Few family cars have built a reputation like the Honda Civic.
Over more than five decades, it’s evolved from a simple hatchback into everything from a sensible family car to the more performance-minded Type R.
UK motorists are aware of the Honda’s reputation for strong engines – with a good economy and generally solid reliability.
However, like any long-running model, each generation has its own pattern of faults.
Honda Civic Fast Diagnosis Table
Use this as a quick “symptom to first checks” guide:
| Symptom
| Likely cause(s)
| First step(s)
|
|---|
| Hesitation / loss of power
| Boost leak or faulty sensor (MAF/O2)
| Scan for fault codes; inspect intercooler hoses; check oil level/condition
|
| Slow or smoky start on diesel
| EGR fouling, injector or glow-plug issues
| Check for EGR fault codes; inspect glow plugs / fuel system
|
| DPF warning light, limp-home
| Short-trip use preventing regeneration
| Take vehicle on sustained motorway run; if light persists, arrange forced regen or DPF clean
|
| High oil level or fuel smell from dipstick (1.5T)
| Oil dilution from short journeys
| Change oil and filter; ensure ECU software updates applied; adjust driving pattern where possible
|
| Knocking from front/rear over bumps
| Worn bushes or drop links.
| Inspect suspension components; replace worn links/mounts
|
| Air-con not blowing cold (10th gen)
| Compressor failure or gas leak
| System pressure test; UV dye leak check; compressor & sensor diagnostics
|
| Random warning lights / odd electrical behaviour
| Weak battery, alternator issue, wiring/earth fault
| Battery and charging-system test; inspect earths and harnesses
|
| Notchy or stiff gearchange when cold
| Gearbox oil condition, wear in synchros (older manuals)
| Check and replace gearbox oil; test on road when warm
|
| Hybrid warning / potential fire risk (11th gen)
| Affected HV battery modules (R/2024/389)
| Check recall status with Honda; dealer inspection and battery replacement if needed
|
Common Honda Civic Faults by Generation
8th-Generation Honda Civic (2005–2011)
1. Excessive oil consumption (2.2 diesel)
Early advice to use 0W-30 oil on the 2.2 i-CTDi diesel was later revised to 5W-30 after high oil consumption was reported.
2. Worn rear brake pads
These Civics are known to wear rear pads relatively quickly, leading to squealing or grinding noises.
3. Broken door/window switches
Water ingress can corrode the terminals in door switches, leaving windows inoperative.
4. Suspension knocks & crankshaft pulley issues
Drop links and bushes wear with age, causing clunks over speed bumps.
9th-Generation Honda Civic (2011–2017)
1. Soft paint & cosmetic wear
Owners often comment on easily-marked paint, especially on darker.
2. Slow or smoky diesel start-up
1.6 i-DTEC models can develop hesitant or smoky cold starts if plugs or injectors are contaminated.
3. Scuffed diamond-cut alloys
Many 9th-gen cars have diamond-cut wheels that are prone to kerb rash.
10th-Generation Honda Civic (2017–2022)
1. 1.0 VTEC Turbo wet-belt concerns
The 1.0-litre turbo uses a 'wet belt' timing system running in oil. Over time, the belt can degrade and shed particles into the oil, which may block the oil pump pick-up and starve the turbo of lubrication.
2. 1.5 VTEC Turbo oil dilution
Some 1.5T engines suffer from fuel mixing with the engine oil, especially in cold climates or on repeated short journeys. Symptoms include a rising oil level, a petrol smell on the dipstick and potentially rough running.
3. Turbo failure (mainly turbo petrols)
When lubrication is compromised (wet-belt debris or severe oil dilution), turbochargers can fail.
4. Air-conditioning problems
10th-gen cars are increasingly reported with non-functional air-con.
11th-Generation Honda Civic (2022–present, e:HEV Hybrid)
The latest Civic is hybrid-only in the UK and still relatively new. As such long term fault patterns haven’t completely emerged. However, one key recall is worth noting:
- R/2024/389 – Hybrid HV battery fault - Certain 2023-model-year Civics may suffer from a negative terminal defect in the high-voltage battery pack. Affected cars receive a battery replacement under recall.
Honda Civic Recalls & Service Actions (Snapshot)
Below is a simplified snapshot of notable UK recall campaigns affecting Civics. To check if a particular Civic is affected, you can use the DVSA recall checker.
This will tell you if a specific car has been a part of an official product recall.
| Recall No.
| Years (approx.)
| Concern
| Remedy
|
|---|
| R/2012/071
| 2000–2011
| Auto transmission may indicate neutral while in reverse. Causing unexpected movement
| Software update and inspection/replacement of reverse shift parts
|
| R/2015/103 / R/2016/045 / R/2020/061
| 2000s–2020
| Takata-related driver airbag inflator defects.
| Replace inflator or complete airbag module
|
| R/2016/177 / R/2016/165
| 2016
| ABS/Vehicle Stability Assist valve issues.
| Replace VSA/ABS modulator and affected components
|
| R/2019/246
| 2019
| Driver airbag may not deploy correctly
| Replace airbag module/inflator as required
|
| R/2020/008
| 2016–2018
| Emissions-control software not meeting regulatory limits
| Update ECU software to improve emissions control
|
| R/2020/186
| 2017–2020
| Fuel pump module with low-density impeller may crack
| Replace affected fuel pump module
|
| R/2024/389
| 2022–2023
| Hybrid HV battery fault with possible electrolyte leakage
| Replace HV battery and inspect system
|
Is the Honda Civic Reliable?
Overall, the Civic still has a strong reputation as one of the more dependable family hatchbacks. Especially when serviced on time.
- In the 2023 What Car? Reliability Survey, the Civic ranked 16th out of 29 family cars with a score of 90.5%. This showed it to be more reliable than some rivals. However, not enough to be considered top of the class.
- Major mechanical failures are mostly a rarity. In modern Civics, the majority of issues reported revolve around the car’s air-conditioning and non-engine electrics.
Brand-wide, Honda continues to score well in reliability; however, it is important to never take your own car for granted.
The best way to ensure you keep it running smoothly is with regular
car servicing.
By doing this, you are able to make sure the key components are well maintained and that any early issues are found before they become bigger and more expensive problems.
