2012 Honda civic hybrid
JHMEB4F3XCS006621
Vehicle history report for the 2012 Honda civic hybrid (VIN JHMEB4F3XCS006621). Black. Title: Clean. 147,985 mi reported. Registered in Dc. 1 NHTSA recall campaign for this model year. Unlock full title, salvage, lien & accident history.
Should you buy it? Worth a look — but negotiate
Weighed from safety recalls, known problems and market price.
- 1 recall campaign exist for this model year. Check this VIN on NHTSA.gov to confirm the repairs were done.
- Owners most often report air bags trouble on this model — inspect it closely.
Full vehicle history report
Everything below is in the paid report for VIN JHMEB4F3XCS006621, compiled live from NMVTIS and licensed providers the moment you unlock it. Not every vehicle has every record type — the report shows what is on file, and says so when nothing is. The 1 recall campaign for this model year are shown further down.
📜 Title & ownership
- Title statusClean, salvage, rebuilt, junk, flood or lemon — from the national title database (NMVTIS)🔒
- Title brand historyEvery brand ever applied, by state, with what each one means🔒
- Title & registration recordsHow many times it has been titled, where, and the years-per-owner pace🔒
- Decode consistency checkThe provider's decode cross-checked against ours — a mismatch is a cloned-VIN warning sign🔒
🛞 Odometer
- Odometer timelineEvery reported reading with its date and state, drawn as a timeline🔒
- Rollback checkFlags any reading that goes backwards🔒
- Miles per yearThis car's pace against the US average🔒
💥 Damage, loss & theft
- Total-loss recordsInsurance total-loss declarations, with the reporting insurer type and date🔒
- Salvage & junk-yard recordsSalvage, junk and auction dispositions, including export flags🔒
- Theft screenActive and recovered theft records🔒
- Accident indicatorsDamage events reflected in title data (NMVTIS does not carry police crash reports)🔒
- Flood-exposure checkTitle activity in a disaster area soon after a major flood or hurricane🔒
💰 Liens & value
- Liens, impounds & exportOpen liens with the lender, tow/impound and export records🔒
- Market value for this exact carRetail adjusted for its mileage and state, trade-in, loan value, auction low/avg/high and retail by condition🔒
- DepreciationDrop from original MSRP, yearly rate and a one-year projection🔒
- Sticker vs dealer invoiceWhat it cost new, and what the dealer paid🔒
🧰 Factory warranty & equipment
- Remaining warrantyBasic, powertrain and rust coverage left, estimated from the first title date and odometer🔒
- Standard equipment & coloursWhat this trim came with from the factory, and the colours it was offered in🔒
🚨 Recalls on this VIN
- Per-VIN recall statusWhether each campaign has been repaired on THIS car, remedy availability, do-not-drive and stop-sale flags, dealer labour time🔒
At a glance
Vehicle identity & specifications
🧾 Window sticker / build sheet → All 2012 Honda civic hybrid data →
MPG & running costs
U.S. EPA fuel-economy estimates for the 2012 Honda civic hybrid.
Source: U.S. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov. Actual mileage varies with trim and driving conditions.
Crash-test safety ratings
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2012 Honda civic hybrid.
Rollover risk: 10.9% — NHTSA's estimated chance of rollover in a single-vehicle crash (dynamic test: no tip).
Source: NHTSA New Car Assessment Program, tested as the 2012 Honda Civic Hybrid (IMA) 4 DR FWD. Ratings can differ by body style and drivetrain.
Estimated 5-year cost to own
A rough guide to what running a 2012 Honda civic hybrid costs over five years and 75,000 miles.
How this is estimated: fuel is the U.S. EPA annual cost at 15,000 miles a year. There aren't enough comparable listings to estimate depreciation for this model, so it is left out. Not included: insurance, maintenance, repairs, taxes, registration and finance costs. Treat it as a comparison guide, not a quote.
Dimensions & weight
Manufacturer-reported figures for the 2012 Honda civic hybrid. Source: Transport Canada vehicle specifications via NHTSA.
Investigations & service bulletins
NHTSA defect investigations 3
Pedestrian alert sounds Closed
NHTSA received a petition on or about July 18, 2022, requesting that Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) 141 be applied to all electric and hybrid vehicles operating in the United States. The petition can be reviewed at NHTSA.gov under ODI Number 11486072. FMVSS 141 establishes performance requirements for pedestrian alert sounds for motor vehicles. The standard applies to hybrid and electric vehicles that…
NHTSA #DP22005 · Electrical System · opened Jan 2023 · closed Aug 2023Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture Open
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 2004 can degrade, causing the propellant to burn too quickly when ignited. The rapid burning can cause the inflator to rupture during deploymen…
NHTSA #EA21002 · Air Bags · opened Sep 2021Electrical overstress Closed
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened this investigation to determine if the failure of airbags to deploy during severe crashes, in certain vehicles, was the result of a safety related defect. During the investigation a complex failure was studied that can result in non-deployment of subject vehicle air bags and other restraint system devices in severe crash events. The subject vehicles may be equipped wi…
NHTSA #EA19001 · Air Bags · opened Apr 2019 · closed Sep 2024An investigation means NHTSA is examining a possible defect — it is not a recall, and many close without one.
