The 2012 Honda Civic is a compact car offered as a coupe and sedan with a price range of $7,903 to $15,948. A combination of responsive engines, all-new infotainment, and no serious mechanical problems help the 2012 Civic stand out as a great choice.
2012 Honda Civic: Quick Overview
- The 2012 Honda Civic is completely redesigned with an all-new interior, exterior, and powertrain choices.
- Reliability ratings are great, but there are more complaints than the older 2011 model.
- Two 4-cylinder engines are available, including a more powerful engine found in the Si model.
- Fuel economy is great, scoring 2nd out of 36 compact cars with a combined rating of up to 32 miles per gallon.
- Safety scores are excellent with a perfect 5-star rating in government crash tests and a Top Safety Pick award from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.
- The 2012 Honda Civic ranks 12th out of 36 compact cars, based on owner reviews. With reliable engine choices, and a fun driving experience, the Civic stands out as a great choice.
Positive Owner Reviews
Negative Owner Reviews
What Problems Does the 2012 Honda Civic Have?
The 2012 Honda Civic has an average number of complaints compared to other compact cars in the same price range. There are more problems than the newer 2013 model, where some issues are fixed.
Uncomfortable seats are the most common complaint from owners of Honda Accord and Civic. Some people find the seats unsupportive and replace the cushioning, or add more pillows to the seats for long drives.
Chipping paint is another common issue. The paint chips easily when the curing process fails at the factory. Repainting the affected panels is the only way to fix the issue, costing about $1,000 per panel depending on local labor rates.
Excessive oil consumption is another frequent problem. Some owners report replacing the piston rings fixes the issue, and in other cases the oil consumption is just normal for the engine. There’s also a technical service bulletin for the oil pressure rocker arm. Prices range from $350 to over $1,000, depending on the source of the problem.
There are 3 recalls, which is better than other cars from 2012. The recalls include a fuel feed line, driveshaft, and incorrect steering column. Most serious is the driveshaft issue, since a failure can lead to a loss of power.
What are the Prices, Models & Specs?
The 2012 Honda Civic is average-priced compared to other compact cars with a range of $7,903 to $15,948 depending on the model and mileage. When new, the price was $15,755 to $27,805. The Civic holds value better than other compact cars, only losing about 35% of the original value over the first 5 years.
- DX is the entry-level model with 15-inch steel wheels, power windows, manual door locks, and air conditioning.
- LX is next in the lineup and has 15-inch alloy wheels, power door locks, keyless entry, cruise control, and an AM/FM/CD stereo system with AUX and USB inputs as well as 4 speakers.
- EX adds some features including 16-inch alloy wheels, disc brakes on the rear wheels, automatic headlights, folding back seats, a sunroof, and a 7-speaker stereo system.
- EX-L is the flagship luxury version adding leather seating, heated front seats, a leather steering wheel, and interior trim improvements.
- Si focuses heavily on performance and has a larger engine, 17-inch alloy wheels, a new suspension, limited slip differential, and a spoiler.
How Long Will the 2012 Honda Civic Last?
A properly cared for 2012 Honda Civic will last over 250,000 miles, which is better than other compact cars. Regular annual maintenance costs are average for the class. Repair Pal estimates them to be $400 per year.
The brakes require more effort to use than in other cars I have driven. Additionally, because the car's engine is relatively small, I cannot accelerate as quickly as larger cars can.
I have had the car for 3 years and it had one previous owner. I have the necessary maintenance and during the last check up, it only needed a belt replacement.
My Honda does not give me any more problems than the usual automotive vehicle. I did have to change all four tires one year due to wear and tear.
Yes, it is reliable. The only problem I had was with the brakes (after 7 years). And, again, I am very rough on my vehicles. So, to say I had a brakes issue: I have really not had any problems I didn't create or expect.
It is very reliable and the engine runs smoothly. Apparently, the left side driver door was damaged at one time because putting the electric window up causes the door to move inward just a bit.
I have had no problems with my Honda civic. It is very reliable and comfortable for a compact economy car.
Very reliable. I have had minimal problems. Only some tire pressure issues which I have heard is common for Honda's in cooler weather.
I just answered this in the last question but yes the Honda civic is a very reliable car and it does not have any issues.
What Technology & Safety Features Are Included?
Technology is very basic in the 2012 Civic, and is missing some features found in other compact cars from the same year.
- Base technology includes a 4-speaker AM/FM/CD stereo system with USB and AUX ports.
- Optional upgrades include a 6.5-inch touchscreen navigation system, a 7-speaker stereo system, and Bluetooth connectivity.
- Standard safety features include antilock brakes, stability control, and air bags. Optional upgrades include parking sensors.
What Engine Options are Available?
Performance in the 2012 Honda Civic is better than many of the competitors when you step up to the Si model. The larger engine takes the car from 0 to 60 miles per hour in 6.9 seconds.
- The base engine is a 1.8L 4-cylinder with 140 horsepower.
- An upgrade found in the Si model is the 2.4L 4-cylinder with 201 horsepower.
What Color Options are Available?
How Big is the Civic?
The 2012 Honda Civic is a compact car, offered as both a coupe and a sedan. Passenger room is very cramped in the back seats of the coupe, and best suited to children. There’s more legroom in the sedan, but some other compact cars offer more room for adults in the back seats. Cargo space is good for the class with 12.5 cubic feet of room in the trunk of the sedan and 11.7 in the coupe. There’s enough room to fit 3 to 4 suitcases in both.
How Does the 2012 Honda Civic Compare to Other Cars?
Ranking 12th out of 36 compact cars based on owner reviews, the 2012 Honda Civic is in the top third of the class.
A close competitor is the more expensive Toyota Corolla. The Corolla has fewer complaints from owners, and a lower cost of ownership. Where the Civic stands out is with more horsepower, and better technology options. Overall, the two cars are very close competitors and you can’t go wrong with either car. The choice just comes down to personal preference.
Another rival in the same price range is the Mazda3. The Mazda3 has a higher quality interior, and more powerful engine choices. Where the Civic comes out ahead is with better safety scores, and more up-to-date technology available. Either is a good choice and the final decision is up to the shopper.
Final Verdict: Is the 2012 Honda Civic a Good Car?
Yes, the 2012 Honda Civic is a good car based on information from 1,554 verified owner reviews, and 15 government and automotive websites. The positives include great long-term reliability ratings compared to other cars, and excellent safety scores. Where the Civic loses out is with less passenger room than some rivals, and a cheaper interior with a lot of plastic components. Overall, the 2012 Civic is a good car for buyers looking for a fun-to-drive compact daily driver.