2020 Honda Civic problems, complaints & recalls
Updated from NHTSA data · How we count
Owners have filed 226 complaints with NHTSA about the 2020 Honda Civic, most often about electrical system. There are 5 recalls for this model year.
- Complaints
- 226
- Recalls
- 5
- Crashes
- 15
- Fires
- 1
- Injuries
- 12
- Median mileage
- 15,838 mi at time of problem
Key facts
- Electrical System is the most-reported problem area, named in 36 of 226 complaints (16%).
- Fuel, Hybrid & EV Propulsion (31) and transmission & drivetrain (30) follow.
- Half of the complaints that list mileage happened before 15,838 mi.
- Owners reported 15 crashes, 1 fire and 12 injuries.
- The 2020 Honda Civic has 5 recalls on file.
- It ranks 9th of 22 Honda Civic model years by our severity-weighted complaint score (1st = worst).
- That is 44% fewer complaints than the 2019 model year (405).
2020 Honda Civic problems by category
- Other / Unknown · 1 crash40 complaints
- Electrical System · 3 crashes36 complaints
- 31 complaints
- Transmission & Drivetrain · 1 crash30 complaints
- Steering · 2 crashes30 complaints
- Airbags · 5 crashes29 complaints
- Driver Assistance & Safety Tech · 1 crash27 complaints
- Brakes · 6 crashes17 complaints
- Visibility & Wipers14 complaints
- Engine12 complaints
- Wheels & Tires · 3 crashes9 complaints
- Suspension6 complaints
- Body & Structure6 complaints
- Acceleration & Cruise Control4 complaints
- Seats & Seat Belts · 1 crash3 complaints
- Lighting2 complaints
A complaint can mention more than one problem area, so categories add up to more than the total.
Most-reported components
| Component (as filed with NHTSA) | Complaints |
|---|---|
| Unknown or other | 37 |
| Electrical system | 34 |
| Steering | 30 |
| Air bags | 29 |
| Power train | 29 |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 24 |
| Forward collision avoidance: automatic emergency braking | 17 |
| Service brakes | 13 |
When problems happen (mileage)
2020 Honda Civic recalls (5)
- AIR BAGS:SENSOR:OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION:FRONT PASSENGER
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.
Risk: 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 were mailed July 7, 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.
- AIR BAGS:SENSOR:OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION:FRONT PASSENGER
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.
Risk: 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. 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.
- FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP
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.
Risk: 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.
- SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:MASTER CYLINDER
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.
Risk: 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.
- FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP
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.
Risk: 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.
NHTSA 5-Star safety ratings
| Version | Overall | Frontal | Side | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 Honda CIVIC 2 DR FWD | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ |
| 2020 Honda CIVIC 4 DR FWD | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ |
Recent 2020 Honda Civic complaints
Excerpts of the newest owner complaints, lightly cleaned of personal details. Complaints are unverified owner reports.
- Filed Oct 7, 2026SCOther / UnknownVisibility & Wipers
The air conditioning condenser failed prematurely due to a known manufacturing defect covered under Honda's 10-year warranty extension (TSB 19-091), but the dealership, Stokes Honda North and American Honda Motor Co.’s refused to honor the coverage. I reside in Charleston, South Carolina, where summer temperatures and humidity levels are extreme. Because of this defect, the vehicle's cabin becomes dangerously hot within minutes. I frequently transport my two young children…
NHTSA complaint #11769487 · source - Filed Oct 1, 2026FLSteering
Steering rack malfunction which is a major safety issue. It was said to be only in 2022-2025 civics but it is very clear this is happening in the 2020s as well
NHTSA complaint #11768246 · source - Filed Sep 23, 2026FLSteering
When driving, especially at highway speeds where only minor tracking adjustments are needed, the steering wheel can feel like it is momentarily sticking or catching. Having to exert sudden, extra physical effort to "break" the wheel free from this sticky point. This often leads to momentary overcorrection, significantly increasing the risk of a crash.
NHTSA complaint #11766551 · source - Filed Sep 10, 2026CA1 injuredOther / Unknown
I am writing to file a complaint regarding the air conditioning system failure in my 2020 Honda Civic Sport. The air conditioner in my vehicle began blowing hot air instead of cold air starting in January 2024. I took the vehicle to a mechanic for inspection, I was informed that the evaporator has failed and needs to be replaced. While researching this issue, I discovered that many other Honda Civic owners have reported similar air conditioning problems involving the…
NHTSA complaint #11763441 · source - Filed Sep 4, 2026247,000 miNJElectrical System
Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2020 Honda Civic. It was discovered that there was a mileage discrepancy. The vehicle was a dealer sale. At the time of purchase, the mileage was 87,000. At the time of registration, it was discovered that the mileage was 247,000.
NHTSA complaint #11762116 · source - Filed Aug 30, 2026FLElectrical SystemEngine
The turbocharger bypass control solenoid valve circuit on my 2020 Civic Si has developed an intermittent open, setting DTC P0035. I diagnosed it myself: the solenoid coil measures 45 ohms and functions when commanded via bi-directional scan tool, and supply voltage is present at the harness connector. However, the control circuit reads approximately 9V in the off state when it should be near ground, and the reading fluctuates when the harness is flexed near the connector —…
NHTSA complaint #11760752 · source - Filed Aug 20, 2026166,000 miVAVisibility & Wipers
The contact owns a 2020 Honda Civic. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the compressor shaft failed, and the shaft seal caused further damage to the compressor and caused an additional failure. The contact associated the failure with Technical Service Bulletin: 23-039. The dealer was contacted and diagnosed the vehicle with compressor failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and stated that the warranty…
NHTSA complaint #11758273 · source - Filed Aug 14, 202676,000 miWILighting
The contact owns a 2020 Honda Civic. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed and making a turn, the headlights failed to operate properly and failed to provide adequate illumination while driving. The dealer was contacted, and headlight failure was repaired; however, headlights were not recalibrated. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 76,000.
NHTSA complaint #11756913 · source
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Other 2020 Honda models
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Office of Defects Investigation public data, as of Oct 11, 2026. 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