Tenth generation (FC)
2020 Honda Civic
The most reported problem on the 2020 Honda Civic is airbag, with 29 complaints.
- 225owner complaints
- 5recalls
- 15involved a crash
- 25,000median miles at failure
Newest report Sep 23, 2026 · checked Oct 2, 2026
What is your Civic doing?
Each one opens a sheet built from the owner reports of that problem on the 2020 model year.
Is the 2020 Honda Civic reliable?
The 2020 Honda Civic has 225 owner complaints on file with NHTSA, close to the median of 201 for 2020 sedans on this site. Of the 13 Civic model years since 2014, it has the 9th most complaints. Complaint counts rise with sales as well as faults, so read what owners report below before deciding.
At a glance
- Next to the 2019 and 2021
- Complaints ease off across these three model years. Counted per year on the road, the 2019 draws 54, the 2020 32 and the 2021 24.
- Top problem
- No problem dominates. The largest, airbag, covers 29 of the 225 complaints (13%), and sticky steering is next with 19 (one complaint can fall under more than one problem, so these overlap). Too few of the airbag reports give a mileage to say when it starts.
- Crash, fire and injury reports
- 20 of the 225 complaints (9%) report a crash, a fire or an injury, a little above the 6% typical of vehicles on this site. Counted separately (one report can carry more than one), 15 reports mention a crash, 1 mentions a fire and 12 people were hurt. The most crash reports, 5 of 15, fall under airbag.
- Recalls behind the top problems
- Airbag, the one problem here with enough reports to check, has a recall on the same system (24V-064 and 26V-332). A recall on the same system doesn't always cover the failure owners describe, so compare its summary with the complaints.
- When owners filed
- Complaints are still climbing. 2025 brought 48, the most of any year so far. So far in 2026, 28 more have come in.
When each problem shows up
Each bar covers the middle half of the mileages owners reported for that problem. A quarter saw it earlier, a quarter later. The tick is the median. Most reported: airbag warning light or recall, 29 complaints.
middle half of reports, median tick. The heavier grey bars have 75 or more reports.
Behind you
Around your mileage
Ahead of you
How this compares
225 complaints is about the median for a 2020 model on this site and about the median for a 2020 sedan. Among the 13 Civic model years here it ranks 9th for complaints. Counts follow sales volume as much as reliability, so a truck that sells 700,000 a year draws more reports than a sedan that sells 200,000.
Service bulletins for the 2020 Honda Civic
Honda filed 163 bulletins and other notices with NHTSA that list the 2020 Honda Civic. 26 of them deal with a problem owners have reported on this car. Newest first.
Federal rules make a manufacturer send NHTSA a copy of any notice about a defect that goes to more than one dealer or owner. Most of these are service bulletins, the repair instructions manufacturers send to dealers. NHTSA generally leaves safety recall bulletins out of this file, and recalls are listed separately.
Airbag warning light or recall 1 bulletin · 29 complaints
ServiceNews Article - There are several possible causes for the SRS DTC U3000-49 (Internal Failure of the SRS Unit) to be stored.
Engine stalls or loses power while driving 1 bulletin · 17 complaints
Due to swelling of the fuel pump motor impeller, the fuel pump may seize and stop working. If this occurs, the check engine light may be displayed with DTC P0087 (Fuel Rail Pressure Too Low) stored, the engine may not start, or the engine could stall while ...
A/C blows warm or the compressor fails 8 bulletins · 17 complaints
American Honda is extending the warranty on the A/C condenser to 10 years from the original date of purchase with unlimited miles. This warranty extension only covers vehicles that have a defective A/C condenser from the factory.
Due to supplier process concerns, the A/C compressor may not have been manufactured to specifications. As a result, abnormal wearing of the rubber seal may occur causing gaps in the compressor shaft to develop allowing refrigerant to leak out.
6 more on this problem
We have identified a potential concern with GUIDE, AC COMP SEAL 07AAG-5AAA100, which was a part of 6CVC SEAL REPLACEMENT KIT, 07AAC-5AAA1Z0 that was recently sent to all Honda dealers.
Customers have complained of the air conditioning system not blowing cold air due to the oil/refrigerant leak from the A/C compressor main shaft seal.
Owner Notification Letter - On some 2016-21 Civic models, the A/C condenser may leak refrigerant. American Honda is extending the warranty on the A/C condenser to 10 years from the original date of purchase with unlimited miles.
