HONDA: ENGINEERING REQUEST FOR INVESTIGATION. INSPECTING CERTAIN MODEL VEHICLES (4 DOOR, VIN STARING WITH 1HG) THAT ARE WITH IN WARRANTY AND HAVE A COMPLAINT THAT THE BLOWER MOTOR IS INOPERATIVE, SLOW OR INTERMITTENT.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2007 Honda Civic visibility problems
moderate 200 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $350 · see visibility across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
200
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$350
What stands out
Owners have filed 200 visibility complaints with NHTSA against this vehicle, but no formal recall covers the issue — the federal record reflects what manufacturers have admitted, not everything owners are reporting.
Among the 18 model years of Honda Civic in our records for visibility problems, this one ranks #2 by owner-complaint volume.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering visibility on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
HONDA: WHEN THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS ARE TURNED OFF, THEY INTERMITTENTLY DO NOT STOP (PARK) AT THE CORRECT LOCATION AT THE BOTTOM OF THE WINDSHIELD OR THEY CONTINUE TO RUN.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗WINDSHIELD WIPERS INTERMITTENTLY DO NOT PARK OR TURN OFF. UPDATED 2/21/08.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
The 2007 Honda Civic has two major visibility defects. The first is chronic sun visor failure: plastic hinges or seam glue fails, causing visors to split apart or hang straight down, obstructing 25–50% of the windshield and side windows. Owners report this happens within months of purchase or replacement, especially in warm climates. Multiple owners have paid $75–$100 per replacement, only to have the new visor fail the same way. Some owners have replaced visors four to six times in two years. Dealers confirm this is a frequent complaint, and Honda acknowledged the defect in a class action settlement with a limited warranty extension (up to 100,000 miles on some models), but replacement visors still use the same flawed design.
The second issue is windshield wipers: the motor or control module fails, causing wipers to stop mid-windshield instead of parking at the bottom, or to refuse turning off altogether. The problem worsens in cold or wet weather and recurs even after one wiper motor replacement. One owner cited Honda Service Bulletin 07-071 (September 24, 2010) identifying the wiper motor cover plate as faulty. A third, less common complaint involves wiper blade streaking that persists across multiple blade replacements.
Neither defect has triggered a formal recall, though Honda has replaced parts after-warranty on some vehicles. Dealers frequently tell owners they see these complaints "all the time."
Same Honda Civic visibility reports on nearby years: 2006 · 2008 · 2009 · 2010
Failure modes owners describe
Sun visor hinge/plastic failure - split seams, loss of grip
Sun visors split open at the seams or plastic attachment pieces fail, preventing the visor from staying in the upright position. Internal plastic clamps and gripping mechanisms fail from heat exposure or normal use, causing the visor to hang down unpredictably or fall completely.
When: Typically 1 month to 3 years after purchase; heat-triggered in warm/hot climates; some owners report 2-6 replacements within 24 months
Symptoms owners cite: Visor splits at seam or plastic separation; Visor won't stay in up position despite pushing it up; Visor hangs straight down blocking windshield visibility (front and/or side window); Visor flops down unexpectedly while driving; Internal spring/metal arm visible after split; Vision obstruction of 25-50% of windshield or side window; Visor hits driver's head when attempting to turn with visor against side window
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer replacement cost typically $75–$100 per visor (parts + labor); multiple replacements common on same vehicle; replacement visors often fail with the same defect within weeks to months
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Honda dealers acknowledge this as a chronic, widespread issue; some dealers report replacing numerous visors weekly; Honda acknowledged defect in class action lawsuit and extended warranty on some models; one Honda service bulletin mentioned (07-071, dated September 24, 2010) addressed wiper motor cover plate but not visor; Honda stated willingness to replace visors as they fail after warranty expiration, but only up to 100,000 miles on some covered vehicles; no formal recall issued as of complaint dates
Windshield wiper motor/control - failure to park correctly, erratic behavior
Wiper motor or control module malfunction causes wipers to stop in wrong position (middle of windshield instead of bottom), refuse to turn off, fail to respond to control inputs, or exhibit multiple consecutive wipes on single command. Problem worsens or manifests primarily in cold/wet weather.
When: As early as <50k miles; cold/winter weather trigger; recurring after one replacement
Symptoms owners cite: Wipers do not return to park position at bottom of windshield after use; Wipers stop in middle of windshield blocking driver's view; Wipers continue running after switch turned to OFF position; Wipers will not turn ON when control activated; Wipers wipe 3–5 times in sequence on single command; Intermittent wiper delay function does not work; Problem more prominent in cold/winter or wet conditions; Requires repeated on/off cycling to get wipers into correct park position
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer replacement of windshield wiper motor assembly; one owner reported hundreds of dollars in labor; problem recurs within 1–2 winters after replacement; one complaint cited Honda Service Bulletin 07-071 (September 24, 2010) identifying wiper motor cover plate as faulty part
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Honda has not issued a recall for this defect; one owner noted Honda recalled 2003 Accords for wiper issue; dealers unable to reproduce problem on in-shop diagnostics; no redesign apparent as of complaint dates
Windshield wiper streaking/inadequate cleaning
Wiper blades streak excessively, leaving residue or water marks on windshield, preventing clear visibility. Problem persists despite multiple wiper blade replacements and windshield cleaning attempts by dealer.
When: Recurring issue; blades replaced 4+ times from 2006 onward; problem temporary only
Symptoms owners cite: Severe streaking on windshield after wiper use; Inability to see through windshield safely due to streaks; Problem persists after wiper blade replacement
Repairs/costs cited: Repeated wiper blade replacements (4+ times); dealer applied clay compound to windshield to attempt removal of contaminant; treatments provide only temporary relief; underlying cause not identified
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealer attributes issue to environmental elements; Honda has not issued a technical bulletin or recall; no solution offered beyond blade replacement and windshield scrubbing
Rear window spontaneous collapse
Rear window spontaneously collapsed inward while vehicle was parked, filling back seat with glass shards with no apparent external cause.
When: Single complaint; occurred during clear weather while vehicle parked in driveway
Symptoms owners cite: Rear window collapsed inward spontaneously; Vehicle was parked and unoccupied at time of failure
Repairs/costs cited: Replacement at owner's own cost (~unspecified dollar amount)
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Honda warranty claim rejected; no recall or investigation mentioned
Synthesized from 200 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 0 most recent
Had visibility trouble with your 2007 Honda Civic?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the visibility problem on the 2007 Honda Civic?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 200 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $350 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the visibility typically fail?
Across the 150 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most visibility failures cluster between 29,150 and 60,200 miles, with the median around 42,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 29,150; a quarter make it past 60,200. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $350 for visibility repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to visibility?
No active recalls currently cover visibility issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2007/Honda/Civic.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.