2020 Honda CIVIC problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
223 owner complaints analyzed
5 distinct recall campaigns
15,400 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2020 model year. Data snapshot: . 53 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Unknown Or Other is the most frequently named component, appearing in 36 of 223 complaints (16.1%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 35 | 15.7% |
| Steering behavior | 31 | 13.9% |
| Transmission and shifting | 18 | 8.1% |
| Fuel system concerns | 18 | 8.1% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 13 | 5.8% |
| Engine operation | 8 | 3.6% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Unknown Or Other | 36 |
| Electrical System | 34 |
| Power Train | 30 |
| Air Bags | 29 |
| Steering | 28 |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 24 |
| Forward Collision Avoidance: Automatic Emergency Braking | 17 |
| Service Brakes | 13 |
Unknown Or Other: 36; Electrical System: 34; Power Train: 30; Air Bags: 29; Steering: 28; Fuel/Propulsion System: 24; Forward Collision Avoidance: Automatic Emergency Braking: 17; Service Brakes: 13
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 32 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 9 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 6 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 2 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 2 |
| 150,000 and above | 2 |
Under 25,000: 32; 25,000 to 49,999: 9; 50,000 to 74,999: 6; 75,000 to 99,999: 2; 100,000 to 149,999: 2; 150,000 and above: 2
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (32). 170 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2019 | 1 |
| 2020 | 13 |
| 2021 | 29 |
| 2022 | 28 |
| 2023 | 30 |
| 2024 | 48 |
| 2025 | 48 |
| 2026 | 26 |
2019: 1; 2020: 13; 2021: 29; 2022: 28; 2023: 30; 2024: 48; 2025: 48; 2026: 26
Pattern summary
Unknown Or Other leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 35 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 31 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 18 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 11298079 · 2020-01-09 (January 9, 2020)
THE CRASH MITIGATION ACTIVATED TWICE IN TWO DIFFERENT SITUATIONS ALMOST CAUSING ME TO GET REAR ENDED TWICE. THE FIRST TIME WAS WHEN I WAS GOING THROUGH A ROUNDABOUT, THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME WAS A NORMAL CAR LENGTH AHEAD AS WE BOTH ENTERED THE CIRCLE. THE CAR IN FRONT TURNED LEFT AND I WAS GOING STRAIGHT THROUGH. AT THIS TIME THE CAR WAS OUT OF MY WAY AND IN THE TURN AND SUDDENLY MY CAR SLAMMED ON THE BRAKES ALMOST TO A COMPLETE STOP. THE CAR BEHIND ME ALSO STOPPED ABRUPTLY AND NEARLY REAR ENDED ME. MY LEFT HAND WAS RESTING ON THE WHEEL AND …
Owner-reported narrative. 1,600 miles reported. Look up ODI 11298079 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11364011 · 2020-10-12 (October 12, 2020)
I HAD JUST PARKED MY VEHICLE ON A CITY STREET, TURN THE VEHICLE OFF. I APPLIED THE ELECTRICAL EMERGENCY BRAKE. THEN MY PHONE RANG AND I TALKED ON MY PHONE FOR ABOUT FIVE MINUTES. I THEN GOT OUT OF MY VEHICLE GRABBED MY BAG FROM THE TRUNK AND STARTED WALKING TOWARDS MY FRIENDS HOUSE. WHEN MY VEHICLES AUTOMATIC DOOR LOCKWAS AUTOMATED MY CAR STARTED TO ROLL FORWARD, IT STRUCK A VAN.
Owner-reported narrative. 2,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11364011 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11352742 · 2020-09-02 (September 2, 2020)
WE WERE TRAVELING EAST ON HWY 63 GOING HOME. THE LANE DEPARTURE ASSIST CAME ON BUT WE WERE NOT OUT OF LANE. WE KEPT TRAVELING A LITTLE FURTHER AND THE STEERING WAS STIFF. WE WERE TRAVELING ABOUT 53 MPH AND THE CAR ALL OF A SUDDEN JERKED VERY SHARP TO THE RIGHT AND WE WENT OFF THE ROAD HITTING PARKED TRUCK AND FLIPPED IT. THE WHEELS JUST TURNED THE RIGHT AND WOULD NOT LET US TURN THE WHEEL
Owner-reported narrative. 3,695 miles reported. Look up ODI 11352742 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11352385 · 2020-08-31 (August 31, 2020)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2020 HONDA CIVIC. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO SHIFT FROM SECOND GEAR INTO THIRD GEAR. THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO DECELERATE AND WAS SHIFTED TO NEUTRAL UNTIL HE WAS ABLE TO PARK ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE CONTACT STATED NO WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DRIVABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO HONDA OF ANNAPOLIS LOCATED AT 1736 WEST ST, ANNAPOLIS, MD 21401, [phone removed], AND WAS INFORMED THE VEHICLE HAD EXPERIENCED CLUTCH AND TRANSMISSION ISSUES. THE V…
Owner-reported narrative. 4,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 11352385 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11389634 · 2021-01-24 (January 24, 2021)
I WAS IN A WRECK MAY 2020. I SWERVED TO MISS A DEER AND HIT A CONCRETE COLVERT, THE VEHICLE LAUNCHED AND MY AIRBAGS DIDN'T GO OFF. VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE, MY MOTOR, TRANSMISSION, AND TIRES CAME OFF. I SUFFERED FROM SPINAL INJURY AND NERVE DAMAGE.
Owner-reported narrative. 2,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11389634 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11350366 · 2020-08-20 (August 20, 2020)
I WAS DRIVING MY CAR FROM BENICIA,CALIFORNIA TO SACRAMENTO AND 20 MINS AWAY FROM MY DESTINATION MY CAR WARNING LIGHTS ALL TURNED ON AND I WENT FROM GOING 70 TO ONLY BEING ABLE TO GO NO MORE THAN 15. GOT IT TOWED TO HONDA AND FOUND OUT MY HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP WAS BAD. LOOK IT UP AND SEEN THAT MANY MORE CARS LIKE MINES HAD THE SAME PROBLEM
Owner-reported narrative. 13 miles reported. Look up ODI 11350366 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11419223 · 2021-06-01 (June 1, 2021)
The contact owns a 2020 Honda Civic. The contact stated while inspecting and changing the oil, he noticed an excessive gasoline smell within the oil. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed, the dealer stated gas in the oil is normal and to bring the car back after driving around a thousand miles. The mechanic changed the oil. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure recurred. The vehicle was taken to the dealer to be diagnosed. The technician informed the contact that he would need to speak with the manufacturer for a furth…
Owner-reported narrative. 110,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11419223 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11423251 · 2021-07-02 (July 2, 2021)
Twice within a one week period, some type of animal, most likely a rodent, ate through my power steering harness rendering all safety features on the car inoperable. The car was undriveable as the steering wheel could not be turned. The dealership advised that the wiring for this vehicle is made of soy which is a food source for animals. Honda is aware of this issue and now stocks rodent tape to use over the wires. Honda should not be building automobiles with soy based wiring. No other vehicle sin my lot were affected--just mine because it was…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11423251 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11454167 · 2022-02-25 (February 25, 2022)
The contact owns a 2020 Honda Civic equipped with a manual transmission. The contact stated while driving 60 MPH, the vehicle started losing motive power and was also shaking. Additionally, the clutch pedal was going to the floorboard. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact was able to pull off to the side of the road. The contact was able to restart the vehicle; however, the vehicle failed to move while depressing the clutch pedal. The contact smelled a burning odor coming from the clutch. The vehicle was towed to the dealer whe…
Owner-reported narrative. 4,950 miles reported. Look up ODI 11454167 at NHTSA ↗