2012 Honda Civic Engine Problems
- Complaints
- 32about this part
- Share
- 7%of 456 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 25,000miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 32 complaints about the engine of the 2012 Honda Civic, 7% of the 456 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 25,000 miles. 2 of these say a crash was involved and 1 a fire, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“There is a strong smell of exhaust if you stand next to the car while it's idling & parked or stationary. I bought the car in 2014 or 15 and noticed it soon after. I've had it checked for exhaust leaks a few times, but no one has found one. It seems like it could cause problems with emissions, and let fumes into the passenger compartment if a door or window was open long enough.”
NHTSA complaint #11206986, filed 2019-05, 25,000 miles“I was stopped at a red light. When the light turned green I stepped on the gas and the car went in reverse. I tried again and the car was in drive but went in reverse when I stepped on the gas. I had to turn the engine off and restart it in order to drive forward. This was the second time this had happened. It happened the first time about two months ago.”
NHTSA complaint #10705150, filed 2015-04, 30,000 miles“When the car is parked in a downward slope facing down, and you engage the reverse gear, the car rolls forward. This is especially difficult to control if you are parked in a tight spot and you will roll and hit the car in front of you. We reported this to Honda corporation and they said that this is normal behavior. I do not agree, since my other car (different make/model) does not perform the same.”
NHTSA complaint #10475490, filed 2012-09, 10 miles“The car loses power when going up hills and has stalled twice. If I lightly bump the shift while driving it goes into neutral. I must use the emergency brake when parked even on a flat surface or the car will roll.”
NHTSA complaint #10705125, filed 2015-04, 25,000 miles“I was driving a 2012 Honda Civic when the car in front of me slammed on their brakes and came to a complete stop due to something in the road. I slammed on my brakes and tried to avoid the car in front of me by swerving to the right. The driver side of the front of my car hit the back of the car in front of me. My car was completely smashed in the front. Air bags did not deploy. After I came to a complete stop, my car lit on fire. The car was burned and completely destroyed.”
NHTSA complaint #10669091, filed 2014-12, 53,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10129790Feb 28, 2018Service bulletin - The oil consumption is more than the customer expects; the engine oil level is low on the dipstick sooner than expected based on overall vehicle usage…
- 10098946Sep 16, 2015"service bulletin - the mil comes on with one of these dtcs: p2646/p2651 (rocker arm oil pressure switch circuit low voltage). p2647/p2652 (rocker arm oil pressure switch…
- 10115164Jan 28, 2015Service bulletin - There is a chirping from the engine area while driving on rough roads in hot weather. The side engine mount's internal components are rubbing together, causing…
- 10053303Aug 22, 2013American honda: vehicle may experience an engine surge upon accelerating from a stop. Ahm requests to inspect vehicle before any repairs are attempted.
- 10053124Jul 18, 2013American honda: investigation of an engine surge on specific vehicles, when accelerating from a stop. Inspection is to occur prior to attempting a repair.
- 10052884Jul 16, 2013Honda: dtc p2646/p2651 or p2647/2652 may be set. The rocker arm oil pressure switch may need to be replaced. Also included model civic si model year 2002-2005.
- 10052477May 1, 2013Honda: the engine shuts off, power on, but in accessory; never use conventional wheel & tire assemblies on pax vehicles; mil on after throttle body cleaning or replacement; s/m…
Engine: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 5 | 16% |
| 2025 | 5 | 7% |
| 2024 | 3 | 2% |
| 2023 | 8 | 3% |
| 2022 | 11 | 1% |
| 2021 | 5 | 3% |
| 2020 | 13 | 6% |
| 2019 | 32 | 7% |
| 2018 | 57 | 8% |
| 2017 | 66 | 11% |
| 2016 | 95 | 9% |
| 2015 | 31 | 8% |
| 2014 | 23 | 8% |
| 2013 | 22 | 7% |
| 2012 | 32 | 7% |
| 2011 | 7 | 4% |
| 2010 | 19 | 5% |
| 2009 | 27 | 7% |
| 2008 | 156 | 17% |
| 2007 | 170 | 14% |
| 2006 | 227 | 16% |
| 2005 | 14 | 4% |
| 2004 | 10 | 3% |
| 2003 | 8 | 2% |
| 2002 | 17 | 2% |
| 2001 | 19 | 2% |
| 2000 | 4 | 1% |
| 1999 | 14 | 4% |
| 1998 | 3 | 1% |
| 1997 | 3 | 1% |
| 1996 | 2 | 1% |
Other parts of the 2012 Honda Civic
149 complaintsSteering
74 complaintsElectrical system
60 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
49 complaintsBrakes
40 complaintsVehicle speed control
38 complaintsBody and structure
35 complaintsOther or unknown
31 complaintsFuel system
25 complaintsSeat belts
14 complaintsSeats
12 complaintsElectronic stability control
10 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2012 Honda Civic
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology