Problems · by component
2015 Honda Civic engine problems
33 owner complaints to NHTSA about the 2015 Honda Civic cite engine, 8% of all 389 complaints for this model year.
Complaints
33
8% of all complaints
Crashes
2
Reported by owners
Fires
2
Reported by owners
Injuries
0
Reported by owners
What owners say about the engine
Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first
“The contact owns a 2015 Honda Civic. The contact stated that while driving at 70 MPH, the vehicle suddenly came to a stop. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to exceed 35 MPH, and the contact pulled over. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was towed to a transmission center, and it was determined that the failure was linked to the CVT and pulley system. The local dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 130,000.”
“My husband and I purchased a 2015 Honda Civic 3 years ago. We have maintained proper maintenance and have the documentation on this. At 118,000 ish miles, my [XXX] son was merging onto the interstate at night just a day or so after a snowstorm. As he was merging the car unexpectedly began to lose power. He tried to compensate by pushing the gas harder but realized her needed to pull over. The merge lane had construction cones and there was a bank of snow on the shoulder prohibiting him from getting over safely. He contacted the police he came out and he contacted a tow truck. He had to sit at the end of a merge lane for 45 minutes before a police officer could get there. We are fortunate he was not plowed by a semi or other vehicle. The car was towed to Richmond Car & Truck Center. After inspection, it was determined a new motor was needed. We paid to have that replaced only to be told after that it was still not operable. The transmission was out. The likely-hood of a motor and transmission going out was practically unheard of. The mechanic was even at a loss. I researched and found my son's make/model did have a recall on the transmission although, his was…”
“While I was driving on the highway I heard a rattling noise in the engine bay and every single light and system showed a malfunction on my dash. Then I was not able to accelerate and had to roll to a stop. This was extremely dangerous both for me and for the other vehicles on the highway because the speed limit was 55 MPH and between not knowing why all of my system warning lights turned on I didn't even notice that I was not accelerating anymore for a few moments. The worst part was that the area in which I was driving had no shoulder and it was by a body of water. When I was relatively safe out of the way I called a tow truck to take me to a repair shop a block away from my residence in the event it was something minor. The first repair shop looked at it and stated it was an engine issue and I should take it to the dealer/repair shop we normally take it to. I then needed to get it towed again to the other shop and the problem was confirmed to be a catastrophic engine failure by the Honda dealer/repair shop which we always take our vehicle to for maintenance (literally got an oil change and filters replaced less than a month prior) and had to pay to get our…”
“The contact owns a 2015 Honda Civic. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the accelerator pedal and brake pedal felt stiff and the vehicle had jolted while depressing the brake pedal before losing automotive power. The check engine, brake, transmission, and several other warning lights illuminated. In addition, the contact stated that after accelerating from a stop, the vehicle had jolted a day prior. The contact stated that an AAA service representative attempted to jump-start the vehicle however, the vehicle would lose automotive power once disconnected. The vehicle was towed to a local independent mechanic where it was diagnosed with codes: P1440 and P0AE1. The contact was advised by the independent mechanic that the failure was related to Service Bulletin: 20-030. The local dealer was contacted however advised that contact that the VIN was not included in the Service Bulletin. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 74,000.”
“[XXX] vin has the same issue for transmission failure as for the recall notice issued for all the honda Honda has issued recalls for certain Honda Civic models with Continuously Variable Transmissions (CVT) due to software issues that may affect the transmission's performance and durability. For example, in 2015, Honda recalled the 2014–2015 Honda Civic and 2015 Fit due to an issue with the CVT control software. In some CVT operation modes, the software was programmed to use high hydraulic pressure, which could put a lot of stress on the drive pulley shaft.”
“An incident took place where a vehicle hit mine on in the front end when the vehicle was parked about 3 weeks prior. August of 2022, one of my vehicles pistons flew out the side of the engine and thankfully onto the ground not injuring or killing anyone, waited and waited for AAA as there were issues getting them, the vehicle was brought to Vermette Auto Body in Feeding Hills MA, the insurance denied the claim for the engine after multiple experts saying it was not collision/insurance related that it was mechanical/manufactuor. The manufacturer when contacted at Balise Honda stated there was nothing they could do. The vehicle is now $10,000 in debt with at least 8,000 dollars worth of repair and considering the piston and rod were the culprit and there is now recalls on the other years I wanted to bring mine forward because I am now in substantial debt due to this and no vehicle nor the ability to purchase a new one. Prior the the incident I had to replace the alternator, Transmission, Blower motor as well. I put new brakes and rotors on too just prior and now the vehicle can’t move and it is parked at my grandmothers and i am [XXX] in College and this really…”
Showing 6 of 33 reports. Read every report on NHTSA.gov.
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 3, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.