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Research · Subcompact Cars

2000 Honda CivicRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 18 safety recalls and 297 owner complaints for the 2000 Honda Civic. Most complaints involve air bags (85) and engine and engine cooling (48). The EPA rates it 25–33 mpg combined.

Check a VINAdd to my garage
Combined MPG
25–33mpg
EPA · 8 versions
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
18campaigns
Latest Jan 2020
Owner complaints
297
Top: air bags
Fuel cost / yr
$1,700est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

18 NHTSA campaigns · applies to some vehicles, check your VIN

Air bags: inflator module

Free remedy

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 1998 Acura 2.2CL, 1998-1999 Acura 2.3CL, 1998-1999 Acura 3.0CL, 2001 Acura 3.2CL and Acura MDX, 1998-2000 Honda Accord Coupe, Accord Sedan, Civic Sedan, Odyssey and Acura 3.5RL, 1999-2000 Acura 3.2TL, 1996-2000 Civic Coupe, 1997-2000 CR-V, 1997-1998 EV Plus, and 1998-1999 Isuzu Oasis vehicles. These vehicles were equipped with Non-Azide Driver air bag Inflators (NADI) and do not contain phase stabilized ammonium nitrate (PSAN) propellant. Due to a manufacturing issue, the NADI inflators may absorb moisture, causing the inflators to rupture or the air bag cushion to underinflate.

Air bagsReported Jan 17, 2020NHTSA 20V026000

Air bags: inflator module

Free remedy

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2001-2002 Acura 3.2CL, 2000-2003 Acura 3.5RL, 2000-2001 Acura 3.2TL, Honda CR-V and Honda Odyssey, 2001-2002 Acura MDX and 2000 Accord Coupe, Accord Sedan, Civic Coupe, and Civic Sedan vehicles. These vehicles may have received a replacement driver frontal air bag module as part of a vehicle repair. Due to a manufacturing issue, the replacement NADI inflator may absorb moisture, causing the inflator to rupture or the air bag cushion to underinflate.

Air bagsReported Jan 17, 2020NHTSA 20V027000

Exterior lighting: headlights

Free remedy

DOPE, INC. IS RECALLING 42,540 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.

Exterior lightingReported May 11, 2009NHTSA 09E025000
See all 18 recalls with remedies
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 6, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

297 complaints filed with NHTSA · Nov 1999 – Apr 2026
  1. Air bags85
  2. Engine and engine cooling48
  3. Electrical system40
  4. Power train30
  5. Tires27
  6. Vehicle speed control17
  7. Seat belts14
  8. Service brakes, hydraulic13
  9. Exterior lighting9

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

By model year

Complaints for each Civic model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
1996314
1997383
1998450
1999348
2000297
20011,089
2002717
2003525
2004351
2005316
20061,411
20071,212
2008923
2009398
2010400
2011170
2012462
2013320
2014293
2015389
20161,083
2017608
2018602
2019460
2020240
2021162
2022962
2023338
2024144
202588
202632
Crashes reported
74
Fires reported
5
Injuries reported
46
Deaths reported
0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 6, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Air bags

85 reports55 crashes1 fire
“The contact owned a 2000 Honda Civic. The contact stated that while driving 45 MPH, another vehicle ran a stop sign. The contact turned to the right to avoid a crash but ended up crashing into the rear corner of another vehicle. The vehicle also ended up striking the embankment on the side of the road. The air bags failed to deploy. The contact sustained injuries to the lower back and sought medical attention. The other vehicle was damaged. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed and deemed a total loss. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and referred the contact to the Insurance provider for assistance. A case was opened regarding the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 130,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jan 27, 2023Air bagsCrash reportedODI 11504031

Engine and engine cooling

48 reports1 crash1 fire
“WHILE DRIVING I SMELLED THEN SAW SMOKE COMING OUT OF THE GEAR SHIFT AREA. I PULLED OVER, TURNED OFF AND EXITED MY CAR. I OPENED THE HOOD AND WITHIN MINUTES MY CAR WAS ENGULFED IN FLAMES. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT HAD TO COME PUT IT OUT. *TR”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Dec 7, 2016Engine and engine cooling, Power trainFire reportedODI 10933779

