RoadVitals

2026 Honda Civic 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.
25
Latest Aug 7, 2026
Components namedHow many of our component categories appear on at least one report for this model year. One report can name several.
13
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.
2

What this page shows

Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 2026 Honda Civic, 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

  • Brakes411.1%
  • Steering411.1%
  • Electrical411.1%
  • Engine411.1%
  • Airbags25.6%
  • Fuel system25.6%
  • Powertrain (other)25.6%
  • Visibility25.6%
  • Exterior lighting12.8%
  • Suspension12.8%
  • Tires & wheels12.8%
  • Seat belts12.8%

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

Driver assistance

Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems.

8
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

The one I put down are affected items the water pump could be bad the alternator the computer I’m not a mechanic so of the thing in the car on display don’t always work the cruise control is effected the front left tire wheel and axle feel bad and a times I think the steering wheel could fail and leave me going in that direction..!! The web says it may need an asymmetric rebuild I wasn’t being careless . At some point if the car has faulty water pump it could burn or fire.. I could be go 70 or 25mph and it would happen

NHTSA ID 11749206 · filed Jul 8, 2026

These systems of the car have almost caused collisions, being forced off the road or emergency braking that almost caused additional accidents. These systems are supposed to prevent accidents and are more likely to cause traffic accidents then prevent them. All of the systems have to be disabled to safely operate the vehicle.

NHTSA ID 11746573 · filed Jun 25, 2026
All 8 reports naming driver assistance

Brakes

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

4
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

I was driving my 2026 Honda civic in the early morning hours before sunrise traveling the speed limit of 75 mph on a rural highway in North Texas. Out of nowhere, my vehicle activated the collision mitigation system bringing me to a complete stop in the middle of the highway. I verified that no hazards were present and the system activated on its own. Thankfully no other vehicles were around which could have negatively impacted them.

NHTSA ID 11719759 · filed Feb 22, 2026

I bought my 2026 Honda Civic a month ago and hadn't driven it very far. At a stoplight, the car stalled and various warning lights came on--for the brake, the CPU, and then almost all the warning lights came on. I was stranded at a light and afraid for my life and the safety of th other motorists. After numerous attempts, I got the car started again, but it stalled twice again on the way to the dealership. The problem was inspected by the Honda Dealership, who claim that the ordeal was because of a "puncture" in the radiator which was caused by a road event, and which somehow overwhelmed the CPU. I have tried to take this up with the dealer and Honda corporate, but see no other recourse for letting them know the danger I was put in. As for the "road event," neither myself or anyone else in the car remembers encountering or hearing or experiencing anything resembling an event that could have ruptured the radiator.

NHTSA ID 11719561 · filed Feb 21, 2026

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.

4
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

The one I put down are affected items the water pump could be bad the alternator the computer I’m not a mechanic so of the thing in the car on display don’t always work the cruise control is effected the front left tire wheel and axle feel bad and a times I think the steering wheel could fail and leave me going in that direction..!! The web says it may need an asymmetric rebuild I wasn’t being careless . At some point if the car has faulty water pump it could burn or fire.. I could be go 70 or 25mph and it would happen

NHTSA ID 11749206 · filed Jul 8, 2026

Steering feels catchy or like it is hesitating

NHTSA ID 11746108 · filed Jun 24, 2026

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

Electrical

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

4
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

The person driving this car was driving aggressively and was following me.

NHTSA ID 11755561 · filed Aug 7, 2026

The air conditioning in the is not blowing enough air to cool the car down. It would take long to cooling.

NHTSA ID 11732096 · filed Apr 18, 2026

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.

4
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

The person driving this car was driving aggressively and was following me.

