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2014 Honda Civic Recalls, Problems & Maintenance

The 2014 Honda Civic carries 2 open NHTSA recalls — most recently covering control module (tcm/pcm/tecm) and bead. Owners report 8 recurring issue clusters, led by “CVT transmission pulley shaft failure.” Honda vehicles use the Maintenance Minder system — your dashboard displays a Code A (oil change) or Code B (oil change plus inspections) along with sub-codes 1-6 for additional services. Intervals adjust based on how you drive. The schedule below reflects Honda's underlying targets.

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2 Open Recalls

Source: NHTSA

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:CONTROL MODULE (TCM/PCM/TECM)

Campaign #15V574000 · Sep 15, 2015

Issue: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain model year 2014-2015 Civic vehicles manufactured January 16, 2014, to November 6, 2014 and 2015 Fit vehicles manufactured March 12, 2014, to May 12, 2015. The software settings that control the transmission operation may result in damage to the transmission drive pulley shaft.

Risk: If the transmission drive pulley shaft is damaged, it may break, and the vehicle may lose acceleration or the front wheels may lock up while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.

Fix: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will update the software for the transmission, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin October 30, 2015. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are JU2 (Civic) and JU3(Fit).

TIRES:BEAD

Campaign #14V109000 · Oct 3, 2014

Issue: American Honda Motor Co., Inc. (Honda) is recalling certain model year 2014 Honda Civic LX vehicles manufactured November 26, 2013, through January 21, 2014. In the affected vehicles, during mounting of the tires, the tire bead may have gotten pinched between the assembly equipment and the steel wheel rims, resulting in damage to the tire.

Risk: The tire damage could cause the tire to lose air, increasing the risk of a crash.

Fix: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and replace any damaged tire, free of charge. The recall began on April 15, 2014. Owners may contact Honda at 1-800-999-1009. Honda's number for this recall is JD8.

Recall data refreshed Sep 20, 2026.

Known issues & problems for this vehicle

What drivers and federal regulators have officially reported about the 2014 Honda Civic.

1 active NHTSA investigation

Source: NHTSA

  • Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture

    Action #EA21002 · opened Sep 17, 2021

    From 2000 through 2017, Takata produced millions of air bag inflators using two types of phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate ("PSAN") propellant -- propellant 2004 and propellant 2004L. After prolonged exposure to high temperature cycles and humidity, inflators using propellant 200…

    View on NHTSA →

Reported to NHTSA

CVT transmission pulley shaft failure

POWER TRAIN

59 NHTSA complaints · 2016-12 → 2025-12

“The contact owns a 2014 Honda Civic. The contact stated that while driving 40 MPH, the vehicle made an abnormal clunking sound and lost motive power. The contact stated that the vehicle felt like the transmission was in neutral(N), and the front wheels were locked”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11696651
“CVT FAILED ON HIGHWAY IN MIDDLE LANE. MILEAGE 130,000 TOWED TO DEALER. CVT FLUID MAINTENANCE HAD BEEN REGULARLY PERFORMED BY DEALER- HERB CHAMBERS OF SEEKONK MASSACHUSETTS. CAR -2014 HONDA CIVIC EX NOT INCLUDED IN ANY PREVIOUS CVT RECALL GROUP!”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11469881
“While driving especially accelerating from a stop front end of car started vibrating and jerking.Qualified mechanic inspected the drive train and concluded there was a damage to the pulley shaft that could not have been due to wear and Tear”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11439742

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

CVT transmission fill cap fluid loss

POWER TRAIN

15 NHTSA complaints · 2020-05 → 2025-05

“The plug for the transmission fill continually pops off. This is apparently is a common problem with this model”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11566371
“I have over 150,000 miles on this vehicle. I've followed all recommended maintenance minders as they come up and today I found that the CVT transmission fill plug had popped off, was laying on the transmission with fluid everywhere”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11449316
“THE TRANSMISSIONS FILL CAP KEEP POPPING OFF AND CAUSING TRANSMISSION FLUID TO SPILL AS WELL AS EXPOSING THE INSIDE OF THE TRANSMISSION TO THE ELEMENTS, CAUSING THE TRANSMISSION TO JERK WHILE DRIVING”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11326668

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Tire tread separation and blowout

TIRES

6 NHTSA complaints · 2018-06 → 2025-07

“Continental P 195/65 R 15. 89 H. The tire blew and the side wall on the outside on the passenger side front. It looks shredded on the side- not a normal blown tire look”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11671487
“The contact owns a 2014 Honda Civic equipped with Continental Tires. Tire Line: ExtremeContact DWS06, Tire Size: 225/40R/18, and DOT Number was unavailable”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11508551
“THE FRONT DRIVER TIRE HAD BEEN REPLACED TWICE IN LESS THAN A YEAR. THE FIRST TIME IT EXPLODED ON MY WIFE IN THE FREEWAY. THE SECOND TIME IT KEEPS GOING FLAT AND WE KEEP ON PUTTING AIR”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11104303

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Push-button start and ignition lock failure

