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Honda Civic — Years to Avoid

Reliability breakdown of every Honda Civic model year. Based on NHTSA owner complaints, federal recalls, and safety investigations.

Model Years
55
Years to Avoid
2022, 2018, 2017, 2016, 2007, 2006, 2003, 2002, 2001
Best Years
1985, 1984, 1983, 1982, 1981, 1980, 1979, 1978, 1977, 1976, 1975, 1974, 1973
2027
0 complaints0 recalls1 TSBs
2026
59 complaints0 recalls28 TSBs
2025
135 complaints2 recalls89 TSBs
2024
181 complaints3 recalls1 invest.96 TSBs
2023
344 complaints4 recalls2 invest.95 TSBs
2022Avoid
1,165 complaints4 recalls2 invest.121 TSBs
2021
214 complaints4 recalls78 TSBs
2020
314 complaints5 recalls165 TSBs
2019
566 complaints4 recalls198 TSBs
2018Avoid
899 complaints6 recalls236 TSBs
2017Avoid
793 complaints6 recalls265 TSBs
2016Avoid
1,376 complaints5 recalls327 TSBs
2015
491 complaints1 recalls2 invest.62 TSBs
2014
389 complaints2 recalls2 invest.109 TSBs
2013
443 complaints0 recalls2 invest.74 TSBs
2012
622 complaints3 recalls2 invest.76 TSBs
2011
222 complaints9 recalls49 TSBs
2010
490 complaints8 recalls52 TSBs
2009
500 complaints8 recalls65 TSBs
2008
1,083 complaints7 recalls75 TSBs
2007Avoid
1,466 complaints9 recalls86 TSBs
2006Avoid
1,711 complaints15 recalls103 TSBs
2005
401 complaints15 recalls4 invest.163 TSBs
2004
424 complaints15 recalls3 invest.244 TSBs
2003Avoid
619 complaints24 recalls6 invest.310 TSBs
2002Avoid
876 complaints24 recalls4 invest.316 TSBs
2001Avoid
1,357 complaints27 recalls4 invest.424 TSBs
2000
351 complaints18 recalls136 TSBs
1999
404 complaints15 recalls144 TSBs
1998
502 complaints18 recalls1 invest.140 TSBs
1997
452 complaints16 recalls1 invest.132 TSBs
1996
383 complaints17 recalls2 invest.125 TSBs
1995
252 complaints12 recalls13 TSBs
1994
171 complaints14 recalls15 TSBs
1993
178 complaints13 recalls1 invest.16 TSBs
1992
113 complaints13 recalls1 invest.16 TSBs
1991
143 complaints8 recalls3 invest.7 TSBs
1990
110 complaints10 recalls3 invest.7 TSBs
1989
88 complaints6 recalls3 invest.4 TSBs
1988
51 complaints8 recalls3 invest.4 TSBs
1987
41 complaints3 recalls3 invest.
1986
54 complaints3 recalls3 invest.
1985Best Year
17 complaints2 recalls
1984Best Year
7 complaints3 recalls
1983Best Year
10 complaints0 recalls
1982Best Year
1 complaints0 recalls
1981Best Year
1 complaints0 recalls1 invest.
1980Best Year
0 complaints0 recalls1 invest.
1979Best Year
1 complaints1 recalls1 invest.
1978Best Year
0 complaints1 recalls
1977Best Year
0 complaints3 recalls
1976Best Year
0 complaints2 recalls
1975Best Year
0 complaints2 recalls
1974Best Year
0 complaints2 recalls
1973Best Year
0 complaints2 recalls

How we calculate this

Each year receives a composite risk score based on NHTSA owner complaints, federal recalls, safety investigations, and technical service bulletins. Years scoring more than 2x the model's average are flagged as “years to avoid.” Years in the lowest risk bracket are marked as “best years.” All data is sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).

Which Honda Civic Years Should You Avoid?

Based on federal safety data, the 2022, 2018, 2017, 2016, 2007, 2006, 2003, 2002, 2001 Honda Civic are the most problematic years, with significantly higher rates of owner complaints, recalls, and safety investigations compared to other model years.

If you're shopping for a used Honda Civic, consider the 1985, 1984, 1983, 1982, 1981, 1980, 1979, 1978, 1977, 1976, 1975, 1974, 1973 model years — these have the fewest reported issues relative to other years.

55 model years analyzed