RoadVitals

2013 Honda Civic Hybrid Problems

Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
9
Latest May 15, 2026
Components namedHow many of our component categories appear on at least one report for this model year. One report can name several.
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Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
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What this page shows

Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 2013 Honda Civic Hybrid, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

Reports by component

Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category

  • Electrical218.2%
  • Engine218.2%
  • Other / unspecified218.2%
  • Steering19.1%
  • Airbags19.1%
  • Suspension19.1%
  • Brakes19.1%
  • Powertrain (other)19.1%

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Each component in detail

What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words

Electrical

Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.

2
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

I TOOK MY 2013 CIVIC TO HONDA YESTERDAY TO GET A CAR KEY PROGRAMMED, AND NOW MY CAR WILL NOT RUN. IT VIBRATES REAL LOUD, AND THE ODOMETER WILL NOT GO TO 2. I HAVE TO NOW GET IT TOWED BACK TO HONDA ON 10/30/17 AND LET THEM FIX IT, AND I WILL NOT PAY A DIME. THEY DID SOMETHING TO THE COMPUTER WHILE PROGRAMMING MY KEY. I AM VERY ANGRY WITH THEM. I HAVE NOT HAD MAJOR PROBLEMS IN THE 4 YEARS I HAVE HAD THE CAR, BUT IF THIS IS NOT FIXED AT THEIR EXPENSE, I WILL SUE. ALL OVER JUST A CAR KEY.L

NHTSA ID 11040951 · filed Oct 29, 2017

6659 MILES INTO OWNING THIS CAR HONDA PASADENA CHARGED ME $220 TO REPLACE ENGINE WIRING THAT HAD BEEN EATEN BY RODENTS. THIS CAR WAS PARKED IN THE SAME PLACE AS AT LEAST 3 OTHER TYPES OF CARS OVER A 13 YEAR PERIOD AND NONE OF THE OTHERS HAD THIS ISSUE. I BELIEVE THAT HONDA PASADENA WAS NOT ONLY AWARE OF THIS ISSUE IN GENERAL BUT WAS AWARE THAT THERE WAS A PROBLEM IN THE SPECIFIC CAR I PURCHASED.

NHTSA ID 11012991 · filed Aug 5, 2017

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Engine

Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.

2
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

I TOOK MY 2013 CIVIC TO HONDA YESTERDAY TO GET A CAR KEY PROGRAMMED, AND NOW MY CAR WILL NOT RUN. IT VIBRATES REAL LOUD, AND THE ODOMETER WILL NOT GO TO 2. I HAVE TO NOW GET IT TOWED BACK TO HONDA ON 10/30/17 AND LET THEM FIX IT, AND I WILL NOT PAY A DIME. THEY DID SOMETHING TO THE COMPUTER WHILE PROGRAMMING MY KEY. I AM VERY ANGRY WITH THEM. I HAVE NOT HAD MAJOR PROBLEMS IN THE 4 YEARS I HAVE HAD THE CAR, BUT IF THIS IS NOT FIXED AT THEIR EXPENSE, I WILL SUE. ALL OVER JUST A CAR KEY.L

NHTSA ID 11040951 · filed Oct 29, 2017

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 HONDA CIVIC HYBRID. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, THE VEHICLE DOWNSHIFTED TO 15 MPH INDEPENDENTLY WHILE MAKING A JERKING MOTION. ALSO, THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING, WHICH INDICATED THAT A RANDOM MISFIRE CAUSED THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 21,000. UPDATED 4/6/15*CN

NHTSA ID 10684077 · filed Feb 18, 2015

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Other / unspecified

Reports whose component NHTSA recorded as unknown, or that do not map to one of the categories above.

2
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

The contact owns a 2013 Honda Civic. The contact stated that while attempting to start the vehicle, the vehicle hesitated to start, and multiple warning lights illuminated, including the check engine warning light. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed with trouble code P1437. The contact was informed that the motor power inverter had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired, and the contact was referred to the dealer for further assistance. The vehicle was then taken to the dealer, where the same diagnostic results were confirmed. The dealer informed the contact that the motor power inverter had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline for further assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 80,000.