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

5 NHTSA complaints · 2022-08 → 2024-06

“Push start button clicks and doesn't turn the engine on. Countless attempts can be made without a different result”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11537996
“The contact owns a 2014 Honda Civic. The contact stated that all three keys failed to turn over and start the vehicle after multiple attempts. There was no warning light illuminated”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11480923
“The contact owns a 2014 Honda Civic. The contact stated upon inserting the key in the ignition switch to start the vehicle, he was unable to turn the key and the steering wheel was locked”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11479404

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Airbag warning light from inflator or module defect

AIR BAGS

32 NHTSA complaints · 2017-12 → 2026-06

“The contact owns a 2014 Honda Civic. The contact stated that the air bag warning light was intermittently illuminated on the instrument panel while driving at various speeds. Over time, the air bag warning light remained illuminated on the instrument panel”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11570821
“Air bag light came on like 1 year ago. I had the dealership do the diagnostic on the car. They said it was cable relay. They said estimate to repair was over $2000”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11578898
“The specific part is the driver side airbag inflater which is causing the airbag system to fail. The repair has not been done on the vehicle yet. According to the dealer, when the indicator light triggers, none of the airbags will inflate in an accident”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11518933

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Airbag non-deployment or unexpected deployment in a crash

AIR BAGS

14 NHTSA complaints · 2017-07 → 2025-05

“The car crashed into the back of the truck in front of it. The crash caused the airbag to go off and either the airbag itself or the area that covers the steering wheel cut my wife’s jaw/throat”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11569831
“While I was driving, a truck hit me from behind causing a 5 car accident. My car was unable to be driven from the scene. The radiator and front collision bar are very bent in, however my airbags did not deploy”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11544291
“TAKATA RECALL _ MY SON HAD AN ACCIDENT IN THIS 2014 HONDA CIVIC AND THE AIRBAG DIDI NOT DEPLOY. THE WRECK WAS FRONT END "CRASH" DOING $8,000+ WORTH OF DAMAGE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11054543

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Electric power steering assist loss

STEERING

6 NHTSA complaints · 2018-11 → 2026-06

“The contact owns a 2014 Honda Civic. The contact stated that while driving on the highway at approximately 65 MPH, the vehicle lost power steering functionality, the vehicle lost power steering assist, and the steering wheel became difficult to turn”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11742333
“On August 30, while driving the power steering warning activated and the steering wheel become extremely hard to move. Stopped the car and followed the troubleshoot procedure; however, the failure persisted and had to request a tow truck”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11545053
“Automatic steering keeps going off (warning light is coming on the dash) and he has to steer manually; unable to do so in a safe manner; steering essentially locked”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11417858

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Sunroof glass shattering while driving

VISIBILITY/WIPER

6 NHTSA complaints · 2017-03 → 2023-04

“SUN ROOF EXPLODED WHILE DRIVING. NOTHING HIT THE SUN ROOF. IT EXPLODED ON ITS OWN. SHATTERED GLASS FELL INTO THE CAR WHILE I WAS DRIVING”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11072875
“WHILE DRIVING, I HEARD A LOUD, GUNSHOT LIKE SOUND AND GLASS STARTED FALLING ON ME. MY SUNROOF HAD JUST APPEARED TO HAVE BEEN HIT WITH SOMETHING OUT OF NOWHERE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10960247
“THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 HONDA CIVIC. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE SUN ROOF SHATTERED ON THE VEHICLE. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THERE WERE NO INJURIES”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11075797

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Note: NHTSA also opened 1 defect investigation(s) on this vehicle that closed without action.

Issues on other model years

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI). Complaint data refreshed Sep 20, 2026. Investigation data refreshed Sep 20, 2026.

We display NHTSA's record with attribution; we don't editorialize on what these complaints mean for any specific vehicle.

Raw data + downloads for this vehicle →

Essential maintenance

Critical for safety and preventing major damage

Engine Oil & Filter (Code A)

Every 7,500 mi

Replace 0W-20 full-synthetic oil and filter. The Maintenance Minder triggers Code A between 7,500 and 10,000 miles depending on driving conditions.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$120–$160

Shop

~$85–$115

DIY

~$25–$55

Full synthetic costs more than conventional. 5-quart 0W-20 + filter is the typical bill.

Tire Rotation (Sub-code 1)

Every 7,500 mi

Rotate tires front-to-back to even out wear. Honda triggers Sub-code 1 alongside every other oil change.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$85

Shop

~$60

DIY

Free

Often free at the shop where you bought the tires — worth asking before paying.

Brake Inspection (Code B)

Every 15,000 mi

Inspect brake pads, rotors, and parking brake. Code B includes a multi-point inspection of brakes, suspension, and fluids.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$85

Shop

~$60

DIY

Free

Most shops do this free as a courtesy with any service. Don't pay separately if you can avoid it.

Brake Fluid (Sub-code 5)

Every 45,000 mi

Replace DOT 3 brake fluid every 3 years regardless of mileage to prevent moisture absorption and corrosion of ABS components.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$180–$200

Shop

~$125–$140

DIY

~$10–$25

DOT 3 or 4 — match the cap. Vacuum bleeders make this a one-person DIY.

