NHTSA lists 9 safety recalls and 170 owner complaints for the 2011 Honda Civic. Most complaints involve air bags (51) and service brakes (26). The EPA rates it 24–29 mpg combined, and NHTSA gives it 3 stars overall.
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2009-2014 Acura TSX, 2011-2014 TSX Sport Wagon, 2010-2013 ZDX, 2008-2012 Honda Accord, 2010-2011 Accord Crosstour, 2006-2011 Civic and Civic Hybrid, 2008-2010 Civic GX NGV, 2012-2015 Crosstour, 2007-2011 CR-V, 2009-2013 Fit, 2014 Fit EV, 2010-2014 Insight, and 2009-2015 Pilot vehicles.
The vehicles are equipped with passenger frontal air bag inflators assembled as a recall remedy part or replacement service part, that may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2009-2014 Acura TSX, 2011-2013 TSX Sport Wagon, and 2010-2012 ZDX and 2008-2012 Honda Accord, 2010-2011 Accord Crosstour, 2006-2011 Civic, Civic Hybrid and Civic NGV, 2012-2014 Crosstour, 2007-2011 CR-V, 2009-2013 Fit, 2010-2013 Insight, and 2009-2015 Pilot vehicles. The front passenger air bag inflator may have been installed incorrectly during replacement.
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2014 Honda Insight and Acura TSX and TSX Wagon, 2014-2015 Honda Crosstour and Pilot vehicles nationwide, as well as certain 2014 Honda FCX Clarity and Fit EV vehicles in Florida, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, Texas, Alabama, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, California, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan) and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
Honda is also recalling certain 2011-2013 Acura TSX, TSX Wagon and ZDX, Honda Crosstour, Insight, Fit and Pilot vehicles, 2011-2012 Honda Accord and 2011 Honda Civic NGV, Civic, Civic Hybrid and CR-V vehicles in Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia and West Virginia.
Lastly, Honda is recalling certain 2010-2013 Acura TSX and ZDX, Honda Crosstour, Fit, Insight and Pilot, 2011-2013 TSX Wagon, 2010-2012 Honda Accord and 2010-2011 Honda Civic NGV, Civic, Civic Hybrid and CR-V vehicles in Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin and Wyoming.
These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag air bag inflators assembled as part of the frontal air bag modules, and used as original equipment or replacement equipment (such as after a vehicle crash necessitating replacement of the original air bags), may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to higher absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.
Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component
Air bags
51 reports17 crashes
“The contact owns a 2011 Honda Civic. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked in a parking lot, the engine was powered off with the key in the ignition, and the front driver-side air bag and front driver-side air bag curtain had independently deployed. No warning lights illuminated, and there was no impact. In addition, the contact stated that her mother was sitting in the passenger seat, and the failure occurred while rolling up the front passenger-side window. The contact's mother sustained minor injuries to her left ear; however, did not seek medical attention. The local dealer was contacted; however, the failure was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 140,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSA·Filed Mar 3, 2026·Air bagsODI 11721763
Service brakes
26 reports5 crashes
“Each time I applied brakes I would hear a scraping sound in sync with a point or span of tire rotation. Then as I was attempting to stop at a red light the brakes failed. The nearest place was OR automotive and they rebuilt rear braking system yet I could hear the same scraping sound. So I carried the car to Honda dealership. They adjusted brakes $237.00 and replaced $341.00 the two rear drums. The sound remains and is magnified. They are claiming it is because e brake cables stretch. Somehow the stretching can cause entire rear brake on that side to catastrophically fail.”
Owner complaint to NHTSA·Filed May 13, 2024·Service brakesODI 11588386
Electrical system
16 reports2 crashes3 fires
“Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2011 Honda Civic. It was discovered that there was a mileage discrepancy. The vehicle was a dealer sale. At the time of the purchase, the vehicle was listed with a mileage of 142,000; however, it was discovered via a Carfax Report and Certificate of Tile of the vehicle that the mileage was 227,100.”
Owner complaint to NHTSA·Filed Sep 29, 2026·Electrical systemODI 11767797
9 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 2011 Honda Civic problems?
Owners filed 170 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are air bags (51), service brakes (26), electrical system (16). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.
What MPG does the 2011 Honda Civic get?
The EPA rates the 2011 Honda Civic at 24–29 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (3 versions rated).
How safe is the 2011 Honda Civic?
NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program gives the 2011 Honda Civic 3 out of 5 stars overall.