2012 HONDA CIVIC Engine Problems

Component or system failure: The vehicle experienced failures involving the engine/ignition system, emissions system, Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA), and power steering. On July 14, 2025, warning messages appeared for “Check Emissions System,” “Check VSA System,” and “Check Power Steering System.” Diagnostics identified engine misfire code P0304 (Cylinder #4). On August 11, 2025, an authorized Honda dealership confirmed a seized spark plug and cylinder head damage, indicating an internal engine defect. The vehicle is currently with the selling dealership and available for inspection. Safety risk: Simultaneous failure warnings for emissions, VSA, and power steering created an unsafe driving condition. Impaired stability control and power steering increase the risk of loss of vehicle control during turning or emergency maneuvers. Confirmation of problem: Yes. Independent diagnostics confirmed the misfire. The selling dealer attempted repairs between July 22–25, 2025, but the same warnings returned. On August 8, 2025, the dealer admitted it lacked tools...

So according to Honda Service Bulletin 20-030, all honda civic 2012-2015 hybrids having IMA Motor Power Inverter (MPI) have to fixed. I have the SAME CAR, SAME MODEL, SAME YEAR AND SAME ERROR CODES AS THE SERVICE BULLETIN AND THIS IS SUCH A SERIOUS ELECTRICAL POWER INVERTER ISSUE. Yet HONDA IS denying to work on it, even though there is 15 years or 150,000 miles warranty for this specific issue and MY CAR HAS 95000 miles. Yet HONDA is trying to run away from fixing it by claiming the VIN number is not associating whereby MY CAR IS EXACT SAME AS THE MODEL, year and issue for the GIVEN SERVICE BULLETIN. This is complete absurd and consumer rights are being thrown away by Honda. I am very sure that my United States NHTSA, state consumer protection, federal trade commission, all are going to help me and make Honda pay for...

The IMA inverter system keeps malfunctioning without any clear reasons, and the car is in drive mode, which makes the electric motor unresponsive. Additionally, the braking system also malfunctions, leading to a lack of control over the vehicle. I have tried to repair it multiple times, but to no avail. It keeps malfunctioning without any apparent reason.

I purchased this vehicle 6 months ago from a dealer. In the short time I have had the car, there have been multiple issues presented. Bluetooth has been malfunctioning (connects the disconnects), window regulator has had to be replaced three times now (window kept disconnecting from the track and would cause the window to go down sideways and get stuck), more recently the AC condenser went out (it was reported as the condenser has small pieces of metal inside preventing the freon to get into the system and cool the inside of the vehicle).

When starting from a stopped position, there is a squeal when letting out the clutch. I took it back to the dealership 3x and they couldn't duplicate it. Apparently it is a known issue as there are bulletins on it. It happens almost every time, especially on a slight incline.

So on 11/6/19 Silko Honda Raynham, MA worked on my car for recall {campaign recall 19-106 6bd00- 2012 civic cold emissions gas reduction) So ever since this update on my computer I had non stop tightening gas cap which has been replaced with dealer cap did not work, and when the gas cap light goes out then get check emissions light does this non stop between both lights throughout the day everyday, I've had every single thing fixed that says with the code I get from check engine light nothing works but it passes inspection all I can think of is computer update only thing makes since .Also had 3 smoke test to comes back no leaks. the code I get is this P0497,p145c it has 7 things to do to resolve code which are 1)reconnection of hoses 2)wiring replacement 3)vacuum 4)charcoal canister replacement 5)canister purge valve replacement 6)gas cap...

