2012 Honda Civic MPG
The 2012 Honda Civic gets 22–28 mpg in the city and 31–39 on the highway (25–32 combined), across the 4 gasoline versions the EPA rated.
The most efficient pairs the 1.8-liter 4-cylinder engine with an automatic transmission and front-wheel drive, at 32 mpg combined. At the other end, the 2.4-liter 4-cylinder engine with a manual transmission and front-wheel drive manages 25 mpg combined, 7 mpg less. The EPA also rated hybrid and natural-gas versions, the best at 44 mpg combined. That is 3 mpg better than the best gasoline 2011 version (29 mpg).
| Version | Engine | Transmission | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Civic Hybrid | 1.5 L 4-cyl hybrid | Automatic (variable gear ratios) | Front-Wheel Drive | 43 | 44 | 44 | Regular · 202 g CO₂/mi |
| Civic HF | 1.8 L 4-cyl | Automatic 5-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 28 | 39 | 32 | Regular · 278 g CO₂/mi |
| Civic | 1.8 L 4-cyl | Automatic 5-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 28 | 38 | 31 | Regular · 287 g CO₂/mi |
| Civic | 1.8 L 4-cyl | Manual 5-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 28 | 35 | 31 | Regular · 287 g CO₂/mi |
| Civic Natural Gas | 1.8 L 4-cyl | Automatic 5-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 27 | 38 | 31 | CNG · 227 g CO₂/mi |
| Civic | 2.4 L 4-cyl | Manual 6-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 22 | 31 | 25 | Premium · 355 g CO₂/mi |
2012 Honda Civic fuel cost per year
Driving 15,000 miles a year on regular gasoline at the September 2026 U.S. average of $4.36 a gallon, the 2012 Honda Civic costs about $2,040 a year to fuel in its most efficient form (32 mpg combined), or roughly 14 cents a mile.
The thirstiest priced version (31 mpg combined) comes to about $2,110 a year, $70 more.
This is an estimate from EPA combined mpg and the EIA national average price; your cost depends on how and where you drive and on local prices.
2012 Honda Civic specs
The EPA lists 3 engine choices for the 2012 Honda Civic: 1.8 L 4-cyl, 1.5 L 4-cyl hybrid and 2.4 L 4-cyl. It came with continuously variable (CVT), automatic and manual transmissions, with front-wheel drive. For fuel-economy purposes it sits in the EPA's "Compact Cars" class.
| Engine size (L) | Cylinders | Transmissions | Drive | Versions |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.8 L | 4 | Automatic 5-spd; Manual 5-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 4 |
| 1.5 L hybrid | 4 | Automatic (variable gear ratios) | Front-Wheel Drive | 1 |
| 2.4 L | 4 | Manual 6-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 1 |
2012 Honda Civic problems
As of October 2026, NHTSA (the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) holds 474 owner complaints about the 2012 Honda Civic.
Air bags are the most-reported area (23% of component mentions), followed by steering (11%) and electrical system (10%).
Spread over its time on sale, that is 31 complaints a year: more than the 2011 (11 a year) and the 2013 (23 a year).
That ranks 11th of 17 Honda Civic model years (2008–2024), counting from the most complaints per year.
Of the 474, 58 mention a crash, 5 a fire and 31 an injury.
| Component | Mentions | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Air bags | 153 | 23% |
| Steering | 74 | 11% |
| Electrical system | 64 | 10% |
| Power train | 54 | 8% |
| Vehicle speed control | 40 | 6% |
| Service brakes | 37 | 6% |
| Structure | 36 | 6% |
| Engine | 35 | 5% |
| Unknown or other | 35 | 5% |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 18 | 3% |
| Seat belts | 16 | 2% |
| Seats | 13 | 2% |
| Electronic stability control (esc) | 11 | 2% |
| Exterior lighting | 11 | 2% |
| Visibility | 10 | 2% |
| Wheels | 10 | 2% |
| Gasoline fuel system | 9 | 1% |
| Suspension | 6 | <1% |
| Engine and engine cooling | 4 | <1% |
| Hydraulic service brakes | 4 | <1% |
| Equipment adaptive/mobility | 3 | <1% |
| Tires | 3 | <1% |
| Visibility/wiper | 3 | <1% |
| Equipment | 1 | <1% |
| Hybrid propulsion system | 1 | <1% |
| Interior lighting | 1 | <1% |
| Latches/locks/linkages | 1 | <1% |
| Parking brake | 1 | <1% |
What owners told NHTSA
We were not injured. We fixed the problem before we did get hurt..message came up.. “Check airbag system”. We had t replace our driver’s side airbag at the cost of over $1,500.
