2012 Honda Civic Problems

Typical for Model

Real NHTSA owner complaints for the 2012 Honda Civic. Part of Generation 9 — 2012–2015.

20112013
Complaints
618
per 10K Sold
17.9
US Sales
344,996
Crashes
91
Fires
8
Injuries
62
Fatalities
Recalls
3

Worst 2012 Honda Civic Problems

Top 3 most-reported issues with average mileage at failure.

#1146 complaints

Airbags

Avg mileage:49,233 mi
Crash-related:34
#273 complaints

Steering Defects

Avg mileage:61,300 mi
Crash-related:3
#355 complaints

Electrical Faults

Avg mileage:46,459 mi
Crash-related:2
Fires:2
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All Problems by Category

Every NHTSA complaint category for the 2012 Honda Civic.

Airbags
146
complaints
Crashes
34
Fires
Avg Miles
49,233
Steering Defects
73
complaints
Crashes
3
Fires
Avg Miles
61,300
Electrical Faults
55
complaints
Crashes
2
Fires
2
Avg Miles
46,459
Transmission / Drivetrain
46
complaints
Crashes
4
Fires
Avg Miles
40,248
Unintended Acceleration
37
complaints
Crashes
9
Fires
Avg Miles
17,816
Brakes
34
complaints
Crashes
11
Fires
Avg Miles
37,994
Engine Problems
32
complaints
Crashes
2
Fires
1
Avg Miles
29,386
Body Structure
31
complaints
Crashes
10
Fires
1
Avg Miles
48,485
Fuel System
17
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
21,745
Seat Belt Issues
13
complaints
Crashes
5
Fires
Avg Miles
66,001
Seat-Related Issues
12
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
33,424
Electronic Stability Control
10
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles
38,079
Headlight/Taillight Failures
10
complaints
Crashes
2
Fires
1
Avg Miles
33,568
Wheel Issues
10
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles
27,057
Gasoline Fuel System
6
complaints
Crashes
Fires
1
Avg Miles
46,351
Suspension Failures
5
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles
47,138
Engine & Cooling
4
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles
Hydraulic Brakes
4
complaints
Crashes
2
Fires
Avg Miles
Structural Problems
4
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Electrical System:Instrument Panel:Speedometer/Odometer
3
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Equipment Adaptive/Mobility
3
complaints
Crashes
2
Fires
Avg Miles
Visibility
3
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Wipers & Visibility
3
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Automatic Transmission
2
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Power Train:Driveline:Driveshaft
2
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer
2
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Air Bags:Frontal
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Electrical System:Wiring:Switches/Knobs/Buttons
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Other Equipment
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles

Search Owner Complaints

Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 2012 Honda Civic. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.

Recalls for 2012 Honda Civic

3 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting ~51,503 vehicles.

12V548000Steering:column
~157 affected

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.

12V256000Power Train:driveline:driveshaft
~50,190 affected

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.

11V288000Fuel System, Other:delivery:hoses, Lines/piping, And Fittings
~1,156 affected

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.

Other Honda Civic Years

2012 Honda Civic — FAQ

Answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this specific model year.

Is the 2012 Honda Civic reliable?
Verdict: Typical for Model. The 2012 Honda Civic has 618 NHTSA complaints, 91 crash-related, and 3 recall campaigns. The most common issue is Airbags with 146 complaints. Source: NHTSA via VinItel.
What are common problems with the 2012 Honda Civic?
Top reported problems: Airbags (146 complaints, avg 49,233 mi); Steering Defects (73 complaints, avg 61,300 mi); Electrical Faults (55 complaints, avg 46,459 mi). Every complaint is filed by an owner with NHTSA — this is raw reported data, not editorial opinion.
At what mileage do problems start on the 2012 Honda Civic?
The weighted average mileage at time of complaint is about 43,936 miles. Some components fail earlier, some later — check the "All Problems by Category" table above for per-issue averages.
How safe is the 2012 Honda Civic?
NHTSA complaints for the 2012 Honda Civic include 91 crash-related reports, 8 fire reports, 62 injuries, and 0 fatalities. These are owner-reported incidents, not official crash-test ratings — a complaint being filed doesn't confirm a defect, but clusters around specific components are worth investigating.
Does the 2012 Honda Civic have any recalls?
Yes — 3 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting an estimated 51,503 vehicles. Recalls are free to fix at the dealer. Always verify by VIN whether the specific car you're looking at has had its recalls addressed.
Should I buy a 2012 Honda Civic?
Complaint levels are in line with what's expected. Normal used-car due diligence applies — check the specific VIN for accident history, open recalls, and title brands.

Source: NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) complaint and recall databases, aggregated by VinItel.

Wider context: See the full Honda Civic reliability report with year-by-year comparison and generation analysis.

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