Head-to-head reliability
Honda Civic vs Toyota Corolla
How the Honda Civic and Toyota Corolla 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 Toyota Corolla: The Civic has 3,744 complaints over 10 years, with steering issues dominating, while the Corolla has 1,319, with engine and airbag problems. The Civic also has 38 recalls, the Corolla 24. Both have safety concerns, but the Corolla's fewer complaints may mask more severe defects. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the Honda Civic or Toyota Corolla 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 drawn a high volume of complaints, averaging over 370 per year, with steering issues dominating the reports. Owners describe electric power steering failures that make the wheel stick or require excessive force, sometimes leading to full steering rack replacements. Beyond steering, there are notable reports of electrical system problems, including battery and sensor failures, as well as forward collision avoidance systems that can brake unexpectedly. While these issues don't necessarily make the car unreliable in every case, they point to areas that need careful inspection before purchase.
Toyota Corolla
The Toyota Corolla has a lower complaint rate, averaging about 132 per year, but its issues are spread across several systems. Engine problems, such as stalling or sudden loss of power, are a significant concern, along with airbag system malfunctions where bags fail to deploy in crashes. Owners also report transmission hesitation and a general lack of labeling on the hybrid transmission, which complicates maintenance. While the Corolla has fewer complaints overall, the nature of some issues—like engine stalling and airbag non-deployment—raises serious safety questions.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | Honda Civic | Toyota Corolla |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 3,744 | 1,319 Better |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 38 | 24 Better |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 206 | 182 Better |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 374.4 | 131.9 Better |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 143 Better | 150 |
| Reported deathsTied to owner complaints | 1 Better | 4 |
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
- 01STEERING1,922
- 02UNKNOWN OR OTHER507
- 03ELECTRICAL SYSTEM333
- 04FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE257
- 05FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM215
Owners report the electric power steering motor failing, causing the wheel to stick or require extra effort, especially at highway speeds. Some have needed complete steering rack replacements, which is a costly repair.
Battery failures are common, with some owners replacing batteries multiple times. There are also reports of issues with the PCV valve, MAF sensor, and spark plugs, leading to repeated maintenance visits.
The automatic braking system can activate unexpectedly, slamming on the brakes when no obstacle is present, which can cause loss of control or rear-end collisions. This is a serious safety concern.
Air conditioning systems fail due to refrigerant leaks in the compressor shaft seal, condenser, and evaporator core. Infotainment systems also malfunction, causing restarts and overheating when using navigation with a wired phone.
“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…”
Toyota Corolla
- 01UNKNOWN OR OTHER260
- 02ENGINE252
- 03AIR BAGS222
- 04POWER TRAIN176
- 05ELECTRICAL SYSTEM150
The engine can stall or stop suddenly, sometimes while driving, leading to a loss of power and steering assist. This has occurred multiple times for some owners, and Toyota has not always acknowledged the issue.
Airbags have failed to deploy in collisions, even when the SRS system showed a malfunction warning. This is a critical safety defect that could lead to severe injuries in an accident.
The CVT transmission can cause a noticeable delay in acceleration from a stop, which may be a safety hazard when merging or crossing traffic. The hybrid transmission is also unlabeled, making it hard to identify for service.
Dashboard reflections can severely impair visibility in certain lighting conditions, and there are reports of sudden unintended acceleration, which is a serious safety concern.
“Subject: Vehicle safety complaint — dashboard/windshield reflection severely impairing visibility on 2014 Toyota Corolla (VIN: [XXX] ) To Whom It May Concern, I am writing to report a serious safety issue with my 2014 Toyota Corolla, VIN [XXX] . Under certain…”
“Dear Better Business Bureau, I am filing a formal complaint against Toyota Motor North America regarding a serious and unresolved safety defect in my 2024 Toyota Corolla LE (VIN [XXX]). The vehicle experienced two incidents of sudden unintended acceleration—t…”
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,…
Toyota Corolla — 24 recalls
The defect: Gulf States Toyota, Inc. (GST) is recalling certain Toyota 2023 GR Supra, 2024 4 Runner, Corolla, Grand Highlander, Grand Highlander Hybrid, Land Cruiser Hybrid, Tacoma, Tacoma Hybrid, 2023-2024 BZ4X, Corolla Cross Hybrid, GR Corolla, GR86, Highlander, Highlander Hybrid, Prius, Prius Prime, Sequoia…
The risk: A vehicle with an incorrect maximum capacity weight value may be overloaded, which can increase the risk of a crash.
