Infotainment screen stuck in software update mode. Rear camera and Heat - A/C - Defroster no longer visible. Vehicle is available for inspection upon request.
Honda Civic backup camera problems
37 of the 16,050 owner complaints about the Honda Civic describe backup camera failure, most of them for the 2016 model year.
- owner complaints
- 37
- worst model year
- 2016
- typical mileage
- 7,400
By model year
Often reported together
Screen failure 3Won't start 1Wipers 1Warning lights 1Stalling 1Shudder 1Door locks 1Brake failure 1
What owners say
On 07/08/2026, the Infotainment system on my 2018 Honda Civic EX failed throughout the entire day into the morning of 07/09/2026. The screen became pixelated and would then turn black, not allowing me to see the screen at all. No matter how many times I attempted to reboot the unit or restart the vehicle, the issue did not resolve. Although this is not an urgent safety issue since it is related to the radio unit, this screen does display other components that are critically related to safety, such as the backup camera and passenger’s side blind spot camera. While being unable to see the screen, these added safety features are not available to the driver because they are not functional. Being that the vehicle is not equipped with backup/blind spot sensors as most other modern vehicles are, a driver would be dependent on these cameras to avoid a crash. I then serviced the vehicle at Planet Honda on Route 22 in Union, New Jersey, where the technicians completed a full diagnostic inspection. After running several electrical codes, technicians found no mechanical/electrical issue with my vehicle that would cause the system to fail. The service advisor stated that this is a common issue among many Honda owners and the issue lies within the system itself. Unfortunately the only fix would be to replace the entire unit totaling almost $2,700.00. If this is a common issue with other Honda vehicles, why has Honda not addressed this? My brother also owns a CRV and has noted that he has similar issues with his display. The entertainment system of the vehicle contains everything related to the vehicle, between camera views, settings, etc. If it is failing for many Honda owners and the only remedy is an expensive replacement, Honda should be held responsible. I cannot afford to pay almost $3,000.00 for something so essential.
The component ive seen fail on multiple 2018, 2019, 2020, honda civics is the rear camera allows water into the camera lens area. And it becomes permanently foggy but the lens its self does fail. Becomes hazy and the haziness is on the inside of the lens protector this starts happening when the car is 4 to 5 years old.
Rear camera view distorted
The rearview camera automatically projects onto the center display when applying the brake. On the morning of 2/16, the center display was showing the rearview camera view my entire morning commute to work. It is likely an electrical issue (short). This impacts my safety because if I need to access anything on my main display I cannot do it if the car is automatically displaying the rearview camera view. This is very distracting while driving and if others are dealing with a similar issue, they could be too focused on trying to mess with the display and take their attention of driving circumstances. I have not yet taken the car to the dealer to get it looked at. The issue first started on 2/13/26. The vehicle is up to date on inspection but again I have not yet brought it in to the dealer to get it looked at. There are no warning lights or messages that appeared prior to failure.
Due to a faulty malfunctioning manufactured back up camera and front dashboard display, my sister backed into another car while parallel parking, resulting in a damages on the paint of the back bumper and further indentation. Additionally this issue happens all of sudden no matter what the weather condition or temperature outside is which increases the risk of a crash with vehicle behind or injury to a pedestrian. I have proof of this happening and it seems forums online have reported this issue to
My Honda Civic's software for Apple CarPlay does not have an available update by Honda Corporation to allow functionality to use CarPlay Focus Driving settings to prevent receiving audio phone calls and ringing via the infotainment system speakers while driving and using apps such as Waze for navigation and/or iHeart radio for music. My safety while driving and the safety of others while I am driving is put at risk because while I am driving and using an app for music and/or navigation, my Honda Civic's infotainment system speakers may ring when my Apple iPhone receives a phone call from anyone, and this distracts my driving and may be unsafe. My Apple iPhone 14 has CarPlay Focus Driving software to allow me to prevent incoming phone calls while driving and connected to car Bluetooth or CarPlay. However, I cannot use this Focus Driving feature with my Honda Civic because Honda Corporation has not updated my Civic's infotainment system software to interface with my Apple iPhone 14 Focus Driving feature. I met my Honda dealership's service department staff, and they confirmed that there is no recall for my Honda Civic. They confirmed and showed me on my Civic's backup camera screen settings for Driving Focus that "Incoming calls will not be silenced while using CarPlay." I will upload this image/picture from my backup camera screen as a file for this discussion. The need for Honda Corporation to update their car infotainment system software to allow safety while driving is not unique to my 2024 Honda Civic.
I turn my car on To go to work realized I didn’t have my phone. Car was in park. I hadn’t touch the gearshift at all I get out of the car. Approximate 20 seconds after I walk away from the car, my home security camera shows the car creeping extremely slowly backwards up into my driveway going up across the crown of the road… across the street and falls into a 10 foot deep ditch. I am 100% certain that Car was in Park… There were no sounds when I open the door to alert me that it would be anything other than park.. The back up camera was not engaged, so it was definitely not in Reverse… When the tow truck pulled it out of the ditch, it was Still running It had stopped vertically before it hit the bottom of the ditch, and rear tire got stuck in muddy water…. There were no ruts from tire, spinning from the front end at all in the ditch or the grass above the ditch… There is a recall of some 2020 civics for brake failure, parking brake failure…. I strongly believe my car needs to be part of this recall, because obviously something is wrong… My road is 55 mph and a car had to stop to avoid hitting my car… I have video from my home camera That shows a clear delay between when I get out of my car and shut the door and the car starts crawling. I tested it after he pulled it out of the ditch just to see if I had it in reverse from the same exact spot wouldn’t move and it immediately moved so I’m certain something is wrong… Right now the body shop can’t even duplicated can’t even get it to get caught between Park and reverse. Please investigate And this could’ve easily been a fatality. I need to send more photos and videos, but it won’t allow me to do it but there’s definitely more for me to send If someone can give me an email
Rear hatchback fills internally with water and only drains when tailgate is raised. Standing water and freeze/thaw cycle has potential to damage electrical components (taillights, rear camera, license plate light, rear defroster, rear wiper). This issue has been confirmed by Honda dealer, but they have been unable to fix it after 3 attempts.
The rearview camera image may not appear. This does not happen constantly, but it will happen from time to time when reversing. Sometimes the problem will not correct itself until the vehicle is restarted. I did not know that a safety recall might be needed until I just saw the recall for the same issue in the Honda Pilots
Related recalls
Electrical system: ignition
- What is wrong
- Honda is recalling certain model year 2003 honda accord, civic two and four door, and model year 2003-2004 honda element vehicles. The interlock lever of the ignition switch may unexpectedly deform, which can allow the interlock function of a vehicle with an automatic transmission to be defeated.
- Risk
- Removal of the ignition key when the gear selector of a vehicle with an automatic transmission has not been shifted to the park position can allow the vehicle to roll away, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Dealers will remove the original interlock pin and lever within the ignition switch, and replace them with new, designed components. This service will be performed free of charge. The safety recall began on october 7, 2010. Owners may contact honda at 1‑800‑999‑1009.
Recall number 10V364000 · Recall details
Electrical system: ignition: switch
- What is wrong
- On certain sedans, coupes, hatchbacks, and sport utility vehicles, electrical contacts in the ignition switch can degrade due to the high electrical current passing through the switch when the vehicle is started.
- Risk
- Worn contacts could cause the engine to stall without warning, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Dealers will replace the ignition switch. Owner notification began june 14, 2002. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact honda at 1‑800‑999‑1009 or acura at 1‑800‑382‑2238.
Recall number 02V120000 · Recall details
Questions about the Honda Civic backup camera
Which Honda Civic years have backup camera failure problems?
The model years with the most reports are 2016 (9 complaints), 2018 (7 complaints) and 2015 (4 complaints).
VIN decoder
See the problems and recalls for an exact car
Buying a used Honda Civic?
Check the exact car before you pay: accidents, salvage or flood titles, odometer readings and previous owners.
Check its history