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2012 Honda Civic engine problems

moderate 14 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $3,100 · see engine across all vehicles →

Failure mileage
Complaints
14
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$3,100

When does it fail?

Of the 14 engine complaints filed for the 2012 Honda Civic, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 25,000-50,000 mi.

0-25k
0 (0%)
25-50k
1 (50%)
50-75k
0 (0%)
75-100k
0 (0%)
100-125k
1 (50%)
125-150k
0 (0%)
150k+
0 (0%)

Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.

What stands out

No new NHTSA engine complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 5 years — the issue may be aging out of the active population.

What owners are reporting 2 most recent

engine · 112,000 mi · filed 12/30/2020

The vehicle seems to burn oil very fast even though it has been maintained properly throughout the years. I've had to fill up the oil 3 times between oil changes due to this issue and no leaks have been found after a thorough search.

engine · 28,000 mi · filed 12/25/2015

Vehicle frequently stalls when turning left after coming to a stop, very dangerous when oncoming traffic, read numerous other complaints online, Honda needs to fix this problem before someone hurt/killed (if not already, and how would we know because of their negligence to fix this problem despite all the complaints?), and no it is not due to "left foot braking"

Had engine trouble with your 2012 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 engine problem on the 2012 Honda Civic?

It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 14 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $3,100 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.

At what mileage does the engine typically fail?

Across the 8 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most engine failures cluster between 25,000 and 64,000 miles, with the median around 30,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 25,000; a quarter make it past 64,000. 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 $3,100 for engine 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 engine?

No active recalls currently cover engine 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/2012/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.
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