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Research · Compact Cars · 3 NHTSA variants

2012 Honda CivicRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 3 safety recalls and 462 owner complaints for the 2012 Honda Civic. Most complaints involve air bags (151) and steering (74). The EPA rates it 25–32 mpg combined, and NHTSA gives it 4–5 stars overall.

Check a VINAdd to my garage
Combined MPG
25–32mpg
EPA · 5 versions
NHTSA overall
4–5of 5 stars
NCAP crash tests
Safety recalls
3campaigns
Latest Nov 2012
Owner complaints
462
Top: air bags
Fuel cost / yr
$1,500est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

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

Steering: column

Free remedy

Honda is recalling certain model year 2012 Civic passenger vehicles, manufactured from October 26, 2012, through October 30, 2012. These vehicles were assembled with the incorrect steering column assembly.

SteeringReported Nov 21, 2012NHTSA 12V548000

Power train: driveshaft

Free remedy

HONDA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2012 HONDA CIVIC VEHICLES. DURING ASSEMBLY, THE PROCESS REQUIRED TO SEAT THE DRIVER’S SIDE DRIVESHAFT AND SET THE RETAINING CLIP WAS NOT COMPLETED. AS A RESULT, THE DRIVESHAFT MAY SEPARATE.

Power trainReported Jun 4, 2012NHTSA 12V256000

Fuel system

Free remedy

HONDA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2012 CIVIC 2-DOOR AND 4-DOOR VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM APRIL 21, 2011, THROUGH MAY 2, 2011. THERE IS A POSSIBILITY THAT AN O-RING, WHICH SEALS A CONNECTION IN THE FUEL FEED LINE, IS MISALIGNED. IF THE O-RING IS MISALIGNED, A SMALL FUEL LEAK MAY OCCUR.

Fuel system, otherReported May 18, 2011NHTSA 11V288000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 2, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

462 complaints filed with NHTSA · Jun 2011 – Oct 2026
  1. Air bags151
  2. Steering74
  3. Electrical system60
  4. Power train50
  5. Vehicle speed control38
  6. Service brakes35
  7. Structure35
  8. Engine33
  9. Fuel/propulsion system17

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
55
Fires reported
5
Injuries reported
41
Deaths reported
0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 2, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Air bags

151 reports34 crashes
“We were not injured. We fixed the problem before we did get hurt..message came up.. “Check airbag system”. We had t replace our driver’s side airbag at the cost of over $1,500.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jun 30, 2026Air bagsODI 11747440

Steering

74 reports3 crashes
“Component or system failure: The vehicle experienced failures involving the engine/ignition system, emissions system, Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA), and power steering. On July 14, 2025, warning messages appeared for “Check Emissions System,” “Check VSA System,” and “Check Power Steering System.” Diagnostics identified engine misfire code P0304 (Cylinder #4). On August 11, 2025, an authorized Honda dealership confirmed a seized spark plug and cylinder head damage, indicating an internal engine defect. The vehicle is currently with the selling dealership and available for inspection. Safety risk: Simultaneous failure warnings for emissions, VSA, and power steering created an unsafe driving condition. Impaired stability control and power steering increase the risk of loss of vehicle control during turning or emergency maneuvers. Confirmation of problem: Yes. Independent diagnostics confirmed the misfire. The selling dealer attempted repairs between July 22–25, 2025, but the same warnings returned. On August 8, 2025, the dealer admitted it lacked tools and software to diagnose or repair CNG vehicles. Honda later confirmed internal engine damage. Inspections: The…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jan 2, 2026Steering, Power train, EngineODI 11708419

Electrical system

60 reports2 crashes2 fires
“Dear NHTSA Vehicle Safety Complaint Team, I am submitting this complaint regarding a recurring and unresolved hybrid-system issue with my 2012 Honda Civic Hybrid. Vehicle Information Make/Model: 2012 Honda Civic Hybrid VIN: [XXX] Current Mileage: Approximately 144,000 miles Diagnostic Trouble Code: P1440 Reported Symptoms: IMA warning light illuminated, battery/charging warning light illuminated, and vehicle starting problems. Description of the Problem My vehicle has developed a serious issue involving its Integrated Motor Assist (IMA) hybrid system. The IMA warning light is illuminated, and the vehicle has stored diagnostic trouble code P1440. The battery/charging warning light is also illuminated. I have experienced a no-start condition in which the dashboard lights illuminate, but the vehicle does not start. Attempting to jump-start the vehicle did not resolve the problem, and the vehicle also would not start when shifted into Neutral. I have contacted multiple Honda dealerships to investigate this problem. However, I have been informed that my vehicle does not qualify for Honda Service Bulletin A20-030, despite the P1440 trouble code and symptoms that…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 13, 2026Electrical systemODI 11770850
All 2012 Civic problemsSend a problem to a mechanic on findmechanic.ai
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 2, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

5 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Compact Cars
Engines
1.8L 4-cyl · 1.8L 4-cyl cng · 2.4L 4-cyl
Transmissions
Automatic 5-spd · Manual 5-spd · Manual 6-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 2, 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 HF
Auto 5-spd, 4 cyl, 1.8 L · Front-Wheel Drive
283932$2,000278
Civic
Auto 5-spd, 4 cyl, 1.8 L · Front-Wheel Drive
283831$2,050287
Civic
Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 1.8 L · Front-Wheel Drive
283531$2,050287
Civic Natural Gas
Auto 5-spd, 4 cyl, 1.8 L · Front-Wheel Drive
273831$1,500227
Civic
Man 6-spd, 4 cyl, 2.4 L · Front-Wheel Drive
223125$3,200355
  • Civic HF
    Auto 5-spd, 4 cyl, 1.8 L
    28 city · 39 hwy · $2,000/yr
    32
    mpg comb.
  • Civic
    Auto 5-spd, 4 cyl, 1.8 L
    28 city · 38 hwy · $2,050/yr
    31
    mpg comb.
  • Civic
    Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 1.8 L
    28 city · 35 hwy · $2,050/yr
    31
    mpg comb.
  • Civic Natural Gas
    Auto 5-spd, 4 cyl, 1.8 L
    27 city · 38 hwy · $1,500/yr
    31
    mpg comb.
  • Civic
    Man 6-spd, 4 cyl, 2.4 L
    22 city · 31 hwy · $3,200/yr
    25
    mpg comb.
Estimate your fuel costCost of ownership
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 2, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

3 tested variants
Overall rating
4/ 5
4 of 5
Honda Civic 2 DR FWD
Frontal crash
4 of 5
Side crash
4 of 5
Side pole
5 of 5
Rollover
4 of 5
Rollover risk
11.8%
Overall
5 / 5
Honda Civic 4 DR FWD
Frontal crash
5 of 5
Side crash
5 of 5
Side pole
5 of 5
Rollover
4 of 5
Rollover risk
10.9%
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Nov 2, 2026Vehicle 6090Vehicle 6089Vehicle 6092
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

2012 Civic questions

How many recalls does the 2012 Honda Civic have?

3 safety recalls as of Nov 2, 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 2012 Honda Civic problems?

Owners filed 462 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are air bags (151), steering (74), electrical system (60). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2012 Honda Civic get?

The EPA rates the 2012 Honda Civic at 25–32 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (5 versions rated).

How safe is the 2012 Honda Civic?

NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program gives the 2012 Honda Civic 4–5 out of 5 stars overall.

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 2, 2026