2020 Honda Civic Electrical Problems
28 owner-reported electrical complaints from NHTSA data
Data sourced from NHTSA public database. For informational purposes only. Always consult a qualified mechanic.
Owner Complaints (28)
Your air conditioning system has a refrigerant leak in the evaporator assembly, leaving your cabin warm even when the AC is set to the coldest setting. This also reduces your ability to defog windows in humid or rainy conditions, which can affect visibility and safe driving. A Honda dealership confirmed the leak through testing. The fix will require replacing or repairing the evaporator assembly and recharging the refrigerant system.
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Your car sometimes gets stuck in accessory mode and won't turn off completely. Additionally, your car may start on its own at night while parked and locked, and the alarm may go off unexpectedly. This suggests an electrical system issue that could drain your battery or cause unwanted vehicle activation.
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Your car's body control module (BCM) became faulty and caused the ignition to turn on by itself even when the car was off, which startled you and drained the battery and gas unnecessarily. To prevent further damage while troubleshooting, you had to disconnect the battery, which reset several electrical systems. An independent electrical mechanic confirmed and repaired the issue.
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The car cuts off while driving
While driving on interstate highway, main dash display went almost completely dark. Could not see speed, warning lights, gas gauge, engine temp, etc. Pulled over to check out problem and "push to start" button would not turn off engine. It did on second try. Dealer diagnosed fault in gauge control module. Must be replaced.
The vehicle’s emergency braking system randomly applies the brakes even when the front is not obstructed. Front sensors are kept clear of any debris, dirt, or bugs. I went to Honda of El Cajon in El Cajon, Ca and they could not help me even though the service advisor admitted that another Honda CR-V driver had the same problem the same day. This is a safety concern as my car has applied he brakes while on the freeway and at stop signs at random. Honda has failed to acknowledge the issue.
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The AC condenser has been replaced twice along with the shaft seal.Which then caused my evaporator core to crack and is now leaking and gonna cost me two thousand dollars
Gas door opens randomly and it’s happened more than a few times now which is becoming a safety hazard especially because I drive 80 miles daily for work. Also my automatic brake senor is a hazard because it’s going off when cars or objects are farther away; which leads to the 3rd issue with my seat belts which is either to tight on the chest area and possibly choking me when the car automatically brakes when objects aren’t near or in close distance to my car
On [XXX], 2023, my car's electrical system malfunctioned, leaving me unable to restart the vehicle after stopping. I had to call my car insurance for roadside assistance, and their representative jump-started the battery, suggesting I replace it. However, on [XXX], 2024, the same issue recurred, causing the car to stall unexpectedly and fail to start while I was out shopping with my wife and [XXX] daughter. Fortunately, I was driving on local roads; I shudder to think what might have happened if I had been on the freeway. Again, I had to rely on my insurance's roadside assistance for help. The safety of my family and me was jeopardized, especially since this is our only vehicle, which we frequently use to travel with my infant. These incidents are documented in two insurance claims. My car is among those recalled for fuel pump issues, but I haven't been able to schedule a repair with the dealer due to no available appointments. The online chat support also refused to book an appointment for the same reason. Additionally, my car has always adhered to Honda's regular maintenance schedule. From March 2024 to May 2024, the car's display screen, including the mileage indicator, intermittently malfunctioned while driving. On [XXX], 2024, when the car stalled, the screen also indicated a brake system error. Finally, I want to report another issue with this car: the cooling system is no longer providing cold air, resulting in the interior temperature being consistently higher than the outside temperature, especially during the recent hot summer days. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
The body control module is failing, read multiple posts online and Honda is not fixing it. My alarm goes off and I cannot turn it off, have to use my key. The vehicle powers up on its own into accessory mode when parked, vehicle off and no key fob in the car. This causes the alarm to activate, drains the battery and causes temporary safety features- collision warning, lane assist, cruise control etc to not work. As well as drains the battery. Honda has recalled this part on other models but not the 10th generation Civic.
