8 Honda Civic Years To Avoid From 2001 To Current Models

As one of the all-time best-selling automobiles worldwide, the Honda Civic still has its ups and downs. Some model years failed to live up to the industry standard with less-than-stellar reliability ratings. If you’re in the market seeking a dependable sedan for families, you’ll want to avoid these worst Honda Civic years!

What Honda Civic Years To Avoid

Steer clear of the 2001-2003, 2006-2008, 2016, and 2022 Honda Civic unless you want to deal with defective airbags, transmission failures, loss of steering, engine issues, faulty braking, worn-out suspension parts, and other safety problems.

2001 Honda Civic

If there is a year when the Honda Civic’s reputation for reliability plummets to rock bottom, it would be the 2001 model. Its subpar quality is backed up by 27 recalls and 1,124 complaints on NHTSA as of 2025. 

A whopping 13 recalls involved poor exterior lighting due to a lack of amber side reflectors that could impair visibility. Honda also issued 7 recalls related to airbag inflators, which could explode and pose a risk of injuries.

Besides these major issues, numerous owners reported a complete transmission failure midroad. Some were warned by a whining noise, while others were caught off guard without any warning. The result? They had to replace or rebuild the powertrain.

The engine and the fuel system were also top concerns, manifesting as cracked exhaust manifolds that gave off a strong gasoline smell or, worse, an engine breakdown with Check Engine Light illuminated.

2002 Honda Civic

The 2002 Honda Civic follows in the footsteps of its predecessor, with 24 recalls and 717 owner complaints on NHTSA as of this writing. The problems with airbag inflators and exterior lighting still haunted this model, contributing to a total of 21 recalls.

The transmission issues now have worsened, not just with a whining noise but evolving into a complete failure. Many owners experienced this same issue: the car jerked, the transmission seized, and the car refused to move when the gas pedal engaged.

We had to stop our test drive just after 30 minutes on the road because of a malfunctioning powertrain. We stopped at a traffic light, and when the light turned green, we couldn’t shift to Drive or Reserve. The car stood still no matter what we did, and we had it towed home.

Another electrical glitch, not that serious but still a pet peeve, is the SRS turning on all the time. Dealers said that the faulty seat belt latch was to blame, but the issue recurred even after replacement.

2003 Honda Civic

Two years after the problematic 2001 Civic was launched, Honda still can’t shake off all the major reliability issues. Up to now, the 2003 Honda Civic has accumulated 24 recalls and 524 complaints. Problems associated with the 7th generation persist, including airbag issues, poor exterior lighting, defective transmission systems, and electrical glitches. 

Digging deeper into the complaints reveals notable issues with vehicle speed control and service brakes. One of the biggest safety concerns was sudden, unintended accelerations. In particular, the cruise control got stuck in accelerating mode, and the engine continued to rev up even when drivers released the gas pedal. Worse yet, the vehicle only slowed down a bit, no matter how hard they pressed the brake pedal.

Additionally, catalytic converters on these seventh-generation Civics were prone to cracks, requiring frequent replacements.

2006 Honda Civic

The eighth generation of Honda Civic is a real red flag, with many bad years starting from the 2006 model. Both hybrid and non-hybrid options are susceptible to a host of problems. 

As of 2025, hybrid models have received 1,454 complaints and 17 recalls on NHTSA. Non-hybrid cars didn’t fare much better, with 15 recalls and 1,399 complaints. Again, airbag and exterior lighting issues still take away from the 2006 Honda Civic’s reliability score, leading to a total of 10 recalls.

Adding to these concerns were engine failure, defective suspensions, and impaired visibility. According to numerous owners, they spotted a crack in the engine block, causing the coolant to leak and the engine to overheat. An overheated engine is a recipe for fires, especially on scorching days.

As for the suspension system, the rear control arms are infamous for defects and premature wear and tear. Drivers might detect symptoms like excessive vibrations, uneven tire wear, loud noise, and negative camber. That’s not the end of this tragic story, as this model year is also notorious for poor visibility due to fallen sun visors. Despite being a trivial defect, it happens too frequently to the point that it raises safety concerns.

2007 Honda Civic

The 2007 Honda Civic received a mixed bag of reviews. The non-hybrid models are slightly better, with 9 recalls and 1,202 complaints to date. Meanwhile, the hybrid versions lean toward the negative side, with 10 recalls and 1,266 complaints. Regardless, these figures are enough to drive customers away.

Problems with airbags, engines, suspensions, and visibility are still prevalent in the complaint list. Many drivers complained that their rear tires were worn out faster than the front ones, yet they had to replace all four. Besides, “coolant leaks” and “cracked engine block” are two other common keywords we could find in owner feedback. 

