Honda Civic

N16A 1.6L i-DTEC 120 hp Manual Front-wheel drive Hatchback 2018–2019

✔ Good Choice

Engine N16A ✔ Good Choice 3,200–9,100 €

Earth Dreams 1.6L i-DTEC diesel. Honda issued a service bulletin in 2018 for camshaft and cylinder head issues. The DPF is considered relatively trouble-free. Many owners report problem-free mileages above 150,000 km with correct servicing.

Fun Factor? Decent

Efficient, but Comfort-Oriented

300 Nm provides decent thrust from 2,000 rpm. Below 2,000 rpm there is noticeable turbo lag. The Civic i-DTEC shines on fuel consumption — efficiency before driving fun is the mantra.

Engine Weaknesses 3

!! Camshaft / cylinder head issues (service bulletin)

Honda issued an internal service bulletin in 2018 for cylinder head issues. Affected vehicles received a complete cylinder head replacement under goodwill. Shorter oil change intervals reduce the risk.

Symptoms: Ticking or rattling from the engine area, power loss, elevated oil consumption

1,500–4,000 € from 130,000 km

Ad cylinder head Honda 1.6 DTEC camshaft N16A1

!! DPF clogging in urban use

Despite improved DPF management over the N22A, the filter can clog in predominantly urban use where exhaust temperatures are not high enough for regeneration. Automatic models reportedly show fewer DPF issues.

Symptoms: DPF warning light, forced regeneration, power loss

600–1,500 € from 120,000 km

Ad DPF Honda CR-V 1.6 DTEC particulate filter N16A

! MAF sensor failure (limp mode)

Faulty MAF sensors have been reported around 100,000–126,000 km, putting the engine into limp mode. The part costs around €40; diagnosis and fitting add to the total.

Symptoms: Engine limp mode, warning light, significantly reduced power and top speed

200–350 € from 110,000 km

Ad MAF sensor Honda CR-V 1.6 DTEC MAF sensor N16A1

Vehicle Weaknesses 5

!! HVAC Air Conditioning Failure

Several owners report failed air conditioning systems requiring complete replacement. Problem mainly occurs after 80,000–100,000 km.

500–1,500 € from 90,000 km

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!! Body Water Ingress into Boot

Known problem: water enters the boot. The cause is leaking seals around the tailgate.

100–400 € from 50,000 km

Ad boot seal Civic FK7 water ingress Civic X

!! Rust Rust on Suspension Components

Owners report rust forming on suspension components after just 1–2 years. Affects models from 2018–2019 with unfavourable winter use involving road salt.

200–800 € from 60,000 km

Ad suspension rust Civic FK7 control arm rust Honda Civic X

! Electronics False Alarms from Front Parking Sensors

The front parking sensors trigger false warnings in heavy rain even when no obstacle is present.

100–400 € from 30,000 km

Ad parking sensor Civic FK7 PDC false alarm Honda Civic 2017

! Interior Interior Creaks and Rattles

Owners describe annoying creaks and rattles from the interior that cannot be permanently resolved despite repeated workshop visits.

0–150 € from 50,000 km

Ad creaking noise interior Civic FK7

Reports & Tests

nhtsa_complaints NHTSA Complaint Summary 2026-03

Below Average

2702 owner complaints filed with NHTSA (2017–2022). Most reported: Steering (1253), Other (380), Electrical (272).