Pre-purchase inspection checklist — 2016 Honda Civic
The 2016 Honda Civic has a significant number of owner complaints, particularly regarding steering issues. It also has several recalls, notably for the parking brake and engine. Despite potential reliability, verifying these areas during inspection is crucial due to limited recall effectiveness. Approach this model with care and investigate known issues thoroughly before purchase.
NHTSA data on file today
The 2016 Honda Civic has 5 NHTSA recall campaigns and 1,082 owner complaints on file as of . Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.
NCAP overall rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars, averaged across 2 NHTSA-tested trims.
Recall campaigns on file
- NHTSA #26V332000 Air Bags May Deploy Unintentionally During a Crash NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #23V858000 Fuel Pump May Fail NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #16V725000 Parking Brake may not Apply Just After Key Off NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #16V526000 Side Marker Lights may not Function/FMVSS 108 NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #16V074000 Piston Wrist Pin Circlips may not be Secured NHTSA notice
Most-cited components in owner complaints
- Steering 446 complaints
- Unknown or Other 253 complaints
- Electrical System 119 complaints
- Engine 95 complaints
- Service Brakes 92 complaints
- Structure 48 complaints
Of the 1,082 complaints on file, 36 report a crash and 4 a fire; across all 1,082 complaints, owners report 16 injuries (owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA).
Known issues to inspect
Loose or unresponsive steering
How to check: Test for steering play or delay when turning
Potential piston assembly failure
How to check: Listen for unusual noises from the engine
Electric parking brake may not engage
How to check: Test the parking brake after turning off ignition
Test-drive walkthrough
- 01
Cold start
What to check: Listen for unusual engine noises
Red flag: Persistent knocking sounds
- 02
First minute idling
What to check: Check electrical functions for reliability
Red flag: Multiple electrical failures
- 03
City driving
What to check: Monitor steering response closely
Red flag: Loose or delayed steering feel
- 04
Highway acceleration
What to check: Ensure smooth engine performance
Red flag: Hesitation or strange noises
- 05
Braking at stop
What to check: Test parking brake engagement
Red flag: Parking brake fails to engage
Questions for the seller
Use this exact phrasing.
- Has the steering been inspected or repaired?
- Have any recall issues been addressed?
- Are there any ongoing electrical issues?
- Has the engine exhibited any unusual noises?
- Has the parking brake been tested and fixed?
Documents to request
Don't sign anything until you have these.
- Proof of recall repairs
- Maintenance records
- Title and registration
- Warranty information
- Accident history report
Generated by gpt-4o on from the NHTSA recall campaigns and owner-complaint counts on file for the 2016 Honda Civic at the time. AI output can be wrong; confirm anything you find with a mechanic.
Next step
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