The air conditioner compressor failed on my car at about 85,000 miles. My mechanic told me that they are noticing many 2019-2022 Honda Civics with the exact same problem, with the A/C compressor failing at about the same mileage. My mechanic replaced the compressor with a new Honda compressor. The cost was about $2,700. I've attached the invoice. The failure of the A/C compressor is a threat to safety for the following reasons: Loss of Windshield Defrosting: If the windows fogged up and I could not clear them because the AC failed, this blocks my vision and is a direct safety hazard. Engine Stalling or Serpentine Belt Failure: If the compressor locked up (seized) and broke my car's belt, it could cause me to lose power steering, battery charging, or engine cooling while driving. Extreme Heat Risk: If the AC failed in extreme summer heat (which is exactly what happened to me - it failed in July and I was without A/C for more than 6 weeks in the summer) it would put vulnerable passengers (like children or elderly family members) at risk for their health. Given the testimony of my mechanic that this same failure is happening to many Civic owners (2019-2022) at about the same engine age, I'd like it considered whether a recall is appropriate.
Honda Civic engine failure problems
197 of the 16,048 owner complaints about the Honda Civic describe engine failure, most of them for the 2006 model year.
- owner complaints
- 197
- worst model year
- 2006
- typical repair cost reported
- $5,000
- typical mileage
- 73,200
By model year
Often reported together
Overheating 49Steering lock-up 28Stalling 16Check engine light 10Loss of power 9Fire or smoke 9Misfire 7Power steering loss 6
Trouble codes mentioned
P0304 2P1362 1P0303 1P0302 1P0301 1P0300 1
What owners say
The contact owns a 2025 Honda Civic. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the steering wheel started sticking and was difficult to turn to the left or the right. The steering wheel had almost seized. The contact referenced the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 24V744000 (Steering); as a possible cause for the failure; however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The contact believed that the failure was caused by the springs in the steering mechanism. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer where it was diagnosed with steering rack assembly failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 2,900.
The open recall repair (the federal safety agency 23V‑858) has not been completed. Additionally, there is a separate open recall, the federal safety agency Recall Number 25E-071 (Manufacturer Recall MMZ), involving 18-inch Honda Genuine Accessory wheels with improperly installed lug seat inserts. Both recalls remain unresolved. Beginning in approximately 2024, the vehicle exhibited intermittent jerking and stalling during acceleration, along with loss of smooth power delivery. No warning lamps were illuminated prior to failure. The vehicle was inspected in July 2025 after Wilkes-Barre Honda declined to provide assistance, and it passed inspection at that time. In October 2025, the engine failed to start, and the vehicle became fully non-operational. The insurance carrier was notified in October 2025 that the vehicle had become inoperable. The vehicle has not been inspected by the manufacturer, law enforcement, or the insurance company. It is currently available for inspection but is not safely drivable. Loss of power while driving presents a risk of collision. Multiple attempts were made to schedule an appointment with Wilkes-Barre Honda regarding the outstanding recall; however, no response was received. The manufacturer was also contacted on several occasions, but no meaningful assistance was provided. Despite repeated requests, the dealership has not conducted a formal inspection or confirmed the cause of the failure. The vehicle has remained inoperable for several months. Under these circumstances, asking me to arrange towing is not reasonable, as delays in addressing recalls have created additional practical barriers to accessing necessary transportation and resources. *Note: I've included a phone number for this complaint but do not have one. Additionally, lack of vehicle access due to unresolved recalls had already created practical barriers in obtaining one.
Component or system failure: The vehicle experienced failures involving the engine/ignition system, emissions system, Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA), and power steering. On July 14, 2025, warning messages appeared for “Check Emissions System,” “Check VSA System,” and “Check Power Steering System.” Diagnostics identified engine misfire code P0304 (Cylinder #4). On August 11, 2025, an authorized Honda dealership confirmed a seized spark plug and cylinder head damage, indicating an internal engine defect. The vehicle is currently with the selling dealership and available for inspection. Safety risk: Simultaneous failure warnings for emissions, VSA, and power steering created an unsafe driving condition. Impaired stability control and power steering increase the risk of loss of vehicle control during turning or emergency maneuvers. Confirmation of problem: Yes. Independent diagnostics confirmed the misfire. The selling dealer attempted repairs between July 22–25, 2025, but the same warnings returned. On August 8, 2025, the dealer admitted it lacked tools and software to diagnose or repair CNG vehicles. Honda later confirmed internal engine damage. Inspections: The vehicle was inspected by the selling dealer and an authorized Honda dealership. A third-party warranty administrator authorized a tear-down inspection. The vehicle has not yet been inspected by Honda Motor Co. or the federal safety agency. Prior warnings and recall concern: Warnings first appeared on July 14, 2025, about two weeks after purchase, and recurred despite repairs. The 2012 Honda Civic CNG has multiple recalls involving engine, fuel, and emissions systems, and these failures are consistent with known defect patterns, warranting further investigation.
The contact owns a 2023 Honda Civic. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the steering wheel seized. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact stated that the steering wheel was stiff and unexpectedly swerved from left to right. The contact previously received notification of the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 23V704000 (Steering). The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the worm gear spring had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired, and grease was added to the worm gear replacement. The dealer informed the contact that the power steering rack had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 57,000.
