Service Bulletin - Oil leak at timing chain tensioner inspection cover due to possible insufficient sealant adhesion on inspection cover.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2017 Honda Civic engine problems
moderate Owners of the 2017 Honda Civic have filed 33 NHTSA complaints about the engine, typically surfacing around 20,000 miles at roughly $3,100 to repair (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. See engine across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
33
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$3,100
| Model year | engine complaints |
|---|---|
| 2013 Civic | 14 |
| 2014 Civic | 11 |
| 2015 Civic | 12 |
| 2016 Civic | 55 |
| 2017 Civic (this page) | 33 |
| 2018 Civic | 28 |
| 2019 Civic | 14 |
| 2020 Civic | 6 |
| 2021 Civic | 4 |
1crash
What stands out
Owners have filed 33 engine 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.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering engine 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 - This bulletin is replaced by S/B 19-033, Warranty Extension: 2016-18 Civic 1.5L: Software Update with A/C Control Unit Replacement; DTC P0300, P0301, P0302, P0303, P0304, or P0172; Whirling Noise from Engine.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Service Bulletin - Under certain circumstances, the vehicle may experience driveability issues, which may result in DTCs P0300 (random misfire detected), P0301 (No. 1 cylinder misfire detected), P0302 (No. 2 cylinder misfire detected), P0303 (No. 3 cylinder misfire detected), P0304 (No. 4 cylinder misfire detected), or P0172 (fuel system too rich) or a whirling noise coming from the engine compartment.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Dealer Message - American Honda Motor Co., Inc. (AHM) is searching for certain 2018-2019 Accords, 2016-2019 Civics & 2017-2019 CR-Vs with a customer complaint of an oil leak at the valve cover. To better understand the cause of this condition, AHM would like to collect specific parts from the vehicle prior to you attempting a repair of any kind.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Dealer Message - American Honda Motor Co., Inc. (AHM) is investigating certain 2018-2019 Accords, 2016-2019 Civics & 2017-2019 CR-Vs with a customer complaint of an oil leak at the valve cover. To better understand the cause of this condition, AHM would like to collect specific parts from the vehicle prior to you attempting a repair of any kind.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
The 2017 Honda Civic 1.5T has a critical fuel-in-oil problem that owners document repeatedly. Gasoline leaks into the crankcase, thinning the oil and raising the dipstick level 10% or more above spec. Owners smell raw fuel when checking the oil; lab analysis shows fuel contamination up to 13.72%. This happens even after Honda applies Technical Service Bulletin 18-137 and oil changes. Owners report strong gasoline fumes venting into the cabin, causing headaches and breathing problems.
The thinned oil leads to engine damage. Owners cite timing chain stretch, camshaft tensioner failure, turbo failure, and one case of a piston rod breaking through the block—all within the first 100,000 miles. Engine stalling while driving is frequent, sometimes three times in one month, with no warning. Drivers report loss of all power on highways at 40–60 mph, creating collision hazards; dealers cannot diagnose the stalls and sometimes can't restart the car without a battery reset.
A/C condensers fail prematurely at 43,000–60,000 miles. Honda covers the same condenser under extended warranty on other 10th-gen Civics but denies coverage on hatchbacks with the same defect. Head gaskets fail early and fail again shortly after replacement. Owners report Honda refused extended warranty coverage by claiming error codes didn't match a previous settlement acknowledging the fuel-in-oil defect. Dealers recommend driving only long distances and staying out of winter weather—a band-aid that does nothing to stop the contamination.
Same Honda Civic engine reports on nearby years: 2014 · 2015 · 2016 · 2018 · 2019
Failure modes owners describe
Oil dilution (fuel in engine oil)
Gasoline leaks into the crankcase and mixes with engine oil, reducing viscosity and lubricant effectiveness. Owners report oil level rising above max mark on dipstick, strong gasoline odor, and measured fuel contamination ranging from 5% to 13.72% in oil samples. One case involved a broken piston rod that went through the block.
When: Occurs within first few months to several thousand miles of driving; owners report it continues even after dealer service bulletins applied
Symptoms owners cite: Oil level rises above maximum on dipstick; Strong gasoline smell from oil and engine compartment; Oil appears thinner/lower viscosity; Gasoline odor detectable during startup; Engine stalling during normal driving; Loss of engine power on highway; Sluggish engine performance; Toxic fumes entering cabin through air duct
Codes mentioned: PO341 (CMP Sensor A Incorrect Phase Detected), CKP Sensor Incorrect Phase Detected, Multiple warning lights (ABS, traction control, lane assist, cruise control, crash detection)
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer oil changes; Honda Technical Service Bulletin 18-137 applied with limited success. Owner reports 13.72% fuel in oil 30 days after bulletin service. Engine rebuilds, turbo replacement, full engine replacement, and piston rod replacement mentioned. Chain and camshaft tensioner replacement ($2,348.30 reported). No permanent fix achieved in complaints reviewed.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Honda stated 13.72% fuel contamination was 'normal' and 'on the low side.' ECU update suggested with restriction to long-distance driving only, no short trips or winter driving. Extended warranty denial based on error codes not matching settlement language. Regional recall limited to 'affected states' only, leaving other owners unprotected despite same defect.
