Last updated: 2026-03-04

Honda Civic

1 Honda Civic Years to Avoid

Years that score significantly below the Honda Civic average of 76/100

The Honda Civic years to avoid are 2022 based on reliability scores, NHTSA recalls, and owner complaints. The worst year is 2022 with a reliability score of 66/100. The best Honda Civic year to buy is 2025 84/100.

Verdict

The 2022 Honda Civic scores significantly below the model average of 76/100. The weakest year is 2022 with a score of 66/100 due to steering (790) issues. The best year to buy instead is 2020 78/100.

See years to avoid ↓See best year ↓See all years ranked ↓

Honda Civic Years to Avoid

These model years score significantly below the Honda Civic average of 76/100.

#YearScoreRatingRecallsComplaintsTop Issue
1202266/100Good3935Steering (790)

Why These Years Should Be Avoided

66
GoodReliability score: 66 out of 100, rated Good

2022 Honda Civic

The 2022 Honda Civic has good reliability. There are 3 recalls and 935 owner complaints on file for the 2022 Honda Civic. Severity signals include 35 crash-related complaints and 2 fire-related complaints. The most commonly reported problem areas are: Steering (790), Vehicle Speed Control (28), Electrical System (25).

3 recalls935 complaintsEst. repair:

Top issues: Steering (790), Vehicle Speed Control (28), Electrical System (25), Unknown Or Other (18), Forward Collision Avoidance (18), Structure (8)

View full 2022 reliability report →

What Are Common Honda Civic Problems?

Top reported issues across all Honda Civic model years, based on NHTSA owner complaints.

STEERING

1538 complaints

Most reported in 2018, 2019, 2020

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

185 complaints

Most reported in 2018, 2019, 2020

FUEL SYSTEM

168 complaints

Most reported in 2018, 2019, 2025

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

158 complaints

Most reported in 2018, 2019, 2020

AIR BAGS

76 complaints

Most reported in 2018, 2019, 2020

POWER TRAIN

75 complaints

Most reported in 2018, 2019, 2020

Best Honda Civic Year to Buy Instead

78
GoodReliability score: 78 out of 100, rated Good

2020 Honda Civic

The 2020 Honda Civic has good reliability. There are 8 recalls and 405 owner complaints on file for the 2020 Honda Civic. Severity signals include 26 crash-related complaints and 2 fire-related complaints. The most commonly reported problem areas are: Electrical System (57), Power Train (56), Air Bags (52).

Score: 78/100 (Good)8 recalls405 complaints
View full 2020 reliability report →

All Honda Civic Years by Generation

All model years ranked by reliability score, grouped by generation.

Honda Civic Reliability Scores by Year

Excellent Good Mixed Risky

Our data covers 2018–2025 model years.

Frequently Asked Questions

What Honda Civic years should you avoid?
Based on our data, you should avoid the following Honda Civic years: 2022 (score: 66/100). These model years score significantly below the Honda Civic average of 76/100.
What is the best year for the Honda Civic?
The best year for the Honda Civic is 2025, with a reliability score of 84/100 ("Excellent"). It has 5 recalls and 49 owner complaints.
How many recalls does the Honda Civic have?
Across all years in our database, the Honda Civic has a total of 37 recalls. Recall counts vary by year — check individual model year reports for details.
Is a used Honda Civic worth buying?
Yes, especially the 2025 model year, which scores 84/100. Stick to years at or above the model average of 76/100 for the best ownership experience.
What are common Honda Civic problems?
The most common Honda Civic problems are steering (1538 complaints), unknown or other (185 complaints), fuel system (168 complaints). These issues are reported across multiple model years based on NHTSA owner complaint data.
Is the Honda Civic reliable long-term?
The Honda Civic has an average reliability score of 76/100 across all model years in our database, rated "good". Overall, it is a reliable vehicle, though some model years perform better than others.
Which Honda Civic generation is most reliable?
The most reliable Honda Civic generation is the Tenth generation with an average score of 76/100. Compare generations in our all-years-by-generation section above.
How much does it cost to maintain a Honda Civic?
The estimated annual maintenance cost for the Honda Civic is $368 based on independent repair cost databases. This is below the category average, making it relatively affordable to maintain.
Is the 2025 Honda Civic a good used buy?
Yes, the 2025 Honda Civic is the highest-scoring model year with a reliability score of 84/100 ("Excellent"). It has 5 recalls and 49 owner complaints, making it a solid used buy.

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

1

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.

2

Repair Costs

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

3

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.

4

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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