--- title: "2012-2015 Honda Civic Problems and Years to Avoid" description: "5 documented problems with the 2012-2015 Honda Civic, with symptoms, affected years, and typical repair costs." url: "https://whichcarparts.com/cars/honda/civic/2012-2015/common-problems" updated: "2026-08-20" --- # 2012-2015 Honda Civic Common Problems and Years to Avoid 5 documented problems with the 2012-2015 Honda Civic, with symptoms, affected years, and typical repair costs. **Quick answer**: We have 5 documented problems on record for the 2012-2015 Honda Civic, none of them rated serious. ## AC compressor clutch / relay failure (no cold air) (moderate) The most common 9th-gen complaint: the AC blows warm because the compressor clutch coil or its air gap fails, or the AC relay sticks. Symptoms come and go with heat. A relay is a $20 first check; a clutch/coil or complete compressor is the usual fix on higher-mileage cars. Most affected: 2012-2015. Typical cost: $20 (relay) - $600-$1,100 (compressor assembly). ## Harsh or clunky shifts from the 5-speed automatic (moderate) 2012-2013 cars with the 5AT can shift harshly (especially 2nd-3rd) or shudder at lock-up as the DW-1 fluid ages. A drain-and-fill with Honda DW-1 (repeat 2-3 times) resolves most cases; Honda issued software updates for shift quality. Persistent shudder can require torque converter work. Most affected: 2012-2013. Typical cost: $80-$150 (fluid service); $1,500+ if torque converter replacement is needed. ## Front engine mount wear (vibration in gear) (minor) The hydraulic front/side engine mounts soften with age, causing vibration at idle in Drive and a clunk on throttle tip-in. Common from ~80k miles. Straightforward replacement; aftermarket mounts cost far less than OEM. Most affected: 2012-2015. Typical cost: $150-$450 per mount installed. ## Master window switch and Bluetooth (HandsFreeLink) glitches (minor) Driver's master window switches fail (window won't auto-up or works intermittently), and the HandsFreeLink module can drain the battery or drop phone pairings. Both are annoyances rather than safety issues; the HFL fix is often simply unplugging or replacing the module. Most affected: 2012-2015. Typical cost: $50-$200 (switch); $0-$300 (HFL unplug/replace). ## CVT judder on early CVT cars (2014-2015) (minor) Some 2014-2015 1.8L CVTs shudder on light acceleration from a stop. Honda's fix is a software update plus an HCF-2 fluid change, covered by service bulletins and goodwill in many cases. Keeping fresh HCF-2 in the transmission is the best prevention. Most affected: 2014-2015 (CVT only). Typical cost: $0 (goodwill/software) - $200 (fluid service). Problems listed here are compiled from NHTSA complaints, recalls, technical service bulletins, and widely documented owner reports for the 2012-2015 Honda Civic. Not every vehicle will experience these issues. ## Which Honda Civic model years does this cover? These problems and recalls specifications apply to every Honda Civic built from 2012 through 2015, the 9th generation (FB/FG), compact sedan and coupe. Nothing in this specification changes between those model years. - [2012 Civic](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/honda/civic/2012) - [2013 Civic](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/honda/civic/2013) - [2014 Civic](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/honda/civic/2014) - [2015 Civic](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/honda/civic/2015) ## What changed during the 2012-2015 Honda Civic | Years | What changed | | --- | --- | | 2012 | Generation launch. A hybrid (1.5L IMA) and a natural-gas 1.8L were also sold 2012-2015 in small numbers, not covered in detail here. | | 2013 | Emergency refresh after poor reviews: new fascias, upgraded interior, standard rearview camera | | 2014 | CVT replaces the 5-speed automatic on 1.8L models; Touring-like EX-L Navi tops the range; Si gains 5 hp (205) | ## 2012-2015 Honda Civic problems and recalls: common questions ### What are the most common problems with the 2012-2015 Honda Civic? The recurring ones are: ac compressor clutch / relay failure (no cold air); harsh or clunky shifts from the 5-speed automatic; front engine mount wear (vibration in gear); master window switch and bluetooth (handsfreelink) glitches; cvt judder on early cvt cars (2014-2015). Each is detailed above with symptoms, affected years, and typical cost. ### How much do 2012-2015 Honda Civic repairs typically cost? Typical figures for the issues above: ac compressor clutch / relay failure (no cold air), $20 (relay) - $600-$1,100 (compressor assembly); harsh or clunky shifts from the 5-speed automatic, $80-$150 (fluid service); $1,500+ if torque converter replacement is needed; front engine mount wear (vibration in gear), $150-$450 per mount installed; master window switch and bluetooth (handsfreelink) glitches, $50-$200 (switch); $0-$300 (HFL unplug/replace). ## Sources - [AMSOIL product application guide, 2012 Civic 1.8L R18Z1 (oil capacity/viscosity)](https://www.amsoil.com/lookup/auto-and-light-truck/2012/honda/civic/1-8l-4-cyl-engine-code-r18z1-6/) - [AMSOIL product application guide, 2014 Civic 2.4L K24Z7](https://www.amsoil.com/lookup/auto-and-light-truck/2014/honda/civic/2-4l-4-cyl-engine-code-k24z7-7/) - [Honda parts, 17220-R1A-A01 engine air filter, 2012-2015 Civic](https://honda.oempartsonline.com/oem-parts/honda-engine-air-filter-17220r1aa01) - [Honda parts, 12290-R1A-A01 / 12290-R1Z-A01 spark plugs](https://honda.oempartsonline.com/oem-parts/honda-spark-plug-12290r1za01) - [TirePressure.org, 2013 Honda Civic placard pressures by trim](https://tirepressure.org/honda/civic/2013) - [fueleconomy.gov, 2013 Honda Civic EPA ratings](https://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/bymodel/2013_Honda_Civic.shtml) - [Honda News, 2013 Civic Sedan specifications (fuel tank, curb weight)](https://hondanews.com/en-US/releases/release-152f07edcfbf4ebeadde2b4f7ab8c01e-2013-honda-civic-sedan-specifications) - [AutoZone, 2013 Civic headlight bulb fitment (9006 low / 9005 high)](https://www.autozone.com/collision-body-parts-and-hardware/headlight/honda/civic/2013) - [9thGenCivic forum, ATF DW-1 drain & fill volume; Si spark plug spec](https://www.9thgencivic.com/threads/automatic-transmission-fluid-change.116481/) ## Other Honda Civic generations - [2022-2025 Honda Civic problems and recalls](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/honda/civic/2022-2025/common-problems) - [2016-2021 Honda Civic problems and recalls](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/honda/civic/2016-2021/common-problems) Or [compare all generations](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/honda/civic/common-problems). ## More for the 2012-2015 Honda Civic - [Oil & filter](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/honda/civic/2012-2015/oil) - [Battery](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/honda/civic/2012-2015/battery) - [Tires & wheels](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/honda/civic/2012-2015/tires) - [Wiper blades](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/honda/civic/2012-2015/wipers) - [Air & cabin filters](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/honda/civic/2012-2015/filters) - [Bulbs](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/honda/civic/2012-2015/bulbs) - [Brakes](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/honda/civic/2012-2015/brakes) - [Fluids](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/honda/civic/2012-2015/fluids) - [Service schedule](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/honda/civic/2012-2015/service-schedule) - [Oil light reset](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/honda/civic/2012-2015/oil-reset) - [Key fob battery](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/honda/civic/2012-2015/key-fob-battery) - [Specs](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/honda/civic/2012-2015/specs) Specifications vary with engine option, production date, and market.