Today, May 28, 2021, American Honda is announcing a warranty extension for certain 2018-2020 Accord and Accord Hybrid, 2018-2020 Civic, 2017-2021 Civic Hatch, 2017-2021 Civic Type R, 2018-2021 Clarity PHEV, and 2019-2021 Insight vehicles.
American Honda Motor Co., Inc. (AHM) is searching for certain 2016-2020 Civics with a customer complaint of the A/C inop or blowing warm air.
We've noticed an unprecedented demand for A/C compressors which at times has created a backorder situation. The majority of the compressors returned were analyzed and proven leak free.
Brakes on its own (automatic emergency braking) 2 bulletins · 17 complaints
ServiceNews Article - Resting your foot on the brake pedal while driving can cause the ACC, Collision Mitigation Braking System, and Road Departure Mitigation indicators to come on. It also sets DTC C0041-14 (brake switch signal circuit error).
During production, the latest software version for the ACC/CMBS (adaptive cruise control/collision mitigation braking system), which is part of the VSA-modulator control unit, was not installed in the vehicle.
Brakes grind, pulse or wear early 1 bulletin · 14 complaints
American Honda Motor Co., Inc. (AHM) is searching for certain 2020-2021 Civics with a customer complaint of long brake pedal travel, almost reaching the floor.
Infotainment, screen or backup camera fails 11 bulletins · 12 complaints
American Honda Motor Co., Inc. (AHM) is searching for certain 2020-2021 Civics, 2020-2022 CR-Vs, 2022-2023 Pilots & Passports with a customer complaint of the center display flickering, flashing, or frozen (Civics and CR-Vs only).
American Honda Motor Co., Inc. (AHM) is searching for certain 2020-2021 Civics & 2020-2022 CR-Vs with a customer complaint of the center display flickering, flashing, or frozen.
9 more on this problem
American Honda Motor Co., Inc. (AHM) is searching for certain 2017-2021 Civics & CR-Vs with a customer complaint of a inop, blank, or black meter display (gauge cluster) with no prior repairs made to the vehicle.
American Honda Motor Co., Inc. (AHM) is searching for certain 2017-2021 Civics & CR-Vs with a customer complaint of an inop, blank, or black meter display (gauge cluster) with no prior repairs made to the vehicle.
American Honda Motor Co., Inc. (AHM) is searching for certain 2017-2021 Civics & CR-Vs with a customer complaint of a inop, blank, or black meter display with no prior repairs made to the vehicle.
American Honda Motor Co., Inc. (AHM) is searching for certain 2017-2020 Civics & CR-Vs with a customer complaint of a inop, blank, or black meter display with no prior repairs made to the vehicle.
American Honda Motor Co., Inc. (AHM) is searching for certain 2019-2020 Civics (2dr or 4dr) & CR-Vs with a customer complaint of the audio screen turning black, blank or inop.
American Honda Motor Co., Inc. (AHM) is searching for certain 2019-2020 Civics & CR-Vs with a customer complaint of the audio screen turning black, blank or inop.
American Honda Motor Co., Inc. (AHM) is searching for certain 2019-2021 Civics, CR-Vs & HR-Vs with a customer complaint of the audio screen turning black, blank or inop.
American Honda Motor Co., Inc. (AHM) is searching for certain 2019-2020 Civics with a customer complaint of the audio screen turning black, blank or inop.
American Honda Motor Co., Inc. (AHM) is searching for certain 2016-2020 Civics with a customer complaint of the rear view camera screen appearing blank, foggy or blurry.
Transmission slips 1 bulletin · 12 complaints
Customer complains that the manual transmission will not shift, the clutch is slipping, or the vehicle won¢t move when in gear. Due to supplier production issues, the friction disc material may have prematurely worn.
Wheel bearing, tires or wheels 1 bulletin · 9 complaints
American Honda Motor Co., Inc. (AHM) is investigating certain 2019-2020 Civic Si's & Sports with a customer complaint of a slow air leak in the tires.
Complaints filed by year
48 complaints came in 2024. Owners file in waves when a problem gets press or an investigation, so a spike measures attention as much as failures.
