FaultScore

2012 Honda Civic airbag problems

149 of the 620 complaints about the 2012 Honda Civic are about the airbag system — 24% of everything reported for this model year. Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before 41,000 miles.

F

149

Complaints

34

Crashes

0

Fires

16

Injuries

Exactly what failed

AIR Bags 148 99.3%
Frontal 1 0.7%

Airbags across every Honda Civic year

1992 18 0.6%
1993 29 1.0%
1994 66 2.3%
1995 83 2.9%
1996 75 2.6%
1997 146 5.1%
1998 97 3.4%
1999 60 2.1%
2000 86 3.0%
2001 323 11.2%
2002 249 8.6%
2003 141 4.9%
2004 136 4.7%
2005 128 4.4%
2006 185 6.4%
2007 158 5.5%
2008 179 6.2%
2009 97 3.4%
2010 98 3.4%
2011 51 1.8%
2012 149 5.2%
2013 113 3.9%
2014 57 2.0%
2015 57 2.0%
2016 28 1.0%
2017 23 0.8%
2018 22 0.8%
2020 29 1.0%

What owners said

Filed with NHTSA, in their own words.

Conway, SC

AIR BAGS

We were not injured. We fixed the problem before we did get hurt..message came up.. “Check airbag system”. We had t replace our driver’s side airbag at the cost of over $1,500.

NHTSA complaint #11747440 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Olympia, WA

AIR BAGS

The contact owns a 2012 Honda Civic. The contact stated that the front passenger’s side seat weight sensor failed to operate properly. The contact stated that while the front passenger’s seat was occupied, the air bag enabled warning light was flashing off and on. The contact associated the failure with NHTSA Campaign Number: 26V332000 (Air Bags). The dealer was contacted; however, the contact was informed that the failure was not associated with the recall. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.

NHTSA complaint #11746744 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Orosi, CA

AIR BAGS

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.

NHTSA complaint #11726572 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Bryant, AR

AIR BAGS

My passenger airbag light is on and stays on.

NHTSA complaint #11722651 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Fort Worth, TX

AIR BAGS

I have had this 2012 for a little over a year, within the past 6 months periodically the check air bag system warning lamp comes on if I make a sharp turn or move the steering wheel very fast. On the guage it says that the passenger side air bag is off..This issue just came out of no where, but generally the car runs great

NHTSA complaint #11687556 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Ocean Pines, MD

AIR BAGS

I was 3 hrs away from home and I started my vehicle and the air bag light began flashing and beeping. The light was on the message board that indicates my speed, clock, fuel, etc. it basically is the information center for the car. I pushed the information button on the steering wheel to clear it but it kept blinking and flashing the entire way home. I also turned off the engine and restarted it but no luck with that either. It was a very distracting experience having to drive 3 hours like this. I made an appointment with my mechanic and he diagnosed it as the Occupant Passenger Detection Sensor. This will cost $800.00 to repair. The car is not drive able in this condition because of the safety of the air bag. I looked up recalls but it seems my car has none.

NHTSA complaint #11622097 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Amman, CA

AIR BAGS

The IMA inverter system keeps malfunctioning without any clear reasons, and the car is in drive mode, which makes the electric motor unresponsive. Additionally, the braking system also malfunctions, leading to a lack of control over the vehicle. I have tried to repair it multiple times, but to no avail. It keeps malfunctioning without any apparent reason.

NHTSA complaint #11595954 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Springfield, TN

AIR BAGS

Car is stating air bag system check on and off.

NHTSA complaint #11595984 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Austin, TX

AIR BAGS

My airbag warning light comes on intermittently. When the light is on, the airbags are non-functional. It comes on at various times while driving, and at various speeds. The official diagnosis is a flaw in the "internal resistance in driver's airbag inflator." This is a well-established problem in this model, and Honda offers extended warranty coverage for the passenger side airbag for this problem. Yet Honda refuses to take any responsibility or action for the drivers side with the same issue. Numerous other manufacturers have issued recalls or other corrective action for the same part.

NHTSA complaint #11573039 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Burbank, CA Crash 2 injured

AIR BAGS

We were making a left turn, and a SUV ran the red light across the street and ran through the intersection hitting us broadside at about 45 mph. We were traveling at about. 20-30 mph as we were going to the freeway onramp and had to get to speed. The SUV impact was by the front passenger side tire or just after. The impact was hard enough to bend the subframe to the left. The side air bags did not inflate. We have always had issues with the child safety sensor in the front passenger seat, could that have been the reason? The passenger in the seat was about 105 -110 lbs. and hit the door panel and glass as a result of the air bags no deploying. The hit was bad enough it killed the engine and the frame damage further disabled it.

