HONDA CIVIC HYBRID · model year

2012 HONDA CIVIC HYBRID

23 NHTSA complaints, 7 crash reports, and 1 active recall for this specific cohort.

NHTSA overall rating

5 / 5 ★

New Car Assessment Program

The 2012HONDACIVIC HYBRID carries 23 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 7 crashes, 0 fires, 13 injuries, and 0 fatalities. For crash performance, NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program gave this cohort an overall 5/5 rating, with 5/5 front crash, 5/5 side crash, and 4/5 rollover scores derived from standardized barrier and dynamic tests.

Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 2012 CIVIC HYBRID is electrical system with 3 filings, followed by power train (3) and service brakes (2). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability. This model year has 1 active recall campaign, which means the manufacturer is obligated to remedy the covered defect at no charge for the life of the vehicle — the full NHTSA campaign numbers are listed below.

NHTSA currently has 77 investigation files overlapping the 2012 CIVIC HYBRID, and 9 remain open. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page — a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.

23
Complaints
7
Crashes
0
Fires
13
Injuries
0
Deaths
2012 HONDA CIVIC HYBRID — NHTSA crash-test profile NHTSA NCAP crash-test star ratings for the 2012 HONDA CIVIC HYBRID. Overall composite: 5.0 of 5 stars across 3 safety dimensions. Front CrashSide CrashRollover 5.0 NHTSA NCAP of 5 stars
  • Front Crash 5.0 ★
  • Side Crash 5.0 ★
  • Rollover 4.0 ★
NHTSA overall 5.0/5 stars, with front-crash, side-crash and rollover ratings from standardized NCAP barrier and dynamic tests.

Total Complaints

23 filings

Crashes Reported

7 reports

Source

NHTSA ODI

Federal complaints database

Complaints vs. fleet median (215)

At or below the fleet median complaint volume.

NHTSA NCAP overall: 5/5 — Top NCAP rating · Front: 5/5 · Side: 5/5 · Rollover: 4/5

Complaints by Component

ComponentCount
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM3
POWER TRAIN3
SERVICE BRAKES2
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL2
AIR BAGS2
ENGINE2
SEAT BELTS1
STRUCTURE:BODY1
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM1
UNKNOWN OR OTHER1
ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)1
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS1
SUSPENSION1
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:PROPULSION SYSTEM:INVERTER1
HYBRID PROPULSION SYSTEM: INVERTER1

Recalls (1)

20V77000010/12/2020

POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DRIVESHAFT

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2013-2015 Acura ILX, 2013 Acura ILX Hybrid, 2012 Honda Civic Hybrid, and 2007-2008 Honda Fit vehicles with a manual transmission and 2009-2013 Honda Fit vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia,

Recent Complaints

20250326ENGINE

The contact's stepdaughter owns a 2012 Honda Civic Hybrid. The contact stated that while his stepdaughter was driving at approximately 40 MPH, the check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who informed the contact about Service Bulletin 20-030 Warranty Extension related to the IMA motor power inverter (MPI) and was referred to the dealer. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, who diagnosed that the failure was due to the IMA Motor Power Inverter (MPI). The dealer informed him there was no recall or warranty coverage. The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline. The failure mileage was approximately 90,000.

Mileage: 90,000

20250326HYBRID PROPULSION SYSTEM: INVERTER

The contact's stepdaughter owns a 2012 Honda Civic Hybrid. The contact stated that while his stepdaughter was driving at approximately 40 MPH, the check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who informed the contact about Service Bulletin 20-030 Warranty Extension related to the IMA motor power inverter (MPI) and was referred to the dealer. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, who diagnosed that the failure was due to the IMA Motor Power Inverter (MPI). The dealer informed him there was no recall or warranty coverage. The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline. The failure mileage was approximately 90,000.

Mileage: 90,000

20240425ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:PROPULSION SYSTEM:INVERTER

The contact owns a 2012 Honda Civic Hybrid. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 65 MPH, the contact became aware that the braking system, ABS, and battery warning lights were illuminated. The contact stated that the vehicle lost motive power and stalled. Additionally, while attempting to start the vehicle, the vehicle took longer than normal to start. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who related the failure to Technical Service Bulletin: 20-030 (Warranty Extension: 2012-15 Civic Hybrid IMA Motor Power Inverter); however, the vehicle was not covered under the TSB. The contact replaced the battery, but the failure persisted. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 100,600.