Manufacturer service bulletins 80
Technical notes the manufacturer sent to dealers about known issues and fixes. Useful to mention to a mechanic — they are not recalls and repairs may not be covered. Showing the 10 most recent of 80.
Owner Notification Letter - Our records indicate that a EMISSIONS RECALL has not been completed on this vehicle (Vehicle Identification Number XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX). Under certain circumstances, your vehicle's powertrain control module (PCM) may not properly adju…
Bulletin ONL6BD06242021 · Power Train, Engine And Engine Cooling · Jun 2021Owner Notification Letter - This warranty only covers vehicles that have a defective motor power inverter, also known as intelligent inverter unit. The motor power inverter may fail over time due to a defective solder joint. This failure will result in the cha…
Bulletin ONLH9802252021 · Engine And Engine Cooling · Feb 2021"Service Bulletin - The Motor Power Inverter (MPI), also known as the Intelligent Inverter Unit (IIU), may fail over time due to a defective solder joint. This failure may result in one or more of the following DTC(s): -P1440 (MPI Module Output Circuit Malfunc…
Bulletin A20-030 · Engine And Engine Cooling, Electrical System, Equipment · Dec 2020Dealer Message - Today, December 18, 2020, American Honda is announcing a warranty extension for certain 2012-2015 Civic Hybrid vehicles. This warranty extension covers the intelligent inverter unit (IIU) to address possible concerns of various warning lights…
Bulletin ABOM12182020901 · Engine And Engine Cooling, Electrical System · Dec 2020Owner Notification Letter - Under certain circumstances, your vehicle's powertrain control module (PCM) may not properly adjust the air-fuel ratio resulting in your vehicle releasing air pollutants which exceed California and Federal standards. In addition, yo…
Bulletin ONL6BD10312019 · Engine And Engine Cooling, Power Train · Oct 2019Dealer Message - Today, September 24, 2019, American Honda is announcing a stop sale and emissions recall for certain 2012 Civic vehicles that may be releasing air pollutants that exceed applicable state and federal standards.
Bulletin ABOM09242019 · Engine And Engine Cooling, Power Train · Sep 2019Service Bulletin - Due to an improper PCM calibration, under certain conditions after starting the engine the PCM cannot properly adjust the air-fuel ratio. As a result, vehicle emissions may exceed applicable standards.
Bulletin A17-023 · Power Train, Engine And Engine Cooling · Sep 2019Service Bulletin - Due to an improper PCM calibration, after starting the engine the PCM cannot properly adjust the air-fuel ratio under certain conditions and the on-board emission-related diagnostic system may not appropriately detect a malfuction. As a resu…
Bulletin A19-106 · Engine And Engine Cooling, Power Train · Sep 2019ServiceNews Article - When removing and installing a cable reel, you need to keep both the cable reel and the steering angle sensor in position. If you don't , the VSA indicator may come on along with one or more VSA DTCs. And when you run the Neutral Memoriza…
Bulletin A19050B · Steering · May 2019Service Bulletin - This bulletin has been cancelled because the collection is now complete. If you did the collection in this Service Bulletin on or before February 26, 2019 (RO date), use the Warranty Claim Information provided below.
Bulletin A18-139 · Air Bags · Feb 2019Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation, listed for the CIVIC HYBRID FWD. Model-year data, not specific to one car.
Canadian recalls 1
Transport Canada recall campaigns for the 2012 Honda civic hybrid. Relevant if the car was first sold in, or imported from, Canada.
Powertrain
Issue: On certain vehicles, the paint on the front axle shafts could delaminate or become damaged by road debris. As a result the axle shaft could corrode. If this happens, the axle shafts could break and cause a loss of power to the wheels. Also, if this happens and the vehicle is parked without the parking brake applied, the vehicle could roll away. Safety Risk: A loss of pow…
Transport Canada #2020610 · Dec 2020Source: Transport Canada Motor Vehicle Safety Recalls Database.