WE ALMOST GOT KILLED TRYING TO TURN THE WHEEL TO GET OFF THE HIGHWAY. THE STEERING WHEEL ISSUE WAS ALREADY LOOKED AT BY MY MECHANIC. HE SAID IT WAS THE ALTERNATOR AND REPLACED THAT INSTEAD. I WAS CHARGED FOR THE ALTERNATOR! I TOOK IT BACK AFTER WE WERE ALMOST KILLED. HE FIXED THE STEERING ISSUE BUT NOW THE CAR DOESN'T STEER RIGHT AWAY AFTER THE CAR IS TURNED ON! WHAT SHOULD I DO NOW? IT STAYS LOCKED AND YOU CAN ONLY GO FRONTWARDS AND BACK!! WE HAVE TO KEEP GOING BACK AND FORTH TILL IT UNLOCKS! WHAT IS WRONG WITH THE ENGINE OF THIS CAR? I DON'T DRIVE FAR. IT ONLY HAS 81491 MILES ON IT. ON THE MECHANIC'S BILL STEERING ISSUE ELECTRONIC STEERING MOTOR- REMOVE & REPLACE- ALL APPLICABLE MODELS. DID YOU RECEIVE THIS MESSAGE? WHEN DO I GET MY MONEY BACK FROM HONDA FOR THEIR MISTAKES? I AM...

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.

ON 3/15/2019 I WAS DRIVING ON A CITY STREET WHEN MULTIPLE WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED (CHECK ENGINE, BRAKE MALFUNCTION, IMA BATTERY, CHARGING MALFUNCTION). THE CAR WAS TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP. ONCE THERE, THEY DETERMINE THAT THE PROBLEM WAS RELATED TO RODENTS CHEWING FROM WIRES WHICH DAMAGED THE FUEL LINE AND IMA SYSTEM. AFTER THIS WAS REPAIRED, THE CAR STILL HAD FAILURE CODES DUE TO MECHANICAL ISSUES WITH THE CAR'S SYSTEM. TROUBLESHOOTING LED THE TECHNICIAN TO DETERMINE THAT THE MOTOR POWER INVERTER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THIS REQUIRED THEM TO ALSO HAVE TO REPLACE THE JUNCTION BOARD. AFTER THEY WERE INSTALLED, THE IMA LIGHT STAYED ON, THE BATTERY WOULD NOT CHARGE, AND THE CAR CONTINUED TO RECODE. THEY HAD TO PUT IN A TEST MCM AND A SECOND MPI (SINCE THE FIRST ONE MALFUNCTIONED AS WELL). THIS OCCURRED OVER THE COURSE OF ALMOST TWO MONTHS. THEY COULD NOT DETERMINE A SPECIFIC CAUSE...

EMISSIONS RECALL THAT AFFECTS ME PASSING A SMOG CHECK

HIGH OIL CONSUMPTION.

THERE IS A STRONG SMELL OF EXHAUST IF YOU STAND NEXT TO THE CAR WHILE IT'S IDLING & PARKED OR STATIONARY. I BOUGHT THE CAR IN 2014 OR 15 AND NOTICED IT SOON AFTER. I'VE HAD IT CHECKED FOR EXHAUST LEAKS A FEW TIMES, BUT NO ONE HAS FOUND ONE. IT SEEMS LIKE IT COULD CAUSE PROBLEMS WITH EMISSIONS, AND LET FUMES INTO THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT IF A DOOR OR WINDOW WAS OPEN LONG ENOUGH.

THE CAR RANDOMLY DISPLAYS A CHECK EMISSIONS SYSTEM AND CHECK TRANSMISSION SYSTEMS ERROR ON THE DASHBOARD WHILE DRIVING. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON AND THE "D" INDICATOR ON THE DISPLAY FLASHES. WHEN THE CHECK TRANSMISSION SYSTEMS ERROR DISPLAYS THE CAR DOES NOT SHIFT AS IT SHOULD. I TOOK IT TO MY MECHANIC AND HE COULDN'T FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH THE ENGINE OR TRANSMISSION, AND NO ERROR CODES CAME UP ON HIS COMPUTER. I CALLED THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAID A SOFTWARE UPDATE IS NEEDED. I AM CONCERNED ABOUT WEAR AND TEAR ON THE ENGINE AND/OR TRANSMISSION DUE TO THESE ISSUES.

