2017 Honda Civic
Common Problems
Ranked from 246 federal NHTSA complaints and 3 recalls. Every problem links to the complaint IDs behind it.
40 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
Air Conditioning Failure
60complaintsHigh severityOtherThe air conditioning system stops working properly, leading to hot air being blown out of the vents.
$800–$1,600est. a/c compressor replacement · 3–6 hrs laborGet local quotesRelated recall: 18V817000
- 2
Steering Wheel Sticking
49complaintsHigh severitySteeringThe steering wheel sticks and requires additional force to make minor corrections, leading to over-correction and loss of control.
$200–$1,500est. power-steering / eps repair · 1–6 hrs laborGet local quotesRelated recall: 18V663000
- 3
Steering Issues
30complaintsMedium severitySteeringThe steering feels sticky or requires extra force to correct, especially on straight roads.
Related recall: 18V663000
- 4
Power Train Issues
20complaintsMedium severityTransmissionThe power train experiences sudden failures or false warnings, affecting the overall performance of the vehicle.
- 5
Steering Rack Failure
10complaintsHigh severitySteeringThe steering rack becomes stuck, requiring significant force to operate, leading to loss of control and over-correction.
$900–$2,000est. steering rack replacement · 4–8 hrs laborGet local quotesRelated recall: 18V663000
- 6
Engine Oil Dilution
9complaintsHigh severityEngineEngine oil is being diluted by fuel, leading to engine misfires and stalling issues.
- 7
Brake System Malfunction
7complaintsHigh severityBrakesThe brake system malfunctions, causing sudden braking or loss of control, posing a safety risk.
$150–$1,000est. brake system diagnosis + repair · 1–4 hrs laborGet local quotes - 8
Electrical System Issues
7complaintsMedium severityElectricalThe electrical system experiences issues such as random alarms, self-starting, and malfunctioning infotainment systems.
- 9
Sunroof Malfunction
7complaintsMedium severityOtherThe sunroof opens or closes unexpectedly while driving, causing potential safety concerns.
Related recall: 18V817000
- 10
Body Control Module Malfunction
6complaintsMedium severityElectricalThe Body Control Module (BCM) malfunctions, causing various warning lights to illuminate and affecting vehicle functions such as power steering and anti-lock brakes.
$500–$1,600est. power-distribution / bcm module replacement · 1.5–5 hrs laborGet local quotes - 11
Electronic Power Steering Issues
6complaintsHigh severitySteeringThe electronic power steering system malfunctions, causing the steering wheel to feel sticky, stiff, and requiring excessive force to turn.
$200–$1,500est. power-steering / eps repair · 1–6 hrs laborGet local quotesRelated recall: 18V663000
- 12
Air Conditioner Failure
5complaintsHigh severityEngineThe air conditioning compressor has failed, causing the AC to stop working.
- 13
Battery Drain and Random Activation
5complaintsMedium severityElectricalThe Body Control Module (BCM) causes random activation of the vehicle in accessory mode, leading to drained batteries and unexpected behavior.
$150–$700est. parasitic-drain diagnosis + battery · 1–4 hrs laborGet local quotes - 14
Electrical System Glitches
5complaintsMedium severityElectricalVarious electrical system issues such as sunroof and window malfunctions, and dashboard lights malfunctioning.
- 15
Electrical System Malfunctions
5complaintsMedium severityElectricalThe vehicle experiences intermittent electrical malfunctions, such as false alarms and unexpected activation of the keyless start system.
- 16
Paint Flaking and Peeling
5complaintsLow severityOtherPaint on the vehicle starts to flake and peel off, particularly in areas exposed to high temperatures and road salt.
Related recall: 18V817000
- 17
Paint Peeling and Rusting
5complaintsLow severityOtherPaint on the vehicle body is peeling off in large chunks, exposing the metal underneath and leading to rust formation.
Related recall: 18V817000
- 18
Trunk Opening Issue
5complaintsMedium severityOtherThe trunk opens without any owner interaction, posing a security risk.
Related recall: 18V817000
- 19
Brake System Issues
4complaintsMedium severityBrakesThe brake system malfunctions, including loose gear shifts and brake lights indicating a high-risk situation despite low mileage.
$150–$1,000est. brake system diagnosis + repair · 1–4 hrs laborGet local quotes - 20
Cooling System Problems
4complaintsMedium severityOtherThe cooling system fails to maintain proper cabin temperature, leading to uncomfortable driving conditions and potential safety risks in hot climates.
