Head-to-head reliability
Honda Civic vs Honda FIT
How the Honda Civic and Honda FIT compare on NHTSA complaints, recalls and crash reports — and which is the lower-risk used buy.
Based on NHTSA owner-complaint & recall records
Honda Civic vs Honda FIT: The Civic averages 367.5 complaints per year with steering failures dominating, while the Fit averages 32 complaints per year with fuel system issues. The Civic has 1 death reported; the Fit has 0. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the Honda Civic or Honda FIT more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
Honda Civic
The Honda Civic, a popular compact car, has a high complaint rate averaging 367.5 per year over the past decade, with steering issues dominating. Owners report electric power steering motors failing, causing the wheel to require excessive force or stick at highway speeds, which can be alarming. Electrical system failures, including stalling and warning light cascades, and forward collision avoidance malfunctions, such as phantom braking, add to the ownership concerns. While recalls address some brake and airbag components, the steering and electrical problems are persistent.
Honda FIT
The Honda Fit, a subcompact hatchback, has a much lower complaint rate of 32 per year, with electrical and fuel system issues being most common. Owners describe fuel pump failures leading to stalling and inoperability, often tied to recall repairs that dealerships may refuse. Carbon buildup on fuel injectors causes misfires and warning lights, while paint peeling on white models exposes bare metal. Despite fewer complaints, the Fit's problems can leave the vehicle undrivable.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | Honda Civic | Honda FIT |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 3,675 | 320 Better |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 38 | 14 Better |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 199 | 14 Better |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 367.5 | 32.0 Better |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 136 | 14 Better |
| Reported deathsTied to owner complaints | 1 | 0 Better |
Source: NHTSA owner complaints & recall records.
What actually goes wrong
The problems owners report
The most-complained-about systems on each vehicle — what fails, and what owners say in their own words.
Honda Civic
- 01STEERING1,891
- 02UNKNOWN OR OTHER485
- 03ELECTRICAL SYSTEM325
- 04FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE258
- 05FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM217
The electric power steering motor fails, causing the steering wheel to require excessive force or stick intermittently, especially at highway speeds. This can make the car feel unpredictable and harder to control.
Electrical failures, including EPS rack failure and stalling with multiple warning lights, can leave you stranded. Owners report the car dying at stoplights with a cascade of dashboard warnings.
The automatic braking system may activate with no obstacle ahead, causing sudden stops. Conversely, it may fail to engage in a real emergency, as reported by one owner who hit an ambulance.
A/C system refrigerant leaks from the compressor shaft seal, condenser, and evaporator core are common. Water leaks from the hatch into the cabin also occur, potentially causing interior damage.
“The component that has failed is my electric power steering motor. Yes, it is available for inspection upon request. While driving, the steering wheel should turn in a fluid motion, without requiring much force to turn the wheel. When i turn my wheel, it some…”
“Vehicle: 2021 Honda Civic Mileage: Approximately 58,000 miles Over the past couple of months, I have experienced a steering issue that appears to be worsening. While driving at highway speeds, the steering wheel intermittently feels as though it “sticks” or c…”
Honda FIT
- 01ELECTRICAL SYSTEM97
- 02FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM83
- 03UNKNOWN OR OTHER54
- 04ENGINE53
- 05STRUCTURE27
Fuel pump failures are a major electrical-related issue, causing the vehicle to become inoperable. Owners report dealerships refusing to perform recall repairs, leaving the car unusable.
Carbon buildup on fuel injectors leads to engine misfires, stalling, and multiple warning lights. Even after warranty extension service, the problem may persist, requiring repeated visits.
The vehicle may jerk and all warning lights flash, obscuring the speedometer. Paint peeling on White Orchid Pearl models exposes bare metal, leading to rust.
Engine stalling while driving, hesitation, and unknown fluid leaks under the dashboard have been reported. These issues can cause sudden loss of power and potential safety hazards.
“My vehicle has been inoperable since 2023. The dealership refuses to repair the fuel pump and all other issues, per the manufacturers recall. Steve Allain at Honda of Covington reported to me that the vehicle would not re-start if turned off. The leadership a…”
“Honda of Covington , Honda Corporate, Louisiana Secretary of State, St Tammany Parrish court system and Trey Lape (attorney for Honda of Corporate has bullied / discriminated and harassed the owner of this vehicle. The owner of this vehicle reported electrica…”
Official recalls
Safety recalls on record
Federal recall campaigns — the defect, the risk, and the fix. Confirm any open recall was completed before you buy.
Honda Civic — 38 recalls
The defect: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Civic, 2020-2023 Ridgeline, 2021-2023 Passport, 2021-2022 Pilot, and 2020 Acura MDX vehicles. The tie rod fastener that connects the brake booster and the brake master cylinder may have been improperly assembled during manufacturing, w…
The risk: Brake master cylinder separation can cause a loss of brake function and increase the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will inspect and repair the brake booster assembly as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 7, 2023. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall ar…
The defect: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Pilot, Accord, Civic sedan, HR-V, Odyssey, 2020 Civic coupe, Fit, 2021-2022 Civic hatchback, 2021 Civic Type R, Insight, 2020-2021 CR-V, CR-V Hybrid, Passport, Ridgeline, Accord Hybrid, 2020 Acura MDX, 2022 Acura MDX, 2020-2022 Acura R…
The risk: An air bag that deploys unintentionally during a crash can increase the risk of injury.
