2019 Honda Civic Safety Report

2019 Honda Civic: Excellent Crash Ratings Undermined by Persistent Steering and Fuel Pump Issues

355Complaints
3Recalls
★★★★★Safety Rating
65/100Reliability Score
14Injuries
Most reported components: Steering (63)Fuel System, Gasoline (58)Fuel/Propulsion System (47)Unknown Or Other (28)Electrical System (12)Engine (11)Forward Collision Avoidance (11)Service Brakes (9)Structure (9)Power Train (7)

AI Safety Analysis for the 2019 Honda Civic

The 2019 Honda Civic presents a mixed safety profile. While it boasts excellent crash test performance, achieving 5-star ratings across all NHTSA categories (Overall, Frontal, Side, Rollover), its complaint data reveals significant concerns, particularly regarding steering and fuel system issues. With 355 total complaints, 14 resulting in injuries, the vehicle has a notable number of reported problems. A major recurring theme is the 'sticky steering' issue, with 63 complaints related to STEERING, indicating a potential widespread defect that, despite similar recalls on other Honda models, has not been officially recalled for this specific year and model. Furthermore, the vehicle is subject to three separate recalls concerning the fuel pump, which can lead to engine stalling and increase crash risk, affecting a substantial number of Honda vehicles including the 2019 Civic. These recalls highlight a critical safety vulnerability that Honda has acknowledged and is addressing. The combination of top-tier crash ratings and prevalent, potentially dangerous mechanical issues suggests that while the vehicle performs well in controlled crash scenarios, its operational reliability and safety in everyday driving are compromised by these known defects.

Reliability Score

The 2019 Honda Civic receives a reliability score of 65 out of 100 based on analysis of NHTSA complaint data, recall history, crash reports, and safety ratings. This indicates average reliability — some notable concerns exist that prospective buyers should be aware of.

Known Issues for the 2019 Honda Civic

The following issues have been identified from NHTSA complaint data and owner reports for the 2019 Honda Civic:

IssueSeverityFrequencyTypical Mileage
Sticky/Jerky Steering
Steering wheel sticks or jerks, especially at highway speeds, requiring excessive force to correct and leading to overcorrection, making it difficult to maintain lane control. Many complaints note this is similar to issues in other Honda models with active recalls.
High Common unknown miles
Fuel Pump Failure
Defective fuel pump can cause engine stalling while driving, increasing the risk of a crash. This issue is covered by three separate NHTSA recalls (23V-858, 20V-314, 19V-871).
High Common unknown miles
Ac Compressor Failure
Air conditioning evaporator or compressor failure leading to refrigerant leaks and loss of AC function.
Medium Occasional 86000+ miles
Clutch/Transmission Issues
Vehicle losing power while driving, requiring replacement of flywheel, pressure plate, friction disc (clutch), and release bearing at relatively low mileage.
Medium Rare 40000 miles
Battery/Charging System Problems
Dash warning for '12 volt battery charging system problem' followed by multiple error lights and potential loss of power.
Medium Rare unknown miles
Head Gasket Failure
Signs of head gasket failure reported at approximately 67,000 miles.
High Rare 67000 miles

Common Problems Reported by Owners

Based on NHTSA complaint data, the following components account for the majority of reported issues with the 2019 Honda Civic:

Steering 17% of complaints

The most frequently reported issue, with 63 complaints, involves the steering wheel sticking or jerking, particularly at highway speeds, making it difficult to maintain lane control and requiring excessive force for corrections.

Fuel System, Gasoline 16% of complaints

A significant number of complaints (58 for FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE and 47 for FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM) relate to fuel pump failures, which can cause engine stalls. This is also the subject of three recalls.

Unknown Or Other 7% of complaints

28 complaints fall under this category, indicating various miscellaneous issues not fitting specific component classifications.

Electrical System 3% of complaints

12 complaints related to electrical system malfunctions, including battery and charging system problems.

Engine 3% of complaints

11 complaints concerning engine issues, including loss of power and potential head gasket failure.

Forward Collision Avoidance 3% of complaints

11 complaints related to the forward collision avoidance system.

Service Brakes 2% of complaints

9 complaints regarding service brake performance.

Structure 2% of complaints

9 complaints related to the vehicle's structure.

Power Train 2% of complaints

7 complaints concerning the power train, including clutch issues.

Frequently Asked Questions About the 2019 Honda Civic

Is the 2019 Honda Civic safe?

Based on NHTSA data, the 2019 Honda Civic received excellent 5-star crash safety ratings across all categories (Overall, Frontal, Side, Rollover), indicating strong performance in crash protection. However, it has 355 total complaints, with 14 resulting in injuries, and is subject to three recalls for fuel pump issues that can cause engine stalls. There are also numerous complaints about 'sticky steering' which, despite not being recalled for this specific model year, poses a significant safety concern.

What are common problems with the 2019 Honda Civic?

The most reported issues for the 2019 Honda Civic are related to the STEERING system (63 complaints) concerning 'sticky' or 'jerky' steering, and the FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE (58 complaints) and FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM (47 complaints) due to fuel pump failures. Other notable problems include electrical system issues (12 complaints) and engine problems (11 complaints).

Are there any recalls for the 2019 Honda Civic?

Yes, the 2019 Honda Civic has three recalls, all related to the FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP. These recalls address a defective fuel pump that can fail and cause the engine to stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash. Owners should ensure these recalls have been addressed by a Honda dealership.

How does the 2019 Honda Civic perform in crash tests?

The 2019 Honda Civic performed exceptionally well in NHTSA crash tests, earning a perfect 5-star rating for Overall Safety, Frontal Crash, Side Crash, and Rollover resistance. This indicates a high level of occupant protection in the event of a collision.

Should I be concerned about the steering issues in the 2019 Honda Civic?

Yes, the steering issues are a significant concern. With 63 complaints specifically about 'sticky' or 'jerky' steering, many drivers report difficulty maintaining lane control, especially at highway speeds. While there isn't a recall for this specific model year for steering, the high volume of complaints and similarity to recalled issues in other Honda models suggest a potential safety defect that owners should be aware of and monitor closely.

Buyer Advice

Our recommendation: While the 2019 Honda Civic offers excellent crash protection, potential buyers should be aware of the active fuel pump recalls and the prevalent 'sticky steering' complaints; verify all recalls are completed and thoroughly test drive for steering anomalies.

NHTSA Data Summary for 2019 Honda Civic

This safety report is based on a comprehensive analysis of data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) for the 2019 Honda Civic. The data includes 355 consumer complaints filed by vehicle owners, 3 manufacturer-initiated safety recalls, 14 reported injuries, and safety rating assessments associated with this vehicle.

The NHTSA has assigned the 2019 Honda Civic an overall safety rating of 5 out of 5 stars, with a frontal crash rating of 5 stars, a side crash rating of 5 stars, and a rollover rating of 5 stars. These ratings are determined through controlled crash testing conducted by the NHTSA.

All data presented in this report is sourced from public NHTSA databases. Our AI analysis identifies patterns across complaint narratives, correlates them with recall history, and produces the safety assessment above. This analysis is updated as new complaints and recalls are filed with the NHTSA.

Consumers are encouraged to report vehicle safety problems to the NHTSA at nhtsa.gov. If your vehicle is subject to a recall, contact your dealer to schedule the free repair.