The fix: GST will mail new labels to owners, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 16, 2024. Owners may contact GST customer service at 1-800-444-1074. GST's number for this recall is 24R2.
The defect: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2023-2024 Corolla and Corolla Hybrid vehicles. Due to cracks developed during the manufacturing process, the steering intermediate shaft assembly may fracture and possibly result in the shaft detaching from the steering column.
The risk: A steering shaft that detaches can result in a loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will replace the intermediate steering shaft, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 17, 2025. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's number for this recall is 24TB13/24TA13.
The defect: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2023 Corolla, Corolla Cross, Corolla Cross Hybrid, Highlander, Highlander Hybrid, Tacoma, 2023 Lexus RX350, RX350 Hybrid, RX500 Hybrid, 2023-2024 Lexus NX250, NX350, and NX350 Hybrid vehicles. An electrical connection inside the…
The risk: A deactivated driver's air bag that does not deploy as intended increases the risk of injury during a crash.
The fix: Dealers will inspect and replace the spiral cable assembly, if necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 8, 2023. Owners may contact Toyota's customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's number for this re…
The defect: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2023-2024 Corolla and Corolla Hybrid vehicles. Due to cracks developed during the manufacturing process, the steering intermediate shaft assembly may fracture and possibly result in the shaft detaching from the steering column.
The risk: A steering shaft that detaches can result in a loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will replace the intermediate steering shaft, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 17, 2025. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's number for this recall is 24TB13/24TA13.
Buyer analysis
Honda Civic or Toyota Corolla: which should you buy?
The Toyota Corolla has fewer complaints per year (about 132) compared to the Honda Civic (about 374), indicating a lower rate of reported issues. However, the Corolla's complaints include more severe safety-related problems like engine stalling and airbag failures. In practice, the Civic's issues are more numerous but often less catastrophic, while the Corolla's fewer complaints may hide more dangerous defects.
Key differences
- The Civic has a much higher complaint rate, with steering issues being the most common, while the Corolla's complaints are more evenly distributed across engine, airbags, and transmission.
- Civic owners report unexpected automatic braking, which can be startling and dangerous, whereas Corolla owners report engine stalling and airbag non-deployment, which are also critical.
- The Corolla has fewer recalls (24 vs 38) and fewer total complaints, but its complaints include more severe safety incidents.
- The Civic's electrical system issues (battery, sensors) are frequent but manageable, while the Corolla's transmission hesitation and unlabeled hybrid transmission could lead to costly repairs.
- Test the steering at various speeds, especially on the highway, for any sticking or resistance, and check for any EPS warning lights.
- Inspect the battery and charging system, and ask about any recent replacements or electrical issues.
- Check for any engine stalling or hesitation, and ask about the transmission's behavior from a stop.
- Verify that the airbag system has no warning lights and review the vehicle's history for any airbag-related recalls or repairs.
Before you buy
- Obtain a vehicle history report to check for open recalls and past complaints.
- Have a mechanic inspect the steering system on the Civic, including the EPS motor and rack.
- For the Corolla, test drive at low speeds to feel for transmission delays and listen for any unusual engine noises.
- Check the airbag system on both cars by ensuring the SRS light comes on and goes off during startup.
- Review the NHTSA website for the specific VIN to see any outstanding recalls.
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 | Toyota Corolla |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 27 | 42 |
| 2025 | 89 | 31 |
| 2024 | 266 | 62 |
| 2023 | 582 | 72 |
| 2022 | 881 | 98 |
| 2021 | 142 | 185 |
| 2020 | 222 | 306 |
| 2019 | 348 | 201 |
| 2018 | 598 | 133 |
| 2017 | 589 | 189 |
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 Toyota Corolla in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- Honda Civic vs Toyota Corolla
- Honda Civic total complaints
- 3,744
- Toyota Corolla total complaints
- 1,319
- Honda Civic total recalls
- 38
- Toyota Corolla total recalls
- 24
- Honda Civic avg complaints/year
- 374.4
- Toyota Corolla avg complaints/year
- 131.9
- More reliable overall
- Toyota Corolla
- Honda Civic top complaint area
- STEERING
- Toyota Corolla top complaint area
- UNKNOWN OR OTHER