The 2017 Civic is a versatile, roomy, and powerful sub-$20k sedan, but it suffers from oil dilution issues, failing AC systems, and a mixture of electrical problems that can be tricky to track down.
Key Points
- The 2017 Honda Civic currently has four relatively minor recalls. However, very few vehicles were affected, with the most prevalent affecting just over 7,000 units.
- The two largest concerns for 2017 Civic owners are faulty AC systems and oil dilution problems. To assist with the AC issue, Honda has extended the warranty on affected models to help.
- Sporadic electrical glitches have also been mentioned. The issues vary, with rodent-attracting wiring and malfunctioning electrical components as the most prevalent.
2017 Civic is an All-around Winner with a Few Minor Problems that Shouldn’t Change Your Mind
The 2017 Civic is an excellent compact car that offers great variety for anyone with a budget of under $20k. It offers decent power with the 1.5-liter engine, a feature-rich cabin, and enough room to comfortably seat a family.
But there’s no such thing as a vehicle without issues, and the 2017 Civic has its own assortment, including four recalls and over 244 registered complaints with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Of these, the electrical system has 61 mentions, the engine 41, brakes 25, and the “unknown/other” category has 90 complaints.
2017 Honda Civic Faced Four NHTSA Recalls that Weren’t Very Common, with the Most Widespread Issue Affecting About 7,000 Units
The 2017 Honda Civic has four recalls, the most alarming of which affected just over 5,400 units and was for a rear half shaft that may break, causing the vehicle to possibly roll away.
The most widespread issue wasn’t as serious but involved over 7,000 2017 and 2018 Civics, hatchback models specifically. In this, incorrect information could be printed in the owner’s manual, putting the car out of compliance with the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard’s child restraint anchor system.
The last two recalls affected no more than a few dozen units total, involving a dislodged magnet that may interfere with the steering system and seatbacks that may not allow the seat-mounted airbags to deploy in the event of a crash.
Technical Service Bulletin Issued on Some 2017 Civics Over Leaky ACs, Leading to a Warranty Extension
AC problems were prevalent enough in the 2017 Civic to result in a Technical Service Bulletin and an extension of the warranty for affected parts, which was set at 10 years/unlimited mileage.
The issue was reportedly due to an improperly manufactured AC condenser that may develop tiny holes in its walls, allowing refrigerant to leak out.
Currently, Car Complaints lists 29 complaints about malfunctioning AC systems. “My 2017 Honda Civic is not yet four years old and the air conditioner stopped cooling,” wrote one owner. “Per the technician at the Honda dealership, there is a known problem with 2016, 2017, and 2018 Civics.”
The site shows the issue to most commonly appear around 33,000 miles and carry a repair cost of about $1,700, with most fixes involving replacing the AC condenser entirely.
Electrical Problems in the 2017 Civic are Many, Vary Widely, and May Stem from Rodent-attracting Wires
A few reports indicate glitchy systems operating without user input, such as the infotainment screen cutting on/off by itself.
Some owners report all of the warning lights on their vehicle’s dash activating, with some encountering a complete shutdown of all electrical components (backup camera, infotainment system, side mirror camera, parking brake, etc.)
Another problem that’s been frequently reported deals with the vehicle’s alarm system. Multiple reports detail owners setting the vehicle to accessory mode and the alarm suddenly sounding. One customer reported that the “Dealer diagnosed it as a faulty body control module.”
Lastly, a host of owners have dealt with hungry rodent troubles. Honda, like many other automakers, recently switched to a more sustainable, yet problematic, soy-based wire covering, which rodents seem to love. There are currently six rodent-based complaints under a separate category, but several more can be found in the pages of general electrical complaints.
This may not be an issue for some owners, but if you happen to live in an area infested with rodents, your enthusiasm for this car may prove short-lived.
Oil Dilution Issues are a Serious Concern in Models with the 1.5-liter Engine, So Honda Extended the Warranty On Affected Parts
Oil dilution may be the most problematic issue for the 2017 Civic. In pursuit of a more environmentally friendly engine, Honda missed a major weakness. The 1.5-liter Earth Dreams engine gets fantastic gas mileage but suffers from equally impressive oil dilution. Many customers have reported to Car Complaints, the NHTSA, and other outlets about their vehicle’s oil level being overfull when servicing.
On top of that, many owners complain of an overwhelming gasoline smell both within the cabin and outside the vehicle. The culprit lies in the 1.5-liter’s gasoline direct injection system and low operating temperature, according to Honda Problems.
Honda’s 1.5-liter Earth Dreams engine has a compound issue where the GDI’s pressurized fuel delivery blows by the piston oil rings, and the engine’s heat levels are too low to burn off the escaped fuel, thereby creating lasting damage over time.
The site also reports that Honda initially tried to pass the blame as a cold-weather-only issue, or due to drivers taking too many short trips. But the Japanese giant eventually released a TSB to remedy the issue and extended the engine’s warranty (for certain parts) after much consumer pressure.
Consistent oil dilution can lead to excessive gasoline fumes, loss of power, misfires, and premature wear on the engine. This is quite a serious issue, so it may be best to steer away from any 2017 Civic with the 1.5-liter engine.
2017 Civic is a Reliable Car that’s Mostly Problem-free, and Overall, its Benefits Do Outweigh its Problems
While marred by a few minor issues, the 2017 Honda Civic is all-around a great car to have on your list, and likely the one you’ll end up with. Make sure no recalls are pending, try to avoid the 1.5-liter engine, and consistently check your AC refrigerant levels.
Photos: Honda