Recalls that include the 2020 Honda Civic
Whether your car is included depends on its VIN. Check yours at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2018-2021, 2023 Acura TLX, 2019-2024 RDX, 2017-2020, 2022-2026 MDX, 2017-2021, 2023, 2025 Honda Ridgeline, 2017-2022 Pilot, 2019-2021 Passport, 2018-2026 Odyssey, 2019-2022 Insight, 2019-2021 HR-V, 2018-2020 Fit, 2020-2022 CR-V Hybrid, 2017-2022 CR-V, 2017-2018, 2021 Civic Type R, 2017-2021 Civic hatchback, 2016-2020 Civic coupe, 2016-2022 Civic, 2017-2022 Accord Hybrid, and 2016-2022 Accord vehicles. The front passenger seat weight sensor may crack and short circuit, which can cause the air bags to deploy unintentionally during a crash.
Risk and remedy
Remedy: Dealers will replace the seat weight sensors, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 7, 2026. Owners may contact Honda's customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are BOL, WO9, OOA, WOM, XOH, NOC, POD, BOE, UOF, POB, EOG, AOI, QO8, TOJ, DO7, and SOK. This recall expands previous NHTSA recall number 24V064. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will be searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning May 29, 2026.
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Pilot, Accord, Civic sedan, HR-V, Odyssey, 2020 Civic coupe, Fit, 2021-2022 Civic hatchback, 2021 Civic Type R, Insight, 2020-2021 CR-V, CR-V Hybrid, Passport, Ridgeline, Accord Hybrid, 2020 Acura MDX, 2022 Acura MDX, 2020-2022 Acura RDX, and 2020-2021 Acura TLX vehicles. The front passenger seat weight sensor may crack and short circuit, failing to suppress the air bag as intended.
Risk and remedy
Remedy: Dealers will replace the seat weight sensors, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 28, 2024. This is a phased recall. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for these recalls are XHP and VHQ.
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2013-2023 Honda Accord, Civic Coupe, Civic Sedan, Civic Hatchback, Civic Type R, CR-V, HR-V, Ridgeline, Odyssey, Acura ILX, MDX, MDX Hybrid, RDX, RLX, TLX, 2019-2022 Honda Insight, Passport, 2020 Honda CR-V Hybrid, 2018-2019 Honda Clarity PHEV, Fit, and 2015-2020 Honda Accord Hybrid, Pilot, Acura NSX vehicles. The fuel pump inside the fuel tank may fail.
Risk and remedy
Remedy: Dealers will replace the fuel pump module, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed September 6, 2024. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are KGC and KGD. This recall is an expansion of NHTSA recall numbers 21V-215 and 20V-314.
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Civic, 2020-2023 Ridgeline, 2021-2023 Passport, 2021-2022 Pilot, and 2020 Acura MDX vehicles. The tie rod fastener that connects the brake booster and the brake master cylinder may have been improperly assembled during manufacturing, which can cause the brake master cylinder to separate from the booster assembly.
Risk and remedy
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and repair the brake booster assembly as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 7, 2023. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are VEU, AEV, and ZET.
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2019-2020 Acura MDX, MDX Sport Hybrid, RDX, TLX, Honda Accord, Civic Hatchback, Insight, 2019 Acura ILX, Honda Accord Hybrid, Civic Coupe, Civic Coupe Si, Civic Sedan, Civic Sedan Si, Civic Type R, Fit, HR-V, Odyssey, Passport, Pilot and Ridgeline, and 2018-2019 CR-V vehicles. The low-pressure fuel pump inside the fuel tank may fail.
Risk and remedy
Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel pump assembly, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed May 18, 2021. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Note: This recall is an expansion of recall 20V-314.
All 5 recalls on the 2020 Honda Civic, with the owner complaints on each recalled system
Guide Buying one used? How to research one car’s history before you pay
Questions
What is the most common problem on the 2020 Honda Civic?
Airbag, with 29 of the 225 complaints.
At what mileage do 2020 Honda Civic problems start?
Of the 74 complaints that give a mileage, a quarter came by about 9,000 miles and half by about 25,000.
Is the 2020 Honda Civic better or worse than the 2019 and 2021?
Counted per year on the road, the 2020 has fewer complaints than the 2019 and more complaints than the 2021: 32 a year against 54 and 24.
How many 2020 Honda Civic complaints involve a crash, fire or injury?
20 of them (9%). The typical vehicle on this site is at 6%.
Is there a recall for airbag on the 2020 Honda Civic?
Yes, NHTSA lists 2 recalls on the same system: 24V-064 and 26V-332. Its summary says which failure it covers, and that isn't always the one owners describe.