Is the 2023 Honda Civic a bad year?
259 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine and transmission complaints are in line with other Civic years.
Keep it
Engine and transmission complaints for the 2023 Honda Civic are in line with other Civic years. Steering stands out for this year: see below.
The verdict moves with mileage: the same car reads differently at 30,000 and at 150,000 miles.
What 2023 Civic owners report, by mileage
Each system owners named in five or more complaints, with the mileage range where the middle half of those complaints were filed. Read at 23,000 miles.
| SYSTEM | COMPLAINTS | MIDDLE HALF FILED AT | TYPICAL US REPAIR BILLS |
|---|---|---|---|
| SteeringSTANDS OUT | 192 (74%) | 11k–42k miles · around this mileage | Steering rack and pinion replacement $700–$2,100 |
| Lane assist | 20 (8%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Electrical system | 17 (7%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Collision avoidance | 16 (6%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Brakes | 14 (5%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Air bags | 8 (3%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Engine | 8 (3%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Transmission and drivetrain | 8 (3%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Wheels | 6 (2%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Suspension | 5 (2%) | too few with a mileage | — |
Bills are typical US ranges from the sources named in the tool (J.D. Power, Kelley Blue Book, CarParts.com and others), printed only for systems that stand out or sit at or ahead of 23,000 miles. Not a quote.
What owners reported alongside their complaints
Of 259 complaints: 19 mention a crash · 9 report an injury · 15 say the car was towed.
24 complaints were filed in the last 12 months, the newest in Oct 2026.
Counts of what owners wrote in their complaints, not verified by anyone.
Recalls for the 2023 Honda Civic: 4
The driver's seat cushion frame may not have been tightened properly, which can result in an unsecured seat. An unsecured driver's seat may not adequately restrain the driver during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
The steering gearbox assembly may have been manufactured incorrectly, which can cause excessive internal friction and lead to difficulty steering the vehicle. Difficulty steering can increase the risk of a crash.
The steering rack may have been incorrectly assembled, which can allow the tire to chafe against the lower suspension or tie rod end, possibly resulting in tire damage. A damaged tire can fail and increase the risk of a crash or injury.
A ball valve in the vehicle stability assist (VSA) modulator may leak brake fluid, which can result in unintended vehicle movement when the brake hold feature is engaged or an unexpected increase in brake pedal travel. Unintended vehicle movement or an unexpected increase in brake pedal travel can increase the risk of a crash or injury.
A recall may cover only some cars of a model year; the campaign size counts every model and year it lists. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls: dealers fix open recalls free.
Service bulletins from Honda: 89
Repair instructions Honda sent its dealers for symptoms seen in the shop on the 2023 Honda Civic. Ask a dealer or mechanic for a bulletin by its number.
Under certain conditions, the cylinder head gasket effectiveness may be reduced which may cause vehicles to experience overheating, coolant loss, and/or misfire
Oil leak at timing chain tensioner inspection cover due to possible insufficient sealant adhesion on inspection cover
American Honda Motor Co., Inc. (AHM) is searching for certain 2023 Civic 2.0Ls with a customer concern of an oil leak or a dealer noticing an oil leak…
Check Engine Light (CEL) on with DTC P0420 [Catalyst System Efficiency Below Threshold] stored
NHTSA defect investigations: 2
Momentary Increased Steering Effort
Momentary Increased Steering Effort
Neighbouring years
2022 Civic: 886 complaints, keep it · 2024 Civic: 127 complaints, keep it.
Every Honda Civic year
2000 · 2001 · 2002 · 2003 · 2004 · 2005 · 2006 · 2007 · 2008 · 2009 · 2010 · 2011 · 2012 · 2013 · 2014 · 2015 · 2016 · 2017 · 2018 · 2019 · 2020 · 2021 · 2022 · 2023 · 2024 · 2025 · 2026 · All Civic years side by side
Other Honda models: Honda Accord · Honda Accord Hybrid · Honda CR-V · Honda CR-V Hybrid · Honda Civic Hybrid · Honda Civic Si · Honda Clarity Plug-In Hybrid · Honda Crosstour · Honda Element · Honda Fit · Honda GL1800 · Honda HR-V · Honda Insight · Honda Odyssey · Honda Passport · Honda Pilot · Honda Prologue · Honda Ridgeline · Honda VTX1300. All makes and models.
Questions
Is the 2023 Honda Civic a bad year?
259 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine and transmission complaints are in line with other Civic years. At 23,000 miles the tool says: Keep it.
What are the most common problems with the 2023 Honda Civic?
By owner complaints to NHTSA: steering (192), lane assist (20), electrical system (17), collision avoidance (16), brakes (14).
How many recalls does the 2023 Honda Civic have?
4 recall campaigns list this model year: Seats (NHTSA 24V-859), Steering (NHTSA 24V-744), Steering (NHTSA 23V-704), Brakes (NHTSA 23V-430). A recall may cover only some cars; check by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Method: counts of unverified owner complaints filed with NHTSA, compared only with other years of the same model (sales volumes are unknown, so no failure rate is computed). A system stands out at 40+ complaints and at least twice the model's quiet (lower-quartile) year, or twice the share across every vehicle of that model year. The mileage range is the 25th to 75th percentile of the mileages owners reported. Data received by NHTSA through November 5, 2026. Repair prices are typical US ranges from named sources, not quotes. Not a diagnosis and not financial advice. PulsCar is not affiliated with NHTSA. Check this car at your own mileage.