2016–2021 10th generation (FC/FK)
2016–2021 Honda Civic Common Problems and Years to Avoid
6 documented problems with the 2016–2021 Honda Civic, with symptoms, affected years, and typical repair costs. 2 of them are serious. 5 carry a recall or TSB number.
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2016–2021 Honda Civic recalls and service bulletins
| Recall / TSB | Issue | Severity |
|---|---|---|
| Honda product update + powertrain warranty extension (2016–2018 Civic 1.5T); related TSBs incl. 18-114/18-124 family | 1.5T oil dilution, gas in the oil (cold climates) | moderate |
| Honda TSB 19-091 (Dec 2019 warranty extension) | AC condenser refrigerant leak (10-year warranty extension) | moderate |
| NHTSA 20V-314, 21V-215, 23V-858 | Denso fuel pump can fail, engine stall (recalls) | major |
| NHTSA 16V-074; Honda SB 16-017 | 2016 piston pin snap ring recall (engine stall/failure) | major |
| NHTSA 16V-725 | 2016 electric parking brake may not engage (recall) | moderate |
Recall work is free at a franchised dealer regardless of the vehicle's age, mileage, or how many owners it has had. Check your VIN against the NHTSA database to see what is still outstanding on your specific vehicle, a recall listed here may already have been performed.
1.5T oil dilution, gas in the oil (cold climates)
moderateThe direct-injected L15B7 can wash fuel past the rings on short trips in cold weather: the oil level rises above the fill mark, smells of gasoline, and in bad cases causes misfires and fouled plugs. Honda issued software/thermal updates and extended the powertrain warranty by a year (to 6 years, unlimited mileage on affected components) for 2016–2018 Civic 1.5T cars. Change oil earlier than the Maintenance Minder suggests if you make mostly short trips in winter.
AC condenser refrigerant leak (10-year warranty extension)
moderateThe AC condenser develops pinhole leaks from a manufacturing defect, the AC gradually blows warm, usually out of warranty. After a class action, Honda extended condenser coverage to 10 years from original purchase with no mileage limit (TSB 19-091) for 2016–2018 US cars (Canada extended 2018–2020 too), including reimbursement for prior repairs. Road-debris damage is excluded.
Denso fuel pump can fail, engine stall (recalls)
majorImproperly molded Denso fuel-pump impellers can swell and seize, causing hard starts, rough running, or stalling at speed. First recalled in 2020 (20V-314 covered 2018–2019 Civic hatchback and Type R), expanded in 2021 (21V-215), then massively expanded in December 2023: recall 23V-858 covers 2018–2020 Civic sedan, coupe, hatchback, and Type R among 2.5 million Honda/Acura vehicles. Dealers replace the fuel pump module free. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
2016 piston pin snap ring recall (engine stall/failure)
majorAbout 34,000 early-build 2016 Civics with the 2.0L engine left the factory with missing or mis-set piston pin snap rings, which can cause engine noise, stall, or outright engine failure. Honda stop-saled and recalled affected VINs in February 2016; the inspection (borescope through the oil pan) and any engine repairs were free under service bulletin 16-017.
2016 electric parking brake may not engage (recall)
moderateOn ~350,000 2016 Civics, applying the electric parking brake immediately after switching the ignition off could fail to actually clamp the brake, letting the car roll away. Fixed with a free VSA control-unit software update in late 2016.
Infotainment freezes, Bluetooth drops, backup-camera glitches
minor2016–2018 head units (especially the touch-volume 7-inch unit) freeze, reboot, or lose the camera feed. Honda released multiple firmware updates and replaced units under warranty; a hard reset (hold the power button) clears most one-off freezes. The 2019 refresh brought back a physical volume knob and improved software.
Problems listed here are compiled from NHTSA complaints, recalls, technical service bulletins, and widely documented owner reports for the 2016–2021 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 2016 through 2021 — the 10th generation (FC/FK), compact sedan, coupe, and hatchback. Nothing in this specification changes between those model years. Pick your year for the engines it offered, what changed that year, and the problems recorded against it.
