Honda Civic electrical problems, 2016–2026
459 of the 4,836 complaints owners filed with NHTSA about the Honda Civic 2016–2026 name the electrical system (NHTSA’s “Electrical System” heading — wiring, modules, batteries, charging, infotainment and driver displays — NHTSA's broadest heading). The loudest years: 2016 (120), 2017 (103), 2018 (61). Filed under the same heading across these years: 2 manufacturer bulletins. Every figure is a linked federal record; none is a failure rate, none a repair cost, and none a verdict on one car.
Honda Civic electrical problems by model year
Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer communicationsOne row per model year on file, newest first. A year marked in depth has its own page: the complaints, the owners’ words and every document under this heading for that year.
| Model year | Complaints naming the electrical system | Share of the year’s | Typically at | On file under the heading | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 5 | 17% | — | 3 TSBs | the year → |
| 2025 | 8 | 8% | — | 15 TSBs | the year → |
| 2024 | 8 | 6% | — | 14 TSBs | the year → |
| 2023 | 19 | 6% | — | 25 TSBs | the year → |
| 2022 | 40 | 4% | — | 33 TSBs | the year → |
| 2021 | 21 | 13% | — | 34 TSBs | the year → |
| 2020 | 37 | 16% | — | 65 TSBs | the year → |
| 2019 | 37 | 8% | 12k | 52 TSBs | the year → |
| 2018 in depth | 61 | 8% | 12k | 53 TSBs | the record → |
| 2017 in depth | 103 | 17% | 22k | 69 TSBs | the record → |
| 2016 in depth | 120 | 11% | 29k | 53 TSBs | the record → |
Two things the counts carry that are not the car: how many of each year were sold, and how long each has been on the road — an older year out-counts a newer one before anything is wrong with it. The share column is the honest comparison across years: what part of that year’s complaints named the electrical system. Nothing here is a rate.
When the electrical complaints were filed, and at what mileage
Source: NHTSA complaint databaseFiled per calendar year, every model year together: 2016: 22 · 2017: 21 · 2018: 37 · 2019: 46 · 2020: 43 · 2021: 32 · 2022: 41 · 2023: 56 · 2024: 69 · 2025: 51 · 2026: 41
Across the model years, half of the 167 owners who gave an odometer reading reported the electrical problem between 6,000 and 41,000 miles. A median of reports, not the life of a part.
In owners’ own words
Source: NHTSA complaint databaseFiled with NHTSA by the people who own these cars, about the electrical system, from the model years with the most to say. Quoted as written, with anything identifying removed; unverified reports — what was said, not a finding that it was true.
Repeated issues with faulty dashboard electronic warning system which alerts brake failure and experience with acceleration problem and other related issues. These issues occurred while driving on city streets
The radio or said infotainment system does not work as advertised, not allowing you to use your google navigation or bluetooth which are 2 big safety concerns, the internet is flooded with complaints and all say Honda is ignoring the problem and refusing a fix
2016 new Honda Civic 2.0 engine oil leaking ! ! ! 2017 new Honda Civic 1.5t engine oil increased13 mm the same station 2017. New Honda Civic wipers broken , reversing radar broken increased oil 13mm is not a malfunction! Engine oil increased, repaired twice, not repaired, Honda said no way
This is a 5-door hatchback in ex trim bought new 12/2016. Within 2 weeks electrical issues started, from XM tuner going out to main headunit going out on a intermittant basis. This disables all audio, bluetooth, climate controls, back-up camera, & lanewatch. "check tuner" shows briefly often. Occurs even when driving.
Tire pressure monitoring system comes on. Tire pressure is exactly 34/35 PSI as door panel advises. Reset the TPMS system to fix the warning. Also, after driving 100 miles, the cruise control, lane keep, & collison mitigation system failed. Had to stop car, turn it off, and restart to get warnings to disappear
What is on file about the electrical system, across the years
Source: NHTSA recalls, investigations and manufacturer communications2 manufacturer bulletins filed under this heading, any model year
- Aug 31, 2026
- Over the Air System Updates - 2025 Civic Si: Software Update for Audio System software version 8A050-T20-AA31.
- Apr 8, 2026
- Dealer Message - American Honda Motor Co., Inc. (AHM) is searching for certain 2022-2023 Civic LXs, Sports, EXs, EX-Ls or Tourings equipped with an automatic transmission with a customer complaint of DTCs C1110-13 (Left-Rear Electric Parking Brake Actuator Circuit Open) & C1100-94 (Electric Parking Brake Actuator Malfunction) stored. Customer may also notice intermittent or persistent warning ligh
Every one filed under the heading is listed. Quote the document number at a service desk — it is a diagnosis the maker has already written down.
Other systems with a record on the Honda Civic
Source: the same files- steering problems
- automatic emergency braking problems
- fuel system problems
- engine problems
- visibility and wiper problems
Every system, every model year: Honda Civic problems by year →
Common questions
Source: NHTSA complaint database, recalls and manufacturer communicationsWhich Honda Civic years have the most electrical complaints?
2016, 120; 2017, 103; 2018, 61. Raw counts, and an older year has had longer to collect them; by share of each year's own complaints the loudest is the 2026 (17%).
Is there a recall for the electrical system on the Honda Civic?
No recall campaign is filed under this heading on any of these model years. A bulletin is not a recall: it carries no federal duty to repair for free.
When do electrical problems show up on the Honda Civic?
Owners who gave an odometer reading reported it at a median of 19,003 miles across the model years; half of them between 6,000 and 41,000. That is when reports cluster, not the life of a part.
What does NHTSA's "Electrical System" heading cover?
Wiring, modules, batteries, charging, infotainment and driver displays — NHTSA's broadest heading. Owners choose the heading when they file, so it says which area of the vehicle the complaint is about, not which part failed.