NHTSA ID 11738089 · filed May 15, 2026

THIS SAFETY COMPLAINT IS NOT ABOUT THE VEHICLE, IT IS ABOUT THE GOODYEAR TIRES I INSTALLED. I HAVE GOODYEAR ASSURANCE TIRES FOR SUMMER DRIVING AND USE THE OEM TIRES FOR WINTER DRIVING. I WAS DRIVING HOME YESTERDAY AND THE LEFT REAR TIRE SUDDENLY WENT DOWN AND THE TPMS WARNING LIGHT CAME ON. UPON INSPECTION I FOUND THE LEFT REAR TIRE ALMOST COMPLETELY OUT OF AIR PRESSURE. I CAREFULLY DROVE THE CAR BACK TO MY BUSINESS AND PARKED IT. WE REMOVED THE REAR TIRE THE NEXT MORNING AND THE INSIDE SIDE WALL HAD SEVERAL SEPARATIONS CAUSING THE TIRE TO DEFLATE. WE INSPECTED THE REMAINING TIRES AND THEY ALL WERE SEPARATING ON THE INSIDE SIDE WALL AS WELL. THE FRONT SIDE WALL ON ALL OF THE TIRES IS FULL OF TINY CRACKS LIKE YOU WOULD SEE ON A VERY OLD/AGED TIRE. THESE TIRES ARE LESS THAN TWO DRIVING SEASONS OLD AND HAVE VERY LITTLE MILEAGE ON THEM. WHAT CONCERNS ME THE MOST IS THAT ALL FOUR TIRES ARE FAILING THE SAME EXACT WAY. I AM SO LUCKY THIS DID NOT OCCUR THE DAY BEFORE IN HEAVY TRAFFIC AT HIGHER SPEEDS. I CONTACTED MY LOCAL DEALER AND HE WOULD ONLY OFFER A PARTIAL CREDIT FOR ANOTHER SET OF GOODYEAR TIRES IF I COULD PROVIDE THE SALE RECEIPT. I KEPT ASKING WHAT ABOUT THE SAFETY CONCERNS WITH NO REPLY GIVEN. I CONTACTED GOODYEAR CUSTOMER SUPPORT AND THEY WERE ONLY WILLING TO GIVE ME PARTIAL CREDIT TOWARDS ANOTHER SET OF GOODYEAR TIRES OR DUNLOP TIRES. I ASKED THEM ABOUT SAFETY AND ALL OF THE SIMILAR REPORTS ON THE INTERNET AND THE CUSTOMER REP (TOM) SAID ANY INFORMATION GAINED BY SEARCHING THE INTERNET WAS IRRELEVANT. I WAS TOLD IT MAY BE A WARRANTY ISSUE. I BEGAN WONDERING HOW MANY PEOPLE ARE DRIVING A CAR AROUND WITH TIRES THAT ARE DEFECTIVE AND COULD FAIL AT ANY TIME, OR FOR THAT MATTER HAVE FAILED AND HAVE CAUSED INJURY AND/OR DEATH. PLEASE TAKE THE TIME TO RESEARCH THIS, WHAT IF ONE OF YOUR FAMILY MEMBERS IS DRIVING A CAR WITH THESE TIRES??? *TR

NHTSA ID 10615080 · filed Jul 21, 2014

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Steering

Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

UNDOCUMENTED VEHICLE MAINTENANCE THAT MAY DEGRADE SAFETY FEATURE. PURCHASED VEHICLE BECAUSE IT INCLUDED FCW (FORWARD COLLISION WARNING) AND LDW (LANE DEPARTURE WARNING) SAFETY FEATURES. HAVE LEARNED THAT AS PART OF A FOUR-WHEEL ALIGNMENT, CALIBRATION OF THESE SYSTEMS IS REQUIRED. THIS IS NOT DOCUMENTED\DISCLOSED IN THE OWNER'S MANUAL OR PRODUCT LITERATURE. CONCERN -- HOW MUCH WILL THESE SYSTEMS BE DEGRADED OR MADE INOPERABLE BY TIRE WEAR AND/OR WHEEL MISALIGNMENT? THIS WHEEL ALIGNMENT WITH CALIBRATION CAN ONLY BE ACCOMPLISHED AT A HONDA DEALERSHIP DUE TO SPECIAL EQUIPMENT. NO INDICATION IS PROVIDED OF SYSTEM OUT-OF-CALIBRATION WARNING ON THE DASHBOARD SYSTEM FUNCTION/STATUS LIGHTS.

