The Lemon Index2010 Honda Civic.
The 2010 Honda Civic is one of the most reliable years by owner complaints: 131 complaints in its first 3 years and a Lemon Index of 44, where 100 is the average car. Owners complain most about brakes, it has 8 recalls, and it gets 24 to 42 mpg combined. The best Honda Civic year is 2011.
Before you buy. What matters most for this car.
How serious. Out of 412 owner complaints, owners reported:
Every Honda Civic year. 2010 is highlighted. Lower is better.
What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.
Share of this year's owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not the share of cars that break. One complaint can name more than one area.
When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.
Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 18K to 65K miles on the car (272 complaints listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
- airbags complaints mostly came at 25K–101K miles
- brakes complaints mostly came at 17K–40K miles
- body structure complaints mostly came at 25K–97K miles
Recalls 8
- airbags 2019
The vehicles are equipped with passenger frontal air bag inflators assembled as a recall remedy part or replacement service part, that may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high …
- airbags 2019
The front passenger air bag inflator may have been installed incorrectly during replacement.
- airbags 2018
An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Show all 8 recalls
- airbags 2018
The front passenger air bag may have been installed incorrectly during replacement.
- airbags 2018
An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
- airbags 2017
One dealership may have incorrectly installed the replacement air bag inflators.
- airbags 2017
An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
- airbags 2016
An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.
Problems Honda told dealers about
Honda sent dealers 52 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- The horn intermittently sounds when driving or while turning the steering wheel
- The engine shuts off, power on, but in accessory; never use conventional wheel & tire assemblies
- On some model vehicles, there is an alternator/starter tester (ast) module capable of testing
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Safety
Crash stars (older test): front ★★★★★ · side ★★★★☆ · rollover ★★★★☆
Fuel cost and engines
About $1550–3300 a year in fuel (EPA estimate). Engines: 1.3L 4-cyl, 1.8L 4-cyl, 2.0L 4-cyl.
In owners' words
I had to replace my front brakes on my 2010 Civic, only 15,000 miles on it. I've had cars prior to this one and have never had a problem like this. The brake system is wrong and dangerous!
2010 Honda Civic owner · NHTSA complaint 10465317
More owner reports
I have a 2010 Honda Civic that I leased in may of 2010. It is now january 3, 2013 and I have changed the brakes 3 times already. There is definitely a problem with the brakes wearing too immaturely.
NHTSA complaint 10490941
Front brakes at 3mm after 17,000 miles. Strongly recommend an investigation on this issue, a huge safety concern and consumers paying out of pocket. Something is not right. Please investigate.
NHTSA complaint 10512664
Quick answers
Is the 2010 Honda Civic reliable?
Yes, it is one of the most reliable by government complaints. It drew 2.3× fewer complaints than average filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 44; 100 is average, lower is better). The best Honda Civic year by this measure is 2011.
What are the most common 2010 Honda Civic problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are brakes (29%), brakes (18%) and steering (9%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2010 Honda Civic have?
8 safety recalls (latest: airbags). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2010 Honda Civic get?
24 to 42 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
At what mileage do 2010 Honda Civic problems start?
Half of the owners who gave a mileage reported the problem between 18,000 and 65,200 miles. The middle report was at 40,000 miles, from 272 complaints.
Does the 2010 Honda Civic have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues aren't among its top 5 complaint areas.
How much does the 2010 Honda Civic cost in fuel a year?
About $1550 to $3300 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2010 Honda Civic have?
1.3L 4-cyl, 1.8L 4-cyl, 2.0L 4-cyl.
What Honda Civic year is better than the 2010?
By owner complaints per car sold, the best recent years are 2011, 2013 and 2015.
Lemon Index = safety complaints filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) in a car's first 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model year. 100 is average; lower is better. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works