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Honda · Compact · 2021–2024 Custom Search

Honda Civic FL

Weaknesses, engine ratings and buying advice

★★★★★
4.3 / 5.0 · Based on 3 engine variants · How we rate
Most Fun Engine

180 PS

Civic · Benzin

Turbo with VTEC character

Fun to Drive!
Most Reliable Engine

143–148 PS

2.0L i-MMD e:HEV Benzin

3 weaknesses

Good Choice

Generations

Engine Overview

The Honda Civic FL is available with 2 engine variants — from 126 to 193 hp.

1.5L VTEC Turbo · Petrol· 182 PS
2021 2024

The 1.5L VTEC Turbo is Honda's most important downsizing engine. The main problem is oil dilution from fuel ingress (especially 2017–2018). Honda extended the warranty.

  • !! THE Honda 1.5T issue: unburnt fuel bypasses piston rings into the oil circuit on short trips and cold starts. Oil level RISES (up to 13% fuel content documented). Class action Smith v. Honda (2022). Warranty extended 6 years. No permanent mechanical fix — Honda recommends more frequent oil changes. from 30,000 km

    THE Honda 1.5T problem: unburned fuel passes piston rings into oil on short trips/cold starts. Oil level RISES (up to 13% fuel content documented). Class action Smith v. Honda (2022). Warranty extension 6 years. No permanent mechanical fix — Honda recommends more frequent oil changes.

    Symptoms: Oil level above maximum, gas smell on dipstick/in cabin, engine stumble, power loss
    0–3,000 $
    Ad oil dilution L15B 1.5T fuel in oil12290-59B-003 spark plug NGK ILZKAR8H8S L15B
  • !! Intake valve carbon deposits from direct injection from 100,000 km

    As with all turbocharged direct injection engines, the L15B builds up carbon deposits on the intake valves. Walnut blasting every 80,000–120,000 km is recommended.

    Symptoms: Hesitation at part throttle, power loss at mid-range RPM, rough cold start
    200–600 $
    Ad walnut blasting L15B intake valves12290-59B-003 spark plug NGK ILZKAR8H8S L15B
  • !! Timing chain wear from neglected oil changes from 150,000 km

    The L15B turbo's timing chain can wear prematurely if oil change intervals are stretched or the lubricant is weakened by fuel dilution. Rattling on cold start is an early warning sign.

    Symptoms: Rattling or clattering from inside the engine on cold start, noise fades after warm-up
    600–1,800 $
    Ad 14401-59B-003 timing chain L15B14510-5BA-A01 cam chain tensioner L15B

+ 1 more engine weaknesses + vehicle weaknesses

2.0L i-MMD e:HEV · Petrol Hybrid· 143 PS
2022 2024

The 2.0L i-MMD e:HEV in the Civic FL, CR-V RW/RZ and ZR-V is a mature hybrid system without turbocharger complexity.

  • !! Temporary increased steering effort at motorway speed from 20,000 km

    In 2022–2023 CR-V and Civic FL the NHTSA investigated reports of momentarily increased steering effort at motorway speeds. Software updates can address this.

    Symptoms: Briefly increased steering effort at motorway speeds
    0–500 $
    Ad Honda CR-V steering assistHonda Civic FL power steering software
  • ! Manual valve clearance check required from 50,000 km

    The LFC1 engine has no hydraulic lifters, so valve clearance must be checked and adjusted manually at regular intervals (every 40,000–60,000 km).

    Symptoms: Ticking from the valvetrain, power loss if adjustment is overdue
    150–400 $
    Ad Honda LFC1 valve clearance adjustCR-V e:HEV valve clearance adjustment
  • ! Infotainment screen freezes or stays blank

    Owners of 2022–2023 CR-V e:HEV report sporadically freezing or blank infotainment screens. Honda is working on software updates.

