2001 Honda Civic: Reliability Data

Source: NHTSA — 1357 complaints
1357
Total Complaints
90,500mi
Median Mileage
Automatic Transmission
Top Issue
206
Crash Reports

When Do Complaints Happen?

Distribution of NHTSA complaints by vehicle mileage at time of report.

60,000 25th Percentile
90,500 Median Mileage
125,000 75th Percentile

What Fails?

Most reported component issues from NHTSA complaints.

Automatic Transmission
289
Air Bags
200
Power Train
89
Frontal
60
Sensor/Control Module
43
Exterior Lighting
34
Electrical System
33
Seat Belts
29
Vehicle Speed Control
25
Macpherson Strut
21

Severity Assessment

206
Crashes
20
Fires
198
Injuries
6
Deaths

Sample Complaint Reports

"FUEL GUAGE DOES NOT REGISTER CORRECT LEVELS OF FUEL, CAUSE UNKNOWN. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. *AK"
"SRS INDICATES MALFUNCTION. OWNERS MANUAL STATES AIRBAG MAY NOT DEPLOY. POWER DOOR LOCK DRIVER SIDE INOPERABLE, CANNOT LOCK CAR FROM INSIDE. PASS INTERIOR DOOR PANEL LOOSE. NOTIFIED DEALER, SLOW TO RESPOND.*AK"
"SRS INDICATES MALFUNCTION. OWNERS MANUAL STATES AIRBAG MAY NOT DEPLOY. POWER DOOR LOCK DRIVER SIDE INOPERABLE, CANNOT LOCK CAR FROM INSIDE. PASS INTERIOR DOOR PANEL LOOSE. NOTIFIED DEALER, SLOW TO RESPOND.*AK"

Source: NHTSA ODI Complaints Database. Names and identifying details omitted.

When Were Complaints Filed?

Number of complaints by the year the issue occurred.

When Does Each Component Fail?

Median mileage at complaint for top components.

Automatic Transmission 289 complaints
25th: 70,750 mi Median: 95,000 mi 75th: 120,000 mi
Air Bags 200 complaints
25th: 59,280 mi Median: 100,000 mi 75th: 148,500 mi
Power Train 89 complaints
25th: 87,000 mi Median: 120,000 mi 75th: 152,000 mi
Frontal 60 complaints
25th: 45,840 mi Median: 69,770 mi 75th: 95,250 mi
Sensor/Control Module 43 complaints
25th: 44,830 mi Median: 60,000 mi 75th: 80,000 mi

Where Are Complaints Coming From?

Top states by complaint count.

CA: 281 NJ: 82 NY: 79 TX: 78 PA: 65 MA: 61 VA: 61 FL: 61 MD: 49 IL: 42

Who Files Complaints?

30.2%
Original Owners
69.8%
Second+ Owners

Honda Civic — Other Years

See how this model compares across different model years.

YearComplaintsCrashes
199011022
199114313
199211329
199317848
199417179
1995252103
199638396
199745278
199850292
199940475
200035091
2002876144
2003618127
200442459
200539691
20061708108
2007146464
2008107889
200949763
201048548
201122033
201261891
201343041
201437747
201548058
2016130153
201772631
201880741
201949234
202028122
20211819
2022113666
202331832
202415917
2025808

Active Recalls (27)

Federal safety recalls issued for this vehicle.