NHTSA ID 11755561 · filed Aug 7, 2026

I bought a 2026 honda civic. About two days after receiving the car while driving the car I felt a shaking while driving mostly around 30-40 MPH. ALSO when I put my foot on the gas sometimes there is a hesitation before I start to move and when I do start moving it’s like getting launched on a rocket. Many times while driving I get a shutter, the whole car would lerch forward even while driving it felt like the car was lerching forward. I brought the car to the dealer and had them look at the car, I explained everything I was feeling. They had the car for HOURS and when I got the car back they said they had two different mechanics look at the car and they said they test drove it and couldn’t replicate the problem. But when I got in the car just after the test drove it, I ABSOLUTELY STILL HAD THE PROBLEM. I brought the car back to the dealer a couple of weeks later and talked to the assistant service manager and he said that could be that the transmission is learning how I drive. I feel honda is covering up a problem with the cvt transmission. There is so much information online about problems with the CVT transmission and honda just tells me it’s normal for the car to act that way. I DO NOT FEEL SAFE DRIVING THIS CAR. I was hoping that your department could please investigate this situation.

NHTSA ID 11744591 · filed Jun 16, 2026

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.

2
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

The person driving this car was driving aggressively and was following me.

NHTSA ID 11755561 · filed Aug 7, 2026

The drivers side airbags deployed while the car was parked. No impacts occurred.

NHTSA ID 11755176 · filed Aug 6, 2026

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

Fuel system

Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.

2
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

Vehicle: 2026 Honda Civic Sport Hatchback VIN: [XXX] Mileage at time of complaint: 1,500 miles Description of Problem: The vehicle jerks/shudders when turning at low RPM. This occurs consistently during low-speed maneuvers such as parking lot turns and slow cornering. The issue is repeatable and has been present since purchase. Multiple passengers have independently noticed and remarked on the issue. The vehicle has not yet been seen by a dealer. When it occurs: Low-speed turns, low RPM Frequency: Consistent/repeatable Injuries or accidents: None to date I am reporting this issue as it may represent a safety concern and to ensure it is documented for investigation. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ID 11729115 · filed Apr 3, 2026

When car is turned off, the fuel pump continues to run. This has happened twice in the past two weeks.

NHTSA ID 11721773 · filed Mar 3, 2026

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.

2
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

I bought a 2026 honda civic. About two days after receiving the car while driving the car I felt a shaking while driving mostly around 30-40 MPH. ALSO when I put my foot on the gas sometimes there is a hesitation before I start to move and when I do start moving it’s like getting launched on a rocket. Many times while driving I get a shutter, the whole car would lerch forward even while driving it felt like the car was lerching forward. I brought the car to the dealer and had them look at the car, I explained everything I was feeling. They had the car for HOURS and when I got the car back they said they had two different mechanics look at the car and they said they test drove it and couldn’t replicate the problem. But when I got in the car just after the test drove it, I ABSOLUTELY STILL HAD THE PROBLEM. I brought the car back to the dealer a couple of weeks later and talked to the assistant service manager and he said that could be that the transmission is learning how I drive. I feel honda is covering up a problem with the cvt transmission. There is so much information online about problems with the CVT transmission and honda just tells me it’s normal for the car to act that way. I DO NOT FEEL SAFE DRIVING THIS CAR. I was hoping that your department could please investigate this situation.

NHTSA ID 11744591 · filed Jun 16, 2026

Vehicle: 2026 Honda Civic Sport Hatchback VIN: [XXX] Mileage at time of complaint: 1,500 miles Description of Problem: The vehicle jerks/shudders when turning at low RPM. This occurs consistently during low-speed maneuvers such as parking lot turns and slow cornering. The issue is repeatable and has been present since purchase. Multiple passengers have independently noticed and remarked on the issue. The vehicle has not yet been seen by a dealer. When it occurs: Low-speed turns, low RPM Frequency: Consistent/repeatable Injuries or accidents: None to date I am reporting this issue as it may represent a safety concern and to ensure it is documented for investigation. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ID 11729115 · filed Apr 3, 2026

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

Visibility

Reports naming windshields, glass, wipers, defrosters and mirrors.

