2016 Honda Civic other reported problems

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

The vehicle has experienced repeated A/C refrigerant leaks. In March 2026, a Honda dealer replaced the condenser and compressor shaft seal under warranty. Several months later, the A/C again gradually lost cooling. The dealer diagnosed leaks from the evaporator, expansion valve, and two Schrader valves. The dealer quoted about $2,800 for parts and labor, including dashboard removal to access the evaporator. The repair has not been performed. The repeated loss of A/C may create a safety concern because the system helps defog and defrost the windshield, potentially affecting visibility. The dealer confirmed the leaks. Honda was contacted but denied goodwill assistance based on the vehicle's age. I am reporting this because multiple major A/C components have developed leaks within months of warranty repairs, and I have heard similar reports from other owners of 2016 Civics. I believe the pattern warrants investigation for a possible broader defect.

NHTSA complaint #11757577 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

The A/C evaporator core failed completely on my vehicle due to a known manufacturing and design defect in this climate control system architecture. Because the system cannot hold refrigerant, the vehicle has entirely lost its moisture-removal capability. This makes it impossible to effectively defrost or defog the windshield during rain or high-humidity conditions, severely obstructing driver visibility. This creates an imminent safety hazard and collision risk on the road. The failure has been confirmed by an authorized dealership diagnostic.

NHTSA complaint #11745531 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

The A/C failed completely, blowing hot air (80+°F) in extreme Phoenix heat. The issue recurred identically after a dealer misdiagnosis and gas recharge last year. A formal inspection by Showcase Honda on May 28, 2026 (RO# 838832), confirmed a dual leak: the A/C Compressor Shaft Seal (under warranty extension) and the A/C Evaporator Core were leaking refrigerant simultaneously. Due to severe local heat waves, repairs were completed at the dealer on June 15, 2026. Invoices are available upon request. This defect severely risks vehicle safety. Driving in Arizona's 100+°F heat without A/C causes immediate heat exhaustion for passengers. Also, losing the defroster causes sudden windshield fogging during humidity shifts, creating a blind visibility hazard. No warning lamps preceded the failure. Crucially, the 10-year warranty extension is rapidly expiring for early 10th-gen Civic owners, leaving us unprotected. NHTSA must mandate Honda to extend the compressor/condenser warranty to a LIFETIME warranty. Furthermore, because the Evaporator Core inherently fails at the exact same time due to the same loop defect, Honda must expand coverage to include the Evaporator Core as a fully covered component. Partial coverage is a widespread safety hazard and a financial injustice for consumers.

NHTSA complaint #11745135 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

Rear camera view distorted

NHTSA complaint #11740673 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

The white paint on my 2016 Honda Civic keeps peeling, which looks bad and is leading to structural rust developing in several areas of my car. Fixing it will be costly, and the paint quality on these vehicles isn't very good, causing frustration for owners. Furthermore, my steering wheel has been sticking for some time, and I've consulted several shops for their thoughts. This also comes with a hefty repair price, and I believe it is Honda's duty to address these problems.

NHTSA complaint #11730082 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

What component or system failed: The entire Air Conditioning system, specifically the AC Compressor, Condenser, and Evaporator, failed catastrophically. The authorized Honda dealer diagnosed it as "Black Death," meaning the AC compressor internally shattered, sending metal shrapnel and contaminated oil throughout all AC lines and components. How was your safety put at risk: This failure is a SEVERE SAFETY HAZARD. Because the AC compressor is dead, the windshield defroster/defogger system no longer functions. During rain or changes in temperature/humidity, the inside of the windshield fogs up instantly and cannot be cleared. This causes a sudden and complete loss of driver visibility, creating a high risk of a fatal crash on the highway. Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed: Yes. The vehicle was inspected by an authorized Honda dealership. The technician confirmed the catastrophic failure ("Black Death") and stated the entire system needs to be replaced. Previous history & Manufacturer response: Honda has known defects with the 2016 Civic AC system (Warranty Extensions 19-091 & 23-039). The condenser was previously replaced under warranty in 2023. Now, the defective compressor shaft seal has led to the complete destruction of the system. Despite this being a known defect that causes secondary damage to the entire system, Honda Corporate has refused to cover the repair costs for the collateral damage (evaporator and lines). The parts are currently on the vehicle and available for inspection. Were there warning lamps: There were no warning lights on the dashboard prior to the failure. The only symptom was the AC suddenly blowing hot air and the immediate loss of the defogging capability.