Electrical system

40 reports1 crash1 fire
“Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2000 Honda Civic. The contact discovered a mileage discrepancy after the purchase. The vehicle was a private sale. At the time of purchase, the vehicle mileage was 193,786. It was later discovered through a Carfax Report that the Title mileage was 211,529.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 26, 2025Electrical systemODI 11683169
All 2000 Civic problemsSend a problem to a mechanic on findmechanic.ai
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 6, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

8 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Subcompact Cars
Engines
1.6L 4-cyl · 1.6L 4-cyl cng
Transmissions
Manual 5-spd · Automatic (variable gear ratios) · Automatic 4-spd
Drive
Front-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Regular Gasoline · Natural Gas · Premium Gasoline

Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.

Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 6, 2026EPA listing
05 —Fuel economy

EPA fuel economy by version

City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
VersionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
Civic HX
Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 1.6 L · Front-Wheel Drive
303933$1,950269
Civic HX
Auto (variable gear ratios), 4 cyl, 1.6 L · Front-Wheel Drive
293531$2,050287
Civic
Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 1.6 L · Front-Wheel Drive
273330$2,150296
Civic
Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 1.6 L, SOHC-VTEC · Front-Wheel Drive
253228$2,300317
Civic
Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 1.6 L, SOHC-VTEC · Front-Wheel Drive
243227$2,400329
Civic
Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 1.6 L · Front-Wheel Drive
243227$2,400329
Civic CNG
Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 1.6 L · Front-Wheel Drive
243127$1,700260
Civic
Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 1.6 L, DOHC-VTEC · Front-Wheel Drive
222925$3,200355
  • Civic HX
    Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 1.6 L
    30 city · 39 hwy · $1,950/yr
    33
    mpg comb.
  • Civic HX
    Auto (variable gear ratios), 4 cyl, 1.6 L
    29 city · 35 hwy · $2,050/yr
    31
    mpg comb.
  • Civic
    Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 1.6 L
    27 city · 33 hwy · $2,150/yr
    30
    mpg comb.
  • Civic
    Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 1.6 L, SOHC-VTEC
    25 city · 32 hwy · $2,300/yr
    28
    mpg comb.
  • Civic
    Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 1.6 L, SOHC-VTEC
    24 city · 32 hwy · $2,400/yr
    27
    mpg comb.
  • Civic
    Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 1.6 L
    24 city · 32 hwy · $2,400/yr
    27
    mpg comb.
  • Civic CNG
    Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 1.6 L
    24 city · 31 hwy · $1,700/yr
    27
    mpg comb.
  • Civic
    Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 1.6 L, DOHC-VTEC
    22 city · 29 hwy · $3,200/yr
    25
    mpg comb.
Estimate your fuel costCost of ownership
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 6, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

2 tested variants
NHTSA has not published 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2000 Honda Civic as of Nov 6, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Nov 6, 2026Vehicle 4040Vehicle 4039
07 —Maintenance

Maintenance basics

General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
ItemMilesTimeNote
Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi6–12 monthsFollow the oil-life monitor if fitted
Tire rotation5,000–7,500 miEvery oil changeCheck pressure monthly
Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi1–2 yearsSooner in dusty areas
Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi1–2 years
Brake fluid—2–3 yearsAbsorbs moisture over time
Coolant60,000–100,000 mi5–10 yearsLong-life coolants last longer
Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi—Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end
12V battery—3–5 yearsHeat shortens battery life
  • Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi
    6–12 months
  • Tire rotation5,000–7,500 mi
    Every oil change
  • Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Brake fluid—
    2–3 years
  • Coolant60,000–100,000 mi
    5–10 years
  • Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi
    —
  • 12V battery—
    3–5 years
Typical intervals for modern cars. Severe service (towing, short trips, extreme heat or cold) shortens them.
09 —FAQ

2000 Civic questions

How many recalls does the 2000 Honda Civic have?

18 safety recalls as of Nov 6, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.

What are the most common 2000 Honda Civic problems?

Owners filed 297 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are air bags (85), engine and engine cooling (48), electrical system (40). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2000 Honda Civic get?

The EPA rates the 2000 Honda Civic at 25–33 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (8 versions rated).

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 6, 2026