Honda Civic 11th generation (2021–2026)
Generation-specific owner insights from 18+ substantive owner discussions, with US complaint and recall records.
Should I buy a 2021–today Civic?
3,263
US owner complaints (NHTSA), 2021–2026
17
recall campaigns
steering
most-complained area
What owners say about this generation
Our take, from owner reports
Owners are overwhelmingly positive about the 11th generation Civic, frequently calling it an amazing car and one of the best commuter cars ever made.
7 problems reported (3 recurrent, 4 isolated) · high confidence
Problems owners report
- RecurrentAC compressor failure at low mileage (34,000 miles)
- RecurrentAutomatic wipers and automatic climate control perform poorly
- RecurrentPiano black dashboard trim creates sun glare
+ 4 more issuesShow fewer
- IsolatedAC system failure after dealer repair
- IsolatedSqueaky seats
- IsolatedDash rattles in passenger-side AC vent
- IsolatedInfotainment lag when navigation app is active
The version owners recommend
The 1.5-liter turbo engine (available on EX and higher trims) is strongly preferred over the 2.0-liter base engine. The Si trim receives particular praise for its fuel economy (30-40 mpg) and driving satisfaction, though some US-market owners note the 11th gen Si lost features compared to the 10th gen (no full digital dash, no heated seats, no blind spot camera in US models). The Type R Sport Line (European model) is noted for its softer suspension and toned-down styling versus the standard Type R.
Competitors to consider
Owners compare it most often with the Mini Clubman, Subaru Forester, Subaru Crosstrek, Volkswagen GTI and Toyota GR Corolla.
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Overall sentiment
Owners are overwhelmingly positive about the 11th generation Civic, frequently calling it an amazing car and one of the best commuter cars ever made. Praise centers on the refined interior quality, excellent physical controls, surprisingly fun driving dynamics, and strong fuel economy (owners report 30-40 mpg depending on trim and driving style). Criticisms focus on frustrating automatic systems (wipers, climate control), piano black trim that creates glare, and squeaky seats. The 1.5-liter turbo engine is well-liked, with some owners noting it transforms the car's character compared to the 2.0-liter base engine.
Positioning vs competitors
Owners position the 11th gen Civic as a superior value and more reliable alternative to the Mini Clubman, which one owner described as a money pit. Against crossovers like the Forester and Crosstrek, owners prefer the Civic's driving dynamics and interior quality. The Civic is seen as a practical, fun alternative to the GTI and WRX, though some note it lacks the GR Yaris's unique rally-homologation character. Owners emphasize that the Civic offers a better balance of comfort, quality, and driving enjoyment than many competitors at its price point.
Recommended configurations
Owners strongly recommend the 1.5-liter turbo engine over the 2.0-liter. The EX trim with the turbo is highlighted as a sweet spot. For the Si, Canadian-market examples are noted to have more features than US-market versions. The 6-speed manual is available and sought after: one owner reported taking a year to find a low-mileage 2024 manual example. The HPD spoiler is popular on hatchback models, though some find it obstructs rear visibility.
General recommendations
The 11th gen Civic is recommended for buyers seeking a reliable, fun, and well-built daily driver with excellent interior quality. Owners advise avoiding Firestone for AC repairs and going directly to a Honda dealer due to warranty extensions on AC components. The 2024 model year is well-regarded. Buyers should be aware of potential AC compressor issues (covered under warranty extension) and should inspect for dash rattles, particularly in the passenger-side AC vent area. The car is considered a strong choice for first-time buyers and those downsizing from larger vehicles.
Remarks
The 11th gen Civic is widely praised for its interior design and material quality, which owners describe as class-leading and better than many competitors. The honeycomb dashboard trim and physical controls are frequently mentioned as highlights. Some owners note the car's styling is more conservative than the 10th gen, which is seen as either a positive (more mature) or negative (boring) depending on preference. The Type R Sport Line (European model) offers a softer suspension and no rear wing, appealing to buyers who want Type R performance without the aggressive styling. Analysis based on approximately 18 substantive owner discussions about this generation.
Complaints and recalls by model year
| Year | Complaints | Recalls | Most-reported area |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 31 | 0 | forward collision avoidance |
| 2025 | 93 | 2 | steering |
| 2024 | 265 | 3 | steering |
| 2023 | 580 | 4 | steering |
| 2022 | 1,842 | 4 | steering |
| 2021 | 452 | 4 | steering |
Source: US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Higher-selling years naturally accumulate more complaints.
