2016 Honda Civic engine problems

Related recalls

• Recall 16V074000Feb 9, 201642,129 vehicles
  ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

  Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain model year 2016 Civic vehicles manufactured September 22, 2015, to February 3, 2016 and equipped with 2.0L engines. The affected vehicles have engines with piston assemblies that may have been manufactured without a piston wrist pin circlip or with an incorrectly installed piston wrist pin circlip.

  Risk: If a circlip is missing or incorrectly installed, the piston wrist pin may not be secure and may drift and damage the engine cylinder causing the engine to seize, and increasing the risk of a crash or a fire.

  Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and replace the piston assemblies and damaged engine components, as necessary, free of charge. Parts are expected to be available in the Summer of 2016. Owners were mailed an interim notification beginning March 31, 2016, and will be mailed a second notice when parts are available. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's number for this recall is JX9.

What owners say

1. Filed May 7, 2026OREngineTransmission & Drivetrain

   2016 Honda Civic EX-T 1.5L turbo. Coolant is disappearing with no visible external leak. Diagnosed by mechanic as likely head gasket failure. This is a known defect affecting 2016-2022 Civics with the 1.5T engine. There is an active class action lawsuit (Alcantara et al. v. American Honda Motor Co.) regarding this exact issue. Vehicle has approximately 190,000 miles.”

   NHTSA complaint #11736313 · source
2. Filed Apr 25, 2026MIEngine

   I was driving my vehicle on the highway and I experienced a loss of power / limp mode and my car started decelerating very quickly and I pulled off and parked because I got super scared of driving and when I tried to start my vehicle back up it would not turn back on. I found a recall describing the exact scenario I went through and it is not listed for my vin “ [XXX] ” but says it’s for the exact make of my vehicle, a 2016 Honda Civic Sedan 2.0 Naturally aspirated. The…

   NHTSA complaint #11733791 · source
3. Filed Jan 30, 2026106,000 miCAEngine

   The contact owns a 2016 Honda Civic. The contact stated that while the vehicle was running with the A/C unit activated, there was an abnormal odor inside the cabin of the vehicle. Additionally, while the A/C unit was activated, only hot air was coming from the vents. The vehicle was taken to a dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the A/C evaporator needed to be replaced because of leaks in three places. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was…

   NHTSA complaint #11714518 · source
4. Filed Nov 19, 2025TXElectrical SystemEngineSteering

   My 2016 Honda Civic has a recurring safety-critical defect that began approximately 2–3 weeks after purchase. While turning (most often left turns), the vehicle suddenly shuts off without warning. When this occurs, the power steering assist locks, brake assist is lost, and the electrical system cuts off and then reboots. This has happened more than 5–6 times and nearly caused collisions. I had to apply extreme brake pressure to avoid hitting another vehicle during one…

   NHTSA complaint #11700294 · source
5. Filed Oct 14, 2025CAEngineFuel, Hybrid & EV Propulsion

   Blown Head gasket failure due to coolant leak into cylinders Evaporator Leak for A/C due to condenser and compressor shaft.

   NHTSA complaint #11693315 · source
6. Filed Sep 19, 2025GAEngine

   - The engine failed. The engine block warped and both had to be replaced. I have pictures from the dealer. The cost was $8,194.56 at the dealer for a replacement engine with 89K miles on it. - My son's safety was put at risk because he is in a rural area. Every warning lamp on the dashboard turned on after Indy Honda replaced the coolant (Maintenance minder A125). Then the lights would turn off. Then Andy Mohr Honda inspected it (for the first time) and their diagnosis was a…

   NHTSA complaint #11688396 · source
7. Filed Jun 30, 2025OHEngine

   [XXX] a/c didn,t work blowing hot air needed freon, cost $293.96 , ,GERMAIN HONDA told me some 2016 civic,s a/c compressors & componets needed to be replace but not mine. today [XXX] a/c blowing hot air again. was there a recall on a/c on 2016 honda civics. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

   NHTSA complaint #11670275 · source
8. Filed Jun 24, 2025OHEngine

   Air conditioner stopped working - I heard the condenser has a 10 year warranty extension - regardless of mileage. Please assist [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

   NHTSA complaint #11668997 · source
9. Filed Jan 15, 2025NCEngine

   Went to my local dealer on January 11 to have my car checked due to a possible knock in my engine or transmission. They checked it but was not able to find a code or the actual cause after changing the oil of transmission and running it. It still continues to have issues They told me “might need to leave your car overnight because their master technician is not here until Monday “ To me I didn’t like much that answer because I spend too much for a no fix or cause. Also they…

   NHTSA complaint #11636004 · source
10. Filed Dec 4, 2024OHElectrical SystemEngine

    All light are coming in off and on in my car , keys will lock my car but when i walk away it unlocks and rolls all my windows down on its own. Had to remove key batteries for it to stop and had a diagnostic ran and it shows the body control module is misfiring and having issues. Was told there was a recall on 10th gen honda civics but you sight doesnt show it

    NHTSA complaint #11628736 · source
11. Filed Dec 2, 2024ILEngine

    Driving on highway to work when check engine light came on in addition to "Emissions System Problem", "Hill Start Assist", "Power Steering Issue", etc. When scanned for codes it showed misfire codes P0300, P0301, P0302, P0303, P0304. When spark plugs and coils were changed one set showed signs of rust. The misfires persisted after changing out these parts. When taken to the dealership they stated that the powertrain warranty had been extended to 6yrs from the original date…

    NHTSA complaint #11628310 · source
12. Filed Nov 11, 2024UTEngine

    I have been experiencing engine and transmission issues for nearly 2 years. I have under 90k miles and am the 2nd owner since 2017. There is lack of power, speed inconsistencies, sputtering and hesitation upon acceleration. It feels unsafe. I have taken the vehicle in for a diagnosis and they stated it was an issue with the turbo and it has failed. This should not have occurred as the vehicle is under 120k miles. I have since paid to have it repaired at the cost of $5678.00

    NHTSA complaint #11624583 · source

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Office of Defects Investigation public data. Complaints are submitted by owners and are not verified by NHTSA or by us; a complaint does not prove a defect exists. View this vehicle on NHTSA.gov Methodology