ServiceNews Article - Have you noticed the fill plug on a CVT has popped out or seems to be leaking? This is caused by pressure building up at the fill plug due to the vent cap getting plugged with debris.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2016 Honda Civic powertrain problems
severe Owners of the 2016 Honda Civic have filed 33 NHTSA complaints about the powertrain, typically surfacing around 41,480 miles at roughly $2,500 to repair (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. See powertrain across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
33
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$2,500
| Model year | powertrain complaints |
|---|---|
| 2012 Civic | 43 |
| 2013 Civic | 18 |
| 2014 Civic | 98 |
| 2015 Civic | 168 |
| 2016 Civic (this page) | 33 |
| 2017 Civic | 25 |
| 2018 Civic | 11 |
| 2019 Civic | 10 |
| 2020 Civic | 30 |
4crashes
1injury
When does it fail?
Of the 33 powertrain complaints filed for the 2016 Honda Civic, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 0-25,000 mi.
0-25k
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
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
Owners have filed 33 powertrain 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.
No new NHTSA powertrain complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 9 years — the issue may be aging out of the active population.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering powertrain 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.
Service Bulletin - The shift position indicator ("D" light) starts flashing due to DTC P2817, (Shift solenoid valve O/P [pressure control solenoid H] stuck off) being set. When the TCM checks the drive pulley oil pressure, it misreads the pressure as high even though oil pressure is within specification.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Service Bulletin - The shift position indicator ("D" light) starts flashing due to DTC P2817, (Shift solenoid valve O/P [pressure control solenoid H] stuck off) being set. When the TCM checks the drive pulley oil pressure, it misreads the pressure as high even though oil pressure is within specification.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Dealer Message - Today, April 5, 2019, American Honda is announcing a warranty extension for certain 2016-18 Civic and 2017-18 CR-V vehicles due to drivability concerns. American Honda is extending the powertrain warranty on the camshafts and rocker arm assemblies from the original 5 years/60,000 miles to 6 years/unlimited miles from the original date of sale.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Service bulletin - The vehicle will not come out of park, and will not crank and/or start. Additionally, multiple indicators are on with DTCs U0038 (TM-CAN Malfunction [TCM-PCM]) and sometimes U0101 (Lost Communication) stored. There is an internal malfunction with the transmission control module (TCM).
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
The 2016 Honda Civic powertrain complaints cluster around four distinct problem areas. Manual transmission owners report the car unexpectedly shifting into gear while parked with the engine running, stuck or hard-to-engage gears, and clutch slave cylinders detaching from engine bolts. CVT-equipped owners describe stalling at low speed (20–40 mph from a stop), unpredictable loss of power on highway driving with no warning lights, and complete transmission failure around 55,000 miles. Multiple owners report difficulty engaging reverse or the vehicle rolling when supposedly in Park, even with emergency brake applied—sometimes after dealer transmission software updates failed to resolve the issue.
Power steering problems appear in several narratives: progressive stiffness and sticking during extended driving, worsening over 55 mph, with no diagnostic codes at the dealership. The power steering assembly (part 53650-TVC-A21) is mentioned by name.
Engine and cooling-system failures include radiator fluid loss leading to fluid mixing with oil, misfiring, and complete engine failure; one owner replaced the engine, transmission, and turbo at $14,000+. Fuel smell in the cabin and diluted oil are linked to a known but unrecalled issue that Honda is allegedly offering fixes only in cold-weather states.
AC failures dominate the remaining complaints: compressor leaks (most common), condenser leaks (subject to recall), and total cooling loss appearing as early as two years old. Owners report long parts-backorder delays and dealers charging for diagnosis on recalled items.
Same Honda Civic powertrain reports on nearby years: 2013 · 2014 · 2015 · 2017 · 2018
Failure modes owners describe
Unexpected shifting (manual transmission)
Car shifted from Neutral into First gear while idling in a parked lot with no driver input; clutch and shifter untouched. Gearbox then acted as if clutch was popped. Shift stick became stiff for 2–3 shifts afterward before returning to normal. Also reported: clutch slave cylinder detached from engine block, with one sheared bolt and one loose bolt, discovered after car lost all gears while driving.
When: 24,000 miles; another incident post-AC service
Symptoms owners cite: Car lunged forward from Neutral into First without input; Harder-than-normal shifting into First for 2–3 cycles post-incident; Clutch slave cylinder missing fasteners, car unable to engage any gear while driving
Repairs/costs cited: Clutch slave cylinder was found detached; owner reattached bolt that was still present. Dealer questioned whether AC service work had removed the cylinder.
