2012 HONDA CIVIC Problems
Real NHTSA owner complaints for the 2012 Honda Civic. This model year has 452 NHTSA complaints — top issue: Airbag Malfunctions.
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This page shows the model year's reputation. The VIN tells you about the specific car — accidents, title issues, odometer rollbacks, and open recalls.
Worst 2012 Honda Civic Problems
Top 3 most-reported issues with average mileage at failure.
Airbag Malfunctions
Steering Defects
Electrical Faults
Considering a 2012 Honda Civic?
This page shows the model year's reputation. The VIN tells you about this specific car — accidents, title issues, odometer fraud. Full report just $4.99 (vs. Carfax $44.99).
All Problems by Category
Every NHTSA complaint category for the 2012 Honda Civic. A single complaint may appear in multiple categories.
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Avg Mileage | Volume |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Airbag Malfunctions | 147 | 34 | — | — | |
| Steering Defects | 74 | 3 | — | — | |
| Electrical Faults | 59 | 2 | 2 | — | |
| Transmission / Drivetrain | 49 | 4 | — | — | |
| Brake System | 38 | 13 | — | — | |
| Unintended Acceleration | 38 | 9 | — | — | |
| Engine Problems | 36 | 3 | 1 | — | |
| Structural Problems | 35 | 10 | 1 | — | |
| Uncategorized Issues | 31 | 1 | 2 | — | |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 17 | — | — | — | |
| Seat Belt Issues | 14 | 5 | — | — | |
| Seat-Related Issues | 12 | — | — | — | |
| Headlight/Taillight Failures | 10 | 2 | 1 | — | |
| Wheel Issues | 10 | 1 | — | — | |
| Electronic Stability Control (Esc) | 10 | 1 | — | — | |
| Fuel System | 8 | — | 1 | — | |
| Gasoline | 8 | — | 1 | — | |
| Visibility | 7 | — | — | — | |
| Suspension Failures | 5 | 1 | — | — | |
| Hydraulic | 4 | 2 | — | — | |
| Visibility/Wiper | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Tire Issues | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Equipment Adaptive/Mobility | 3 | 2 | — | — | |
| Door Lock Issues | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Equipment | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Interior Lighting | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Parking-Brake Issues | 1 | — | — | — |
Source: NHTSA Complaints Database. Complaint counts may exceed total complaints because one report can span multiple categories.
Search Owner Complaints
Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 2012 Honda Civic. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.
Showing 400 most recent complaints of 452 total. View all on NHTSA ↗
The contact owns a 2012 Honda Civic. The contact stated that the alarm indicator sounded off intermittently without cause. The vehicle was taken to a certified mechanic, who informed the contact that the alarm was a factory-made system and then suggested pressing the key fob twic…
I purchased a vehicle from a private seller on offer up. The seller stated the vehicle was clean title, he also stated the vehicle was low mileage with 112,000. When I got the vehicle the tire sensor was showing on the dash and the air bag sensor. After purchasing the vehicle I l…
My passenger airbag light is on and stays on.
The contact owns a 2012 Honda Civic. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle hesitated or stalled while depressing the accelerator pedal. The “Check Emission Systems" message was displayed on the instrument panel. The contact then received notificatio…
Component or system failure: The vehicle experienced failures involving the engine/ignition system, emissions system, Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA), and power steering. On July 14, 2025, warning messages appeared for “Check Emissions System,” “Check VSA System,” and “Check Power…
The contact owns a 2012 Honda Civic. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, there was an abnormally strong fuel odor detected. The contact pulled over and parked the vehicle, and became aware that there was fuel leaking onto the ground. The vehicle was tak…
I have had this 2012 for a little over a year, within the past 6 months periodically the check air bag system warning lamp comes on if I make a sharp turn or move the steering wheel very fast. On the guage it says that the passenger side air bag is off..This issue just came out o…
While driving, my 2012 Honda Civic Hybrid suddenly loses power and steering ability. The vehicle stalls and the steering wheel locks up, making it impossible to safely maneuver. This has happened multiple times, including in traffic, creating a serious risk of collision. When th…
I am reporting a serious safety concern with my 2012 Honda Civic Hybrid. What component or system failed and is it available for inspection? The hybrid drive system and regenerative braking system are malfunctioning. The hybrid battery recharging system including the MPI have fa…
