2016 Honda Civic Visibility Problems

The A/C failed completely, blowing hot air (80+°F) in extreme Phoenix heat. The issue recurred identically after a dealer misdiagnosis and gas recharge last year. A formal inspection by Showcase Honda on May 28, 2026 (RO# 838832), confirmed a dual leak: the A/C Compressor Shaft Seal (under warranty extension) and the A/C Evaporator Core were leaking refrigerant simultaneously. Due to severe local heat waves, repairs were completed at the dealer on June 15, 2026. Invoices are available upon request. This defect severely risks vehicle safety. Driving in Arizona's 100+°F heat without A/C causes immediate heat exhaustion for passengers. Also, losing the defroster causes sudden windshield fogging during humidity shifts, creating a blind visibility hazard. No warning lamps preceded the failure. Crucially, the 10-year warranty extension is rapidly expiring for early 10th-gen Civic owners, leaving us unprotected. NHTSA must mandate Honda to extend the compressor/condenser warranty to a LIFETIME warranty. Furthermore, because the Evaporator Core inherently fails at the exact same time due to the same loop defect, Honda must expand coverage to include the Evaporator Core as a fully covered component. Partial coverage is a widespread safety hazard and a financial injustice for consumers.

NHTSA ID

11745135

Incident

May 27, 2026

What component or system failed: The entire Air Conditioning system, specifically the AC Compressor, Condenser, and Evaporator, failed catastrophically. The authorized Honda dealer diagnosed it as "Black Death," meaning the AC compressor internally shattered, sending metal shrapnel and contaminated oil throughout all AC lines and components. How was your safety put at risk: This failure is a SEVERE SAFETY HAZARD. Because the AC compressor is dead, the windshield defroster/defogger system no longer functions. During rain or changes in temperature/humidity, the inside of the windshield fogs up instantly and cannot be cleared. This causes a sudden and complete loss of driver visibility, creating a high risk of a fatal crash on the highway. Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed: Yes. The vehicle was inspected by an authorized Honda dealership. The technician confirmed the catastrophic failure ("Black Death") and stated the entire system needs to be replaced. Previous history & Manufacturer response: Honda has known defects with the 2016 Civic AC system (Warranty Extensions 19-091 & 23-039). The condenser was previously replaced under warranty in 2023. Now, the defective compressor shaft seal has led to the complete destruction of the system. Despite this being a known defect that causes secondary damage to the entire system, Honda Corporate has refused to cover the repair costs for the collateral damage (evaporator and lines). The parts are currently on the vehicle and available for inspection. Were there warning lamps: There were no warning lights on the dashboard prior to the failure. The only symptom was the AC suddenly blowing hot air and the immediate loss of the defogging capability.

NHTSA ID

11729673

Incident

Mar 26, 2026

My A/C system experienced a total failure at around 79,000 miles. I took the vehicle to a service center, and they confirmed the failure is the A/C Evaporator. This component is now broken and available for inspection upon request. This evaporator failure is an extremely common, widely reported issue across this generation of vehicles and is almost certainly due to a manufacturing defect. The failure creates two major safety risks: First, the loss of defrost capability causes the windshield to fog up immediately in rain or humidity, which completely blocks the driver's view. Second, the extreme interior heat caused by the lack of A/C creates severe driver fatigue and distraction, which impairs safe operation of the vehicle. This issue has been confirmed by the dealership, and there were no warning lights.

NHTSA ID

11701754

Incident

Nov 4, 2025

The contact owns a 2016 Honda Civic. The contact stated that while driving at 55 MPH, there was an abnormally loud pop coming from the sunroof. There was no warning light. Illuminated. Upon inspection, the contact became aware of a large hole in the sunroof glass. The local dealer was contacted; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact was informed that the VIN was not under recall. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 166,655.

NHTSA ID

11682010

Incident

Aug 20, 2025

Mileage

166,655 mi

The evaporator core is leaking, which is causing reduced visibablility out of the windows due to condensation on the windows, mold-like smells from moisture from the interior cabin (it is available upon request). I took it into the dealer - they examined the issue (the shaft seal had just been replaced in April of this year) and let me know that this time the evaporator core was leaking. For context and why I bring it to the attention of the NHTSA is in early to mid-August of this year my AC not only took an extended time to get cool, it only got cooler, and not cold. Unfortunately, I am now well acclimated to the signs of a faltering air conditioning system after dealing with three like episodes on the same vehicle, occurring within 2 to 3 years of each other (the car isn’t even nine years old). In fact, this vehicle’s air conditioning has been in a rhythmic pattern of failing ever since I purchased the vehicle. Over 8 years there have only been a few summers which haven’t been negatively impacted by this inconvenience. Honda is aware of the issue, because they have offered "good-will" subsidies which sometimes cover partial replacements of these components. But, they have yet to take responsibility for anything outside of the condenser. Hence, the consumer is on the hook to pay for a vital piece of the car (not just the convenience) that removes moisture out of the car.

NHTSA ID

11621969

Incident

Sep 20, 2024

A/C system.- compressor &/or shaft seal leak- As we were driving our BRAND NEW Honda civic to Las Vegas for our daughter’s wedding on July 12, 2019 in the heat of 115 degrees, the AC stopped working & started blowing hot air, we were forced to continue our 5 hour journey in this unsafe driving condition since it was our daughter’s wedding. This was at 36,100 miles, just 100 miles out of warranty. The recall had not happened yet & we were unaware other people were experiencing the same issues with this same AC system Honda used. I Took it to my local Honda dealer upon return of the torturous unsafe trip and they wanted $3000 to fix the problem they took no blame for it. I immediately filed a complaint with safecar.gov #11322455. 4 years later, PARTS of the Ac system were recalled & I was sent a letter from American Honda stating show us the invoices you had to pay before the recall happened. I did exactly what they said and they denied all of my expenses. I am in shock. This was not my problem their defected AC system leaked Freon. That was their system that they put into that brand new car that was worthless. They cut corners used a cheaper outside contractor it’s obvious. I have $552.93, in repairs that American Honda has refused to reimburse me for and I went through the whole process they requested it’s not right. I should be paid for what I had to pay on that AC system before the recall. It was not my fault it was their fault.

NHTSA ID

11537025

Incident

Jul 12, 2019

My 2016 Honda Civic started blowing warm air and within 24 hours I took it to my local Honda Dealership and had it inspected. I was told that there were two TRBs which may be related to the A/C system. After dealer inspection I was told that the mechanics noted leaks in both the Condenser and the Compressor shaft seal. The result of the leaks was that the these components would need to be replaced along with the A/C compressor. Unfortunately I was told that the extended warranties on both of these components (10 yr unlimited mileage) would not cover the compressor replacement despite the dealership telling me that the leaks likely caused the A/C Compressor failure. Honda is acutely aware that these types of leaks will cause in AC component failures (Condenser, Compressor and evaporator) because the A/C systems are closed systems and complaints about the A/C system leaks, and their effects, are pervasive on online media forums and the auto community at large. In my case the leaks due to the failure of the condenser and compressor shaft seal resulted in the failure of A/C Compressor. I have had the A/C system inspected by other Honda Certified mechanic shops and all have expressed the causality between the failed components and the compressor catastrophic failure. The fact that Honda has issued "unlimited mileage" extended warranties on these 10th Gen Civic compressor shaft seals and condensers expresses Honda's awareness that these components should not fail in the way they are doing so. Like any mechanical system perfection should not be the goal but when a manufacture is aware of a failure in its product it has the responsibility to make whole those harmed by its failures. Unfortunately customers, like me, who purchased Hondas because the brand's reliability and strong customer service appeal will have to look elsewhere unless Honda chooses to correct this clear and present issue across multiple vehicles in its lineup.

NHTSA ID

11528369

Incident

Jun 19, 2023

unknown got on wrong highway because wippers malfunction in heavy rain

NHTSA ID

11493519

Incident

Mar 22, 2020

Ice builds up on windshield while snowing. Wipers build up ice and stick to windsheild

NHTSA ID

11448417

Incident

Jan 21, 2022

The day i bought this car the ac went out. I had to go back to dealer the next morning. I later on learned They just fiddled with it to make it work temporarily. By the next summer ac went out again, this time defrosters didn't work, heater didn't work, ac obviously didn't work. And ive Been dealing with it like this for over 2 years. Honda is not helping at all.

NHTSA ID

11424026

Incident

Jul 1, 2019

The ac blows hot on drivers side causing the driver to sweat and lose grip of steering wheel. This is a known issue of faulty ac systems in this year of civics.

NHTSA ID

11421553

Incident

Apr 1, 2021

THE AC SYSTEM ON THESE MODELS HAVE A FACTORY DEFECT. I WAS DRIVING ON THE SURFACE STREETS THE WINDSHIELD BECAME FOGGY, I COULD NOT SEE TRAFFIC IN FRONT OF ME AND SUDDENLY STOPPED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD. I GOT OUT OF THE CAR AND CLEANED THE WINDSHIELD WITH THE PIECE OF TOWEL. BECAUSE THE CAR'S AC WAS NOT WORKING IT COULD NOT DEFOGG THE WINDSHIELD. I HAVE CONTACTED HONDA, BUT HONDA DOESN'T REPAIR IT. IT IS A SAFETY ISSUE.

NHTSA ID

11413299

Incident

Oct 10, 2020

Mileage

30,000 mi

AC COMPRESSOR WENT OUT AFTER 37,000 MILES. WITHOUT THE AC, IT HURTS VISIBILITY (COULD NOT DEFOG THE CAR WINDOWS) WHEN RAINING OR LIVING IN A HIGH HUMIDITY AREA. THIS IS ALSO A SAFETY ISSUE IN HOTTER CLIMATES. ALSO HAD PROBLEMS WITH REAR BACKUP CAMERA NOT WORKING UPON STARTUP INTERMITTENTLY.

NHTSA ID

11405753

Incident

Mar 1, 2021

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 HONDA CIVIC. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WINDSHIELD DEFROST SYSTEM FAILED, AND CAUSED THE CONTACT TO BE UNABLE TO DEFROST THE WINDSHIELD WHEN DRIVING IN INCLEMENT WEATHER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO IDE HONDA 875 PANORAMA TRL S, ROCHESTER, NY 14625 PHONE NUMBER (585) 586-2820 WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE AIR CONDITIONER COMPRESSOR FAILED DUE TO A DEFECTIVE CONDENSER THAT WAS ALLOWING THE FREON TO ESCAPE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 65,000.*DT *DT*JB

NHTSA ID

11389254

Incident

Jul 9, 2020

Mileage

65,000 mi

AIR CONDITIONING CONDENSER WAS REPLACED UNDER RECALL JAN. 2019. AC STOPPED WORKING BY JUNE, 2020. CONDENSER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AGAIN, BUT WAS ON BACK-ORDER. OVER 5 WEEKS LATER, CONDENSER WAS REPLACED IN AUGUST 2020, BUT DEALER REPORTED COMPRESSOR WAS LEAKING AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED, FOR ABOUT $1,200. HONDA REFUSES TO COVER MORE THAN 30% OF THAT COST, ACCORDING TO BOTH A REGIONAL REPRESENTATIVE AND A HONDA OF AMERICA REPRESENTATIVE. THE COMPRESSOR IS ON BACK-ORDER, INDICATING THAT A HIGH NUMBER OF COMPRESSORS ARE FAILING. ALL THE ABOVE WORK AND DIAGNOSIS WERE PERFORMED BY HONDA DEALER THE AUTOMASTER, SHELBURNE, VT. THE CAR HAS UNDER 33,000 MILES AND IS LESS THAN 4 YEARS OLD. I'M THE ORIGINAL OWNER. THERE APPEARS TO BE A CLASS ACTION FOR THIS ISSUE, INITIATED IN CALIFORNIA, CASE 2:19-CV-10537, FILED DEC. 2019, US DISTRICT COURT FOR CENTRAL DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA. HAVING NO AC IS A SAFETY ISSUE IN AT LEAST TWO WAYS: IT'S DANGEROUS TO DRIVE IN A HOT CAR, AND A FOGGED WINDSHIELD OBSTRUCTING DRIVER'S VISION CAN'T BE CLEARED WITHOUT AC. HONDA SHOULD COVER THE FULL COST OF CORRECTING THESE SAFETY ISSUES.

NHTSA ID

11351661

Incident

Aug 7, 2020

Mileage

32,742 mi

SMALL ROCK HIT LOWER DRIVER SIDE OF WINDSHIELD AND MADE A VERY SMALL NICK ABOUT 6 MONTHS AGO. I DROVE HOME FROM WORK FRIDAY AND UPON GETTING MY CAR READY SUNDAY EVENING FOR WORK THE NEXT DAY WE NOTICED A CRACK. I CAN ONLY ASSUME THIS INITIATED WHERE THAT ROCK HIT AND AFTER GOOGLING THE ISSUE I REALIZE I'M NOT ALONE IN THIS. THE WINDSHIELD OF THE HONDA 2016 AND NEWER IS GARBAGE. IT IS WEAK AND UNSAFE. THAT SMALL CRACK FROM SUNDAY HAS NOW REACHED HALFWAY ACROSS THE WINDSHIELD AND I CANNOT DRIVE MY CAR UNTIL IT IS FIXED ON WEDNESDAY AFTERNOON FOR FEAR OF IT CAVING IN. WHY HASN'T HONDA ADDRESSED THIS ISSUE? IT'S BEEN FOUR YEARS OF NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS! THE CRACK IS GROWING AT AN INCREDIBLY AND TERRIFYING RATE THAT IT IS COMPLETELY UNSAFE. THE FIRST PICTURE WAS AT 7AM, THE SECOND AT 5PM, AND THE THIRD AT 9:30PM

NHTSA ID

11348499

Incident

Aug 8, 2020

Mileage

82,000 mi

2016 HONDA CIVIC. PROBLEM WITH AIR CONDITIONING BLOWING HOT AIR BOTH WHEN VEHICLE IS IN MOTION AND STATIONARY. I TOOK TO THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP AND WAS TOLD BOTH CONDENSER AND COMPRESSOR HAD LEAKS. CONDENSER IS COVERED UNDER EXTENDED WARRANTY BUT THE COMPRESSOR WAS NOT COSTING IN EXCESS OF $1100 TO REPAIR. WAS INFORMED BY DEALERSHIP THEY ARE RECEIVING 3-4 VEHICLES PER WEEK WITH THIS ISSUE. IT IS CLEARLY A DEFECT IN THE MANUFACTURE OF THE VEHICLE. *TR

NHTSA ID

11330517

Incident

Jun 23, 2020

Mileage

103,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 HONDA CIVIC. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE WINDSHIELD DEFROSTER WAS INOPERABLE DUE TO THE AIR CONDITIONER BEING INOPERABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE WINDSHIELD AND WINDOWS FOGGED UP WHILE DRIVING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO PENSKE HONDA (4140 E 96TH ST, INDIANAPOLIS, IN 46240 317-399-9890, BUT WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 42,000.

NHTSA ID

11330001

Incident

May 25, 2020

Mileage

42,000 mi

A/C BLOWS WARM AIR ON DRIVER'S SIDE. A/C BLOWS SLIGHTLY COOL AIR ON PASSENGER'S SIDE. A/C DOES NOT REACH SET COOLING TEMPERATURES. VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED FROM HONDA DEALERSHIP ON 4/25/20. A/C BEGAN GOING OUT ON 6/7/20. VEHICLE HAS ~35,000 MILES. *TR