Rolling in Park (automatic transmission)
Vehicle rolled out of garage, driveway, or parking lot while in Park, even with emergency brake engaged. One owner's daughter was struck and run over; car hit a tree. Owner found a spring on garage floor. Occurred at least twice before incident report. Dealer inspection found nothing wrong and said car was working as intended. Another case: car in Drive, owner shifted to Park and restarted; car still rolled backward downhill into another vehicle.
When: Various mileages; 30,473 miles on one incident
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle rolled backward down incline or garage slope in Park position; Emergency brake engaged but ineffective; Shifter found in Drive position when parked
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer reported no findings; vehicle was deemed working as intended.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealer unable to duplicate; owner identified class-action lawsuit for 2016–2018 Civics on this issue.
Emergency brake failure (park-hold failure)
Car parked with emergency brake set in driveway; hours later, alarm triggered and car had rolled into a telephone pole. Car had active recall on emergency brake at time of purchase (October 8, 2016); dealer performed recall 'download' during paperwork. After incident, dealer confirmed download was current and found no diagnostic codes. Honda Customer Service recommended insurance claim, not warranty coverage, despite recall being performed.
When: Shortly after purchase (October 2016); car had been parked with brake set
Symptoms owners cite: Car rolled down driveway unprompted; Alarm activation during rolling; Collision with telephone pole
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer inspection found no codes; car was deemed to have current recall software.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Active recall (park-hold brake software update) was performed at point of sale; Honda Customer Service recommended insurance claim rather than investigating the failed safety feature.
CVT transmission stalling at low speed
Car stalls or loses power when accelerating from stop (20–40 mph range) or when slowing down in traffic and attempting to re-accelerate. No warning lights illuminate before stall. One dealer technician stated this is a common issue on CVT models. Can occur in middle of highway traffic, creating serious safety hazard.
When: Various speeds and conditions; reported throughout ownership
Symptoms owners cite: Engine stalls without warning lights during acceleration from stop; RPMs increase but no forward power transmitted; Stalling when trying to gain speed in traffic flow; Complete loss of power in fast lane on freeway
Repairs/costs cited: One transmission diagnosed as needing replacement at ~62,000 miles and was replaced. Dealer techs report seeing this frequently.
CVT transmission catastrophic failure
Complete transmission failure; vehicle became immobile on the road. One owner experienced catastrophic failure under 55,000 miles with no prior warning. Another CVT failure involved loud humming noise 5 minutes before stall on freeway; no warning lights came on, vehicle coasted to roadside narrowly avoiding multiple oncoming vehicles.
When: Under 55,000 miles; another at approximately 4,356 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Loud humming noise immediately preceding stall; Sudden loss of all propulsion; No warning lights before failure
Repairs/costs cited: Vehicle required transmission replacement.
Transmission shifting issues (slowed engagement, jerking)
Slow, jerky engagement when shifting from Park to any gear. Vehicle hesitates then lurches forward. Occurred multiple times; dealer visited more than three times but could not replicate or diagnose. Service center manager confirmed observing the condition on test drive twice but provided no solution. Manufacturer provided no remedy to the dealer.
When: From approximately 3,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Slow gear engagement when shifting from Park; Jerking motion during shift; Vehicle accelerates unpredictably after shift
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer kept vehicle for weeks; no solution provided.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: VIN not included in NHTSA campaign 15V574000 (powertrain). No remedy provided by manufacturer.
Transmission loss of reverse and Park-hold failure
Gear shifter stuck or slow to enter Reverse; once shifted to Reverse, vehicle would not move. Vehicle rolled while in Park if emergency brake not engaged. Multiple instances of random stalling while driving at various speeds. Transmission software was updated by dealer and transmission module replaced, but failures recurred.
When: At approximately 6,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Slow or stuck gear shifter when engaging Reverse; No motion in Reverse gear; Vehicle rolling while in Park without emergency brake; Random stalls at various driving speeds
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer updated transmission software and replaced transmission module; failures recurred after repair.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer notified; repairs performed but issue not resolved.
Transmission fill plug loose/missing
Transmission fill plug came out and leaked transmission fluid; owner discovered the loss only when changing oil 2 years after fluid service at Honda dealership. Unknown how long plug had been missing or how much fluid was lost. Owner concerned about dirt contamination in transmission. Found this to be a common problem in online forums.
