Last updated: 2026-03-04

RELIABILITY SCORE: 80/100 (EXCELLENT)

2026 Honda Civic Reliability Report

Name: 2026 Honda Civic
Brand: Honda

The 2026 Honda Civic has a predicted reliability score of 80/100 based on prior model year data. Early data shows 0 recalls and 7 owner complaints.

Full Breakdown Compare Models

Recalls

Complaints

Complaint Rate

N/A

Est. Annual Cost

$368

The Verdict

Buy

Based on historical reliability patterns, predicted to score 80/100 — a strong pick.

Top Issues to Watch

SERVICE BRAKES (2)
STEERING (1)
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM (1)

Should You Buy the 2026 Honda Civic?

The 2026 Honda Civic has a predicted reliability score of 80/100 ("Excellent") based on prior model year performance.

So far: 0 recalls, 7 owner complaints. Early complaint volume is still developing.

Prior model years suggest dependable ownership. Confirm all recall repairs are completed, and consider a pre-purchase inspection for used examples.

See also the 2025 Honda Civic for an earlier comparison.

Pros

+Strong predicted reliability based on prior model years
+$158 cheaper to maintain than avg compact cars
+Infrequent unscheduled repairs
+Low major repair risk (10%)
+No recalls issued

Cons

−Score is a prediction — real-world data still developing
−UNKNOWN OR OTHER issues reported (3 complaints)

Compare 2026 Honda Civic With

2026 Hyundai Elantra

Predicted: 82/100

Predicted

2026 Toyota Corolla

Predicted: 79/100

Predicted

2026 Nissan Sentra

Predicted: 79/100

Predicted

2026 KIA Sportage

Predicted: 76/100

Predicted

2026 Volkswagen Tiguan

Predicted: 74/100

Predicted

Common Problem Categories

Other

HIGH RISK

UNKNOWN OR OTHER (3)
SERVICE BRAKES (2)

See detailed breakdown by component ↓

Recall Overview

recalls on record

The 2026 Honda Civic has no recalls on record, which is uncommon and a positive indicator of manufacturing quality.

NHTSA.gov →

Complaint Breakdown

complaints

LowAvgHigh

Very Low

Safety Incidents

Crashes

Fires

Injuries

Deaths

★★★★★

NHTSA 5/5 Stars

Data sourced from NHTSA complaint filings and manufacturer recall notices. Complaint narratives are owner-reported.

2026 Honda Civic NHTSA Safety Ratings

Overall Safety Rating

Crash Test Results by Configuration (expand)

Gas Powertrain

Driver: 5/5Passenger: 4/5

Rollover risk: 9.5%

Safety Technologies

Dynamic Head Restraints (Not Available)Head Restraint (Driver, Front Passenger, 2nd row)Advanced Belt Feature (Not Available)Seat Belt Pretensioners (Driver, Front Passenger, 2nd row)Seat Belt Load Limiters (Driver, Front Passenger, 2nd row)Frontal Air Bag (Driver, Front Passenger)Head Protection (Driver, Front Passenger, 2nd row)Torso and/or Pelvis Protection (Driver, Front Passenger, 2nd row)Knee (Driver, Front Passenger)Additional Air Bags (Not Available)Meets Side Air Bag Out-of-Position Requirements (Yes)Unattended Child Reminder Direct Sensing System (Info Not Available)LATCH Locations (2nd row)Driver Monitoring System (No)Automatic High Beams (Standard)

HEV Powertrain

Driver: 5/5Passenger: 4/5

Rollover risk: 9.5%

Safety Technologies

View full safety data on NHTSA.gov →

Honda Civic Repair Costs & Maintenance

Maintenance Rating

4.5

Based 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

Civic

$368

Category Avg

$526

All Vehicles

$652

Category-level averages derived from publicly available industry reports (AAA, CarMD). Model-level estimates produced by Auto Reliability Index.

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

Buying a 2026 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.

Look Up a VIN

2026 Honda Civic Common Problems by Component

7 owner complaints grouped by vehicle system.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER (3)SERVICE BRAKES (2)STEERING (1)ELECTRICAL SYSTEM (1)

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

3 complaints

Owners 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.

3 complaints total

SERVICE BRAKES

2 complaintsSafety-related

Owners 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.

2 complaints total1 crash1 injury

STEERING

1 complaint

2026-01-03

After 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 complaint

2025-10-08

The 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.

0–1,000 milesCollision Mitigation Braking System failures

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 score

The best Honda Civic year is 2025 with a reliability score of 84/100, rated excellent. Other strong picks include 2024 (81/100) and 2021 (81/100).

Top Pick

Excellent

Honda Civic Years to Avoid

The worst Honda Civic year is 2022 with a score of 66/100, primarily due to steering (790) issues.

Good

2022

3Recalls

935Complaints

See full Honda Civic years-to-avoid analysis

Honda Civic Reliability Score Trend

Honda Civic reliability has remained consistent across model years, averaging 76/100.

Scores 0–100. Higher is better. Current year highlighted.

Honda Civic reliability scores by year
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

Honda Civic Reliability Compared to Other Years

Reliability scores compared across model years
Year	Score	vs Prior Year	Rating	Recalls	Complaints
2026(selected)	80/100 (predicted)	—	Predicted	0	7
2025	84/100	+3	Excellent	5	49
2024	81/100	+7	Excellent	5	131
2023	74/100	+8	Good	7	315
2022	66/100	-15	Good	3	935
2021	81/100	+3	Excellent	3	118
2020	78/100	+3	Good	8	405
2019	75/100	+4	Good	2	356
2018	71/100	—	Good	4	605

2026 Honda Civic Reliability by Powertrain

The 2026 Honda Civic is available with 2 powertrain options. Here's how they compare on reliability.

Reliability comparison across powertrain options
Powertrain	Complaints	Incidents*	Crash Rating
Gas	7	1	5 out of 5
HEV	0	0	5 out of 5
Total	7	1

NHTSA tracks complaints separately for each powertrain configuration. Totals reflect the sum across all variants. 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?

The 2026 Honda Civic has a predicted reliability score of 80/100 ("Excellent") based on prior model year data. So far there are 0 recalls and 7 owner complaints on file. This is a prediction — the actual score will be available once more real-world data accumulates.

What are the most common problems with the 2026 Honda Civic?

There aren't enough owner complaints to establish common problem patterns yet for the 2026 Honda Civic. Based on prior model years, review known issues from previous years to understand potential problem areas.

How many recalls does the 2026 Honda Civic have?

The 2026 Honda Civic has no recalls on record, which is a positive indicator.

How is the predicted score calculated?

The predicted score of 80/100 is calculated by averaging reliability scores from prior model years of the same generation. When generation data is unavailable, the average of the most recent model years is used. The prediction updates automatically as new data becomes available.

Don’t buy a 2026 Honda Civic without checking its VIN first — hidden accidents, title issues, and open recalls could cost you thousands.

Look Up a VIN →

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.