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"

CLIMBING UP HILL THE CAR LOST SPEED AND DID NOT SHIFT GEARS. THEN IT STALLED. I BELIEVE THIS VEHICLE WAS RECALLED AND NOT FIXED BY THE DEALERSHIP OR IT SHOULD HAVE BEEN RECALLED BY HONDA AND WAS NOT. IT EXHIBITS THE SAME DRIVE SHAFT PROBLEMS AS RECALLED HONDA CIVICS. WHILE DRIVING YOU ONLY NEED TO TAP THE SHIFT BY MISTAKE WITH YOUR ELBOW AND THE CAR GOES INTO NEUTRAL. IT IS A DANGEROUS CAR TO DRIVE.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 HONDA CIVIC. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN THE PARK POSITION, THE RPMS SUDDENLY INCREASED TO APPROXIMATELY 4,000. AFTER TURNING THE VEHICLE OFF AND RESTARTING THE ENGINE, THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO IDLE AT APPROXIMATELY 4,000 RPMS. AFTER TURNING THE ENGINE OFF AND BACK ON A SECOND TIME, THE VEHICLE OPERATED NORMALLY. THE FAILURE OCCURRED ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS AND WAS INTERMITTENT. WHILE DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS, THE RPMS WOULD ALSO ERRONEOUSLY INCREASE. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 36,500.

THE CAR LOSES POWER WHEN GOING UP HILLS AND HAS STALLED TWICE. IF I LIGHTLY BUMP THE SHIFT WHILE DRIVING IT GOES INTO NEUTRAL. I MUST USE THE EMERGENCY BRAKE WHEN PARKED EVEN ON A FLAT SURFACE OR THE CAR WILL ROLL. *TR

I WAS STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT. WHEN THE LIGHT TURNED GREEN I STEPPED ON THE GAS AND THE CAR WENT IN REVERSE. I TRIED AGAIN AND THE CAR WAS IN DRIVE BUT WENT IN REVERSE WHEN I STEPPED ON THE GAS. I HAD TO TURN THE ENGINE OFF AND RESTART IT IN ORDER TO DRIVE FORWARD. THIS WAS THE SECOND TIME THIS HAD HAPPENED. IT HAPPENED THE FIRST TIME ABOUT TWO MONTHS AGO. *TR

I WAS DRIVING A 2012 HONDA CIVIC WHEN THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME SLAMMED ON THEIR BRAKES AND CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP DUE TO SOMETHING IN THE ROAD. I SLAMMED ON MY BRAKES AND TRIED TO AVOID THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME BY SWERVING TO THE RIGHT. THE DRIVER SIDE OF THE FRONT OF MY CAR HIT THE BACK OF THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME. MY CAR WAS COMPLETELY SMASHED IN THE FRONT. AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. AFTER I CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP, MY CAR LIT ON FIRE. THE CAR WAS BURNED AND COMPLETELY DESTROYED. *JS

THIS HAS HAPPENED MORE THAN ONCE. WHEN DESCENDING A HILL AFTER LETTING UP ON GAS PEDAL THE VEHICLE WILL REV UP FOR A FEW OF SECONDS AND HITTING THE BRAKES DID NOT DISENGAGE THROTTLE, ALSO WHEN PASSING ANOTHER VEHICLE AFTER PULLING IN AND LET UP ON PEDAL THE CAR STILL REVVED UP FOR A COUPLE OF SECONDS. HAVE NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER YET AS I AM TRYING TO FIND EXACTLY HOW AND WHEN THIS PROBLEM OCCURS SO I CAN GET THE DEALER TO REPRODUCE THIS PROBLEM (SPEED, ROAD CONDITIONS, AND ANY OTHER CONDITIONS THAT MIGHT CAUSE THIS PROBLEM). AS WE ALL KNOW THEY CAN NEVER GET THE PROBLEMS TO REPRODUCE. *TR