NHTSA complaint #11729673 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

Have had A/C issues for years, have had to replace compressor and condenser 4 times, only twice after a warranty finally came out for the defective parts. Now, the evaporator core has failed, but it is not under extended warranty or recall. Wild as I've seen so many with issues with another part of the faulty a/c system, likely from a defect. Going through a heatwave currently, dropping 3K on an evaporator core was not on my budget, especially when I believe Honda is at fault here. Tried a goodwill claim with them, immediately rejected. This came shortly after the condenser and shaft were replaced at the dealership.

NHTSA complaint #11724126 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

The white orchid pearl paint on my 2016 civic is peeling. the car has 150000 miles on it. I've seen this is a known defect with this type of paint. I'm reporting this concern for my vehicles as the repair is costly and if it isn't repaired I will get structural rust.

NHTSA complaint #11722244 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

The contact owns a 2016 Honda Civic. The contact stated that the white paint was peeling off the vehicle. Large white pieces from the rear hood started to peel off first. Then, the white paint from the rear and later both rear sides, the paint was peeling off, stemming from manufacturing defects in the application of its three-stage finish, leading to peeling and flaking that can impact resale value and cause rust. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer or an independent mechanic. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and offered no assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 100,000.

NHTSA complaint #11713915 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

I am reporting confirmed odometer fraud involving a 2016 Honda Civic. CarMax documented the vehicle as “ROLLBACK / NOT ACTUAL MILES / TRUE MILEAGE UNKNOWN.” Experian verified a mileage discrepancy. A prior Michigan title contains inconsistent mileage. Selling dealer: Car Tec Enterprise Leasing & Sales LLC, Deer Park, NY. I am requesting investigation under the Federal Odometer Act.

NHTSA complaint #11701027 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

Fuel door is making a noise when I unlock my vehicle and sometimes fuel door doesn’t unlock.

NHTSA complaint #11693970 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

Component that failed: The air conditioning system evaporator core failed, causing refrigerant leakage. The vehicle was inspected and diagnosed by a Honda dealership, which confirmed the failure and provided a written quote for replacement. The component is still installed and available for inspection. Safety risk: When the evaporator leaks, the A/C system loses refrigerant and stops cooling. This prevents the defrost/defog system from working properly, which can lead to poor visibility through the windshield in humid or rainy weather. In hot conditions, lack of cooling can also cause driver fatigue and heat stress, creating a safety risk for occupants. Confirmation of problem: Yes, the problem was confirmed by a Honda dealership after the condenser was already replaced under Honda’s extended warranty. Inspection by manufacturer/others: Yes, the vehicle was inspected by a Honda dealership. Honda corporate was contacted but declined to cover the evaporator, even though the condenser was covered under warranty due to a known defect in the A/C system. Warning lamps or symptoms: There were no warning lamps or dashboard messages. The only symptom was a loss of A/C cooling. After recharging the system, the A/C worked temporarily but will lose effectiveness again as refrigerant continues to leak. Summary: This is a premature failure of a critical climate control component that is widespread among 2016–2018 Honda Civics. Honda already extended warranty coverage for defective condensers in these models, but evaporator failures are also common and part of the same defective A/C system. The high cost of repair (quoted over $2,000) combined with the safety risks of poor windshield defogging and cabin overheating warrant NHTSA investigation and corrective action.

NHTSA complaint #11684110 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

2016 Honda civic has 28 000 miles and the air conditioning went out. took it to Honda dealership, compressor, and evaporator and gasket is not working. everything but the evaporator is covered. Been driving in hot weather and unable to maintain comfortable temperature. Unsafe during hot weather to be driving in a car that has no air conditioning, may lead to heat related illness such as heat stoke in long drives. this is a well documented issue with these Hondas. Has been inspected by Honda dealership. unknown.

