Car was driving perfectly then lights popped up on dash. AAA said battery was fine. Mechanics said it was computer issue. Brought to Honda Dartmouth they cleared communication modules then 24 hours later the car won't start.
Honda Civic won't start problems
144 of the 16,054 owner complaints about the Honda Civic describe won't start, most of them for the 2016 model year.
- owner complaints
- 144
- worst model year
- 2016
- typical repair cost reported
- $710
- typical mileage
- 55,523
Is there a fix? There are 2 recalls for this area of the car. See below
By model year
Often reported together
Stalling 23Fuel pump 10Loss of power 9Battery drain 7Warning lights 6Overheating 6Check engine light 6Brake failure 5
Trouble codes mentioned
P1440 1
What owners say
Vehicle Safety Complaint Team, I am submitting this complaint regarding a recurring and unresolved hybrid-system issue with my 2012 Honda Civic Hybrid. Vehicle Information Make/Model: 2012 Honda Civic Hybrid VIN: [XXX] Current Mileage: Approximately 144,000 miles Diagnostic Trouble Code: P1440 Reported Symptoms: IMA warning light illuminated, battery/charging warning light illuminated, and vehicle starting problems. Description of the Problem My vehicle has developed a serious issue involving its Integrated Motor Assist (IMA) hybrid system. The IMA warning light is illuminated, and the vehicle has stored diagnostic trouble code P1440. The battery/charging warning light is also illuminated. I have experienced a no-start condition in which the dashboard lights illuminate, but the vehicle does not start. Attempting to jump-start the vehicle did not resolve the problem, and the vehicle also would not start when shifted into Neutral. I have contacted multiple Honda dealerships to investigate this problem. However, I have been informed that my vehicle does not qualify for Honda Service Bulletin A20-030, despite the P1440 trouble code and symptoms that appear consistent with the reported issue. This has left me without a clear resolution to the problem and concerned about the reliability and safety of the vehicle. I am particularly concerned about the potential consequences of a hybrid-system or electrical-system failure that could leave the vehicle unable to start or operate unexpectedly. Request for the federal safety agency Review I respectfully request that the federal safety agency: Review whether this condition is associated with a broader defect affecting the IMA system or related hybrid components in 2012 Honda Civic Hybrid vehicles. Investigate whether the reported symptoms and P1440 diagnostic trouble code may be associated with the defect addressed by Honda Service Bulletin A20-030. Review Honda's eligibility criteria for the service bulletin and determine whether add INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION
My vehicle is currently experiencing severe performance defects that directly mimic the documented failures associated with the defective, improperly molded fuel pump impellers. Specifically, I have experienced the following symptoms: Engine Stalling: The vehicle has lost engine power or stalled unexpectedly while in motion, creating an immediate and severe traffic hazard. Hard Starting / No-Start Condition: The engine frequently takes multiple crank cycles to start or fails to start entirely, despite a fully functional and recently tested 12V battery.Erratic Power Delivery: I have noticed severe engine hesitation and a loss of acceleration power while driving at highway speeds.I understand that American Honda has recalled over one million vehicles globally for this exact Denso fuel pump defect. Despite my vehicle exhibiting all classic symptoms of a failing, low-density fuel pump impeller, my specific VIN is currently not showing as "active" or "eligible" on the manufacturer's lookup tool.Because a sudden loss of engine power while driving significantly increases the risk of a crash or injury, this represents a critical safety issue. I request that American Honda corporate reviews this data, coordinates a diagnostic review with an authorized dealership without a diagnostic fee liability to myself, and covers the complete cost of a replacement fuel pump assembly under the safety recall countermeasure guidelines.Thank you for your immediate attention to this safety hazard.
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 had gotten a new battery because one point after work, my car would not start. I then got installed a brand new battery, and it still wouldn’t turn on. The only things that turned on were the dashboard, but no noise coming from the front engine compartment. I tried turning it on after, but it wouldn’t start at all. I then got it towed to an auto shop and they installed a new starter. The new starter worked for a month before another incident in a Walmart parking lot where it would not start after turning the key multiple times. After a few times it started and I drove it again to the same auto shop. The auto shop had no trouble starting it, they turned it on and off several times without any fault. That was in July of 2025. Fast forward a few weeks later, there was two instances in which the car did the same thing, the engine was not turning on only the front dashboard lights. After the first try it turned on. Now on 8/22/2025 as I was driving on the highway going 75mph the car stopped decelerating. Pressing the gas pedal did nothing. It stopped completely, thankfully I was able to stop on the side of the highway but it was still a very dangerous situation had it been another time during the day. This time, the engine compartment, once the key was turned was simply making a noise but not starting or “turning over”. I lifted up the hood and noticed that when the key was inserted the engine compartment was shaking. I got it towed to the same auto shop awaiting the results. I looked up the symptoms for a faulty fuel state and my car is showing to have a lot of the same as it would be that.
