Honda Civic Type R FK2
Weaknesses, engine ratings and buying advice
The Honda Civic Type R FK2 (2015–2017) was a revolution — first turbo Type R, Nürburgring 7:50, K20C1 with 228 kW/310 PS. Europe/Japan only, never sold in the US. Limited and sought-after.
FK2 main topic: intercooler heat-soak — on aggressive driving or track days, stock intercooler overheats, engine enters limp mode. Probability 4 on track. Aftermarket intercooler as fix ($660–1,320). Second: 2nd/3rd gear synchro — crunches cold. Gearbox oil every 30,000 km.
Helical LSD clicks at full lock — some noise is normal. Tyres 235/35 R19 wear under 15,000 km on spirited driving. Brembo caliper lacquer peels — Honda denies warranty.
Test-drive checklist: Cold gearbox 2nd→3rd (crunch?), full throttle on motorway (heat-soak after 3 hard pulls?), LSD at full lock, adaptive dampers comfort vs +R.
2026 market: With 30,000 miles $30,800–39,600. Under 20,000 miles $38,500–49,500. Trend: stable to rising. Insider pick: Championship White, unmodified, with service book.
Generations
Engine Overview
The Honda Civic Type R FK2 is available with one engine variant at 310 hp.
2.0-litre VTEC Turbo, 306-329 hp — Honda proved VTEC and forced induction belong together. The K20C1 does not scream like the old NA VTEC: instead of wailing to 8,200, it delivers a broader, bassier turbo hit to 7,000. Purists mourn; everyone else just grins. 400 Nm from 2,500 rpm makes daily driving easier than any NA Type R ever was. The 6-speed across all generations (FK2, FK8, FL5) is the most praised element — widely called the best manual gearbox on sale. FK8 long-term test: 80,000 km, zero failures. Wastegate rattle on cold start is normal. FL5 fixes the FK8 2nd-gear grinding issue. Tuning: Stage 1 gets 350+ hp.
- !! Fuel pump recall 2018/2019 FK8
2018–2019 FK8 fuel pumps with low-density plastic impellers can swell and deform. Engine won't start or dies while driving. Check VIN status with Honda. NHTSA Recall 20V314.
Symptoms: Engine won't start or stalls while driving, P0087 fault code, erratic power under load - !! 3rd/4th gear synchro failure under track use from 80,000 km
FK8/FK2 cars used on track show 3rd and 4th gear failure. Gearbox damage has been documented even at slightly elevated power levels. Honda replaced units under warranty in the US.
Symptoms: Grinding or crunching when engaging 3rd and 4th gear, gearbox locks up or won't select a gear - !! Rod and bearing limit under tuning (~400 hp / 400 lb-ft) from 80,000 km
OEM K20C1 rods are spec'd for the factory 306–329 hp range. Stage 2 tunes beyond 400 hp or 400 lb-ft regularly bend rods and spin bearings. Hondata and 4 Piston Racing explicitly warn against low-rpm torque spikes. Stock cars not affected.
Symptoms: Engine knock, oil pressure drop, catastrophic failure under full load — tuned cars only
+ 12 more engine weaknesses + vehicle weaknesses
Vehicle Weaknesses
| Weakness | Cost | |
|---|---|---|
| Turbo/boost sensor wiring faults Isolated reports of chafing and connector problems on the boost-control and boost-pressure wiring. Symptoms range from intermittent misfires to limp mode with zero boost. Cleaning the connectors and applying dielectric grease usually helps. Symptoms: Intermittent power loss, CEL with boost-pressure codes, hesitation under load especially in wet weather. from 60,000 km | Low | |
| Infotainment crashes and reversing camera failure The FK2 Type R's 7-inch touchscreen infotainment freezes, crashes, or loses connection. The reversing camera can show a black screen when reverse gear is engaged. A software reset often only helps temporarily. Symptoms: Touchscreen unresponsive to input, reversing camera shows no image or flickers when reverse is engaged, Bluetooth disconnects unexpectedly. from 30,000 km | Low |
Known Problems and Issues +
A total of 28 weaknesses have been documented for the Honda Civic Type R FK2 (2015–2016) — 15 engine-related and 13 vehicle-related. Typical issues affect Electronics, Suspension, Body, Brakes.
Civic Type R (K20C1, 2015–2017) — Be Careful: Fuel pump recall 2018/2019 FK8, 3rd/4th gear synchro failure under track use, Rod and bearing limit under tuning (~400 hp / 400 lb-ft). Power: 310 PS.
What to watch out for with the Honda Civic Type R? 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 Type R FK2 have? +
What should I look for when buying a used Honda Civic Type R FK2? +
Which engine is recommended? +
Which Honda Civic Type R FK2 engine is the most fun? +
Is the Honda Civic Type R FK2 worth buying used? +
What horsepower variants are available for the Honda Civic Type R FK2? +
Last updated: February 2026 · All information without guarantee