NHTSA complaint #11680752 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

This report is on the paint defect issue on the 10th generation Honda Civic that can potentially impact the vehicle's structural integrity from the windshield damage. The white paint on my vehicle started peeling around the perimeter of the rear window with the rain groove. I am uncertain of the exact time it started, but the paint defect became noticeable to the naked eye just past the 5 years of ownership. The size of the paint chip has now extended to the rear body of the vehicle. A section of bare steel body around the rear window is exposed to the elements. Based on the inspection and evaluation by the authorized Honda paint and body shop that was recommended by the dealership, I have been informed that the cause is commonly due to improper paint priming during the manufacturing process. According to the paint and body shop owner, such paint peeling is a widely known issue with certain color paint for many auto manufacturers that use the same paint primer. I was warned that paint peeling will likely worsen with the water being captured underneath the paint. I am reporting this incident as a safety concern because the rust on the bare metal chassis of the vehicle can cause corrosion under the windshield adhesive over time and lead to the window breaking. The windshield is critical to the vehicle's structural rigidity as it contributes to both the roof support and the airbag deployment. The Honda dealership service manager submitted goodwill on my vehicle past warranty for a paint defect from the manufacturing process, but American Honda Motor Company has denied the claim as they determined it as cosmetic damage only. There are multiple reports online on paint defects from other Honda Civic owners from various places. There was a lawsuit settlement on older generation Honda Civic vehicles, but it looks like the known issue is still present on the newer generation. Based on the location of the paint defect, it can become a safety concern.

NHTSA complaint #11675778 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

Component: Car AC System The Car AC system of the 10th generation Honda Civics is extremely faulty. My car is a 2016 Honda Civic with 75,000 miles and I have already had 3 "Extended Warranty" repairs on it. One at the condenser system and 2 at the compressor. This were covered under the "Extended Warranty". Now the evaporator is giving out and it is not cover under "Extended Warranty" and consumers are expected to pay for a faulty designed AC repair that just keeps breaking. In very hot areas in the country this is a major issue as the AC constantly blowing hot air can be nauseating and distracting especially with outside temperatures are above the 100 degrees. With the Extended Warranty only lasting 10 years a lot of cars are now going to be considered out of warranty and forced the consumer to pay for the faulty design. I would understand if the warranty repairs would fix the issue and they would never come back. But it seems that they are placing a mere bandaid and kicking the problem down the line until everyone is out of warranty. I've had 3 service to the AC and now I am due for a 4th. The car is not that old to be requiring all these services, and the bandaids place on the service are only lasting 1 to 2 years.

NHTSA complaint #11671051 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

At the start of the summer in 2023, I noticed that my AC was only blowing hot air (during >110 degF Phoenix summer). I took it to a Brakes Plus on 4/7/2023 and had an evac and recharge service performed along with a leak test. The test detected a leak from the condenser, and I had the Brakes Plus shop replace that part. At the start of the summer of 2024 I was back at Brakes Plus with the same issue, my AC had gradually reverted to blowing only hot air. At that time, I did another evac and recharge service along with a leak test that was not able to detect any issues. Most recently, on 2/28/2025, I took my car to Brakes Plus again due to the same issue with my car AC only blowing hot air. This time, the technicians performed a leak test and saw signs of a leak near the compressor shaft in the form of dye found splattered around that area. So, that prompted us to find the warranty extension for the AC compressor shaft seal. So, I figured this time I would stop and take it to the Bell Honda Service Center to confirm that finding. I then set up an appointment with the Bell Honda Service Center in Phoenix on 3/1/2025. I was told that the only way to check for any leaks in my system would of course be to do an evac and recharge of the system and add some of the dye needed to detect any leak. That cost me ~$320. The diagnosis from the Bell Honda Service Center did NOT find any signs of leakage near the compressor shaft seal and I was not allowed the same courtesy of showing me that in person (or even via a picture) as I had been offered at Brakes Plus. Instead, the diagnosis suggested that my new issue was excessive build up of freon in the evaporator, resulting in a leak, which I was also not visually demonstrated. I asked if there was any warranty eligibility for the evaporator and was able to confirm at the dealership that there was no warranty extension or recall for the evaporator at the moment. However, I did hear of numerous reports of similar evaporator issues.

