gas
24–36 MPG
Running cost: $2,000–$3,250/yr
Fuel + repair
22–32 city / 28–41 hwy MPG
Hybrid
48–49 MPG
Running cost: $1,550–$1,600/yr
Fuel + repair
50 city / 45–47 hwy MPG
Running cost includes EPA fuel-cost estimate and independent repair-cost data (repair cost estimated at model level). Excludes routine maintenance, depreciation, and insurance. Data as of 2026 EPA label cycle.
Gas trims
| Trim | Drive | Trans. | City | Hwy | Comb | Fuel Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Civic 4Dr 2.0L 4-cyl | Front-Wheel Drive | Automatic (variable gear ratios) | 32 | 41 | 36 | $1,650 |
| Civic 4Dr 2.0L 4-cyl | Front-Wheel Drive | Automatic (AV-S7) | 31 | 39 | 34 | $1,750 |
| Civic 5Dr 2.0L 4-cyl | Front-Wheel Drive | Automatic (AV-S7) | 30 | 38 | 34 | $1,750 |
| Civic 4Dr 1.5L 4-cyl | Front-Wheel Drive | Manual 6-spd | 27 | 37 | 31 | $2,250 |
| Civic 5Dr 2.0L 4-cyl | Front-Wheel Drive | Manual 6-spd | 22 | 28 | 24 | $2,900 |
Hybrid trims
| Trim | Drive | Trans. | City | Hwy | Comb | Fuel Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Civic 4Dr 2.0L 4-cyl | Front-Wheel Drive | Automatic (variable gear ratios) | 50 | 47 | 49 | $1,200 |
| Civic 5Dr 2.0L 4-cyl | Front-Wheel Drive | Automatic (variable gear ratios) | 50 | 45 | 48 | $1,250 |
Used Buying Checklist
Key things to inspect or verify before purchasing a 2026 Honda Civic.
Test automatic braking system for unexpected activation or failure to engage
Inspect hatch area for water leaks into the interior
Verify presence of spare tire and related tools or plan for alternatives in cold climates
Check sunroof for any signs of stress or damage
2026 Honda Civic Common Problems by Component
7 owner complaints grouped by vehicle system.
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
3 complaintsOwners report a lack of spare tire and related tools in the 2026 Honda Civic, noting that the vehicle instead includes an air pump and a can of tire sealant, which may be ineffective in cold climates like Wyoming. Another issue involves water leaks from the hatch into the interior, with one owner indicating a delay in dealer inspection due to third-party testing availability. Additionally, there is a report of a sunroof suddenly exploding while driving, though no injuries or crashes are mentioned. These complaints highlight potential inconveniences and safety implications, especially for those driving in remote or extreme weather areas.
SERVICE BRAKES
2 complaintsSafety-relatedOwners of the 2026 Honda Civic report issues with the service brakes, specifically involving the automatic braking system. Complaints frequently mention the system either failing to engage during emergencies or engaging unexpectedly without cause. One owner experienced a failure to stop at an intersection, resulting in a crash and injury, while another reported the system activating on clear roads, causing a near rear-end collision. These incidents occurred within weeks of purchase, suggesting early onset of the issues. The safety implications include potential crashes and injuries, making it critical for prospective buyers to be aware of these reported problems.
STEERING
1 complaintAfter driving vehicle for about 30 minutes I noticed the steering had become notchy and felt like it was getting stuck while going straight and on slight curves. This is a known issue with Honda Civics in which a previous recall was announced for earlier models
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM (1 complaints)
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
1 complaintThe contact owns a 2026 Honda Civic. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle would not independently stop as intended or detect other nearby vehicles. A message "System Not working - See Dealer" was displayed. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed; however, the cause of the failure was not identified. The vehicle was taken to another local dealer, Honda of Indian Trail (4918 W Hwy 74Indian Trail, NC 28079) for a second opinion, where it was determined that the Collision Mitigation Braking System had failed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 300.
When Do 2026 Honda Civic Problems Start?
Based on owner complaint patterns, here's when common issues tend to appear.
Best & Worst Honda Civic Years
Comprehensive reliability analysis based on NHTSA data, owner complaints, and historical performance.
Best Honda Civic Years to Buy
Based on reliability index scoreThe best Honda Civic year is 2026 with a reliability score of 94/100, rated excellent. Other strong picks include 2025 (84/100) and 2024 (81/100).
2026
(Current Model)
2025
2024
Honda Civic Years to Avoid
The worst Honda Civic year is 2022 with a score of 66/100, primarily due to steering (790) issues.
Honda Civic Reliability Score Trend
Honda Civic reliability has remained consistent across model years, averaging 78/100.
Scores 0–100. Higher is better. Current year highlighted.
| Year | Score | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 2018 | 71/100 | Good |
| 2019 | 75/100 | Good |
| 2020 | 78/100 | Good |
| 2021 | 81/100 | Excellent |
| 2022 | 66/100 | Good |
| 2023 | 74/100 | Good |
| 2024 | 81/100 | Excellent |
| 2025 | 84/100 | Excellent |
| 2026 | 94/100 | Excellent |
Honda Civic Reliability Compared to Other Years
2026 Honda Civic Reliability by Powertrain
The 2026 Honda Civic is available with 2powertrain options. Here's how they compare on reliability.
| Powertrain | Complaints | Recalls | Incidents* | Crash Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gas | 7 | 0 | 1 | 5 out of 5 |
| HEV | 0 | 0 | 0 | 5 out of 5 |
| Total | 7 | 0 | 1 |
NHTSA tracks complaints by vehicle configuration when that detail is available. Model-level reports that do not identify a specific powertrain are included in Total but not assigned to a row. A plus sign indicates a confirmed minimum; — means no complaints could be attributed to that specific powertrain. N/T = Not tested by NHTSA.
* Incidents = crash + fire reports. A single complaint can include multiple incident types.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the 2026 Honda Civic reliable?
What are the most common problems with the 2026 Honda Civic?
How many recalls does the 2026 Honda Civic have?
Is the 2026 Honda Civic expensive to maintain?
Don’t buy a 2026 Honda Civic without checking its VIN first — hidden accidents, title issues, and open recalls could cost you thousands.
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 via vehicles.dev. Scores are recalculated as new data becomes available. While the weighting model is proprietary, all underlying data sources are public and traceable.
Get notified when new recalls or reliability data is added for the Honda Civic.
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