NHTSA ID

11328702

Incident

Jun 7, 2020

Mileage

35,000 mi

AC BLOWING HOT ON DRIVER'S SIDE AND SOME COOL ON PASSENGER SIDE. VEHICLE HAS 39,000 MILES. *TR

NHTSA ID

11328429

Incident

Jun 11, 2020

Mileage

39,000 mi

AIR CONDITIONER IN 2016 CIVIC FAILED IN NOVEMBER OF 2019. HONDA COVERED THE CONDENSER BUT CHARGE FULL RACK TO REPLACE A CONNECTING HOSE, $450. NOW JUNE OF 2020 SAME ISSUE WHERE A/C IS BLOWING HOT AIR. HONDA DEALER TELLS ME THAT THE CONDENSER AND COMPRESSOR NEED TO REPLACED. CONDENSER IS UNDER EXTENDED WARRANTY. COMPRESSOR WAS REPLACED AT A COST OF $1600. THESE PARTS ARE ALL FAULTY NEED TO BE COVERED. CAR WAS PURCHASED IN 2018 AS A CPO FROM HONDA DEALER. CAR HAS UNDER 63K MILES. *TR

NHTSA ID

11328317

Incident

Jun 9, 2020

A/C QUIT WORKING AT 30,000 MILES ONE YEAR OUT OF WARRANTY. DEALER DIAGNOSED COMPRESSOR BEARING FAILURE - NOT COVERED UNDER EXTENDED WARRANTY FOR DEFECTIVE CONDENSERS. COST TO REPAIR: $2,000 + THIS IS BOTH DANGEROUS DUE TO INOPERATIVE DEFROST/DEFOGGING AS WELL AS RISKING PASSENGER OVERHEATING IN EXTREME WEATHER - ESPECIALLY THOSE OF US WHO ARE SENIORS. *TR

NHTSA ID

11328192

Incident

Jun 2, 2020

Mileage

29,875 mi

AC STOPPED BLOWING COLD AIR. I BOUGHT THIS CAR IN OCT 2016 AND HAVEN'T EVEN FINISHED PAYING IT AND THE AC IS ALREADY HAVING PROBLEMS. *TR

NHTSA ID

11327430

Incident

May 25, 2020

Mileage

38,000 mi

AC DOES NOT WORK THEY SAY IT IS THE COMPRESSOR. THAT IT IS A KNOWN PROBLEM WITH THIS YEAR AND THE 2017. *TR

NHTSA ID

11326877

Incident

May 28, 2020

Mileage

55,000 mi

AIR CONDITIONER ON DRIVER'S SIDE NOT COOLING/BLOWING WARM AIR. HONDA DEALER PERFORMED DIAGNOSIS AND FOUND SYSTEM SLIGHTLY LOW, AND FOUND AC COMPRESSOR IS LEAKING. COST TO REPAIR IS $1900.00. OUR 2016 HONDA CIVIC HAD 33K MILES AND IS GARAGE KEPT AND WELL MAINTAINED. I SEARCHED THE INTERNET AND FOUND THE COMPRESSOR LEAKING IS A COMMON PROBLEM! THIS SHOULD NOT BE HAPPENING ON A CAR WITH 33K MILES ON IT!!! I HAVE BEEN A HONDA OWNER FOR OVER 20 YEARS AND EXPECT HONDA TO ISSUE A RECALL OR EXTEND THE WARRANTY ON THE COMPRESSOR/COOLING SYSTEM FOR THIS KNOWN DEFECT. THIS SYSTEM HAS NOT LIVED UP TO THE REASONABLE EXPECTATION OF RELIABILITY OF HONDA CARS, AND THAT AN AC COMPRESSOR SHOULD LAST MORE THAN JUST A FEW YEARS WITH LOW MILEAGE. THIS IS WELL BEYOND WHAT WOULD BE CONSIDERED AS NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR! I AM DISAPPOINTED AND UPSET THAT HONDA SO FAR HAS NOT DONE THE RIGHT THING IN ADDRESSING A KNOWN DEFECT AND DOING RIGHT BY THEIR CUSTOMERS FOR A VERY EXPENSIVE REPAIR IN THE MIDDLE OF PANDEMIC WHEN MANY HAVE BEEN UNEMPLOYED OR FINANCIALLY IMPACTED. DO THE RIGHT THING HONDA!! COVER THIS REPAIR UNDER AN EXTENDED WARRANTY!!! *TR

NHTSA ID

11325382

Incident

May 20, 2020

Mileage

32,800 mi