2012 Honda Civic Problems
What owners have reported about the 2012 Honda Civic, which problems come up most, at what mileage, and which recalls to check.
From NHTSA owner complaints and recalls. Updated Oct 17, 2026.
Is the 2012 Honda Civic a good year?
It's one of the worst years for the Civic. Owners have filed 456 complaints with NHTSA, the 6th most of 19 Civic model years. The most reported problems involve the airbags, steering and electrical system.
456 complaints 3 recalls, 1 fire risk 6th worst of 19 Civic years
Top 2012 Honda Civic problems
Airbag problems
149 complaints (33%) name the airbags, most often the frontal.
Steering problems
74 complaints (16%) name the steering, most often the steering wheel / handle bar.
Electrical problems
60 complaints (13%) name the electrical system, most often the speedometer / odometer and switches / knobs / buttons.
Transmission problems
49 complaints (11%) name the transmission, most often the automatic transmission and driveshaft.
Which parts fail most
Share of complaints that name each system. One complaint can name several.
Mileage when it failed
Each dot is a complaint that gave a mileage (300 of 456). The amber line is the middle value, about 36,000 miles.
When problems were reported
Complaints by the year the problem happened.
2012 Honda Civic recalls
Column
These vehicles were assembled with the incorrect steering column assembly. The steering column may not have proper energy absorbing characteristics, which could increase the risk of injury during a vehicle crash.
Fix: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and replace the steering column, as necessary, free of charge.
Recall 12V548000 · Nov 2012Driveshaft
Can stallDuring assembly, the process required to seat the driverâ’s side driveshaft and set the retaining clip was not completed. As a result, the driveshaft may separate. If this occurs, the vehicle will have a loss of drive power and may roll away if the parking brake has not been set when the gear selector has been placed in the â“parkâ” position, increasing the risk of crash or pedestrian injury.
Fix: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the driver's side driveshaft and install a new driveshaft as needed, free of charge. 2012.
Recall 12V256000 · Jun 2012Hoses, lines / piping, and fittings
Fire riskThere is a possibility that an o-ring, which seals a connection in the fuel feed line, is misaligned. If the o-ring is misaligned, a small fuel leak may occur. Fuel leakage, in the presence of an ignition source, could result in a fire.
Fix: Dealers will replace the fuel feed line assembly free of charge.
Recall 11V288000 · May 2011Get an email when your 2012 Honda Civic gets a new recall
We check NHTSA every month. If a new recall or safety investigation covers the 2012 Honda Civic, you'll hear about it the same week.
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Civic years to avoid
Total NHTSA complaints by model year. Newer years have had less time on the road, so their totals will keep climbing. See the full comparison.
2012 Honda Civic problems by system
Common questions
Is the 2012 Honda Civic a reliable year?
It's one of the worst years for the Civic. Owners have filed 456 complaints with NHTSA, the 6th most of 19 Civic model years. The most reported problems involve the airbags, steering and electrical system.
What are the most common 2012 Honda Civic problems?
Owners most often report problems with the airbags, steering, electrical system and transmission. 149 complaints (33%) name the airbags, most often the frontal.
At what mileage do 2012 Honda Civic airbags problems start?
Reported mileage ranged widely, but most complaints fell between about 16,000–83,000 miles, with a middle value near 43,000 miles.
How many recalls does the 2012 Honda Civic have?
3. Column (12V548000); Driveshaft (12V256000); Hoses, lines / piping, and fittings (11V288000). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see if the work was done.
Should I buy a used 2012 Honda Civic?
Ask for service records covering the airbags, confirm the recall work was done, and compare with the 2026, 2025 and 2024 models, which have the fewest complaints.
Source: NHTSA complaints and recalls databases. Complaints are unverified owner reports. Counts include each complaint once per model year.