Pre-purchase report
62,000 miles · asking $13,900 · 2.0L K20C2 NA I4 or 1.5L L15B7 turbo I4
6 known failure points for this generation · cost data pending verification
The tenth-gen Civic that launched the platform, offered as a naturally aspirated 2.0L or the turbo 1.5L. Most money goes into the 1.5L turbo's oil dilution issue, occasional electrical/infotainment gremlins, and AC condenser failures.
AI-drafted profile
This failure-mode list was drafted by AI and cross-checked against this car’s real NHTSA complaint data. It has not yet been verified by our mechanics or owners, and it deliberately shows no cost figures: we never publish a dollar amount we can’t source. Own one? Your cost submissions below are what turn this into a verified teardown.
What you’ll notice: Oil level rises above full, oil smells like gasoline, especially in cold climates and short trips.
Direct-injection 1.5L washes fuel past the rings during cold running. Honda issued a software update and warranty extension for affected cars.
Condition-driven: inspect, don't assume
AI-drafted, unverified · cross-checked against NHTSA complaints · submit what you paid below to verify it
What you’ll notice: AC blows warm, no cold air, refrigerant gone.
Thin front-mounted condensers crack easily from road debris and pressure. Very common complaint across this generation.
Typical window: 30k-80k miles
AI-drafted, unverified · cross-checked against NHTSA complaints · submit what you paid below to verify it
What you’ll notice: Shudder on light acceleration, drone, hesitation from stop.
The CVT on both engines can develop judder if fluid is neglected. Service history matters more than mileage here.
Typical window: 40k-100k miles
AI-drafted, unverified · cross-checked against NHTSA complaints · submit what you paid below to verify it
What you’ll notice: Screen freezes, reboots, Bluetooth drops, backup camera cuts out.
Early head units are buggy and slow. Software updates help but do not fully cure it, consistent with the electrical complaint volume.
Condition-driven: inspect, don't assume
AI-drafted, unverified · cross-checked against NHTSA complaints · submit what you paid below to verify it
What you’ll notice: Vague or wandering steering feel, occasional warning light.
The high steering complaint count reflects both sensor faults and owner feel complaints. Verify no active codes or recalls outstanding.
Condition-driven: inspect, don't assume
AI-drafted, unverified · cross-checked against NHTSA complaints · submit what you paid below to verify it
What you’ll notice: Chipping and peeling clearcoat, especially on lighter colors and hoods.
Honda paint from this era is thin and chips easily. Cosmetic but widespread.
Condition-driven: inspect, don't assume · applies only if found
AI-drafted, unverified · cross-checked against NHTSA complaints · submit what you paid below to verify it
AI-drafted for this chassis. Hand it to your inspector.
1059 owner complaints and 5 recalls on file for the 2016 HONDA CIVIC (public federal data). Failure mileages come from odometer readings owners filed with NHTSA.
failures cluster 26k-53k mi · median 40k (n=129) · this car is past the median
failures cluster 24k-55k mi · median 37k (n=107) · this car is past the median
failures cluster 11k-46k mi · median 32k (n=57) · this car is past the median
failures cluster 9k-46k mi · median 24k (n=59) · this car is past the median
failures cluster 16k-57k mi · median 33k (n=45) · this car is past the median
failures cluster 5k-40k mi · median 24k (n=21) · this car is past the median
American Honda Motor Co. (Honda) is recalling certain model year 2016 Civic 2-Door vehicles manufactured February 23, 2016, through May 20, 2016. The affected vehicles may have a damaged LED side marker light circuit board inside the taillight assembly, making the marker light inoperable. As such,
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain model year 2016 Honda Civic two door and four door 1.5L turbo and 2.0L vehicles. The electric parking brake (EPB) may not engage if it is applied immediately after turning the ignition off.
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain model year 2016 Civic vehicles manufactured September 22, 2015, to February 3, 2016 and equipped with 2.0L engines. The affected vehicles have engines with piston assemblies that may have been manufactured without a piston wrist pin circlip or w
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2013-2023 Honda Accord, Civic Coupe, Civic Sedan, Civic Hatchback, Civic Type R, CR-V, HR-V, Ridgeline, Odyssey, Acura ILX, MDX, MDX Hybrid, RDX, RLX, TLX, 2019-2022 Honda Insight, Passport, 2020 Honda CR-V Hybrid, 2018-2019 Honda Clarity PHEV, F
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2018-2021, 2023 Acura TLX, 2019-2024 RDX, 2017-2020, 2022-2026 MDX, 2017-2021, 2023, 2025 Honda Ridgeline, 2017-2022 Pilot, 2019-2021 Passport, 2018-2026 Odyssey, 2019-2022 Insight, 2019-2021 HR-V, 2018-2020 Fit, 2020-2022 CR-V Hybrid, 2017-2022
316 manufacturer service bulletins on file with NHTSA for this model year.
EQUIPMENT (143) · ELECTRICAL SYSTEM (53) · ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING (30) · VISIBILITY (30)
Tell us what a job actually cost you. Submissions are reviewed and folded into the report as owner-reported data. Never auto-published. Have the actual invoice? Upload it here (that’s the gold standard).