NHTSA ID 10811809 · filed Dec 22, 2015

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Airbags

Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

I RECEIVED NHTSA RECALL 14V-349 JJ7 AND WAS TOLD BY THE DEALERSHIP THAT ONLY ONE OF THE TWO AFFECTED AIRBAGS WAS AVAILABLE. THEY SAID HONDA IS PROJECTING THE OTHER TO BE AVAILABLE IN APRIL, 1-2 MONTHS FROM THE DATE OF THE NOTICE. THE NOTICE SAYS TO TAKE CARE OF THIS IMMEDIATELY, BUT HONDA SAYS REPLACEMENT PARTS ARE BEING MANUFACTURED. THE NOTICE SAYS THE FAULT CAN CAUSE SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH... *TR

NHTSA ID 10684298 · filed Feb 19, 2015

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Suspension

Reports naming suspension components — springs, struts, shocks, control arms and related hardware.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

UNDOCUMENTED VEHICLE MAINTENANCE THAT MAY DEGRADE SAFETY FEATURE. PURCHASED VEHICLE BECAUSE IT INCLUDED FCW (FORWARD COLLISION WARNING) AND LDW (LANE DEPARTURE WARNING) SAFETY FEATURES. HAVE LEARNED THAT AS PART OF A FOUR-WHEEL ALIGNMENT, CALIBRATION OF THESE SYSTEMS IS REQUIRED. THIS IS NOT DOCUMENTED\DISCLOSED IN THE OWNER'S MANUAL OR PRODUCT LITERATURE. CONCERN -- HOW MUCH WILL THESE SYSTEMS BE DEGRADED OR MADE INOPERABLE BY TIRE WEAR AND/OR WHEEL MISALIGNMENT? THIS WHEEL ALIGNMENT WITH CALIBRATION CAN ONLY BE ACCOMPLISHED AT A HONDA DEALERSHIP DUE TO SPECIAL EQUIPMENT. NO INDICATION IS PROVIDED OF SYSTEM OUT-OF-CALIBRATION WARNING ON THE DASHBOARD SYSTEM FUNCTION/STATUS LIGHTS.

NHTSA ID 10811809 · filed Dec 22, 2015

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Brakes

Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

ON THE MORNING OF NOVEMBER 10, 2017, THE "CHECK BREAKS" LIGHT LIT UP WHILE I WAS DRIVING, THEN THE BREAKS SUDDENLY STOPPED WORKING. FORTUNATELY I WAS DRIVING IN SLOW CITY TRAFFIC, SO I WASN'T MOVING VERY FAST, BUT IN ORDER TO STOP, I HAD TO APPLY THE PARKING BREAK BECAUSE THE CAR KEPT ON MOVING AFTER I HIT THE BREAKS SEVERAL TIMES. FORTUNATELY I WAS ABLE TO STOP THE CAR WITHOUT HITTING ANYONE OR ANYTHING. I WAS AFRAID TO DRIVE THE CAR AFTER THAT INCIDENT, SO I CALLED A TOW TRUCK AND HAD IT TOWED TO THE FAIRFAX HONDA DEALER IN FAIRFAX, VA. THE DEALER CHECKED IT OUT AND SAID THAT THE REASON THE BREAKS FAILED WAS DUE TO A FAILURE IN THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM AND THAT A PART # 01469-TR2-355 SERVO SET NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. THE PART IS GOING TO COST AROUND $3400 AND IS NOT COVERED BY THE WARRANTY. IF THAT WASN'T BAD ENOUGH, THE PART IS ALSO ON INTERNATIONAL BACKLOG AND IT WILL SOON BE A MONTH AND I STILL DON'T HAVE A CAR. BUT NOW I AM THINKING THAT IT SOUNDS STRANGE FOR THE BREAKS TO DEPEND ON THE ELECTRIC SYSTEM OF THE CAR AND THAT IT COULD BE A DESIGN FLAW AND IS A SAFETY CONCERN FOR ME. ONE OF THE SCARIEST EXPERIENCES IS TO HAVE YOUR BREAKS FAIL WHILE DRIVING AND I DON'T WANT THAT TO HAPPEN TO ME AGAIN. I BOUGHT THE CAR AS A CERTIFIED PRE-OWNED CAR AT ANOTHER HONDA DEALER (POHANKA IN FREDERICKSBURG, VA) IN AUGUST OF 2016, BUT NOW I AM AFRAID THAT COULD HAPPEN AGAIN EVEN AFTER SHELLING OUT THAT AMOUNT OF CASH TO HAVE IT FIXED.

NHTSA ID 11052381 · filed Dec 4, 2017

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Powertrain (other)

Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

The contact owns a 2013 Honda Civic Hybrid. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed and attempting to accelerate, the vehicle vibrated violently. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who diagnosed a failure with the continuously variable transmission (CVT). The contact was informed that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, and a case was opened. The failure mileage was 105,000.

NHTSA ID 11546613 · filed Sep 26, 2023

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.

Elsewhere on this vehicle

Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .