2020 Honda Civic

REPEATED A/C SYSTEM FAILURES – DEFECTIVE EVAPORATOR, RECURRING WINDSHIELD FOGGING, AND IMPAIRED DRIVER VISIBILITY My 2020 Honda Civic LX has experienced three separate air-conditioning system failures in approximately two years of ownership. Previous repairs involved the A/C condenser and compressor. On October 16, 2026, Chula Vista Honda diagnosed another refrigerant leak, this time involving the A/C evaporator. These repeated failures raise serious concerns about the reliability of the vehicle’s air-conditioning system and its role in maintaining adequate windshield visibility during normal driving conditions. Since the latest A/C failure, I have experienced recurring windshield and window fogging while driving. The problem is particularly concerning because the air-conditioning system assists with removing moisture from the cabin air, helping the windshield defogging system clear condensation from the glass. When the A/C system loses refrigerant and stops functioning properly, its ability to dehumidify the air may be reduced, potentially making windshield fogging more difficult to control under certain weather conditions. These fogging episodes have occurred on multiple occasions since the latest A/C failure. I am concerned about the potential for reduced forward and side-window visibility, particularly during cooler temperatures, humid conditions, and periods when condensation develops on the glass. Windshield fogging presents a serious safety concern because it can interfere with a driver’s ability to identify pedestrians, cyclists, surrounding vehicles, traffic signals, and road hazards. Temporary obstruction of the windshield at highway speeds or while approaching intersections can increase the risk of a collision. Honda’s vehicle operating instructions recognize the role of air conditioning in assisting with windshield defogging. A refrigerant leak that disables the A/C system can reduce its moisture-removal capability and may compromise effective win

NHTSA ID

11776124

Incident

Oct 16, 2026

While I was crossing the street on [XXX] coming down from [XXX] there was a white Honda with the license plate number [XXX] with a male driver by the name of [XXX] and a Mexican light skinned female passenger driving making an illegal left turn without a blinker and hit me with their car and I fell down on my right knee dropping all of my belongings and they drove away and returned a couple minutes later and left then returned again but stopping next to me at the stop sign on [XXX] and the passenger was laughing while looking at me and they made a right turn down [XXX] and I called the police and they came within 2 minutes. It was 2 male officers one Mexican and the other white and I reported them for police misconduct because of their discrimination against me verbally calling me fat, ugly and saying I smell. They also didn’t file a police report and claimed I didn’t meet criteria which isn’t true because my right knee and left calf are bruised and swollen and I have memory loss as well as emotional stress. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ID

11775830

Incident

Nov 2, 2026

The headlight electrical wiring on my 2020 Honda Civic Sport sedan, which has 97,000 miles, has experienced deterioration, with the wire insulation disintegrating on one headlight. The Honda dealership inspected the vehicle and confirmed that the wiring insulation is breaking down naturally, not as a result of rodent damage or outside interference. The damaged wiring and headlight connector is available for inspection upon request. This creates a potential safety hazard because deteriorating wire insulation and the blown connector can expose electrical conductors, cause electrical shorts, interrupt headlight operation, and potentially create a fire risk. Headlights are critical for nighttime visibility and ensuring other drivers can see my vehicle, so any loss of headlight function could put me and other motorists at risk. The problem was confirmed by an authorized Honda dealership, which provided an estimated repair cost of approximately $360. The vehicle has been inspected by Honda dealership personnel, who identified the deteriorating wiring and blown connector, recommended repair. There were no known warning lights or dashboard messages before the issue was discovered or after. I was unaware of the deterioration until the dealership inspected the vehicle and brought the problem to my attention. I am concerned that the blown connector and wiring insulation is disintegrating prematurely on a relatively recent model-year vehicle and believe this could be a broader manufacturing or material defect that may affect other Honda Civic owners.

NHTSA ID

11775639

Incident

Nov 4, 2026

My 2020 Honda Civic Sport Hatchback, 1.5L turbo, 6-speed manual, has experienced repeat premature clutch-system failure. The original clutch/flywheel assembly failed at about 34,000 miles. Honda repaired it under TSB 22-017, which addresses supplier production issues causing premature friction-disc wear. Honda advised that updated components were installed. Significant clutch slipping began again in early June 2026. At about 61,500 total miles, only about 27,500 miles after the first repair, transmission removal and clutch-component replacement were required. The onset date entered is approximate. The dealer documented: "Clutch shows sign of Heat Buildup on flywheel and pressure plate with debris inside bellhousing on release bearing. Recommend replacing Pressure plate, Friction Disc, and release bearing." Inspection photos show substantial heat discoloration of the pressure plate/flywheel and heat/glazing of the friction disc. The servicing Honda dealer did not identify driver abuse or improper clutch operation as the cause. No significant fluid contamination or catastrophic transmission damage was identified to me. I have substantial manual-transmission driving experience without comparable repeated failures. Clutch slipping allows RPM to rise without corresponding acceleration, creating a potential unexpected inability to accelerate when merging, entering traffic, crossing intersections or climbing grades. Honda classified this as out-of-warranty wear and tear. I request that NHTSA retain and compare this repeat premature failure, including failure of Honda's updated replacement, with other Civic manual-transmission complaints. Repair orders, photos, mileage documentation and the TSB can be provided upon request.

NHTSA ID

11775045

Incident

May 31, 2026

"The dealer invoice for my 2020 Honda Civic explicitly diagnosed a seatbelt 'internal failure.' Honda Corporate verbally denied coverage by claiming an undocumented seat cover obstruction. I was forced to pay $482.32 out-of-pocket for a safety component covered under Honda's 15-Year/150,000-Mile safety warranty."

NHTSA ID

11774312

Incident

Oct 9, 2026

I own a 2020 Civic Si. At about 29,000 the clutch started slipping in higher heats and going up hills. Once I noticed this the clutch degraded very quickly to the point it was unsafe to drive. By very quickly I mean in about 100 miles worth of travel. I notified Honda Corporate and opened a case with them. There is a TSB 22-017 out about the faulty clutches stating the friction material was faulty in some 19-20 models and to replace the clutch and included all parts associated to be replaced. However my car was just one year outside of the warranty even tho it was within the mileage. Since they were going to replace with the same parts that failed, I decided to do the replacement myself with an OEM clutch made for the Type R which is more appropriately matched to the torque of the vehicle and a different flywheel as the factory one increases the wear due to being dual mass. I took pictures of the process for documentation. When the transmission was opened up the friction material had basically disintegrated into chuncks. The pressure plate also seemed to be putting unnecessary amount of pressure on the bearing. Almost like the clamping force was far too much for the hydrolic system to counter and thus caused excessive slippage. Honda was going to charge $2000 to diagnose the clutch and the clutch replacement would have cost $6,000. That is an absurd amount to charge for a known faulty part. Tho the new clutch also required an upgraded CMC, I was about to install a far superior OEM part for 1/3 of the price. I wanted to submit a report in hopes that with enough complaints Honda will do a proper recall before someone in the future loses function of their clutch and potentially has an accident.

NHTSA ID

11773881

Incident

Mar 20, 2026

ac compressor failure. This is a known defect in ALL 10th Generation Honda vehicles. My 2020 Honda Civic Sport at 44K miles AC compressor has failed. The extended warranty that Honda issued will not cover a new compressor that Honda has diagnosed it needs. I have been fighting very hard with Honda Corporate to Goodwill a compressor replacement which they priced at over $2,500 out of pocket. I have been driving in over 100 degrees weather for over 2 months with no cold air. Pacific Honda in San Diego did make an attempt to repair but only the 2 parts that were covered by the extended warranty which is the cam shaft seal and the condenser however this failed to fix the underlying problem which is the entire compressor. For almost 2 months have been going round and round with corporate to Goodwill a compressor replacement and after several phone calls and heated conversations they refused to help me and said a goodwill replacement on the compressor is not possible and closed the case! This is absolutely unbelievable that Honda has been making me drive in the extreme heat for so long I almost fainted several times driving and that could cost my life. Also we are expecting the most severe storms this winter in Southern California where I reside and am stationed in the US Navy and I fear my defroster will not function properly during severe rain and storms causing blinding and non-visibility which not only threatens my life but the life of my family in the vehicle and other drivers on the road near me when my vision will be completely impaired by this malfunction of the defroster. Honda has ignored my safety concerns and the imminent threat to my life and others and closed the case. Please help me. No owner of the 10th gen Hondas should ever have to go through this and Honda should absolutely be held responsible and repair any AC Compressor that fails to these owners at no cost to the buyer. Lives are at risk.

NHTSA ID

11773818

Incident

Aug 25, 2026

The wheel becomes sticky/ jerky when driving at speeds over 40 mph and causes overcorrecting. It is worse around bends and makes holding the wheel straight difficult. The stickness is consistently present when on the highways making it incredibly dangerous to drive at these higher speeds as I am constantly having to overcorrect the wheel. The dealer and an independent service center have both said they have been able to reproduce the sticky steering and that it is the steering rack. There is not any warning on my dashboard to indicate this part is failing which is also problematic as I should be made aware before my steering wheel completely freezes when driving at high speeds.

NHTSA ID

11772734

Incident

Sep 15, 2026

Service Bulletin - Under certain conditions, the cylinder head gasket effectiveness may be reduced which may cause vehicles to experience overheating, coolant loss, and/or misfire. In some cases, DTCs P0300 through P0304 may also be stored (DTCs are not required for repair).

Service Bulletin - Under certain conditions, the cylinder head gasket effectiveness may be reduced which may cause vehicles to experience overheating, coolant loss, and/or misfire. In some cases, DTCs P0300 through P0304 may also be stored (DTCs are not required for repair).

Service Bulletin - Under certain conditions, the cylinder head gasket effectiveness may be reduced which may cause vehicles to experience overheating, coolant loss, misfire and/or DTCs P0300 thru P0304 stored.

Service Bulletin - Under certain conditions, the cylinder head gasket effectiveness may be reduced which may cause vehicles to experience overheating, coolant loss, misfire and/or DTCs P0300 thru P0304 stored.

Dealer Message - Under certain conditions, the cylinder head gasket effectiveness may be reduced which may cause vehicles to experience overheating, coolant loss, misfire, and/or DTCs P0300 through P0304 stored.

Service Bulletin - Oil leak at timing chain tensioner inspection cover due to possible insufficient sealant adhesion on inspection cover.