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2020 Honda Civic problems

What owners reported to NHTSA, at what mileage, and every safety recall for this model year.

230owner complaints
5safety recalls
15involved a crash

Also reported: 1 fires, 12 people injured, 0 deaths. Each complaint is counted once even if it lists several components.

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Most reported problems

Complaints by component. One complaint can name more than one component, so these add up to more than 230.

Electrical system37
Usually 2,488–38,500 miles (middle half of 11 reports with mileage)
Parts named: Instrument cluster/panel (1); Instrument panel › speedometer/odometer (1)
Unknown or other37
Usually 2,125–14,550 miles (middle half of 6 reports with mileage)
Power train31
Usually 4,838–10,969 miles (middle half of 8 reports with mileage)
Parts named: Clutch assembly (1)
Steering31
Usually 12,500–58,194 miles (middle half of 6 reports with mileage)
Air bags29
Usually 2,975–49,500 miles (middle half of 4 reports with mileage)
Forward collision avoidance24
Usually 7,000–7,000 miles (middle half of 1 reports with mileage)
Parts named: Automatic emergency braking (17); Warnings (9); Adaptive cruise control (2)
Fuel/propulsion system24
Usually 13–13 miles (middle half of 1 reports with mileage)
Engine13
Usually 40,776–40,776 miles (middle half of 1 reports with mileage)
Service brakes13
Usually 1,900–28,262 miles (middle half of 4 reports with mileage)
Fuel system, gasoline7
Usually 31,820–72,500 miles (middle half of 4 reports with mileage)

When problems show up

Reports by odometer reading at the time of the problem, top components. Each bar is a 25,000-mile band, labeled by where it starts (0 = 0–25k miles). Reports without mileage are left out.

Electrical system

11 reports with mileage · median 9,000 miles
025k50k75k100k125k150k175k200k+

Unknown or other

6 reports with mileage · median 7,250 miles
025k50k75k100k125k150k175k200k+

Power train

8 reports with mileage · median 8,200 miles
025k50k75k100k125k150k175k200k+

Safety recalls (5)

Recalls that cover the 2020 Honda Civic. Some apply only to certain trims or build dates. This page cannot tell whether a specific car's recall work was done.

Check a specific VIN's open recalls on nhtsa.gov

Air bags › sensor › occupant classification › front passenger

Campaign 26V332000 · 2026-05-21 · 98,892 vehicles

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2018-2021, 2023 Acura TLX, 2019-2024 RDX, 2017-2020, 2022-2026 MDX, 2017-2021, 2023, 2025 Honda Ridgeline…

Full recall text and remedy

Summary: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2018-2021, 2023 Acura TLX, 2019-2024 RDX, 2017-2020, 2022-2026 MDX, 2017-2021, 2023, 2025 Honda Ridgeline, 2017-2022 Pilot, 2019-2021 Passport, 2018-2026 Odyssey, 2019-2022 Insight, 2019-2021 HR-V, 2018-2020 Fit, 2020-2022 CR-V Hybrid, 2017-2022 CR-V, 2017-2018, 2021 Civic Type R, 2017-2021 Civic hatchback, 2016-2020 Civic coupe, 2016-2022 Civic, 2017-2022 Accord Hybrid, and 2016-2022 Accord vehicles. The front passenger seat weight sensor may crack and short circuit, which can cause the air bags to deploy unintentionally during a crash.

Consequence: Air bags that deploy unintentionally during a crash increase the risk of injury.

Remedy: Dealers will replace the seat weight sensors, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 7, 2026. Owners may contact Honda's customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are BOL, WO9, OOA, WOM, XOH, NOC, POD, BOE, UOF, POB, EOG, AOI, QO8, TOJ, DO7, and SOK. This recall expands previous NHTSA recall number 24V064. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will be searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning May 29, 2026.

Air bags › sensor › occupant classification › front passenger

Campaign 24V064000 · 2024-02-01 · 750,114 vehicles

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Pilot, Accord, Civic sedan, HR-V, Odyssey, 2020 Civic coupe, Fit, 2021-2022 Civic hatchback, 2021 Civic…

Full recall text and remedy

Summary: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Pilot, Accord, Civic sedan, HR-V, Odyssey, 2020 Civic coupe, Fit, 2021-2022 Civic hatchback, 2021 Civic Type R, Insight, 2020-2021 CR-V, CR-V Hybrid, Passport, Ridgeline, Accord Hybrid, 2020 Acura MDX, 2022 Acura MDX, 2020-2022 Acura RDX, and 2020-2021 Acura TLX vehicles. The front passenger seat weight sensor may crack and short circuit, failing to suppress the air bag as intended.

