Problems · NHTSA complaints

2014 Honda Civic Hybrid problems

Owners filed 282 complaints about the 2014 Honda Civic Hybrid with NHTSA between Feb 2014 and Aug 2025. The most-cited component is power train (95).

Complaints
282
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
31
Reported by owners
Fires
4
Reported by owners
Injuries
30
People reported injured
Deaths
0
Reported to NHTSA
01 —By component

Complaints by component

One complaint can cite several components
  1. Power train95
  2. Air bags56
  3. Electrical system36
  4. Wheels22
  5. Engine21
  6. Tires18
  7. Service brakes16
  8. Steering15
  9. Fuel/propulsion system11
  10. Vehicle speed control9
  11. Structure8
  12. Exterior lighting7
  13. Electronic stability control (esc)4
  14. Seats3

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 9, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
02 —Trend

When complaints were filed

Does it get worse with age? Complaints per calendar year filed
View as table
Model yearComplaints filed per calendar year
201430
201541
201621
201727
201826
201921
202024
202120
202220
202327
202419
20256

Mileage at failure isn’t a structured field in NHTSA complaint data, so we don’t chart it. Some owners mention it in their reports below.

03 —Owner reports

Top problems in owners’ words

Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first

Power train

95 reports3 crashes
“In a Honda CVT when the filter becomes clogged, pressure will build and the fill cap will come off the transmission on its own to relieve the pressure. There is no warning indication system to tell you when it happens but it seems to be a persistent issue in their CVTs. after the cap blows off fluid will start leaking on the casing and dirt and other contaminates will make their way into the transmission. This poses a massive safety issue as it can cause the transmission to lock up. When going to use professional service websites such as pro-demand and all data Honda gives no information about this issue or even how to fix it.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled May 30, 2025Power trainODI 11663925

Air bags

56 reports19 crashes
“About a year ago, the transmission failed costing us nearly $5000 to fix it. This incident happened approximately April of 2022, no warning signs at all. Now, the airbag deployed while merging onto the freeway without any impact which was the scariest thing. I’m very concerned there are other issues. There were no warning signs on both incidents.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Feb 3, 2025Electrical system, Air bags, Unknown or otherODI 11640356

Electrical system

36 reports3 crashes3 fires
“While driving at high speed on the freeway at 65mph, my Honda Civic Hybrid experienced a sudden and complete electrical failure of the hybrid battery control module (IPU/MCM). This happened without any warning lamps, messages, or prior symptoms. The hybrid system instantly shut down, causing a dramatic loss of power and forcing me to pull off the road in high-speed traffic. This placed me and other drivers at serious risk of a high-speed collision due to the abrupt power loss and inability to accelerate. The failed component is still installed and available for inspection. The issue has since been diagnosed and confirmed by an independent hybrid specialist, who identified the malfunctioning IPU. I was told this exact failure is covered by Honda Service Bulletin 20-030, which extends the warranty for affected Civic Hybrids to 10 years or 150,000 miles, however, my VIN is not included, despite the failure being identical in nature. Honda has refused to provide any assistance, stating that only specific VINs are eligible, which I believe is misleading and unjust. This defect is clearly broader than the TSB acknowledges. The sudden failure of a critical propulsion…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jun 23, 2025Electrical systemODI 11668518

Wheels

22 reports1 crash
“ON AL SR149 "GREEN SPRINGS HIGHWAY," SOUTHBOUND, LESS THAN 500 FEET FROM THE OXMOOR RD INTERSECTION, IN THE RIGHT LANE, I HIT A POTHOLE WITH MY FRONT PASSENGER TIRE. I DID NOT NOTICE THE POTHOLE WHILE DRIVING, BUT THAT DIDN'T STOP IT FROM KNOCKING THE WHEEL OUT OF ALLIGNMENT AND BURSTING THE TIRE. I HAD TO USE THE EMERGENCY TOOLS TO CHANGE THE TIRE ON THE SIDE OF I-65 AFTER MY TPMS SENSOR WENT OFF. IF I HAD NOT DECIDED TO BUY A SPARE TIRE MONTHS AGO, I WOULD BE SET BACK AT LEAST $150 DOLLARS. PLEASE BE MORE VIGILANT IN ENSURING SAFE DRIVING CONDITIONS IN THE FUTURE.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 21, 2020Steering, WheelsODI 11360130

Engine

21 reports1 crash
“The issue with the engine start/stop button in Honda cars is a concerning matter that has drawn attention due to its potential safety implications and inconvenience for drivers. Reports have surfaced indicating that some Honda vehicles equipped with this feature may experience intermittent or complete failure of the engine start/stop button to function as intended. One notable manifestation of this problem is the inability to start the engine despite repeated attempts to press the start/stop button. In some cases, the button may become unresponsive altogether, leaving drivers stranded and unable to operate their vehicles. This malfunction poses not only a significant inconvenience but also a safety risk, particularly in emergency situations where the ability to start the engine promptly is crucial. The root cause of this issue is not always clear, as it may stem from various factors such as electrical failures, software glitches, or mechanical defects within the start/stop button mechanism itself. Regardless of the underlying cause, the consequence remains the same—an unpredictable and unreliable operation of a fundamental component in the vehicle's ignition…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jun 5, 2024Electrical system, Unknown or other, EngineODI 11592569

Tires

18 reports1 fire
“Continental P 195/65 R 15. 89 H. The tire blew and the side wall on the outside on the passenger side front. It looks shredded on the side- not a normal blown tire look. We were in the right lane on a 3 lane highway so we were able to get off as soon as it blew. Our safety was at risk because we had to change tire on the side of a busy 3 lane highway and it was late on a sunday night so nothing was open to replace and had to drive 70 miles back home on a donut. It could've caused an accident. No known issues/warnings/messages/etc. I will never buy another Continental again.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jul 6, 2025TiresODI 11671487
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 9, 2026

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.