The contact owns a 2012 Honda Civic. The contact stated that while attempting to park the vehicle, the vehicle was turned off and the vehicle started to roll away. The vehicle was stopped, and the parking brake was engaged to stop the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to an independ…
Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2012 Honda Civic. The contact stated that before attempting to register the vehicle, it was discovered that there was a mileage discrepancy. The vehicle was a private dealer sale. At the time of purchase, the vehicle mileage was 116,000. Th…
So according to Honda Service Bulletin 20-030, all honda civic 2012-2015 hybrids having IMA Motor Power Inverter (MPI) have to fixed. I have the SAME CAR, SAME MODEL, SAME YEAR AND SAME ERROR CODES AS THE SERVICE BULLETIN AND THIS IS SUCH A SERIOUS ELECTRICAL POWER INVERTER ISSUE…
Paint defect. Paint faded and clouded on vehicle due to cheap paint used during manufacturing. I was never notified about the extended warranty. I contacted Honda and let them know, but was told the warranty ended. I financed my vehicle through American Honda for 5 years, and ser…
Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2012 Honda Civic. The contact stated that while attempting to register the vehicle, it was discovered that there was a mileage discrepancy. The vehicle was a private sale. At the time of purchase, the vehicle mileage was 119,560, and the co…
It has happened more than once since 3 years ago. If I’m running my AC in the car, when I accelerate the car will skip/jump. It’s extremely expensive to repair and the problem isn’t even getting fixed. I basically can’t run my AC if it’s hot outside
Esp code1.33-06 while driving car I suddenly lose of power steering making it difficult to control vehicle
This is a serious matter that needs to be evaluated as it is a potentially fatal safety issue for human drivers of 2012 Honda Civic. This email needs to be sent please to the Department of Transportation and the National Transportation Safety Board for evaluation of extension of …
Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2012 Honda Civic. The contact stated that while attempting to repair the vehicle, it was discovered that there was a mileage discrepancy. The vehicle was an independent dealer sale. At the time of purchase, the vehicle mileage was 71,00 and…
ABS/VSA module faulty. Upon internet research it seems to be a very common problem among owners of this vehicle.
I was 3 hrs away from home and I started my vehicle and the air bag light began flashing and beeping. The light was on the message board that indicates my speed, clock, fuel, etc. it basically is the information center for the car. I pushed the information button on the steering …
Source: NHTSA Complaints Database. Real owner reports for the 2012 Honda Civic.
Recalls for 2012 Honda Civic
3 campaignsNHTSA recall campaigns for the 2012 Honda Civic. Recalls are free to fix at any authorized dealer. Run a VIN check below to see if your specific vehicle has open recalls.
2012 Honda Civic — FAQ
Answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this specific model year.
Is the 2012 Honda Civic reliable?▾
Severe Issues. The 2012 Honda Civic has 452 NHTSA owner complaints, 55 crash-related, and 3 recall campaigns. The most reported issue is Airbag Malfunctions (147 complaints). Source: NHTSA via VinSpector AI.
What are the most common problems with the 2012 Honda Civic?▾
#1: Airbag Malfunctions (147 complaints). #2: Steering Defects (74 complaints). #3: Electrical Faults (59 complaints)
At what mileage do problems start on the 2012 Honda Civic?▾
Mileage data is not available or insufficient for this model year.
How safe is the 2012 Honda Civic?▾
The 2012 Honda Civic has 55 crash-related complaints and 5 fire reports out of 452 total NHTSA complaints. 41 injuries were reported. For NCAP lab crash test star ratings, visit nhtsa.gov/ratings.
Does the 2012 Honda Civic have any recalls?▾
Yes — 3 NHTSA recall campaigns affect the 2012 Honda Civic. The largest issue: STEERING:COLUMN. Check nhtsa.gov/recalls or run a VIN check to see if your specific vehicle has open recalls.
Should I buy a 2012 Honda Civic?▾
The 2012 Honda Civic has severe issues — review the top problems before buying. Pay particular attention to Airbag Malfunctions issues. Always run a VIN check on the specific car you're considering to check for accident history, open recalls, and title brands.
Source: NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) complaint and recall databases, aggregated by VinSpector AI.
Wider context: See the full Honda Civic reliability report with year-by-year comparison.
Check Your Specific 2012 Honda Civic
Real owner complaints tell you about the model. The VIN tells you about your specific car — accidents, title issues, odometer fraud. Full report just $4.99.