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2012 Honda

Civic

Auto 5-spd, 4 cyl, 1.8 L

Honda Civic: best and worst years
2012 Honda Civic

Photo may show a different model year; you're viewing the 2012.

PhotoOWS PhotographyCC BY 4.0Wikimedia Commons

Overview

Body
Compact CarsEPA, from EPA, last updated 6/11/2026
Drivetrain
Front-Wheel DriveEPA, from EPA, last updated 6/11/2026
Transmission
Automatic 5-spdEPA, from EPA, last updated 6/11/2026
Powertrain
GasEPA, from EPA, last updated 6/11/2026
Fuel
RegularEPA, from EPA, last updated 6/11/2026

Engine & performance

HP
140
Power to weight
0.050 hp/lb
Axle ratio
4.44
Cyl
4EPA, from EPA, last updated 6/11/2026
Aspiration
Naturally aspiratedEPA, from EPA, last updated 6/11/2026

Efficiency

MPG Hwy
38 mpgEPA, from EPA, last updated 6/11/2026
MPG City
28 mpgEPA, from EPA, last updated 6/11/2026
MPG Comb
31 mpgEPA, from EPA, last updated 6/11/2026
Fuel $/yr
$2,000EPA, from EPA, last updated 6/11/2026
Smog score
5/10
Elec. Range
0 miEPA, from EPA, last updated 6/11/2026
Real-world MPG
33.7 mpg, reported by 58 driversabout 2.7 mpg above the EPA combined estimate
SmartWay certified
Yes

Dimensions & capacity

Length
177 inNHTSA vPIC, from NHTSA vPIC, last updated 6/5/2026
Width
69 inNHTSA vPIC, from NHTSA vPIC, last updated 6/5/2026
Height
57 inNHTSA vPIC, from NHTSA vPIC, last updated 6/5/2026
Wheelbase
105 inNHTSA vPIC, from NHTSA vPIC, last updated 6/5/2026
Curb Weight
2,793 lbNHTSA vPIC, from NHTSA vPIC, last updated 6/5/2026
Pass. Vol
95 ft³EPA, from EPA, last updated 6/11/2026
Cargo Vol
12 ft³EPA, from EPA, last updated 6/11/2026

Safety NHTSA, model year

Overall crash rating
★★★★
Rollover rating
★★★★
Stability control (ESC)
Standard
Forward-collision warning
No
Lane-departure warning
No
Recalls
3
Owner complaints
452
Reported injuries
41
Theft rate
0.7 per 1,000 produced (CY 2012 federal data)

Reported problems NHTSA owner complaints, model year

  • AIR BAGS24%
  • STEERING12%
  • ELECTRICAL SYSTEM10%
  • POWER TRAIN8%
  • VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL6%
  • STRUCTURE6%

Source: NHTSA owner complaints, 613 total.

Honda Civic: best and worst years

Federal investigations NHTSA defect investigations, model year

  • DP22005opened Jan 27, 2023ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:PROPULSION SYSTEM

    Pedestrian alert sounds

  • EA21002Openopened Sep 17, 2021AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

    Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture

  • EA19001opened Apr 19, 2019AIR BAGS: AIR BAG/RESTRAINT CONTROL MODULE

    Electrical overstress

Known issues manufacturer service bulletins, model year

64 service bulletins filed with NHTSA for this model year

  • Jun 24, 2021ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLINGONL6BD06242021

    Owner Notification Letter - Our records indicate that a EMISSIONS RECALL has not been completed on this vehicle (Vehicle Identification Number XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX). Under certain circumstances, your vehicle's powertrain control module (PCM) may not properly adjust the air-fuel ratio resulting in your vehicle releasing air pollutants which exceed California and Federal standards. In addition, your vehicle is equipped with an improperly functioning on-board emission-related diagnostic system that vi

  • Feb 25, 2021ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLINGONLH9802252021

    Owner Notification Letter - This warranty only covers vehicles that have a defective motor power inverter, also known as intelligent inverter unit. The motor power inverter may fail over time due to a defective solder joint. This failure will result in the charging system, PGM-FI system, and IMA system warning lights coming on. The decreased power supply to the 12-volt battery can lead to a series of system malfunctions.

  • Dec 18, 2020ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLINGABOM12182020901

    Dealer Message - Today, December 18, 2020, American Honda is announcing a warranty extension for certain 2012-2015 Civic Hybrid vehicles. This warranty extension covers the intelligent inverter unit (IIU) to address possible concerns of various warning lights turning on and diminishing electric motor power, braking or steering assistance control. American Honda is extending the warranty coverage of the IIU to 15 years from the original date of purchase or 150,000 miles, whichever comes first.

  • Dec 18, 2020EQUIPMENTA20-030

    "Service Bulletin - The Motor Power Inverter (MPI), also known as the Intelligent Inverter Unit (IIU), may fail over time due to a defective solder joint. This failure may result in one or more of the following DTC(s): -P1440 (MPI Module Output Circuit Malfunction) -P1437 (MPI Module Short Circuit) -P15A5 (Motor Current Sensor Circuit Malfunction) -P0A78 (MPI Module Internal Circuit Malfunction) -P0AE1 (Bypass Contractor Malfunction) -P0A3C (Motor Control Module (MCM) Overheating) -P0A3F

  • Oct 31, 2019ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLINGONL6BD10312019

    Owner Notification Letter - Under certain circumstances, your vehicle's powertrain control module (PCM) may not properly adjust the air-fuel ratio resulting in your vehicle releasing air pollutants which exceed California and Federal standards. In addition, your vehicle is equipped with an improperly functioning on-board emission-related diagnostic system that violates California and Federal standards and regulations.

  • Sep 24, 2019POWER TRAINABOM09242019

    Dealer Message - Today, September 24, 2019, American Honda is announcing a stop sale and emissions recall for certain 2012 Civic vehicles that may be releasing air pollutants that exceed applicable state and federal standards.

  • Sep 24, 2019POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:CONTROL MODULE (TCM/PCM/TECM)A19-106

    Service Bulletin - Due to an improper PCM calibration, after starting the engine the PCM cannot properly adjust the air-fuel ratio under certain conditions and the on-board emission-related diagnostic system may not appropriately detect a malfuction. As a result, vehicle emissions may exceed applicable emissions standards and the vehicle contains an improperly functioning on-board emission-related diagnostic system that violates applicable state and federal standards.

  • Sep 24, 2019POWER TRAINA17-023

    Service Bulletin - Due to an improper PCM calibration, under certain conditions after starting the engine the PCM cannot properly adjust the air-fuel ratio. As a result, vehicle emissions may exceed applicable standards.

  • and 56 more

Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications (technical service bulletins).

Warranty manufacturer terms, by make

Basic
3 yr / 36k mi
Powertrain
5 yr / 60k mi
Roadside assistance
3 yr / 36k mi
EV battery
8 yr / 100k mi

Information is gathered on a best-effort basis from public sources, may be incomplete or out of date, and is not purchasing or financial advice. Verify with the manufacturer or dealer before buying.