2000 Honda Civic Reliability Report
NHTSA data as of Sep 17, 2026Published Oct 15, 2026
Ranks 5th of 25 Civic years we score.
- Owner complaints
- 287
- 21 are recall notices
- Per 10,000 cars
- 7.8
- 341,321 made for the U.S.
- Vs the average car
- 0.27×
- same age, 1× is average
- Serious outcomes
- 121
- crash, fire, injury, stall or tow
- Recalls
- 6
- NHTSA crash rating
- Not rated
- no overall rating before 2011
Should You Buy the 2000 Honda Civic?
Yes. Our reliability score for the 2000 Honda Civic is 84 out of 100, which rates Excellent. Owners reported about a third as many problems as for the average car of the same age. It ranks 5th of the 25 Civic years we score.
The most reported problem is frontal airbags, mostly no deployment in a crash (42 of 287 complaints). Owners also complain about tires and the transmission. 121 of the 287 complaints describe a serious outcome, such as a crash, a fire, an injury or stalling while driving.
It has 6 recalls.
Before you buy, check that the recalls were done and get an independent inspection. The full checklist is at the end of this page.
Pros
- Excellent reliability score of 84
- About a third of the problems of the average car its age
- No do-not-drive or park-outside recalls
Cons
- Frontal airbags: no deployment in a crash42 complaints
- Tires: parts breaking or coming apart25 complaints
- Transmission: failure or loss of drive20 complaints
How the 2000 Civic Earned Its Score
Every model year starts at 100. Each part takes points away when this year has more problems than the average car of the same age. How we score
| Item | Vs average | Points lost |
|---|---|---|
| Starting score | 100 | |
| Serious problems | 0.30× | −7 |
| Everyday problems | 0.21× | −2 |
| Recalls | 1.5× | −7 |
| Score | 84 |
What Owners Report
We read all 287 complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2000 Honda Civic, one by one, and grouped them by the problem they describe. The most reported problems come first.
Frontal airbags: no deployment in a crash
42 complaints (15%)
No deployment in a crash, shattering or cracking and deployment with no crash. 3 of these 42 complaints describe a serious outcome, most often an airbag problem. Median mileage when it started: about 54,000 miles.
Tires: parts breaking or coming apart
25 complaints (9%)
Parts breaking or coming apart and damage. 15 of these 25 complaints describe a serious outcome, most often a crash. Median mileage when it started: about 28,000 miles.
Transmission: failure or loss of drive
20 complaints (7%)
Failure or loss of drive, harsh or delayed shifts and slipping. 12 of these 20 complaints describe a serious outcome, most often stalling or losing power while driving. Median mileage when it started: about 39,000 miles.
Stall (cause not stated)
18 complaints (6%)
Stalling and hesitation. 13 of these 18 complaints describe a serious outcome, most often stalling or losing power while driving. In 5 complaints, the dealer could not find or fix the problem. Median mileage when it started: about 98,000 miles.
Airbags: no deployment in a crash
15 complaints (5%)
No deployment in a crash, a failure and deployment with no crash. 4 of these 15 complaints describe a serious outcome, most often a crash. Median mileage when it started: about 118,000 miles.
Seat belts: not closing or latching
14 complaints (5%)
Not closing or latching, a failure and sticking or stiffness. 1 of these 14 complaints describes a serious outcome: an injury. Median mileage when it started: about 69,000 miles.
Brakes: loss of braking
13 complaints (5%)
Loss of braking, damage and early wear. 5 of these 13 complaints describe a serious outcome, most often loss of braking. In 4 complaints, the problem came back after a repair. Median mileage when it started: about 64,000 miles.
Exhaust manifold: shattering or cracking
13 complaints (5%)
Shattering or cracking and a failure that needed a new part. 2 of these 13 complaints describe a serious outcome, most often an injury. Median mileage when it started: about 126,000 miles.
Engine: stalling
11 complaints (4%)
Stalling, unusual noises and rust or corrosion. 6 of these 11 complaints describe a serious outcome, most often stalling or losing power while driving. Median mileage when it started: about 50,000 miles.
Unintended acceleration (cause not stated)
11 complaints (4%)
Sudden acceleration. 10 of these 11 complaints describe a serious outcome, most often sudden acceleration or braking. Median mileage when it started: about 59,000 miles.
Oxygen sensor failure
9 complaints (3%)
A failure that needed a new part, a stored fault code and warning lights. Median mileage when it started: about 82,000 miles.
Car not starting (cause not stated)
9 complaints (3%)
The car not starting and hard starting. 5 of these 9 complaints describe a serious outcome, most often a car that would not start.
