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…
2016 Honda Civic powertrain problems
severe 32 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $2,500 · see powertrain across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
32
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$2,500
4crashes
1injury
When does it fail?
Of the 32 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 32 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.
What owners are reporting 3 most recent
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. 32 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.