If you are considering buying a used Honda Civic, there are several major reliability issues worth knowing about first. Our garage database tracks 26 known faults for this model, 18 of them rated high severity. Every one below is a repair bill a seller has good reason not to mention.
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Generation 1 of 65 known faults · 3 good notes
Honda Civic Mk6 (1999 to 2001) problems
ElectricalHigh severity💬 5 owner reports, 2002
The electrical contacts in the ignition switch can wear prematurely, leading to intermittent power loss or stalling at speed. This was subject to an official recall.
Rough guide
£0 (free safety recall)
Typical symptoms
Engine cutting out unexpectedly while driving
Difficulty restarting the engine
Intermittent loss of power
Affected vehicles
Engines:
All
Typical mileage:
Unknown miles
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SuspensionHigh severity💬 2 owner reports, 2000
Rear suspension lower arm bolts may break, leading to instability or loss of control. This was subject to an official recall.
Rough guide
£0 (free safety recall)
Typical symptoms
Unusual noises from the rear suspension
Poor handling or instability at the rear
Visible damage to suspension components
Affected vehicles
Engines:
5-door models
Typical mileage:
Unknown miles
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OtherHigh severity💬 2 owner reports, 2000
Models not fitted with ABS may suffer failure of the brake proportion control valve, leading to instability during braking. This was subject to an official recall.
Rough guide
£0 (free safety recall)
Typical symptoms
Unstable braking, especially under hard braking
Rear wheels locking up prematurely
Reduced braking effectiveness
Affected vehicles
Engines:
1.4 & 1.5 (non-ABS)
Typical mileage:
Unknown miles
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OtherHigh severity💬 2 owner reports, 2001
Brake and clutch pedal lock pins may be incorrectly installed, potentially leading to pedal malfunction. This was subject to an official recall.
Rough guide
£0 (free safety recall)
Typical symptoms
Loose or unresponsive brake/clutch pedal
Difficulty operating pedals
Affected vehicles
Engines:
All (Swindon-built)
Typical mileage:
Unknown miles
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Fuel SystemHigh severity💬 2 owner reports, 2001
Screw clips on the fuel filler tube connecting the filler pipe to the tank may not be correctly installed, potentially leading to a fuel leak in a severe impact. This was subject to an official recall.
Rough guide
£0 (free safety recall)
Typical symptoms
Fuel smell around the filler area
Visible fuel leaks after impact
Affected vehicles
Engines:
All (Swindon-built)
Typical mileage:
Unknown miles
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What owners like about the Mk6
3 notes
Optional air conditioning was available from June 1997, and the car offered reasonable rear head and legroom for passengers.
Honda was rated as Britain's fourth most claim-free used car brand in June 2001 and showed high reliability in various surveys.
The 1.5 VTEC-E engine was capable of achieving 45 to 50 miles per gallon, demonstrating good fuel economy.
Generation 2 of 63 known faults · 1 owner report · 12 good notes
Honda Civic Mk7 (2001 to 2005) problems
SecurityHigh severity📝 Editorial
Faults in the key/immobiliser system, often a faulty immobiliser coil, cause intermittent starting problems. The coil is not available separately, requiring replacement of the entire ignition barrel kit, costing around £350 fitted.
Rough guide
£350-450
Typical symptoms
Intermittent failure to start the car
Engine cranks but does not fire
Immobiliser light flashing
Affected vehicles
Engines:
All
Typical mileage:
50000-100000 miles
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SuspensionHigh severity📝 Editorial
Problems with the electric power steering system, including loose or failed racks, stiff steering, lack of feel, and failed steering column top bearings. Repairs can cost around £657 for bearing replacement.
Rough guide
£600-1500
Typical symptoms
Stiff or heavy steering
Lack of power steering assistance
Clunking or knocking noises from the steering column
Excessive play in the steering wheel
Affected vehicles
Engines:
All
Typical mileage:
60000-100000 miles
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OtherMedium severity📝 Editorial
The vanes of the air conditioning condenser are prone to dropping, leading to coolant leaks. Honda extended the warranty on the A/C system due to this known issue.
Rough guide
£400-800
Typical symptoms
Air conditioning blowing warm air
Loss of refrigerant
Visible leaks from the front of the car
Affected vehicles
Engines:
All
Typical mileage:
50000-90000 miles
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What owners report on the Mk7
1 single report, unconfirmed
One owner each, in their own words rewritten as a line, and not counted in our risk scoring. A fault joins the list above once a second report or an editorial source backs it.
Exhaust · April 2013A 2004 Type R required a £3,000 replacement for its corroded exhaust system, indicating a potential issue.