ENGINE IS CONSUMING OIL, I CHECK MY OIL EVERY TWO WEEKS AND HAVE TO ADD OIL. GENERALLY 1/2 TO 3/4 A QUART A MONTH. THERE IS NO OIL IS ON THE DRIVE WAY OR ON THE UNDER CARRIAGE. *TR

TURNED KEY TO START AND NOTHING HAPPENED; SOME WARNING LIGHTS WENT OFF, BUT NO SOUND FROM STARTER, SOLENOID OR OTHER ENGINE PARTS. RELEASED KEY AND TURNED KEY TO START AGAIN; ON SECOND TRY, ENGINE STARTED PROPERLY. SOMETIMES, I MAY TURN THE KEY TWICE WITH NOTHING HAPPENING AND ENGINE STARTS ON THIRD TRY. HAPPENS INTERMITTENTLY; CAN HAPPEN WHEN ENGINE IS COLD OR HOT. *TR

I WAS DRIVING ON AN EXIT RAMP FROM A HIGHWAY, CAR WAS COASTING, AND AS I WAS APPROACHING THE STOP SIGN, I APPLIED THE BRAKES SOFTLY, THE CAR STARTED SLOWING DOWN FURTHER DUE TO BRAKING AND THEN SUDDENLY CAME TO A BRUTAL STOP WITH TIRES SCREECHING. ENGINE WAS STALLED, AUTOMATIC GEAR HAD SHIFTED IN NEUTRAL BY ITSELF, AND THERE WAS A BURNING SMELL IN THE CAR. FORTUNATELY THERE WAS NO CAR BEHIND ME, OTHERWISE IT WOULD HAVE NOT BEEN POSSIBLE TO PREVENT BEING REAR-ENDED. THE 25 MPH SPEED IS APPROXIMATE AS I WAS DECELERATING. A SIMILAR SITUATION ON A HIGHWAY WHEN TRAFFIC SLOWS DOWN COULD HAVE DRAMATIC CONSEQUENCES, CAUSING A PILE-UP AND POSSIBLY MULTIPLE DEATHS AND INJURIES. I WILL DRIVE THE CAR VERY CAREFULLY TO THE DEALERSHIP TODAY. THE CAR WAS PURCHASED CERTIFIED PRE-OWNED YESTERDAY. *TR

I SEARCH ON THE INTERNET THAT A LOT OF 2012 CIVIC OWNERS EXPERIENCING THE SAME ANNOYING PROBLEMS LIKE CLUNKING NOISE ON THE SUSPENSION OR UNDER THE CAR, LOUD NOISE WHEN SHIFTING TO REVERSE LIKE AXLE SHAFT IS DISENGAGING, LOUD NOISE WHEN PUTTING PRESSURE ON THE BRAKE, CLUNKING OR POPPING NOISE WHEN TURNING LEFT OR RIGHT, ROLLING NOISE ON THE SEAT BELTS, CLUNKING LOUD NOISE WHEN ACCELERATING AND RELEASING GAS PEDAL, RATTLING NOISE IN THE MORNING WHILE WARMING UP THE ENGINE AND ALSO WHEN ACCELERATING. ATF LEAKING ON THE TRANSMISSION BECAUSE ONE OF THE BOLTS IS NOT TIGHTENED...ETC. I THINK THIS 2012 HONDA CIVIC MODELS SHOULD BE RECALL BY AMERICAN HONDA MOTORS. YOU CAN CHECK THE INTERNET HOW MANY PEOPLE ARE COMPLAINING AND DEALER SAID IT WAS NORMAL!!!?????? IT IS VERY ANNOYING. I AM ONLY CONCERN ABOUT MY SAFETY AND THE SAFETY OF MY FAMILY. I HOPE THE US GOVERMENT SHOULD...

