Owners have reported 18 crashes and 12 injuries to NHTSA for the 2023 Honda Civic. These are unverified owner reports, not confirmed defect rates.
Owner complaints252
STEERING
Owners of the 2023 Honda Civic frequently report issues with the steering system, notably describing a "sticking" or "binding" sensation while driving at various speeds, which often requires additional effort to correct. This problem can lead to unexpected swerving or difficulty maintaining lane position, with some reports indicating the steering wheel can seize entirely. Complaints are common at mileages ranging from approximately 17,000 to 57,000 miles. The safety implications are significant, with eight complaints involving crashes and six injuries reported, highlighting the potential for loss of vehicle control. Used car buyers should be aware of these steering issues and the associated recall repairs that some owners report as delayed or ineffective.
Severity signals: 8 crash, 0 fire, 6 injury reports
Owner complaints12
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Owners of the 2023 Honda Civic frequently report issues related to the electrical system, with multiple complaints about electronic safety system malfunctions and warning lights appearing unexpectedly while driving, especially at highway speeds. Common symptoms include the sudden activation of warning lights for systems such as the brake system, road departure mitigation, and adaptive cruise control, often without a clear resolution from dealerships. Several complaints detail vehicles stalling, shutting down, or failing to restart, sometimes shortly after purchase, with mileage as low as 1,000 miles. Safety concerns are highlighted by reports of unintended acceleration and a crash involving the auto Stop-Start feature, as well as electrical issues leading to vehicle stalls, which pose potential risks in traffic. These patterns suggest that potential buyers should be aware of possible unresolved electrical and safety system issues in this model year.
Severity signals: 1 crash, 0 fire, 1 injury reports
Owner complaints8
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Owners of the 2023 Honda Civic report several issues in the UNKNOWN OR OTHER category. A recurring problem involves water leaks into the trunk area, affecting the spare tire well and potentially interacting with electrical components, as noted by multiple owners. Some owners also describe incidents where the rear windshield or driver window shattered unexpectedly, with no apparent external cause. Additionally, there are reports of steering wheel "sticking" and producing a clicking sound, which occurs at various speeds and poses a potential safety risk. Notably, one owner reports a minor crash where brake components failed under low-impact conditions, raising questions about the durability of these parts. These issues are reported at various mileages and may affect used car buyers considering this model.
Severity signals: 2 crash, 0 fire, 0 injury reports
Owner complaints7
SERVICE BRAKES
Owners report several issues with the 2023 Honda Civic's service brakes, with a notable pattern of spontaneous and unintended braking. Multiple complaints describe the brake mitigation system activating without obstruction, leading to abrupt stops and potential loss of control. One incident involved a crash due to unresponsive brakes and a non-activating emergency system. Additionally, some owners experience intermittent soft brake pedals, with associated warning lights and system failures, often requiring numerous dealer visits without resolution. These issues typically arise within a few months of ownership, and in some cases, result in smoking brakes and discolored rotors, suggesting potential safety risks.
Severity signals: 1 crash, 0 fire, 0 injury reports
Owner complaints5
AIR BAGS
Owners of the 2023 Honda Civic report issues with airbag deployment during crashes, with four out of five complaints involving such incidents. Commonly described symptoms include airbags failing to deploy in side impacts and frontal collisions, even when the vehicle sustains significant damage. In some cases, only specific airbags, like the driver's door airbag, deploy, while others do not, leading to injuries. These incidents occur across varying mileages, with one report at 6,300 miles. Additionally, there is a mention of an unexpected airbag deployment without a collision, resulting in a cracked windshield. Safety implications are significant, as these failures are associated with injuries and loss of vehicle control.
Severity signals: 4 crash, 0 fire, 4 injury reports
Owner complaints3
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Owners report issues with the 2023 Honda Civic's adaptive cruise control and vehicle speed control systems. Common symptoms include unexpected and sudden braking, often described as "phantom braking," even when there are no obstacles or other vehicles present. Multiple complaints highlight incidents where the car brakes abruptly while using cruise control, particularly during highway driving at speeds ranging from 20 to 80 mph. Additionally, owners describe aggressive braking in response to nearby vehicles, and some note a jerking sensation when the car shifts gears on its own. These issues have potential safety implications, as sudden braking can lead to near-collisions, especially if a vehicle is following closely behind. No specific mileage range is consistently mentioned across complaints.
Owner complaints3
WHEELS
Owners of the 2023 Honda Civic frequently report issues related to wheel alignment and stability. Symptoms described include the vehicle veering in one direction, feeling unstable, and a wobbly sensation in the tires, often recurring shortly after alignment services. These issues are noted to occur both after initial alignments and subsequent dealership inspections. One owner reports a crash resulting from the alignment problem, highlighting a potential safety risk. Another complaint suggests a possible "sticky steering" issue, though this is not confirmed across all complaints. These problems are typically reported within the first few months of ownership, indicating potential early-life reliability concerns for prospective buyers.
Severity signals: 1 crash, 0 fire, 0 injury reports
Owner complaints2
POWER TRAIN
Owners of the 2023 Honda Civic report issues with the CVT transmission, specifically noting that it is sealed and non-serviceable, which limits repair options to full unit replacement. Symptoms described include hesitation during acceleration and inconsistent power delivery, with no dashboard warnings activated. One report mentions these issues occurring without prior warning at unspecified mileages. Another complaint involves a crash where the driver's airbag deployed without impact, leading to loss of vehicle control and injury at approximately 1,200 miles. Safety implications include potential for sudden loss of control due to transmission hesitation and unexpected airbag deployment.
Severity signals: 1 crash, 0 fire, 1 injury reports
Owner complaints2
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE
Owners report issues with the forward collision avoidance system in the 2023 Honda Civic, primarily involving unexpected warnings and system deactivations. Complaints frequently mention the vehicle emitting collision warnings without any apparent obstacle, sometimes triggered by weather conditions like heavy rain. Additionally, there are reports of the braking system warning light activating, which leads to the deactivation of lane departure and cruise control features, causing a sudden speed reduction. These issues typically resolve after restarting the vehicle. No specific mileage range is consistently noted, and there are no reports of crashes or loss of control directly linked to these problems.
Owner complaints2
SEAT BELTS
Owners report two main issues with the seat belts in the 2023 Honda Civic. The first issue involves seat belts that squeak, which is noted to occur at lower speeds and even with minimal movement, such as breathing, starting around 3,000 miles. The second issue involves the front driver's side seat belt failing to retract properly, leaving it hanging loosely. Additionally, there is mention of the front driver's seat being loose and making creaking noises. These symptoms could imply potential safety implications, as a non-retracting seat belt may not function optimally in an accident. Buyers should be aware of these issues when considering a used 2023 Honda Civic.
