--- title: "2016-2021 Honda Civic Problems and Years to Avoid" description: "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." url: "https://whichcarparts.com/cars/honda/civic/2016-2021/common-problems" updated: "2026-08-20" --- # 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. **Quick answer**: We have 6 documented problems on record for the 2016-2021 Honda Civic, of which 2 are serious and 5 carry a recall or service bulletin. ## 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. ## 1.5T oil dilution, gas in the oil (cold climates) (moderate) The 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. Most affected: 2016-2018 (1.5T; improved but not unheard-of on 2019+). Typical cost: Free (software update + warranty extension); more frequent oil changes otherwise. Recall/TSB: Honda product update + powertrain warranty extension (2016-2018 Civic 1.5T); related TSBs incl. 18-114/18-124 family. ## AC condenser refrigerant leak (10-year warranty extension) (moderate) The 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. Most affected: 2016-2018 (US warranty extension); leaks reported through 2021. Typical cost: Free under warranty extension; $600-$1,000 otherwise (condenser + refrigerant). Recall/TSB: Honda TSB 19-091 (Dec 2019 warranty extension). ## Denso fuel pump can fail, engine stall (recalls) (major) Improperly 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. Most affected: 2018-2020. Typical cost: Free under recall. Recall/TSB: NHTSA 20V-314, 21V-215, 23V-858. ## 2016 piston pin snap ring recall (engine stall/failure) (major) About 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. Most affected: 2016 (2.0L, specific VINs). Typical cost: Free under recall (up to full engine replacement). Recall/TSB: NHTSA 16V-074; Honda SB 16-017. ## 2016 electric parking brake may not engage (recall) (moderate) On ~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. Most affected: 2016. Typical cost: Free under recall (software). Recall/TSB: NHTSA 16V-725. ## Infotainment freezes, Bluetooth drops, backup-camera glitches (minor) 2016-2018 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. Most affected: 2016-2018. Typical cost: Free (update/reset) - $500+ (head unit out of warranty). 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. - [2016 Civic](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/honda/civic/2016) - [2017 Civic](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/honda/civic/2017) - [2018 Civic](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/honda/civic/2018) - [2019 Civic](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/honda/civic/2019) - [2020 Civic](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/honda/civic/2020) - [2021 Civic](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/honda/civic/2021) ## What changed during the 2016-2021 Honda Civic | Years | What changed | | --- | --- | | 2016 | Generation 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). | | 2017 | Hatchback, Si (205 hp), and Type R (306 hp) join the lineup | | 2019 | Facelift: revised fascias, standard Honda Sensing, volume knob returns, new Sport sedan/coupe trim | | 2021 | Final 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)](https://www.motivxtools.com/pages/2016-2017-2018-honda-civic-oil-change-guide) - [AMSOIL product application guide, 2017 Civic 1.5L L15B7](https://www.amsoil.com/lookup/auto-and-light-truck/2017/honda/civic/1-5l-4-cyl-engine-code-l15b7-8-turbo/) - [Honda parts, 17220-5AA-A00 (1.5T) and 17220-5BA-A00 (2.0L) air filters](https://honda.oempartsonline.com/oem-parts/honda-air-filter-172205aaa00) - [Honda parts, 12290-59B-003 spark plug (NGK ILZKAR8H8S), 2016-2021 Civic 1.5T](https://honda.oempartsonline.com/oem-parts/honda-spark-plug-1229059b003) - [Honda parts, 15400-PLM-A02 oil filter](https://honda.oempartsonline.com/oem-parts/honda-oil-filter-15400plma02) - [NHTSA recall 20V-314, Denso fuel pump (Part 573 report)](https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2020/RCLRPT-20V314-4001.PDF) - [NHTSA recall 23V-858, expanded fuel pump recall (Part 573 report)](https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2023/RCLRPT-23V858-1287.PDF) - [NHTSA, 2016 Civic piston pin snap ring recall 16V-074 / SB 16-017](https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2016/RCMN-16V074-0449.pdf) - [Honda TSB 19-091, AC condenser 10-year warranty extension (NHTSA copy)](https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/tsbs/2019/MC-10163799-0001.pdf) - [WardsAuto, Honda extends warranty for 1.5L oil dilution (Civic/CR-V)](https://www.wardsauto.com/news/archive-wards-honda-extends-warranty-to-address-1-5l-gas-oil-dilution-problem/793295/) - [TirePressure.org, 2017 Honda Civic placard pressures by trim](https://tirepressure.org/honda/civic/2017) - [fueleconomy.gov, 2017 Honda Civic EPA ratings](https://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/bymodel/2017_Honda_Civic.shtml) - [CivicX forum, brake rotor/caliper dimensions by trim](https://www.civicx.com/forum/threads/brake-info-thread.62520/) - [Interstate Batteries, 2017/2019 Civic Group 51R fitment](https://www.interstatebatteries.com/products/m-51r/2017-honda-civic-l415l-standard) ## Other Honda Civic generations - [2022-2025 Honda Civic problems and recalls](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/honda/civic/2022-2025/common-problems) - [2012-2015 Honda Civic problems and recalls](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/honda/civic/2012-2015/common-problems) Or [compare all generations](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/honda/civic/common-problems). ## More for the 2016-2021 Honda Civic - [Oil & filter](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/honda/civic/2016-2021/oil) - [Battery](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/honda/civic/2016-2021/battery) - [Tires & wheels](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/honda/civic/2016-2021/tires) - [Wiper blades](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/honda/civic/2016-2021/wipers) - [Air & cabin filters](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/honda/civic/2016-2021/filters) - [Bulbs](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/honda/civic/2016-2021/bulbs) - [Brakes](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/honda/civic/2016-2021/brakes) - [Fluids](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/honda/civic/2016-2021/fluids) - [Service schedule](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/honda/civic/2016-2021/service-schedule) - [Oil light reset](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/honda/civic/2016-2021/oil-reset) - [Key fob battery](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/honda/civic/2016-2021/key-fob-battery) - [Specs](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/honda/civic/2016-2021/specs) Specifications vary with engine option, production date, and market.