I own a 2018 Honda Civic that is subject to an open fuel pump recall. My vehicle suddenly became completely inoperable. When attempting to start the car, all of the dashboard lights come on, but the engine will not start or crank. The vehicle has power but will not turn over at all. This failure happened without any prior warning. I contacted Nalley Honda in Union City, GA, and they confirmed that the issue is related to the fuel pump recall. However, they refused to provide towing for the vehicle and told me the earliest appointment available would be over a week out, despite the vehicle being undrivable due to this known safety defect. This situation puts my safety and my family’s safety at risk, as I am now stranded without reliable transportation because of a manufacturer defect. The problem has been acknowledged by the dealership but has not been resolved because of their refusal to assist with towing or provide a timely repair. There were no warning lights or error messages prior to the failure—this happened suddenly. I am requesting that the federal safety agency investigate this issue further, as it presents a serious safety concern. I also want to report that Honda has not provided towing assistance or a loaner vehicle while the safety recall repair is pending, which leaves me without any transportation.
When trying to start the car the car won't turn over. When it finally does start and i am driving it seems to lose power as if it wants to shut down. Im afraid to drive long distances. I looked up recalls based on my vin however nothing comes up but when I look it up based on year make and model it has an open recall for faulty fuel injector that needs to be replaced for the same exact symptoms. Please help as i am 7months pregnant and afraid for my safety.
On my way to work my car stalled while being driven. I lost the ability to maintain my speed and my car decelerated to a stop in the lane of traffic. The car would not move forward and would not start after it was turned off. I was stopped in the right lane of traffic on a four lane highway during morning rush-hour traffic. A police officer had to remain behind my car in the lane of traffic with their lights on until a tow truck arrived to prevent an accident. My car could not be moved due to the high rate of speed of the cars traveling around it and cars had to merge quickly into the open lane. There were several near accidents while waiting for the tow truck. There were no warning signs or messages that the car had an issue. The mechanic the car was towed to believes the problem is with the fuel gauge and stated they had recently repaired several cars with this issue that were the same or similar base model and year as my car. When inspected the car was found to be out of fuel and, after fuel was added to the car, the cars computer system showed a higher amount of fuel then was put into the car. At the time of the incident, the car showed three or four bars of fuel left on the dashboard fuel display and about 40 miles until empty on the digital display range. The police officer at the scene observed the that the car was showing that it was not out of fuel. The component or system is available for inspection upon request. This issue is similar to a previously repaired recall that effected this car with the fuel pump which stated that the car could be prevented from starting or cause a vehicle to stall while being driven, increasing the risk of a crash. The car is regularly maintained, kept in good working condition, and is mainly used to travel to and from work.
When I tried to start the vehicle on 10/14/24, it did not start, however it started showing various messages on the electronic dashboard. The vehicle was towed to John Eagle Honda Of Dallas (Honda Dealer) on 10/14/24 around 11:15 AM. I am enclosing the diagnostic report run on the vehicle by the John Eagle Honda of Dallas on 10/15/24 which shows some of the messages I had seen on the dashboard. My dashboard never showed me low battery at any time but the car did not start and the message of lane departure, brake failure messages came on the dashboard. I have LoJack App service on my phone which tracks everything on my vehicle.I used the vehicle on 10/11/24 and 10/12/24 and there was no issue in the vehicle nor did I see any dashboard warnings. The dealer kept the car overnight stating that they were too busy on 10/14/24 and promised me that they will provide alternate vehicle on 10/15/24 morning as per my phone call. I went to the dealership on the 15th at 8:50 AM to pick up the alternate vehicle, the service advisor said I can take my vehicle since he had changed the battery and it was safe to drive and did not provide me the invoice for the replaced battery. I asked the service advisor for the diagnostic report and he informed me that everything was okay in the report. I insisted on taking the print out of the diagnostic report and had to wait to collect it. Seeing the time on the report I am able to understand that they ran the diagnostic report while I was waiting. After driving my vehicle from the dealership and not having new battery invoice in my hand I called Honda motor company customer service and narrated my dealership visit details along with being uncomfortable on the safety of the vehicle. I didn't get any help from them as well. They created a case number for me. They said that someone will reach out to me and no one has till date. If you need any other information please feel free to contact me.
Car smells like rotten eggs and now wont start. Also, the brake light keeps flashing on the dash. It started flashing twice while driving and now it flashes when you try to start it.
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 won't start
Which Honda Civic years have won't start problems?
The model years with the most reports are 2016 (15 complaints), 2006 (14 complaints) and 1999 (10 complaints).
How much does it cost to fix won't start on the Honda Civic?
Owners who mentioned a price put the repair at about $710 (median of 9 complaints that include a dollar amount). Costs vary with mileage, warranty and where the work is done.
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