2020 Honda Civic recalls, problems & safety ratings
NHTSA lists 5 recalls for the 2020 Honda Civic and 230 owner complaints. The most-reported problem areas are electrical system (37), unknown or other (37), steering (31). It earned a 5-star overall NHTSA safety rating. EPA-rated fuel economy is 32–33 mpg combined, depending on engine.
The 2020 ranks #4 of 14 Civic model years for fewest complaints (2012–2025), with fewer complaints than the average year (421). It has 5 recalls vs. an average of 3.5 per model year.
Recalls 5
Every recall NHTSA lists for the 2020 Honda Civic. Not every recall applies to every vehicle, so check your VIN. Recall repairs are free at a franchised dealer.
Air bags · sensor · occupant classification · front passenger
Problem: 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 CR-V, 2017-2018, 2021 Civic Type R, 2017-2021 Civic hatchback, 2016-2020 Civic coupe, 2016-2022 Civic, 2017-2022 Accord Hybrid, and 2016-2022 Accord vehicles. The front passenger seat weight sensor may crack and short circuit, which can cause the air bags to deploy unintentionally during a crash.
Risk: Air bags that deploy unintentionally during a crash increase the risk of injury.
Fix: Dealers will replace the seat weight sensors, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 7, 2026. Owners may contact Honda's customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are BOL, WO9, OOA, WOM, XOH, NOC, POD, BOE, UOF, POB, EOG, AOI, QO8, TOJ, DO7, and SOK. This recall expands previous NHTSA recall number 24V064. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will be searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning May 29, 2026.
Air bags · sensor · occupant classification · front passenger
Problem: 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.
Risk: An air bag that deploys unintentionally during a crash can increase the risk of injury.
Fix: Dealers will replace the seat weight sensors, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 28, 2024. This is a phased recall. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for these recalls are XHP and VHQ.
Fuel system, gasoline · delivery · fuel pump
Problem: 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, Fit, and 2015-2020 Honda Accord Hybrid, Pilot, Acura NSX vehicles. The fuel pump inside the fuel tank may fail.
Risk: Fuel pump failure can cause an engine stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will replace the fuel pump module, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed September 6, 2024. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are KGC and KGD. This recall is an expansion of NHTSA recall numbers 21V-215 and 20V-314.
Service brakes, hydraulic · foundation components · master cylinder
Problem: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Civic, 2020-2023 Ridgeline, 2021-2023 Passport, 2021-2022 Pilot, and 2020 Acura MDX vehicles. The tie rod fastener that connects the brake booster and the brake master cylinder may have been improperly assembled during manufacturing, which can cause the brake master cylinder to separate from the booster assembly.
Risk: Brake master cylinder separation can cause a loss of brake function and increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will inspect and repair the brake booster assembly as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 7, 2023. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are VEU, AEV, and ZET.
Fuel system, gasoline · delivery · fuel pump
Problem: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2019-2020 Acura MDX, MDX Sport Hybrid, RDX, TLX, Honda Accord, Civic Hatchback, Insight, 2019 Acura ILX, Honda Accord Hybrid, Civic Coupe, Civic Coupe Si, Civic Sedan, Civic Sedan Si, Civic Type R, Fit, HR-V, Odyssey, Passport, Pilot and Ridgeline, and 2018-2019 CR-V vehicles. The low-pressure fuel pump inside the fuel tank may fail.
Risk: Fuel pump failure can cause an engine stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel pump assembly, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed May 18, 2021. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Note: This recall is an expansion of recall 20V-314.
Common problems
From complaints owners filed with NHTSA. Complaints aren't verified, but patterns across hundreds of owners point to known weak spots.
Most-reported problem areas
By the numbers
Recent owner reports
My 2020 Honda Civic experienced engine overheating and a cylinder 3 misfire (P0303). Two independent mechanics diagnosed a blown head gasket with coolant leaking into cylinder 3. The vehicle underwent a head gasket repair under Honda’s extended warranty. Less than a week after the repair, the engine overheated again while I was driving. I pulled over, waited approximately an ho…
My car 2020 honda civic has an issue with the steering wheel. I have noticed in the past 6 months that the steering wheel has become increasingly stiff and gets stuck during turns. This is a concern of mine because at times it becomes difficult to keep in traffic lanes. The car has not been inspected by anyone.
On September 27, 2026, at approximately 90,800 miles, the body control module (BCM) in my 2020 Honda Civic Hatchback failed. Symptoms included the alarm sounding on its own, warning lights illuminating on the dash, the vehicle turning its accessories on unprompted while parked (key fob was present), the battery draining, and the key fob intermittently not being recognized.
Safety ratings
2020 Honda CIVIC 2 DR FWD
2020 Honda CIVIC 4 DR FWD
Fuel economy
EPA ratings for common configurations of the 2020 Honda Civic.
Civic 2Dr
Auto (AV-S7) · 4 cyl · 1.5 L · Turbo
Regular
Civic 2Dr
Auto (AV-S7) · 4 cyl · 2.0 L
Regular
Civic 4Dr
Auto (AV-S7) · 4 cyl · 1.5 L · Turbo
Regular
Civic 4Dr
Auto (AV-S7) · 4 cyl · 2.0 L
Regular
Other model years
Questions
How many recalls does the 2020 Honda Civic have?
NHTSA lists 5 recalls for the 2020 Honda Civic, most recently for air bags · sensor · occupant classification · front passenger (05/21/2026). Recall repairs are free at a franchised dealer. Enter your VIN to check whether a recall applies to your vehicle.
What are the most common problems with the 2020 Honda Civic?
Based on 230 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the most-reported areas are electrical system (37), unknown or other (37), steering (31).
Is the 2020 Honda Civic safe?
The 2020 Honda Civic earned a 5-star overall rating in NHTSA's 5-star safety ratings.
Is the 2020 a good year for the Honda Civic?
The 2020 ranks #4 of 14 Civic model years for fewest complaints (2012–2025), with fewer complaints than the average year (421). It has 5 recalls vs. an average of 3.5 per model year.
What gas mileage does the 2020 Honda Civic get?
EPA ratings for the 2020 Honda Civic range from 32 to 33 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain.
Own a 2020 Honda Civic in South Carolina?
Our mobile mechanics diagnose and fix the problems above at your home, office or fleet lot in Lexington, Columbia and the Midlands, with dealer-grade scan tools.
Related vehicles
Sources: NHTSA recalls, complaints and 5-Star Safety Ratings APIs; EPA fueleconomy.gov. Data retrieved October 21, 2026. NHTSA model names used: CIVIC, Civic.