Safety recall campaigns 1
POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DRIVESHAFT
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2013-2015 Acura ILX, 2013 Acura ILX Hybrid, 2012 Honda Civic Hybrid, and 2007-2008 Honda Fit vehicles with a manual transmission and 2009-2013 Honda Fit vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, N…
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. Owners were notified of the safety risk with an interim letter mailed February 2, 2021. A second letter will be sent once the remedy is available. Owners
NHTSA Campaign #20V770000 · manufacturer #P9M, PAV, BAY, TAX · 10/12/2020These are NHTSA recall campaigns for this model year, last checked 14 Oct 2026. They don't show whether this particular car has had the repair done — check this VIN on NHTSA.gov or ask a franchised dealer. Recall repairs are done at no charge.
We'll email you the moment a new safety recall is issued — no spam, unsubscribe any time.
Common problems & what to inspect
Based on all 454 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2012 Honda civic hybrid, here are the most-reported problem areas — and what to check before you buy.
💥 58 involved a crash 🔥 5 involved a fire 🚑 47 reported injuries
🔍 Confirm the airbag light turns on then off at startup — if it stays lit there's a fault (costly, and a safety risk). Check for signs of prior deployment.
🔍 Steering should be tight and centered — no play, clunks or wandering. Test at low and highway speed; listen for power-steering whine.
🔍 Test every electrical feature: windows, locks, infotainment, charging and all lights. Watch for flickering, dead accessories or warning lights.
🔍 Drive through every gear: watch for slipping, hard or delayed shifts, and shudder. Check for transmission/driveline leaks and noises.
🔍 Brakes should feel firm and quiet — no grinding, pulsing or pulling. Check for an ABS light and uneven pad/rotor wear.
🔍 Test cruise control and throttle response, and watch for any hesitation or unintended acceleration.
Pre-purchase checklist
- Match the VIN on the dash, door jamb and title — they must be identical.
- Cold-start the engine; listen for knocks and check for blue or white exhaust smoke.
- Test-drive through all gears at low and highway speed — no slipping, shudder or pulling.
- Confirm every warning light clears at startup (none should stay on).
- Check fluids — oil, coolant, transmission — for level, color and leaks.
- Look underneath for rust, fresh undercoating or signs of collision repair.
- Always get an independent pre-purchase inspection from a trusted mechanic.
Owner complaints 454
Complaints filed with NHTSA by owners of the 2012 Honda civic hybrid.
POWER TRAIN
The contact owns a 2012 Honda Civic. The contact stated that while attempting to park the vehicle, the vehicle was turned off and the vehicle started to roll away. The vehicle was stopped, and the parking brake was engaged to stop the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed that the front axle had failed and needed t…
NHTSA ODI #11679118ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2012 Honda Civic. The contact stated that before attempting to register the vehicle, it was discovered that there was a mileage discrepancy. The vehicle was a private dealer sale. At the time of purchase, the vehicle mileage was 116,000. Through a Carfax report, it was discovered that the mileage was 159,000.
NHTSA ODI #11667200ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE
So according to Honda Service Bulletin 20-030, all honda civic 2012-2015 hybrids having IMA Motor Power Inverter (MPI) have to fixed. I have the SAME CAR, SAME MODEL, SAME YEAR AND SAME ERROR CODES AS THE SERVICE BULLETIN AND THIS IS SUCH A SERIOUS ELECTRICAL POWER INVERTER ISSUE. Yet HONDA IS denying to work on it, even though there is 15 years or 150,000 m…
NHTSA ODI #11664413STRUCTURE
Paint defect. Paint faded and clouded on vehicle due to cheap paint used during manufacturing. I was never notified about the extended warranty. I contacted Honda and let them know, but was told the warranty ended. I financed my vehicle through American Honda for 5 years, and serviced my vehicle via Honda dealerships. Never did this come up as a possible rep…
NHTSA ODI #11664159ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2012 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 time of purchase, the vehicle mileage was 119,560, and the contact stated she looked at the title and took the vehicle to a mechanic to verif…
NHTSA ODI #11659725FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
It has happened more than once since 3 years ago. If I’m running my AC in the car, when I accelerate the car will skip/jump. It’s extremely expensive to repair and the problem isn’t even getting fixed. I basically can’t run my AC if it’s hot outside
NHTSA ODI #11658732STEERING
Esp code1.33-06 while driving car I suddenly lose of power steering making it difficult to control vehicle
NHTSA ODI #11658556STEERING
This is a serious matter that needs to be evaluated as it is a potentially fatal safety issue for human drivers of 2012 Honda Civic. This email needs to be sent please to the Department of Transportation and the National Transportation Safety Board for evaluation of extension of recall: meaning other 2012 Honda Civic vehicles that have the same type or simil…
NHTSA ODI #11656345+ 446 more complaints on record.
