Honda Civic
1.3L i-DSI with 2 spark plugs per cylinder (8 in total), which raises servicing costs. EGR valve carbon build-up is the most common problem. CVT gearbox with wrong factory oil is a frequent cause of shudder on shifts.
City king with no motorway gene
1.3 i-DSI in the Jazz: complex but refined. Agile and nimble in town; hills and overtaking make it pant. Adequate for small-car city life, nothing more.
Engine Weaknesses 3
The EGR valve can stick open due to carbon deposits, causing excessive exhaust gas recirculation, hesitation, and stalling at idle. Regular cleaning is recommended.
Symptoms: Hesitation or stalling at idle, increased fuel consumption, rough idle
Honda filled the CVT from the factory with ATF-Z1, which has since been superseded by ATF-DW1. The wrong fluid causes judder on pull-away. Regular fluid changes with DW-1 fix the problem.
Symptoms: Judder or vibration when pulling away from a standstill, jerky CVT power delivery
The i-DSI system uses 2 spark plugs per cylinder (8 total). Maintenance costs at spark plug replacement intervals are twice as high as on a standard 4-cylinder engine.
Symptoms: Rough running, misfires, noticeable judder during the warm-up phase
Vehicle Weaknesses 4
On 2014–2015 models metal shavings in the ABS control unit can impair brake pressure. Honda carried out an official recall; check vehicles with a dealer before purchase.
The rear brake calipers tend to seize, especially on city cars used predominantly for short trips. Regular maintenance and lubrication are essential.
The 9th-generation Civic frequently receives lighting-related defects at the MOT. Headlights, rear lights, and fog lights should be checked regularly.
Owners report loud wind and tyre noise at motorway speeds that becomes tiring over time. Sound insulation measures were rated as insufficient.
Reports & Tests
2992 owner complaints filed with NHTSA (2012–2017). Most reported: Steering (699), Other (553), Airbags (411).