2010 Honda Civic Reliability Report

NHTSA data as of Sep 17, 2026Published Oct 15, 2026

Excellent

Ranks 7th of 25 Civic years we score.

Owner complaints: 412; 57 are recall notices
Per 10,000 cars: 13.7; 259,915 made for the U.S.
Vs the average car: 0.30×; same age, 1× is average
Serious outcomes: 82; crash, fire, injury, stall or tow
Recalls: 8
NHTSA crash rating: Not rated; no overall rating before 2011

← 2009 Civic 2011 Civic →

Should You Buy the 2010 Honda Civic?

Yes. Our reliability score for the 2010 Honda Civic is 82 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 7th of the 25 Civic years we score.

The most reported problem is the brakes, mostly early wear (84 of 412 complaints). Owners also complain about the sun visors and paint and rust. 82 of the 412 complaints describe a serious outcome, such as a crash, a fire, an injury or stalling while driving.

It has 8 recalls. Honda also offers 3 warranty extensions that may still apply, for hood and front fender paint cracking and paint cracking, chalking or clouding. For comparison, the 2009 scores 83 and the 2011 scores 82.

Before you buy, check that the recalls were done, ask a Honda dealer about warranty extension 12-049 and get an independent inspection. The full checklist is at the end of this page.

Pros

Excellent reliability score of 82
About a third of the problems of the average car its age
Recent complaints at or below average
No do-not-drive or park-outside recalls

Cons

Brakes: early wear84 complaints
Sun visor: parts breaking or coming apart63 complaints
Paint and rust: damage39 complaints

How the 2010 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

Score breakdown
Item	Vs average	Points lost
Starting score		100
Serious problems	0.22×	−3
Everyday problems	0.49×	−3
Problems in the last two years	0.31×	−4
Recalls	1.6×	−8
Score		82

What Owners Report

We read all 412 complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2010 Honda Civic, one by one, and grouped them by the problem they describe. The most reported problems come first.

Brakes: early wear
84 complaints (20%)
Early wear, unusual noises and a hard pedal or less assist. 6 of these 84 complaints describe a serious outcome, most often loss of braking. In 6 complaints, the dealer could not find or fix the problem, and in 34 it came back after a repair. Median mileage when it started: about 19,000 miles.
Sun visor: parts breaking or coming apart
63 complaints (15%)
Parts breaking or coming apart, shattering or cracking and a feature that stopped working. 2 of these 63 complaints describe a serious outcome, most often loss of visibility. In 9 complaints, the problem came back after a repair. Median mileage when it started: about 45,000 miles.
Paint and rust: damage
39 complaints (9%)
Damage and peeling paint. In 4 complaints, the problem came back after a repair. Median mileage when it started: about 65,000 miles.
Airbags: no deployment in a crash
22 complaints (5%)
No deployment in a crash, deployment with no crash and a failure that needed a new part. 4 of these 22 complaints describe a serious outcome, most often an airbag problem. Median mileage when it started: about 90,000 miles.
Steering: a leak
12 complaints (3%)
A leak, loss of steering control and pulling or wandering. 4 of these 12 complaints describe a serious outcome, most often loss of steering control. Median mileage when it started: about 41,000 miles.
Airbag warning light
9 complaints (2%)
Warning lights and a failure that needed a new part. Median mileage when it started: about 40,000 miles.
Body seals (water leak): water leaking in
9 complaints (2%)
Water leaking in, parts breaking or coming apart and shattering or cracking. Median mileage when it started: about 39,000 miles.
Tires: early wear
9 complaints (2%)
Early wear, parts breaking or coming apart and shattering or cracking. 1 of these 9 complaints describes a serious outcome: loss of steering control. Median mileage when it started: about 36,000 miles.
Unintended acceleration (cause not stated)
9 complaints (2%)
Sudden acceleration and surging. 5 of these 9 complaints describe a serious outcome, most often sudden acceleration or braking. In 5 complaints, the dealer could not find or fix the problem. Median mileage when it started: about 13,000 miles.
Uneven tire wear: early wear
7 complaints (2%)
Early wear, pulling or wandering and out of alignment. Median mileage when it started: about 35,000 miles.
Engine mounts: vibration or shudder
7 complaints (2%)
Vibration or shudder, a failure that needed a new part and unusual noises. Median mileage when it started: about 65,000 miles.
Frontal airbags: no deployment in a crash
7 complaints (2%)
No deployment in a crash, deployment with no crash and a feature that stopped working. 1 of these 7 complaints describes a serious outcome: a crash. Median mileage when it started: about 60,000 miles.
Hybrid battery failure
7 complaints (2%)
A failure that needed a new part, a loss of power and near failure. 2 of these 7 complaints describe a serious outcome, most often stalling or losing power while driving. In 3 complaints, the problem came back after a repair. Median mileage when it started: about 57,000 miles.
Noise (cause not stated)
7 complaints (2%)
Unusual noises. Median mileage when it started: about 26,000 miles.
Seat belts: stopped working
7 complaints (2%)
A feature that stopped working, a failure that needed a new part and the system not working when needed. 2 of these 7 complaints describe a serious outcome, most often a crash. Median mileage when it started: about 77,000 miles.

