Is the 2020 Honda CIVIC reliable?

The 2020 Honda CIVIC has 288 complaints filed with NHTSA (0.6x the segment average). Our reliability verdict: above-average. Most common issue: OTHER problems.

What are common problems with the 2020 Honda CIVIC?

Top problems: OTHER (39 complaints, avg repair $500); ELECTRICAL (34 complaints, avg repair $500); TRANSMISSION (31 complaints, avg repair $500). Issues typically appear around 50K miles.

Are there any recalls on the 2020 Honda CIVIC?

Yes, there are 5 recall(s): FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:MASTER CYLINDER, FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP, AIR BAGS:SENSOR:OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION:FRONT PASSENGER, AIR BAGS:SENSOR:OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION:FRONT PASSENGER. Contact any Honda dealer to verify if recalls have been completed on your specific vehicle.

How much does it cost to fuel a 2020 Honda CIVIC?

The 2020 Honda CIVIC gets 32 MPG combined. At current US average gas prices, driving 12,000 miles per year costs roughly $1500. See the interactive fuel cost calculator on this page for state-specific pricing.

How much does it cost to insure a 2020 Honda CIVIC?

Estimated US average full-coverage insurance for the 2020 Honda CIVIC is approximately $1,683/year (sedan-compact class). Actual quotes vary heavily by state, driver age, driving record, and credit — see the interactive insurance estimator on this page for state-specific pricing.

2020 Honda CIVIC

Q: Is the 2020 Honda CIVIC often stolen?

The Honda CIVIC was the #13 most-stolen vehicle in the United States in 2025 with approximately 7,900 thefts (NICB Hot Wheels data). Theft risk tier: high.

Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report

Above Average

Quick Summary

The 2020 Honda CIVIC has 288 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 0.6x the segment average of 485. The most common issue is other problems (14% of all complaints), specifically: my car was broken into while parked in a public parking lot. the 2020 civic has a feature where all windows roll down if you put the key into the driver's door lock and turn it to the right. according to honda of oakland service center, someone used a screwdriver to activate this feature, which in t. There are 5 recalls issued for this model year. ⚠️ 2 fire reports filed.

2 fire reports 19 crash reports 16 injuries

288

Total Complaints

Recalls Issued

5/5

Safety Stars

0.6x

vs Segment Avg

Known Problems(top 5 of 8)

OTHER

39 complaints

14%

• MY CAR WAS BROKEN INTO WHILE PARKED IN A PUBLIC PARKING LOT. THE 2020 CIVIC HAS A FEATURE WHERE ALL WINDOWS ROLL DOWN IF YOU PUT THE KEY INTO THE DRIVER'S DOOR LOCK AND TURN IT TO THE RIGHT. ACCORDING TO HONDA OF OAKLAND SERVICE CENTER, SOMEONE USED A SCREWDRIVER TO ACTIVATE THIS FEATURE, WHICH IN T
• (SUN) MOON ROOF SPONTANEOUSLY EXPLODED WITHOUT CONTACT FROM A FOREIGN OBJECT WHILE TRAVELING AT HIGHWAY SPEED. ADDITIONAL DAMAGE CAUSED TO ROOF & TRUNK EXTERIOR PAINT. NO POLICE OR ACCIDENT REPORT WAS FILED. CONTACTED DEALERSHIP FOR WARRANTY CLAIM AND THEY DIRECTED ME TO MY AUTO INSURANCE PROVIDER.
• TRAVELING ALONG A FREEWAY ON A CLEAR DAY, IN FREE FLOWING TRAFFIC, THE ROAD DEPARTURE MITIGATION SYSTEM ENGAGED APPLYING THE BRAKES UNNECESSARILY, LIKELY DUE TO OLD LANE MARKINGS. MY DASHCAM RECORDING SHOWS THE VEHICLE WAS IN NOT IN ANYWAY AT RISK OF DEPARTING THE LANE, OR THE ROAD AND THE SYSTEM

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500🔥 1 fire reports💥 3 crashes

“MY CAR WAS BROKEN INTO WHILE PARKED IN A PUBLIC PARKING LOT. THE 2020 CIVIC HAS A FEATURE WHERE ALL WINDOWS ROLL DOWN IF YOU PUT THE KEY INTO THE DRIVER'S DOOR LOCK AND TURN IT TO THE RIGHT. ACCORDING TO HONDA OF OAKLAND SERVICE CENTER, SOMEONE USED A SCREWDRIVER TO ACTIVATE THIS FEATURE, WHICH IN T”

— NHTSA complaint filing

When Problems Appear on the 2020 Honda CIVIC

Based on 65 owner complaints that included an odometer reading. Median mileage at time of complaint: 12K miles. Most complaints cluster in the 0-30K miles range.

