Car Yearsto Avoid

2020 Honda Civic Problems

What owners have reported about the 2020 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 2020 Honda Civic a good year?

It's one of the better years for the Civic. Owners have filed 228 complaints with NHTSA, the 14th most of 19 Civic model years. The most reported problems involve the electrical system, transmission and fuel system.

228 complaints 5 recalls, 2 can stall 14th worst of 19 Civic years

Top 2020 Honda Civic problems

1

Electrical problems

37 complaints (16%) name the electrical system, most often the instrument cluster / panel and speedometer / odometer.

Complaints 37 · Usually at 2,000–39,000 miles

2

Transmission problems

31 complaints (14%) name the transmission, most often the clutch assembly.

Complaints 31 · Usually at 5,000–11,000 miles

3

Fuel system problems

31 complaints (14%) name the fuel system.

Complaints 31 · Usually at 32,000–73,000 miles · Recall 23V858000, 21V215000

4

Steering problems

30 complaints (13%) name the steering.

Complaints 30 · Usually at 13,000–58,000 miles

Which parts fail most

Share of complaints that name each system. One complaint can name several.

Electrical 16%
Unknown or Other 16%
Transmission 14%
Fuel System 14%
Steering 13%
Airbags 13%
Emergency Braking 11%
Brakes 6%
Wipers and Visibility 6%
Engine 5%

Mileage when it failed

Each dot is a complaint that gave a mileage (52 of 228). The amber line is the middle value, about 16,000 miles.

When problems were reported

Complaints by the year the problem happened.

2020 Honda Civic recalls

Front passenger

The front passenger seat weight sensor may crack and short circuit, which can cause the air bags to deploy unintentionally during a crash. Air bags that deploy unintentionally during a crash increase the risk of injury.

Fix: Dealers will replace the seat weight sensors, free of charge. Honda's numbers for this recall are BOL, WO9, OOA, WOM, XOH, NOC, POD, BOE, UOF, POB, EOG, AOI, QO8, TOJ, DO7, and SOK.

Recall 26V332000 · May 2026

Passenger seat sensor may fail to suppress airbag

Injury risk

The front passenger seat weight sensor can crack and short circuit, so the airbag may not turn off when it should. An airbag that deploys unintentionally during a crash can increase the risk of injury.

Fix: The dealer will replace the seat weight sensors free of charge, and this recall is being carried out in phases.

Recall 24V064000 · Feb 2024

Fuel pump

Can stall

The fuel pump inside the fuel tank may fail. Fuel pump failure can cause an engine stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.

Fix: Dealers will replace the fuel pump module, free of charge. Honda's numbers for this recall are KGC and KGD.

Recall 23V858000 · Dec 2023

Master cylinder

The tie rod fastener that connects the brake booster and the brake master cylinder may have been improperly assembled during manufacturing, which can cause the brake master cylinder to separate from the booster assembly. Brake master cylinder separation can cause a loss of brake function and increase the risk of a crash.

Fix: Dealers will inspect and repair the brake booster assembly as necessary, free of charge. Honda's numbers for this recall are VEU, AEV, and ZET.

Recall 23V458000 · Jun 2023

Fuel pump

Can stall

The low-pressure fuel pump inside the fuel tank may fail. Fuel pump failure can cause an engine stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.

Fix: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel pump assembly, free of charge. Note: This recall is an expansion of recall 20V-314.

Recall 21V215000 · Mar 2021
Check your VIN for open recalls

Get an email when your 2020 Honda Civic gets a new recall

We check NHTSA every month. If a new recall or safety investigation covers the 2020 Honda Civic, you'll hear about it the same week.

One email per new recall. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.

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.

Common questions

Is the 2020 Honda Civic a reliable year?

It's one of the better years for the Civic. Owners have filed 228 complaints with NHTSA, the 14th most of 19 Civic model years. The most reported problems involve the electrical system, transmission and fuel system.

What are the most common 2020 Honda Civic problems?

Owners most often report problems with the electrical system, transmission, fuel system and steering. 37 complaints (16%) name the electrical system, most often the instrument cluster / panel and speedometer / odometer.

At what mileage do 2020 Honda Civic electrical system problems start?

Reported mileage ranged widely, but most complaints fell between about 2,000–39,000 miles, with a middle value near 9,000 miles.

How many recalls does the 2020 Honda Civic have?

5. Front passenger (26V332000); Passenger seat sensor may fail to suppress airbag (24V064000); Fuel pump (23V858000). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see if the work was done.

Should I buy a used 2020 Honda Civic?

Ask for service records covering the electrical system, 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.