BestCarRank
Honda

2013 Honda CIVIC

Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report

Average

Quick Summary

The 2013 Honda CIVIC has 433 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 0.9x the segment average of 485. The most common issue is air bags problems (25% of all complaints), specifically: vehicle rear-ended a stopped vehicle and significant property damage occurred to vehicle's front end. but driver, wearing seat belt, was thrown forward because air bag did not open. *tr. ⚠️ 1 fire report filed.

1 fire report 32 crash reports 31 injuries

433

Total Complaints

0

Recalls Issued

5/5

Safety Stars

0.9x

vs Segment Avg

Known Problems(top 5 of 8)

AIR BAGS

110 complaints
25%
  • VEHICLE REAR-ENDED A STOPPED VEHICLE AND SIGNIFICANT PROPERTY DAMAGE OCCURRED TO VEHICLE'S FRONT END. BUT DRIVER, WEARING SEAT BELT, WAS THROWN FORWARD BECAUSE AIR BAG DID NOT OPEN. *TR
  • TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 HONDA CIVIC. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE MAKING A LEFT TURN, ANOTHER VEHICLE DROVE THROUGH A RED LIGHT AND CRASHED INTO THE FRONT OF THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE. THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT SU
  • I WAS AT A STOP AND WAS REAR-ENDED BY A FORD F350 GOING 50-55 MPH. MY CAR WAS PUSHED INTO THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME. I WAS NUMBER 2 IN A 7 CAR PILE UP. MY AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY AND MY FACE HIT THE STEERING WHEEL AND THE BACK OF MY HEAD HIT THE HEAD REST. *JS
Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500🔥 1 fire reports💥 19 crashes

VEHICLE REAR-ENDED A STOPPED VEHICLE AND SIGNIFICANT PROPERTY DAMAGE OCCURRED TO VEHICLE'S FRONT END. BUT DRIVER, WEARING SEAT BELT, WAS THROWN FORWARD BECAUSE AIR BAG DID NOT OPEN. *TR

— NHTSA complaint filing

When Problems Appear on the 2013 Honda CIVIC

Based on 262 owner complaints that included an odometer reading. Median mileage at time of complaint: 23K miles. Most complaints cluster in the 0-30K miles range.

Overall complaint distribution by mileage
0-30K
147
30-60K
51
60-100K
50
100-150K
12
150-200K
0
200K+
2

ELECTRICAL

In line with typicalmedian 35K mi · 23 reports
0-30K
10
30-60K
5
60-100K
5
100-150K
2
150-200K
0
200K+
1

BRAKES

In line with typicalmedian 15K mi · 21 reports
0-30K
14
30-60K
4
60-100K
2
100-150K
1
150-200K
0
200K+
0

STEERING

In line with typicalmedian 25K mi · 21 reports
0-30K
11
30-60K
4
60-100K
6
100-150K
0
150-200K
0
200K+
0

SPEED CONTROL

In line with typicalmedian 6K mi · 19 reports
0-30K
15
30-60K
2
60-100K
2
100-150K
0
150-200K
0
200K+
0

ENGINE

In line with typicalmedian 13K mi · 16 reports
0-30K
10
30-60K
4
60-100K
1
100-150K
1
150-200K
0
200K+
0

OTHER

In line with typicalmedian 27K mi · 16 reports
0-30K
8
30-60K
3
60-100K
4
100-150K
1
150-200K
0
200K+
0

Mileage figures are self-reported by owners in NHTSA complaint filings. Peak bucket = the mileage range with the most complaints for that component; it reflects when owners noticed and reported problems, not necessarily when the fault first occurred.

High theft risk

#13 most stolen in 2025

The Honda CIVIC was the #13 most-stolen vehicle in the United States in 2025, with approximately 7,900 thefts reported to law enforcement.

Notes: Popular for tuning; older models targeted

Recommended protection: engine immobilizer verification, steering wheel lock, GPS tracker, and comprehensive insurance coverage. Higher theft risk usually translates to higher comprehensive-coverage insurance premiums.

Source: NICB Hot Wheels 2025 report + HLDI theft loss studies. Model-year ranking; not all years of this model have identical risk.

Fuel Cost Calculator for 2013 Honda CIVIC

Live EIA prices
Per year
$1,656
Per month
$138
Per mile
13.8¢
MPG
29
City driving (worst-case MPG)
$2,182/yr
Highway driving (best-case MPG)
$1,231/yr

Based on EPA fuel-economy ratings and EIA weekly retail prices (2026-07-20). Real-world cost varies with driving style, trim/engine, terrain, and traffic.