Overall complaint distribution by mileage

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

ELECTRICAL

In line with typicalmedian 6K mi · 10 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

OTHER

In line with typicalmedian 12K mi · 9 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

TRANSMISSION

In line with typicalmedian 8K mi · 8 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

VISIBILITY

In line with typicalmedian 26K mi · 7 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

BRAKES

In line with typicalmedian 20K mi · 5 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

FUEL SYSTEM

In line with typicalmedian 41K mi · 5 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

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.

Recalls (5)

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP25/03/2021

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.

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 2020 Honda CIVIC

Live EIA prices

Annual miles driven: 12,000

Your state (affects local gasoline price)

Per year

$1,500

Per month

$125

Per mile

12.5¢

MPG

City driving (worst-case MPG)

$1,920/yr

Highway driving (best-case MPG)

$1,143/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

Show:

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 2020 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.

Your state (affects local premium average)

Full coverage / year

$1,683

Full coverage / month

$140

Liability only / year

$565

vs US avg

+1%

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 age1.00x

= Full coverage estimate$1683

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 2020 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.

Videos About the 2020 Honda CIVIC

Videos hosted on YouTube — embedded via official player

Is the 2020 Honda Civic Sport the BETTER car to BUY than a Corolla?

Raiti's RidesSep 2020

2020 Civic LX Review & Drive | Base Model Honda Civic!

Prime AutotainmentJun 2020

The 2020 Honda Civic Hatch Remains The Best Driving Affordable Small Car, Period.

Redline ReviewsDec 2019

Is this 2020 Honda Civic the BEST value & MOST reliable compact car?

Raiti's RidesDec 2019

2020 Honda Civic review – better than a VW Golf? | What Car?

What Car?Dec 2019

Videos are hosted on YouTube and embedded here via YouTube's official player. BestCarRank does not host or produce these videos. Watch counts and channel information are pulled from YouTube's public Data API.

Estimated Repair Costs

OTHER(~50K mi)

$500

ELECTRICAL(~50K mi)

$500

TRANSMISSION(~50K mi)

$500

FUEL SYSTEM(~50K mi)

$500

DRIVER ASSIST/CAMERAS(~50K mi)

$500

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

🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist

Based on 288 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:

☐
OTHER: MY CAR WAS BROKEN INTO WHILE PARKED IN A PUBLIC PARKING LOT. THE 2020 CIVIC HAS A FEATURE WHERE ALL WINDOWS ROLL DOWN IF YOU PUT THE KEY INTO THE DRIVER'S DOOR LOCK AND TURN IT TO THE RIGHT. ACCORDING TO HONDA OF OAKLAND SERVICE CENTER, SOMEONE USED A SCREWDRIVER TO ACTIVATE THIS FEATURE, WHICH IN T
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
ELECTRICAL: OVER 4 WEEKS AGO, 2 WEEKS AFTER LEASING THE 2020 CAR, THE DASHBOARD STARTED TO DISPLAY NUMEROUS ERROR MESSAGES. THE CAR WAS EVALUATED AT THE DEALER, HONDA OF FREEHOLD, NJ, AND I WAS TOLD THAT A CERTAIN MODULE FAILED. SOON THEREAFTER A TIRE WARNING LIGHT ALSO STARTED TO DISPLAY AND ONCE AGAIN THE DEA
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
TRANSMISSION: TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2020 HONDA CIVIC. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH AND ATTEMPTING TO ACCELERATE, THE VEHICLE SURGED FORWARD. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE OCCURRED TWICE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO ATLANTIC HONDA (1375 SUNRISE HWY, BAY SHORE, NY 11706) WHERE IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE F
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
FUEL SYSTEM: I WAS DRIVING MY CAR FROM BENICIA,CALIFORNIA TO SACRAMENTO AND 20 MINS AWAY FROM MY DESTINATION MY CAR WARNING LIGHTS ALL TURNED ON AND I WENT FROM GOING 70 TO ONLY BEING ABLE TO GO NO MORE THAN 15. GOT IT TOWED TO HONDA AND FOUND OUT MY HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP WAS BAD. LOOK IT UP AND SEEN THAT MANY
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
RECALLS: Verify all 5 recalls have been completed — free at any Honda dealer
☐
General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)