NHTSA data as of Sep 17, 2026Published Oct 15, 2026
According to our reliability score system, the best Honda Civic years to buy are the 2000, 2009 to 2015 and 2020. The 2013 scores highest, at 89 out of 100.
No Civic year rates Avoid, but the 2001, 2022 and 2023 need a careful look. Owners of the 2001 most often report the transmission, mostly losing drive. On the 2022 and 2023, the main complaint is the steering, mostly sticking or stiffness.
If you want a newer Civic, look at the 2016 to 2021 and 2024, which rate Good or Excellent. Be careful with the 2022 and 2023. The 2025 and 2026 are too new for a final score.
For an older Civic, made before 2016, the 2000, 2002 to 2005 and 2007 to 2015 rate Good or Excellent. The 2001 and 2006 are the ones to check closely.
No Civic year falls in this band.
Not rated yet: 2025, 2026, too new for a final score.
Nine Civic years rate Excellent, scoring 80 or higher. The 2013 leads with 89.
9th generation
Where the 329 complaints are
9th generation
Where the 296 complaints are
9th generation
Where the 393 complaints are
9th generation
Where the 472 complaints are
6th generation
Where the 287 complaints are
8th generation
Where the 428 complaints are
8th generation
Where the 412 complaints are
8th generation
Where the 171 complaints are
10th generation
Where the 230 complaints are
Also rated Good: 2002–2005, 2007–2008, 2016–2019, 2021, 2024.
No Civic year rates Avoid. These four rate Caution, the lowest scores of all Civic years.
7th generation
Where the 1,079 complaints are
Honda extended coverage for some of these cars (06-009). Check the VIN with a dealer.
Full 2001 report →8th generation
Where the 1,464 complaints are
Honda extended coverage for some of these cars (12-049, 14-034, 14-058). Check the VIN with a dealer.
Full 2006 report →11th generation
Where the 957 complaints are
11th generation
Where the 328 complaints are
A final score needs 36 months of complaints. Until then we show what we know, and a provisional reading once there is enough data.
Provisional score 75 (likely 71 to 78), in the better third of 2025 models so far. Final score at 36 months.
Same generation as the 2024, which scored 76 (Good).
What we know so far →28 complaints and 1 recall so far. First provisional score expected around July 2027.
Same generation as the 2024, which scored 76 (Good).
What we know so far →All model years, newest first. Tap a year for its full report, with the problems owners report, recalls, Honda programs and crash ratings.
| Year | Generation | Rating | Score | Vs average | Complaints | Per 10k cars | Recalls | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 11th generation | Too new | – | – | 28 | 1.6 | 1 | Report |
| 2025 | 11th generation | Provisional 75 | – | – | 94 | 3.5 | 2 | Report |
| 2024 | 11th generation | Good | 76 | 0.60× | 140 | 4.7 | 3 | Report |
| 2023 | 11th generation | Caution | 67 | 1.5× | 328 | 20.1 | 5 | Report |
| 2022 | 11th generation(first year) | Caution | 64 | 2.5× | 957 | 43.7 | 4 | Report |
| 2021 | 10th generation | Good | 78 | 0.41× | 157 | 8.1 | 4 | Report |
| 2020 | 10th generation | Excellent | 82 | 0.38× | 230 | 7.6 | 5 | Report |
| 2019 | 10th generation | Good | 78 | 0.49× | 445 | 11.4 | 4 | Report |
| 2018 | 10th generation | Good | 72 | 0.64× | 748 | 19.0 | 6 | Report |
| 2017 | 10th generation | Good | 79 | 0.42× | 597 | 14.7 | 6 | Report |
| 2016 | 10th generation(first year) | Good | 71 | 0.77× | 1,081 | 29.5 | 5 | Report |
| 2015 | 9th generation | Excellent | 84 | 0.38× | 393 | 10.8 | 1 | Report |
| 2014 | 9th generation | Excellent | 85 | 0.33× | 296 | 10.6 | 2 | Report |
| 2013 | 9th generation | Excellent | 89 | 0.21× | 329 | 8.2 | 0 | Report |
| 2012 | 9th generation(first year) | Excellent | 84 | 0.27× | 472 | 9.7 | 4 | Report |
| 2011 | 8th generation | Excellent | 82 | 0.29× | 171 | 10.5 | 9 | Report |
| 2010 | 8th generation | Excellent | 82 | 0.30× | 412 | 13.7 | 8 | Report |
| 2009 | 8th generation | Excellent | 83 | 0.32× | 428 | 13.3 | 8 | Report |
| 2008 | 8th generation | Good | 73 | 0.61× | 988 | 24.7 | 7 | Report |
| 2007 | 8th generation | Good | 72 | 0.82× | 1,278 | 35.0 | 10 | Report |
| 2006 | 8th generation(first year) | Caution | 68 | 1.1× | 1,464 | 41.1 | 15 | Report |
| 2005 | 7th generation | Good | 78 | 0.37× | 364 | 11.5 | 10 | Report |
| 2004 | 7th generation | Good | 79 | 0.37× | 386 | 12.0 | 10 | Report |
| 2003 | 7th generation | Good | 74 | 0.56× | 551 | 17.0 | 11 | Report |
| 2002 | 7th generation | Good | 72 | 0.66× | 705 | 20.1 | 11 | Report |
| 2001 | 7th generation(first year) | Caution | 66 | 1.1× | 1,079 | 30.1 | 14 | Report |
| 2000 | 6th generation | Excellent | 84 | 0.27× | 287 | 7.8 | 6 | Report |
Vs average: how this year's complaint rate compares with the average car of the same age. 1× is average, 2× is twice as many. Per 10k cars: complaints so far for every 10,000 cars Honda made for the U.S. that model year. The complaint count also includes owners who wrote in only about a recall notice, with no problem to report. The score leaves those out. Generations follow Honda's own model history.
Across its model years, the Civic has had 64 recalls. Honda also extended the warranty on 10 known problems that were not safety recalls. If the car you are looking at qualifies, those repairs may be free.
A/C condenser leaks
Honda 19-091 · 2016–2021 Civic
A/C condenser leaks
Honda 21-014 · 2017–2021 Civic
Engine oil diluted by fuel, misfire and engine damage
Honda 19-033 · 2016–2018 Civic
Hybrid motor power inverter
Honda 20-030 · 2012–2015 Civic
Paint cracking, chalking or clouding
Honda 14-034 · 2006–2013 Civic
Hood and front fender paint cracking
Honda 12-049 · 2006–2011 Civic
Hybrid (IMA) battery
Honda 15-006 · 2009–2011 Civic
Electric power steering (heavy steering, warning light)
Honda 14-058 · 2006–2009 Civic
Every complaint filed with NHTSA for the model year, plus its recalls. Recall-notice filings with no fault are left out.
A popular car gets more complaints just because there are more of them. We divide by the number Honda made for that model year and compare with the average car of the same age.
70 is average. Twice the average rate of complaints costs 10 points, half the rate adds 10. Serious problems count more than everyday ones.