2016 Honda Civic

■ Significantly worse — known issue year
2016 Honda Civic
BUILT 2026-09-02

This year had more than double the complaints of this model's typical year.

This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.

How is this computed?

COMPLAINTS PER YEAR

Complaints per year, Honda Civic Bar chart of distinct NHTSA complaints filed per model year, 2016 highlighted. 1981: 1 complaints 1981 1982: 1 complaints 1983: 9 complaints 1984: 5 complaints 1985: 15 complaints 1986: 35 complaints 1987: 39 complaints 1987 1988: 48 complaints 1989: 69 complaints 1990: 92 complaints 1991: 111 complaints 1992: 100 complaints 1993: 155 complaints 1993 1994: 161 complaints 1995: 199 complaints 1996: 305 complaints 1997: 373 complaints 1998: 435 complaints 1999: 338 complaints 1999 2000: 287 complaints 2001: 1079 complaints 2002: 702 complaints 2003: 499 complaints 2004: 350 complaints 2005: 314 complaints 2005 2006: 1402 complaints 2007: 1204 complaints 2008: 916 complaints 2009: 395 complaints 2010: 396 complaints 2011: 168 complaints 2011 2012: 454 complaints 2013: 317 complaints 2014: 290 complaints 2015: 377 complaints 2016: 1075 complaints 2016 2017: 584 complaints 2017 2018: 736 complaints 2019: 424 complaints 2020: 221 complaints 2021: 140 complaints 2022: 881 complaints 2023: 252 complaints 2023 2024: 119 complaints 2025: 68 complaints 2026: 27 complaints 2026
2016: 1075 complaints
View as data table
YearComplaints
19800
19811
19821
19839
19845
198515
198635
198739
198848
198969
199092
1991111
1992100
1993155
1994161
1995199
1996305
1997373
1998435
1999338
2000287
20011079
2002702
2003499
2004350
2005314
20061402
20071204
2008916
2009395
2010396
2011168
2012454
2013317
2014290
2015377
20161075
2017584
2018736
2019424
2020221
2021140
2022881
2023252
2024119
202568
202627

KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS

Percentages can add to more than 100% -- a complaint can name more than one system.

STEERING 41%

41% of complaints: steering — 440 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing rack and pinion and electric power assist system.

CRASH INJURY
Show complaint excerpts

Steering starts sticking every few seconds after about a 20 minute drive, and veering sideways. I lost a sideview mirror due to this and its very dangerous to drive. Probably has killed peapel already!! This happens every single time I drive this!

NHTSA ODI report, 20230917

STEERING WHEEL STICKS WHILE DRIVING, CAUSING OVER COMPENSATION, HAS CAUSED ME TO RUN OFF THE ROAD; DRIVING STRAIGHT, 60MPH, INTERSTATE CAR FAILS TO START AFTER DRIVING MORE THAN AN HOUR AND A HALF AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS, BEENCTO DEALER FOR BOTH OF...

NHTSA ODI report, 20180219

Also filed under ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

When driving on the highway or making a turn the wheel feels like it is sticking and it is making it difficult to drive long distance and it feels unsafe.

NHTSA ODI report, 20260721

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 11%

11% of complaints: electrical system — 120 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing wiring and speedometer/odometer.

CRASH INJURY
Show complaint excerpts

EVERY SINCE THE REPAIR OF THE RECALL THE ENGINE PULLS NOT EVEN AN HOUR AFTER THE PICK UP THE CAR HAD TO GO BACK IN THE SHOP FOR BELT REPAIR. IT MAKES NOISES AS IF SOMETHING IS LOOSE .

NHTSA ODI report, 20160403

Also filed under ENGINE

SERVICE BRAKES 9%

9% of complaints: service brakes — 95 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing air and hydraulic.

CRASH
ENGINE 9%

9% of complaints: engine — 94 distinct reports on file.

CRASH FIRE
STRUCTURE 4%

4% of complaints: structure — 48 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing body and trunk lid.

CRASH INJURY

SAFETY TIMELINE

2016 — complaint volume: 1075
R 20160325 — engine and engine cooling

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain model year 2016 Civic vehicles manufactured September 22, 2015, to February 3, 2016 and equipped with 2.0L engines.

Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and replace the piston assemblies and damaged engine components, as necessary, free of charge. Parts are expected to be available in the Summer of 2016.

Campaign 16V074000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20160831 — exterior lighting

American Honda Motor Co. (Honda) is recalling certain model year 2016 Civic 2-Door vehicles manufactured February 23, 2016, through May 20, 2016.

Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will inspect both the taillight assemblies, replacing them as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on August 31, 2016. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138.

Campaign 16V526000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20161108 — parking brake

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain model year 2016 Honda Civic two door and four door 1.5L turbo and 2.0L vehicles. The electric parking brake (EPB) may not engage if it is applied immediately after turning the ignition off.

Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will update the vehicle's software to allow the EPB to engage immediately after the ignition is turned off, free of charge. The recall began on November 8, 2016.

Campaign 16V725000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20240329 — fuel system, gasoline

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2013-2023 Honda Accord, Civic Coupe, Civic Sedan, Civic Hatchback, Civic Type R, CR-V, HR-V, Ridgeline, Odyssey, Acura ILX, MDX, MDX Hybrid, RDX, RLX, TLX, 2019-2022 Honda Insight, Passport, 2020...

Remedy: Dealers will replace the fuel pump module, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed September 6, 2024. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are KGC and KGD.

Campaign 23V858000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20260706 — air bags

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2018-2021, 2023 Acura TLX, 2019-2024 RDX, 2017-2020, 2022-2026 MDX, 2017-2021, 2023, 2025 Honda Ridgeline, 2017-2022 Pilot, 2019-2021 Passport, 2018-2026 Odyssey, 2019-2022 Insight, 2019-2021...

Remedy: Dealers will replace the seat weight sensors, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 7, 2026. Owners may contact Honda's customer service at 1-888-234-2138.

Campaign 26V332000 — check if this car was fixed

BUY-SMART CHECKLIST

2016 Honda Civic — pre-purchase inspection

  • Test/inspect for steering issues (440 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for electrical system issues (120 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for service brakes issues (95 reports on file for this year).
  • Verify recall 16V074000 (engine and engine cooling) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 16V526000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 16V725000 (parking brake) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 23V858000 (fuel system, gasoline) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 26V332000 (air bags) has been completed.

OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL

BEST YEARS

▲ 1986 ▲ 1987 ▲ 1988

WORST YEARS

■ 2006 ■ 2007 ■ 2001

See all years ranked →

FAQ

Is the 2016 Honda Civic reliable?

Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2016 Honda Civic is rated "significantly worse".

What are the most common problems with the 2016 Honda Civic?

The most-reported component is steering, accounting for 41% of complaints on file.

How many recalls does the 2016 Honda Civic have?

5 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-09-01 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.