What owners like about the Mk7
12 notes
The car featured a dash-mounted gear change and a flat floor, creating a spacious interior ideal for families.
This Civic model achieved a five-star rating in American NHTSA assessments and four stars in European NCAP safety evaluations.
This model was the eighth most reliable car in a 2001 Fleet News Survey and tenth in the 2002 Auto Express survey.
The car was joint second in the 2002 Which? reliability survey and 13th in the 2003 What Car? J.D. Power survey.
The Civic achieved a 99% breakdown-free rating in the 2003 Which? survey, indicating high reliability.
The car ranked 12th in the 2005 JD Power/What Car Survey, with an 83.2% satisfaction score.
Honda generally had the eighth lowest average warranty repair costs in the 2003 Warranty Direct Reliability Index.
The Civic received an exemplary rating for fewest breakdowns and faults in the 2003 Which? survey, earning a 'Best Buy'.
The car was ranked 28th out of 137 vehicles in the 2003 Top Gear survey for overall satisfaction.
Cars up to two years old were 99% breakdown-free over the previous 12 months in the 2004 Which? survey.
Honda was the second most reliable brand in the 2004 Reliability Index, with low repair costs and few failures.
A 2005 Civic Type S 2.0 litre was reported to have covered 200,000 miles without any issues.
Generation 3 of 68 known faults · 8 owner reports · 6 good notes
Honda Civic Mk8 (2006 to 2011) problems
Engine/EmissionsHigh severity📝 Editorial
Cast iron exhaust manifold cracks due to thermal stress, leaking deadly exhaust fumes into the cabin
Rough guide
£400-800
Typical symptoms
strong smell of exhaust fumes inside the car
ticking or hissing noise from engine bay when cold
black soot around the turbo/heat shield
Affected vehicles
Engines:
2.2 i-CTDi (N22A)
Typical mileage:
80000-140000 miles
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Transmission/ClutchHigh severity📝 Editorial
i-SHIFT automated manual transmission actuator and clutch failure, often costing more to fix than the car is worth
Rough guide
£1000-2500
Typical symptoms
cog warning light on dash
gearbox gets stuck in neutral and won't engage gear
severe lurching and jerky gear changes
Affected vehicles
Engines:
All i-SHIFT Automatics
Typical mileage:
50000-90000 miles
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Bodywork/ChassisMedium severity💬 Owner reports
The rubber seal along the top of the windscreen is too hard and rubs through the paint on the leading edge of the roof, and poor edge coating lets water sit under it. The result is paint bubbling and then structural rust along the top of the screen. Honda treated it as a known fault, replaced the seal with a softer revised part and resprayed roofs under an extended corrosion warranty, but cars falling outside that window are refused, leaving the owner a roof respray plus rust repair
Rough guide
£400-900
Typical symptoms
bubbling paint above the windscreen
visible orange rust spreading onto the roof
water leaking into the cabin
Affected vehicles
Engines:
All
Typical mileage:
50000-150000 miles
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Engine/EmissionsLow severity📝 Editorial
Variable Timing Control (VTC) actuator locking pin spring wears out, causing a loud grinding rattle on cold start
Rough guide
£400-800
Typical symptoms
loud 1-2 second grinding/rattling noise immediately upon cold start
noise completely vanishes once oil pressure builds
Affected vehicles
Engines:
2.0 & 2.4 Petrol (K20/K24)
Typical mileage:
80000-150000 miles
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Transmission/ClutchHigh severity💬 3 owner reports, 2013 to 2016
Premature failure of the Dual Mass Flywheel (DMF) and clutch assembly, with clutches failing in as little as 10k-30k miles, significantly earlier than the normal 80k-120k mile life.
Rough guide
£1000-1800
Typical symptoms
Clutch slip under acceleration, especially in higher gears
Judder or vibration when pulling away
Difficulty engaging gears
Loud knocking or rattling from the gearbox area (DMF failure)
Affected vehicles
Engines:
2.2 i-CDTi Manuals
Typical mileage:
10000-80000 miles
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Transmission/ClutchHigh severity💬 2 owner reports, 2014 to 2017
The i-SHIFT automated manual transmission is prone to failure, and parts for repair are often unavailable, making repairs costly or impossible, often exceeding the car's value.
Rough guide
£1500-3000+
Typical symptoms
Jerky or hesitant gear changes
Transmission warning lights
Car refusing to engage gear or move
Difficulty sourcing replacement parts
Affected vehicles
Engines:
i-SHIFT Automatics
Typical mileage:
60000-100000 miles
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OtherHigh severity💬 2 owner reports, 2007 to 2008
Recall issued over parking brake due to the spring in the lever mechanism being fitted the wrong way round, affecting its effectiveness.