Show 26 more problems

Transmission: failure or loss of drive
7 complaints (2%)
Failure or loss of drive, unusual noises and reduced power or limp mode. 4 of these 7 complaints describe a serious outcome, most often stalling or losing power while driving. Median mileage when it started: about 98,000 miles.
Fuel economy: high fuel use
5 complaints (1%)
High fuel use.
Side or curtain airbags: deployment with no crash
5 complaints (1%)
Deployment with no crash. All 5 describe a serious outcome, most often an airbag problem. Median mileage when it started: about 66,000 miles.
Stall (cause not stated)
5 complaints (1%)
Stalling. 3 of these 5 complaints describe a serious outcome, most often stalling or losing power while driving.
Tire pressure monitoring: warning lights
5 complaints (1%)
Warning lights and a leak. Median mileage when it started: about 70,000 miles.
Vibration (cause not stated)
5 complaints (1%)
Vibration or shudder. Median mileage when it started: about 24,000 miles.
A/C compressor: stopped working
4 complaints (under 1%)
A feature that stopped working and a failure that needed a new part. 1 of these 4 complaints describes a serious outcome: a tow. Median mileage when it started: about 113,000 miles.
Brake calipers failure
4 complaints (under 1%)
A failure that needed a new part and a leak. Median mileage when it started: about 22,000 miles.
Engine failure
4 complaints (under 1%)
A failure and parts breaking or coming apart. All 4 describe a serious outcome, most often stalling or losing power while driving.
Headlights: hazy lenses
4 complaints (under 1%)
Hazy lenses, too dim and cloudy lens. Median mileage when it started: about 26,000 miles.
Door lock actuators: unusual noises
4 complaints (under 1%)
Unusual noises, a failure and not opening or unlocking. Median mileage when it started: about 35,000 miles.
A/C: works on and off
3 complaints (under 1%)
Problems that come and go. Median mileage when it started: about 57,000 miles.
A/C condenser: damage
3 complaints (under 1%)
Damage. Median mileage when it started: about 11,000 miles.
CV axles failure
3 complaints (under 1%)
A failure that needed a new part and parts breaking or coming apart.
Engine: a fire
3 complaints (under 1%)
A fire and smoke or a burning smell. 2 of these 3 complaints describe a serious outcome, most often a fire.
Parking brake: the car rolling away
3 complaints (under 1%)
The car rolling away, locking up and warning lights. 1 of these 3 complaints describes a serious outcome.
12V battery: the car not starting
2 complaints (under 1%)
The car not starting and a failure that needed a new part. 1 of these 2 complaints describes a serious outcome: a car that would not start.
Ball joints and control arms: parts breaking or coming apart
2 complaints (under 1%)
Parts breaking or coming apart and a failure that needed a new part. 1 of these 2 complaints describes a serious outcome.
Cooling system: damage
2 complaints (under 1%)
Damage and a failure.
Hybrid system (inverter, motor, IPU): reduced power or limp mode
2 complaints (under 1%)
Reduced power or limp mode. Both describe a serious outcome, most often stalling or losing power while driving.
Ignition or push-button start: key removable in drive
2 complaints (under 1%)
Key removable in drive. 1 of these 2 complaints describes a serious outcome.
Screen and audio: the system acting on its own
2 complaints (under 1%)
The system acting on its own and a feature that stopped working.
Brake wear sensor: parts breaking or coming apart
2 complaints (under 1%)
Parts breaking or coming apart.
Poor acceleration (cause not stated)
2 complaints (under 1%)
Hesitation.
Power windows or regulator failure
2 complaints (under 1%)
A failure that needed a new part and problems that come and go.
Seats: stopped working
2 complaints (under 1%)
A feature that stopped working and parts breaking or coming apart.