Mileage: 100,600

20220825POWER TRAIN

The contact owns a 2012 Honda Civic Hybrid. The contact stated while driving 50 MPH on the highway, the suspension lowered inadvertently, causing her to lose control of the vehicle, and the vehicle stopped. The vehicle was towed to the residence where it was diagnosed by an independent mechanic. The independent mechanic diagnosed that the front driver's side axle had detached and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure reoccurred on the front passenger's side axle five months later. The vehicle was towed to the independent mechanic on three different occasions where the front passenger's side axle was replaced three times. However, the failure persisted. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V770000 (Power Train) however, the dealer informed the contact that the vehicle could not be repaired under the recall as the front axles were not the original parts. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of t

Mileage: 130,000

20220825SUSPENSION

The contact owns a 2012 Honda Civic Hybrid. The contact stated while driving 50 MPH on the highway, the suspension lowered inadvertently, causing her to lose control of the vehicle, and the vehicle stopped. The vehicle was towed to the residence where it was diagnosed by an independent mechanic. The independent mechanic diagnosed that the front driver's side axle had detached and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure reoccurred on the front passenger's side axle five months later. The vehicle was towed to the independent mechanic on three different occasions where the front passenger's side axle was replaced three times. However, the failure persisted. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V770000 (Power Train) however, the dealer informed the contact that the vehicle could not be repaired under the recall as the front axles were not the original parts. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of t

Mileage: 130,000

20210712POWER TRAIN

The contact owns a 2012 Honda Civic Hybrid. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number 20V770000 (Power Train) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The local dealer was contacted, and it was confirmed that the part was not available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced the failure. The VIN was not available.

20210519POWER TRAIN

THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 HONDA CIVIC HYBRID. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 20V770000 (POWER TRAIN) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE RECALL REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE LOCAL DEALER WAS CONTACTED AND IT WAS CONFIRMED THAT THE PART WAS NOT YET AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE AND REFERRED THE CONTACT BACK TO THE DEALER. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

20180816FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 HONDA CIVIC HYBRID. THE CONTACT DISCOVERED A STRONG ODOR OF FUEL IN THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TURNED OFF IN TRAFFIC AND WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO FOUND A FAULTY FUEL FEED LINE. THE MECHANIC ORDERED THE PART AND THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THERE WAS A RECALL FOR THE REGULAR HONDA, BUT NOT THE HYBRID MODEL. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 43,214.

Mileage: 43,214

20180419SERVICE BRAKES

IT SHOWS A PROBLEM ON BOOSTER CONTROL MODULE FIRST, AND THEN ABS CONTROL MODULE PROBLEM WAS FOLLOWED IN A MONTH AFTER FIXING FIRST ONE. I AM SECOND OWNER AND BOUGHT IT 2 YEARS AGO. THERE HAS NOT BEEN PROBLEM AT NORTH CAROLINA, BUT AFTER MOVING HERE PEORIA IL WHERE IS COLDER IN WINTER HERE 2 YEARS AGO, "CHECKING BRAKE SYSTEM FOLLOWED BY CHECKING ABS, POWER STEERING, IMA ETC" ABOUT 5 CHECKING SIGNS SHOWED ON THE PANEL. THE MECHANIC SAID IT WAS BOOSTER CONTROL MODULE PROBLEM. AFTER HE REPLACING IT, THERE WAS NO PROBLEM FOR A WEEK. AND THEN WHEN I DRIVE SLIPPERY GROUND SURFACE IN A RAIN, AND SLIPPED A LITTLE, THE SAME SYMPTOM WITH CONTINUOUS WORKING MOTER ON ABS ASSEMBLY SHOWED OFF. EVEN WHEN THE KEY OUT, THE MOTER WAS STILL WORKING SO THAT THERE IS NO ELECTRICAL POWER LEFT DUE TO DISCHARGING IN THE MORNING. THE MECHANIC SAID THAT IT IS ABS CONTROL MODULE PROBLEM SO THAT HE IS FIXING IT NOW.

