2020 Honda Civic engine problems

Filed Oct 18, 2026 · Engine · IL

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. When I picked my car up from the dealership, I scanned the vehicle and found the P0303 cylinder 3 misfire code. I am concerned that the engine may have an unresolved problem that could cause it to overheat again, sustain further damage, or lose power while driving. The vehicle is still in my possession and available for inspection. I have an appointment with an independent mechanic on October 24, 2026, to have the engine and cooling system inspected and determine what may have caused the repeated overheating. I am submitting this complaint to bring attention to a potential engine or engine-cooling safety defect and ask the federal safety agency to consider whether similar problems may be affecting other vehicles.

Filed Aug 30, 2026 · Electrical, Engine · FL

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. This is a safety concern because the ECM fault cascades to other systems. My scan report shows U0401-68 in the ABS module and U0416-68 in both the EPS and Integrated Driver Assistance modules. The result is that VSA stability control is disabled. I first noticed the problem because warning lights appear during hard cornering — precisely when stability control is most needed. Honda has acknowledged this exact failure mode. Service Bulletin 18-044 (the federal safety agency ID 10142655), issued June 2018, covers the 2017 Civic Type R for DTC P0035 and states the cause as: heat and the natural frequency of the harness cause the coupler wire to oscillate, producing an open circuit to the turbocharger bypass control solenoid valve. The remedy was a replacement engine wire harness kit. The Si shares the same L15B7 engine family and the same bypass control solenoid circuit, but no campaign covers it. Owner forums document numerous P0035 wiring failures on non-Type-R 1.5T Civics. I am requesting that the federal safety agency consider whether this defect and its effect on stability control warrants a safety investigation and expansion of the existing remedy to other 1.5T Civic models.

Filed Aug 14, 2025 · Airbags, Engine · CA

I received an email from Honda regarding a safety recall, stating that the defective part is now available. However, when I called different Honda dealerships, they told me to disregard the notice because the part is not available. If the repair cannot be done, I am concerned why Honda sent the notice in the first place.

Filed Dec 11, 2024 · Engine, Fuel system · IA

Today my 19 year old daughter was driving and her car just died in the middle of the road. And it wouldn’t start back up. It finally did start and she was able to pull over out of traffic. This is a huge safety issue and about the 20th time this has happened to my daughter. It is maybe even happen more. I fill out one of these reports every time and I don’t feel like my voice is heard or that anybody cares. One of these times somebody is going to hit my daughter and I hope she doesn’t die due to an accident. This is a huge safety issue and I know there is a safety recall on fuel pumps. Just not my daughter‘s model. She needs this fuel pump fixed and replaced and Honda needs to pay for it. Every other 2020 Honda has a fuel pump recall except my daughter’s model and I think that this issue happening about 20 times warrants a recall. Would Honda rather fix the fuel pump or have somebody get into a serious accident because they didn’t. We don’t have the money to just buy another car or pay to get it fixed as it is expensive and I know that other cars are being fixed for free under the recall. If this is the wrong site to to bring this issue forward and have something be done please somebody let me know so I can address the correct people. Like I said I have filled this out about 20 times and nobody has ever contacted me or got back to me.

Filed Sep 28, 2024 · Engine, Fuel system · IA

Once again while driving on the interstate at highway speed the car lost power and then died. At first it wouldn’t start and then finally did where it could be slowly driven to an exit for safety. I 100% think this vehicle needs included in the fuel pump recall! This is probably the 30th time it has done this. This is my 19 year old daughter’s car and it is very unsafe. We bought a Honda because we heard they are very good and safe and reliable cars. This hasn’t proven to be that! We can’t afford to just get another car or pay to have it fixed. I know there are many other Hondas with this recall in effect! Add this VIN number. I have reported this issue multiple times! Do better Honda and fix my daughters car before she gets in an accident that could injure or even kill her!

Filed May 23, 2024 · Engine, Fuel system · IA

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.

Filed May 21, 2024 · Electrical, Engine · CA

On [XXX], 2023, my car's electrical system malfunctioned, leaving me unable to restart the vehicle after stopping. I had to call my car insurance for roadside assistance, and their representative jump-started the battery, suggesting I replace it. However, on [XXX], 2024, the same issue recurred, causing the car to stall unexpectedly and fail to start while I was out shopping with my wife and [XXX] daughter. Fortunately, I was driving on local roads; I shudder to think what might have happened if I had been on the freeway. Again, I had to rely on my insurance's roadside assistance for help. The safety of my family and me was jeopardized, especially since this is our only vehicle, which we frequently use to travel with my infant. These incidents are documented in two insurance claims. My car is among those recalled for fuel pump issues, but I haven't been able to schedule a repair with the dealer due to no available appointments. The online chat support also refused to book an appointment for the same reason. Additionally, my car has always adhered to Honda's regular maintenance schedule. From March 2024 to May 2024, the car's display screen, including the mileage indicator, intermittently malfunctioned while driving. On [XXX], 2024, when the car stalled, the screen also indicated a brake system error. Finally, I want to report another issue with this car: the cooling system is no longer providing cold air, resulting in the interior temperature being consistently higher than the outside temperature, especially during the recent hot summer days. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Apr 21, 2024 · Engine, Fuel system · IA

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.

Filed Mar 25, 2024 · Engine, Fuel system · IA

Car loses power when driving at highway speeds after driving for about 45 minutes. The car won’t accelerate when this happens and shows no warning signs on the dash. The only way to get the car to run right is to turn it off and wait for about 15-30 min and then start it again. Sometimes this happens 3 times in a trip and when it happens is random but always at highway speeds. This makes the car unreliable and unsafe. I see some Honda civics have a recall for this issue but mine does not. I feel mine needs included in that recall to fix the problem and make the car safe as the problem has occurred multiple times. Have brought the car to a Honda dealer and it threw no codes so they couldn’t fix anything but I have read a faulty fuel pump throws no codes.

Filed Sep 20, 2023 · Engine, Fuel system · 40,776 miles · CA

The contact owns a 2020 Honda Civic. The contact stated while driving approximately 65 MPH, the steering wheel began to independently turn to the right and the left. The contact stated that the “Steering” and "Lane Departure" warning lights were illuminated. The contact stated that the steering wheel had become more difficult to turn. The contact stated that the steering failure was intermittent but had become a recurring failure. Additionally, the contact stated there was an abnormal gasoline and burned engine oil odor inside the cabin of the vehicle. The contact state that she had been noticing the odor for about a month. The contact also stated that the vehicle was overheating and was felt inside the foot wells. The contact had taken the vehicle to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that there were no failures found. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was 40,776.