Diagsheet

2017 Honda Civic · symptom sheet

Battery dies or the car will not start

  • 28owner reports
  • 36,000median miles
  • $3,000median quote
  • 0involved a crash

Newest report Aug 26, 2026 · checked Sep 9, 2026

101 of the 591 complaints on this car are about the electrical system. 28 of those describe dead battery.

Tick what matches of 28 reports

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3
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What got replaced

Owners who name the part that was replaced mention the battery (23 reports) and the module (11 reports).

Recalls and investigations

No recall on the electrical system covers the 2017 model year as of Sep 9, 2026.

NHTSA investigations into the electrical system on the Civic

EA11-012opened Sep 12, 2011
Electrical · model years 2002 to 2003

Low beam headlights stop illuminating. Closed sep 17, 2012, led to recall 12V-136.

NHTSA summary
This investigation was prompted by Preliminary Evaluation (PE) 11-017, and was based on reports from consumers alleging that both low beam headlights stopped illuminating simultaneously.Some complainants also reported that the combination switch (switch) that controls the headlights and turn signals, and/or its electrical wiring harness connector were damaged by overheating.ODI's PE information request letter asked Honda for certain data on model years (MY) 2002-2006 CR-V, 2003-2008 Pilot, 2003-2008 Element, 2001-2005 Civic, and 2000-2001 S 2000 vehicles.Analysis of complaint and Honda data show that a complete low beam headlight circuit failure occurs in models with 2-bulb headlight systems (i.e., a single bulb on each side for high and low beam).Models with 2-bulb systems include MY 2002-2004 CR-V, 2003-2005 Pilot, 2001-2003 Civic, and 2003-2008 Element.Models with 4-bulb headlight systems (i.e., two bulbs on each side, one for high and one for low beam) have different electrical circuits for the headlights and do not experience the same failure mechanism as the 2-bulb system.MY 2000-2001 S 2000 models with 2-bulb high intensity discharge headlights also have different electrical circuits for the headlights and do not experience the same failure mechanism.Honda introduced the 4-bulb headlight system in CR-V in MY 2005, in Pilot in MY 2006, and in Civic in MY 2004.On March 29, 2012 Honda submitted a defect information report (DIR) to recall 554,428 vehicles, including MY 200
EA09-001opened Jan 5, 2009
Electrical · model years 2003

Ignition shift interlock. Closed oct 14, 2010, led to recall 10V-364.

NHTSA summary
On August 4, 2010, American Honda Motor Co. (Honda) submitted a Defect Information Report (DIR) to NHTSA regarding a ignition interlock defect in approximately 384,220 model year (MY) 2003 Honda Accord and Civic and MY 2003 and 2004 Honda Element vehicles with automatic transmissions (Recall 10V-364).In a September 22, 2010 supplemental DIR, Honda expanded the scope of the recall population based on manufacturing and complaint data.The total population for the complete recall is approximately 551,498 vehicles.The information listed in this closing report refers only to the subject vehicles, MY 2003 Accords with automatic transmissions.According to Honda's DIR, Under certain conditions 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 if the driver does not follow the typical shut-down procedure of shifting the gear selector to the Park position before rotating the ignition key to the off position. 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.Honda's dealers will be instructed to inspect the ignition interlock switch and, if necessary, replace the original interlock pin and lever within the ignition switch and replace them with new, redesigned parts.This investigation is closed.
DP00-007opened Nov 13, 2000
Electrical · model years 1992

Ignition distributor. Closed oct 25, 2001.

NHTSA summary
THE PETITION ALLEGES THAT IGNITION DISTRIBUTOR FAILURE COULD CAUSE A VEHICLE FIRE OR A TRAFFIC ACCIDENT
PE93-082opened Sep 23, 1993
Electrical · model years 1988 to 1991

Stalling. Closed jan 31, 1994.

NHTSA summary
There is no summary currently available

None of these investigations covers the 2017 model year.

What owners paid

8 of the 28 reports quote a price. Each dot is one quote. The middle half runs $2,000 to $4,000.

$2,000$3,000$4,000
$0k$2k$4k$6k$8k

When it happens

The middle half of failures fell between 22,250 and 72,000 miles, from the 8 reports that gave a mileage.

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521
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What owners wrote

“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.”

Filed Aug 26, 2026

“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.”

Filed Jul 29, 2025

“BCM module in the 2017 Civics seem to have constant Parasitic Battery Drain issues that are not being addressed by Honda. My battery died and was replaced, drain continue on a daily basis. Was able to trace to BCM module. checked online to find numerous other people having the same exact issue.”

Filed Jul 22, 2024

“car alarm going off for an extended period of time caused a short at the battery and caused a fire that destroyed the vehicle.”

Filed Mar 23, 2024

Should you keep driving it?

This page can't tell you that. 0 of 28 reports involved a crash and 1 people were hurt. Owners who file are the ones who had a bad experience, and nobody checks their reports. If the problem affects steering, braking, power or a fire risk, treat it as a safety fault and have it inspected before a long or high-speed drive.

File your own report with NHTSA. Complaint counts are how a problem gets an investigation.

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