Reported Once (34)

Show the 34 problems reported once

Control arm bushings failure
Control module (unspecified): a loss of power
Engine sensors or computer: wrong readings
Engine temperature (slow warm-up): engine runs cold in winter
Exterior trim: damage
Fuel filler door: static discharge at fuel cap
Fuel leak
Horn: stopped working
Ignition coils or spark plugs: rough running or misfires
Instrument cluster: wrong readings
Interior trim: shattering or cracking
Key fob: parts breaking or coming apart
Mirrors: parts breaking or coming apart
Battery failure
Blower motor resistor failure
Brake and accelerator pedal overlap: accelerator engaged when braking
Brake screw: parts breaking or coming apart
Door window glass: vibration or shudder
Front and rear parts replaced (not named) failure
Interior light: works on and off
No drive in gear with clunking (cause not stated)
Rollaway (cause not stated)
Steering knuckle failure
Vehicle fire (origin not stated) (cause not stated)
Starter failure
Struts or shocks: early wear
Shifter or park: sticking or stiffness
Unexplained crash (cause not stated)
Warning lights (cause not stated)
Wheel bearings failure
Windows or locks or sunroof (operate by themselves): the system acting on its own
Windshield: shattering or cracking
Windshield wipers: unusual noises
Wiring, fuses or body control module: overheating

How the 2010 Honda Civic Compares With Other Years

The other Civic years of the 8th generation, 2006 to 2011, 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
2012	Excellent	84	0.27×	9.7	4	Steering: loss of steering control
2011	Excellent	82	0.29×	10.5	9	Brakes: early wear
2010 This year	Excellent	82	0.30×	13.7	8	Brakes: early wear
2009	Excellent	83	0.32×	13.3	8	Brakes: early wear
2008	Good	73	0.61×	24.7	7	Interior trim: parts breaking or coming apart
2007	Good	72	0.82×	35.0	10	Uneven tire wear: early wear
2006	Caution	68	1.1×	41.1	15	Engine failure: shattering or cracking
2005	Good	78	0.37×	11.5	10	Airbag warning light

See every Civic year

2010 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
An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
NHTSA 19V502000 Recall report (PDF)Owner letter (PDF)Issued Jun 27, 2019. By the fourth quarter of 2020, 36% of the cars in this recall had been fixed.
Air bags: inflator module
An incorrectly installed air bag inflator may not properly deploy the passenger frontal air bag in the event of a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
NHTSA 19V378000 Recall report (PDF)Owner letter (PDF)Issued May 16, 2019. By the fourth quarter of 2020, 49% of the cars in this recall had been fixed.
Air bags: inflator module
An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
NHTSA 18V661000 Recall report (PDF)Owner letter (PDF)Issued Sep 27, 2018. By the first quarter of 2020, 78% of the cars in this recall had been fixed.
Air bags: inflator module
An incorrectly installed air bag may deploy improperly in the event of a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
NHTSA 18V268000 Recall report (PDF)Owner letter (PDF)Issued Apr 26, 2018. By the third quarter of 2019, 85% of the cars in this recall had been fixed.
Air bags: inflator module
An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
NHTSA 18V042000 Recall report (PDF)Owner letter (PDF)Issued Jan 9, 2018. By the second quarter of 2019, 72% of the cars in this recall had been fixed.
Air bags: inflator module
In the event of a crash, an incorrectly installed passenger frontal air bag inflator may deploy the air bag improperly, increasing the risk of injury.
NHTSA 17V545000 Recall report (PDF)Owner letter (PDF)Issued Aug 31, 2017. By the first quarter of 2019, 94% of the cars in this recall had been fixed.

Show 2 more recalls

Air bags: inflator module
An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
NHTSA 17V030000 Recall report (PDF)Owner letter (PDF)Issued Jan 10, 2017. By the second quarter of 2018, 70% of the cars in this recall had been fixed.
Air bags: inflator module
An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
NHTSA 16V346000 Recall report (PDF)Owner letter (PDF)Issued May 24, 2016. By the first quarter of 2018, 64% of the cars in this recall had been fixed.

Honda Warranty Extensions and Programs

Repairs Honda agreed to cover or update outside a recall. Whether one applies depends on the VIN and the conditions listed. A Honda dealer can confirm.

