Honda Civic Electrical System Problems
Owners have filed 1,423 complaints with NHTSA about electrical system problems on the Honda Civic across 32 model years. The 2016 model year has the most (119). The words owners use most often: “ignition switch” (12% of reports).
- 1,423electrical system complaints
- —median miles at failure
- 54mention a crash
- 30mention an injury
- 2related recalls
- $1,200typical repair cost reported by owners
- 36%of reports with a speed happened at 50+ mph
What owners describe
Phrases that appear unusually often in these complaints compared with complaints about other cars.
- Ignition switch: mentioned in 170 of 1,423 complaints (12%)
How much does it cost to fix?
Owners who wrote down what they paid or were quoted put the typical electrical system repair on the Honda Civic at $1,200, and half of them between $470 and $2,350.
Based on 36 NHTSA complaints about this problem alone that state a repair bill or quote (2003–2025), converted to 2026 dollars with the U.S. consumer price index. These are owners' own figures, not a quote: they include dealer quotes, and owners who file complaints often faced larger repairs, so they can run higher than typical shop prices. Prices vary by shop, region and warranty coverage. How we calculate this.
At what mileage do electrical system problems happen?
Based on 800 complaints that reported the odometer reading.
How serious are the reports?
Of 1,423 complaints, 54 mention a crash, 49 a fire, 30 an injury.
Honda Civic electrical system complaints by model year
| Model year | Electrical System complaints | Share of that year | Median miles |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 Civic | 5 | 16% | 300 |
| 2025 Civic | 6 | 8% | — |
| 2024 Civic | 7 | 6% | 11,000 |
| 2023 Civic | 16 | 6% | 200 |
| 2022 Civic | 38 | 4% | 37,900 |
| 2021 Civic | 18 | 12% | 251 |
| 2020 Civic | 37 | 16% | 9,000 |
| 2019 Civic | 36 | 8% | 9,638 |
| 2018 Civic | 61 | 8% | 11,775 |
| 2017 Civic | 103 | 17% | 19,000 |
| 2016 Civic | 119 | 11% | 26,575 |
| 2015 Civic | 27 | 7% | 32,000 |
| 2014 Civic | 39 | 13% | 40,780 |
| 2013 Civic | 39 | 12% | 35,000 |
| 2012 Civic | 60 | 13% | 40,000 |
| 2011 Civic | 16 | 9% | 31,000 |
| 2010 Civic | 23 | 6% | 50,000 |
| 2009 Civic | 35 | 9% | 13,100 |
| 2008 Civic | 51 | 6% | 33,500 |
| 2007 Civic | 67 | 6% | 40,000 |
| 2006 Civic | 100 | 7% | 53,000 |
| 2005 Civic | 26 | 8% | 78,100 |
| 2004 Civic | 32 | 9% | 91,000 |
| 2003 Civic | 51 | 10% | 101,223 |
| 2002 Civic | 49 | 7% | 110,000 |
| 2001 Civic | 59 | 5% | 91,750 |
| 2000 Civic | 38 | 13% | 122,925 |
| 1999 Civic | 118 | 35% | 149,569 |
| 1998 Civic | 88 | 20% | 128,000 |
| 1997 Civic | 30 | 8% | 85,000 |
| 1996 Civic | 17 | 6% | 170,000 |
| 1995 Civic | 12 | 6% | 115,500 |
When owners reported it
Related recalls (2)
Electrical system:ignition
Model years: 2003
Problem: Honda is recalling certain model year 2003 honda accord, civic two and four door, and model year 2003-2004 honda element vehicles. The interlock lever of the ignition switch may unexpectedly deform, which can allow the interlock function of a vehicle with an automatic transmission to be defeated.
Risk: Removal of the ignition key when the gear selector of a vehicle with an automatic transmission has not been shifted to the park position can allow the vehicle to roll away, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will remove the original interlock pin and lever within the ignition switch, and replace them with new, designed components. This service will be performed free of charge. The safety recall began on october 7, 2010. Owners may contact honda at 1-800-999-1009.
Electrical system:ignition:switch
Model years: 1998, 1999, 2000
Problem: On certain sedans, coupes, hatchbacks, and sport utility vehicles, electrical contacts in the ignition switch can degrade due to the high electrical current passing through the switch when the vehicle is started.
Risk: Worn contacts could cause the engine to stall without warning, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will replace the ignition switch. Owner notification began june 14, 2002. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact honda at 1-800-999-1009 or acura at 1-800-382-2238.
What owners report
Short excerpts of recent complaints, with personal details removed. Full reports are on NHTSA.gov.
Dear NHTSA Vehicle Safety Complaint Team, I am submitting this complaint regarding a recurring and unresolved hybrid-system issue with my 2012 Honda Civic Hybrid. Vehicle Information Make/Model: 2012 Honda Civic Hybrid VIN: [XXX] Current Mileage: Approximately 144,000 miles Diagnostic Trouble Code…
On September 27, 2026, at approximately 90,800 miles, the body control module (BCM) in my 2020 Honda Civic Hatchback failed. Symptoms included the alarm sounding on its own, warning lights illuminating on the dash, the vehicle turning its accessories on unprompted while parked (key fob was…
Upon starting the car, all of a sudden, the IMID display area screen went white. I turned off the car and I restarted it, and it turned white and then immediately went black. There were no warning lamps or messages prior to the incident. So now I do not get alerts for an open door or tire pressure…
Infotainment screen stuck in software update mode. Rear camera and Heat - A/C - Defroster no longer visible. Vehicle is available for inspection upon request.
Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2011 Honda Civic. It was discovered that there was a mileage discrepancy. The vehicle was a dealer sale. At the time of the purchase, the vehicle was listed with a mileage of 142,000; however, it was discovered via a Carfax Report and Certificate of Tile of…
Frequently asked questions
Do all Honda Civics have electrical system problems?
No. NHTSA has 1,423 owner complaints about electrical system for the Honda Civic. Complaint data shows that the problem is reported, not how many of all cars sold are affected.
Was there a recall on the Honda Civic electrical system?
Yes: 2 safety recalls list electrical system. Check your VIN on NHTSA.gov to see whether the fix was done on your car.
How much does it cost to fix electrical system problems on the Honda Civic?
Owners report a typical cost of $1,200 (half paid between $470 and $2,350), from 36 complaints that state a repair bill or quote, in 2026 dollars.
What do owners say about electrical system problems on the Honda Civic?
The most frequent phrase is “ignition switch”, in 170 of 1,423 complaints.
Other Honda Civic problems
- Air Bags problems (2,756)
- Steering problems (2,542)
- Power Train problems (1,730)
- Engine problems (1,107)
- Suspension problems (854)
- Visibility problems (792)
- Structure problems (777)
- Engine and Engine Cooling problems (682)
See all Honda Civic problems.