Inflator Module
Campaign 19V182000 | 06/03/2019
An explosion of an inflator within the driver frontal air bag module may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver, front seat passenger or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's air bag inflator with an alternate inflator, free of charge. The recall began April 10, 2019. Honda owners may contact customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's number for this recall is O41. Acura owners may contact customer serv
Inflator Module
Campaign 19V499000 | 27/06/2019
An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began August 12, 2019. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are Q5A and Y58.
Inflator Module
Campaign 19V501000 | 27/06/2019
An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal airbag inflator, free of charge. The recall began August 12, 2019. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are E5D and X5C.
Air Bags
Campaign 14V700000 | 04/11/2014
In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger’s frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants potentially resulting in serious injury or death.
Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger side air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began January 26, 2015. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-800-999-1009.
Inflator Module
Campaign 18V268000 | 26/04/2018
An incorrectly installed air bag may deploy improperly in the event of a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
Honda will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and, if necessary, replace the passenger frontal air bag module assembly, free of charge. The recall began June 22, 2018. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are K1P, and M1O.
Inflator Module
Campaign 15V320000 | 28/05/2015
In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began on July 1, 2015. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Owners may contact Acura customer service at 1-800-382-2238, select option 4. Note: Vehicles that
Inflator Module
Campaign 15V370000 | 15/06/2015
In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the passenger seat occupant or other occupants possibly causing serious injury or death.
Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began on July 1, 2015. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are JU4, JU5, JU6, and JU7. Note: Vehicles that have already received
Headlights
Campaign 08E050000 | 11/08/2008
WITHOUT THE AMBER SIDE REFLEX REFLECTORS, THE LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY BE AFFECTED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
K2 MOTOR WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND. THE RECALL BEGAN ON DECEMEBER 17, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT K2 MOTOR AT 1-909-839-2992.
Glass, Side/Rear
Campaign 07E104000 | 11/12/2007
IN THE EVENT OF A VEHICLE CRASH, THE OCCUPANT(S) MAY BE SERIOUSLY INJURED BY SHATTERED GLASS.
SAFELITE WILL NOTIFY ITS RETAIL CUSTOMERS AND REPLACE THE GLASS FREE OF CHARGE. RETAIL CUSTOMERS CAN CONTACT SAFELITE TOLL FREE AT 1-888-843-2906. SAFELITE WILL NOTIFY ITS WHOLESALE CUSTOMERS AND REIMBURSE WHOLESALE CUSTOMERS FOR CURRENT INVENTORY AND AT A SPECIFIED RATE FOR REPLACING THEIR CUSTOMER
Exterior Lighting
Campaign 06E060000 | 29/06/2006
LACK OF AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS IN THE LAMPS WILL DECREASE LIGHTING VISIBILITY TO OTHER DRIVERS AND MAY POSSIBLY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH
AAI MOTORSPORTS WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE LAMPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 1, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT AAI MOTORSPORTS AT 909-923-9188.
Exterior Lighting
Campaign 06E038000 | 08/05/2006
WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.
ALFAOTTO WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE HEADLAMPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 10, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT ALFAOTTO AT 626-656-2992 OR VISIT THEIR WEBSITE AT WWW.ALFAOTTO.COM.
Headlights
Campaign 09E025000 | 11/05/2009
DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
DOPE, INC. WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 28, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DOPE, INC. AT 1-626-272-1798.
Exterior Lighting
Campaign 06E040000 | 15/05/2006
WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.
E SPEED RACING WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER TO REPURCHASE THE LAMPS. THE RECALL BEGAN MAY 10, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT E SPEED RACING 909-923-3636.
Headlights
Campaign 06E023000 | 13/03/2006
WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
ANZO WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE HEADLAMPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN MAY 9, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT ANZO USA AT 909-468-3688.
Exterior Lighting
Campaign 06E064000 | 17/07/2006
LACK OF AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS IN THE LAMPS WILL DECREASE LIGHTING VISIBILITY TO OTHER DRIVERS AND MAY POSSIBLY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
TRADESONIC WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE LAMPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING JULY 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT TRADESONIC AT 626-934-8884.
Exterior Lighting
Campaign 09E012000 | 07/04/2009
DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
SABERSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 11, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SABERSPORT AT 1-909-598-7589.
Fuel Pump