NHTSA complaint #11645883 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

In 2019, Honda extended the warranty on two components of the A/C systems in 2016-2018 Civics: the condenser and the compressor shaft seal. However, it did not extend the warranty on the evaporator. I took my Civic to the dealer to diagnose an A/C issue where the system stopped putting out cold air after approximately 45 mins of driving. The dealer found leaks in the condenser, compressor shaft seal, and evaporator. Dealer received approval to replace the first two parts under warranty. However, Honda would not cover the evaporator. The dealer told me I would need to replace the evaporator, at a cost of nearly $2500, in order to recharge the A/C. Simple internet research confirms this is a common problem. Honda should be including the evaporator in its extended warranty because it seems to fail at the same rate as the other parts and because it is effectively impossible to replace the two covered parts without replacing the evaporator--which is by far the most expensive of the 3 parts to replace.

NHTSA complaint #11642972 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

Complaint Description for NHTSA Vehicle Information: • Year: 2016 • Make: Honda • Model: Civic • VIN: [XXX] : 90,484 Description of the Issue: I am experiencing a complete AC failure in my 2016 Honda Civic due to an evaporator leak, which has resulted in an unreasonable $4,000 repair cost quoted by my local Honda dealership. This is a well-documented and widespread issue among 2016-2020 Honda Civic owners, where the AC system components, including the compressor, condenser, and evaporator, fail prematurely. Honda has already acknowledged defects in the AC condenser and extended the warranty for that part. However, they have not extended the warranty for the evaporator, which is also failing at an alarmingly high rate. Safety Concerns: • Visibility Issues: Without a working AC system, the defrost function does not operate properly, causing windshield fogging, which can obstruct visibility and create a safety hazard while driving. • Extreme Heat Risk: In hot climates, the lack of AC can lead to dangerous cabin temperatures, which is a health and safety risk, especially for passengers with medical conditions or young children. Honda’s Response & Requested Action: • I contacted Honda Customer Service to request goodwill assistance, but they have not yet agreed to cover the repair cost. • Many Honda Civic owners have filed similar complaints about evaporator failures, yet Honda has failed to take action. • Given the widespread nature of this issue, Honda should extend the warranty for the evaporator, just as they did for the AC condenser. I am filing this complaint to formally urge NHTSA to investigate this issue and hold Honda accountable for what appears to be a defective AC system across multiple model years. Thank you for your time and consideration. [XXX] [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6) INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA complaint #11641232 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

AC system fails for the third time since 2021 (fixed twice and issue comes back)

NHTSA complaint #11635879 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

yes

NHTSA complaint #11626935 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

The A/C unit is continuously giving out. The condenser and compression shaft have been replaced twice and have now damaged the evaporator causing it to leak. Due to the A/C system blowing hot air, driving in the high degree weather has became a risk to myself and passengers. Dealership has checked if the parts affected were under warranty to resolve issue, however, Honda does not cover evaporator leak problem even though multiple owners have complained about issue. The repair quote is costing owners more than $2k out of pocket that they may have to replace again in a short time. Causing financial burden from the brand's negligence. Issue will first blow hot air on the driver side and the passenger side will soon follow suit.

NHTSA complaint #11623038 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

My AC gave me problems 2years ago, after a couple times at dealer finally, needs to replace Compresor and condenser and hoses. Honda put me in waiting list for the replacement of the parts. (covered under 10 years extended warranty) finally got call to repair the car. Now my AC again stop working only hot air. Took the car to Honda, now the evaporator is leaking. They want $ 2,450 to replace.

NHTSA complaint #11621858 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

The evaporator core is leaking, which is causing reduced visibablility out of the windows due to condensation on the windows, mold-like smells from moisture from the interior cabin (it is available upon request). I took it into the dealer - they examined the issue (the shaft seal had just been replaced in April of this year) and let me know that this time the evaporator core was leaking. For context and why I bring it to the attention of the NHTSA is in early to mid-August of this year my AC not only took an extended time to get cool, it only got cooler, and not cold. Unfortunately, I am now well acclimated to the signs of a faltering air conditioning system after dealing with three like episodes on the same vehicle, occurring within 2 to 3 years of each other (the car isn’t even nine years old). In fact, this vehicle’s air conditioning has been in a rhythmic pattern of failing ever since I purchased the vehicle. Over 8 years there have only been a few summers which haven’t been negatively impacted by this inconvenience. Honda is aware of the issue, because they have offered "good-will" subsidies which sometimes cover partial replacements of these components. But, they have yet to take responsibility for anything outside of the condenser. Hence, the consumer is on the hook to pay for a vital piece of the car (not just the convenience) that removes moisture out of the car.

