2017 Honda Civic Problems

What owners report

Owners of the 2017 Civic report two broad themes: an air conditioning system that stops cooling, often traced to the condenser or compressor, and a steering feel that becomes sticky or stiff, sometimes accompanied by power steering assist loss. Electrical complaints about the body control module — the car starting on its own, alarm going off, dash staying on — and fuel pump failures also appear in the sample, with many reports filed in the first few years of ownership and at relatively low mileage.

1. 1
   Other or unknown

   A/C blows warm air (condenser or compressor leak)

   • 178 complaints (30%)
   • median 38,500 mi at 3.7 yrs old (62 state mileage)
   • 7 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • owner-quoted repair $1,518 (median of 40 quotes)
   • filed 2017–2026

   Owners describe the air conditioning gradually losing cooling, then blowing warm or hot air, sometimes with one side cooler than the other. Dealers in the complaints commonly point to a leaking condenser and, in several cases, a leaking compressor or high-pressure hose; some owners report repeat repairs and being told the compressor is not covered by the condenser warranty extension, and a few were quoted a goodwill or flush charge. Reported across a wide mileage range, from near-new to about 75,000 miles, and often noticed when the weather turns hot.

   2 related service bulletins

   What to check: Run the A/C on its coldest setting at idle and at speed and confirm the vents get properly cold; ask for service records showing whether the condenser was replaced and whether the compressor was checked for leaks.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “The A/C on these vehicles stop working after a while. Know other people that own a 2016/2017 Honda Civic and the A/C stops working. We've all took it back to the dealer to get it checked out and they try charging an arm to fix it. I don't think it's fair for us customers to be buying full price for these vehicles when they know the affects they have and then steal from us to get it fixed.”

   NHTSA complaint #11364172, filed 2020-10, 90 miles

   “I started experiencing issues with my A/C within 12months of purchasing the vehicle. The A/C would blow hot air sporadically and when I brought the issue up to the service advisor to look into, they reported that they did not find anything wrong and that the A/C was functioning properly. This issue would continue to happen every summer up until now, where it has completely stop working and only blowing out hot air. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11353902, filed 2020-09, 6,000 miles
2. 2
   Steering

   Steering sticks or becomes stiff

   • 177 complaints (29%)
   • median 47,574 mi at 4.0 yrs old (39 state mileage)
   • 2 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • owner-quoted repair $2,850 (median of 6 quotes)
   • filed 2016–2026

   Owners describe the steering wheel feeling sticky, notchy or jerky, requiring extra effort to correct, mostly on straight highway driving rather than in curves. Some report the wheel pulling or shaking, and a few describe a loss of power steering assist with the power steering warning light on. Complaints mention several alignments without a fix, and some dealers diagnosed a steering gear or rack issue. Appears from roughly 15,000 miles upward, with many reports between 40,000 and 100,000 miles, and some at higher mileage.

   Recall 18V663000

   What to check: Test drive on a straight highway stretch and feel for stickiness or a notch at small steering inputs; ask whether the electric power steering recall work was completed and whether the steering gear has been replaced.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “We drive a 2017 Honda Civic hatch and we had to take vehicle to dealership. They diagnosed it with rodent issue chewing thru wire. We now have to fix it and replace wire and the dealership will put a take to deters rodents. We have to pay $500 dollars to replace. My husband was driving home from work and his power steering stopped working. I called Honda and they said we have to pay for damage but they did say many customers have called Honda to complain about issue. So it is a know issue and no recall has been done. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11375235, filed 2020-11, 36,700 miles

   “I bought a 2017 Honda Civic back in dec of 2016 and currently, have about 15,00 miles on my car. The problem started a few months ago when I noticed that the steering wheel would start being sticky, stiff and jerky. The steering wheel would pull to the right and have this subtle movements, it would cause resistance. This was not frequent but the problem would show up occasionally. I have reported the issue to 3 different Honda dealerships with no solution. I have had 2 alignments on my car but that did not resolve the problem either. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11331436, filed 2020-06, 15,000 miles
3. 3
   Electrical system

   Car starts itself, alarm sounds, or stays powered on

   • 61 complaints (10%)
   • median 17,750 mi at 1.9 yrs old (30 state mileage)
   • 5 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • owner-quoted repair $2,600 (median of 7 quotes)
   • filed 2017–2026

   Owners report the vehicle starting on its own while parked, the alarm going off at random, and the car failing to shut off or dropping into accessory mode instead. Several complaints state the dealer diagnosed a failed body control module, and one mentions the computer system needing replacement; some owners describe battery drain and warning lights in the same episodes. Mostly reported between roughly 20,000 and 60,000 miles, frequently with the car parked, sometimes at night.

