836 of the
20,273 complaints filed about the Honda Civic
are about the body and structure —
4% of everything owners reported.
The worst model year for it is 2008.
The mechanical backup keys on my "key fobs" do not work. When the key fob battery failed on 8/12/26 due to a dead key fob 2032 battery or a loose connection in the fob, I was locked out of my car with no ability to unlock the car. This happened in a garage, however it could happen again on the road or a highway and I would be left stranded with no way to get into my vehicle. When I was able to get the fob working again with new battery, I went to the dealer -San Francisco Honda -and two service representatives confirmed that the vehicle's manual mechanical emergency override fails to unlock the driver's door despite giving an internal "click." They refuse to fix it because the car is out of its general 36 month warranty. They stated I need to pay approximately $300 for the issue to be diagnosed, and then I would have to pay an unknown amount for the repair. I believe this issue has existed since I purchased the car and it should be handled as a safety defect under warranty.
NHTSA complaint #11757489 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
About one month ago, I noticed that the paint on my rear quarter panel (to the right of my rear window) was peeling. It continues to peel. My insurance will not cover the paint failure, as the adjuster stated that they "will not touch my car because there are several class action lawsuits again Honda for the paint on this specific model and color of white" '. I have contacted Honda and they stated that after looking up my VIN, there are no lawsuits or recalls associated with my specific VIN. I am at a loss because the paint looks like a paint failure - not as though something hit or scratched the paint and caused it to peel. I am looking for assistance for reimbursement or how to get this covered. Because this is not an at fault event, I am unsure of next steps because the paint will continue to peel and then there is a possibility that the car will rust.
NHTSA complaint #11753059 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I reported this issue to insurance. The facts are that when I was watching a family member’s toddler, I went to my vehicle to grab a stack of papers. While holding her, I reached in and grabbed the papers sitting directly on the back seat of the coupe vehicle (I.e., easy to reach). Upon grabbing the papers in one hand and holding her on my left hip, I shut the drivers side door and began walking toward the home. Immediately, I heard an odd sound like a rustle or possibly an animal scurrying. I looked around confused because I hadn’t seen anything and it wasn’t too dark. Then I looked closer and the entirety of my back windshield was shattered into a billion pieces leaking into my back seats and onto the car seat placed there for when I frequently pick up the toddler. I can’t help but think of what would’ve happened if she was in her car seat and the glass shards (which were many, sharp and permeating through each crevice and likely will remain until somehow discovered or hurting someone) would’ve fell there. Many honda owners experienced this issue of combustion in the rear windshield. It’s not safe or right. A recall should be made.
NHTSA complaint #11747930 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The paint on my car has been chipping nonstop and I have called Honda multiple times about the issue and they will not correct nor acknowledge the problem. This issue has been occurring before 2025, it got even worse in 2025
NHTSA complaint #11746421 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The paint on the rear trunk area has failed and it is chipping off in large amounts. The missing paint exposes the area to corrosion and reduces structural integrity of the components. American Honda was informed about the paint defect and the car was inspected by Hendrick Honda on 5/27/26 as requested by American Honda.
NHTSA complaint #11743099 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The contact owns a 2009 Honda Civic. The contact stated that the sun visor split over and blocked his driving view. The contact stated that the failure was related to TSB Technical Service Bulletin 11-031. The local dealer was contacted, where it was diagnosed that the sun visor needed to be replaced. The contact had a paperclip holding the sun visor. vehicle that was not repaired. The contact stated that the sun visor was previously repaired, but the failure recurred. The manufacturer was contacted, who opened a case. The failure mileage was approximately 100,000.
NHTSA complaint #11741877 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The component that failed is the paint on my Honda Civic. It is white and peeling/flaking under normal use. It has been occurring for a long time and is coming off of my whole car. It is causing safety issues by being exposed to the lead paint dust and chips which will cause future health problems. It is exposing bare metal to rust on my car. The white paint is continuing to peel and is a heavy concern.
NHTSA complaint #11741150 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I was hand washing my car and large flakes of paint started coming off around the back window. I have never experienced this with a vehicle before and it appears to be a manufacturer paint adhesion defect.
NHTSA complaint #11740874 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
My white 2017 Honda Civic was brand new when I bought it and has always been garage kept. At the beginning of April, when washing my car, I noticed the paint was peeling around the top of my back windshield. A couple of weeks later, while washing my car, the paint peeled off in several larger areas along the back drivers side window. When I called the dealership that I purchased my car from I was told Honda had extended the warranty 7 years but unfortunately that extension ran out in 2024. I bought touch up paint from a local Honda dealership and tried to fix it but it still looks awful and is still bubbling so bad I’m afraid to even wash it anymore.
NHTSA complaint #11735713 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I was driving merging onto the freeway and my sunroof completely shattered, no car was in front of me so, nor was I driving under a bridge, it just completely shattered. Looking as if someone grabbed a hammer or punched it, I know a rock wouldn’t shatter it, maybe crack but no it shattered. The glass looks like it lifted too , not caved in , so almost as if there was too much pressure as well. Have seen similar cases , not sure if any have reported but yes I have seen similar issues occurring. Thankfully I had my headliner closed , so the glass fell on there I had to pull over and figure it out, I did not touch the glass at all, as I’m currently having my Honda Dealership look at it. Just hope it doesn’t happen to others
NHTSA complaint #11731968 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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.
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.
Steering wheel coating is peeling off on my 2025 Honda Civic, VIN 2HGFE2F51SH537065. This appears to be a manufacturing defect. The dealership did not resolve the issue. Requesting investigation.
NHTSA complaint #11719595 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Prior to receiving official recall repair instructions, I experienced sudden and unexpected issues with the Electronic Power Steering (EPS) system. These issues resulted in a loss of steering control, which caused my vehicle to become involved in an accident [XXX]. This incident not only caused significant damage to my vehicle but also resulted in personal injuries for which I am still recovering. Because the recall repairs were not yet completed at the time of the accident, I was forced to pay out of pocket to repair certain parts that I didn’t know was due to the recall. I have incurred expenses that I should not have been responsible for, as these failures are explicitly recognized by Honda and the NHTSA as safety defects. I contacted Honda. I have a case number Case [XXX]. I was informed to submit documents for any pieces that I did have to buy. did that for about one month after that I was informed that they will not reimburse me for any damages that was correspondence Accident as I have a lot of damage to the front passenger side of my car as I ran into the cement barrier on the highway. Before this accident, I did not have any warning, lamps, messages or symptoms problems with my car. Not sure how I will pay for all these repairs. I contacted Honda to see if I can get the recalls done, but I still have damage to my vehicle due to the accident cause by recall, I did not know there were two recalls to my vehicle until after the accident, I took it to the mechanic and he let me know there’s an issue with my rack. I need to go contact Honda. I would like to know who will reimburse me or pay for the bodywork that I need time to my vehicle. entering [XXX] heading to Jersey City from Bayonne. I was driving onto the highway in the steering wheel felt funny , it was sticky or something. was pressing the breaks and turning away from the Railing and the wheel was not turning I ended up going into the railing on the right and damaging my front right passenger INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFOR
NHTSA complaint #11710395 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The paint is peeling from my Honda civic hatchback EXL. The color is sonic gray. The paint started to peel off slowly and hasn’t stopped. The side view mirror covers is where I noticed the peeling first. Then under the hood and door handles. Upon further inspection I noticed that rust had developed in the door jambs of the liftgate as well. Other areas that look like will start peeling are the fenders and hood. Dealer has inspected car but won’t address issue because this color hasn’t been recalled. Called Honda and they say the paint warranty has expired and this color hasn’t been recalled.
NHTSA complaint #11701880 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Immediately after closing the trunk, the trunk lid torsion bar snapped. The trunk lid will no longer stay up and is very heavy to open. If this had happened when the trunk was open, it could have broken my neck. Honda is aware of this issue in vehicles from 2016-2020. There is a technical service bulletin (22-013) but no recall. I feel this is a physical safety hazard to anyone who owns these cars.
NHTSA complaint #11696756 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The paint on my 2018 Honda Civic Hatchback (VIN: [XXX] , color Sonic Gray Pearl) is prematurely chipping and peeling on the driver-side mirror cover and door handle. This issue is identical to paint defects already acknowledged by Honda on other Civics and Accords, which were covered under extended warranties or settlements. Honda refuses to cover my vehicle, stating my VIN is excluded, even though the defect is visibly present and widespread among Civic owners. This reduces the vehicle’s durability and resale value and demonstrates a clear manufacturing paint adhesion defect. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
NHTSA complaint #11691161 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The contact owns a 2009 Honda Civic. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked and being inspected, the contact became aware that the driver’s and passenger’s side sun visors were split. No warning light was illuminated. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact related the failure to an unknown NHTSA Campaign. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 160,000.
NHTSA complaint #11688178 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.