Ignition or push-button start: stalling
8 complaints (3%)
Stalling, sticking or stiffness and not releasing. 4 of these 8 complaints describe a serious outcome, most often stalling or losing power while driving. Median mileage when it started: about 130,000 miles.
Exhaust or catalytic converter failure
7 complaints (2%)
A failure that needed a new part, unusual noises and shattering or cracking. In 3 complaints, the problem came back after a repair. Median mileage when it started: about 94,000 miles.
Headlights: stopped working
6 complaints (2%)
A feature that stopped working, a fire and uneven illumination. 1 of these 6 complaints describes a serious outcome: a fire. Median mileage when it started: about 140,000 miles.
Show 26 more problems
Steering: pulling or wandering
6 complaints (2%)
Pulling or wandering, sticking or stiffness and a leak. 1 of these 6 complaints describes a serious outcome: a crash.
Manual transmission or clutch: unusual noises
5 complaints (2%)
Unusual noises, harsh or delayed shifts and the car rolling away. 1 of these 5 complaints describes a serious outcome: a crash.
Airbag warning light
4 complaints (1%)
Warning lights. Median mileage when it started: about 35,000 miles.
Check engine light (cause not stated)
4 complaints (1%)
Warning lights, a feature that stopped working and a stored fault code.
Instrument cluster: wrong readings
4 complaints (1%)
Wrong readings, a feature that stopped working and problems that come and go.
Cruise control: stopped working
4 complaints (1%)
A feature that stopped working, surging and a failure. 1 of these 4 complaints describes a serious outcome: sudden acceleration or braking.
Power windows or regulator failure
4 complaints (1%)
A failure that needed a new part, a feature that stopped working and parts breaking or coming apart. Median mileage when it started: about 66,000 miles.
Seats: damage
4 complaints (1%)
Damage and not closing or latching.
Shifter or park: sticking or stiffness
4 complaints (1%)
Sticking or stiffness, parts breaking or coming apart and the system acting on its own.
A/C compressor: parts breaking or coming apart
3 complaints (1%)
Parts breaking or coming apart and locking up. Median mileage when it started: about 53,000 miles.
ABS: the system acting on its own
3 complaints (1%)
The system acting on its own, locking up and warning lights. 2 of these 3 complaints describe a serious outcome, most often loss of braking.
Frame or structure: parts breaking or coming apart
3 complaints (1%)
Parts breaking or coming apart, rust or corrosion and shattering or cracking. 1 of these 3 complaints describes a serious outcome.
Loss of power (cause not stated)
3 complaints (1%)
A loss of power and failure or loss of drive. 1 of these 3 complaints describes a serious outcome: stalling or losing power while driving. Median mileage when it started: about 27,000 miles.
Wheel rim: damage
3 complaints (1%)
Damage.
Wiring, fuses or body control module: damage
3 complaints (1%)
Damage. Median mileage when it started: about 116,000 miles.
Cooling system failure
2 complaints (under 1%)
A failure that needed a new part and smoke or a burning smell.
Cylinder head gasket: a leak
2 complaints (under 1%)
A leak and a failure. 1 of these 2 complaints describes a serious outcome.
Door latches: not opening or unlocking
2 complaints (under 1%)
Not opening or unlocking and a failure.
CV axles: damage
2 complaints (under 1%)
Damage and parts breaking or coming apart.
Engine oil leak
2 complaints (under 1%)
A leak.
Fuel economy: high fuel use
2 complaints (under 1%)
High fuel use.
Noise (cause not stated)
2 complaints (under 1%)
Unusual noises.
Suspension: unusual noises
2 complaints (under 1%)
Unusual noises.
Tire valve: a leak
2 complaints (under 1%)
A leak and a failure that needed a new part.
Door lock actuators: stopped working
2 complaints (under 1%)
A feature that stopped working and problems that come and go.
Valve train: fault code
2 complaints (under 1%)
A stored fault code and rough running or misfires.