   11 related service bulletins

   What to check: Ask whether the body control module has been replaced or reflashed, and check for any history of unexplained battery drain or alarm activity.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “My car alarm randomly started going off while parked for three days, three different times of the day. The last time it happened back to back at 2am while parked. I tried turning it off with my key fob and it would not register. I opened the car with the key in the fob and pushed the start button, the engine started and I remained parked. Then I tried turning the car off but it would not turn off, instead the lights flickered on the dash and the car stayed on. I tried it 2 more times and it finally turned off the engine but not the dash. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11397649, filed 2021-02, 29,900 miles

   “Car would either start engine on its own or turn on standby/accessory mode on its own. This would happen immediately after the car was shut off. Disconnecting the battery was the only way to stop it, this after it ruined the previous battery by constantly drawing power by the car starting itself. Dealer diagnosed it as a faulty body control module.”

   NHTSA complaint #11319469, filed 2020-03, 75,000 miles
4. 4
   Engine

   Fuel in engine oil and misfires / overheating

   • 43 complaints (7%)
   • median 18,765 mi at 2.5 yrs old (19 state mileage)
   • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • owner-quoted repair $1,874 (median of 6 quotes)
   • filed 2018–2026

   Owners report the oil level rising or smelling of gasoline, with mechanics confirming fuel mixed into the oil at oil changes. Complaints describe stalling, rough cold-start shaking, and in some cases overheating, coolant loss or misfires with cylinder misfire codes stored. Dealer responses described in the complaints range from an oil change and release to diagnosis of a cylinder head gasket issue. Reported from roughly 18,000 to 75,000 miles, with several owners noting cold weather as a factor.

   12 related service bulletins

   What to check: Check the oil level and smell the dipstick for gasoline, look for a rising oil level between changes, and ask whether any software update or cylinder head work related to these bulletins was performed.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “At cold start, the idling engine shakes the steering wheel, dashboard, and much of the cabin. It feels like a poorly seated motor mount. I've driven civics my whole life and have never felt a shake like this one. I took it to the local Honda dealership and left it overnight in hopes of replicating the cold start. They could not reproduce the problem but I'm beginning to worry.”

   NHTSA complaint #11406033, filed 2021-04, 30,000 miles

   “On my Honda Civic I have the oil dilution problem which was verified by a mechanic. When I had the oil change they said gasoline came out with the oil. Two days before I went to get the oil change the fuel in the oil caused my engine to stall and me and my friend almost got rear ended by many cars flying up on us. We were barely able to get just barely inches off the freeway but every car came within inches of hitting our car and almost killing us. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11366691, filed 2020-10, 61,300 miles
5. 5
   Fuel system

   Fuel smell and fuel pump failure

   • 66 complaints (11%)
   • median 22,648 mi at 3.0 yrs old (30 state mileage)
   • 3 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • owner-quoted repair $1,400 (median of 5 quotes)
   • filed 2017–2026

   Owners describe a gasoline smell in or around the vehicle and, in some cases, loss of power or a stall with a no-restart afterward. Shops diagnosed a cracked or failed fuel pump; several owners tied the symptom to the fuel pump recall but reported their VIN was not included. Complaints also describe throttle or acceleration hesitation in similar circumstances. Reported from about 15,000 to 95,000 miles, often during low-speed driving or after refueling.

   Recall 23V858000

   What to check: Check whether the fuel pump recall applies to the specific VIN, and note any fuel odor around the car or in the engine bay during a test drive.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Adaptive cruise control will fail to turn on. After attempting to turn on, accelerator pedal will have .5-1 second delay when attempting to accelerate from stop/idle causing near collisions. Since purchase, there have been 10-15 episodes where I attempt to turn on adaptive cruise control while on the freeway but the system will not engage. I only get 3 beeps and an acc off indication on the dash. Once this happens, for the rest of that drive, there is a pedal dead zone/severe acceleration delay when starting from a stop. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11362713, filed 2020-10, 27,000 miles

   “I have an acceleration problem very cerium in my Honda Civic 2017, it is about acceleration, imagine that you are going on the freeway through the carpool and suddenly the driver in front stops if you try to brake but once you are not going to reach to brake the brake and accelerate trying to avoid the accident but your car after releasing the brake pedal and accelerating does not accelerate and you as you released the breakers you stay in the middle of the freeway for 5 seconds with cars going at 70 MPH well that's just one of my many almost …”

   NHTSA complaint #11326419, filed 2020-05, 19,000 miles

Buying note. Before buying, verify open recalls by VIN, test the A/C and steering on a proper drive, and review service records for condenser, body control module and fuel pump work. An oil change history showing stable oil level is worth asking about on the turbocharged models.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 60 NHTSA complaints for this model year (picked at random, with complaints that state a mileage and recent ones taken first), then checked automatically against the source records. Where a problem shows a complaint count, every complaint for this model year was matched with fixed keyword rules (written with AI and tested against the sample), and the mileage, age and repair figures are calculated from those complaints; owners' figures are as stated, not verified. Other counts refer to the sample. The excerpts come from NHTSA's public complaint records and are unverified; capitalisation is normalised, NHTSA staff notes are removed, and shortened text ends with “…”. Something wrong? Request a correction.