NHTSA complaint #11569996 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Pittsburgh, PA

AIR BAGS

Like others, I have had an airbag warning light appear intermittently. Apparently, my VIN is affected by this even though this and Honda's website indicates there are 0 recalls for my car. Dealership informed me that this indeed is a recall issue.

NHTSA complaint #11569051 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Easley, SC

AIR BAGS

Airbag system appears

NHTSA complaint #11567525 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Wilmington, MA

AIR BAGS

Light for Air Bag System fault keeps intermittingly coming on. I know it was a problem in the civic until 2011 but I have a 2012 and it may have been an issue or this year as well.

NHTSA complaint #11556938 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 196,000 miles Dallas, NC Crash 1 injured

AIR BAGS

The contact owns a 2012 Honda Civic. The contact stated that while her husband was driving at approximately 55 mph, his vehicle crashed into a stopped Ford F-150. The driver was sore where x-rays were performed and medical attention was provided. There was no fire. A police report was filed. The air bags did not deploy. The vehicle was towed to an unknown location. The air bag warning light illuminated after the impact. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 196,000.

NHTSA complaint #11550575 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Hendersonville, TN

AIR BAGS

The airbag popped for no reason, and Honda was unable to fix it, 8 months in the dealership with no progress.

NHTSA complaint #11521267 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

East Brunswick, NJ

AIR BAGS

Air bag light came on sometime back. Took it to dealer from where we purchased the car and we were told a specific part had failed which came up during Airbag Diagnostics - 77900-TR0-A11 (Reel). Had it replaced per Dealer suggestion. Dealer 'OPEN ROAD HONDA, Edison, NJ'. However the light came back up again. Now the Dealer is saying the Airbag Control Unit is malfunctioning and now I have to replace this part. Please check if there are recalls associated with this model Honda Airbags.

NHTSA complaint #11516110 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Salt Lake City, UT Crash

AIR BAGS

I braked unexpectedly and only my license plate was curved, but the driver passenger bag component popped open. The airbag didn't deploy properly. So if I was in an actual accident, I would have died.

NHTSA complaint #11491462 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 75,000 miles Ocala, FL Crash

AIR BAGS

1 airbags didn't deploy on highway accident on 1/11/2021. Honda usa rejected inspection upon request. 2 14 wheeler hit driverside on civic on hwy we almost died. 3 I reported accident of bags not deploying to Hobda USA. They denied case open for free inspection. 4 Airbags have not been inspected by no one. 5 unknown on the warning lamps . Dont know system.

NHTSA complaint #11485582 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 86,000 miles Maineville, OH 1 injured

AIR BAGS

The contact's girlfriend owns a 2012 Honda Civic. The contact stated that upon his girlfriend placing the vehicle into drive(D) while in her garage; the air bags deployed without warning. Black smoke emitted from the vehicle as his girlfriend exited the vehicle; the air bag hit his girlfriend in the face which resulted in a headache, she did not seek medical attention. She called the dealer and they informed her to bring in the vehicle for an inspection. The contact's girlfriend took the vehicle to the dealer on two occasions where they discovered that the air bag light had illuminated on the instrument panel but quickly disappeared prior to failure. His girlfriend was given an estimate for repair. The contact called Performance Kings Honda(9131 Fields Ertel Rd, Cincinnati, OH 45249) where he was given an appointment to have a second diagnostic performed on the vehicle. The contact attempted to reach the manufacturer but was unsuccessful. The vehicle had yet to be repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 86,000.

NHTSA complaint #11471611 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 10,000 miles Milwaukee, WI

AIR BAGS

The contact owns a 2012 Honda Civic. The contact stated that the air bag warning light was illuminated. The contact took the vehicle to multiple local dealers and made them aware of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 10,000.