Recall notices for this generation
2025 · steeringcampaign 24V744000
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2023-2025 Acura Integra, Civic Type R, CR-V Hybrid, CR-V, HR-V, 2022-2025 Civic, Civic Hatchback, 2024-2025 Acura Integra Type S, 2025 CR-V Fuel Cell EV, Civic Hybrid, and Civic Hatchback Hybrid vehicles. The steering gearbox assembly may have been manufactured incorrectly, which can cause excessive internal friction and lead to difficulty steering the vehicle.
2025 · fuel system, gasoline:delivery:fuel pumpcampaign 24V763000
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2023-2024 Honda Accord, Accord Hybrid, 2023-2025 Honda CR-V Hybrid, and 2025 Honda Civic and Civic Hybrid vehicles. The high-pressure fuel pump may crack and leak fuel.
2024 · steering:rack and pinioncampaign 23V704000
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2022-2024 Civic 4-door and Civic 5-door vehicles that received a replacement power steering rack as part of a service repair. 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.
2024 · steeringcampaign 24V744000
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2023-2025 Acura Integra, Civic Type R, CR-V Hybrid, CR-V, HR-V, 2022-2025 Civic, Civic Hatchback, 2024-2025 Acura Integra Type S, 2025 CR-V Fuel Cell EV, Civic Hybrid, and Civic Hatchback Hybrid vehicles. The steering gearbox assembly may have been manufactured incorrectly, which can cause excessive internal friction and lead to difficulty steering the vehicle.
2024 · seats:critical fastenerscampaign 24V859000
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2023-2024 Honda Accord, Accord Hybrid, Civic Sedan, Civic Hatchback, Pilot, and 2024 HR-V, Acura Integra and Acura Integra Type S vehicles. The driver's seat cushion frame may not have been tightened properly, which can result in an unsecured seat. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 207, "Seating Systems."
2023 · service brakes, hydraulic:antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip:control unit/modulecampaign 23V430000
Honda (America Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2023 Civic, Acura RDX, Acura Integra, and 2022 Honda Accord vehicles. 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.
2023 · steering:rack and pinioncampaign 23V704000
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2022-2024 Civic 4-door and Civic 5-door vehicles that received a replacement power steering rack as part of a service repair. 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.
2023 · steeringcampaign 24V744000
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2023-2025 Acura Integra, Civic Type R, CR-V Hybrid, CR-V, HR-V, 2022-2025 Civic, Civic Hatchback, 2024-2025 Acura Integra Type S, 2025 CR-V Fuel Cell EV, Civic Hybrid, and Civic Hatchback Hybrid vehicles. The steering gearbox assembly may have been manufactured incorrectly, which can cause excessive internal friction and lead to difficulty steering the vehicle.
2023 · seats:critical fastenerscampaign 24V859000
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2023-2024 Honda Accord, Accord Hybrid, Civic Sedan, Civic Hatchback, Pilot, and 2024 HR-V, Acura Integra and Acura Integra Type S vehicles. The driver's seat cushion frame may not have been tightened properly, which can result in an unsecured seat. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 207, "Seating Systems."
2022 · steering:rack and pinioncampaign 23V704000
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2022-2024 Civic 4-door and Civic 5-door vehicles that received a replacement power steering rack as part of a service repair. 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.
2022 · air bags:sensor:occupant classification:front passengercampaign 24V064000
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Pilot, Accord, Civic sedan, HR-V, Odyssey, 2020 Civic coupe, Fit, 2021-2022 Civic hatchback, 2021 Civic Type R, Insight, 2020-2021 CR-V, CR-V Hybrid, Passport, Ridgeline, Accord Hybrid, 2020 Acura MDX, 2022 Acura MDX, 2020-2022 Acura RDX, and 2020-2021 Acura TLX vehicles. The front passenger seat weight sensor may crack and short circuit, failing to suppress the air bag as intended.
2022 · steeringcampaign 24V744000
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2023-2025 Acura Integra, Civic Type R, CR-V Hybrid, CR-V, HR-V, 2022-2025 Civic, Civic Hatchback, 2024-2025 Acura Integra Type S, 2025 CR-V Fuel Cell EV, Civic Hybrid, and Civic Hatchback Hybrid vehicles. The steering gearbox assembly may have been manufactured incorrectly, which can cause excessive internal friction and lead to difficulty steering the vehicle.
3 more recalls not shown. Check nhtsa.gov with your VIN for the full history.
Owner insights summarize real ownership discussions for this generation only. Complaint and recall data is public NHTSA (US) information. Always verify recalls against your VIN at nhtsa.gov.