Rough guide
£0 (free safety recall)
Typical symptoms
Parking brake not holding effectively
Excessive travel of the parking brake lever
Affected vehicles
Engines:
All
Typical mileage:
Unknown miles
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Some 1.8 Si engines were assembled with the wrong exhaust rocker arm shaft, preventing proper oil supply to the cylinder head. This requires a complete cylinder head replacement and was subject to a service campaign.
Rough guide
£1000-2000+
Typical symptoms
Engine noise (ticking/tapping)
Reduced engine performance
Engine management light (EML)
Potential engine damage due to oil starvation
Affected vehicles
Engines:
1.8 Si
Typical mileage:
Unknown miles
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What owners report on the Mk8
8 single reports, unconfirmed
One owner each, in their own words rewritten as a line, and not counted in our risk scoring. A fault joins the list above once a second report or an editorial source backs it.
Electrics · October 2019The digital speedometer of a 2010 Honda Civic occasionally reverted to displaying '888', indicating an electrical glitch.
Electrics · September 2019A 2007 Civic Hybrid at 66,000 miles had an intermittent engine management light, diagnosed as a hybrid battery at 15% capacity needing replacement for £1,954.
Electrics · December 2018A 2010 Civic 1.8iVTEC auto at 44,000 miles experienced dashboard instrument cluster failure, leading to multiple replacements and an ECU unit funded by Honda.
Engine · March 2018A Honda Civic 1.8 i-VTEC at 90,000 miles experienced engine issues, with revs dropping below 1000 on start-up and fluctuating during braking.
Brakes · March 2016A front brake caliper seized on a 2009 Honda Civic Type R, requiring new front discs, calipers, and pads.
Gearbox and clutch · October 2015A 2009 Honda Civic 1.8 i-VTEC had a squeaky clutch replaced under warranty in 2012, but the noise returned in 2013 after the warranty expired.
Suspension and steering · January 2014The steering lock on a 2006 Civic jammed, preventing the vehicle from being driven or steered.
Cooling · April 2013The air conditioning pump failed on a 31,000-mile 2007 Civic, with a repair quote of £1,400, possibly just needing an electromagnetic clutch.
What owners like about the Mk8
6 notes
The car features a lift-up and folding 'Magic' rear seat arrangement, similar to the Jazz, providing enhanced versatility.
The Civic achieved a four-star rating for adult and child protection, and three stars for pedestrian protection in Euro NCAP tests.
The car achieved a four-star rating for adult and child protection, and three stars for pedestrian protection in Euro NCAP tests.
The Type R model offers great steering and handling, combined with a futuristic exterior design.
Despite its sporty nature, the Type R remains practical and offers a spacious interior cabin.
The Civic Type R is described as being very enjoyable to drive, providing a thrilling experience.
Repeated clutch and Dual Mass Flywheel (DMF) failures reported, with one owner experiencing three clutches in 35,000 miles. Honda dealers have quoted £1400 for replacement.
Rough guide
£1000-1800
Typical symptoms
Clutch slip under acceleration
Judder or vibration when pulling away
Difficulty engaging gears
Loud knocking or rattling from the gearbox area (DMF failure)
Affected vehicles
Engines:
1.6 i-DTEC Manual
Typical mileage:
10000-40000 miles
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ElectricalHigh severity💬 2 owner reports, 2019
Faulty oil level sensor sending spurious warning messages, even when the oil level is correct. This can lead to misdiagnosis and potential PCM (Powertrain Control Module) failure, costing £1800 to replace.
Rough guide
£100-1800
Typical symptoms
Incorrect oil level warning messages
Engine management light (EML)
Misdiagnosis leading to costly PCM replacement
Affected vehicles
Engines:
1.6 i-DTEC
Typical mileage:
Unknown miles
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OtherHigh severity📝 Editorial
A filter in the Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA) / Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) modulator may break and foul a check valve, preventing correct VSA operation and potentially leading to a skid or loss of vehicle control. This was subject to an official recall (R/2016/165).
Rough guide
£0 (free safety recall)
Typical symptoms
VSA warning light illuminated
Reduced vehicle stability control effectiveness
Potential for skidding or loss of control in certain driving conditions
Affected vehicles
Engines:
All
Typical mileage:
Unknown miles
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What owners report on the Mk9
14 single reports, unconfirmed
One owner each, in their own words rewritten as a line, and not counted in our risk scoring. A fault joins the list above once a second report or an editorial source backs it.