Related recall: 18V817000
- 21
Electrical System Failure
4complaintsMedium severityElectricalMultiple electrical systems fail intermittently, causing issues like power steering, brake, and wiper malfunctions.
- 22
Electrical Wiring Damage
4complaintsHigh severityElectricalRodents damage the wiring harness, compromising critical systems such as power steering, braking, and stability control.
- 23
Fuel Pump Failure
4complaintsMedium severityOtherThe fuel pump fails, leading to a gasoline smell in the vehicle and potential engine failure upon starting or driving.
$500–$1,100est. fuel pump replacement · 2–5 hrs laborGet local quotesRelated recall: 18V817000
- 24
Steering Overcorrection at High Speeds
4complaintsHigh severitySteeringAt high speeds, the steering wheel sticks and requires overcorrection, increasing the risk of losing control of the vehicle.
Related recall: 18V663000
- 25
Steering Rack Replacement Required
4complaintsHigh severitySteeringThe steering rack needs to be replaced due to persistent sticking and jerking issues, posing a safety risk at higher speeds.
$900–$2,000est. steering rack replacement · 4–8 hrs laborGet local quotesRelated recall: 18V663000
- 26
Engine Performance Issues
3complaintsMedium severityEngineThe engine stalls or experiences power loss, often accompanied by multiple warning lights.
- 27
Safety Features Malfunction
3complaintsHigh severityElectricalSafety features such as adaptive cruise control and electronic stability control fail, increasing the risk of accidents.
- 28
AC Evaporator Core Failure
2complaintsMedium severityFuel systemThe AC evaporator core fails, leading to the air conditioning system not functioning properly and requiring frequent repairs.
$100–$600est. evap system repair · 0.5–3 hrs laborGet local quotesRelated recall: 23V858000
- 29
Airbag Deployment in Minor Accidents
2complaintsHigh severityElectricalAirbags deploy in minor accidents where there is no significant damage to the front bumper.
- 30
Airbag Deployment Issues
2complaintsHigh severityElectricalAirbags do not deploy as intended during collisions, increasing injury risk.
- 31
Check Engine Light On Without Known Issues
2complaintsLow severityEngineThe check engine light comes on without any known issues such as misfires or fuel system problems.
$100–$250est. professional diagnosis · 1–2 hrs laborGet local quotes - 32
Faulty Seat Belts
2complaintsLow severityOtherThe seat belts fail to release properly, potentially compromising occupant safety in the event of a collision.
Related recall: 18V817000
- 33
Fuel Injector Failure
2complaintsHigh severityFuel systemFuel injectors fail before 65,000 miles, causing cylinder misfires and engine performance issues.
$300–$1,200est. fuel injector replacement · 1–5 hrs laborGet local quotesRelated recall: 23V858000
- 34
Head Gasket Failure
2complaintsHigh severityEngineThe head gasket fails, causing the engine to stall and potentially leading to a loss of power and engine damage.
$1,400–$2,800est. head gasket replacement · 8–15 hrs laborGet local quotes - 35
Oil Dilution and Emissions Issues
2complaintsMedium severityFuel systemThe engine experiences oil dilution and emits toxic gases, affecting vehicle performance and potentially causing health concerns.
Related recall: 23V858000
- 36
Paint Peeling and Corrosion
2complaintsLow severityOtherThe paint on the rear trunk area begins to peel off, exposing the underlying metal to corrosion and reducing the structural integrity of the vehicle.
Related recall: 18V817000
- 37
Steering Gearbox Failure
2complaintsHigh severitySteeringThe steering gearbox fails, causing the steering wheel to become stiff and difficult to operate, especially at higher speeds.
$200–$2,500est. drivetrain diagnosis + repair · 1–8 hrs laborGet local quotesRelated recall: 18V663000
- 38
Steering Lock-up
2complaintsHigh severitySteeringThe steering wheel locks up unexpectedly, causing the vehicle to become uncontrollable and posing a significant safety risk.
$200–$1,500est. power-steering / eps repair · 1–6 hrs laborGet local quotesRelated recall: 18V663000
- 39
Steering Wheel Jerking or Pulling
2complaintsMedium severitySteeringThe steering wheel becomes jerky, stiff, or pulls to one side, especially at higher speeds or after prolonged driving.
Related recall: 18V663000
- 40
Wiper Motor Engages but Wipers Fail to Clear Windshield
2complaintsLow severityElectricalThe wiper motor engages but the wipers fail to clear the windshield effectively during rainy conditions.
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.