2020 Honda Civic

▲ Better than typical
2020 Honda Civic
BUILT 2026-08-02

This year had at least 30% fewer complaints than 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, 2020 highlighted. 1980: 0 complaints 1980 1981: 1 complaints 1982: 1 complaints 1983: 9 complaints 1984: 5 complaints 1985: 15 complaints 1986: 35 complaints 1986 1987: 39 complaints 1988: 46 complaints 1989: 69 complaints 1990: 91 complaints 1991: 110 complaints 1992: 98 complaints 1992 1993: 146 complaints 1994: 135 complaints 1995: 199 complaints 1996: 305 complaints 1997: 373 complaints 1998: 435 complaints 1998 1999: 338 complaints 2000: 287 complaints 2001: 1079 complaints 2002: 702 complaints 2003: 499 complaints 2004: 350 complaints 2004 2005: 314 complaints 2006: 1402 complaints 2007: 1203 complaints 2008: 914 complaints 2009: 395 complaints 2010: 396 complaints 2010 2011: 168 complaints 2012: 454 complaints 2013: 314 complaints 2014: 290 complaints 2015: 377 complaints 2016: 1059 complaints 2016 2017: 574 complaints 2018: 708 complaints 2019: 406 complaints 2020: 216 complaints 2020 2021: 133 complaints 2022: 877 complaints 2022 2023: 249 complaints 2024: 116 complaints 2025: 62 complaints 2026: 23 complaints 2026
2020: 216 complaints
View as data table
YearComplaints
19800
19811
19821
19839
19845
198515
198635
198739
198846
198969
199091
1991110
199298
1993146
1994135
1995199
1996305
1997373
1998435
1999338
2000287
20011079
2002702
2003499
2004350
2005314
20061402
20071203
2008914
2009395
2010396
2011168
2012454
2013314
2014290
2015377
20161059
2017574
2018708
2019406
2020216
2021133
2022877
2023249
2024116
202562
202623

KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 15%

15% of complaints: electrical system — 33 distinct reports on file.

CRASH INJURY
Show complaint excerpts

Was T bones September 3rd 2023 exiting the freeway by a Ford F-350. Injury to left side of vehicle mainly . Airbags not side airbags deployed. Went through insurance and was told to report it to the manufacturer.

NHTSA ODI report, 20240119

WE WERE TRAVELING EAST ON HWY 63 GOING HOME. THE LANE DEPARTURE ASSIST CAME ON BUT WE WERE NOT OUT OF LANE. WE KEPT TRAVELING A LITTLE FURTHER AND THE STEERING WAS STIFF.

NHTSA ODI report, 20200902

POWER TRAIN 14%

14% of complaints: power train — 30 distinct reports on file.

CRASH
AIR BAGS 13%

13% of complaints: air bags — 29 distinct reports on file.

CRASH FIRE INJURY
Show complaint excerpts

Was T bones September 3rd 2023 exiting the freeway by a Ford F-350. Injury to left side of vehicle mainly . Airbags not side airbags deployed. Went through insurance and was told to report it to the manufacturer.

NHTSA ODI report, 20240119

STEERING 13%

13% of complaints: steering — 27 distinct reports on file.

CRASH INJURY
Show complaint excerpts

WE WERE TRAVELING EAST ON HWY 63 GOING HOME. THE LANE DEPARTURE ASSIST CAME ON BUT WE WERE NOT OUT OF LANE. WE KEPT TRAVELING A LITTLE FURTHER AND THE STEERING WAS STIFF.

NHTSA ODI report, 20200902

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM 11%

11% of complaints: fuel/propulsion system — 24 distinct reports on file.

SAFETY TIMELINE

R 20210518 — fuel system, gasoline

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2019-2020 Acura MDX, MDX Sport Hybrid, RDX, TLX, Honda Accord, Civic Hatchback, Insight, 2019 Acura ILX, Honda Accord Hybrid, Civic Coupe, Civic Coupe Si, Civic Sedan, Civic Sedan Si, Civic Type...

Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel pump assembly, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed May 18, 2021. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Note: This recall is an expansion of recall 20V-314.

Campaign 21V215000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20230807 — service brakes, hydraulic

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Civic, 2020-2023 Ridgeline, 2021-2023 Passport, 2021-2022 Pilot, and 2020 Acura MDX vehicles.

Remedy: Dealers will inspect and repair the brake booster assembly as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 7, 2023. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138.

Campaign 23V458000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20240328 — air bags

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Pilot, Accord, Civic sedan, HR-V, Odyssey, 2020 Civic coupe, Fit, 2021-2022 Civic hatchback, 2021 Civic Type R, Insight, 2020-2021 CR-V, CR-V Hybrid, Passport, Ridgeline, Accord Hybrid,...

Remedy: Dealers will replace the seat weight sensors, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 28, 2024, October 18, 2024, and August 2025. This is a phased recall. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138.

Campaign 24V064000 — 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

2020 Honda Civic — pre-purchase inspection

  • Test/inspect for electrical system issues (33 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for power train issues (30 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for air bags issues (29 reports on file for this year).
  • Verify recall 21V215000 (fuel system, gasoline) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 23V458000 (service brakes, hydraulic) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 24V064000 (air bags) 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 2020 Honda Civic reliable?

Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2020 Honda Civic is rated "better than typical".

What are the most common problems with the 2020 Honda Civic?

The most-reported component is electrical system, accounting for 15% of complaints on file.

How many recalls does the 2020 Honda Civic have?

5 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-07-11 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.