Mileage: 73,000

20180419ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)

IT SHOWS A PROBLEM ON BOOSTER CONTROL MODULE FIRST, AND THEN ABS CONTROL MODULE PROBLEM WAS FOLLOWED IN A MONTH AFTER FIXING FIRST ONE. I AM SECOND OWNER AND BOUGHT IT 2 YEARS AGO. THERE HAS NOT BEEN PROBLEM AT NORTH CAROLINA, BUT AFTER MOVING HERE PEORIA IL WHERE IS COLDER IN WINTER HERE 2 YEARS AGO, "CHECKING BRAKE SYSTEM FOLLOWED BY CHECKING ABS, POWER STEERING, IMA ETC" ABOUT 5 CHECKING SIGNS SHOWED ON THE PANEL. THE MECHANIC SAID IT WAS BOOSTER CONTROL MODULE PROBLEM. AFTER HE REPLACING IT, THERE WAS NO PROBLEM FOR A WEEK. AND THEN WHEN I DRIVE SLIPPERY GROUND SURFACE IN A RAIN, AND SLIPPED A LITTLE, THE SAME SYMPTOM WITH CONTINUOUS WORKING MOTER ON ABS ASSEMBLY SHOWED OFF. EVEN WHEN THE KEY OUT, THE MOTER WAS STILL WORKING SO THAT THERE IS NO ELECTRICAL POWER LEFT DUE TO DISCHARGING IN THE MORNING. THE MECHANIC SAID THAT IT IS ABS CONTROL MODULE PROBLEM SO THAT HE IS FIXING IT NOW.

Mileage: 73,000

20180419ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

IT SHOWS A PROBLEM ON BOOSTER CONTROL MODULE FIRST, AND THEN ABS CONTROL MODULE PROBLEM WAS FOLLOWED IN A MONTH AFTER FIXING FIRST ONE. I AM SECOND OWNER AND BOUGHT IT 2 YEARS AGO. THERE HAS NOT BEEN PROBLEM AT NORTH CAROLINA, BUT AFTER MOVING HERE PEORIA IL WHERE IS COLDER IN WINTER HERE 2 YEARS AGO, "CHECKING BRAKE SYSTEM FOLLOWED BY CHECKING ABS, POWER STEERING, IMA ETC" ABOUT 5 CHECKING SIGNS SHOWED ON THE PANEL. THE MECHANIC SAID IT WAS BOOSTER CONTROL MODULE PROBLEM. AFTER HE REPLACING IT, THERE WAS NO PROBLEM FOR A WEEK. AND THEN WHEN I DRIVE SLIPPERY GROUND SURFACE IN A RAIN, AND SLIPPED A LITTLE, THE SAME SYMPTOM WITH CONTINUOUS WORKING MOTER ON ABS ASSEMBLY SHOWED OFF. EVEN WHEN THE KEY OUT, THE MOTER WAS STILL WORKING SO THAT THERE IS NO ELECTRICAL POWER LEFT DUE TO DISCHARGING IN THE MORNING. THE MECHANIC SAID THAT IT IS ABS CONTROL MODULE PROBLEM SO THAT HE IS FIXING IT NOW.

Mileage: 73,000

20140226ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

WHEN THE CAR BECOMES LOW ON GAS YOU RECEIVE A LOW GAS NOTIFICATION VIA THE INDICATOR (ICON ON THE LEFT SIDE OF THE DASH) AND A NOTIFICATION VIA THE INFORMATION SCREEN, WHICH YOU CAN ACKNOWLEDGE AND WHILE THE INDICATOR STAYS ON (NORMAL) YOU CAN CLEAR THE INFORMATION SCREEN (AND AUDIBLE BEEPS) AND HAVE THE INFORMATION SCREEN GO BACK TO SHOWING THE ODOMETER OR SOME OTHER INFORMATION. THIS WAS THE STATUS ON MY 2012 HYBRID UNTIL ~90 DAYS AGO. WHEN THE VEHICLE NOW RECEIVES A LOW GAS WARNING (VERBAL BEEP AND LOW GAS SCREEN ON THE INFORMATION SCREEN) I ACKNOWLEDGE THE ERROR AND CLEAR THE INFORMATION SCREEN SO IT GOES BACK TO SHOWING ODOMETER, ETC. BUT WHILE CONTINUING TO DRIVE THE SYSTEM WILL ACTIVATE THE LOW GAS WARNING (BEEP AND SCREEN) CONTINUOUSLY (I.E., 25 OR MORE TIMES IN 10 MILE PERIOD) SIMILAR TO A SEAT BELT WARNING. THIS HAVE NEVER HAPPENED IN 2 YEARS OF PREVIOUS OWNERSHIP. HONDA SERVICE PEOPLE BELIEVE THIS IS NORMAL AND THAT EVERY HONDA HAS THIS "FEATURE" BUT THEY WILL NOT