5-Year Gas Price History

EIA weekly retail data · 2021 → today
Current
$4.00
5-year low
$2.78
5-year high
$5.01
Since 2021
+27%

Source: US Energy Information Administration weekly retail gasoline prices.

Estimated Insurance Cost for 2013 Honda CIVIC

Estimate only, not a quote. Modeled from NAIC + HLDI averages for a hypothetical 35-year-old driver with clean record + full coverage. Your actual quote depends heavily on your age, driving history, credit, ZIP code, and insurer.
Full coverage / year
$1,548
Full coverage / month
$129
Liability only / year
$565
vs US avg
-8%
How this estimate is calculated
US base full-coverage premium$1674
× state (US)1.00x
× vehicle class (sedan-compact)0.93x
× theft risk1.15x
× safety rating0.94x
× vehicle age0.92x
= Full coverage estimate$1548

Coverage assumed: 100/300/100 liability + comprehensive/collision, $500 deductibles. Data sources: NAIC 2024 + HLDI loss studies.

Maintenance & Warranty

Recommended Honda CIVIC Service Intervals

Oil change
8K mi / 12 mo
Tire rotation
8K mi
Brake fluid
36 months
Transmission fluid
30K mi
Engine coolant
60K mi
Spark plugs
100K mi
Cabin air filter
15K mi
Engine air filter
30K mi
Differential (AWD/4WD)
30K mi

Maintenance Minder shows exact intervals based on your driving. CVT-equipped models (Civic, HR-V, Accord Hybrid) need CVT fluid service, not conventional ATF.

"Severe service" conditions (heavy towing, extreme temps, city stop-and-go) typically halve these intervals. Always consult your vehicle's owner's manual for the authoritative schedule.

Honda New-Vehicle Warranty Coverage

Bumper-to-bumper (basic)
3 yr / 36K mi
Powertrain
5 yr / 60K mi
Hybrid/EV battery
8 yr / 100K mi
Corrosion (rust perforation)
5 yr / unlimited mi
Roadside assistance
3 yr / 36K mi

These are the terms for a new Honda. If you're buying a used 2013 CIVIC, remaining coverage is usually pro-rated from the vehicle's original in-service date. Not all coverage transfers between owners — check with a Honda dealer for VIN-specific remaining warranty.

Estimated Repair Costs

AIR BAGS(~50K mi)
$500
ELECTRICAL(~50K mi)
$500
BRAKES(~50K mi)
$500
STEERING(~50K mi)
$500
OTHER(~50K mi)
$500

Estimates based on average reported repair costs. Actual costs vary by location, shop, and severity.

🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist

Based on 433 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:

  • AIR BAGS: VEHICLE REAR-ENDED A STOPPED VEHICLE AND SIGNIFICANT PROPERTY DAMAGE OCCURRED TO VEHICLE'S FRONT END. BUT DRIVER, WEARING SEAT BELT, WAS THROWN FORWARD BECAUSE AIR BAG DID NOT OPEN. *TR

    Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500

  • ELECTRICAL: MY 2013 HONDA CIVIC EXL THE ACCELERATOR FAILED TO RESPOND TO ACCELERATION .THE VEHICLE ERRONEOUSLY DECELERATED WHILE THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER . THE CAR WAS CHECKED OUT THEY COULDN T FIND THE FAULT. THE FAILURE STARTED @ 300 MILES. AND BEEN DOIN

    Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500

  • BRAKES: I BOUGHT A NEW CAR AN DRIVING AT 245 MILES I FELT RUBBING FEEL WITH BRAKES TOOK CAR BACK TO HONDA SERVICE! HONDA ROAD TESTED VEHICLE AN CONFIRMED THERE WAS A PROBLEM, REMOVED PADS CLEANED AN REINSTALLED. RETURNED CAR SAME DAY, THIS WAS DONE AT 376 MILES. SAME ISSUE ON FEBRUARY 1,2013 2 WEEKS LATE

    Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500

  • STEERING: I WAS DRIVING AT 30 MPH AND WANTED TO TURN LEFT WHEN THE STEERING WHEEL GOT STIFF , THE NOTICE ON THE DASH BOARD SAID: "CHECK THE POWER STEERING SYSTEM"AND I COULD NOT CONTROL THE WHEEL. I PANICKED AND TRIED HARD TO TURN THE WHEEL. I WAS ABLE TO TURN LEFT WITH A LOT OF DIFFICULTY AND I STOPPED THE

    Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500

  • General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)

NHTSA Safety Rating

Overall
Frontal
Side
Rollover

At a Glance

Complaints
433
Recalls
0
Fire reports
1
Crash reports
32
Injury reports
31
Segment avg
485

Check a Specific VIN

See recalls for YOUR 2013 Honda CIVIC