Was T bones September 3rd 2023 exiting the freeway by a Ford F-350. Injury to left side of vehicle mainly . Airbags not side airbags deployed. Went through insurance and was told to report it to the manufacturer. Due to this I now need double knee surgery as I have tears and fluid and now have spinal injury .
The contact owns a 2020 Honda Civic. The contact stated while driving approximately 35 MPH, there was an abnormal odor coming from the A/C. The contact stated that there was a dangerous chemical called R1234YF leaking into the cabin of the vehicle. The contact stated that the odor from the leak made his daughter sick. No warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and diagnosed with a leak through the evaporator in the cabin as well as a leak in the condenser and compressor. The vehicle was not repaired due to cost. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 49,000.
My infotainment center has repeatedly failed during operation. It is distorted while driving, freezes, stuck on previous screen display. This causes all safety features to be inoperable. I can’t see the camera back up display. I can’t see the map or upcoming exit/next direction. The Honda genius features are impacted by this. My vehicle suddenly thinks I am exiting while I’m driving and randomly slams on breaks with no vehicle or object in front of me, it jerks my wheel even though there is no car or barrier next to me. I have resorted to turn off all of the safety features due to the infotainment center glitches making my vehicle very unsafe to operate. I have been in several near miss single vehicle accidents. Picture added to show screen distortion and no direction listed. Should be displaying navigation and upcoming turn but is frozen and distorted.
Power windows rolled down on their own
The contact owns a 2020 Honda Civic. The contact stated while pressing the key fob to unlock the doors, the doors remained locked. The contact had to manually unlock the doors. The contact attempted to lock the vehicle with the key fob however, the doors failed to lock as needed. The vehicle was not diagnosed. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 28,000.
Hello. I have a 2020 Honda Civic Hatchback Sport. The stock audio system makes a VERY loud crackle and popping sound before completely cutting out, this abrupt malfunction frightens me and hurts my ears. Additionally the malfunction of this audio unit may cause other safety problems because it is connected to the back-up camera which can freeze/reboot randomly when the electrical/software malfunction occurs. I listed the most recent incident date below however this problem has been intermittent since I purchased the car new in 2020. My car is now out of warranty and Honda refuses to address the issue even though it was present before 36,000/3 years. Thank you.
I was driving getting ready to switch lanes and all of a sudden my car made the beeping noise and slammed on the brakes on its own
The contact owns a 2020 Honda Civic. The contact stated that occasionally the windows on the vehicle independently rolled down while the vehicle was turned off. The contact also stated that while driving at various speeds, the trunk opened inadvertently without warning. The dealer had been notified twice about the failure. After the first failure, a dealer employee acknowledged the failure; however, the contact was informed that there was no remedy for the defect. After the second failure, a dealer employee informed her that they had never heard of the failure before. The manufacturer was also notified of the failure but offered no assistance. The vehicle had yet to be repaired. The failure mileage was unknown.
i have experienced multiple issues with the sensors since I've had this vehicle in December 2020. The sensor issues have caused my vehicle to shut down and slowly stop as I was driving on the freeway. The latest incident caused my airbag to deploy without any reason while I was driving slowly in a residential parking lot. It went off in my face and I suffered from hearing problems. I am fortunate that this incident did not harm anyone as it put others at risk from the airbag unexpectedly blocking my view and distracting me from driving. Although the dealership, Tempe Honda, repaired the other sensor issues, they refuse to repair the airbag issue. They are claiming that I need to have my insurance pay for the repair. I have had two mechanics inspect the vehicle and confirm that this is a defective airbag sensor that caused the airbag to deploy. I have not driven the vehicle since this incident as it is unsafe for me to drive. The vehicle is available for inspection at any time. I have contacted Honda on multiple occasions. They have Case #12968314 is my case number and every time that I call, the representative tells me that a Case Manager will call me but I have not received any calls. I also sent an email to Honda on 02 May 2022 detailing this incident that occurred on 14 April 2022.
