Used Honda Civic Buyer's Guide (2016–2024)
Two generations. Check 1.5L turbo oil dilution on 2016 to 2018 cars, the A/C condenser coverage, sticky steering on 2022 on, and open recalls.
Photo: MercurySable99, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0. A representative example, not a car we inspected.
The Honda Civic is one of the most popular compact cars in America, and this guide covers two generations. The tenth generation ran from 2016 to 2021 as a sedan, coupe and hatchback. The eleventh generation started with the 2022 model year as a sedan and hatchback.
Both generations offer a 2.0L four cylinder and a 1.5L turbo, most often with a CVT. The Si and Type R are sporty models with manual gearboxes and their own buyers. A Civic that has been driven hard or modified needs a closer look.
What matters most depends on the year. Early 1.5L turbo cars had an oil dilution problem in cold weather. Tenth generation cars have an A/C condenser that Honda covers for 10 years. Eleventh generation cars had a sticky steering problem that led to an NHTSA investigation and a recall. Both generations share fuel pump and passenger seat sensor recalls.
- 2.0L 4-cyl
- 1.5L turbo 4-cyl
- 1.5L turbo 4-cyl high output (Si)
- 2.0L turbo 4-cyl (Type R)
Tenth generation (2016 to 2021) and eleventh generation (2022 to 2024), sold as model years 2016–2024.
| Engine | Years | Transmission | What to know |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2.0L 4-cyl | 2016–2024 | CVT, or 6-speed manual (2016 LX sedan, 2022 on hatchback) | The base engine in both generations, rated at 158 horsepower. |
| 1.5L turbo 4-cyl | 2016–2024 | CVT, or 6-speed manual on some hatchbacks | Honda's first turbo Civic engine. The 2016 to 2018 cars are the ones with the oil dilution warranty extension. |
| 1.5L turbo high output (Si) | 2017–2024 | 6-speed manual | Sold as a sedan and coupe in the tenth generation and as a sedan in the eleventh. Confirm the exact year from the VIN. |
| 2.0L turbo (Type R) | 2017–2024 | 6-speed manual | Hatchback only. The tenth generation Type R was rated at 306 horsepower and the all new 2023 Type R at 315. |
- LX Base trim with the 2.0L in both generations.
- Sport Sporty trim in both generations. The 2022 on Sport sedan uses the 2.0L.
- EX, EX-T and EX-L Mid trims. In 2016 the EX-T and EX-L had the 1.5L turbo. In 2022 on, the EX sedan and EX-L hatchback use the 1.5L turbo.
- Touring and Sport Touring Top trims with the 1.5L turbo. The 2022 Sport Touring hatchback offers a 6-speed manual.
- Si Performance sedan (and coupe in the tenth generation) with a manual gearbox.
- Type R The high performance hatchback with a 2.0L turbo and a manual gearbox.
- 2021 The last tenth generation year, past the oil dilution years, with 144 NHTSA owner complaints, the fewest of the 2016 to 2022 years. Check the seat sensor, fuel pump and brake recalls.
- 2020 224 NHTSA owner complaints and past the oil dilution years. Sedans and coupes still have the A/C condenser coverage through 10 years from sale.
- 2016 First year of the tenth generation, with 1,080 NHTSA owner complaints, the 2.0L piston clip recall and the start of the 1.5L oil dilution years.
- 2017 Oil dilution years, the axle shaft and steering torque sensor recalls, and 593 NHTSA owner complaints.
- 2018 Last of the oil dilution years, plus the steering torque sensor and fuel pump recalls.
- 2022 First year of the eleventh generation, with 881 NHTSA owner complaints, 731 of them coded to steering. Make sure the steering recall (24V-744) is done.
Picked from the recalls, bulletins and NHTSA complaint records below, not from a reliability rating. Any single car can be better or worse than its year.
On some 2016 to 2018 Civics with the 1.5L turbo, fuel can mix into the engine oil, mostly in very cold weather. Honda updated software on cars in 21 cold weather states and extended powertrain coverage to 6 years from purchase with no mileage limit for the camshaft, rocker arms and spark plugs. That 6 year window has now passed for most of these cars.
WE CHECK We check the oil level and smell the dipstick for fuel, scan for codes, and ask for the software update record. We note if the oil is overfull.
SOURCE Consumer Reports: Honda extends warranty on troubled turbo engines
Honda Service Bulletin 19-091 says the A/C condenser on many tenth generation Civics was not built to spec and can corrode and leak. Honda extended coverage to 10 years from the original sale with no mileage limit. It covers 2016 to 2020 sedans and coupes and 2017 to 2021 hatchbacks, with the Type R under its own bulletin. It does not cover road damage, or a car that was ever given a salvage or branded title.
WE CHECK We check that the A/C blows cold, look at the condenser behind the grille for oily residue or damage, and read the title history since a branded title voids the extension.
SOURCE Honda Service Bulletin 19-091, A/C condenser warranty extension (filed with NHTSA)
Recall 23V-858 covers the fuel pump in the tank on many 2016 to 2021 Civics. NHTSA says a failed pump can make the engine stall while driving. It expanded two earlier recalls (20V-314 and 21V-215). Dealers replace the pump for free.
WE CHECK We check the VIN for all three campaigns and listen for rough running, hard starting or stalling.
