What are the most common Honda Civic problems?
According to Au7o's analysis of 5,570+ owner reports, the 2016 Honda Civic has 23 documented issues. The most frequently reported are: Electric Parking Brake Fails to Apply (VSA Software Defect) - Recall 16V-725, 2.0L Engine Failure from Missing/Improper Piston Pin Snap Ring - Recall 16V-074, 1.5T Turbo Engine Coolant Intrusion Into Cylinders / Head Gasket Degradation (Class Action). Of these, 3 are rated critical and should be addressed promptly.
Is the Honda Civic reliable?
The 2016 Honda Civic has 23 known issues documented across 5,570+ owner reports. 3 issues are rated critical: Electric Parking Brake Fails to Apply (VSA Software Defect) - Recall 16V-725 and 2.0L Engine Failure from Missing/Improper Piston Pin Snap Ring - Recall 16V-074 and 1.5T Turbo Engine Coolant Intrusion Into Cylinders / Head Gasket Degradation (Class Action). Prospective buyers should inspect for these issues and factor potential repair costs into their purchase decision. Regular maintenance following the manufacturer's schedule helps prevent many common problems.
How much does it cost to fix common Honda Civic problems?
Repair costs for known Honda Civic issues range from $0 to $8,000, depending on the specific problem and whether you choose DIY or professional repair. The most critical issue, Electric Parking Brake Fails to Apply (VSA Software Defect) - Recall 16V-725, typically costs $0-$0 to repair. Au7o provides step-by-step DIY maintenance guides that can help reduce repair costs.
What is the 2016 Honda Civic Electric Parking Brake Fails to Apply (VSA Software Defect) - Recall 16V-725?
On approximately 350,000 model-year 2016 Civic sedans and coupes, faulty programming in the Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA) electronic control unit can prevent the Electric Parking Brake (EPB) from applying if it is activated immediately after the ignition is switched off. With th… Repairs typically run $0-$0. Severity: high.
What is the 2016 Honda Civic 2.0L Engine Failure from Missing/Improper Piston Pin Snap Ring - Recall 16V-074?
Roughly 42,000 model-year 2016 Civics with the 2.0L engine (built Sep 22, 2015 - Feb 3, 2016) left the factory with piston assemblies that may be missing a piston wrist-pin circlip (snap ring) or have it improperly installed. Without a properly seated circlip, the piston pin can… Repairs typically run $0-$0. Severity: high.
What is the 2016-2022 Honda Civic 1.5T Turbo Engine Coolant Intrusion Into Cylinders / Head Gasket Degradation (Class Action)?
A class-action lawsuit (filed in U.S. and Canadian courts) alleges the turbocharged 1.5L i-VTEC engine cannot properly manage the added compression and heat, so engine coolant seeps through grooves in the cylinder head, degrades the head gasket, and leaks INTERNALLY into the comb… Repairs typically run $1,500-$8,000. Severity: high.
What is the 2016-2021 Honda Civic 1.5T Earth Dreams Direct Injection Carbon Buildup on Intake Valves?
The 1.5L turbocharged Earth Dreams direct-injection engine (L15B7) accumulates heavy carbon deposits on intake valves and ports because fuel is injected directly into the cylinder, bypassing the intake valves. Unlike port-injection engines, no fuel washes the intake valves clean. Repairs typically run $300-$800. Severity: medium.
What is the 2016-2020 Honda Civic Engine Oil Dilution from Fuel?
The 1.5L turbo engine can experience fuel mixing with engine oil during cold weather operation or short trips. This raises oil levels and reduces lubrication effectiveness. Honda extended the powertrain warranty and released software updates to address this. Repairs typically run $0-$150. Severity: medium.
What is the 2016-2023 Honda Civic A/C Compressor Failure?
The A/C compressor can fail, particularly on vehicles in hot climates or those with high A/C usage. When the compressor fails internally, it can contaminate the entire A/C system with debris, requiring extensive repairs. Repairs typically run $600-$1,800. Severity: medium.
What is the 2016-2023 Honda Civic CVT Shudder/Judder During Acceleration?
The CVT transmission can develop a shudder or judder, particularly during light acceleration from a stop or at low speeds. This vibration can feel like driving over rumble strips and is often related to the torque converter or CVT fluid degradation. Repairs typically run $150-$3,000. Severity: medium.
What is the 2016-2023 Honda Civic Honda Sensing System False Alerts/Phantom Braking?
The Honda Sensing driver assist system can experience false alerts and phantom braking, particularly with the adaptive cruise control and collision mitigation. The system may brake unexpectedly when no obstacle is present or fail to detect vehicles ahead. Repairs typically run $0-$500. Severity: medium.
What is the 2016-2021 Honda Civic 1.5T Turbocharger Coolant and Oil Line Leaks?