SUDDEN ACCELERATION: I HAVE BEEN OBSERVING THAT THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATES WHILE DRIVING DOWNHILL OR MERGING ON THE HIGHWAY. I HAVE ALSO NOTICED THAT IT WILL ACCELERATE WHEN YOU TURN OFF THE CRUISE CONTROL. THE SPEED IS UNCONTROLLABLE FOR FEW SECONDS BEFORE THE ENGINE STARTS THE DECELERATION. I HAVE TAKEN A VEHICLE TO THE DEALER TWICE AND THEY HAVE ASSURED THAT THIS IS NORMAL FUNCTION SINCE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS NOT ON. THE VEHICLE IS 1.5 YEARS OLD AND HAS @15K MILES ON IT. *JB

AS I WAS DRIVING TO WORK AT 4:30 AM IN HEAVY FOG I HIT A DEER THAT WAS STANDING IN THE ROAD. I NOTICED AS I GOT OUT OF THE VEHICLE THE CAR SAID SOMETHING ABOUT THE AIRBAG SENSOR, WELL I DIDN'T THINK NOTHING OF IT AS I WAS WORRIED ABOUT THE CONDITION MY CAR WAS IN AT THE TIME. WELL THE BODY SHOP THAT FIXED MY CAR STATED THE AIRBAG SHOULD HAVE 100% DEPLOYED DUE TO THE FACT THE SENSOR WAS BUSTED AND THE WIRE WAS COMPLETELY INTO. MY CONCERN IS WHY IN THE WORLD DID THE AIRBAG NOT DEPLOY? I AM GLAD IT DIDN'T BUT WHAT IF IT HAD BEEN A COLLISION WITH A CAR. WOULD THE AIRBAGS NOT DEPLOY AND I TAKE A CHANCE ON DYING BECAUSE OF FAULTY AIRBAGS? I AM REALLY UPSET ABOUT THIS SITUATION. I DO NOT FEEL SAFE DRIVING THIS CAR NOW...AND I...

FIRST PURCHASE BRAND NEW 2012 HONDA CIVIC IN NOVEMBER 2011, RAN REALLY GREAT FOR FIRST SIX THOUSAND MILES. JUST UNDER TEN THOUSAND I NOTICE GAS MILEAGE GOT A LOT WORSE AND THE CHECK EMISSION LIGHT COMES ON. TAKE IT IN TO SHOP AND THEY SAY OH THERMOSTAT IS BAD. WELL THOUGHT STRANGE AT TIME CAR IS NEW. THEN AT JUST UNDER 14000 MILES GAS MILEAGE IS BAD AND ENGINE REVS AT HIGH RPM'S CHECK EMISSION LIGHT COMES ON AGAIN. THIS TIME IT WAS A SOFTWARE UPDATE??? WELL THEN AT UNDER 17000 MILES CHECK EMISSION LIGHT AGAIN AND THIS TIME IN SHOP FOR THREE WEEKS. THERMOSTAT AGAIN. TRY CALLING AMERICAN HONDA AND I GET THE SALES MANAGER WHO NEEDS AN ATTITUDE ADJUSTMENT, AND HE SAYS THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH MY CAR. THEN I AM TOLD BY THE SERVICE SHOP THAT THIS IN NO WAY HAS HARMED ANYTHING AND THEY REPLACE...

WHILE TURNING LEFT AT A STOP LIGHT (FROM A STATIONARY POSITION), THE CAR STALLS AFTER 2 OR 3 SECONDS IN ONCOMING TRAFFIC. THIS HAS HAPPENED MULTIPLE TIMES. THE DEALER'S SERVICE DEPARTMENT SAYS THEY CAN FIND NO HISTORY OF SUCH SITUATIONS IN THEIR DATABASE AND TOOK NO ACTION. THE PROBLEM OCCURS VERY FREQUENTLY, PARTICULARLY AFTER IDLING FOR AN EXTENDED PERIOD AT LONG STOP LIGHTS. *TR