The fix: Dealers will replace the seat weight sensors, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 28, 2024, October 18, 2024, and August 2025. This is a phased recall. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. H…
The defect: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2013-2023 Honda Accord, Civic Coupe, Civic Sedan, Civic Hatchback, Civic Type R, CR-V, HR-V, Ridgeline, Odyssey, Acura ILX, MDX, MDX Hybrid, RDX, RLX, TLX, 2019-2022 Honda Insight, Passport, 2020 Honda CR-V Hybrid, 2018-2019 Honda Clarity PHEV,…
The risk: Fuel pump failure can cause an engine stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will replace the fuel pump module, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed September 6, 2024. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are KGC and KGD. This recall is an expansi…
The defect: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2018-2021, 2023 Acura TLX, 2019-2024 RDX, 2017-2020, 2022-2026 MDX, 2017-2021, 2023, 2025 Honda Ridgeline, 2017-2022 Pilot, 2019-2021 Passport, 2018-2026 Odyssey, 2019-2022 Insight, 2019-2021 HR-V, 2018-2020 Fit, 2020-2022 CR-V Hybrid, 2017-2022…
The risk: Air bags that deploy unintentionally during a crash increase the risk of injury.
The fix: Dealers will replace the seat weight sensors, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed July 6, 2026. Owners may contact Honda's customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are BOL, WO9, O…
Honda FIT — 14 recalls
The defect: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2018-2020 Fit and 2019-2022 HR-V vehicles. The rearview camera image may not display when the engine is started with a key, due to a design error in the audio display power circuit. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of…
The risk: An inoperative rearview camera display can reduce the driver's rear visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will update the display audio unit software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 13, 2023. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's number for this recall is 6DW. This recall has…
The defect: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2013-2023 Honda Accord, Civic Coupe, Civic Sedan, Civic Hatchback, Civic Type R, CR-V, HR-V, Ridgeline, Odyssey, Acura ILX, MDX, MDX Hybrid, RDX, RLX, TLX, 2019-2022 Honda Insight, Passport, 2020 Honda CR-V Hybrid, 2018-2019 Honda Clarity PHEV,…
The risk: Fuel pump failure can cause an engine stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will replace the fuel pump module, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed September 6, 2024. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are KGC and KGD. This recall is an expansi…
The defect: Honda (America Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2018-2020 Fit and 2019-2022 HR-V vehicles that were previously recalled under NHTSA recall number 23V-046. The rearview camera image may not display when the engine is started with a key, due to a design error in the audio display power circuit.…
The risk: An inoperative rearview camera display can reduce the driver's rear visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will update the display audio unit software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 8, 2024. Owners may contact Honda service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are TIQ and DIR. Vehicles previou…
The defect: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2018-2021, 2023 Acura TLX, 2019-2024 RDX, 2017-2020, 2022-2026 MDX, 2017-2021, 2023, 2025 Honda Ridgeline, 2017-2022 Pilot, 2019-2021 Passport, 2018-2026 Odyssey, 2019-2022 Insight, 2019-2021 HR-V, 2018-2020 Fit, 2020-2022 CR-V Hybrid, 2017-2022…
The risk: Air bags that deploy unintentionally during a crash increase the risk of injury.
The fix: Dealers will replace the seat weight sensors, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed July 6, 2026. Owners may contact Honda's customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are BOL, WO9, O…
Buyer analysis
Honda Civic or Honda FIT: which should you buy?
The Honda Fit has far fewer complaints per year (32 vs 367.5) and no reported deaths, making it the more reliable choice statistically. However, its fuel system and electrical issues can render the car undrivable, while the Civic's steering and braking problems are more frequent but often less severe. In practice, the Fit offers lower risk of a major incident but higher risk of being stranded.
Key differences
- Civic has 367.5 complaints/year vs Fit's 32/year, a 10x difference.
- Civic's steering failures (1891 complaints) are its dominant issue, while Fit's top issue is electrical (97 complaints).
- Civic has 199 crash-related complaints and 1 death; Fit has 14 crash-related and 0 deaths.
- Civic's forward collision avoidance can phantom brake or fail to brake; Fit's fuel system can cause stalling.
- Test the steering at highway speeds for sticking or heavy feel, indicating EPS motor failure.
- Check for A/C refrigerant leaks and water leaks from the hatch, common on newer models.
- Verify that all fuel pump recalls have been performed and the car restarts reliably after being turned off.
- Inspect the paint on white models for peeling on the roof and panels, which can lead to rust.
Before you buy
- For Civic: Test drive at highway speeds and check for steering stickiness or unusual effort.
- For Civic: Ask about any EPS or steering rack replacements in service history.
- For Fit: Confirm fuel pump recall completion and that the car restarts without issue.
- For Fit: Check for engine misfire codes and carbon buildup service records.
- For both: Review NHTSA recall history and ensure all open recalls are addressed.
Year by year
Which model years to avoid
Complaints per model year for both vehicles — lower is better. The spikes are the years to scrutinize.
| Year | Honda Civic | Honda FIT |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 18 | 0 |
| 2025 | 82 | 0 |
| 2024 | 256 | 0 |
| 2023 | 572 | 0 |
| 2022 | 874 | 0 |
| 2021 | 131 | 0 |
| 2020 | 213 | 34 |
| 2019 | 355 | 132 |
| 2018 | 603 | 112 |
| 2017 | 571 | 42 |
Check the actual car
Comparing models is smart. Checking the VIN is essential.
Brand averages tell you the trend. A VIN check tells you what's wrong with the specific Honda Civic or Honda FIT in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- Honda Civic vs Honda FIT
- Honda Civic total complaints
- 3,675
- Honda FIT total complaints
- 320
- Honda Civic total recalls
- 38
- Honda FIT total recalls
- 14
- Honda Civic avg complaints/year
- 367.5
- Honda FIT avg complaints/year
- 32.0
- More reliable overall
- Honda FIT
- Honda Civic top complaint area
- STEERING
- Honda FIT top complaint area
- ELECTRICAL SYSTEM