NHTSA complaint #11621969 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

The differential inside the transmission is making a knocking noise and shakes really badly check engine light came on and traction control light both are on and break system light and I have not even had it for a year

NHTSA complaint #11621847 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

For a while now (months), we have noticed our 2016 Honda Civic has had a "sticky" (a click or jerk) feeling when handling the steering wheel, particularly while driving on the freeway, holding long turns, or when even reversing (from an angle) into a parking stall (for the parking, a click/pop is audibly heard). Basically, the steering wheel will suddenly shift/jerk slightly left/right, which causes you to no longer be steering in the exact line you were on. Driver has to then correct by making an opposing shift in the opposite direction to return to the exact line that was being driven. It is a bit of a nuisance, and produces anxiety on the driver's part, leaving one wondering if/when the shift/jerk will cause even larger of an issue, potentially posing risk of harm to the vehicle's and neighboring vehicles' riders via a collision. Our Honda service technician recently confirmed, after our recent big maintenance service, that this issue is present and has something to do with some steering mechanism (I don't recall the correct term of the equipment/device), and that an estimated repair cost would be $3,000-$4,000. For now, we have been advised to monitor, and that basically it is up to us to decide if/when we would like to spend $3,000-$4,000 to have this repaired at our own expense. We are not aware of how this issue arose (what the exact cause is), but is potentially due manufacturing. There are no dashboard warning lights that illuminate during the shifting/jerking of the steering. We just feel it, moreso if you are the one driving. This issue is experienced daily. Our primary concern is prevention of a collision. We do not want it to get to the point of having had a collision/emergency, then reactively reporting the issue to NHTSA. And we do not have funds to purchase a new vehicle. Can we possibly have more confidence in this vehicle being able to transport our family safely without fear of steering issues? Thank you for your support.

NHTSA complaint #11617026 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

Alarm sounded, went outside with fob to shut off . Still alarm on . Tried to get in car with fob . Had to use key in door to get in . Stepped on brake and pushed start/stop button . Alarm now silent. Push start/stop button to shut off engine and message on dash read Keyless Start System Error. Engine still running. Pushed button again and AC shuts off , engine still running and dash still reading error. Put in driver, then reverse to park and pushed button again and engine shut off finally. Disconnect negative from battery and let sit overnight. Tried to start, but just kept cranking. Disconnect battery again, tried starting again and it started. This time it took me 10 minutes before I could shut off engine. Disconnect battery again and haven’t tried again. I’ve read about other people having the same issues. Most say start/stop switch. Mine is on order, will install asap and see what happens. Fingers crossed.

NHTSA complaint #11613042 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

The air conditioner does not blow cold air. The heating and fan work just fine, but no cool air. I was told by Honda that if it’s not because of the recall, that I would have to pay, and that just wasn’t feasible at the time.

NHTSA complaint #11610544 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

AC on these models is a complete failure. It is well know that 2016 Honda Civics have had issues with the AC system and the source of the malfunction lies in the refrigerant, specifically the R-1234f, which appears to be incompatible with the AC system components. As a result, leaks have developed, contaminating other vital AC components and causing unnecessary strain on the system. Refrigerant leaks have a cascading effect, leading to cross-contamination of other AC components and increased strain on the entire system. The fact that the condenser, air compressor, and evaporator have to be replaced due to the refrigerant leak is a clear indication of the severity of the problem. Other main problem is that whenever you take these vehicles into Honda dealerships with or without warranty they clearly do not go through all the issues. They find the first issue, they patch and send you on your way. You can feel they are have been trained to be money hungry and upsell wherever possible

NHTSA complaint #11609171 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

There was white padding between my speakers and trunk that had a malodorous smell.

NHTSA complaint #11595797 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

My 2016 Honda Civic recently started having a problem with the air conditioner. The air blowing through is not cold and also smells strange. After taking it to an official Honda dealer, they've confirmed it's a problem with the evaporator and it needs to be replaced. An extended warranty exists for the compressor and condenser but not the evaporator. I believe the three are related and the evaporator should also be covered under warranty. This problem affects the air being pushed through the AC unit and could harm the passenger's well being.

NHTSA complaint #11595376 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.