Honda Civic: The Honda Civic is a compact car that blends fun-to-drive dynamics, efficiency and strong safety into an affordable package. Decode a specific VIN below to confirm the exact year, trim and equipment, and to check for open safety recalls.
Specs, engines, MPG and open safety recalls for each production year.
Each year page has that year's specific specs, EPA MPG, NHTSA crash-test ratings and every open recall campaign filed for that year and model.
| Make | Honda |
|---|---|
| Model | Civic |
| Body Style | Compact Car |
| Production Years | 1972–present |
| Country of Origin | Japan |
| Engine | 2.0L 4-cylinder |
|---|---|
| Engine | 1.5L turbo 4-cylinder |
Official EPA fuel-economy estimates via FuelEconomy.gov.
Source: FuelEconomy.gov (U.S. DOE/EPA) · Fuel: Regular · CO₂ emissions: 277.71875 g/mile.
Official NHTSA crash-test star ratings (5 = best).
Source: NHTSA NCAP.
Factory-recommended service intervals for the current generation (1.5L turbo (oil-dilution prone) or 2.0L NA; 0W-20 full synthetic).
| Oil Change | Honda Maintenance Minder (often ~7,500 mi). For the 1.5T do ~5,000 mi due to oil dilution. |
|---|---|
| Tire Rotation | Every 7,500 mi / with each Minder service |
| Brake Fluid | Every 3 yr regardless of mileage (Minder item) |
| Engine Air Filter | ~30,000 mi (sooner if dusty) |
| Cabin Air Filter | ~15,000-30,000 mi or annually |
| Transmission Fluid | CVT fluid (Honda HCF-2) — proactive change ~30,000-50,000 mi recommended |
| Coolant | First ~100,000-120,000 mi, then every ~60,000 mi (Honda Type 2) |
| Spark Plugs | ~60,000-100,000 mi (1.5T often ~60k-80k) |
| Timing Belt Or Chain | Timing CHAIN (both engines) — no scheduled replacement |
| Major Service Milestones | 30k filters; 60k plugs cluster; 100k coolant; CVT fluid proactively. |
Model-specific note: The 1.5T has well-documented fuel/oil dilution, worst in cold-climate short-trip driving — change oil more often than the Minder suggests and watch for rising oil level / gas smell.
Source: Honda owner's manual + Maintenance Minder, compiled under CC BY 4.0. Intervals are for normal service; follow the severe-use schedule if most trips are short. Your owner's manual is authoritative for your VIN.
Model-line generations with their production years. Each generation hub lists every model year with its data.
| First gen (SB) | 1972–1979 |
|---|---|
| Second gen (SL) | 1979–1983 |
| Third gen (AG) | 1983–1987 |
| Fourth gen (EC/EE) | 1987–1991 |
| Fifth gen (EG/EH/EJ) | 1991–1995 |
| Sixth gen (EK/EM) | 1995–2000 |
| Seventh gen (EP/ES) | 2000–2005 |
| Eighth gen (FD/FG) | 2005–2011 |
| Ninth gen (FB) | 2011–2015 |
| Tenth gen (FC) | 2015–2021 |
| Eleventh gen (FL) | 2021–2026 |
Known issues reported for the Honda Civic. Always inspect the specific vehicle and decode its VIN for recall status.
Reliability: A dependable, low-cost compact that's a top pick for new drivers.
Every 1996-and-newer car uses the OBD-II standard. Enter any stored code, then P0300, P0420, or search our full database of over 2,000 codes, to see what it means and how serious it is.
A sample of NHTSA recalls for a recent model year. Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer. See all recalls →
Issue: 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.
Issue: 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.
Issue: 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."
The 2005 Honda Civic gets an EPA-estimated 32 MPG combined (29 city / 36 highway), according to FuelEconomy.gov.
Enter the 17-character VIN in the box above. VinSpecs returns the exact year, trim, engine, drivetrain and assembly plant for your Honda Civic, plus any open recalls, free.
A dependable, low-cost compact that's a top pick for new drivers.
Use our free recall checker by year, make and model, or decode a specific VIN for its exact recall status.
Run a VIN decode + recall check here, get a NMVTIS-backed title history report to catch salvage/flood brands, then have an independent mechanic inspect the vehicle on a lift. Cross-reference the seller's mileage claim against the odometer history on record.
The 17-character VIN is stamped in several places: visible through the windshield on the driver's-side dashboard, on a sticker inside the driver's door jamb, and on the vehicle registration and insurance card. All should match, mismatched VINs are a fraud red flag.