SOURCE NHTSA recall 23V-858 · NHTSA recall 20V-314 · NHTSA recall 21V-215
Two recalls cover the sensor that decides whether the passenger air bag fires. Recall 24V-064 covers some 2020 to 2022 Civics whose sensor can crack and fail to turn the air bag off when it should. Recall 26V-332 covers many 2016 to 2022 Civics whose sensor can crack and cause the air bags to deploy when they should not. Honda mailed owner letters for 26V-332 on July 7, 2026, so many cars may still be open.
WE CHECK We check the VIN for both recalls and watch the passenger air bag status light with the seat empty and with an adult seated.
SOURCE NHTSA recall 24V-064 · NHTSA recall 26V-332
NHTSA opened an investigation in March 2023 into 2022 and 2023 Civics whose steering could stick for a moment, mostly at highway speed. NHTSA's file says Honda traced it to strain in a worm wheel and uneven grease in the steering gear. Recall 24V-744 now covers many 2022 to 2024 Civics, and dealers replace a spring and add grease. A separate recall (23V-704) covers cars that got a wrongly assembled replacement steering rack.
WE CHECK We check the VIN for both recalls and drive at highway speed long enough to feel for a notchy or sticky steering wheel.
SOURCE NHTSA ODI resume PE23-005 (2022 to 2023 Civic steering) · NHTSA ODI resume EA23-003 · NHTSA recall 24V-744 · NHTSA recall 23V-704 · Autoblog: NHTSA investigates sticky Civic steering (March 2023)
Recall 18V-663 covers some 2017 and 2018 Civics whose steering torque sensor magnet can come loose, which can push steering assist the wrong way at full lock. Dealers replace the steering gearbox. Separately, owners of 2016 to 2021 Civics have filed many sticky steering complaints with NHTSA: the 2016 Civic alone has 444 complaints coded to steering as of September 2026. There is no recall for that complaint on these years.
WE CHECK We check the VIN for recall 18V-663, turn the wheel lock to lock in a parking lot, and feel for sticky or notchy steering on the highway.
SOURCE NHTSA recall 18V-663 · NHTSA owner complaints, 2016 Honda Civic
Recall 23V-458 covers some 2020 and 2021 Civics whose brake master cylinder can separate from the booster, causing a loss of braking. Recall 23V-430 covers some 2023 Civics whose stability control unit can leak brake fluid, which can cause the car to move while Brake Hold is on or make the pedal travel farther.
WE CHECK We check the VIN for both recalls, test pedal feel and Brake Hold, and look for brake fluid leaks.
SOURCE NHTSA recall 23V-458 · NHTSA recall 23V-430
Some early 2016 Civics with the 2.0L were built with missing or loose piston wrist pin clips, which can let the engine seize (16V-074). Some 2016 cars needed a software update so the electric parking brake would set right after shutdown (16V-725). Some 2017 sedans and coupes had a right front axle shaft that was not properly heat treated and can break (17V-706).
WE CHECK We check the VIN for each recall, listen for engine knock, and test the parking brake on a slope.
SOURCE NHTSA recall 16V-074 · NHTSA recall 16V-725 · NHTSA recall 17V-706 · NHTSA recall data, 2016 Honda Civic
Recall 24V-859 covers some 2023 and 2024 Civic sedans and hatchbacks whose driver seat cushion frame may not have been tightened properly, so the seat may not be secure. Dealers replace the frame.
WE CHECK We check the VIN for this recall and rock the driver seat to feel for looseness.
SOURCE NHTSA recall 24V-859
- Confirm the generation, body style and engine from the VIN
- Open recall check on the VIN
- Oil level and fuel smell on 2016 to 2018 1.5L turbo cars
- A/C output and condenser condition
- Highway road test for sticky or notchy steering
- Passenger air bag status light with the seat empty and occupied
- Brake pedal feel and Brake Hold
- Clutch, gearbox and signs of modification on Si and Type R
- On a 2016 to 2018 1.5L turbo, the oil dilution software update and regular oil changes.
- Any A/C condenser replacement under Honda bulletin 19-091.
- Dealer records for each recall on the VIN, above all the fuel pump, seat weight sensor and steering recalls.
- On a 2022 or newer car, the steering gear work under recall 24V-744.
- On a Si or Type R, clutch work and any aftermarket parts.
- The title history, since a salvage or branded title voids Honda's A/C extension.
Each year has its own guide. The engines, the transmission, and what changed that year.
A TSB is a note the maker sends to dealers about a known fix. They are not recalls. We check the bulletins so we know what to look for:
Cold-start noise, drivability, and idle issues for this vehicle. We test for each.
Shift quality and transmission fluid updates. We drive every gear.
Locks, wipers, infotainment, and trim items. Small, but good to know.
Bulletins stay with the maker, so we pull the current list for this exact vehicle during the inspection and tell you what applies.
Found a Honda Civic you like? A pre purchase inspection checks every trouble spot above on the car you are buying.
What is the difference between the 2016 to 2021 and 2022 to 2024 Civic?
Does the Honda 1.5 turbo have oil dilution problems?
Is the Civic A/C condenser covered?
Is there a recall for Honda Civic sticky steering?
Does the Civic have a CVT?
Why do I need to check the passenger seat sensor recall?
How do I check a Civic for open recalls?
We'll check it first
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