2
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

The windshield wiper design and wiper fluid nozzle make visibility worse. The nozzle doesn’t spray until the wiper is at the top of the windshield amd sprays the fluid off the side of the car instead of onto the windshield for the wipers to clear. The little bit that does hit the windshield is enough to smear any smudge or bug right in front of drivers face making them extremely dangerous.

NHTSA ID 11745404 · filed Jun 20, 2026

The windshield wiper fluid is built into the wipers. The fluid sprays at the edge of my windshield, thus not spraying the windshield at all, and all fluid is lost. My windshield gets smeared worse than it was prior to tuening the fluid on and not cleaned at all. This presents a huge safety issue during the winter months when the windshield gets heavily soiled from sand on the road. Finding somewhere safe enough to pull over, and having Windex on hand will be necessary to keep visibility possible due to the unsafe design of the wiper fluid wipers. It also creates a safety issue when the sun is shining through the front windshield and visibility due to the smeared, dirty windshield. Honda said they ate not defective, it is how they were designed. This design is defective amd causes a large safety hazard.

NHTSA ID 11740273 · filed May 26, 2026

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

Exterior lighting

Reports naming headlights, tail lights, turn signals and other exterior lighting.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

Vehicle: 2026 Honda Civic Sport Hatchback VIN: [XXX] Mileage at time of complaint: 1,500 miles Description of Problem: The vehicle jerks/shudders when turning at low RPM. This occurs consistently during low-speed maneuvers such as parking lot turns and slow cornering. The issue is repeatable and has been present since purchase. Multiple passengers have independently noticed and remarked on the issue. The vehicle has not yet been seen by a dealer. When it occurs: Low-speed turns, low RPM Frequency: Consistent/repeatable Injuries or accidents: None to date I am reporting this issue as it may represent a safety concern and to ensure it is documented for investigation. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ID 11729115 · filed Apr 3, 2026

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

The one I put down are affected items the water pump could be bad the alternator the computer I’m not a mechanic so of the thing in the car on display don’t always work the cruise control is effected the front left tire wheel and axle feel bad and a times I think the steering wheel could fail and leave me going in that direction..!! The web says it may need an asymmetric rebuild I wasn’t being careless . At some point if the car has faulty water pump it could burn or fire.. I could be go 70 or 25mph and it would happen

NHTSA ID 11749206 · filed Jul 8, 2026

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

Tires & wheels

Reports naming tires, wheels, hubs, or the tire-pressure monitoring system.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

while operating my 2026 Honda Civic, I experienced a sudden and catastrophic tire blowout with absolutely no prior warning. At no point before or during the incident did my Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) alert me via the dashboard that my tire pressure was low or compromised in any way. Three critical failures occurred in this incident: 1. TPMS System Failure — My federally mandated TPMS system, required under FMVSS 138, failed to detect and alert me of dangerously low tire pressure prior to the blowout. I had zero dashboard warning at any point. 2. Tire Integrity Failure — The tire experienced a catastrophic sidewall blowout on a brand new vehicle. No road hazard, debris, or obstacle was struck prior to the failure. The structural integrity of the tire failed without cause. 3. Vehicle Safety System Communication Failure — The vehicle’s onboard diagnostics failed to detect and communicate a critical safety condition to me as the driver. On a 2026 model year vehicle, multiple redundant systems should have caught and communicated this danger, giving me the opportunity to respond and prevent the incident. These three failures created a dangerous chain of events that left me with no ability to take preventive action. The incident caused significant emotional distress. I have retained the damaged tire as physical evidence and have documented the incident with photographs. I am requesting a full investigation into whether this represents a pattern of TPMS and tire failures in the 2026 Honda Civic, and whether a safety recall is warranted. Evidence retained: Damaged tire, photographs of damage, vehicle in current condition for TPMS inspection.

NHTSA ID 11731033 · filed Apr 14, 2026

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

Seat belts

Reports naming seat belts, buckles, retractors and pretensioners.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

My car turned me into a light pole and was totaled and I was injured!

NHTSA ID 11733649 · filed Apr 24, 2026

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 .