2012 Honda Civic Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 49about this part
- Share
- 11%of 456 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 18,314miles
- Trend
- RisingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% higher than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 49 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2012 Honda Civic, 11% of the 456 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 18,314 miles. 4 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers. 1 recall campaign on record is filed under a similar system.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“While driving, car randomly displays check emission and check transmission system error. When I restart the car, the check engine light comes when I put it in d position. I took the car for repair and they say everything is normal and they didn't find any issues. I'm really worried about the safety in mid-way and also the engine or transmission might get effected.”
NHTSA complaint #11114654, filed 2018-07, 65,000 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“When turning the steering wheel right and left, there is a loud clanking noise. It happens 95% of the time. The dealer told me it was the power steering fluid (even though there is no power steering fluid as the 2012 model has an electronic system). The noise has continued and gets worse. They told me other models had a recall on the driveshaft which may be the issue but they cant do anything unless I pay out of pocket because my car was not under the recall.”
NHTSA complaint #10735700, filed 2015-07, 15,000 miles“When making a left turn at a busy and dangerous intersection I lost power for several seconds. I managed to pull onto the shoulder until the car accelerated again. I had called the dealership previously about this recurring problem. I took the car into the service department of the dealership prior to the date of this incident and the problem could not be replicated. Because of safety concerns I traded the car in with mileage at less 2000.”
NHTSA complaint #10493581, filed 2013-01, 1,800 miles“While driving on the highway at 50mph at 2500rpm all of a sudden my RPM went to 4000 without me accelerating more I got scared and tried to slowly slow down the vehicle but RPM remained at 4000. And it remained like that till I stopped the vehicle and restarted it.”
NHTSA complaint #10449423, filed 2012-02, 1,026 milesRelated recalls
- 12V256000Jun 4, 2012Honda is recalling certain model year 2012 honda civic vehicles. During assembly, the process required to seat the drivers side driveshaft and set the…Covers: Honda Civic 2012
Related service bulletins
- 10198771Jun 24, 2021Owner Notification Letter - Our records indicate that a EMISSIONS RECALL has not been completed on this vehicle (Vehicle Identification Number XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX). Under certain…
- 10167173Oct 31, 2019Owner Notification Letter - Under certain circumstances, your vehicle's powertrain control module (PCM) may not properly adjust the air-fuel ratio resulting in your vehicle…
- 10165578Sep 24, 2019Dealer Message - Today, September 24, 2019, American Honda is announcing a stop sale and emissions recall for certain 2012 Civic vehicles that may be releasing air pollutants…
- 10165576Sep 24, 2019Service Bulletin - Due to an improper PCM calibration, after starting the engine the PCM cannot properly adjust the air-fuel ratio under certain conditions and the on-board…
- 10165571Sep 24, 2019Service Bulletin - Due to an improper PCM calibration, under certain conditions after starting the engine the PCM cannot properly adjust the air-fuel ratio. As a result, vehicle…
- 10108386Apr 21, 2017"dealer message - today, april 21, 2017, american honda motor, co., inc. Is notifying all dealers of a voluntary emissions recall for certain model year 2012 honda civic pzev…
- 10108385Apr 21, 2017Service bulletin - due to an improper pcm calibration, under certain conditions after starting the engine the pcm cannot properly adjust the air-fuel ratio. As a result, vehicle…
- 10129290Jun 10, 2014Service bulletin - The MIL comes on and DTC P0101 (MAF sensor circuit range/performance problem) is stored. The PCM misinterprets the mass air flow sensor inputs while driving…
- 10053784Sep 27, 2013Honda: when accelerating from a stop, in some vehicles, noise is heard from clutch while engaged in 1st gear, and sounds like a squeaking, or groaning, or grinding, rubbing or…
- 10086702Sep 12, 2013"dealer message - american honda (ahm) is investigating certain 2012 m/t civic sis with a complaint of a clutch noise when engaging the clutch in 1st gear or when accelerating…
Transmission and drivetrain: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 2 | 6% |
| 2025 | 6 | 8% |
| 2024 | 6 | 5% |
| 2023 | 8 | 3% |
| 2022 | 10 | 1% |
| 2021 | 2 | 1% |
| 2020 | 32 | 14% |
| 2019 | 13 | 3% |
| 2018 | 14 | 2% |
| 2017 | 29 | 5% |
| 2016 | 36 | 3% |
| 2015 | 177 | 46% |
| 2014 | 98 | 33% |
| 2013 | 22 | 7% |
| 2012 | 49 | 11% |
| 2011 | 4 | 2% |
| 2010 | 12 | 3% |
| 2009 | 23 | 6% |
| 2008 | 52 | 6% |
| 2007 | 104 | 9% |
| 2006 | 76 | 5% |
| 2005 | 36 | 11% |
| 2004 | 56 | 16% |
| 2003 | 101 | 20% |
| 2002 | 185 | 26% |
| 2001 | 403 | 37% |
| 2000 | 30 | 10% |
| 1999 | 35 | 10% |
| 1998 | 49 | 11% |
| 1997 | 25 | 7% |
| 1996 | 25 | 8% |
| 1995 | 14 | 7% |
| 1994 | 8 | 6% |
| 1993 | 9 | 6% |
| 1992 | 5 | 5% |
| 1991 | 6 | 5% |
| 1990 | 6 | 7% |
| 1989 | 2 | 3% |
| 1988 | 1 | 2% |
| 1987 | 2 | 5% |
| 1986 | 5 | 14% |
| 1984 | 1 | 20% |
Other parts of the 2012 Honda Civic
149 complaintsSteering
74 complaintsElectrical system
60 complaintsBrakes
40 complaintsVehicle speed control
38 complaintsBody and structure
35 complaintsEngine
32 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 31, 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