2012 Honda Civic: Recalls, Problems & MPG
Here are the deets on the 2012 Honda Civic: 3 recalls, 455 owner complaints and up to 31 mpg combined.

Recalls
3 vehicle recalls from the manufacturer. Repairs are free. Check your VIN to see if one is still open on your car.
Fuel system (other) Vehicle recall #11V288000 · 2011 · 1,156 vehicles
What's wrong: There is a possibility that an o-ring, which seals a connection in the fuel feed line, is misaligned. If the o-ring is misaligned, a small fuel leak May occur.
Why it matters: Fuel leakage, in the presence of an ignition source, could result in a fire.
The fix: Dealers will replace the fuel feed line assembly free of charge. The safety recall began on May 27, 2011.
Transmission & drivetrain Vehicle recall #12V256000 · 2012 · 50,190 vehicles
What's wrong: During assembly, the process required to seat the driverâs side driveshaft and set the retaining clip was not completed. As a result, the driveshaft May separate.
Why it matters: If this occurs, the vehicle will have a loss of drive power and May roll away if the parking brake has not been set when the gear selector has been placed in the âparkâ position, increasing the risk of crash or pedestrian injury.
The fix: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the driver's side driveshaft and install a new driveshaft as needed, free of charge. The safety recall began on June 21. 2012.
Steering Vehicle recall #12V548000 · 2012 · 157 vehicles
What's wrong: These vehicles were assembled with the incorrect steering column assembly.
Why it matters: The steering column May not have proper energy absorbing characteristics, which could increase the risk of injury during a vehicle crash.
The fix: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and replace the steering column, as necessary, free of charge. The safety recall began on December 10, 2012.
Most-reported problems
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component. One complaint can list several components. 5 mention a fire, 41 injuries and 0 deaths were reported.
What owners describe
- Airbags (149): the most common themes are warning light on (23), fails to deploy (20).
- Steering (74): the most common themes are steering problems (70), warning light on (24).
- Electrical (59): the most common themes are electrical failure (26), warning light on (14).
- Transmission & drivetrain (49): the most common themes are hard / delayed shifting (17), noise or vibration (14), warning light on (10).
The 2012 Honda Civic has 455 owner complaints, ranking #11 of 37 Civic model years for complaints (about average; the typical year has 432). Complaints peaked in 2015 (49 filed that year). The typical problem showed up when the car was about 4 years old, at a median of 30,150 miles. Neighboring years: 2011 (169 complaints, 9 recalls), 2013 (319 complaints, 0 recalls).
Engines & fuel economy (EPA)
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.8 L 4-cyl | Automatic 5-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 28 | 38 | 31 | Regular |
| 1.8 L 4-cyl | Manual 5-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 28 | 35 | 31 | Regular |
| 2.4 L 4-cyl | Manual 6-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 22 | 31 | 25 | Premium |
Want the full repair deets? Get the factory manual.
Recall and complaint data tells you what goes wrong. A service manual tells you how to fix it: torque specs, wiring diagrams, fluid capacities and step-by-step procedures for the 2012 Honda Civic.
Closest thing to the factory manual for most years. Pay once, keep it.
Most $25–$78, one-timePro-shop repair procedures, wiring diagrams and TSBs for your exact car.
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FAQ
Does the 2012 Honda Civic have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 3 vehicle recalls for the 2012 Honda Civic. Recall repairs are free at any dealer, no matter how old the car is. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What are the most common 2012 Honda Civic problems?
Owners have filed 455 complaints with NHTSA. The most-reported areas are airbags (149), steering (74), electrical (59).
What gas mileage does the 2012 Honda Civic get?
EPA ratings run up to 31 mpg combined (1.8 L, Automatic 5-spd), across 3 engine and transmission combos.
Where can I get a 2012 Honda Civic repair manual?
eManualOnline sells downloadable manuals, Mitchell 1 DIY and ALLDATAdiy sell online access to factory repair data, and Haynes sells printed guides and online access. Pick a download if you want to keep it, or a subscription for wiring diagrams and TSBs.