2010 Honda Civic
Common Problems
Ranked from 265 federal NHTSA complaints. Every problem links to the complaint IDs behind it.
23 Common Problems
Ordered by how often owners reported each one to NHTSA. The bar shows how common a problem is relative to the most-reported on this vehicle. Expand any problem to see the federal complaint IDs.
- 1
Premature Brake Pad Wear
57complaintsHigh severityBrakesFront and rear brake pads wear out prematurely, requiring replacement at low mileage (as low as 8,000 miles). This results in abnormal noise, reduced braking performance, and increased maintenance costs.
$250–$700est. brake pads + rotors (per axle) · 1–2.5 hrs laborGet local quotes - 2
Driver's Side Sun Visor Failure
48complaintsSafety riskOtherThe driver's side sun visor cracks at the seam or separates from its hinge mechanism, causing it to fall down or fail to stay upright while driving, obstructing vision.
- 3
Takata Airbag Inflator Recall Delays
42complaintsSafety riskElectricalOwners received recall notifications for Takata airbags, but replacement parts were unavailable for extended periods, leaving vehicles unsafe due to risk of inflator rupture.
- 4
Paint and Clearcoat Deterioration
32complaintsMedium severityOtherPeeling, fading, and flaking paint on the hood, roof, trunk, and quarter panels was reported, with some owners noting Honda’s refusal to repair or provide adequate warranty coverage.
- 5
Airbag Deployment Without Impact or Failure to Deploy During Collision
25complaintsSafety riskElectricalAirbags deployed unexpectedly without impact or failed to deploy during collisions, increasing injury risk.
- 6
Electrical System Failures Including Overheating Fuse Box
12complaintsHigh severityElectricalElectrical issues caused overheating fuse boxes, AC compressor belt failure, and unexpected warning lights.
$500–$1,600est. power-distribution / bcm module replacement · 1.5–5 hrs laborGet local quotes - 7
Brake Rotor Deterioration
10complaintsMedium severityBrakesBrake rotors wear out or become damaged prematurely, causing grinding noises, uneven braking, and the need for resurfacing or replacement at low mileage.
$250–$700est. brake pads + rotors (per axle) · 1–2.5 hrs laborGet local quotes - 8
Suspension and Tire Wear Issues
8complaintsMedium severitySuspensionUneven tire wear, feathering, noise, and bent suspension components were reported, leading to premature tire replacement and potential safety risks.
$150–$1,200est. suspension diagnosis + repair · 1–5 hrs laborGet local quotes - 9
Unintended Vehicle Shutdown or Stalling While Driving
8complaintsHigh severityEngineVehicle unexpectedly shut off or stalled while driving without warning lights, risking loss of control.
$150–$1,200est. stalling / shutdown diagnosis + repair · 1–5 hrs laborGet local quotes - 10
Unintended Acceleration or Power Steering Failure
7complaintsHigh severityOtherVehicle accelerated unexpectedly or power steering failed, causing loss of control.
$200–$1,500est. power-steering / eps repair · 1–6 hrs laborGet local quotes - 11
Brake Caliper Failure
6complaintsMedium severityBrakesBrake calipers leak or become stuck, causing uneven brake pad wear, reduced braking performance, and abnormal noises.
$250–$700est. brake caliper replacement · 1–2.5 hrs laborGet local quotes - 12
Motor Mount Failure
5complaintsMedium severityEngineThe motor mount fails prematurely, causing excessive vibration and noise, particularly noticeable when reversing or idling.
- 13
Airbag and Water Leak Issues
4complaintsHigh severityElectricalWater leaks around the driver's side curtain airbag were reported, potentially causing corrosion and airbag failure. Some incidents involved unexpected airbag deployment.
- 14
Air Conditioning Condenser Punctured by Road Debris
4complaintsMedium severityOtherAir conditioning condenser is frequently punctured by road debris, causing the AC to stop working and requiring costly repairs.
$800–$1,600est. a/c compressor replacement · 3–6 hrs laborGet local quotes - 15
Brake System Noise and Pulling
4complaintsMedium severityBrakesBrake system produces loud noises such as screeching, rumbling, and skidding, and the vehicle pulls to one side during braking or turning.
$150–$1,000est. brake system diagnosis + repair · 1–4 hrs laborGet local quotes - 16
Seat Belt Malfunction or Failure to Unlatch
4complaintsSafety riskOtherDriver-side seat belts failed to unlatch or were not detected as latched, causing warning lights.
- 17
Sudden Acceleration or Engine Surge During Braking
4complaintsHigh severityOtherVehicle experiences sudden acceleration or engine surging when braking, creating a safety hazard.
- 18
Engine and Transmission Malfunctions
3complaintsHigh severityEngineEngine smoke, random stalling, and transmission issues including flashing drive lights and jerky shifting were reported, with some requiring engine replacement.
$200–$2,500est. drivetrain diagnosis + repair · 1–8 hrs laborGet local quotes - 19
Steering Lock-Up and Failure
3complaintsSafety riskSteeringPower steering failure occurred during turns or while driving, causing steering lock-up and potential loss of control.
$200–$1,500est. power-steering / eps repair · 1–6 hrs laborGet local quotes - 20
Sun Visor Malfunction
3complaintsMedium severityOtherSun visors cracked, fell apart, or failed to stay in place, causing visibility issues and potential safety risks while driving.
- 21
Tire Hydroplaning and Premature Wear
3complaintsMedium severityOtherTires hydroplane easily in rain and wear out prematurely despite proper maintenance.
- 22
Odometer Fraud or Mileage Discrepancy
2complaintsMedium severityOtherMileage discrepancies were discovered during registration, indicating odometer tampering.
- 23
TPMS Warning Light Malfunction
2complaintsLow severityElectricalThe tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS) warning light illuminates incorrectly despite properly inflated tires.
$100–$250est. professional diagnosis · 1–2 hrs laborGet local quotes
Other years & sources
Data source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) owner complaints and recalls. Problems are clustered and ranked from the complaint record; occurrence counts reflect corroborating complaints, not total incidence. Vehicle image is illustrative. Repair-cost figures are typical U.S. independent-shop ranges (parts + labor) for the class of repair shown — actual quotes vary by region, engine, and diagnosis; always confirm with a local shop.