WHEN I AM ABOUT TO GO DOWNHILL AND TAKE AN EXIT AT 40 MPH AFTER DRIVING AT CONSTANT SPEED OF 65 MPH FOR SOME TIME I SEE THIS PROBLEM. RPM IS SUDDENLY SPIKING UP FROM 1500 TO 2500 AND STAYS THERE FOR AT LEAST 5 SECONDS. HIT BRAKES OR GAS DOES NOT BRING IT DOWN. GOOD THING IS THE SPEED OF THE VEHICLE IS NOT GOING UP. THAT'S THE GOOD SIGN BUT WHO KNOWS WHAT HAPPENS. I THOUGHT THIS WAS THE PROBLEM WITH ECON DRIVE BUT I TURNED IT OFF ABOUT 3 MONTHS NOW AND STILL HAVING THE SAME ISSUE. *TR

I BOUGHT A FULLY LOADED 2012 HONDA CIVIC SI SEDAN, WITH NAVIGATION. CAR WAS WONDERFUL FIRST FEW WEEKS, THEN THE ISSUES STARTED. WHEN I ENGAGED THE CLUTCH INTO 1ST GEAR, ALSO REVERSE, WHEN I WOULD LEVEL THE CLUTCH WITH THE GAS PEDAL, I WOULD HEAR A HIGH PITCH NOISE. KIND OF LIKE A SQUEAL. IN ALL TYPES OF CONDITIONS. IT IS WORSE IN THE SNOW, RAIN, UP A HILL, AND WHAT NOT. I TOOK IT TO MY LOCAL HONDA DEALERSHIP, THE TECH TESTDROVE IT WITH ME. HE HEARD THE NOISE, HE SAID THAT HE HEARD IT. HE THINKS IT WAS SOMETHING HITTING THE CLUTCH-PLATE. HE SAID OH HONDA IS NOT GONG TO FIX THIS DUE TO YOUR STYLE OF DRIVING I SAID EXCUSE ME? HE SAID WELL THERE IS NO NEED TO HAVE AN INTAKE, AND AN EXHAUST. BY THE MAGNUSON-MOSS WARRANTY ACT OF 1975 IT STATES: IF A VEHICLE...

WHEN THE CAR IS PARKED IN A DOWNWARD SLOPE FACING DOWN, AND YOU ENGAGE THE REVERSE GEAR, THE CAR ROLLS FORWARD. THIS IS ESPECIALLY DIFFICULT TO CONTROL IF YOU ARE PARKED IN A TIGHT SPOT AND YOU WILL ROLL AND HIT THE CAR IN FRONT OF YOU. WE REPORTED THIS TO HONDA CORPORATION AND THEY SAID THAT THIS IS NORMAL BEHAVIOR. I DO NOT AGREE, SINCE MY OTHER CAR (DIFFERENT MAKE/MODEL) DOES NOT PERFORM THE SAME. *TR

DURING TEST DRIVE AND MULTIPLE TIMES SINCE, ENGINE BOGS DOWN OR STALLS WHEN ACCELERATING IN TRAFFIC. HONDA SERVICE DEPT. CHECKED CAR AND FOUND NO APPARENT PROBLEMS. CAR HAS BEEN RETURNED SEVERAL TIMES WITH NO SATISFACTION. SERVICE MANAGER SAID THE HESITATION WAS DUE TO A SAFETY FEATURE THAT DISENGAGES THE ACCELERATOR WHEN TOUCHING THE BRAKE. SEVERAL TIMES THE CAR HAS STALLED WITH NO USE OF BRAKES. THIS "SAFETY FEATURE" IS A SAFETY HAZARD. MY WIFE AND I HAVE ALMOST BEEN INVOLVED IN SEVERAL ACCIDENTS BECAUSE CAR STALLS IN TRAFFIC. THIS IS A DEFINITE "SAFETY HAZARD". *TR