Reported Once (37)
Show the 37 problems reported once
- 12V battery failure
- A/C failure
- Uneven tire wear: early wear
- Cabin odor or mold: a bad smell
- Coil spring: sticking or stiffness
- Engine air intake: shattering or cracking
- Engine failure: failure or loss of drive
- Engine overheating
- Engine sensors or computer: stalling
- Exterior trim: parts breaking or coming apart
- Fuel injector: a leak
- Fumes in cabin (cause not stated)
- Heater: unusual noises
- Horn: stopped working
- Ignition or power mode (won't shut off): not shutting off
- Ignition coils or spark plugs failure
- Screen and audio: stopped working
- A/C receiver or drier failure
- PCV valve failure
- Accelerator pedal: sticking or stiffness
- Accessory drive belts: parts breaking or coming apart
- Cruise control (non-adaptive): sudden acceleration
- Door or hinges: sticking or stiffness
- Exhaust heat shield or fastener: parts breaking or coming apart
- Fire (cause not stated)
- Radio antenna: parts breaking or coming apart
- Smoke (cause not stated)
- Stuck pedal (accelerator or brake) (cause not stated)
- Throttle linkage: sudden acceleration
- Trunk lid support failure
- Wheel lug nuts: overheating
- Parking brake: damage
- Starter: a fire
- Torque converter: fault code
- Unexplained crash (cause not stated)
- Vibration (cause not stated)
- Windshield wipers: stopped working
How the 2000 Honda Civic Compares With Other Years
The other Civic years of the 6th generation, 2000, and the years just before and after it. When two scores are less than 3.5 points apart, treat them as about the same.
| Year | Rating | Score | Vs average | Per 10k cars | Recalls | Most reported problem |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2001 | Caution | 66 | 1.1× | 30.1 | 14 | Transmission: failure or loss of drive |
| 2000 This year | Excellent | 84 | 0.27× | 7.8 | 6 | Frontal airbags: no deployment in a crash |
2000 Honda Civic Recalls
A recall can cover some or all cars of this model year. Look up a specific car by its VIN at NHTSA to see which recalls are still open on it.
Air bags: inflator module
In the event of a crash necessitating air bag deployment, an inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants. An underinflated air bag cushion may not properly protect the occupant.
NHTSA 20V026000Recall report (PDF)Owner letter (PDF)Issued Jan 17, 2020. By the third quarter of 2022, 4% of the cars in this recall had been fixed.
Air bags: inflator module
In the event of a crash necessitating air bag deployment, an inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants. An underinflated air bag cushion may not properly protect the occupant.
NHTSA 20V027000Recall report (PDF)Owner letter (PDF)Issued Jan 17, 2020. By the third quarter of 2022, 8% of the cars in this recall had been fixed.
Fuel system, other: tank assembly
This could result in a tank rupture, explosion, and ejection of the tank from the vehicle.
NHTSA 07V512000Owner letter (PDF)Issued Nov 1, 2007.
Electrical system: switch
Worn contacts could cause the engine to stall without warning, increasing the risk of a crash.
NHTSA 02V120000Issued May 16, 2002.
Seat belts: buckle assembly
The rear seat belts will work properly and provide protection in a crash, but the owner may experience difficulty unfastening the belt after the crash.
NHTSA 02V051000Issued Feb 8, 2002.
Seat belts: buckle assembly
The rear seat belts will work properly and provide protection in a crash, but the owner may experience difficulty unfastening the belt after the crash.
NHTSA 01V380000Issued Dec 13, 2001.
NHTSA Crash Test Ratings
NHTSA gave the 2000 Civic no overall, frontal or side rating. It did rate each seat in those tests and lists the seat ratings under Rating Breakdown on its page. We show them the same way below. These tests are from before 2011, so the stars are not comparable with ratings for 2011 and newer models. See the 2000 Civic ratings on NHTSA.gov.
4-door
2-door
Check Before You Buy
A checklist for the 2000 Civic, from its recalls, Honda's programs and the problems owners report most.
Confirm the Recalls Were Done
Ask the seller for proof that each of these recalls was repaired.
- Air bags: inflator module NHTSA 20V026000
- Air bags: inflator module NHTSA 20V027000
- Fuel system, other: tank assembly NHTSA 07V512000
- Electrical system: switch NHTSA 02V120000
- Seat belts: buckle assembly NHTSA 02V051000
- Look up the VIN at NHTSA to see all 6 recalls and which are still open.
On the Test Drive
- Confirm every airbag recall on this VIN has been repaired before you buy.
- Look for uneven tire wear and listen for clunks or humming that changes with speed.
- Accelerate gently from a stop and again at 20 to 40 mph. Shudder, slipping or harsh shifts are warning signs. Ask for the transmission fluid records.
Ask the Seller
Ask whether any of these were ever repaired, and ask to see the receipts.
- Frontal airbags
- Tires
- Transmission
- Also ask for the service records, especially oil changes and transmission fluid changes.
Before You Pay
- Get an independent pre-purchase inspection from a mechanic you choose.
- Decode the VIN to confirm the model year, engine and trim.
- Check the title for salvage, flood or rebuilt branding.
What to do next