Mileage: 20,000

20140226FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

WHEN THE CAR BECOMES LOW ON GAS YOU RECEIVE A LOW GAS NOTIFICATION VIA THE INDICATOR (ICON ON THE LEFT SIDE OF THE DASH) AND A NOTIFICATION VIA THE INFORMATION SCREEN, WHICH YOU CAN ACKNOWLEDGE AND WHILE THE INDICATOR STAYS ON (NORMAL) YOU CAN CLEAR THE INFORMATION SCREEN (AND AUDIBLE BEEPS) AND HAVE THE INFORMATION SCREEN GO BACK TO SHOWING THE ODOMETER OR SOME OTHER INFORMATION. THIS WAS THE STATUS ON MY 2012 HYBRID UNTIL ~90 DAYS AGO. WHEN THE VEHICLE NOW RECEIVES A LOW GAS WARNING (VERBAL BEEP AND LOW GAS SCREEN ON THE INFORMATION SCREEN) I ACKNOWLEDGE THE ERROR AND CLEAR THE INFORMATION SCREEN SO IT GOES BACK TO SHOWING ODOMETER, ETC. BUT WHILE CONTINUING TO DRIVE THE SYSTEM WILL ACTIVATE THE LOW GAS WARNING (BEEP AND SCREEN) CONTINUOUSLY (I.E., 25 OR MORE TIMES IN 10 MILE PERIOD) SIMILAR TO A SEAT BELT WARNING. THIS HAVE NEVER HAPPENED IN 2 YEARS OF PREVIOUS OWNERSHIP. HONDA SERVICE PEOPLE BELIEVE THIS IS NORMAL AND THAT EVERY HONDA HAS THIS "FEATURE" BUT THEY WILL NOT

Mileage: 20,000

20140226UNKNOWN OR OTHER

WHEN THE CAR BECOMES LOW ON GAS YOU RECEIVE A LOW GAS NOTIFICATION VIA THE INDICATOR (ICON ON THE LEFT SIDE OF THE DASH) AND A NOTIFICATION VIA THE INFORMATION SCREEN, WHICH YOU CAN ACKNOWLEDGE AND WHILE THE INDICATOR STAYS ON (NORMAL) YOU CAN CLEAR THE INFORMATION SCREEN (AND AUDIBLE BEEPS) AND HAVE THE INFORMATION SCREEN GO BACK TO SHOWING THE ODOMETER OR SOME OTHER INFORMATION. THIS WAS THE STATUS ON MY 2012 HYBRID UNTIL ~90 DAYS AGO. WHEN THE VEHICLE NOW RECEIVES A LOW GAS WARNING (VERBAL BEEP AND LOW GAS SCREEN ON THE INFORMATION SCREEN) I ACKNOWLEDGE THE ERROR AND CLEAR THE INFORMATION SCREEN SO IT GOES BACK TO SHOWING ODOMETER, ETC. BUT WHILE CONTINUING TO DRIVE THE SYSTEM WILL ACTIVATE THE LOW GAS WARNING (BEEP AND SCREEN) CONTINUOUSLY (I.E., 25 OR MORE TIMES IN 10 MILE PERIOD) SIMILAR TO A SEAT BELT WARNING. THIS HAVE NEVER HAPPENED IN 2 YEARS OF PREVIOUS OWNERSHIP. HONDA SERVICE PEOPLE BELIEVE THIS IS NORMAL AND THAT EVERY HONDA HAS THIS "FEATURE" BUT THEY WILL NOT

Mileage: 20,000

20140205ENGINE

2012 HONDA CIVIC. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO VEHICLE SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER WHILE DRIVING. *SMD THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER. THEY INFORMED THE CONSUMER, THE VEHICLE NEEDED THREE SOFTWARE UPDATES, IN ORDER TO CHARGE THE BATTERY PROPERLY. *JB