Warranty extensionHonda 12-049
Hood and front fender paint cracking
The problem:
The factory paint on the hood and the front edge of the fenders can crack.
The fix:
A Honda dealer repairs the cracked paint for free.
Who qualifies:
The cracking must come from the factory paint process, not bird droppings or tree sap. Cars repainted after a crash or other repair are not covered. Coverage passes to later owners. Salvage or branded titles are not covered.
Coverage:
7 years from the original purchase date, with no mileage limit.
Honda's bulletin (PDF)
Warranty extensionHonda 14-034
Paint cracking, chalking or clouding
The problem:
The factory paint can crack or look chalky or cloudy on the hood and front fender edges. The roof, trunk and doors can look chalky or cloudy.
The fix:
A Honda dealer repairs the affected painted panels for free.
Who qualifies:
A Honda dealer inspection must find cracked, chalky or cloudy factory paint. Honda must approve each paint repair first. Rock chips, scratches, sap and bird droppings are not covered. Salvage or branded titles are not covered.
Coverage:
7 years from the original purchase date, with no mileage limit.
Honda's bulletin (PDF)
Warranty extensionHonda 15-006
Hybrid (IMA) battery
The problem:
The hybrid battery can wear out too early and hold less charge.
The fix:
A Honda dealer replaces the hybrid battery modules for free.
Who qualifies:
A Honda dealer must find a hybrid battery problem. The junction board is not covered. Cars that already had 10 years or 150,000 miles of battery coverage get nothing extra. The VIN must show as eligible.
Coverage:
10 years or 150,000 miles from the original purchase date, whichever comes first.
Honda's bulletin (PDF)
Customer support programHonda 18-052, 18-055, 19-003 and 20-016
Front passenger's airbag inflator
4 programs with the same terms. Which one applies depends on the VIN.
The problem:
The front passenger's airbag inflator can be faulty, and the airbag warning light comes on.
The fix:
A Honda dealer replaces the front passenger's airbag inflator for free.
Who qualifies:
The airbag warning light must be on. A Honda dealer test must show the inflator is faulty. Only replacement inflators that fail later are covered. Open inflator recalls must be done first. Salvage or branded titles are not covered.
Coverage:
18-052: Covered until January 31, 2027.
18-055: Covered until January 31, 2028.
19-003: Covered until September 30, 2028.
20-016: Covered until January 31, 2030.
Bulletin 18-052 (PDF)Bulletin 18-055 (PDF)Bulletin 19-003 (PDF)Bulletin 20-016 (PDF)
Customer support programHonda 18-066Ended
Front passenger's airbag inflator
The problem:
The front passenger's airbag inflator can be faulty, and the airbag warning light comes on.
The fix:
While the program ran, a Honda dealer replaced the front passenger's airbag inflator for free.
Who qualifies:
The airbag warning light had to be on. A Honda dealer test had to show the inflator was faulty. Only replacement inflators that failed later were covered. Salvage or branded titles were not covered.
Coverage:
The program ended on June 30, 2026.
Honda's bulletin (PDF)

NHTSA Investigations

Defect investigations by NHTSA that cover this model year, with what they found.

Pedestrian alert sounds on hybrid and electric vehicles
Closed
A petition asked NHTSA to apply its pedestrian alert sound rule to all electric and hybrid vehicles operating in the United States. NHTSA opened a defect petition in January 2023. It lists Honda hybrids and electric cars, including Accord, Civic and CR-V hybrids. The petitioner withdrew in June 2023. NHTSA closed the case in August 2023 without a finding.
NHTSA DP22005 Opening report (PDF)Closing report (PDF)Jan 27, 2023 to Aug 7, 2023

NHTSA Crash Test Ratings

NHTSA gave the 2010 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 2010 Civic ratings on NHTSA.gov.

4-door, 2-door, GX (CNG) 4-door and Hybrid 4-door, all with side airbags

OverallNot rated

Frontal crashNot rated

Driver seat5/5

Passenger seat5/5

Side crashNot rated

Front seat4/5

Rear seat5/5

RolloverNot rated

Check Before You Buy

A checklist for the 2010 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 19V502000
Air bags: inflator module NHTSA 19V378000
Air bags: inflator module NHTSA 18V661000
Air bags: inflator module NHTSA 18V268000
Air bags: inflator module NHTSA 18V042000
Look up the VIN at NHTSA to see all 8 recalls and which are still open.

Ask a Honda Dealer

Ask whether each of these warranty extensions applies to this VIN, and whether the work was done.

12-049: hood and front fender paint cracking
14-034: paint cracking, chalking or clouding
15-006: hybrid (IMA) battery

On the Test Drive

Brake firmly from a moderate speed. A soft, hard or pulsing pedal, or a brake warning light, is a warning sign.
Check the paint and the underbody for rust or peeling clear coat.
Confirm every airbag recall on this VIN has been repaired before you buy.

Ask the Seller

Ask whether any of these were ever repaired, and ask to see the receipts.

Brakes
Sun visors
Paint and rust
Also ask for the service records, especially oil 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

All Civic Years →Best years and years to avoid, side by side.Compare With Other Years →Put up to four model years side by side.Find Warranty Extensions →Repairs Honda may still cover for this year.Decode a VIN →Confirm the exact year, engine and trim of a car.