RoadVitals

2017 Honda Civic Visibility Problems

Owner-reported complaints naming the visibility system, filed with NHTSA

Data refreshed

Visibility reportsComplaints 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.
31
Latest Jul 27, 2026
Share of all reportsThis category as a share of every owner report on file for this model year. One report can name more than one component, so the categories overlap.
5%
of 579 total
Crash or fire reportedReports in this category whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. The reporter's own answer on the NHTSA form, not a verified finding.
0
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
0

What this page shows

Reports naming windshields, glass, wipers, defrosters and mirrors. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 2017 Honda Civic submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 31 reports on file name it.

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

Owner reports naming visibility

The 25 most recent of 31, in the owner's own words

Visibility
Filed Jul 27, 2026

The contact owns a 2017 Honda Civic. The contact stated that while purchasing the vehicle, the contact became aware that the A/C was inoperable. Before purchasing the vehicle, the contact asked the dealer to replace the A/C condenser, and the component was replaced. The contact stated that three years later, the A/C compressor was replaced again, but the shaft seal was not replaced. The contact stated that on June 30, the evaporator failed, causing fumes to enter the A/C and there was bacteria trapped due to oil leaks from the shaft seal. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed with the failure of the evaporator, causing the oil from the shaft seal to leak into the evaporator. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 125,500.

NHTSA ID
11753040
Incident
Jun 30, 2026
Mileage
125,500 mi
Visibility
Filed Apr 8, 2026

The contact's father owns a 2017 Honda Civic. The contact stated that the A/C unit was blowing warm air while activated. Due to the failure, the defroster system failed to clear the glass as intended. The vehicle was taken to a dealer, where the mechanic discovered that the A/C compressor shaft seal and the A/C evaporator were inoperable. The mechanic also discovered that flammable gas was leaking from the A/C evaporator system into the cabin of the vehicle. The contact was informed that the A/C compressor shaft seal was covered under warranty; however, the A/C evaporator was not covered. The dealer submitted a Goodwill request to the manufacturer, and the manufacturer agreed to cover 75% of the cost of the repair. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, and the contact opened a Goodwill request for assistance; however, the manufacturer denied the request. The contact was provided with a case number. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 29,000.

NHTSA ID
11729997
Incident
Mar 1, 2022
Mileage
29,000 mi
Visibility
Filed Mar 27, 2026

The AC Evaporator failed, this is after the condenser and compressor failed twice, which are also known issues within Honda's AC system. A failed evaporator can cause the windshield foggy issues and cause drivers visibility issue which endangers driver and passengers. Yes dealer has diagnosed the issue. There was no warning of the failure, and there are already many reports about this part failing. Honda refused to cover it under their warranty.

NHTSA ID
11727614
Incident
Mar 23, 2026
Visibility
Filed Oct 8, 2024

Ac evaporator has failed not allowing windshield to defrost and defog properly. It is know issue at this time ac compressor and condenser are covered under extended warranty but not the ac evaporator.

NHTSA ID
11618742
Incident
Mar 10, 2024
Visibility
Filed Jul 31, 2024

The contact owns a 2017 Honda Civic. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the air condition was blowing hot air. The contact stated that the vehicle was serviced under an unknown recall; however, the failure persisted. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer again, and it was diagnosed that the air condition compressor needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired because the contact was informed that the repair would be out-of- pocket. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.

NHTSA ID
11605739
Incident
Jul 23, 2024
Visibility
Filed Jul 14, 2024

AC compressor is not working causing the defroster not to work and front wind shield will not defrost during wet /humid weather. Honda's extended warranty bulletin only applies to the condenser not the compressor

NHTSA ID
11601997
Incident
Jul 2, 2024
Visibility
Filed Aug 8, 2023

I bought my 2017 Civic 2.0L brand new. A few years later my A/C stops working in the middle of summer. Due to the cost of what it was going to cost me to have this fixed I had to delay getting my car fixed and having to drive a car with no A/C with my infant and toddler in the back. Eventually I was able to get this fixed and had to pay over $700. For this being a brand new vehicle when purchased I don't think that an issue like this should have occurred if the vehicle was manufactured properly. Unfortunately, no light came on in the vehicle to tell me that something was wrong or needed fixed.

NHTSA ID
11537143
Incident
Sep 13, 2021
Visibility
Filed May 23, 2023

The contact owns a 2017 Honda Civic. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the sunroof inadvertently exploded without impact. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The dealer was notified of the failure and the contact was informed that VIN was not included in a recall and that the dealer was unable to perform glass repairs. The vehicle had not yet been repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 100,000.

NHTSA ID
11523547
Incident
May 23, 2023
Mileage
100,000 mi
Visibility
Filed Apr 21, 2023

Ac blowing hot out of driver side only. Repaired under extended warranty in 2020 due to faulty ac condenser that Honda now admits was a problem. Now that the car is out of extended warranty (by 4 months) the ac evaporator goes out and they want me to pay $2,000 to fix cause it wasn’t listed on the service bulletin. So ridiculous the entire system is faulty and There is no telling when it will go out again. Honda needs recall or extend the service bulletin to cover the entire system.. absolutely ridiculous!!!

NHTSA ID
11518371
Incident
Apr 21, 2023
Visibility
Filed Apr 14, 2023

This is a general concern, not a particular incident. My 2017 Civic SI (as well as my friend's nearly identical 2019 Civic SI and others I'm aware of) has backup camera issues at night. Daytime is fine, but at night the image is so "speckled" and unclear that it is often nearly useless. 2015 Civics did not have this problem (I had one and my wife currently still does).

NHTSA ID
11517153
Incident
Jul 13, 2017
Visibility
Filed Aug 8, 2022

Pre-incident.... Improper weather stripping around both front and back windshield hold water on seams around installed windows. This results in air bubbles separating the glass from the glue seam and rubber seats. If too many occur for a long enough period, windshield can crack, shatter or break completely free during normal driving. This is happening on a less than 5 year old car. Honda Dealership has inspected and taken pictures of bubble areas that are occurring between the entire seal. Bubbles started occurring 3 years ago and got significantly worse over time. No warning lamps.

NHTSA ID
11478277
Incident
Apr 4, 2022
Visibility
Filed May 4, 2021

FRONT WINDSHIELD CAME DEFECTIVE FROM FACTORY WITH AIR BUBBLES BETWEEN THE GLASS AND THE RUBBER AFFECTING THE INTEGRITY OF IT, THAT ALSO MAKES THE GLASS WEAK AND IT CRACKS TOO EASY. MY PROBLEM WITH THE GLASS HAPPENED WHILE THE CAR WAS PARKED INSIDE MY GARAGE WITH JUST LETTING THE WIPER FALL ON IT WHILE I WAS WASHING IT. IT REPRESENTS A POTENTIAL HAZARD AND SAFETY ISSUE FOR ME AND MY FAMILY.

NHTSA ID
11415099
Incident
Jul 30, 2017
Mileage
600 mi
Visibility
Filed Apr 12, 2021

AIR CONDITIONER IN VEHICLE STOPPED COOLING CAUSING EXCESS BUILD UP OF MOISTURE ON INTERIOR WINDSHIELD AND SIDE WINDOWS IMPAIRING VISIBILITY AND SAFE OPERATION OF VEHICLE. RAINING PREVENTED THE ABILITY TO ROLL WINDOWS DOWN TO CLEAR WINDSHIELD AND WINDOWS. HAD TO MANUALLY WIPE THE INTERIOR OF WINDOWS AND WINDSHIELD TO SEE CONSTANTLY UNTIL I MADE IT BACK TO MY HOME.

NHTSA ID
11407588
Incident
Mar 12, 2021
Mileage
54,000 mi
Visibility
Filed Nov 11, 2020

2017 HONDA CIVIC WITH 23,400 MILES A/C ONCE AGAIN STOPPED WORKING. SYSTEM WAS CHECKED BY HONDA AND RE-CHARGED UNDER WARRANTY BUT A/C IS NOT WORKING AGAIN. THIS CREATED A DANGEROUS DRIVING SCENARIO IN WHICH THE FRONT WINDOW WOULD NOT DEFROST DURING A HEAVY RAINSTORM

NHTSA ID
11374082
Incident
Nov 10, 2020
Mileage
23,400 mi
Visibility
Filed Jul 21, 2020

6 WEEKS AGO THE AIR CONDITIONER/WINDSHIELD DEFOGGER STOPPED WORKING IN MY 2017 HONDA CIVIC THAT I PURCHASED NEW WITH A 7 YEAR/120000 MILE WARRANTY. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP WHO DIAGNOSED CONDENSER FAILURE BUT CLAIMS THEY ARE UNABLE TO OBTAIN PARTS TO PERFORM REPAIR. EVERY TIME I CALL I GET THE SAME "IN A FEW DAYS" EXCUSE.

NHTSA ID
11340559
Incident
Jul 11, 2020
Mileage
63,000 mi
Body & structureVisibility
Filed Jun 26, 2020

CAR IS ONLY A LITTLE OVER 3 YEARS OLD AND THE AIR CONDITIONING IS BLOWING HOT AIR! THE MILEAGE ON THE CAR IS ONLY 22832. TOOK IT TO THE DEALER & THEY SAID THE CONDENSER IS DAMAGED & THE COMPRESSOR IS LEAKING DUE TO "ROAD DAMAGE". CALLED HONDA CORPORATE FOR THIS SINCE IT IS A KNOWN ISSUE WITH THEIR HONDA CIVICS 2015-2019 ABOUT A FAULTY COMPRESSOR GETTING HOLES PUNCTURED IN CAUSING THE FREON TO LEAK OUT AND THEY ALSO DENIED THE PAYMENT CLAIMING A ROCK HIT MY CAR AND CAUSED THE CONDENSER TO GET DAMAGED. CLEARLY HONDA NEEDS TO OWN UP TO THIS FAULTY COMPRESSOR AND RECALL THE CARS OR JUST PAY FOR THE AC TO BE FIXED INSTEAD OF CHARGING CUSTOMERS $2300 TO FIX A PROBLEM THAT CAN OCCUR AGAIN! THERE ARE EVEN LAWSUITS AGAINST HONDA FOR THIS ISSUE! *TR

NHTSA ID
11331126
Incident
Jun 26, 2020
Mileage
22,832 mi
Visibility
Filed Jun 22, 2020

THE FIRST TIME I HAD TO TURN ON MY AC FOR THE SUMMER 2020 SEASON ON MY 2017 HONDA CIVIC I NOTICED THAT IT WAS BLOWING HOT AIR. I TOOK MY CAR TO A HONDA DEALERSHIP WHERE THEY IDENTIFIED NOT ONLY WAS MY A/C CONDENSER LEAKING FREON BUT ALSO MY A/C COMPRESSOR IS LEAKING FREON. BOTH PARTS MUST BE REPLACED. IN AUGUST 2019 , HONDA ISSUED A SERVICE BULLETIN FOR THE A/C CONDENSER AS THEY DISCOVERED IT WAS MANUFACTURED TO STANDARDS AND WITH THE SERVICE BULLETIN FOR THE A/C CONDENSER AN EXTENDED WARRANTY HAS BEEN ISSUED. HOWEVER, THE A/C COMPRESS IS NOT UNDER AN EXTENDED WARRANTY. MY CAR IS OUT OF THE MANUFACTURE WARRANTY (3 YEARS/36,000 MILES) PERIOD BY 4,000 MILES - NOT YEARS. I LIVE IN THE MID-WEST WHERE I DON'T NEED TO USE MY CAR'S A/C OFTEN SO I HAVEN'T USED MY A/C SINCE FALL 2019 WHEN MY VEHICLE WAS STILL UNDER WARRANTY. SEARCHING ONLINE - THERE ARE VEHICLE OWNER COMPLAINTS ON THE A/C UNITS BECOMING DEFECTIVE DURING AND AFTER WARRANTY PERIOD OF 2016, 2017 AND 2018 HONDA CIVIC'S. THE IN ORDER TO REPAIR THE A/C COMPRESSOR, THE ESTIMATED COST OF REPAIR IS $1,200. THE DEALERSHIP HAS INFORMED ME THAT THE PARTS ARE CURRENTLY OUT OF STOCK AND THAT THEY HAVE SEEN A NUMBER OF CIVIC'S WITH SIMILAR ISSUES. HOW IRONIC IS IT THAT WITHIN THREE YEARS (NOT FULL THREE YEARS) MY VEHICLE'S A/C CONDENSER AND COMPRESSOR NEED TO BE REPLACED. HONDA HAS ACKNOWLEDGED FAULT ON ONE PART BUT OTHER THE SECOND. THESE PARTS DO NOT BECOME DEFECTIVE THIS EARLY IN THE LIFE OF A VEHICLE. *TR

NHTSA ID
11330094
Incident
Jun 5, 2020
Mileage
39,000 mi
Visibility
Filed Jun 15, 2020

I PURCHASED A 2017 HONDA CIVIC IN NOVEMBER 2017. IN AUGUST 2018 THE AC WENT OUT. (I KNOW IN AUGUST RIGHT!). THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT AT HONDA REPLACED THE HIGH PRESSURE HOSE FOR THE O-RING. THE SERVICE WAS COVERED UNDER MY CAR WARRANTY. NINE MONTHS LATER (MAY 2019) THE SAME THING HAPPENED. THE A/C WENT OUT. THIS TIME THE HONDA SERVICE DEPARTMENT REPLACED THE CONDENSER. IT IS EVEN NOTED IN THE PAPERWORK THAT THE AC IS BLOWING HOT "AGAIN". THE SERVICE WAS COVERED UNDER THE WARRANTY. 13 MONTHS LATER (JUNE 2020) WHILE SERVICING AN OIL CHANGE, THE HONDA SERVICE FOUND A LEAK COMING FROM THE COMPRESSOR. THIS TIME IT WAS NOT COVERED UNDER THE ORIGINAL WARRANTY, HOWEVER THROUGH HONDA CARE I WAS CHARGED A DEDUCTIBLE ($100.00). *TR

NHTSA ID
11329046
Incident
Aug 8, 2018
Mileage
17,231 mi
Visibility
Filed Jun 12, 2020

A FEW DAYS AGO, WHILE ON MY WAY HOME FROM WORK ON THE FREEWAY, I NOTICED THE DRIVER SIDE AC STARTED BLOWING HOT AIR. THOUGHT MAYBE BECAUSE IT WAS SO HOT. CHECKED THE PASSENGER SIDE AND IT WAS A BIT COOLER. COOLER THAN THE DRIVER SIDE AT LEAST. I KIND OF IGNORED IT FOR A FEW DAYS SINCE IT HADN'T BEEN SO HOT BUT TODAY I DECIDED TO TRY IT AGAIN AND THE SAME THING HAPPENED. WARMER AIR COMPARED TO THE PASSENGER SIDE BUT THE PASSENGER SIDE IS STILL NOT VERY COLD. THEN I REALIZED SOME FOG LIKE SMOKE COMING OUT OF THE MIDDLE VENTS AFTER LIKE 2 MINUTES OF IT BEING ON. I FELT LIGHT HEADED AND KIND OF OUT OF BREATH SO I IMMEDIATELY TURNED IT OFF AND PULLED OVER TO CATCH MY BREATH. *TR

NHTSA ID
11328468
Incident
Jun 12, 2020
Mileage
62,000 mi
ElectricalVisibility
Filed Dec 10, 2019

THE BACK WIPER REMAINED IN FAST SPEED UNTIL SHUTTING OFF VEHICLE. TWICE. SECOND TIME LENGTH OF APPROX 5 MINUTES. THEN OPERATED NORMALLY. 12/09/19 2ND. RADIO HAS BEEN CHANGING STATIONS ON IT'S OWN. AND THE THE PHONE HAS BEEN ASKING ME TO SET UP WITH BLUE TOOTH WHEN I AM DRIVING. I HAVE SHUT OFF THE RADIO AND IT SEEMS TO RE-SET ITSELF. THIS HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR ABOUT MONTH. 11/09/19

NHTSA ID
11288230
Incident
Nov 10, 2019
Mileage
12,000 mi
Visibility
Filed Apr 23, 2019

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 HONDA CIVIC. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THE SUN ROOF MADE SOME POPPING SOUNDS AND THE GLASS SHATTERED WITHOUT WARNING OR IMPACT. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO HONDA OF STEVENS CREEK (800-692-2129, LOCATED AT 4590 STEVENS CREEK BLVD, SAN JOSE, CA 95129), BUT THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DETERMINED. THE SUN ROOF WAS REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE, STATED THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL, AND PROVIDED THE CONTACT WITH A REFERENCE NUMBER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 21,000.

NHTSA ID
11203155
Incident
Apr 19, 2019
Mileage
21,000 mi
Visibility
Filed Feb 18, 2019

I HAD THE WIPERS ON AND IT WAS RAINING. THE WIPERS STOPPED WORKING BEFORE THEY REACHED THE DOWN POSITION ON THE WINDSHIELD. THEY WOULD NOT WORK AFTER THAT. I WAS DRIVING THE CAR ON A CITY STREET GOING FORWARD.

NHTSA ID
11180856
Incident
Feb 15, 2019
Mileage
19,000 mi
Visibility
Filed Feb 9, 2019

WHEN I STARTED DRIVING IT STARTED TO HESITATE AND THEN I GOT TO MY DESTINATION AND THEN WHEN I GOT BACK INTO THE CAR I TURNED THEM ON THEY WENT UP AND NEVER WENT DOWN. NOW THEY DON'T EVEN WORK AT ALL THEY'RE STUCK IN THE POSITION THAT I SHOWED YOU THE PHOTO I HAVE APPROXIMATELY 8K MILES ON THIS VEHICLE. THEY STOPPED WORKING WHEN I WAS DRIVING I HAVE 0 VISIBILITY ITS SNOWING HERE IN OREGON

NHTSA ID
11175955
Incident
Feb 9, 2019
Mileage
8,000 mi
ElectricalVisibility
Filed Oct 24, 2018

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 HONDA CIVIC. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE SUN ROOF OPENED AND ALL FOUR WINDOWS IN THE VEHICLE ROLLED DOWN SPONTANEOUSLY. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE LOCAL DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 4,500.

NHTSA ID
11142428
Incident
Oct 24, 2018
Mileage
4,500 mi
ElectricalSuspensionVisibility
Filed Jul 29, 2018

I WAS DRIVING IN THE HIGHWAY ON A POURING RAIN AND SUDDENLY MY WINDSHIELD WIPER STOPPED. THIS ALMOST CAUSE ME ACCIDENT. ALSO, WHEN I PRESS MY GAS ON A REALLY FAST HIGHWAY, I TRIED TO FLOOR THE GAS BUT IT WASN'T ACCELERATING, I HAD TO SWITCH GEAR FOR IT TO WORK.

NHTSA ID
11114428
Incident
Jul 29, 2018
Mileage
25,000 mi

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.

Other components reported on this vehicle

Categories with enough reports to have a page of their own

Elsewhere on this vehicle

Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .