2019 Honda Civic Reliability Report

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

Good

Ranks 14th of 25 Civic years we score.

Owner complaints: 445; 77 are recall notices
Per 10,000 cars: 11.4; 321,945 made for the U.S.
Vs the average car: 0.49×; same age, 1× is average
Serious outcomes: 150; crash, fire, injury, stall or tow
Recalls: 4
NHTSA crash rating: 5★; overall, out of 5

← 2018 Civic 2020 Civic →

Should You Buy the 2019 Honda Civic?

Yes, with the usual checks. Our reliability score for the 2019 Honda Civic is 78 out of 100, which rates Good. Owners reported about half as many problems as for the average car of the same age. It ranks 14th of the 25 Civic years we score.

The most reported problem is the steering, mostly sticking or stiffness (114 of 445 complaints). Owners also complain about automatic emergency braking and stalling. 150 of the 445 complaints describe a serious outcome, such as a crash, a fire, an injury or stalling while driving.

It has 4 recalls. Honda also offers 2 warranty extensions that may still apply, for a/C condenser leaks and a/C condenser leaks. NHTSA rates it 5 out of 5 stars overall in crash tests. For comparison, the 2018 scores 72 and the 2020 scores 82.

Before you buy, check that the recalls were done, ask a Honda dealer about warranty extension 19-091 and get an independent inspection. The full checklist is at the end of this page.

Pros

Good reliability score of 78
About half the problems of the average car its age
Recent complaints at or below average
No do-not-drive or park-outside recalls

Cons

Steering: sticking or stiffness114 complaints
Automatic emergency braking: hard braking with nothing ahead28 complaints
Stall (cause not stated)22 complaints

How the 2019 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	0.49×	−7
Everyday problems	0.51×	−3
Problems in the last two years	0.61×	−7
Recalls	0.87×	−5
Score		78

What Owners Report

We read all 445 complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2019 Honda Civic, one by one, and grouped them by the problem they describe. The most reported problems come first.

Steering: sticking or stiffness
114 complaints (26%)
Sticking or stiffness, locking up and pulling or wandering. 19 of these 114 complaints describe a serious outcome, most often loss of steering control. In 9 complaints, the dealer could not find or fix the problem, and in 7 it came back after a repair. Median mileage when it started: about 55,000 miles.
Automatic emergency braking: hard braking with nothing ahead
28 complaints (6%)
Hard braking with nothing ahead, warning lights and the system not working when needed. 16 of these 28 complaints describe a serious outcome, most often sudden braking. Median mileage when it started: about 13,000 miles.
Stall (cause not stated)
22 complaints (5%)
Stalling and comes to a complete stop on its own. 20 of these 22 complaints describe a serious outcome, most often stalling or losing power while driving. In 6 complaints, the dealer could not find or fix the problem. Median mileage when it started: about 20,000 miles.
Car not starting (cause not stated)
20 complaints (4%)
The car not starting and hard starting. 11 of these 20 complaints describe a serious outcome, most often a car that would not start. Median mileage when it started: about 39,000 miles.
Several warning lights at once
16 complaints (4%)
Warning lights. 1 of these 16 complaints describes a serious outcome. Median mileage when it started: about 11,000 miles.
A/C evaporator: a leak
16 complaints (4%)
A leak and a failure. 2 of these 16 complaints describe a serious outcome, most often loss of visibility.
Brakes: loss of braking
15 complaints (3%)
Loss of braking, pulling or wandering and a failure that needed a new part. 8 of these 15 complaints describe a serious outcome, most often loss of braking. Median mileage when it started: about 30,000 miles.
Loss of power (cause not stated)
14 complaints (3%)
A loss of power, accelerator pedal unresponsive and no response to the gas pedal, engine would not rev. 13 of these 14 complaints describe a serious outcome, most often stalling or losing power while driving. Median mileage when it started: about 23,000 miles.
Fuel pump: stalling
13 complaints (3%)
Stalling, a loss of power and a failure. 8 of these 13 complaints describe a serious outcome, most often stalling or losing power while driving. Median mileage when it started: about 57,000 miles.
Fuel system: hesitation
11 complaints (2%)
Hesitation, the car not starting and reduced power or limp mode. 4 of these 11 complaints describe a serious outcome, most often stalling or losing power while driving. Median mileage when it started: about 36,000 miles.
A/C: stopped working
9 complaints (2%)
A feature that stopped working, a leak and a failure. Median mileage when it started: about 6,000 miles.
A/C compressor: stopped working
9 complaints (2%)
A feature that stopped working, a leak and a failure that needed a new part. 1 of these 9 complaints describes a serious outcome: an injury. Median mileage when it started: about 43,000 miles.
A/C condenser failure
9 complaints (2%)
A failure that needed a new part, a leak and a feature that stopped working. Median mileage when it started: about 5,000 miles.
Paint and rust: paint peeling
9 complaints (2%)
Paint peeling, damage and paint cracking and chipping.
Engine: rough running or misfires
8 complaints (2%)
Rough running or misfires, stalling and unusual noises. 3 of these 8 complaints describe a serious outcome, most often stalling or losing power while driving. Median mileage when it started: about 34,000 miles.

Show 45 more problems

Fuel gauge or level sensor: wrong readings
6 complaints (1%)
Wrong readings and warning lights. 2 of these 6 complaints describe a serious outcome, most often stalling or losing power while driving.
Screen and audio: works on and off
6 complaints (1%)
Problems that come and go and a feature that stopped working.
Tire pressure monitoring: warning lights
6 complaints (1%)
Warning lights and wrong readings. Median mileage when it started: about 8,000 miles.
Tires: blowout
6 complaints (1%)
Blowout, a leak and summer tires fitted instead of all-season. 3 of these 6 complaints describe a serious outcome, most often a tow. Median mileage when it started: about 7,000 miles.
Manual transmission or clutch: slipping
5 complaints (1%)
Slipping, unusual noises and grinds and will not enter second gear. 2 of these 5 complaints describe a serious outcome, most often stalling or losing power while driving. Median mileage when it started: about 20,000 miles.
Seat belts: does not retract
5 complaints (1%)
Does not retract, not closing or latching and not releasing. 2 of these 5 complaints describe a serious outcome, most often an injury. Median mileage when it started: about 17,000 miles.
Unintended acceleration (cause not stated)
5 complaints (1%)
Sudden acceleration. All 5 describe a serious outcome, most often sudden acceleration or braking. Median mileage when it started: about 26,000 miles.
Wiring, fuses or body control module: damage
5 complaints (1%)
Damage, faulty software and the system acting on its own. 1 of these 5 complaints describes a serious outcome: a car that would not start.
12V battery failure
4 complaints (under 1%)
A failure that needed a new part. 1 of these 4 complaints describes a serious outcome: stalling or losing power while driving.
Airbags: deployment with no crash
4 complaints (under 1%)
Deployment with no crash, unusual noises and no deployment in a crash. 2 of these 4 complaints describe a serious outcome, most often an airbag problem.
Frontal airbags: deployment with no crash
4 complaints (under 1%)
Deployment with no crash and injury from deployment. 3 of these 4 complaints describe a serious outcome, most often an airbag problem. Median mileage when it started: about 23,000 miles.
Driver-assist camera and radar: warning lights
4 complaints (under 1%)
Warning lights, blocked by debris and the system not working when needed. 1 of these 4 complaints describes a serious outcome: a crash.
Parking brake: the car rolling away
4 complaints (under 1%)
The car rolling away and the system not working when needed. 2 of these 4 complaints describe a serious outcome. Median mileage when it started: about 5,000 miles.
Poor acceleration (cause not stated)
4 complaints (under 1%)
Hesitation and problems that come and go. Median mileage when it started: about 37,000 miles.
CVT: surging
3 complaints (under 1%)
Surging, does not shift properly and a failure. 2 of these 3 complaints describe a serious outcome. Median mileage when it started: about 12,000 miles.
Adaptive cruise control: stopped working
3 complaints (under 1%)
A feature that stopped working and would not disengage.
Check engine light (cause not stated)
3 complaints (under 1%)
Warning lights.
Cylinder head gasket failure
3 complaints (under 1%)
A failure. 1 of these 3 complaints describes a serious outcome: stalling or losing power while driving.
Engine failure
3 complaints (under 1%)
A failure and coolant flooding the cylinders. 1 of these 3 complaints describes a serious outcome: stalling or losing power while driving.
Fuel diluting the engine oil
3 complaints (under 1%)
The oil level rising or a gasoline smell. 1 of these 3 complaints describes a serious outcome: sudden acceleration or braking.
Fumes in cabin (cause not stated)
3 complaints (under 1%)
A bad smell and smoke or a burning smell. 1 of these 3 complaints describes a serious outcome.
Noise (cause not stated)
3 complaints (under 1%)
Unusual noises. Median mileage when it started: about 35,000 miles.
ABS: warning lights
2 complaints (under 1%)
Warning lights and loss of braking. 1 of these 2 complaints describes a serious outcome: loss of braking.
Alternator or charging failure
2 complaints (under 1%)
A failure.
Control module (unspecified): draining the battery
2 complaints (under 1%)
Draining the battery and warning lights. 1 of these 2 complaints describes a serious outcome: a car that would not start.
Defroster: stopped working
2 complaints (under 1%)
A feature that stopped working.
CV axles: parts breaking or coming apart
2 complaints (under 1%)
Parts breaking or coming apart.
Exterior trim: parts breaking or coming apart
2 complaints (under 1%)
Parts breaking or coming apart and damage. 1 of these 2 complaints describes a serious outcome.
Fuel economy: high fuel use
2 complaints (under 1%)
High fuel use.
Fuel injector failure
2 complaints (under 1%)
A failure.
Fuel leak
2 complaints (under 1%)
A leak.
Heater: stopped working
2 complaints (under 1%)
A feature that stopped working.
High-pressure fuel pump: a loss of power
2 complaints (under 1%)
A loss of power. Both describe a serious outcome, most often stalling or losing power while driving.
Ignition coils or spark plugs: water in the spark plug cylinders
2 complaints (under 1%)
Water in the spark plug cylinders and rust or corrosion.
Key fob: draining the battery
2 complaints (under 1%)
Draining the battery. 1 of these 2 complaints describes a serious outcome: a car that would not start.
Lane keeping assist: the system acting on its own
2 complaints (under 1%)
The system acting on its own. 1 of these 2 complaints describes a serious outcome: a crash.
Cruise control: works on and off
2 complaints (under 1%)
Problems that come and go and a feature that stopped working.
Emissions system: warning lights
2 complaints (under 1%)
Warning lights.
Rear window glass: shattering or cracking
2 complaints (under 1%)
Shattering or cracking.
Rearview camera: works on and off
2 complaints (under 1%)
Problems that come and go and water leaking in.
Starter: 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.
Sunroof glass (shattered): shattering or cracking
2 complaints (under 1%)
Shattering or cracking.
Unexplained crash (cause not stated)
2 complaints (under 1%)
The car rolling away and vehicle did not stop at a stop sign. Both describe a serious outcome, most often a crash.
Windows or locks or sunroof (operate by themselves): the system acting on its own
2 complaints (under 1%)
The system acting on its own.
Windshield: shattering or cracking
2 complaints (under 1%)
Shattering or cracking and became foggy.