The 1.5L turbo Civic experiences premature failure of the turbocharger coolant feed and return hoses, and the oil feed/return lines. The banjo bolt sealing washers (crush washers) on the oil feed line compress and leak over time, causing slow oil loss near the turbo. The coolant… Repairs typically run $100-$1,400. Severity: medium.
What is the 2016-2021 Honda Civic A/C Condenser Refrigerant Leak — Pinhole Corrosion Causing Warm Air (Warranty Extension, TSB 19-091)?
10th-gen Civics commonly lose A/C cooling because the factory condenser was not manufactured to specification: tiny corrosion holes form in the condenser tube walls and slowly leak refrigerant, so the A/C blows warm or only mildly cool air. The problem is widespread enough that H… Repairs typically run $0-$900. Severity: medium.
What is the 2016-2019 Honda Civic Body Control Module Parasitic Battery Drain?
Owners of 10th-gen Civics, especially 2017s, report the Body Control Module (BCM) failing to fully power down after the car is shut off, leaving a parasitic current draw that flattens the 12V battery overnight or over a few days. Because the BCM stays partially awake, the drain c… Repairs typically run $150-$900. Severity: medium.
What is the 2016-2021 Honda Civic A/C Condenser and Compressor Refrigerant Leak (R-1234yf System)?
The 10th-generation Civic's air-conditioning system, which uses the newer R-1234yf refrigerant, is prone to refrigerant leaks from two points. Condensers built out of spec corrode and develop pinhole leaks in the tube walls, and the A/C compressor shaft seal wears abnormally and… Repairs typically run $0-$2,000. Severity: medium.
What is the 2001-2020 Honda Civic P0741 — Torque Converter Clutch Stuck Off from a Failing TCC Lock-Up Solenoid / Worn Converter?
P0741 sets when the PCM commands the torque converter clutch (TCC) to lock up but the measured engine-vs-input RPM slip (greater than ~200 RPM) shows it is not engaging (stuck off) or slipping. It applies only to automatic/CVT-transmission Civics. This is a well-known Honda autom… Repairs typically run $150-$2,500. Severity: medium.
What is the 2016-2023 Honda Civic Thin Windshield Cracks/Chips Easily From Minor Impacts (ADAS Glass)?
Owners across 10th- and 11th-gen Civics report the windshield chips and cracks far too easily — from tiny pebbles, temperature changes, or with no apparent impact at all (cracks starting at the edge/seal). The modern thinner laminated glass (lighter and designed around the Honda… Repairs typically run $300-$1,500. Severity: medium.
What is the 2016-2018 Honda Civic 1.5T Cold-Weather Misfire from Fuel Injector Leakage — PGM-FI Software (TSB A19-033)?
On 1.5T Civics, fuel injectors can leak/over-deliver fuel — worst in cold weather and on short trips — causing single- or multi-cylinder misfires (P0301-P0304 / P0300) and contributing to fuel-in-oil dilution and spark-plug fouling. Honda addressed it with TSB A19-033 (NHTSA TSB… Repairs typically run $0-$800. Severity: medium.
What is the 2016-2021 Honda Civic Infotainment System Lag/Freezing?
The Honda infotainment system can experience lag, freezing, and unresponsive touchscreen inputs. The volume knob may be slow to respond, and the system can reboot randomly. CarPlay/Android Auto connections can be unstable. Repairs typically run $0-$1,000. Severity: low.
What is the 2016-2023 Honda Civic Rear Brake Squeal/Noise?
Many Civic owners report squealing or grinding noise from the rear brakes, often during light braking or when brakes are cold. This can occur even with adequate pad thickness and is often related to the pad compound or rotor surface condition. Repairs typically run $50-$400. Severity: low.
What is the 2016-2023 Honda Civic Front Suspension Clunk/Rattle?
A clunking or rattling noise from the front suspension when going over bumps is common. This can be caused by worn stabilizer bar end links, strut mounts, or control arm bushings. The issue may be more noticeable on rough roads. Repairs typically run $80-$400. Severity: low.
What is the 2006-2022 Honda Civic P0442 — Small EVAP Leak from a Degraded Gas Cap Seal or Cracked Vapor Hose?
P0442 sets when the Civic's PCM runs its EVAP self-test and detects a small leak (roughly 0.020-0.040 in). On the Civic the overwhelmingly most common source is the fuel-filler cap: the rubber O-ring on the cap hardens and shrinks with age/heat and stops sealing, which is why a P… Repairs typically run $20-$300. Severity: low.
What is the 2016-2021 Honda Civic Infotainment Screen Freezing, Rebooting and Bluetooth/CarPlay Dropouts?
The 7-inch Display Audio head unit in the 10th-gen Civic suffers from chronic software bugs: the screen freezes, goes black, flickers, or spontaneously reboots, frequently taking the backup camera, LaneWatch, Bluetooth audio, and Apple CarPlay/Android Auto down with it. Apple Car… Repairs typically run $0-$1,500. Severity: low.
