I’ve looked at each Honda Civic from 2001 until this model’s latest version and classified the best and most difficult years of the model in this article.
In this article I’ll go over the most recent Honda Civic generations, determining the Honda Civic’s top years to purchase and the most problematic Honda Civic years to avoid.
Using reliable sources such as NHTSA, Consumer Reports, and J.D. Power. I’ll throw some light on the performance, evolution and reliability of the various Civic generation.
In particular, you’ll know precisely which year you’ll know which year the Honda Civic is best to purchase and what Honda Civic years have AC issues as well as the Civic year are most stable.
Let’s begin.
Honda Civic Generations
The cult and most popular compact automobile called that is the Honda Civic, was introduced in 1972. The initial generation of the Honda Civic was a revolutionary move for the auto industry, offering economical and fuel efficient transportation in the energy crisis.
Here is an infographic which provides the complete list of Honda Civic generations from 2001 to the present
| Generation | Years |
| 7th generation (ES/EN) | 2001-2005 |
| 8th generation (FA1) | 2006-2011 |
| 9th generation (FB) | 2012-2015 |
| 10th generation (FC1/FC2/FC5) | 2016-2021 |
| 11th generation (FE) | 2022-Present |
Recognizing the shifts in generation provides more clarity when comparing various model years, particularly as specific modifications or upgrades could be the main most important factor for many potential Civic owners.
Honda Civic Best, Neutral, and Worst Years
In evaluating the most successful as well as neutral and the worst models of the Honda Civic, our rankings are constructed based on a range of variables, including but not only:
- Reliability of the owner (surveys)
- Costs of annual maintenance
- Ratings for safety
- Consumer Reports ratings on its reliability
- Consumer Reports score on owner satisfaction
- NHTSA recalls, investigates and also complaints
- Edmunds owner reviews
- JD Power owner ratings
- Kelley Blue Book (KBB) owner ratings
- Ratings of owners on the VehicleHistory website
- Cars.com owner reviews
In the next graph we’ll provide a comprehensive overview of ratings from the platforms mentioned above.
In the table below, I’ve classified the following Honda Civic model year as the most desirable, neutral and the worst Honda Civic years.
| Generation | Best Years | Neutral Years | Worst Years |
| 7th generation (ES/EN) | 2004 2005 | N/A | 2001 2002 2003 |
| 8th generation (FA1) | 2009 2010 2011 | N/A | 2006 2007 2008 |
| 9th generation (FB) | 2013 2014 2015 | N/A | 2012 |
| 10th generation (FC1/FC2/FC5) | 2019 2020 2021 | 2017 2018 | 2016 |
| 11th generation (FE) | 2023 | N/A | 2022 |
“Neutral Years” denote model years that didn’t really distinguish themselves in any direction. They were not considered to be the best, however they didn’t generate major negative feedback or cause problems.
Certain aspects, including those related to NHTSA recalls can be detrimental to our assessments. The higher the number of recalls and complaints will always drag down the score of reliability for the car.
Let’s now dive into the specifications of the greatest as well as neutral and most infamous Honda Civic years.
Best & Worst Years for Honda Civic 7th Generation (2001-2005)
The 2001 Honda Civic
It was the 7th version of the Honda Civic, launched in 2000, was the beginning of a new phase in the entire lineup that saw a marked shift in engineering and design.
The latter decade of generation 2004 and 2005 are Honda Civic’s most successful years 2001, 2002 and 2003 could require additional precautions, which is why they are regarded as the Honda Civic years to avoid.
The Best Years: 2004, 2005
With fairly good fuel efficiency with 21 mpg in cities and 40 mpg on highway driving, as well as excellent Edmunds scores, the years 2004 and 2005 are undoubtedly the best Honda Civic years of this generation.
For the model year 2000, Honda once again updated its Civic model, however the styling changes were minimal. The design was essentially identical to the previous model, with a few edges and corners tweaked around the edges. Interiors were about identical. In addition, the engine options were mostly the same.
Although there were a lot of similarities to earlier models however, some models had distinctive modifications. Three-door models had distinct front fascias and headlights, and models with a five-speed feature a shifter that is mounted on the dashboard. The Si model maintained the same 160 horsepower, which was also the same as it was before, however peak power came in earlier, with 6500 RPM instead of 8,500 rpm. It might maybe not be the most affluent Si due to its appearance however, driving it still gives you a rush.
Although this model maintained the durability and quality the brand is renowned for, its style is more conservative and many fans tend to overlook this particular generation of Civic. It was given a styling overhaul to reflect the year 2004 however the modifications were minor and could only be seen by a keen Civic lover. But the most important news for the Civic in this period was the debut in the very first hybrid version. Honda initially experimented using this technology in its Insight hybrid before expanding it to become a sensible vehicle in 2003 Civic.
The Worst Years: 2001, 2002, 2003
2001, 2002 2003, and 2001 are 2003, 2001, and 2002 are Honda Civic years you should stay clear of due to frequent transmission issues and expensive repairs.
Owners have shared their experiences of sliding transmissions, delays in shifting gears, and in the worst cases, complete transmission failure.
