On September 27, 2026, at approximately 90,800 miles, the body control module (BCM) in my 2020 Honda Civic Hatchback failed. Symptoms included the alarm sounding on its own, warning lights illuminating on the dash, the vehicle turning its accessories on unprompted while parked (key fob was present), the battery draining, and the key fob intermittently not being recognized.
Honda Civic battery drain problems
46 of the 16,054 owner complaints about the Honda Civic describe battery drain or dead battery, most of them for the 2017 model year.
- owner complaints
- 46
- worst model year
- 2017
- typical mileage
- 27,800
Is there a fix? There are 2 recalls for this area of the car. See below
By model year
Often reported together
Key fob 8Won't start 7Door locks 6Loss of power 4Warning lights 3Wipers 2Overheating 2Headlights 2
Trouble codes mentioned
U0100 1U0038 1P0172 1
What owners say
My 2017 Honda Civic just had a known BCM issue and many with the same models year from 2016-2018 experience the same failures. Honda should have a recall because it's where the car unknowingly drains the battery and the engine sits in idle/accessory mode that is damaging to other parts that the customer have to expense for.
The Body Control Module (BCM) on my 2017 Honda Civic suffered an internal failure, creating immediate safety hazards. The defect caused persistent parasitic battery drain, sudden vehicle power loss, and erratic electrical behavior. A faulty BCM can cause critical safety components—such as exterior lighting, turn signals, and windshield wipers—to fail without warning while driving. Honda has already recalled 2018–2020 Accords and 2019–2020 Insights for identical BCM programming and hardware failures (the federal safety agency Campaign 20V771000 / Honda Campaign X95). My 2017 Civic utilizes similar BCM architecture and exhibits the exact same dangerous failure symptoms. This component defect is widespread across multiple Honda platforms from this generation, and the safety recall must be expanded to include the Honda Civic before a catastrophic electrical failure results in a crash or injury. I had to replace the unit entirely out of pocket to ensure the vehicle was safe to operate.
The vehicle's smart entry door handle system was continuously drawing power even when the vehicle was off. This resulted in repeated battery drain and battery replacement (approximately 4 times). The ongoing electrical load also resulted in alternator failure. Once the issue was diagnosed (performed by the dealer), expense was required to resolve the parts. The issue caused repeated no-start conditions and reliability/safety concerns. This took a year to resolve and appears to be a common concern based off online posts. I am submitting this complaint now for documentation and potential reimbursement/recall creation as it is likely that others have had this same issue.
I am reporting a serious ongoing issue with my 2019 Honda Civic Sport involving the trunk repeatedly opening on its own both while driving and while parked. The issue is also causing the vehicle alarm to activate unexpectedly. The trunk has opened while the vehicle was in motion, creating a major safety concern. It also randomly opens while parked, sometimes triggering the alarm system for no apparent reason. The problem appears to happen intermittently but has become frequent enough that I no longer feel safe leaving the vehicle unattended or driving it normally. I attempted to clean the trunk latch area, but the issue continues. I believe there may be a malfunction involving the trunk latch, actuator, key fob system, electrical wiring, sensor, or alarm system. This situation is dangerous because the trunk can unexpectedly unlatch while driving, potentially blocking visibility or causing damage. The repeated alarm activations and trunk openings while parked are also causing concern about battery drain, security, and reliability. Vehicle Information: 2019 Honda Civic Sport Symptoms: • Trunk opens while driving • Trunk opens while parked • Alarm randomly activates • Trunk may not remain securely latched • Ongoing intermittent electrical or latch-related issue I am requesting that this issue be documented and inspected as soon as possible due to the safety risk involved.
Vehicle battery drains while vehicle not in use. Have replaced the battery twice, and replaced alternator. Problem persists. When this began, it coincided with the car's door lock feature unlocking the vehicle upon approach, within about five feet, without pressing the fob. Also, if locking the vehicle if not about five feet away, it will lock and immediately unlock itself. I've seen many owners posting about identical issues, and no one seems to know how to fix the problem.
Both door handles need to be replaced at 800.00 a piece. Key fob to door handles causing parasitic draw to the battery and car goes dead. Risk - have to lift that 47 lb hood to jumpstart while putting my back out. Steroid injects on 12/2/2025. My Honda advisor and pain doctor are aware. Problem has been reproduced by my Honda advisor and mechanic at Crown Honda Florida. No warning lamps in this Honda Civic 2018 shows no low battery capability. Google search door handles causing parasitic draw. 1600.00 is a lot of money to pay so I hope there will be a recall.
I have replaced my battery twice. I have purchased a new door handle so it wouldn’t drain the electric in my vehicle. I was told to drive my car every day to keep my battery charged. I just walked out the door and my battery is dead. This has happened approximately 12 times since I have owned this vehicle and I believe there should be a recall because you cannot find the parasitic draw. Please help me. I cannot afford all these repairs and this should be a recall. I have seen lots of articles about the 2018 Honda Civic sedan please file this under a recall.
The Body Control Module (BCM) is faulty and causes the alarm to go off on its own, lights inside the cluster glitch turning on by itself and drains the battery even with the key fob nowhere near its vicinity when off. Sometimes does not recognize the key fob.
Our battery died in April 2025. We've had this car since October 2021 with only 8 miles on it. We've replaced: The PCV valve The PCV valve tube The MAF sensor The sparks plugs 3 times which was $90 each time Replaced our battery 2 times since April 2025 3 oil changes And finally replacing our entire fuel injector system with the hard fuel line. And replacing the battery the first time is what revealed all these issues because we kept getting codes on our obd-ii scanner of P0172, U0038 and U0100. Honda told us once the fuel injectors were replaced then our car would be fixed but that is not the case. The car can't travel further then 5 minutes before the spark plus burn. We replaced the spark plugs on Sunday morning and we went to the store and they were charred after that drive same day.
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 battery drain
Which Honda Civic years have battery drain or dead battery problems?
The model years with the most reports are 2017 (8 complaints), 2018 (7 complaints) and 2016 (4 complaints).
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