Head-to-head reliability
Honda Civic vs Honda Odyssey
How the Honda Civic and Honda Odyssey 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 Odyssey: The Civic averages 371 complaints per year, with steering issues dominating, while the Odyssey averages 215, with electrical and forward collision problems. The Civic has 38 recalls, the Odyssey 9. Unexpected braking is a key concern in the Odyssey. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the Honda Civic or Honda Odyssey more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
Honda Civic
The Honda Civic, over the past decade, has logged a high volume of complaints, averaging about 371 per year, with steering issues dominating the reports. Owners frequently describe the electric power steering motor failing, causing the wheel to feel sticky or require extra effort, and in some cases, the entire steering rack had to be replaced. Beyond steering, there are notable complaints about the electrical system, including battery and sensor problems, and the forward collision avoidance system occasionally triggering unexpected braking. While the Civic remains a popular compact car, these patterns suggest that buyers should be prepared for potential steering and electronic gremlins as the vehicle ages.
Honda Odyssey
The Honda Odyssey, with an average of about 215 complaints per year, shows a different reliability profile, with electrical system issues being the most common. Owners report problems like the Auto Idle Stop causing the engine to shut down unexpectedly and the vehicle shifting into Park, as well as infotainment glitches when using CarPlay with the rear entertainment system. The forward collision avoidance system also has a tendency to slam on the brakes without an obstacle, and there are engine-related complaints, including a strong fuel odor in the cabin and premature ignition coil failures. While the Odyssey has fewer complaints overall, the nature of these issues—especially the unexpected braking—could be concerning for families.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | Honda Civic | Honda Odyssey |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 3,707 | 2,146 Better |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 38 | 9 Better |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 203 | 32 Better |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 370.7 | 214.6 Better |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 142 | 90 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
- 01STEERING1,909
- 02UNKNOWN OR OTHER495
- 03ELECTRICAL SYSTEM326
- 04FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE255
- 05FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM215
The most reported issue is with the electric power steering motor, which can fail, causing the steering wheel to feel sticky or require more effort, especially at highway speeds. Some owners have had to replace the entire steering rack, which is a costly repair.
Owners report battery failures, repeated spark plug replacements, and issues with sensors like the MAF sensor. These electrical gremlins can lead to starting problems and poor engine performance, and they often require multiple visits to the shop.
The automatic emergency braking can activate unexpectedly, even when no obstacle is present, causing the car to stop suddenly or swerve. This can be dangerous, especially on highways, and may lead to rear-end collisions.
“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 Odyssey
- 01ELECTRICAL SYSTEM681
- 02FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE468
- 03ENGINE440
- 04UNKNOWN OR OTHER371
- 05LANE DEPARTURE287
The Auto Idle Stop system can malfunction, causing the engine to shut down and the vehicle to shift into Park unexpectedly. Additionally, the infotainment system may crash or restart when using CarPlay with the rear entertainment system, which can be distracting.
The collision mitigation braking system (CMBS) can slam on the brakes without any obstacle, which is alarming and could cause a rear-end collision. Owners describe this as a design flaw in the 'smart' safety features.
There are reports of a strong exhaust/fuel odor in the cabin, which can cause dizziness and nausea, and premature failure of ignition coils and spark plugs, leading to acceleration issues and check engine lights.
“My 2026 Honda Odyssey was stopped at a traffic light with Auto Idle Stop engaged. When traffic was ready to move, the engine appeared to restart for about half a second and then shut down. The vehicle then shifted itself into Park and would not resume normal…”
“I own a 2026 Honda Odyssey Elite equipped with the factory rear entertainment system and Apple CarPlay. When using Apple CarPlay navigation (Apple Maps, Google Maps, or Waze) while passengers are watching a movie on the factory rear entertainment system, ever…”
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. This is a phased recall. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for these recalls ar…
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 were mailed July 7, 2026. Owners may contact Honda's customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are BOL, WO9, OOA, WOM, XOH,…
Honda Odyssey — 9 recalls
The defect: Vantage Mobility, LLC (VM) is recalling certain 2021-2026 Honda Odyssey, 2021-2025 Chrysler Pacifica, and Toyota Sienna vehicles equipped with QRT-Deluxe and QRT-Max wheelchair restraints. The retractors may not lock, preventing the wheelchair from being properly secured.
The risk: An unsecured wheelchair can move during transit, increasing the risk of injury.
The fix: Dealers will inspect and replace the retractors, free of charge. Owner notification letters was mailed January 27, 2026. Owners may contact Vantage Mobility customer service at 1-800-488-9082.
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 were mailed July 7, 2026. Owners may contact Honda's customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are BOL, WO9, OOA, WOM, XOH,…
The defect: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2011-2017 Honda Odyssey vehicles. The second row outboard seats can slide sideways to one of two positions. If a seat is placed between either of the two positions when attaching the seat to the vehicle floor, the seat will not latch properly to…
The risk: If the seat tips forward during braking, it can increase the risk of injury.
The fix: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will install a bracket to the second row outboard floor strikers, free of charge. The recall began April 2, 2018. Owners may contact American Honda Customer Support & Campaign Center at 1-888-234-2138.…
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…
Buyer analysis
Honda Civic or Honda Odyssey: which should you buy?
The Honda Odyssey has fewer complaints per year (about 215) compared to the Honda Civic (about 371), indicating a lower frequency of reported issues. However, the Odyssey's problems, such as unexpected braking and engine shutdowns, may be more safety-critical. In practice, the Civic's steering issues are more common but perhaps less immediately dangerous, while the Odyssey's electronic gremlins could be more alarming.
Key differences
- The Civic has a much higher complaint rate, with steering failures being the top issue, while the Odyssey's top issue is electrical system malfunctions.
- The Odyssey has more complaints about forward collision avoidance and lane departure systems, which can cause sudden braking, whereas the Civic's forward collision issues are also present but less frequent.
- The Civic has had 38 recalls over 10 years, compared to 9 for the Odyssey, indicating more widespread manufacturing issues.
- The Odyssey has zero reported deaths, while the Civic has one, but both have similar injury counts relative to complaints.
- Test the steering at various speeds for any stickiness or unusual resistance, as power steering motor failure is common.
- Check the battery and charging system, and ask about any recent replacements of spark plugs or sensors, as electrical issues are frequent.
- During a test drive, try the Auto Idle Stop feature and see if the engine restarts smoothly; also, check for any warning lights related to the engine or electrical system.
- Ask about any history of unexpected braking incidents, and test the forward collision warning system in a safe area to ensure it doesn't activate without reason.
Before you buy
- Obtain a vehicle history report to see if recalls have been addressed, especially for the Civic's steering and airbag recalls.
- Have a mechanic inspect the steering system on the Civic, including the EPS motor and rack, for any signs of wear or failure.
- For the Odyssey, check the battery and charging system, and ask about any software updates for the infotainment and safety systems.
- Test drive both vehicles on the highway to feel for steering issues and to see if the forward collision system behaves properly.
- Ask for maintenance records, particularly for spark plug and ignition coil replacements on the Odyssey, and battery replacements on the Civic.
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 Odyssey |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 25 | 24 |
| 2025 | 86 | 302 |
| 2024 | 258 | 86 |
| 2023 | 577 | 93 |
| 2022 | 878 | 128 |
| 2021 | 139 | 132 |
| 2020 | 219 | 445 |
| 2019 | 348 | 897 |
| 2018 | 598 | 0 |
| 2017 | 579 | 39 |
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 Odyssey in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- Honda Civic vs Honda Odyssey
- Honda Civic total complaints
- 3,707
- Honda Odyssey total complaints
- 2,146
- Honda Civic total recalls
- 38
- Honda Odyssey total recalls
- 9
- Honda Civic avg complaints/year
- 370.7
- Honda Odyssey avg complaints/year
- 214.6
- More reliable overall
- Honda Odyssey
- Honda Civic top complaint area
- STEERING
- Honda Odyssey top complaint area
- ELECTRICAL SYSTEM