Reported Once (33)

Show the 33 problems reported once

EVAP system: fault code
Airbag warning light
Battery drain: draining the battery
Cabin odor or mold: a bad smell
Forward collision warning: the system acting on its own
Frame or structure: damage
Headlights
A/C expansion valve: a leak
Emission sensor: warning lights
Emissions system part (not named): warning lights
Engine heat plate (heat shield): parts breaking or coming apart
Engine splash shield (undercover): parts breaking or coming apart
Fuel filter: stalling
Poor handling (leaves the lane over bumps) (cause not stated)
Rear windshield glass: shattering or cracking
Rotten-egg smell (cause not stated)
Security system (alarm): the system acting on its own
Side window glass (holds water): water clings to the glass and blocks the view
Trunk latch: not closing or latching
Trunk lid: the system acting on its own
Trunk lid torsion bar: parts breaking or coming apart
Trunk metal bar: unusual noises
Turbo hose: parts breaking or coming apart
Vehicle alarm: the system acting on its own
Vehicle inoperable (cause not stated)
Vehicle moves when parked in gear (cause not stated)
Wheel (fell off): parts breaking or coming apart
Phone and navigation: stuck in call mode
Power windows or regulator: works on and off
Stability control (VSA): the system acting on its own
Vibration (cause not stated)
Warning lights (cause not stated)
Windshield wipers: stopped working