When: Discovered 2 years after transmission fluid service (approximately)
Symptoms owners cite: Transmission fluid leaked completely; Plug missing from transmission
Repairs/costs cited: Owner accessed plug by removing air intake and reinstalled it; also planned to report to dealership.
Delayed throttle response
Depressing accelerator pedal causes RPMs to increase but vehicle response is severely delayed. Happens while idling and at various driving speeds. No warning lights illuminate. One instance at 108,000 miles; dealer scheduled appointment but issue undiagnosed and unrepaired.
When: At approximately 108,000 miles; reported on multiple occasions
Symptoms owners cite: Slow vehicle acceleration response after pedal input; Engine revs but no forward motion for extended delay; No warning lights
Repairs/costs cited: Vehicle not diagnosed or repaired.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer notified; VIN not included in any recall. Dealer appointed but issue unresolved.
Transmission shifts out of gear into Neutral
While driving on highway, transmission unexpectedly shifted out of gear into Neutral. No warning lights, no gear options available. Complete loss of power; driver coasted to stop.
When: While highway driving
Symptoms owners cite: Transmission shifted to Neutral without input; No available gear options; Complete loss of propulsion; No warning lights
Engine failure from coolant loss and oil dilution
Car lost radiator fluid over several months with minimal visible leaks from overflow. Later while driving, top speed gradually degraded from 70 mph to 35 mph as if slipping into Neutral. Next day, speed dropped to 45 mph within 10 miles of highway driving. Car limped into parking lot at 10 mph. Shop found misfiring and radiator fluid contaminating the oil; engine had died. Engine replaced with used 40K-mile engine, plus transmission and turbo replacement needed. Total cost $14,000+. Related to known but unrecalled oil dilution problem; Honda offering software update only in cold-weather states (East Coast), not Southern California mountains.
When: Discovered June 2024 and December 2023; initial fluid loss over several months prior
Symptoms owners cite: Slow radiator fluid loss over months; Gradual loss of engine power during driving; Top speed degrading from 70 to 35 mph; Car limping at 10 mph crawl; Misfiring; Radiator fluid in engine oil; Gas smell in cabin; Diluted oil on dipstick with fuel odor
Repairs/costs cited: $14,000+ spent on used engine (40K miles), used transmission, and new turbo. Shop diagnosed engine failure due to coolant mixing with oil.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Known oil dilution issue (class-action lawsuit identified by owner); Honda offering software update only to owners in cold-weather states, not nationwide despite geographic variation.
Stalling at idle and starting difficulty
Car feels like it wants to stall while driving on freeway over last year; stalls confirmed when husband also drove it. Two days after oil change, car would not start (finally did after delay). Later that day, cabin filled with strong gasoline smell and oil dipstick smelled of gas. Related to known oil dilution problem. Dealer said nothing is wrong because no code thrown and Check Engine light not on. Honda offering software update only to owners in cold-weather states, not Southern California mountains (where it gets 6–8 months of cold/snow annually). Owner unable to contact Honda directly.
When: Over last year; worsened after oil change
Symptoms owners cite: Car feels like it wants to stall while driving freeway; Starting difficulty 2 days post-oil-change; Strong gasoline smell in cabin after starting; Oil dipstick smells of gasoline; Cabin odor strong enough to gag passenger
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer found nothing wrong because no code; unable to receive software update because update only offered in cold-weather states per Honda policy.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Honda offering software update for oil dilution issue only to owners in cold-weather states; class-action lawsuit exists for this issue; no recall in place.
Stalling at red lights
Car stalls multiple times while stopped at red lights. No warning lights. Dealer investigation found nothing wrong. Owner concerned about accident risk if car stops while driving.
When: Multiple occasions during ownership
Symptoms owners cite: Engine stalls at traffic light stops; No warning lights preceding stall
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer found nothing wrong.
Transmission jerking after complete stop
After stopping suddenly (e.g., for yellow-turning-red light), car jerks forward after reaching 0 mph. Identified by owner as transmission issue reported across Civic community forums.
