2020 Honda Civic problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Worth extra scrutiny

The 2020 Honda Civic sits mid-pack among Civic years: 288 NHTSA complaints against a model median of roughly 236, with 5 recalls and no defect investigations. Complainants reported 18 injuries in total across these filings.

No single system dominates the record — complaints spread across electrical system (36), other (35), and driver assistance (32), which usually points to general build quality rather than one defect. In government crash testing it earned 5 of 5 NCAP stars overall.

288

NHTSA complaints

Recalls

Investigations

Crash-involved

Fires reported

Injuries

Deaths

NCAP overall · of 5 stars

How does 2020 compare to other Civic years?

Civic NHTSA complaints by model year, 2020 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Civic years to avoid →

What are the most common 2020 Honda Civic problems?

Component	Complaints	Share	vs prior year
Electrical System	36	13%	— flat
Other	35	12%	▼ down
Driver Assistance	32	11%	▼ down
Transmission	31	11%	▲ up
Fuel System	31	11%	▼ down
Airbags	29	10%	▲ up
Steering	27	9%	▼ down
Brakes	17	6%	▼ down
Visibility & Wipers	11	4%	— flat
Engine	11	4%	▼ down
Tires & Wheels	8	3%	▼ down
Suspension	6	2%	— flat
Body & Structure	5	2%	▼ down
Speed Control	4	1%	▼ down
Seats	2	1%	▼ down
Seat Belts	1	0%	▼ down
Lighting	1	0%	— flat
Latches & Locks	1	0%	— flat

Does the 2020 Honda Civic have recalls?

5 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

26V332000AirbagsMay 21, 2026 · 98,892 units

Defect

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2018-2021, 2023 Acura TLX, 2019-2024 RDX, 2017-2020, 2022-2026 MDX, 2017-2021, 2023, 2025 Honda Ridgeline, 2017-2022 Pilot, 2019-2021 Passport, 2018-2026 Odyssey, 2019-2022 Insight, 2019-2021 HR-V, 2018-2020 Fit, 2020-2022 CR-V Hybrid, 2017-2022 CR-V, 2017-2018, 2021 Civic Type R, 2017-2021 Civic hatchback, 2016-2020 Civic coupe, 2016-2022 Civic, 2017-2022 Accord Hybrid, and 2016-2022 Accord vehicles. The front passenger seat weight sensor may crack and short circuit, which can cause the air bags to deploy unintentionally during a crash.

Consequence

Air bags that deploy unintentionally during a crash increase the risk of injury.

Remedy

Dealers will replace the seat weight sensors, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed July 6, 2026. Owners may contact Honda's customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are BOL, WO9, OOA, WOM, XOH, NOC, POD, BOE, UOF, POB, EOG, AOI, QO8, TOJ, DO7, and SOK. This recall expands previous NHTSA recall number 24V064. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will be searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning May 29, 2026.

24V064000AirbagsFebruary 1, 2024 · 750,114 units

Defect

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Pilot, Accord, Civic sedan, HR-V, Odyssey, 2020 Civic coupe, Fit, 2021-2022 Civic hatchback, 2021 Civic Type R, Insight, 2020-2021 CR-V, CR-V Hybrid, Passport, Ridgeline, Accord Hybrid, 2020 Acura MDX, 2022 Acura MDX, 2020-2022 Acura RDX, and 2020-2021 Acura TLX vehicles. The front passenger seat weight sensor may crack and short circuit, failing to suppress the air bag as intended.

Consequence

An air bag that deploys unintentionally during a crash can increase the risk of injury.

Remedy

Dealers will replace the seat weight sensors, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 28, 2024, October 18, 2024, and August 2025. This is a phased recall. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for these recalls are XHP and VHQ.

23V858000Fuel SystemDecember 18, 2023 · 2,490,460 units

Defect

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2013-2023 Honda Accord, Civic Coupe, Civic Sedan, Civic Hatchback, Civic Type R, CR-V, HR-V, Ridgeline, Odyssey, Acura ILX, MDX, MDX Hybrid, RDX, RLX, TLX, 2019-2022 Honda Insight, Passport, 2020 Honda CR-V Hybrid, 2018-2019 Honda Clarity PHEV, Fit, and 2015-2020 Honda Accord Hybrid, Pilot, Acura NSX vehicles. The fuel pump inside the fuel tank may fail.

Consequence

Fuel pump failure can cause an engine stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Dealers will replace the fuel pump module, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed September 6, 2024. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are KGC and KGD. This recall is an expansion of NHTSA recall numbers 21V-215 and 20V-314.