    Symptoms: Infotainment screen freezes or stays blank, occasionally no image after switching on
    0–200 $
    Ad Honda CR-V infotainment fixHonda Civic FL screen freeze software update

Vehicle Weaknesses

WeaknessCost
!EPS steering sticks after warm-up — 697 NHTSA complaints

Electric power steering stiffens after warm-up. 697 NHTSA complaints for 2022 alone — the #1 FL complaint. Honda recall 23V704 only covers faulty replacement racks, not the root cause.

Symptoms: Steering feels stiff/sticky after 15–30 min driving, wheel doesn't self-center cleanly
from 43,000 km
Ad EPS steering Civic FLsteering sticking Civic 11th gen
 High
●Steering Stick-Slip Effect on the Motorway

On the motorway the steering wheel feels sluggish and overly stiff in the straight-ahead position, making small course corrections difficult. Owners and testers have documented this behaviour.

Symptoms: Steering wheel feels sluggish and overly stiff around centre at motorway speeds; small corrections require noticeably more effort than expected.
Ad steering Civic FLEPS Honda Civic 2022
 Low
NHTSA Owner Complaints
Below average
987 complaints · 2021–2024
  1. 01 Steering
    772 ⚠ 28
  2. 02 Collision Avoidance
    100 ⚠ 6
  3. 03 Lane Departure
    75 ⚠ 6
  4. 04 Electrical
    55 ⚠ 4
  5. 05 Other
    47 ⚠ 1

Top Reported Issues

⚠ Steering (772 complaints)
⚠ Collision Avoidance (100 complaints)
⚠ Lane Departure (75 complaints)
Source: NHTSA (nhtsa.gov) · 2026-03

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Known Problems and Issues +

A total of 23 weaknesses have been documented for the Honda Civic FL (2021–2024) — 10 engine-related and 13 vehicle-related. Typical issues affect Steering, Brakes, Electronics, Gearbox. Considered reliable: P10A2 (1.0L VTEC Turbo), LFC1 (2.0L i-MMD e:HEV).

Civic (L15B, 2017–2022) — Be Careful: THE Honda 1.5T issue: unburnt fuel bypasses piston rings into the oil circuit on short trips and cold starts. Oil level RISES (up to 13% fuel content documented). Class action Smith v. Honda (2022). Warranty extended 6 years. No permanent mechanical fix — Honda recommends more frequent oil changes., Intake valve carbon deposits from direct injection, Timing chain wear from neglected oil changes. Power: 182 PS.

What to watch out for with the Honda Civic? See the detailed listing of all engine and vehicle weaknesses in the sections above.

Frequently Asked Questions

What problems and weaknesses does the Honda Civic FL have? +
The Honda Civic FL has 10 known engine weaknesses and 13 vehicle weaknesses.
What should I look for when buying a used Honda Civic FL? +
faq.watch_a_solid
Which engine is recommended? +
Good choice: P10A2 (1.0L VTEC Turbo), LFC1 (2.0L i-MMD e:HEV). The most reliable engine is the LFC1 (2.0L i-MMD e:HEV) with the lowest risk score. The most fun to drive is the L15B (1.5L VTEC Turbo).
Which Honda Civic FL engine is the most reliable? +
The {code} ({displacement}) is the most reliable engine in the Honda Civic FL. It has the lowest risk score of all available engines and is rated "Good Choice". However, there are 3 known weaknesses to be aware of.
Which Honda Civic FL engine is the most fun? +
The {code} ({displacement}) offers the most driving fun in the Honda Civic FL — rated: "Fun to Drive!". {description} The 1.5 Turbo in the Civic FK7 reaches 100 km/h in 8.4 seconds and revs past 6,000 rpm. Little turbo lag thanks to an electric wastegate — a noticeably sporty character in the Civic.
Is the Honda Civic FL worth buying used? +
The Honda Civic FL is a good choice as a used car — 2 of 3 engine variants are rated 'Good Choice'.
What horsepower variants are available for the Honda Civic FL? +
The Honda Civic FL is available with engine variants from 126 to 193 hp. Petrol: P10A2 (1.0L VTEC Turbo), L15B (1.5L VTEC Turbo), LFC1 (2.0L i-MMD e:HEV).

Last updated: February 2026 · All information without guarantee