You can’t go wrong with a Honda Civic, and that includes the Civics listed here. Even the worst model years for the car are still among the most reliable compacts around, with an estimated maintenance budget of about a dollar a day.
Key Points
- The 2016 Honda Civic has had over a hundred reports of “jerky” steering, with the wheel getting stuck at dead-center and requiring extra force to turn.
- Two airbag investigations remain open regarding the 2014 Honda Civic. One stems from a faulty airbag control module, and the other, degraded propellant causes the airbags to rupture.
- For 2011, the Civic received a near-perfect rating from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, but a disappointing three out of five stars from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
- Honda’s popular Civic has built a strong reputation for being reliable compacts no matter the year. Even the model’s most problematic year, 2016, is a solid car if you can get it for a good price.
2016 Honda Civic Drivers have Reported ‘Sticky’ Steering Where Turning the Wheel Requires Extra Effort
The 2016 Honda Civic takes the lead for most complaints over the last decade or so, with over 600 in total. 152 of those are filed under steering, with the common issue being “jerky” or “sticky” steering.
As a driver in Virginia describes it, their steering wheel had a tendency to “catch” at the center line when they were attempting to keep the car straight. To overcome this resistance, they would have to apply extra pressure, which could lead to oversteering. It’s like when a drawer finally comes unstuck and you accidentally pull it right out of the dresser. It’s not difficult to imagine how that could be disastrous, with drivers attempting to change lanes and winding up swerving all over the freeway.
Affected drivers have been reporting the issue to begin at anywhere from 30,000 to 45,000 miles, so relatively early in the car’s lifespan.
No recalls have been issued on the matter as yet, and there are no investigations underway.
Drivers have reported the car undergoing a number of fixes from steering alignment to even replacing the battery, but the only thing that seems to work is total replacement of the power steering rack. With the 2016 having just fallen out of eligibility for CPO warranty, this leaves drivers holding the repair bill, which can total around two grand with parts and labor.
Two Investigations Remain Open on 2014 Civic’s Airbags for Electrical Overstress and Degraded Desiccants
Drivers of 2014 Honda Civics have fewer complaints and recalls to worry about compared to other years, with just over 200 complaints and only two recalls on record as of the time of this writing. But two open investigations into the car’s airbags are worrying.
The first investigation launched in April of 2019 for potential ACU electrical overstress. The ACU, or Airbag Control Unit, is the computer module that monitors for impact and manages the airbags. Electrical overstress here essentially means that it’s getting too much voltage, meaning that it won’t be functioning properly when it’s needed.
The second investigation was launched in September of 2021 for airbag inflator rupture. The desiccant is the stuff that traps moisture so that the propellant (the stuff that inflates the airbag) can stay dry. Sooner or later, the desiccant gets totally saturated and it can’t hold any more moisture. The 2014 Civic is part of an investigation into how big a part saturated desiccants play in failed airbag deployment.
With both of these investigations, it’s unclear if and when they’ll be closed and whether or not they’ll result in recalls. We’re in wait-and-see mode right now.
NHTSA was Unimpressed with 2011 Civic’s Side Impact Crash Tests, Scores Just Three out of a Possible Five Stars
Honda Civics typically enjoy perfect or near-perfect safety ratings from both the NHTSA and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. The 2011 model is a rare exception. The car has a Top Safety Pick award with the IIHS, but the NHTSA only awarded the 2011 Civic three stars out of a possible five in their crash tests.
The 2011 Honda Civic was awarded four stars for overall front impact with a perfect five for front driver side-impact, four stars for rollover, and five stars for overall side pole impact, but scored a surprisingly low two stars for front driver side impact in side barrier collisions. That is, getting T-boned from the left.
In the same test, the IIHS awarded the car almost nothing but Good (their highest rating) in all categories, with one Acceptable, for torso impact on the driver side.
You can make the case that the NHTSA tests were a fluke, but as they say: plan for the worst. The safety cage and overall structure were redesigned for the 2012 model year, so if you’re shopping used and you have your pick, you might as well start with the ninth generation.
For that matter, you might as well go with a slightly newer model just because a 2011 will likely have already topped six figures on the odometer, and even a Honda will reach the end of its predicted mileage someday.
Problems Aside, it’s Still a Civic, Even at its Worst
There are really no Honda Civics still running today that you could call certified clunkers. The very worst year for the nameplate is still going to be more reliable and cheaper to maintain than almost any compact on the market.
All the same, used cars don’t come cheap these days. You might as well make the most of your dollar and stick to the least problematic model years for the vehicle.
Of course, if you can find a great deal on a 2011, a 2014, or a 2016 Honda Civic, there’s no reason to turn your nose up at the offer. None of the issues listed here have been reported in exceptionally high numbers, and in fact, it’s difficult to find a single problem with more than 100 complaints total. The Honda Civic is an awesome car, these are just the slightly-less-awesome-than-usual model years.
Photos: Honda