When: During normal driving with sudden stops
Symptoms owners cite: Forward jerk immediately after complete stop; Occurs after yellow light turning red or similar sudden stops
Power steering stiffness and sticking
Steering progressively stiffens and begins to stick during extended driving. Issue worsens the longer vehicle is driven and becomes more pronounced above 55 mph. Condition is sporadic and gradually worsens over time. Dealership inspection found no error codes. Private mechanic and online research by owner confirmed issue with Power Steering Assembly (part 53650-TVC-A21). Dealer unable to resolve despite owner's multiple visits and additional investigation.
When: Noticed after 15–20 minutes of driving; progressive worsening
Symptoms owners cite: Steering becomes stiff during and after extended driving; Steering sticks progressively; Worsening above 55 mph; Sporadic onset with gradual deterioration
Repairs/costs cited: No repair provided. Power Steering Assembly (part 53650-TVC-A21) identified as defective component.
AC compressor leak
AC system fails to blow cold air; compressor is leaking. Inspection fee charged even though diagnosis revealed non-covered failure. Compressors on backorder 3–4 weeks. Multiple owners report same issue. Honda aware but doing nothing to resolve; owners report widespread manufacturing flaw but no recall action on compressor specifically (only condenser recall issued).
When: 2 years old on one vehicle; repeated failures
Symptoms owners cite: AC blows hot air only; No cold air output; Compressor leaking refrigerant
Repairs/costs cited: Compressor replacement needed; parts on backorder 3–4 weeks. Owner charged $100 inspection fee despite subsequent determination that recall did not apply.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Recall issued for condenser leak only, not compressor leak. No compressor recall despite widespread reports.
AC condenser leak (recalled)
AC condenser leaks, causing loss of cooling. Recall notice received; owner took car in expecting recall coverage. Several other AC components (compressor, evaporator) also fail but are not covered under condenser recall.
When: Early in vehicle ownership
Symptoms owners cite: AC fails to cool; Condenser leaking
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Recall issued for condenser; no recalls for other AC components (compressor, evaporator) despite reported failures.
Right-front CV axle shaft snap
Right front drive axle shaft snapped in two during a quick right turn into traffic. Vehicle lost all propulsion immediately.
When: While making quick right turn into traffic
Symptoms owners cite: Axle shaft fractured in two; Complete loss of propulsion
CV axle fractures
Both CV axles were fractured and required replacement. Discovered when owner brought vehicle in for service. Manufacturer notified and stated vehicle was not covered under unknown recall. Failure at approximately 99,000 miles.
When: Approximately 99,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Both CV axles fractured
Repairs/costs cited: Both CV axles replaced at owner's expense.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer notified; vehicle not covered under any known recall.
Brake system failure (lockup and inability to drive)
Brake system locks up, preventing car from being driven. Occurred after recall letter for brake system (November timeframe). Dealership appointment was made for system reprogram/reboot. Owner has been back twice since recall service; brakes locked again outside movie theater, stranding owner and kids. Warning exclamation light flashing intermittently. Dealer said warning light is normal sensitivity on new cars. Also experiencing Bluetooth connection issues.
When: Post-recall service; recurring multiple times
Symptoms owners cite: Brake system locks, preventing vehicle operation; Warning exclamation light flashing; Unable to drive vehicle while locked
Repairs/costs cited: Dealership performed reprogramming/reboot of brake system after recall notice, but failures recurred.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Recall letter issued November (date year unspecified); dealership performed reprogramming/reboot; issue not resolved.
Synthesized from 33 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 3 most recent
I am still having brake system issues and not allowing me to gear and drive! Since letter for recall in november, which already set appointment with dealership to reprogram or reboot system they stated would take care of,I have been back twice after that. I also have issues with the warning exclamation light flashing and was told all's fine the new cars are sensitive when take. My bluetooth…
I experienced a total catastrophic failure of the transmission with less than 55000 miles and only 5 years and 1 month old. The transmission needed to be replaced.
Car allowed itself to be turned off while still in drive. Upon leaving car it rolled down incline into another car. My husbands Honda (2011 crv) does not allow the car to turned off in drive nor does it allow the key to be removed from the ignition while still in gear/drive. *tr
Had powertrain trouble with your 2016 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 powertrain problem on the 2016 Honda Civic?
It's a meaningful issue. 33 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $2,500.
At what mileage does the powertrain typically fail?
Across the 17 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most powertrain failures cluster between 7,750 and 90,000 miles, with the median around 41,480. A quarter of owners report trouble before 7,750; a quarter make it past 90,000. 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 $2,500 for powertrain 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 powertrain?
No active recalls currently cover powertrain 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/2016/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.