The engine gasket failed, leaking coolant into Cylinder 3. This created misfires while the vehicle was driving, leading to unpredictable loss of power while driving. Eventually, the coolant purged unbeknownst to the driver and created overheating conditions while driving which could have led to complete engine failure on the road. This behavior was confirmed and reproduced by an independent shop, WenMac Repair, in Hardin County, Ohio. They replaced the spark plugs and coils, thinking the misfire was not necessarily related to the head gasket. The vehicle was then taken to Honda Development and Manufacturing of America, LLC's official repair center for Honda Associates attached to Honda's Marysville Auto Plant 10/1/25 and diagnosed by a Honda master technician. My fiance and I both directly work for Honda. It is currently having the head gasket replaced at a cost of $2,700.00 plus taxes. The vehicle is still in the shop. The failure was observed on vehicle first around 150,000 miles.
- The engine failed. The engine block warped and both had to be replaced. I have pictures from the dealer. The cost was $8,194.56 at the dealer for a replacement engine with 89K miles on it. - My son's safety was put at risk because he is in a rural area. Every warning lamp on the dashboard turned on after Indy Honda replaced the coolant (Maintenance minder A125). Then the lights would turn off. Then Andy Mohr Honda inspected it (for the first time) and their diagnosis was a pvc pipe crack. We paid for that repair. The second time was the head gasket and the engine was destroyed. - The problem was confirmed by Andy Mohr Honda and Indy Honda in the state of Indiana. Andy Mohr confirmed the turbo engine for the Honda Civic has a known issue and than we should have purchased the 2.0 liter instead of the 1.5 liter because of the load the turbo puts on the engine. American Honda Motor Co., Inc disagrees and stated there was no issue. - The vehicle was inspected by the manufacturer via pictures taken at Andy Mohr Honda. - Prior to the coolant service in June 2025 there were no warning lamps. There were no symptoms. The Civic has only been maintained by Honda Dealers. The first time (approximate date) we noticed the issue: [XXX]. My son videoed it. Please note the text from Andy Mohr Honda stating the engine was overheated. The coolant was replaced by Indy Honda a week prior to the overheating. It should not have occurred. This is the link to the engine replacement invoice: [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
- What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? My 2006 Honda Civic engine overheated. Upon diagnosis it was found that radiator coolant had leaked out due to cracks in the engine block (short block). Engine malfunction. - How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? My teenage son drives this car and initially he did not notice coolant leak. Engine can stop working while driving on a freeway (seized engine) which is a very serious safety risk. - Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center? Yes, local Honda dealer confirmed the problem and pointed me to a service bulletin 10-048 from American Honda [XXX] ) that noted this exact manufacturing defect. American Honda had provided extended warranty to allay customer fears at the time but without a recall. - Has the vehicle or component been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives or others? It was inspected by a Honda dealer, Tracy Honda at California. It was also inspected by another local auto shop and had the same finding. I am attaching those documents. - Were there any warning lamps, messages or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure, and when did they first appear? No warning signs. The issue was first observed on [XXX]. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
The contact owns a 2019 Honda Civic. The contact stated that while driving at undisclosed speeds, the steering wheel seized while turning. There was an abnormal creaking sound coming tfrom he steering and the steering wheel was loose. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact stated that the failure was like the failure listed in the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 24V744000 (Steering). The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the electric steering rack needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 57,219.
Came to a stop at a stoplight, auto idle stop was in use and the engine failed to start again. The car acted like the battery was dead and everything turned off.
Related recalls
Engine and engine cooling: engine
- What is wrong
- Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain model year 2016 Civic vehicles manufactured September 22, 2015, to February 3, 2016 and equipped with 2.0L engines. The affected vehicles have engines with piston assemblies that may have been manufactured without a piston wrist pin circlip or with an incorrectly installed piston wrist pin circlip.
- Risk
- If a circlip is missing or incorrectly installed, the piston wrist pin may not be secure and may drift and damage the engine cylinder causing the engine to seize, and increasing the risk of a crash or a fire.
- Remedy
- Honda will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and replace the piston assemblies and damaged engine components, as necessary, free of charge. Parts are expected to be available in the Summer of 2016. Owners were mailed an interim notification beginning March 31, 2016, and will be mailed a second notice when parts are available. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1‑888‑234‑2138. Honda's number for this recall is JX9.
Recall number 16V074000 · Recall details
Engine and engine cooling: engine
- What is wrong
- Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. During the assembly process, the air cleaner box cover may have been damaged, and a broken plastic piece could travel into the intake chamber.
- Risk
- If the plastic piece lodges in the throttle body, the throttle could stick in a partially open position. Although the driver can always stop the car by applying additional brake force, or by taking other actions (I.e., shift into neutral, turn off the ignition key, etc.), if the car continues to maintain speed when the driver is expecting it to slow, a crash could occur.
- Remedy
- Dealers will inspect the air cleaner box for damage. If damage is found, the dealer will locate and remove the broken plastic piece, and replace the air cleaner box lid. Owner notification began on october 25, 2001. 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.
Recall number 01V329000 · Recall details
Questions about the Honda Civic engine failure
Which Honda Civic years have engine failure problems?
The model years with the most reports are 2006 (50 complaints), 2008 (26 complaints) and 2007 (21 complaints).
How much does it cost to fix engine failure on the Honda Civic?
Owners who mentioned a price put the repair at about $5,000 (median of 38 complaints that include a dollar amount). Costs vary with mileage, warranty and where the work is done.
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