NHTSA complaint #11436568 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Milwaukee, WI

AIR BAGS

My light for airbag inspection came on shortly after purchase. When we asked about it during a routine service we were told that shouldn't be happening. We were told the airbags are still working and they do not know why that is happening but, they were not interested in taking care of the issue even tho the car was under warranty at the time and several recalls were being issued for other cars with the Takata Airbags in them. Because of this poor service we decided to stop using your service. Now, several years later I have become aware of all the problems others are having with your airbags and requested a call back from a supervisor because no one answering your phones has offered any responsible response to this problem. No one is able to get a hold of a supervisor. I was finally given a case # thru an email from an unknown person with no contact information. I am very upset that I was not notified about this safety concern sooner and do not accept the system that you are using to get out of fixing a problem you pretended to know nothing about. Every time I try to find out which airbags are in my car I am referred to Takata Lawsuit over dysfunctional exploding bags are going off in older vehicles. I simply do not trust your process after many attempts to contact a responsible party and told they will get to it but, no one gets back and they have show no concern at all on their part. I do not wish to wait any longer for a correct response. it is long past due.

NHTSA complaint #11436441 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Wahiawa, HI

AIR BAGS

Check Airbag System light will turn on as soon as I start driving. SRS Code 11-10 open in the driver's airbag first inflator.

NHTSA complaint #11422519 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 149,900 miles Champion, MI Crash

AIR BAGS

COLLISION LEFT FRONT OF CAR, PASSENGER AIR BAG DEPLOYED, DRIVERS DID NOT. CAR WAS DRIVING ON A PARKING LOT STEERING TO THE LEFT AND I STRUCK CONCRETE PILLER PROTECTING LAMP POST

NHTSA complaint #11408165 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 60,000 miles Springfield, VA

AIR BAGS

CHECK AIR BAG SYSTEM WARNING MESSAGE POPS UP WHILE CAR IS TRAVELING DOWN THE ROAD A SHORT SHORT DISTANCE. THE CAR HAS NEVER BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT.

NHTSA complaint #11399331 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 1 miles Chicago, IL

AIR BAGS

WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION, THE CAR SLID A BIT. THE VEHICLE PASSENGER REAR TIRE HIT THE SIDE OF THE SIDEWALK, CAUSING THE AIRBAG TO POP.

NHTSA complaint #11396259 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 130,000 miles High Point, NC

AIR BAGS

WHILE THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION AND MAKING LEFT OR RIGHT HAND TURNS (90 DEGREE TURNS) WITH THE VEHICLE GOING ~10 MPH THE AIRBAG WARNING LIGHTTURNS AND STAYS ON FOR SOME TIME BEFORE IT DISAPPEARS. HOWEVER, THE FREQUENCY OF THE AIRBAG WARNING LIGHTS HAVE INCREASED. I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR FURTHER INVESTIGATION AND WAS TOLD THE ISSUE IS COMING FROM A CABLE REEL AND THE DRIVER INFLATION MAY NEED TO BE REPLACED TOO. ACCORDING TO THE HONDA TECHNICIAN- IF THE ISSUE/PARTS REMAIN UNFIXED, THE AIRBAG WILL FAIL TO DEPLOY IN A FORWARD MOVEMENT CRASH.

NHTSA complaint #11394634 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 100,000 miles Gainesville, FL Crash 1 injured

AIR BAGS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 HONDA CIVIC. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SON WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH BEFORE CRASHING INTO THE REAR OF A SECOND VEHICLE. DURING THE CRASH THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY, THE MESSAGE "CHECK AIR BAG" HAD DISPLAYED AND THE SEAT BELT BUCKLE HAD UNLATCHED CAUSING THE DRIVER TO CONTACT THE STEERING WHEEL. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED INJURIES TO BOTH KNEES. A POLICE REPORT TAKEN AT THE SCENE AND THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED AWAY. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURES WERE NOT YET DETERMINED. THE LOCAL DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT YET NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA complaint #11387987 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 117,000 miles Mooreville, MS

AIR BAGS

THE CHECK AIR BAG SYSTEM COMES ON AND STAYS ON!

NHTSA complaint #11363280 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 76,000 miles Austin, TX

AIR BAGS

AIR BAG LIGHT COMES ON. HAVE THERE BEEN SIMILAR COMPLAINTS ON HONDA VEHICLES? THE LIGHT STAYS ON. WHILE DRIVING ON A CITY STREETS THE LIGHT STAYS ON.

NHTSA complaint #11350958 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

LOS Angeles, CA

AIR BAGS

PASSENGER AIRBAG INFLATOR SENSOR STARTED SHOWING UP IN MY 2012 HONDA CIVIC. I'M WORRIED THE AIRBAGS MIGHT ACTIVATE. I WANTED TO KNOW IF IS A RECALL

NHTSA complaint #11350585 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Other 2012 Honda Civic problems

← Full 2012 Honda Civic report