Engine stalling during operation
Engine shuts down without warning while driving at highway speeds or in traffic, creating immediate collision risk. Multiple owners report sudden loss of all power and inability to restart until after delay or battery reset.
When: Occurs as early as 6,700 miles; continues through 75,000+ miles; some owners report multiple instances within one month
Symptoms owners cite: Complete engine shutdown while driving; Loss of power steering and brake assist; All warning lights illuminate; Vehicle enters limp mode; No warning before stall event; Vehicle cannot restart immediately
Codes mentioned: Vehicle Stability Assist Problem, Electric Power Steering Problem, Electric Parking Brake Problem
Repairs/costs cited: No repair completed in reported cases. One vehicle deemed total loss after stalling at 6,700 miles. Dealer unable to diagnose root cause despite one customer stalling three times in one month. Service manager could only start vehicle but not identify failure.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No manufacturer response documented in complaints. Dealers unable to explain stalling events or provide diagnostic resolution.
Head gasket failure
Head gasket fails prematurely, with one owner reporting second failure only 36,000 miles after first replacement. Failure causes engine to enter limp mode while driving at highway speeds.
When: First failure reported at 110,000 miles; second failure 36,000 miles after replacement
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle enters limp mode during highway driving; No prior warning indicators
Repairs/costs cited: Head gasket replacement at dealership ($cost not specified). Failed again requiring second replacement within 36,000 miles.
Turbocharger failure
Turbocharger requires replacement, often accompanied by engine failure. Owners indicate this is tied to oil dilution issues from fuel contamination.
When: At 103,000 miles (one case); 75,000 miles (another case requiring full engine replacement)
Symptoms owners cite: Loss of engine power; Multiple warning lights
Repairs/costs cited: Turbo replacement performed at 103,000 miles; full turbocharger and engine replacement requested at 75,000 miles (not completed per complaint)
Timing chain and camshaft tensioner stretch/failure
Timing chain stretches and camshaft tensioner fails, requiring replacement. Owner reports this occurred despite on-time oil changes and attributes it to the known fuel-in-oil defect lowering oil viscosity and pressure.
When: Timing not specified in complaint
Symptoms owners cite: Timing chain stretch detected
Codes mentioned: PO341 (CMP Sensor A), CKP Sensor Incorrect Phase Detected
Repairs/costs cited: Chain and camshaft tensioner replacement: $2,348.30. Technician stated this damage only occurs with low or insufficient oil pressure.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Honda refused to honor extended warranty settled previously due to error codes not matching agreement. Settlement had acknowledged fuel-in-oil defect.
A/C condenser and cooling system failure
A/C condenser fails prematurely; radiator develops holes causing coolant leaks. Multiple owners report condenser failure at low mileage with no coverage under Honda's 10-year extended warranty despite other 10th-gen Civics being covered.
When: As early as 43,000 miles; one owner at 60,000 miles on non-daily-driven car
Symptoms owners cite: Windshield fogging up despite blower on; Temperature increases to high; A/C blowing hot air; Coolant leak from radiator hole
Repairs/costs cited: Condenser replacement and coolant flush required. A/C evaporator leaking refrigerant (one case). Costs not specified in complaints.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Honda denies coverage under 10-year extended warranty for A/C condenser on some vehicles while covering same parts on other 10th-gen Civics. Extended warranty claim rejected due to COVID-19 service center closure; manufacturer refused to extend warranty period as other companies did.
VTC (Variable Timing Control) actuator rattle/grinding at cold start
VTC actuator makes rattling or grinding noise during cold startup lasting 3-4 seconds. Owner concerned this could lead to engine failure during start or driving.
When: Cold startup condition
Symptoms owners cite: Rattling or grinding noise from VTC actuator; Noise lasts 3-4 seconds then stops; Occurs only at cold startup
Repairs/costs cited: No check engine light or oil warning light. Repair action not documented.
No-start condition with electrical system warnings
Vehicle fails to start despite battery being charged. Battery removal and reinstallation temporarily resolves issue, but root cause remains undiagnosed. Dealer suspects software error but cannot identify it due to error code clearing when battery is removed.
When: Happens suddenly; unclear if recurring
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle will not start; Battery tests as good; Multiple warning lights appear
Codes mentioned: Error codes present but cleared when battery removed, preventing diagnosis
Repairs/costs cited: Battery removal and reinstallation allows temporary restart. No permanent repair implemented.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealer suspects software issue but cannot diagnose without persistent error codes.
Synthesized from 33 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 3 most recent
Recently moved in person to an original over 55 community has an after market exhust system that is very load and the person also drives up and down the street like a race driver
Cold start up issue where VTC Actuator is rattling and or grinding. This could potentially cause engine failure while starting or driving the vehicle. No check engine light or oil light. VTC Rattle/Grind occurred for 3-4 seconds and then stopped.
My vehicle has oil dilution issue. The engine releases toxic gas from the engine compartment to interior of the car though the air duct. This gives me major headache and forces me to drive with my widow open as to not worsen my asthma issues. After checking the oil dipstick I can smell the gas aroma coming from the oil. This is a serious environmental issue and an even greater health concern of…
Had engine trouble with your 2017 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 2017 Honda Civic?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 33 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 17 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most engine failures cluster between 10,919 and 43,000 miles, with the median around 20,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 10,919; a quarter make it past 43,000. 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/2017/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.