Bodywork · January 2020The mounting for the reversing camera on a 2013 Honda Civic repeatedly failed, with a dealer quoting £1,000 for replacement after bonding attempts failed.
Electrics · October 2019A 2015 Civic Tourer 1.6 iDTEC SR at 50,000 miles had multiple electrical issues, including a mass airflow sensor, windscreen module, SatNav software, and front parking sensor module.
Suspension and steering · October 2019A 2016 Civic Sport Tourer had its steering column unavailable, leaving the owner waiting for the part for months in a courtesy car.
Electrics · July 2019A 2012 Honda Civic displayed spurious rear seat belt warnings, with diagnostics failing to pinpoint the fault and a new dashboard display quoted at £1,150.
Cooling · May 2019A 2013 Honda Civic 1.6 i-DTEC at 88,000 miles required an air conditioning compressor replacement, with a dealer quoting £1,400.
Electrics · December 2018The Garmin satellite navigation updates on a 2016 Civic Tourer stopped working, with the system failing to offer new map versions.
Bodywork · July 2018Both gas struts supporting the tailgate of a Honda Civic Tourer failed simultaneously, causing the boot lid to drop.
Engine · May 2018High oil consumption was reported for the 1.8 i-VTEC engine of a 2012 Honda Civic at 18,000 miles.
Electrics · July 2017A 2016 Civic Type R GT experienced an engine management light due to a turbocharger bypass control solenoid circuit high voltage.
Exhaust · June 2017A 2013 Honda Civic 1.6 i-DTEC, despite efforts to clear it, needed a new DPF costing £997 due to regeneration problems.
Electrics · April 2017A 19,000-mile Honda Civic 1.4 i-VTEC experienced constant TPMS warnings due to the system's sensitivity to small tyre pressure disparities.
Brakes · November 2016A 2015 Civic Tourer 1.6 i-DTEC required new rear brake pads at its 25,000-mile service due to 70% wear.
Electrics · December 2015A Honda Civic 1.6 i-DTEC stopped completely in traffic, with all electrics dead, then restarted after 15 minutes, indicating an intermittent electrical fault.
Exhaust · September 2012A 2.2 i-DTEC Civic experienced a DPF regeneration failure, causing extra fuel to contaminate the engine oil.
What owners like about the Mk9
11 notes
The diesel powertrain offers excellent fuel consumption and low emissions, contributing to a superb driving experience.
The car features an adaptable boot with a split floor and versatile 'magic' rear seats for increased practicality.
This model delivers excellent performance and refinement, enhancing the overall driving experience.
The 2014 Civic Tourer offers an excellent safety package, providing advanced protection for all occupants and peace of mind.
The vehicle offers excellent steering feel and maintains good stability during motorway driving.
The ride quality is good, with effective bump absorption even when fitted with 225/45 R18 tyres.
A Civic 1.6 i-DTEC Tourer achieved a record 97.92mpg over 330 miles in the 2014 Fleet World Mileage Marathon.
The turbocharged engine in this Civic Type R delivers exceptionally strong performance.
The car offers excellent handling characteristics with a high level of front-end grip.
The vehicle features a practical boot, offering useful cargo space for everyday needs.
The 2015 Civic Type R delivers impressive acceleration and sharp cornering, alongside a surprisingly spacious cabin interior.
Generation 6 of 61 known fault · 6 owner reports · 7 good notes
Honda Civic 10th Gen (2017 to 2022) problems
Engine/EmissionsHigh severity📝 Editorial
Wet timing belt degradation leading to blocked oil strainer and turbo/engine starvation
Rough guide
£1500-4000
Typical symptoms
low oil pressure warning
turbo whistling or failing
limp mode
rattling from engine
Affected vehicles
Engines:
1.0 VTEC Turbo
Typical mileage:
50000-80000 miles
2 more owner reports back this up
June 2020A 2017 1.0 petrol Civic had its timing belt snap after two previous turbo failures, with engine repair covered by warranty.
November 2018A 2017 Civic 1.0 VTEC experienced two successive turbo failures, with replacement parts on back order.
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What owners report on the 10th Gen
6 single reports, unconfirmed
One owner each, in their own words rewritten as a line, and not counted in our risk scoring. A fault joins the list above once a second report or an editorial source backs it.
Electrics · June 2021A 2017 Civic 1.0 petrol suffered alternator failure at 33,000 miles, with a repair quote of £1100 and no Honda assistance.
Engine · March 2021A 2019 Civic 1.0 VTEC showed an oil change indicator due to oil dilution, attributed to short journeys.
Interior · March 2020A vehicle suffered from a sunroof rattle that the dealer could not fix, along with faulty adaptive cruise control and wipers.