Took vehicle in to repair recall. Was told recall was fixed drove off engine shut off in the middle off the hwy. After several attempts to get the car restarted finally able to drive back to dealership. Was told the new o ring broke. Was told it was fix but the recall is still unresolved and still causing engine shut off issues. No prior issue other than leaving key part off uncer car after routine oil change which caused undercarriage damages. That still unresolved. uncompleted repair and recall.
Lights go off and on not sure if can drive at night. dealer said that they thought it is the control module but also stated that car could turn shut down at any unknown time. Did not offer a replacement vehicle and was told to just keep driving until part comes in. This problem has been going on sense january . was told today 04/21/2022 that it would now be june
The contact leased a 2020 HONDA CIVIC. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the instrument panel would intermittently display images over the speedometer which would obstruct his ability to see his current rate of speed. The contact had brought the vehicle to the dealer where they informed him to document the failure and tried multiple repairs; however, the failure persisted after each repair. The manufacturer was also notified of the failure and offered no assistance. The vehicle had yet to be repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 200.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2020 HONDA CIVIC. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, SEVERAL UNKNOWN SAFETY FEATURES WOULD ACTIVATE AND DEACTIVATE INADVERTENTLY. THE CONTACT STATED SEVERAL UNKNOWN WARNING LIGHTS WERE ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO TONKIN GRESHAM HONDA (24999 SE STARK ST, TROUTDALE, OR 97060, (503) 667-7077) HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT WAS STILL AWAITING A RESPONSE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 3,696.
TIRE BLEW FROM UNKNOWN REASON IN SEPTEMBER 2020. CAR PURCHASED IN JUNE 2020. REPLACED TIRE IN SEPTEMBER FROM BROOKS HUFF. TPM LIGHT IS NOW COMING ON AFTER A SCHEDULED ROTATION/OIL CHANGE. BROOKS HUFF CHECKED PRESSURE OF ALL 4 TIRES AND LIGHT WAS RESET WITH CALIBRATION. LIGHT CAME BACK ON SAME DAY. TOOK TO HONDA DEALER ON 12/5 IN YORK PA AND WAS ADVISED TPM LIGHT WAS COMING ON DUE TIRE REPLACEMENT IN SEPTEMBER FROM A TIRE MANUFACTURED IN USA NOT FRANCE LIKE OTHER 3 TIRES. DEALER IS SAYING BROOKS HUFF SHOULD HAVE KNOWN TO GET ANOTHER TIRE MADE IN FRANCE AND BROOKS HUFF IS SAYING THEY NEVER HEARD OF THAT. SUCK WITH LIGHT COMING ON BECAUSE ONLY 10K MI ON CAR AND CAN'T AFFORD ANOTHER NEW TIRE AFTER 3 MO.
WHEN USING THE COLLISION MITIGATION SYSTEM IT WILL FALSELY DETECTS SHADOWS FROM BRIDGES OR TREES AS OBJECTS/VEHICLES IN THE ROAD AND SLAMS ON THE BREAKS. ADDITIONAL THE LANE DEPARTURE WILL TRY TO VEER OFF THE ROAD AT EVERY EXIT IF I AM IN THE RIGHT HAND LANE. BOTH THINGS HAPPEN WHILE DRIVING ON CITY STREETS AND THE FREEWAY. THIS HAS MULTIPLE TIMES TO THE POINT WHERE WE HAVE TURNED OFF THE COLLISION MITIGATION AND LANE DEPARTURE. THE LAST TIME IT HAPPENED WAS TODAY, 9/19/2020
MY CAR WAS BROKEN INTO WHILE PARKED IN A PUBLIC PARKING LOT. THE 2020 CIVIC HAS A FEATURE WHERE ALL WINDOWS ROLL DOWN IF YOU PUT THE KEY INTO THE DRIVER'S DOOR LOCK AND TURN IT TO THE RIGHT. ACCORDING TO HONDA OF OAKLAND SERVICE CENTER, SOMEONE USED A SCREWDRIVER TO ACTIVATE THIS FEATURE, WHICH IN TURN ROLLED THE WINDOWS DOWN AND THEY WERE ABLE TO ACCESS THE TRUNK LATCH NEAR THE DRIVER'S SEAT AND STEAL ITEMS FROM MY TRUNK. THEY WERE THEN ABLE TO ROLL THE WINDOWS BACK UP USING THE SAME FEATURE (TURNING TO THE LEFT) AND I WAS NOT AWARE THAT THERE WAS A BREAK IN UNTIL LATE THE NEXT DAY WHEN I WENT TO RETRIEVE ITEMS FROM THE TRUNK. A RELATED FEATURE IS THAT THE KEY FOB ALLOWS YOU TO ROLL DOWN ALL WINDOWS SIMULTANEOUSLY BY HOLDING DOWN THE UNLOCK BUTTON. THIS FEATURE IS VERY SENSITIVE AND CAN BE ACTIVATED IN A POCKET OR PURSE. I TESTED OUT THE RANGE OF THE FEATURE AND WAS ABLE TO ROLL MY WINDOWS DOWN REMOTELY FROM OVER 200 FEET AWAY WHILE INSIDE A BUILDING WHEN MY CAR WAS PARKED OUTSIDE ACROSS THE STREET. I TWICE CAME BACK TO MY CAR WITH THE WINDOWS ROLLED DOWN DUE TO THIS FEATURE WITHOUT MY KNOWLEDGE. THESE REMOTE WINDOW FEATURES POSE A SERIOUS SAFETY THREAT FOR CONSUMERS IN URBAN AREAS, ESPECIALLY SINCE THE DOOR FEATURE CAN EVIDENTLY BE ACTIVATED WITH JUST A SCREWDRIVER, AND THE KEY CAN BE ACTIVATED FROM HUNDREDS OF FEET AWAY. NOT ONLY CAN PEOPLE BREAK INTO MY CAR WITHOUT ANY EQUIPMENT, BUT IT IS NOT EVIDENT FROM THE OUTSET THAT A BREAK-IN OCCURRED BECAUSE THE FEATURE ALSO ALLOWS YOU TO ROLL ALL THE WINDOWS BACK UP REMOTELY. THIS MAKES THE MODEL AN EASY TARGET FOR FUTURE THEFT, AND I HAVE ALREADY HAD TO FILE A CLAIM WITH MY INSURANCE TO REPAIR THE MECHANICAL DAMAGE TO THE LOCK/DOOR RESULTING FROM THIS BREAK IN.
OVER 4 WEEKS AGO, 2 WEEKS AFTER LEASING THE 2020 CAR, THE DASHBOARD STARTED TO DISPLAY NUMEROUS ERROR MESSAGES. THE CAR WAS EVALUATED AT THE DEALER, HONDA OF FREEHOLD, NJ, AND I WAS TOLD THAT A CERTAIN MODULE FAILED. SOON THEREAFTER A TIRE WARNING LIGHT ALSO STARTED TO DISPLAY AND ONCE AGAIN THE DEALER TOLD US NOT TO BE CONCERNED AS IT IS LIKELY AS A RESULT OF THE SAME MODULE. NOT TAKING THEIR WORD FOR IT, I BROUGHT THE CAR TO A COSTCO REPAIR SHOP AND A LARGE NAIL WAS DISCOVERED IN THE TIRE. I'VE BEEN IN TOUCH WITH THE DEALER AND HAVE ALSO CALLED MANY TIMES TO THE CORPORATE OFFICES. THE SAME ANSWER WAS GIVEN ' THE PART IS ON BACK ORDER AND 'WE WILL CALL YOU WHEN WE GET IT'. NO ADDITIONAL INFORMATION OR SUGGESTION WAS GIVEN TO US. IN THE MEANTIME, OVER 4 WEEKS LATER, ALTHOUGH THE CAR IS DRIVABLE NONE OF THE SAFETY FEATURES ARE OPERATIONAL AND I AM NOT SURE WHAT WARNING LIGHTS TO TRUST OR IGNORE.