23V458000BrakesJune 29, 2023 · 124,077 units

Defect

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Civic, 2020-2023 Ridgeline, 2021-2023 Passport, 2021-2022 Pilot, and 2020 Acura MDX vehicles. 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.

Consequence

Brake master cylinder separation can cause a loss of brake function and increase the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Dealers will inspect and repair the brake booster assembly as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 7, 2023. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are VEU, AEV, and ZET.

21V215000Fuel SystemMarch 25, 2021 · 624,552 units

Defect

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2019-2020 Acura MDX, MDX Sport Hybrid, RDX, TLX, Honda Accord, Civic Hatchback, Insight, 2019 Acura ILX, Honda Accord Hybrid, Civic Coupe, Civic Coupe Si, Civic Sedan, Civic Sedan Si, Civic Type R, Fit, HR-V, Odyssey, Passport, Pilot and Ridgeline, and 2018-2019 CR-V vehicles. The low-pressure fuel pump inside the fuel tank may fail.

Consequence

Fuel pump failure can cause an engine stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel pump assembly, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed May 18, 2021. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Note: This recall is an expansion of recall 20V-314.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“Was T bones September 3rd 2023 exiting the freeway by a Ford F-350. Injury to left side of vehicle mainly . Airbags not side airbags deployed. Went through insurance and was told to report it to the manufacturer. Due to this I now need double knee surgery as I have tears and fluid and now have…”
Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · September 3, 2023 · crash

“I WAS IN A WRECK MAY 2020. I SWERVED TO MISS A DEER AND HIT A CONCRETE COLVERT, THE VEHICLE LAUNCHED AND MY AIRBAGS DIDN'T GO OFF. VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE, MY MOTOR, TRANSMISSION, AND TIRES CAME OFF. I SUFFERED FROM SPINAL INJURY AND NERVE DAMAGE.”
Complaint filed with NHTSA · Other · May 12, 2020 · crash · fire

“Was T bones September 3rd 2023 exiting the freeway by a Ford F-350. Injury to left side of vehicle mainly . Airbags not side airbags deployed. Went through insurance and was told to report it to the manufacturer. Due to this I now need double knee surgery as I have tears and fluid and now have…”
Complaint filed with NHTSA · Driver Assistance · September 3, 2023 · crash

“I WAS DRIVING MY CAR FROM BENICIA,CALIFORNIA TO SACRAMENTO AND 20 MINS AWAY FROM MY DESTINATION MY CAR WARNING LIGHTS ALL TURNED ON AND I WENT FROM GOING 70 TO ONLY BEING ABLE TO GO NO MORE THAN 15. GOT IT TOWED TO HONDA AND FOUND OUT MY HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP WAS BAD. LOOK IT UP AND SEEN THAT…”
Complaint filed with NHTSA · Fuel System · August 18, 2020

“I turn my car on To go to work realized I didnât have my phone. Car was in park. I hadnât touch the gearshift at all I get out of the car. Approximate 20 seconds after I walk away from the car, my home security camera shows the car creeping extremely slowly backwards up into my driveway going…”
Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · August 2, 2024 · crash

2020 Honda Civic — common questions

Is the 2020 Honda Civic reliable?

It is close to typical for the Civic: 288 NHTSA complaints, 5 recalls, and no investigations on file.

What are the most common 2020 Civic problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are electrical system (36 complaints), other (35 complaints), driver assistance (32 complaints).

Does the 2020 Honda Civic have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns affecting the 2020 Honda Civic. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Which Honda Civic years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Civic years to avoid are 2006, 2007, 2001, 2016, 2022, 2008, 2002, 2018, 2017, 2012, 2003, 2019, 1998, 2009, 2010, 2015, 1997, 2013, 2004, 1999, 2005, 2014, 1996. The cleanest record among Civic years belongs to 1980.

How safe is the 2020 Honda Civic?

In NHTSA's NCAP crash testing, the 2020 Honda Civic earned an overall rating of 5 out of 5 stars.

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.

How does 2020 compare to other Civic years?

What are the most common 2020 Honda Civic problems?

Does the 2020 Honda Civic have recalls?

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

2020 Honda Civic — common questions

Is the 2020 Honda Civic reliable?

What are the most common 2020 Civic problems?

Does the 2020 Honda Civic have recalls?

Which Honda Civic years should you avoid?

How safe is the 2020 Honda Civic?

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