Consequence: An air bag that deploys unintentionally during a crash can increase the risk of injury.

Remedy: Dealers will replace the seat weight sensors, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 28, 2024. This is a phased recall. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for these recalls are XHP and VHQ.

Fuel system, gasoline › delivery › fuel pump

Campaign 23V858000 · 2023-12-18 · 2,490,460 vehicles

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2013-2023 Honda Accord, Civic Coupe, Civic Sedan, Civic Hatchback, Civic Type R, CR-V, HR-V, Ridgeline, Odyssey…

Full recall text and remedy

Summary: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2013-2023 Honda Accord, Civic Coupe, Civic Sedan, Civic Hatchback, Civic Type R, CR-V, HR-V, Ridgeline, Odyssey, Acura ILX, MDX, MDX Hybrid, RDX, RLX, TLX, 2019-2022 Honda Insight, Passport, 2020 Honda CR-V Hybrid, 2018-2019 Honda Clarity PHEV, Fit, and 2015-2020 Honda Accord Hybrid, Pilot, Acura NSX vehicles. The fuel pump inside the fuel tank may fail.

Consequence: Fuel pump failure can cause an engine stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Dealers will replace the fuel pump module, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed September 6, 2024. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are KGC and KGD. This recall is an expansion of NHTSA recall numbers 21V-215 and 20V-314.

Service brakes, hydraulic › foundation components › master cylinder

Campaign 23V458000 · 2023-06-29 · 124,077 vehicles

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Civic, 2020-2023 Ridgeline, 2021-2023 Passport, 2021-2022 Pilot, and 2020 Acura MDX vehicles. The tie rod…

Full recall text and remedy

Summary: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Civic, 2020-2023 Ridgeline, 2021-2023 Passport, 2021-2022 Pilot, and 2020 Acura MDX vehicles. The tie rod fastener that connects the brake booster and the brake master cylinder may have been improperly assembled during manufacturing, which can cause the brake master cylinder to separate from the booster assembly.

Consequence: Brake master cylinder separation can cause a loss of brake function and increase the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Dealers will inspect and repair the brake booster assembly as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 7, 2023. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are VEU, AEV, and ZET.

Fuel system, gasoline › delivery › fuel pump

Campaign 21V215000 · 2021-03-25 · 624,552 vehicles

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2019-2020 Acura MDX, MDX Sport Hybrid, RDX, TLX, Honda Accord, Civic Hatchback, Insight, 2019 Acura ILX, Honda…

Full recall text and remedy

Summary: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2019-2020 Acura MDX, MDX Sport Hybrid, RDX, TLX, Honda Accord, Civic Hatchback, Insight, 2019 Acura ILX, Honda Accord Hybrid, Civic Coupe, Civic Coupe Si, Civic Sedan, Civic Sedan Si, Civic Type R, Fit, HR-V, Odyssey, Passport, Pilot and Ridgeline, and 2018-2019 CR-V vehicles. The low-pressure fuel pump inside the fuel tank may fail.

Consequence: Fuel pump failure can cause an engine stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel pump assembly, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed May 18, 2021. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Note: This recall is an expansion of recall 20V-314.

Questions to ask the seller

Any battery drain, dashboard warning lights, or electrical repairs? Test every switch, screen, and power accessory before buying.

37 owner complaints mention the electrical system, half of the reports with mileage are between 2,488 and 38,500 miles.

Has the transmission been serviced or repaired? On the test drive, watch for slipping, delayed engagement, or harsh shifts.

31 owner complaints mention the transmission or drivetrain, half of the reports with mileage are between 4,838 and 10,969 miles.

Any steering noises, pulling, stiffness, or loss of power assist? Turn lock to lock while parked and listen.

31 owner complaints mention the steering, half of the reports with mileage are between 12,500 and 58,194 miles.

Has the airbag warning light ever stayed on? Was any airbag replaced after a crash?

29 owner complaints mention the air bags.

Has the automatic emergency braking ever activated with nothing ahead, or shown sensor errors? Ask about windshield or sensor repairs.

24 owner complaints mention the forward collision avoidance system.

Has the open recall work been done? Ask for dealer service records, and check the VIN on nhtsa.gov/recalls.

NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns for this model year.

Other Honda Civic years

Owner complaints per model year (2010–2022). Older cars have had more time to collect reports.

Compare all years on one chart

Source: NHTSA complaints file (FLAT_CMPL, updated 2026-10-21) and NHTSA recalls file. Page generated 2026-10-22.

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