Honda Civic
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.
Efficiency Meets Driving Enjoyment
The Civic e:HEV combines quiet EV feel in town with a dynamic driving character. Sport mode provides real punch, and the chassis balances comfort and sportiness convincingly.
Engine Weaknesses 3
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
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
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
Vehicle Weaknesses 12
Recall affecting around 176,000 Civics from 2022–2024: incorrectly calibrated power steering racks can cause tyres to rub against suspension components and sustain damage.
Faulty machining can cause cracks in the high-pressure fuel pump. Risk of fuel leakage and fire. Affects 2021–2024 Civics.
The improved CVT of the 11th generation is more reliable than its predecessor but sensitive to missed fluid changes. Honda HCF-2 fluid must be changed every 40,000–60,000 km.
KBA reference 14201R: the software for the multi-purpose camera on the windscreen can restrict the adaptive cruise control. Affects around 17,000 vehicles from model year 2023.
The aluminium negative terminal can corrode through contact with the electrolyte, leading to material degradation. EU recall for model years 2022–2023.
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.
The rear brake discs are not contacted by the pads on their outer running surface and rust there quickly. Typical e:HEV problem due to regenerative braking.
The infotainment system is considered outdated compared to the competition. Occasional freezing issues and an old-fashioned navigation system are criticised by owners.
Regenerative braking reduces the use of the mechanical friction brakes so much that the rear brake discs are barely worn down. Rust forms on the outer edge after as little as 1,000 km.
The lane keep assist intervenes multiple times on some days and not at all on others at the same spot. Unreliable in wet weather and with poor lane markings.
The rubber seal between the windscreen and roof edge can come loose. Besides squeaking, moisture ingress can lead to rust in the roof.
The rubber seal on the driver's window produces annoying whistling and wind noise at motorway speeds. A misaligned plastic strip at the lower corner is often the cause.
Reports & Tests
987 owner complaints filed with NHTSA (2021–2024). Most reported: Steering (772), Collision Avoidance (100), Lane Departure (75).