2012 Honda Civic Hybrid Problems
- Complaints
- 12filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- 43,214miles, 9 complaints with mileage
- Recalls
- 1campaigns on record
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
- NHTSA crash rating
- 5 / 5stars overall
- EPA fuel economy
- 44 mpgcombined, 1.5L 4-cyl · hybrid FWD · 43 city / 44 hwy
Sources: NHTSA records for the 2012 Honda Civic Hybrid (complaints, recalls, investigations), NHTSA crash tests, EPA fuel economy. Report an error
NHTSA recorded 12 consumer complaints for the 2012 Honda Civic Hybrid. The part named most often is electrical system, with 4 complaints (33% of the total), followed by transmission and drivetrain (3) and air bags (2). 9 of the complaints include a mileage, and 56% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 43,214 miles. Of all complaints, 3 involved a crash, 6 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign and 12 technical service bulletins for this model year. Electrical system complaints overlap with 4 technical service bulletins filed under the same part. Transmission and drivetrain complaints overlap with 1 recall campaign covering the driveshaft filed under the same part.
This model year has fewer than 25 complaints on record, so the numbers below can change a lot with a few new reports.
Which parts are reported most
Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.
- Electrical system4 33%
- Air bags2 17%
- Brakes2 17%
- Engine2 17%
- Fuel system2 17%
- Hybrid propulsion system1 8.3%
- Other or unknown1 8.3%
Also reported: Seat belts (1), Body and structure (1), Suspension (1).
Example complaints
Electrical system: “When the car becomes low on gas you receive a low gas notification via the indicator (icon on the left side of the dash) and a notification via the information screen, which you can acknowledge and while the indicator stays on (normal) you can clear the information screen (and audible beeps) and have the information screen go back to showing the odometer or some other information. This was the status on my 2012 hybrid until ~90 days ago. …”
NHTSA complaint #10566095, filed 2014-02, 20,000 milesTransmission and drivetrain: “The contact owns a 2012 Honda Civic Hybrid. The contact stated while driving 50 MPH on the highway, the suspension lowered inadvertently, causing her to lose control of the vehicle, and the vehicle stopped. The vehicle was towed to the residence where it was diagnosed by an independent mechanic. The independent mechanic diagnosed that the front driver's side axle had detached and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure reoccurred on the front passenger's side axle five months later. …”
NHTSA complaint #11481276, filed 2022-08, 130,000 milesAir bags: “I was pulling into a parking space and my car accerlerated and crashed into a stone wall and then went backwards several feet before I was able to brake the air bags did not deploy and the seat belt came loose from the wall. I was taken to the hospital since my chest was hurt from the steering wheel.”
NHTSA complaint #10513468, filed 2013-05, 4,267 milesBrakes: “We where rear ended on the 805 south at e st in san diego ca. The traffic came to a complete stop and a older ford expedition plowed into us at 55 MPH , upon impact the Honda accelerated full throttle with complete loss of brakes , my wife was driving I was front passenger and my handicapped son was r/r , she was able to steer the car to the right shoulder as I slammed the car into park and turned the ignition off at about 40 MPH , it took about 100 yards before it came to a stop, the car is at tipton Honda in el cajon and they say that there is no evidence or computer fault code of said…”
NHTSA complaint #10485881, filed 2012-11, 8,000 milesMileage when problems were reported
56% of the 9 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 18,357 and 90,000 miles.
Complaints by year filed
Fewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
Crash test ratings
NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2012 Honda Civic Hybrid. Frontal results are shown driver / passenger; rollover shows the star rating and NHTSA's estimated risk of rolling over in a single-vehicle crash.
| Version | Overall | Frontal | Side | Side pole | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Civic Hybrid · sedan FWD | ★★★★★ | 5 / 4 | 5 | 5 | 4 · 10.9% risk |
Neighbouring years: 2011: 3 stars overall; 2013: same overall rating. A redesign between years can change both the car and the test.
Source: NHTSA New Car Assessment Program (5-Star Safety Ratings), nhtsa.gov/ratings.
Fuel economy and running cost
EPA ratings for each 2012 Honda Civic Hybrid version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).
| Version | Engine | Transmission | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Civic Hybrid FWD | 1.5L 4-cyl · hybrid | CVT | 43 | 44 | 44 | $1,500 |
Source: U.S. EPA and Department of Energy, fueleconomy.gov. Ratings are for comparing vehicles; real-world mileage varies with driving and conditions.
Recalls and investigations
- 20V770000Dec 10, 2020Power train › Driveline › DriveshaftCovers: Honda Civic Hybrid 2012, Fit 2007–2013, Acura ILX 2013–2015 +1 more
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2013-2015 Acura ILX, 2013 Acura ILX Hybrid, 2012 Honda Civic Hybrid, and 2007-2008 Honda Fit vehicles with a manual transmission and 2009-2013 Honda Fit vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in…
Recall details for the 2012 Honda Civic Hybrid → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls
Technical service bulletins
TSBs are manufacturer notes to dealers about known repair procedures. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault. 12 on record; the latest 10 are shown.
- 10187899Feb 25, 2021Engine cooling. Owner Notification Letter - This warranty only covers vehicles that have a defective motor power inverter, also known as intelligent inverter unit. The motor power inverter may fail over time due to…
- 10185042Dec 18, 2020Electrical system, Engine cooling. Dealer Message - Today, December 18, 2020, American Honda is announcing a warranty extension for certain 2012-2015 Civic Hybrid vehicles. This warranty extension covers the intelligent inverter unit…
- 10184658Dec 18, 2020Electrical system, Equipment, Engine cooling. "Service Bulletin - The Motor Power Inverter (MPI), also known as the Intelligent Inverter Unit (IIU), may fail over time due to a defective solder joint.
- 10160545May 16, 2019Steering. ServiceNews Article - When removing and installing a cable reel, you need to keep both the cable reel and the steering angle sensor in position. If you don't , the VSA indicator may come on along…
- 10144037Aug 9, 2018Equipment. Dealer message - Today, American Honda is notifying dealers of a voluntary noncompliance recall for a small number of Honda vehicles due to an error on the replacement (service part) underhood…
- 10144032Aug 9, 2018Engine cooling. Service bulletin - Emission certification labels that were replaced on a small number of vehicles may have been replaced with a label listing incorrect information. The affected emission labels are…
- 10100421Nov 22, 2016Equipment. Service bulletin - navigation system information.
- 10115219Dec 17, 2014Tires. Service bulletin - For any TPMS-related warranty repairs, all recorded DTCs must now be entered into the warranty claim. Make sure your repair order includes those DTCs.
- 10128869Jul 11, 2014Electrical system. Service bulletin - A new replacement IMA battery will require an update to the IMA battery software. If the IMA battery is being replaced on the affected models, please check and install the latest…
- 10129492Mar 19, 2014Electrical system. Service bulletin - The customer states the vehicle did not start due to a low state of battery charge. The vehicle?s battery sensor monitors battery condition and the PCM determines charging mode…
Other model years of the Honda Civic Hybrid
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | Crash ★ | MPG | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 8 | — | 2 | — | — | — | Too new |
| 2015 | 5 | 117,729 | 0 | 5 | 44 | — | Not enough data |
| 2014 | 5 | 40,000 | 0 | 5 | 44 | — | Not enough data |
| 2013 | 9 | 33,000 | 0 | 5 | 44 | — | Not enough data |
| 2012 | 12 | 43,214 | 1 | 5 | 44 | — | Not enough data |
| 2010 | 12 | 37,500 | 6 | — | 42 | — | Not enough data |
| 2009 | 28 | 52,000 | 5 | — | 42 | Not compared (fewer than 3 comparable model years) | Stable |
| 2008 | 64 | 70,750 | 4 | — | 42 | Not compared (fewer than 3 comparable model years) | Falling |
| 2007 | 64 | 77,000 | 5 | — | 42 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 2006 | 55 | 105,618 | 7 | — | 42 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2005 | 48 | 96,500 | 6 | — | 41 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 2004 | 35 | 123,000 | 6 | — | 41 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 2003 | 51 | 126,102 | 6 | — | 41 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
All Honda Civic Hybrid model years · Best and worst years by complaints
Frequently asked questions
How many NHTSA complaints does the 2012 Honda Civic Hybrid have?
NHTSA recorded 12 consumer complaints for the 2012 Honda Civic Hybrid as of Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 2012 Honda Civic Hybrid is reported most often?
Electrical system is named most often, in 4 complaints (33% of the total), followed by transmission and drivetrain with 3.
Has the 2012 Honda Civic Hybrid been recalled?
NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
How did the 2012 Honda Civic Hybrid do in NHTSA crash tests?
NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings give the 2012 Honda Civic Hybrid 5 out of 5 stars overall. Ratings from different model years are only comparable when the vehicle was not redesigned in between.
What gas mileage does the 2012 Honda Civic Hybrid get?
The EPA rates the 2012 Honda Civic Hybrid (Civic Hybrid, 1.5L 4-cyl · hybrid) at 44 mpg combined, 43 city and 44 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $1,500 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.
At what mileage are problems with the 2012 Honda Civic Hybrid reported?
Among the 9 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 43,214 miles and the middle half falls between 18,357 and 90,000 miles; 56% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Crash ratings are from NHTSA’s New Car Assessment Program. Fuel economy is from the EPA and DOE (fueleconomy.gov).
Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.