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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
54
Years to Avoid
2022, 2018, 2017, 2016, 2007, 2006, 2003, 2002, 2001
Best Years
2026, 1985, 1984, 1983, 1982, 1981, 1980, 1979, 1978, 1977, 1976, 1975, 1974, 1973
2026Best Year
10 complaints0 recalls6 TSBs
2025
66 complaints2 recalls64 TSBs
2024
155 complaints3 recalls1 invest.78 TSBs
2023
318 complaints4 recalls2 invest.85 TSBs
2022Avoid
1,126 complaints3 recalls2 invest.111 TSBs
2021
179 complaints3 recalls73 TSBs
2020
277 complaints4 recalls160 TSBs
2019
484 complaints3 recalls193 TSBs
2018Avoid
798 complaints5 recalls231 TSBs
2017Avoid
715 complaints5 recalls254 TSBs
2016Avoid
1,289 complaints4 recalls316 TSBs
2015
477 complaints1 recalls2 invest.62 TSBs
2014
374 complaints2 recalls2 invest.109 TSBs
2013
429 complaints0 recalls2 invest.74 TSBs
2012
612 complaints3 recalls2 invest.76 TSBs
2011
220 complaints9 recalls48 TSBs
2010
486 complaints8 recalls51 TSBs
2009
497 complaints8 recalls64 TSBs
2008
1,078 complaints7 recalls74 TSBs
2007Avoid
1,465 complaints9 recalls85 TSBs
2006Avoid
1,709 complaints15 recalls102 TSBs
2005
396 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
1,356 complaints27 recalls4 invest.424 TSBs
2000
350 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 2026, 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.

54 model years analyzed