During our test drive, we also experienced transmission fluid leaks, and the car didn’t go into neutral. At some points, we got stuck in third gear. It turned out that we were not alone! Many other owners shared the same problem.

2008 Honda Civic

The 2008 Honda Civic’s story isn’t much brighter. As of 2025, the NHTSA has recorded 7 recalls and over 900 complaints for both hybrid and non-hybrid options. Like previous models in the eighth generation, this car is plagued by faulty airbag inflators, defective suspensions, malfunctioning powertrain, overheated engines, and obstructed visibility. 

In addition, the 2008 Civic has its fair share of tire issues. All four tires tend to experience premature wear and tear; some owners even spotted bald tires at only around 17,000 miles. With the wear and tear came excessive shaking and loud noise. 

Problems also arise from the braking system. They first manifested as a grinding noise when braking and then a complete failure. The car couldn’t come to a full stop even when the pedal was pushed all the way down to the floor.

2016 Honda Civic

Though the 2016 Honda Civic has bid farewell to common problems seen in earlier versions, this car still ranks among Honda Civic’s worst years. Among 928 complaints on NHTSA to date, three issues stand out.

First, over 300 complaints involved the sticky steering, especially in warm weather. Keeping the car straight required pretty much elbow grease since we had to overcorrect the steering left and right constantly. This became a safety issue when we switched lanes or took turns. We had to replace the electronic steering rack at roughly $4,000, which was insane.

Numerous owners also had run-ins with electrical glitches. In many cases, all warning lights, including TPMS, Check Engine, ABS, and alternator, were illuminated at once.

Braking is also a prevalent problem. According to many complaints, brake pedals failing to work, ABS failure, flashing ABS lights, and defective parking brakes all indicated malfunctioning braking systems.

2022 Honda Civic

Don’t be confused if some sources list the 2022 Honda Civic as the worst while others consider it among the best! Let’s make it clear: The 2022 Honda Civic Sedan SI is indeed a reliable model, with only 70 complaints and no recalls to date. However, it’s a different story with the Hatchback (3 recalls, 828 complaints) and the 4 DR FWD versions (3 recalls, 825 complaints).

The sticky steering remains a nightmare for drivers, increasing the risk of loss of control. Besides, advanced safety features like the Collision Mitigation Braking System (CMBS), Lane Keeping Assist System (LKAS), and Road Departure Mitigation System (RDMS) sow seeds of concern rather than peace of mind. All of these warning lights turned on, and the brake was suddenly applied. Drivers got confused and could lose control midroad.

10 Common Problems With The Honda Civic

• Transmission issues: One of the most persistent and widespread issues, particularly in early 2000s models like the 2001–2003 Civics, is sudden transmission failure. Owners reported symptoms such as whining noises, jerky gear shifts, and complete loss of power, often requiring full transmission replacements.
• Airbag inflator defects: Across several model years, notably from 2001 through 2008, defective airbag inflators posed serious safety hazards. Many recalls were issued due to airbags that could explode upon deployment, potentially causing injury from metal shrapnel.
• Engine block issues and coolant leaks: Starting prominently with the 2006 model, Civics were plagued by engine block cracks that led to coolant leaks and engine overheating. These problems sometimes escalated to engine fires or full engine failure, requiring costly repairs.
• Exterior lighting and visibility issues: Many Civics, especially from the early 2000s, had subpar exterior lighting with missing amber side reflectors, reducing visibility at night. Additionally, defects like falling sun visors became common and problematic in models like the 2006 and 2008.
• Suspension and rear control arm failures: The eighth-generation Civics (2006–2008) frequently suffered from defective rear suspension components. Premature wear and negative camber resulted in uneven tire wear, loud noises, and unsafe handling, demanding early suspension repairs.
• Brake system malfunctions: Civic owners of models like the 2008 and 2016 Civic reported braking problems ranging from grinding noises to total failure. Some cases involved ABS and parking brake malfunctions, reducing the car’s ability to stop safely.
• Sticky or faulty steering: The 2016 and 2022 Civics saw a rise in sticky steering complaints, especially under warm conditions. Steering required constant correction, creating potential safety risks during lane changes or turns.
• Electrical glitches and false warnings: Numerous Civic models, including 2002 and 2016, displayed persistent electrical issues. These included false warning lights such as ABS, TPMS, or Check Engine, often triggered by faulty sensors or wiring defects.
• Premature tire wear and noise: Notably in the 2008 Civic, tires showed uneven or rapid wear even under normal driving conditions. Owners also reported excessive road noise and vibrations, reducing driving comfort and safety.

Unreliable advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS): In newer models like the 2022 Civic, systems such as Collision Mitigation and Lane Keeping Assist were reported to malfunction, sometimes activating incorrectly. This led to sudden braking or steering, confusing drivers and posing potential hazards.