2020 Honda Civic: Recalls, Problems & MPG
Here are the deets on the 2020 Honda Civic: 5 recalls, 227 owner complaints and up to 36 mpg combined.
Recalls
5 vehicle recalls from the manufacturer. Repairs are free. Check your VIN to see if one is still open on your car.
Fuel system Vehicle recall #21V215000 · 2021 · 624,552 vehicles
What's wrong: Honda (american Honda motor Co.) is recalling certain 2019-2020 Acura mdx, mdx sport hybrid, rdx, tlx, Honda accord, civic hatchback, insight, 2019 Acura ilx, Honda accord hybrid, civic coupe, civic coupe si, civic sedan, civic sedan si, civic type r, fit, hr-v, odyssey, passport, pilot and ridgeline, and 2018-2019 cr-v vehicles. The low-pressure fuel pump inside the fuel tank May fail.
Why it matters: Fuel pump failure can cause an engine stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel pump assembly, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed May 18, 2021.
Brakes (hydraulic) Vehicle recall #23V458000 · 2023 · 124,077 vehicles
What's wrong: Honda (american Honda motor Co.) is recalling certain 2020-2021 civic, 2020-2023 ridgeline, 2021-2023 passport, 2021-2022 pilot, and 2020 Acura mdx vehicles. The tie rod fastener that connects the brake booster and the brake master cylinder May have been improperly assembled during manufacturing, which can cause the brake master cylinder to separate from the booster assembly.
Why it matters: Brake master cylinder separation can cause a loss of brake function and increase the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will inspect and repair the brake booster assembly as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 7, 2023.
Fuel system Vehicle recall #23V858000 · 2023 · 2,490,460 vehicles
What's wrong: Honda (american Honda motor Co.) is recalling certain 2013-2023 Honda accord, civic coupe, civic sedan, civic hatchback, civic type r, cr-v, hr-v, ridgeline, odyssey, Acura ilx, mdx, mdx hybrid, rdx, rlx, tlx, 2019-2022 Honda insight, passport, 2020 Honda cr-v hybrid, 2018-2019 Honda clarity phev, fit, and 2015-2020 Honda accord hybrid, pilot, Acura nsx vehicles. The fuel pump inside the fuel tank May fail.
Why it matters: Fuel pump failure can cause an engine stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will replace the fuel pump module, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed September 6, 2024.
Airbags Vehicle recall #24V064000 · 2024 · 750,114 vehicles
What's wrong: Honda (american Honda motor Co.) is recalling certain 2020-2022 pilot, accord, civic sedan, hr-v, odyssey, 2020 civic coupe, fit, 2021-2022 civic hatchback, 2021 civic type r, insight, 2020-2021 cr-v, cr-v hybrid, passport, ridgeline, accord hybrid, 2020 Acura mdx, 2022 Acura mdx, 2020-2022 Acura rdx, and 2020-2021 Acura tlx vehicles. The front passenger seat weight sensor May crack and short circuit, failing to…
Why it matters: An air bag that deploys unintentionally during a crash can increase the risk of injury.
The fix: Dealers will replace the seat weight sensors, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 28, 2024. This is a phased recall.
Airbags Vehicle recall #26V332000 · 2026 · 98,892 vehicles
What's wrong: Honda (american Honda motor Co.) is recalling certain 2018-2021, 2023 Acura tlx, 2019-2024 rdx, 2017-2020, 2022-2026 mdx, 2017-2021, 2023, 2025 Honda ridgeline, 2017-2022 pilot, 2019-2021 passport, 2018-2026 odyssey, 2019-2022 insight, 2019-2021 hr-v, 2018-2020 fit, 2020-2022 cr-v hybrid, 2017-2022 cr-v, 2017-2018, 2021 civic type r, 2017-2021 civic hatchback, 2016-2020 civic coupe, 2016-2022 civic, 2017-2022 accord…
Why it matters: Air bags that deploy unintentionally during a crash increase the risk of injury.
The fix: Dealers will replace the seat weight sensors, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 7, 2026.
Most-reported problems
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component. One complaint can list several components. 1 mention a fire, 12 injuries and 0 deaths were reported.
What owners describe
- Other / unknown (37): the most common themes are leaks (7), electrical failure (3).
- Electrical (36): the most common themes are warning light on (6), door / lock issues (5), electrical failure (5).
- Transmission & drivetrain (31): the most common themes are hard / delayed shifting (19), warning light on (6), stalls / loses power (5).
- Steering (30): the most common themes are steering problems (27), warning light on (9).
The 2020 Honda Civic has 227 owner complaints, ranking #26 of 37 Civic model years for complaints (well below the 432 average). Complaints peaked in 2024 (48 filed that year). The typical problem showed up when the car was about 4 years old, at a median of 15,400 miles. Neighboring years: 2019 (435 complaints, 4 recalls), 2021 (145 complaints, 4 recalls).
Engines & fuel economy (EPA)
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.5 L 4-cyl turbo | Automatic (variable gear ratios) | Front-Wheel Drive | 32 | 42 | 36 | Regular |
| 1.5 L 4-cyl turbo | Automatic (variable gear ratios) | Front-Wheel Drive | 31 | 40 | 34 | Regular |
| 1.5 L 4-cyl turbo | Automatic (AV-S7) | Front-Wheel Drive | 30 | 37 | 33 | Regular |
| 2.0 L 4-cyl | Automatic (variable gear ratios) | Front-Wheel Drive | 30 | 38 | 33 | Regular |
| 1.5 L 4-cyl turbo | Automatic (AV-S7) | Front-Wheel Drive | 30 | 38 | 33 | Regular |
| 1.5 L 4-cyl turbo | Manual 6-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 29 | 37 | 32 | Premium |
| 1.5 L 4-cyl turbo | Automatic (AV-S7) | Front-Wheel Drive | 29 | 35 | 32 | Premium |
| 2.0 L 4-cyl | Automatic (AV-S7) | Front-Wheel Drive | 29 | 36 | 32 | Regular |
| 2.0 L 4-cyl | Automatic (AV-S7) | Front-Wheel Drive | 29 | 37 | 32 | Regular |
| 1.5 L 4-cyl turbo | Manual 6-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 26 | 36 | 30 | Premium |
| 2.0 L 4-cyl | Manual 6-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 25 | 35 | 29 | Regular |
| 2.0 L 4-cyl | Manual 6-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 25 | 36 | 29 | Regular |
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 2020 Honda Civic.
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Most $25–$78, one-timePro-shop repair procedures, wiring diagrams and TSBs for your exact car.
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FAQ
Does the 2020 Honda Civic have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 5 vehicle recalls for the 2020 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 2020 Honda Civic problems?
Owners have filed 227 complaints with NHTSA. The most-reported areas are other / unknown (37), electrical (36), transmission & drivetrain (31).
What gas mileage does the 2020 Honda Civic get?
EPA ratings run up to 36 mpg combined (1.5 L, Automatic (variable gear ratios)), across 13 engine and transmission combos.
Where can I get a 2020 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.