Campaign 01V183000 | 06/06/2001
IF THE PUMP STOPS WORKING, THE ENGINE WILL STALL WITHOUT WARNING, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE FUEL PUMP. IF CORROSION IS FOUND, THE FUEL PUMP WILL BE REPLACED. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN JUNE 29, 2001. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT HOND
Filler Pipe And Cap
Campaign 01V182000 | 06/06/2001
IN A COLLISION, THE TUBE COULD DISCONNECT FROM THE FUEL TANK, RESULTING IN FUEL LEAKAGE. FUEL LEAKAGE, IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.
DEALERS WILL CHECK THE HOSE CLAMPS FOR PROPER TORQUE AND TIGHTEN THEM CORRECTLY, IF NECESSARY. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN JUNE 4, 2001. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT HO
Exterior Lighting
Campaign 06E026000 | 23/03/2006
WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.
PRO-A MOTORS WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER TO REPURCHASE THE LAMPS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 3, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT PRO-A MOTORS AT 323-838-2988.
Headlights
Campaign 06E025000 | 21/03/2006
WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.
POLI-AUTO WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER TO REPURCHASE THE HEADLAMPS AT ITS ORIGINAL PURCHASE PRICE. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING APRIL 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT POLI-AUTO AT 305-477-1356.
Tank Assembly
Campaign 07V512000 | 01/11/2007
THIS COULD RESULT IN A TANK RUPTURE, EXPLOSION, AND EJECTION OF THE TANK FROM THE VEHICLE.
DEALERS WILL INSTALL A HEAT INSULATOR MATERIAL TO THE REAR SEAT BACK. AN INTERIM OWNER LETTER WAS MAILED TO OWNERS BEGINNING NOVEMBER 26, 2007. WHEN PARTS ARE AVAILABLE, OWNERS WILL BE RENOTIFIED ASKING THEM TO BRING IN THEIR VEHICLE FOR REPAIR. OWNERS MAY CONTACT HONDA AT 1-800-999-1009.
Exterior Lighting
Campaign 06E032000 | 18/04/2006
WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.
TOM MOTORSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER REIMBURSEMENT FOR THE PURCHASE OF NONCOMPLIANT LIGHTS. THE RECALL BEGAN APRIL 17, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT TOM MOTORSPORT AT 626-968-4007.
Exterior Lighting
Campaign 06E044000 | 22/05/2006
WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.
J & A AUTO ACCESSORIES WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER TO REPURCHASE THE HEADLAMPS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 10, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT J & A AUTO ACCESSORIES AT 310-327-4981.
Buckle Assembly
Campaign 01V380000 | 13/12/2001
THE REAR SEAT BELTS WILL WORK PROPERLY AND PROVIDE PROTECTION IN A CRASH, BUT THE OWNER MAY EXPERIENCE DIFFICULTY UNFASTENING THE BELT AFTER THE CRASH.
DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE VEHICLES AND REPLACE THE SEAT BELT ASSEMBLIES THAT WERE IMPROPERLY MANUFACTURED. ONLY BUCKLES THAT ARE MARKED (ON THE BACK SIDE OF THE BUCKLE) WITH AN ASSEMBLY NUMBER BEGINNING WITH 00185, 00186, OR 00187, WILL BE REPLACED. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT THEIR DEALER FOR THIS REPLA
Buckle Assembly
Campaign 02V051000 | 08/02/2002
THE REAR SEAT BELTS WILL WORK PROPERLY AND PROVIDE PROTECTION IN A CRASH, BUT THE OWNER MAY EXPERIENCE DIFFICULTY UNFASTENING THE BELT AFTER THE CRASH.
IN A PREVIOUS RECALL (01V-380), ONLY RIGHT AND LEFT BUCKLES WERE INSPECTED. THE REAR CENTER BUCKLE SHOULD ALSO BE INSPECTED AND CORRECTED IF NECESSARY. THIS RECALL IS BEING CONDUCTED ONLY FOR THE CENTER BUCKLE. DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE VEHICLES AND REPLACE THE SEAT BELT ASSEMBLIES THAT WERE IMR
Headlights
Campaign 04V086000 | 24/02/2004
AN UNEXPECTED LOSS OF LOW BEAMS COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.
DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE HEAD LIGHT SWITCH AND COUPLER FOR SIGNS OF HEAT DAMAGE. IF HEAT DAMAGE IS PRESENT, THE DEALER WILL REPLACE THE SWITCH AND COUPLER. IF NO HEAT DAMAGE IS PRESENT, THE DEALER WILL REPLACE THE HEAD LIGHT SWITCH AND ONE MATING PIN IN THE COUPLER. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON APR
Engine
Campaign 01V329000 | 22/10/2001
IF THE PLASTIC PIECE LODGES IN THE THROTTLE BODY, THE THROTTLE COULD STICK IN A PARTIALLY OPEN POSITION. ALTHOUGH THE DRIVER CAN ALWAYS STOP THE CAR BY APPLYING ADDITIONAL BRAKE FORCE, OR BY TAKING OTHER ACTIONS (I.E., SHIFT INTO NEUTRAL, TURN OFF THE IGNITION KEY, ETC.), IF THE CAR CONTINUES TO MA
DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE AIR CLEANER BOX FOR DAMAGE. IF DAMAGE IS FOUND, THE DEALER WILL LOCATE AND REMOVE THE BROKEN PLASTIC PIECE, AND REPLACE THE AIR CLEANER BOX LID. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON OCTOBER 25, 2001. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE

Extend Your Transmission Life

Based on the most common issues reported for this vehicle.

  • Change transmission fluid at manufacturer intervals — not 'lifetime' fluid
  • Come to a full stop before shifting from reverse to drive
  • Don't ride the brakes on hills — use a lower gear
  • Check transmission fluid level and color monthly — dark fluid needs changing
  • Address slipping, hard shifts, or delayed engagement immediately

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Data source: View this vehicle on NHTSA.gov | NHTSA ODI Complaints Database. Public domain.

Methodology: Complaint counts and mileage distributions are computed directly from consumer-reported NHTSA complaints. This data represents reported issues, not failure rates — vehicles without complaints are not represented. Full methodology.

Data through: 2026-03-28