Reliability, what owners report, and what it costs to keep.
AVOIR's read: the numbers are mixed and the complaint record is worth reading before you commit.
Owners have filed 396 complaints with NHTSA about the 2010 Honda Civic, and it carries 8 recalls. These are owner allegations rather than confirmed defects, but the pattern of what people complain about is the most useful signal a used buyer has.
| Area | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Air bags | 81 | 20% |
| Service brakes | 57 | 14% |
| Visibility/wiper | 32 | 8% |
| Structure | 29 | 7% |
| Unknown or other | 27 | 7% |
| Service brakes | 20 | 5% |
| Visibility | 15 | 4% |
| Electrical system | 9 | 2% |
| Steering | 9 | 2% |
| Engine | 7 | 2% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
The contact owns a 2010 Honda Civic. The contact stated that while her daughter was driving at various speeds, the vehicle unexpectedly shut off. There was no warning light illuminated. Due to the failure, the vehicle wa
NHTSA complaint: Fuel system
The contact owns a 2010 Honda Civic. The contact stated that the vehicle was repaired under an NHTSA Campaign Number: 18V042000 (Air Bags); however, the repair caused the driver’s side seat belt buckle to not be detected
NHTSA complaint: Seat belts
I hit a bumb and my engine started smoking and then airbag triggered on both driver and passenger side
NHTSA complaint: Air bags
Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2010 Honda Civic. The contact stated that while attempting to register the vehicle, it was discovered that there was a mileage discrepancy. The vehicle was a private sale. At the t
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2010 Honda Civic. The contact stated that upon attempting to register the vehicle with his insurance company, he discovered that the VIN on the vehicle and the VIN listed in their
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
The contact owns a 2010 Honda Civic. The contact stated that after driving approximately 5 MPH, the brake pedal was depressed to stop and park the vehicle; however, the vehicle independently accelerated. The contact stat
NHTSA complaint: Vehicle speed control
Driving on the highway, smooth road, hit nothing and the entire driver side airbags deployed.
NHTSA complaint: Air bags
There's an electrical issue that is affecting the A/C connection. The compressor belt won't turn and it's due to the electrical issue. The fuse box over heats and turns on the "Check engine" light. Most Hondas have this
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
NHTSA lists 8 recall campaigns for the 2010 Honda Civic. Recalls are free to have fixed at a franchised dealer regardless of who owns the car now, but only if they were never done, so check the VIN of the specific car rather than trusting the model.
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2014 Honda Insight and Acura TSX and TSX Wagon, 2014-2015 Honda Crosstour and Pilot vehicles nationwide, as well as certain 2014 Honda FCX Clarity and Fit EV vehicles in Florida, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, Texas, Alabama, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississipp
Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began November 6, 2018. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-21
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2003-2012 Honda Accord and Pilot, 2010 Accord Crosstour, 2001-2011 Civic, 2002-2011 CR-V, 2003-2004, 2006-2008 and 2011 Element, 2007 and 2009-2013 Fit, 2010-2012 Insight, 2002-2004 Odyssey, and 2012 Ridgeline vehicles. The front passenger air b
Risk: An incorrectly installed air bag may deploy improperly in the event of a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
Fix: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and, if necessary, replace the passenger frontal air bag module assembly, free of charge. The recall began June 22, 2018. Owners may contact Honda
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2009-2014 Acura TSX, 2011-2014 TSX Sport Wagon, 2010-2013 ZDX, 2008-2012 Honda Accord, 2010-2011 Accord Crosstour, 2006-2011 Civic and Civic Hybrid, 2008-2010 Civic GX NGV, 2012-2015 Crosstour, 2007-2011 CR-V, 2009-2013 Fit, 2014 Fit EV, 2010-201
Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began August 12, 2019. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-21
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2009-2014 Acura TSX, 2011-2013 TSX Sport Wagon, and 2010-2012 ZDX and 2008-2012 Honda Accord, 2010-2011 Accord Crosstour, 2006-2011 Civic, Civic Hybrid and Civic NGV, 2012-2014 Crosstour, 2007-2011 CR-V, 2009-2013 Fit, 2010-2013 Insight, and 2009
Risk: An incorrectly installed air bag inflator may not properly deploy the passenger frontal air bag in the event of a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
Fix: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the inflator installation and, if necessary, replace the passenger frontal air bag module assembly, free of charge. The recall began July 5, 2019.
| Reliability | 59 | average |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 72 | good |
| Maintenance | 90 | excellent |
| Depreciation | 83 | excellent |
| Performance | 43 | below average |
| Efficiency | 51 | average |
Percentile ranks against other compact cars in the catalog.
What stands behind each score for this car:
Owners have filed 396 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and air bags is the most reported area with 81 of them (20%). There are 8 recalls on record. Check any specific car against its VIN before buying.
AVOIR scores its reliability 59/100 (average) from NHTSA recall campaigns and complaint density, adjusted for how many were sold so a popular model is not penalised for having more owners.
AVOIR scores its longevity 72/100, but that figure is an estimate built from the powertrain and the brand's record, not a measurement. A 2010 car has no 200,000-mile population to observe yet, so treat it as a prior rather than evidence.
AVOIR's read: be careful, because the numbers are mixed and the complaint record is worth reading before you commit. Its overall ownership score is 69/100. Condition, mileage and service history still matter more than any score, so get a pre-purchase inspection on the specific car.
Sources: NHTSA recalls and complaints, EPA fuel economy, IIHS awards, and live market listings. A score describes a model-year, not the individual car in front of you. Get a pre-purchase inspection.