Component or system failure: The vehicle experienced failures involving the engine/ignition system, emissions system, Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA), and power steering. …
The contact owns a 2012 Honda Civic. The contact stated that the alarm indicator sounded off intermittently without cause. …
2012 Honda Civic recalls
The 2012 Honda Civic has been the subject of 4 recall campaigns.
The most recent, campaign 20V770000 from December 2020, concerns power train.
Power train accounts for 2 of the 4 campaigns, more than any other area.
20V770000 · December 10, 2020 · Power train
Problem: The drive shafts' protective coating may not have been applied properly during manufacturing, making it more susceptible to damage from road salt, or other contaminants, and potentially cause it to break.
Risk: A broken drive shaft may cause a sudden loss of drive power.
Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the drive shafts, replacing either the left or right drive shaft, if necessary, free of charge.
12V548000 · November 21, 2012 · Steering
Problem: These vehicles were assembled with the incorrect steering column assembly.
Risk: The steering column may not have proper energy absorbing characteristics, which could increase the risk of injury during a vehicle crash.
Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and replace the steering column, as necessary, free of charge.
12V256000 · June 4, 2012 · Power train
Problem: DURING ASSEMBLY, THE PROCESS REQUIRED TO SEAT THE DRIVERS SIDE DRIVESHAFT AND SET THE RETAINING CLIP WAS NOT COMPLETED. AS A RESULT, THE DRIVESHAFT MAY SEPARATE.
Risk: IF THIS OCCURS, THE VEHICLE WILL HAVE A LOSS OF DRIVE POWER AND MAY ROLL AWAY IF THE PARKING BRAKE HAS NOT BEEN SET WHEN THE GEAR SELECTOR HAS BEEN PLACED IN THE PARK POSITION, INCREASING THE RISK OF CRASH OR PEDESTRIAN INJURY.
Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the driver's side driveshaft and install a new driveshaft as needed, free of charge.
11V288000 · May 18, 2011 · Other fuel system
Problem: THERE IS A POSSIBILITY THAT AN O-RING, WHICH SEALS A CONNECTION IN THE FUEL FEED LINE, IS MISALIGNED. IF THE O-RING IS MISALIGNED, A SMALL FUEL LEAK MAY OCCUR.
Risk: FUEL LEAKAGE, IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FUEL FEED LINE ASSEMBLY FREE OF CHARGE.
Safety ratings
NHTSA crash-tested 3 versions of the 2012 Honda Civic; the best overall score is 5 out of 5 stars.
The 2-door FWD version scored 4 stars overall.
| Version tested | Overall | Frontal | Side | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4-door FWD | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
| 2-door FWD | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★☆ |
| Hybrid (IMA) 4-door FWD | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
Crash-test photos: NHTSA (public domain). NHTSA can reuse a test for later model years of the same design.
Compared with other years
Complaints per year on sale divide each model year's NHTSA complaints by the years since it went on sale, so older and newer Honda Civics can be compared fairly. Among other 2012 models in the EPA's compact cars class, the 2012 Volkswagen Jetta (32 mpg), 2012 Toyota Corolla (29 mpg) and 2012 Honda Accord (27 mpg) come closest on combined fuel economy.
| Year | Best mpg | Complaints | Per year on sale | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2009 | 42 | 426 | 24 | 8 |
| 2010 | 42 | 412 | 24 | 8 |
| 2011 | 41 | 171 | 11 | 9 |
| 2012 | 44 | 474 | 31 | 4 |
| 2013 | 44 | 329 | 23 | 0 |
| 2014 | 44 | 298 | 23 | 2 |
| 2015 | 44 | 394 | 33 | 1 |
Every Honda Civic model year compared →
Similar 2012 models
FAQ
Is the 2012 Civic a good car?
We don't rate cars, but the official data gives a picture. The 2012 Honda Civic has 31 NHTSA complaints per year on sale (11th most of 17 model years), 4 recall campaigns, a best overall crash rating of 5 stars and up to 44 mpg combined from the EPA.
What are common 2012 Civic problems?
The components owners report most to NHTSA are air bags (153), steering (74) and electrical system (64). Complaints are unverified owner reports.
How many recalls does the 2012 Civic have?
NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns. To see whether a recall is still open on a specific car, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2012 Civic get?
The EPA rates the gasoline versions at 25–32 mpg combined (22–28 city, 31–39 highway). The hybrid and natural-gas versions reach up to 44 mpg combined.
How much does it cost to fuel a 2012 Civic per year?
About $2,040 a year for 15,000 miles in its most efficient form, up to about $2,110 for the thirstiest version, using EPA mpg and the September 2026 U.S. average regular gasoline price of $4.36 a gallon (EIA).