Recalls were another source that was a source of concern during the beginning years. For the model of 2001 included recalls regarding external lighting and fuel pumps – issues that could result in abrupt engine stoppages.
The 2002 as well as 2003 Civic models, even as Honda attempted to fix the issues, worries about CVT transmissions and occasionally electrical issues remained.
However they also had their advantages like a high energy efficiency and a compact but flexible design.
Read about NHTSA 2001 2002, 2003, 2004 2003, 2005 Honda Civic recalls and complaints.
Best & Worst Years for Honda Civic 8th Generation (2006-2011)
The 2006 Honda Civic
It was the eighth generation Honda Civic, introduced in 2006, featured an innovative design with two-tier dashboard as well as more aggressive body designs.
The initial years of 2006 2007 and 2008 – were definitely the most difficult Honda Civic years of this generation, whereas 2009 2010 and 2011 are the top years of the 8th generation Honda Civic.
The Best Years: 2009, 2010, 2011
With better fuel efficiency 2011, 2011 is the main generation’s top Honda Civic year. Both 2009 and 2010, are two of the best choices for the 8th generation Honda Civic.
After a few years of tinier improvements to design that matched traditional styling choices, the new model of the eighth generation Civic launched with a bold new design that re-energized the brand. But, the budget-friendly pricing had long since been removed from its mark on the Honda brand, pushing this Civic into a class which is not what we would call an economical. The Civic would be still reasonable, but it would be only affordable “for a Honda.”
In spite of its price, the Civic was a striking advancement in terms of design. However, Honda did not offer a hatchback to buyers on the American segment, leaving just the sedan and coupe on the market. Inside was the most interesting aspect of the new design that included the instrument panel being split in two levels, each with the speedometer’s readout on the top and a huge analog tachometer right in the front of the driver which feels almost like being like an aircraft cockpit. Quality of the materials was enhanced by this update as well as there were more options than ever before accessible.
In addition, the Civic Si is now available as a coupe with an 197-horsepower 2.0-liter engine. This makes it a compact and quick car that is now an extremely sought-after Civic for sale on the second-hand market.
The Worst Years: 2006, 2007, 2008
The short answer is that 2006, 2007 and 2008 are Honda Civic years you should “avoid like the plague” because of the notorious engine cracks, which can cause leaks of coolant, and even more serious issues.
Although Honda did not issue an official recall but they did acknowledge it through settling the Class-action case which led to repairs to the engine for a lot of affected owners.
Suspension issues were also a problem in these years, with some owners complaining of excessive wear on rear tires because of an unbalanced rear camber, caused by malfunctioning back control arms.
Recalls also proved to be a major source of pain. The issues ranged from crucial components like suspensions and engines to lighting issues on the exterior.
Check out NHTSA 2006., 2007, 2008 Honda Civic recalls and complaints.
Best & Worst Years for Honda Civic 9th Generation (2012-2015)
The 2012 Honda Civic
In 2012, the Honda Civic’s 9th-generation Honda Civic underwent a major overhaul, enhancing its design and adding technology capabilities.
This 9th version of the Honda Civic might be one of the best Civic generation, if you consider its reliability versus the cost. The year 2012 is the only Honda Civic year to avoid in this generation, whereas 2013 and 2014 as well as 2015 are among the best Civic years.
The Best Years: 2013, 2014, 2015
With extremely high ratings from websites such as Consumer Reports, VehicleHistory along with Cars.com, 2013 2014, 2013 and 2015 are unquestionably the top Honda Civic years of the generation.
Changes in design for 2012 were minimal, retaining the bold style of the model before it, however, the interior received an upgrade and added options. The instrument cluster on the upper part of the car was increased and also included an information display as well as an updated infotainment display above the controls for climate. However, the bulk of modifications that were made to the ninth generation Civic were mechanical in nature, as Honda introduced more modern engine technology than before.
In the engine options for the 9th generation Civics are two engines: a 1.8-liter I-VTEC engine that is tuned for the HF model, which has 140 horsepower and a fuel economy of 41 mpg in highway driving and an 1.5-liter hybrid engine that has an i-VTEC configuration with a fuel efficiency of up to 45 mpg. Both options use specific aerodynamic components that improve efficiency and performance, as well as and the Honda ECO Assist system. The base models came with the identical 1.8-liter engine, however it was able with natural gas.
Again the car to get is the Si that was upgraded with an upgraded engine of up to 2.4 Liters, which offered the power of 200 hp. This power rating remains the same from the earlier 2.0-liter Si, but torque has increased by 139 to 170 pounds and can be felt when you pull away from the lighter. In addition, this performance can be enjoyed with a high efficiency of fuel.
The Worst Years: 2012
Why not go for from the 2011 Honda Civic? 2012, like other first-year years, was a year that saw a few issues with teeth being addressed in older models. Here are a few of the Honda Civic’s issues in 2012:
In terms of aesthetics, many critics viewed the 2012 model’s style boring. Performance-wise, though its 1.8L engine was stable however, the overall ride quality and noise levels in the cabin were not as good as they could be.
Owners expressed concerns about the loss of power steering, occasional transmission problems, and unannounced electrical problems.
One of the most notable recalls was about the left driveshaft being a problem that, in rare circumstances, may break and lead to a loss in the motive power.
Although in 2012, the Honda Civic did fare decently in some tests like J.D. Power there was a lot of room for improvement. was apparent.
Read about NHTSA The NHTSA’s 2012 Honda Civic recalls and complaints.
Best, Neutral & Worst Years for Honda Civic 10th Generation (2016-2021)
The 2016 Honda Civic
In 2016 Honda released their new 10th-generation Civic with an incredibly modern design that was bold, revolutionary and futuristic.
The top Honda Civic years are 2019 2020, 2021, and The year 2016 was the most sour Civic model year in the current generation.
The Best Years: 2019, 2020, 2021
2020, 2019 and 2021 were the top year for the 10th generation Honda Civic, were the top performers on platforms such as consumer Reports, VehicleHistory, Cars.com along with Kelley Blue Book.
The models were powered by two different engines that included The 2.0L four-cylinder which was able to balance efficiency and performance, as well as the turbocharged 1.5L four-cylinder offering a lively drive, with impressive fuel efficiency.
The engines can be coupled with a manual transmission that has a six-speed as well as a CVT based on the trim you prefer and the preference.
Honda provided an extensive variety of trims, from base LX, to the sporty Sport and feature-rich EX and EX-L with fuel efficiency to the top of the line Touring.
The model was introduced in the year 2000, and it was called new features, such as the Honda Sensing Suite that included features such as collision mitigation brakes as well as lane-keeping assistance as well as adaptive cruise control.
The infotainment system was given an upgrade that was significant, bringing an upgraded touchscreen that is user-friendly with buttons, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto as well as improved voice recognition.
The Neutral Years: 2017, 2018
In 2017, and 2018, the Civics were transition years, removing the flaws of the models of 2016 and laying the foundation for the quality that would follow in the years to come.
The engine options were generally similar, with a slight focus on improving the CVT’s responsiveness in response to user feedback.
Honda continues to make investments in security and security, gradually making Honda Sensing into the Honda Sensing suite across different models.
In addition, the years saw the debut of the Hatchback version after an extended hiatus of ten years, bringing the flexibility and European style for this segment of the Civic lineup.
The Worst Years: 2016
It is the 2016 Honda Civic is the most difficult model of the current generation. Here are the reasons to stay away from using the new Honda Civic.
Owners have frequently complained about slippery and jerky steering wheels that made for a snazzy ride.
The AC system was a source to be debated, as a number of customers reporting malfunctions and Freon leaks that were consistent across the tenth generation of Civic models.
In the end, Honda did take proactive actions, and addressed the issue with it’s Civic Condenser Warranty Extension.
Another issue was the infotainment software, which, though modern, sometimes lacked speed or was plagued by unanticipated glitches.
Read about NHTSA for 2016, 2017, 2018 Honda Civic recalls and complaints.
Best & Worst Years for Honda Civic 11th Generation (2022-2023)
The 2022 Honda Civic
In a new age that was it was the eleventh version of the Honda Civic was launched with a sense of mature and refinement, a step away from the bold and aggressive styling cues of the previous generation.
At present the most successful year for the 11th generation Honda Civic is 2023, but with a large number of complaints from owners 2022 is regarded as an Honda Civic year to avoid.
The Best Years: 2023
In 2023 it was 2023 when the Honda Civic solidified its position as a leader in the class. The Civic featured a redesigned exterior, with sleeker lines with a more sophisticated and mature look.
The Civic is now in it’s 50th production year and the Civic remains a thriving. The latest version has taken a lot of cues from the model before it, however, it has toned down a little of the bold style. The engine options remain identical, and the coupe-style body is gone. Thankfully that the Type-R remains a part of the lineup.
With just a few years of production, the Civic is likely to be around for a while. Like the previous models its interior is well built and provides excellent handling, but with a reasonable level of quality and comfort. With the current selection of options and top-quality it’s far from being an ordinary budget car, with its current cost beginning at $23,950. Options can increase that cost, and the Type-R costs over $43,000. Honda has made a lot of progress, but is now a premium car maker and the Civic is proof that this is the case.
The Worst Years: 2022
2022 was the year of the Honda Civic, being the first year of the eleventh version, had specific issues with teething.
One of the most notable was the recurrence of the steering wheel becoming sticky issue that was present in the previous generation. It caused concern about the driving experience and overall performance.
In addition, some users have had reported intermittent system malfunctions that were mostly due with the Collision Mitigation Systems as well as the Adaptive Cruise Control, leading to intermittent activations even when not needed.
Check out NHTSA 2022 Honda Civic recalls and complaints.
Honda Civic Average Resale Values
The graph below illustrates the resale value of Honda Civic over time.
Conclusion
When we finish our in-depth look at the history of the Honda Civic It’s obvious that 2013-2015 models from 2011 and 2017-2023 models are among the most popular Honda Civic years to buy.
What Honda Civic generation do you prefer? Have you had any experiences firsthand which are in line with our research?
Let us know your thoughts and experiences in the comments section below!
