2020 Honda Civic Engine Problems
- Complaints
- 13about this part
- Share
- 6%of 233 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 40,776miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 13 complaints about the engine of the 2020 Honda Civic, 6% of the 233 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 40,776 miles.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“On 4-23-23 the altenator belt came off of the car when I was driving down the road there was nothing wrong with the belt and the belt was put back on the car and i am concerned with my safety I have a 2020 Honda Civic Sport with 12,600 on the car when the belt came off Now i am afraid to drive my car”
NHTSA complaint #11520330, filed 2023-05“Once again the car loses ability to accelerate after driving at highway speeds and driving for about an hour. The car won’t accelerate and has to be turned off and has to sit for awhile. Sometimes the car struggles to start back up. This may happen several times when I drive. This is a safety issue as the car isn’t reliable and can’t just not accelerate on the highway. I feel this is related to the fuel pump recall and that my kind of civic needs to be included in this.”
NHTSA complaint #11584341, filed 2024-04“The turbocharger bypass control solenoid valve circuit on my 2020 Civic Si has developed an intermittent open, setting DTC P0035. I diagnosed it myself: the solenoid coil measures 45 ohms and functions when commanded via bi-directional scan tool, and supply voltage is present at the harness connector. However, the control circuit reads approximately 9V in the off state when it should be near ground, and the reading fluctuates when the harness is flexed near the connector — indicating a partial break in the wiring consistent with vibration fatigue. …”
NHTSA complaint #11760752, filed 2026-08“My 2020 Honda Civic experienced engine overheating and a cylinder 3 misfire (P0303). Two independent mechanics diagnosed a blown head gasket with coolant leaking into cylinder 3. The vehicle underwent a head gasket repair under Honda’s extended warranty. Less than a week after the repair, the engine overheated again while I was driving. I pulled over, waited approximately an hour for the engine to cool, added coolant, and drove to the dealership. The dealership later reported that the cylinder head was cracked near cylinder 4, close to the exhaust valve. …”
NHTSA complaint #11771943, filed 2026-10“Today while driving at highway speeds of 75MPH my car once again lost power. The RPM’s go up and the speed keeps decreasing. I had to pull over on the interstate and shut my car off and turn it back on after awhile to get it to run again. I 100% feel that this issue is related to the fuel pump recall and this vehicle needs to be added to that list. It is a danger to be driving on the Interstate and lose power like that. One of these times someone is going to hit me on the side of the road. This is about the 20th time or more this has happened to me.”
NHTSA complaint #11590493, filed 2024-05Related service bulletins
- 11037695Sep 25, 2026Service Bulletin - Under certain conditions, the cylinder head gasket effectiveness may be reduced which may cause vehicles to experience overheating, coolant loss, and/or…
- 11037693Sep 25, 2026Service Bulletin - Under certain conditions, the cylinder head gasket effectiveness may be reduced which may cause vehicles to experience overheating, coolant loss, and/or…
- 11036424Aug 26, 2026Dealer Message - Under certain conditions, the cylinder head gasket effectiveness may be reduced which may cause vehicles to experience overheating, coolant loss, misfire, and/or…
- 11036408Aug 26, 2026Service Bulletin - Under certain conditions, the cylinder head gasket effectiveness may be reduced which may cause vehicles to experience overheating, coolant loss, misfire…
- 11036407Aug 26, 2026Service Bulletin - Under certain conditions, the cylinder head gasket effectiveness may be reduced which may cause vehicles to experience overheating, coolant loss, misfire…
- 11021745Jul 29, 2025Service Bulletin - Oil leak at timing chain tensioner inspection cover due to possible insufficient sealant adhesion on inspection cover.
- 10176145May 28, 2020Dealer Message - We've noticed an unprecedented demand for A/C compressors which at times has created a backorder situation. The majority of the compressors returned were…
- 10173653Apr 3, 2020Dealer Message - We've noticed an unprecedented demand for A/C compressors which at times has created a backorder situation. The majority of the compressors returned were…
Engine: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 5 | 16% |
| 2025 | 5 | 7% |
| 2024 | 4 | 3% |
| 2023 | 8 | 3% |
| 2022 | 11 | 1% |
| 2021 | 5 | 3% |
| 2020 | 13 | 6% |
| 2019 | 33 | 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 2020 Honda Civic
38 complaintsElectrical system
37 complaintsSteering
32 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
32 complaintsFuel system
31 complaintsAir bags
29 complaintsForward collision avoidance
24 complaintsBrakes
17 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
14 complaintsWheels
7 complaintsBody and structure
6 complaintsSuspension
6 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2020 Honda Civic
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 28, 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