Important maintenance

Keeps your vehicle running smoothly and efficiently

Automatic Transmission / CVT Fluid (Sub-code 3)

Every 30,000 mi

Replace ATF or CVT fluid. Honda CVT models (Civic, HR-V, Accord LX) use Honda HCF-2 — do not substitute. The Maintenance Minder triggers earlier under heavy stop-and-go.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$330–$500

Shop

~$235–$355

DIY

~$60–$180

Some sealed transmissions have no dipstick — fill is precise and best left to a shop. Many drivers can still DIY drain-and-fill.

Rear Differential Fluid (AWD models, Sub-code 5)

Every 30,000 mi

AWD CR-V, Pilot, Passport, Ridgeline: replace rear diff fluid every 30,000 miles, sooner if towing.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$150–$195

Shop

~$105–$135

DIY

~$20–$50

Drain plug + fill plug — straightforward DIY. AWD vehicles have two; budget for both.

Engine Air Filter (Sub-code 4)

Every 30,000 mi

Replace the engine air filter every 30,000 miles. Honda uses a long-life cellulose element on most port-injected engines.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$60–$95

Shop

~$45–$70

DIY

~$15–$40

5-minute job on most cars; the airbox lid usually has clips, no tools needed.

Spark Plugs (Sub-code 6)

Every 105,000 mi

Honda uses iridium-tipped plugs rated for 100,000+ miles. Replace at 105,000 miles or whenever Sub-code 6 displays.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$285–$390

Shop

~$200–$275

DIY

~$25–$100

Iridium plugs cost more but last 100k+ miles. V6/V8 access varies wildly — some are tough.

Engine Coolant (Sub-code 5)

Every 60,000 mi

Honda Long-Life Type 2 (blue) coolant: first change at 120,000 miles, then every 60,000 miles. Do not mix with other coolant types.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$285–$330

Shop

~$200–$235

DIY

~$25–$60

Use the manufacturer-specified coolant — wrong color/chemistry can damage the cooling system.

Recommended maintenance

Extends the life of your vehicle and improves comfort

Cabin Air Filter (Sub-code 3)

Every 15,000 mi

Replace the cabin air filter — accessible behind the glove box on most Hondas. Honda recommends 15,000 miles in dusty conditions, longer in clean climates.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$60–$95

Shop

~$45–$70

DIY

~$15–$40

Usually behind the glovebox. Shops charge labor for a 10-minute job — easy DIY win.

Valve Clearance Adjustment (Sub-code 6)

Every 105,000 mi

Inspect and adjust valve clearances at 105,000 miles. Critical on K-series and L-series engines to prevent valve recession.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$495–$535

Shop

~$345–$375

DIY

Pro only

Mechanical-bucket valvetrains (many Honda 4-cyls, older Toyotas) need this. Hydraulic lifters don't. Shop work — feeler-gauge precision required.

Timing Chain — No Replacement

On condition / lifetime

Modern Honda engines (K-series, L-series, R-series, plus all Earth Dreams 1.5T and 2.0T) use a timing chain designed to last the life of the engine. No scheduled replacement.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$85

Shop

~$60

DIY

Pro only

Timing chains are normally lifetime. Listen for rattle on cold start — that's the actionable signal. Replacement is major work, quote separately.

Fatal crash history & reported problems

Occupant deaths in fatal crashes (FARS)

195 crashes 1990–2024

How the 195 occupant deaths break down

144

driver deaths

51

passenger deaths

195

occupant deaths

Crash years covered: 1990–2024 This model year first appears in 2014 crashes. Older models have had more years on the road to appear in these crashes, so a higher count here does not by itself mean a vehicle is less safe.

FARS counts every occupant death in a fatal crash, whatever the cause — it does not mean the vehicle was at fault or defective. Counts are not adjusted for how many of each vehicle are on the road. How to read this number

FARS 2024 data is an annual report file. NHTSA revises these records when the final file is published, so this count can change.

Why we show driver deaths too

Every vehicle has exactly one driver seat, so driver deaths line up fairly when you compare one model to another. Occupant deaths include passengers, so a three row SUV can show a higher number than a two seat car simply because it carries more people.

Both figures are plain counts, not rates. A rate would need to know how many of each vehicle are on the road, and that registration data is not public, so we do not publish rates or scores of any kind.

IIHS publishes driver death rates using this same driver only idea, paired with a registered vehicle years denominator we do not have. Their rates and these counts answer different questions, so do not read either number here as a safety rating.

Owner-reported problem signals

Separate from the federal fatality data above: complaints owners filed with NHTSA about this year and model. These are reports of problems, unverified, and are counted here only as signals.

30

complaints mentioning a crash

4

complaints mentioning a fire

Reviewed known issues for this vehicle·Open recalls for this vehicle

Typical U.S. ranges. Actual quotes vary by shop, parts choice, and vehicle condition.

How we estimate: Dealer = OEM parts × 1.4 + labor × $165/hr. Shop = parts + labor × $115/hr. DIY = parts only.

This maintenance schedule for the 2014 Honda Civic reflects Honda's published service intervals and the Maintenance Minder system. Your actual service needs may vary based on driving conditions, climate, and vehicle usage. Always consult your owner's manual for model-specific recommendations.

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