20140205ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

2012 HONDA CIVIC. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO VEHICLE SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER WHILE DRIVING. *SMD THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER. THEY INFORMED THE CONSUMER, THE VEHICLE NEEDED THREE SOFTWARE UPDATES, IN ORDER TO CHARGE THE BATTERY PROPERLY. *JB

20130524CrashSTRUCTURE:BODY

I WAS PULLING INTO A PARKING SPACE AND MY CAR ACCERLERATED AND CRASHED INTO A STONE WALL AND THEN WENT BACKWARDS SEVERAL FEET BEFORE I WAS ABLE TO BRAKE THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY AND THE SEAT BELT CAME LOOSE FROM THE WALL. I WAS TAKEN TO THE HOSPITAL SINCE MY CHEST WAS HURT FROM THE STEERING WHEEL. *TR

Mileage: 4,267

20130524CrashAIR BAGS

I WAS PULLING INTO A PARKING SPACE AND MY CAR ACCERLERATED AND CRASHED INTO A STONE WALL AND THEN WENT BACKWARDS SEVERAL FEET BEFORE I WAS ABLE TO BRAKE THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY AND THE SEAT BELT CAME LOOSE FROM THE WALL. I WAS TAKEN TO THE HOSPITAL SINCE MY CHEST WAS HURT FROM THE STEERING WHEEL. *TR

Mileage: 4,267

20130524CrashVEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

I WAS PULLING INTO A PARKING SPACE AND MY CAR ACCERLERATED AND CRASHED INTO A STONE WALL AND THEN WENT BACKWARDS SEVERAL FEET BEFORE I WAS ABLE TO BRAKE THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY AND THE SEAT BELT CAME LOOSE FROM THE WALL. I WAS TAKEN TO THE HOSPITAL SINCE MY CHEST WAS HURT FROM THE STEERING WHEEL. *TR

Mileage: 4,267

20130304CrashSEAT BELTS

I WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT AND THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT BELT MALFUNCTIONED AND THE SEAT BELT DID NOT RESTRAIN MY BODY FROM MOVING FORWARD; DUE TO THE SEAT BELT MALFUNCTION, MY CHEST AND HEAD HIT THE STEERING WHEEL LEAVING ME WITH A CONCUSSION AND SIGNIFICANT BRUISING/SORENESS ON MY CHEST. IN ADDITION, MY AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY, BUT THE LIGHT FOR THE AIRBAG ON THE DASH IS NOW LIT AND THE INFORMATION DISPLAY STATES "CHECK AIRBAG SYSTEM". *TR

Mileage: 18,357

Compare 2012HONDACIVIC HYBRID to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations 9 Open

View all investigations

Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 2012 HONDA CIVIC HYBRID have?
The 2012 HONDA CIVIC HYBRID has 23 NHTSA complaints, 7 crashes, 0 fires, 13 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
What is the safety rating for the 2012 HONDA CIVIC HYBRID?
The 2012 HONDA CIVIC HYBRID received an overall NHTSA safety rating of 5/5, front crash rating of 5/5, side crash rating of 5/5, and rollover rating of 4/5.
Are there any recalls for the 2012 HONDA CIVIC HYBRID?
Yes, the 2012 HONDA CIVIC HYBRID has 1 recall(s). The most common affected component is POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DRIVESHAFT. Recalls are issued by NHTSA and manufacturers must provide a free remedy.
What are the most common problems with the 2012 HONDA CIVIC HYBRID?
The most-complained component for the 2012 HONDA CIVIC HYBRID is ELECTRICAL SYSTEM with 3 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include POWER TRAIN and SERVICE BRAKES.
Is the 2012 HONDA CIVIC HYBRID safe to buy?
Review the complaint history, crash and fire reports, safety ratings, and recall status on this page to make an informed decision. The 2012 HONDA CIVIC HYBRID has an NHTSA safety rating of 5/5. Compare with other model years using the links above.
Where does this data come from?
All complaint, recall, and safety rating data is sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaints are filed by vehicle owners through NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation.

Vehicle Safety Guides

Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.