Honda Civic Reliability by Year, 2016–2021
Comparing a used Honda Civic? Start with what changed between model years, then open the report for the car you are considering. The records below help you identify recall work, reported symptoms and questions for an inspection.
These records do not establish which year is most reliable. The 2016 has had more time to accumulate reports than the 2021, and we do not have sales or mileage data to calculate failure rates. Why age matters when reading complaints.
What changed from year to year
Compare the EPA-listed engines, transmissions, drivetrains and fuel economy with the previous year, alongside NHTSA crash-test ratings and recall campaigns. Open a pair for the details; the timeline does not cover every trim, equipment or production change.
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2016
The earliest model year covered here, so there is no prior year to compare it with.
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2017
The best combined rating for the 1.5-litre four-cylinder rises from 35 to 36 mpg; seven recall campaigns name one of the two years and not the other (air bags, engine and engine cooling, equipment and others).
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2018
EPA lists the same engines, transmissions and drive types as 2017; four recall campaigns name one of the two years and not the other (air bags, equipment, fuel system and others).
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2019
The best combined rating for the 2.0-litre four-cylinder falls from 34 to 33 mpg; NHTSA's frontal crash rating goes from 4 and 5 stars in 2018 to 4 and 5 stars in 2019; four recall campaigns name one of the two years and not the other (equipment, fuel system and steering).
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2020
NHTSA's frontal crash rating goes from 4 and 5 stars in 2019 to 4 and 5 stars in 2020; three recall campaigns name one of the two years and not the other (air bags, fuel system and service brakes).
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2021
NHTSA's frontal crash rating goes from 4 and 5 stars in 2020 to 5 stars in 2021; one recall campaign names one of the two years and not the other (fuel system).
The record, year by year
| Year | Recalls | Complaints | Investigations | Combined MPG | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 | 5 | 1,081 | 0 | 30–35 | Full report → |
| 2017 | 6 | 596 | 0 | 25–36 | Full report → |
| 2018 | 6 | 603 | 0 | 25–36 | Full report → |
| 2019 | 4 | 442 | 0 | 25–36 | Full report → |
| 2020 | 5 | 230 | 0 | 25–36 | Full report → |
| 2021 | 4 | 157 | 0 | 25–36 | Full report → |
The same years side by side on one screen →
Sources and methodology
- Recalls, complaints and investigations: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
- Engines, transmissions, drive types and fuel economy: FuelEconomy.gov (EPA/DOE)
- See our methodology and data sources pages for how these reports are built and their limitations.