How the 2019 Honda Civic Compares With Other Years

The other Civic years of the 10th generation, 2016 to 2021, 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
2022	Caution	64	2.5×	43.7	4	Steering: sticking or stiffness
2021	Good	78	0.41×	8.1	4	Steering: sticking or stiffness
2020	Excellent	82	0.38×	7.6	5	Manual transmission or clutch: slipping
2019 This year	Good	78	0.49×	11.4	4	Steering: sticking or stiffness
2018	Good	72	0.64×	19.0	6	Steering: sticking or stiffness
2017	Good	79	0.42×	14.7	6	Steering: sticking or stiffness
2016	Good	71	0.77×	29.5	5	Steering: sticking or stiffness
2015	Excellent	84	0.38×	10.8	1	CVT failure

See every Civic year

2019 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: front passenger
Air bags that deploy unintentionally during a crash increase the risk of injury.
NHTSA 26V332000 Recall report (PDF)Owner letter (PDF)Issued May 21, 2026.
Fuel system, gasoline: fuel pump
Fuel pump failure can cause an engine stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.
NHTSA 23V858000 Recall report (PDF)Owner letter (PDF)Issued Dec 18, 2023. By the second quarter of 2026, 73% of the cars in this recall had been fixed.
Fuel system, gasoline: fuel pump
Fuel pump failure can cause an engine stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.
NHTSA 21V215000 Recall report (PDF)Owner letter (PDF)Issued Mar 25, 2021. By the first quarter of 2023, 90% of the cars in this recall had been fixed.
Fuel system, gasoline: fuel pump
If the fuel pump fails, the engine can stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.
NHTSA 20V314000 Recall report (PDF)Owner letter (PDF)Issued May 28, 2020. By the second quarter of 2022, 91% 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 19-091
A/C condenser leaks
The problem:
The A/C condenser can be defective from the factory. Corrosion can form tiny holes in it and let refrigerant leak out.
The fix:
A Honda dealer replaces the A/C condenser for free.
Who qualifies:
The condenser must leak from corrosion or a factory defect. Leaks caused by foreign object damage are not covered. Coverage passes to later owners. Salvage or branded titles are not covered.
Coverage:
10 years from the original purchase date, with no mileage limit, if the condenser leaks from a factory defect.
Honda's bulletin (PDF)
Warranty extensionHonda 21-014
A/C condenser leaks
The problem:
The A/C condenser can be defective from the factory. Corrosion can form tiny holes in it and let refrigerant leak out.
The fix:
A Honda dealer replaces the A/C condenser for free.
Who qualifies:
Only Civic Type R cars qualify. The condenser must leak from corrosion or a factory defect. Leaks caused by foreign object damage are not covered. Coverage passes to later owners. Salvage or branded titles are not covered.
Coverage:
10 years from the original purchase date, with no mileage limit, if the condenser leaks from a factory defect.
Honda's bulletin (PDF)

NHTSA Crash Test Ratings

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings for this model year. See the 2019 Civic ratings on NHTSA.gov.

4-door FWD, Hatch 5-door hatchback FWD and Si 4-door FWD

Overall5/5

Frontal crash5/5

Side crash5/5

Rollover5/5

2-door FWD and Si 2-door FWD

Overall5/5

Frontal crash4/5

Side crash5/5

Rollover5/5

Hatch Type-R 5-door hatchback FWD

OverallNot rated

Frontal crashNot rated

Side crash5/5

Rollover5/5

Check Before You Buy

A checklist for the 2019 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: front passenger NHTSA 26V332000
Fuel system, gasoline: fuel pump NHTSA 23V858000
Fuel system, gasoline: fuel pump NHTSA 21V215000
Fuel system, gasoline: fuel pump NHTSA 20V314000

Ask a Honda Dealer

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

19-091: a/C condenser leaks
21-014: a/C condenser leaks

On the Test Drive

Turn the wheel fully left and right, parked and at low speed. Sticking, notches or stiffness are warning signs.
Watch for sudden braking or steering with nothing ahead, and ask whether the driver-assist software updates were done.
Drive long enough to warm up fully, including at highway speed, and note any stalling or loss of power.

Ask the Seller

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

Steering
Automatic emergency braking
Stalling
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.