Interior · August 2019A 2017 Civic experienced repeated air conditioning problems, discharging itself and failing again after re-gassing and repairs.
Bodywork · June 2019An April 2019 Civic 1.5 VTEC Turbo had thin paint on the rear quarter, a problem spark plug, and a failed instrument head.
General · December 2018A 2018 Civic 1.0 VTEC required five dealer visits for fault repairs within its first year of ownership.
What owners like about the 10th Gen
7 notes
This model offers high levels of performance and handling, providing an engaging driving experience.
The car provides better everyday usability compared to the previous Civic Type R model.
The vehicle is practical and well-equipped, offering a good range of features for its class.
The car received a four-star Euro NCAP rating in July 2017, with strong scores for adult occupant and safety assist.
A five-star Euro NCAP rating was awarded in December 2017, after a modified side curtain airbag improved child protection.
The 1.0 VTEC turbo camshaft is driven by a belt in oil, with replacement scheduled every 6 years or 75,000 miles.
A space saver spare wheel is available from Honda for £170 for models without the central 'Sport' exhaust outlet.
Honda Civic service intervals: cambelt, chain and gearbox oil
An overdue cambelt is the most expensive thing a seller can fail to mention on a used Civic. These are the figures UK specialists work to.
Timing belt (cambelt)Wet belt
1.0 VTEC TURBO, 1.0 VTEC
70,000 miles or 6 years, whichever comes first
Uses a wet belt that runs in oil. Honda intervals are long, but specialists treat this as a 6-year/70,000-mile replacement item because degradation blocks the oil strainer, starving the turbo and engine.
Timing chainChain
1.6 I-DTEC, 2.2 I-CTDI, 2.2 I-DTEC
No fixed replacement interval
Honda diesel engines use a highly reliable timing chain that is designed to last the life of the engine, provided oil changes are done on schedule.
Always confirm against the vehicle handbook. Intervals vary by engine, and several manufacturers revised theirs after failures in service.
Repair costs are typical UK ranges, not quotes. Actual cost depends on condition and garage.Data last verified: September 2026
Honda Civic buying questions
Is a used Honda Civic reliable?
The Honda Civic has 26 known faults in our database across 6 generations, 18 of them rated high severity. The most serious are electrics (the electrical contacts in the ignition switch can wear prematurely) and gearbox (premature failure of the Dual Mass Flywheel (DMF) and clutch assembly). None of them makes the car a bad buy on its own; the risk is a seller who knows and says nothing.
What are the most common Honda Civic problems?
Three stand out. Electrics: the electrical contacts in the ignition switch can wear prematurely. Gearbox: premature failure of the Dual Mass Flywheel (DMF) and clutch assembly (typically 10000 to 80000 miles). Suspension: rear suspension lower arm bolts may break, leading to instability or loss of control. The full list above is grouped by generation, with typical mileage and a rough repair cost for each.
Which Honda Civic years should I avoid?
No Honda Civic year is a write-off, but the Mk6 (1999 to 2001) carries the most serious faults: electrics, suspension, fuel system and bodywork and trim. The Mk8 (2006 to 2011), Mk9 (2012 to 2016), Mk7 (2001 to 2005) and 10th Gen (2017 to 2022) have high-severity faults on record too. The Mk10 (2017 to 2018) has none rated high severity. Year matters less than whether the specific car has had the known fixes, so check the history for them.
What should I check when viewing a used Honda Civic?
Ask the seller about the electrics, gearbox and suspension faults on this page and whether they have been fixed, with invoices. On the test drive watch for engine cutting out unexpectedly while driving, clutch slip under acceleration, especially in higher gears and unusual noises from the rear suspension. Read the MOT history for repeat advisories, then paste the advert into the free check, which reads it against all 26 known faults before you travel. Check a Honda Civic advert →
What is the real MPG of a Honda Civic?
Owners report 49.4 mpg on average across the Honda Civic engines with data, about 86% of the official combined figure. The gap between official and real-world economy varies a lot by engine, so the Real MPG page lists every engine and generation separately, from 4,044 owner submissions. Honda Civic Real MPG by engine →
If you used to check the Honest John “Good & Bad” section before the site closed in 2026, this page is where that information now lives. We rebuilt the Honda Civic owner-report history from the archived Honest John dataset, added our own research, specialist and owner-club sources and DVSA recall data, and we keep it free. Each fault above is badged with its source. The same data feeds our free advert check, which reads a listing against every known fault for the exact engine and year.
Knowing what a Honda Civic goes wrong with is half of it. The rest is reading the advert and checking the car's history before you hand any money over.