What changed during the 2016–2021 Honda Civic
- 2016Generation launch (sedan/coupe, 2.0L and 1.5T). Two recalls hit the first year: piston pin snap rings (16V-074) and the electric parking brake software (16V-725).
- 2017Hatchback, Si (205 hp), and Type R (306 hp) join the lineup
- 2019Facelift: revised fascias, standard Honda Sensing, volume knob returns, new Sport sedan/coupe trim
- 2021Final year; sedan/hatch only (coupe dropped after 2020, no 2021 Si)
2016–2021 Honda Civic problems and recalls: common questions
What are the most common problems with the 2016–2021 Honda Civic?
- The recurring ones are: 1.5t oil dilution, gas in the oil (cold climates); ac condenser refrigerant leak (10-year warranty extension); denso fuel pump can fail, engine stall (recalls); 2016 piston pin snap ring recall (engine stall/failure); 2016 electric parking brake may not engage (recall). Each is detailed above with symptoms, affected years, and typical cost.
Which 2016–2021 Honda Civic years should you avoid?
- The years to be most careful with are those affected by denso fuel pump can fail, engine stall (recalls) (2018–2020) and 2016 piston pin snap ring recall (engine stall/failure) (2016 (2.0L, specific VINs)). A documented problem is not automatically a reason to walk away. Service records showing the repair was done change the picture entirely.
Are there recalls on the 2016–2021 Honda Civic?
- 5 of the issues listed carry a recall or technical service bulletin: Honda product update + powertrain warranty extension (2016–2018 Civic 1.5T); related TSBs incl. 18-114/18-124 family (1.5t oil dilution, gas in the oil (cold climates)), Honda TSB 19-091 (Dec 2019 warranty extension) (ac condenser refrigerant leak (10-year warranty extension)), NHTSA 20V-314, 21V-215, 23V-858 (denso fuel pump can fail, engine stall (recalls)), NHTSA 16V-074; Honda SB 16-017 (2016 piston pin snap ring recall (engine stall/failure)), NHTSA 16V-725 (2016 electric parking brake may not engage (recall)). Recall work is free at a franchised dealer regardless of age or mileage. Check your VIN on the NHTSA site to see what is outstanding.
How much do 2016–2021 Honda Civic repairs typically cost?
- Typical figures for the issues above: 1.5t oil dilution, gas in the oil (cold climates), Free (software update + warranty extension); more frequent oil changes otherwise; ac condenser refrigerant leak (10-year warranty extension), Free under warranty extension; $600–$1,000 otherwise (condenser + refrigerant); denso fuel pump can fail, engine stall (recalls), Free under recall; 2016 piston pin snap ring recall (engine stall/failure), Free under recall (up to full engine replacement).
Sources
- Motivx Tools, 2016–2018 Civic oil change guide (capacities by engine)
- AMSOIL product application guide, 2017 Civic 1.5L L15B7
- Honda parts, 17220-5AA-A00 (1.5T) and 17220-5BA-A00 (2.0L) air filters
- Honda parts, 12290-59B-003 spark plug (NGK ILZKAR8H8S), 2016–2021 Civic 1.5T
- Honda parts, 15400-PLM-A02 oil filter
- NHTSA recall 20V-314, Denso fuel pump (Part 573 report)
- NHTSA recall 23V-858, expanded fuel pump recall (Part 573 report)
- NHTSA, 2016 Civic piston pin snap ring recall 16V-074 / SB 16-017
- Honda TSB 19-091, AC condenser 10-year warranty extension (NHTSA copy)
- WardsAuto, Honda extends warranty for 1.5L oil dilution (Civic/CR-V)
- TirePressure.org, 2017 Honda Civic placard pressures by trim
- fueleconomy.gov, 2017 Honda Civic EPA ratings
- CivicX forum, brake rotor/caliper dimensions by trim
- Interstate Batteries, 2017/2019 Civic Group 51R fitment