Home / Makes / Honda / Civic Known Faults Database Honda Civic Common Problems & Known Faults (UK) If you are considering buying a used Honda Civic, there are several major reliability issues worth knowing about first. Our garage database tracks 6 known faults for this model, 3 of them rated high severity. Every one below is a repair bill a seller has good reason not to mention.
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Honda Civic 10th Gen (2017-2022) problems Engine/Emissions High severity 📝 Editorial
Wet timing belt degradation leading to blocked oil strainer and turbo/engine starvation Typical symptoms low oil pressure warning turbo whistling or failing limp mode rattling from engine Affected vehicles
Engines: 1.0 VTEC Turbo
Typical mileage: 50000-80000 miles Honda Civic 2004-2010 Models (2004-2010) problems Engine/Emissions High severity 📝 Editorial
Cast iron exhaust manifold cracks due to thermal stress, leaking deadly exhaust fumes into the cabin Typical symptoms strong smell of exhaust fumes inside the car ticking or hissing noise from engine bay when cold black soot around the turbo/heat shield Affected vehicles
Engines: 2.2 i-CTDi (N22A)
Typical mileage: 80000-140000 miles Honda Civic 2006-2011 Models (2006-2011) problems Transmission/Clutch High severity 📝 Editorial
i-SHIFT automated manual transmission actuator and clutch failure, often costing more to fix than the car is worth Typical symptoms cog warning light on dash gearbox gets stuck in neutral and won't engage gear severe lurching and jerky gear changes Affected vehicles
Engines: All i-SHIFT Automatics
Typical mileage: 50000-90000 miles Honda Civic Mk8 (FN/FK) (2006-2011) problems Bodywork/Chassis Medium severity 💬 Owner reports
Hard windscreen rubber seal rubs through the paint on the roof leading to severe rust above the windscreen Typical symptoms bubbling paint above the windscreen visible orange rust spreading onto the roof water leaking into the cabin Affected vehicles
Engines: All
Typical mileage: 50000-150000 miles Honda Civic 2003-2012 Models (2003-2012) problems Engine/Emissions Low severity 📝 Editorial
Variable Timing Control (VTC) actuator locking pin spring wears out, causing a loud grinding rattle on cold start Typical symptoms loud 1-2 second grinding/rattling noise immediately upon cold start noise completely vanishes once oil pressure builds Affected vehicles
Engines: 2.0 & 2.4 Petrol (K20/K24)
Typical mileage: 80000-150000 miles Honda Civic 2008-2016 Models (2008-2016) problems Transmission/Clutch Medium severity 📝 Editorial
Premature failure of the Dual Mass Flywheel (DMF) and clutch assembly, causing slipping under heavy load Typical symptoms revs rising without speed increasing in 4th/5th/6th gear heavy clutch pedal vibration or rattling at idle (DMF failing) Affected vehicles
Engines: 1.6 & 2.2 i-DTEC / i-CTDi Manuals
Typical mileage: 60000-100000 miles Repair costs are typical UK ranges, not quotes. Actual cost depends on condition and garage. Data last verified: June 2026