2022 Honda Civic Type-R Problems And Complaints

Honda Civic Type-R Problems

The Honda Civic Type-R is a very popular vehicle that looks a bit outlandish but still caters to the kid in adults. The performance is top-notch and being front-wheel drive makes it a lot more usable on the roads as well. There are several complaints which have come to the owners’ notice, of which some of the most frequent ones are:

Electrical issues:

1. Auto-roll down windows: The Honda Civic Type-R comes equipped with auto roll-down windows. This feature rolls down all the windows when the key is plugged in the driver's door lock. People have reported thefts due to this because one can manipulate the lock using a screwdriver. This opens all the windows and grants access to the cabin.
2. Infotainment issues: People have reported fluctuations in the infotainment display and the driver’s display. The driver’s instrument cluster displays images and obstructs important information from the driver. Some people have reported the rearview camera gets stuck and does not shift to any other screen.
3. Radar issues: Some people have reported the car’s information display to light up and disable all the safety features. Debris had accumulated near the radar and blocked all the related driving assists.
4. Wiring harness issues: The wiring harness of the Civic is prone to attract rodents. This rodent attack affects the electronics of the car and can cause an electrical short. The issue is isolated to some areas but is rather widespread in the reported areas. 

Mechanical and engine issues:

1. Emission failure: People have reported the 2020 Civic Type-R’s emission control system to fail and cause jerks while driving. The failure had been reported in new cars with less than 1,000 miles on the odometer.
2. Engine oil dilution: Many 2020 Type-R owners have reported the engine oil to dilute with fuel and cause strong vapors both outside and inside the car. These fumes have caused headaches and nausea in the occupants.
3. Condenser leakage: Numerous 2019 Type-R owners have reported the condenser leaking due to a minor impact from, say, a pebble. The carmaker was supposed to put a small metal screen to protect the condenser but still had reports coming in of the issue. Also, the repair cost had to be borne by the owner.
4. Parking brake failure: Some 2018 Type-R owners have reported the car to roll back at slight inclines. This happened even when the parking brake was active. The issue has also caused certain close-call scenarios with the people exiting the car.
5. Steering issues: Many 2018 Civic owners have reported the steering wheel to “stick” and not letting the driver do minor corrections. The issue is more prominent with the lane departure system engaged. The steering also tends to over-correct, leading to collisions.

Exterior issues:

1. Exploding sunroof: People have reported the sunroof exploding spontaneously and shattering glass inside the cabin. This has led to injuries to the occupants, while also causing a distraction for the driver.
2. Wiper issues: People constantly complained of the malfunctioning of the wiper while on the move. The issue causes a lot of inconveniences while driving in a rainy environment. Malfunctioning of the wipers also affects visibility.
3. Paint peeling issues: People have reported the paint to peel off and chip from near the rear windshield. The issue is reported from areas where the summers get very hot and affect the paint.

Honda Civic Type-R Recalls

The Honda Civic Type-R had been recalled 7 times for 5 model years. The most recalled model year was the 2017 Type-R with 4 recalls alone. The subsequent model years saw just 3 new recalls issued. The 2021 Type-R is recall-free, while there is no 2022 Type-R available yet. The latest recall was made on March 25, 2021 with NHTSA Campaign Number 21V215000. 

American Honda Motor Co. recalled nearly 624,000 units of several vehicles in its line-up. These also included the Honda Accord, the Accord Hybrid, the Odyssey, the Pilot, and the Passport. Failure of the low-pressure fuel pump in the fuel tank of these affected vehicles may stall the engine, increasing the risk of a crash. The carmaker notified the owners and the dealers replaced the fuel pump assembly for free. Details of the other recalls are summarized below:

S. No.	Date	NHTSA Campaign Number	Issues Noticed	Additional Remarks
1.	November 9, 2017	17V706000	Powertrain	Improperly heat-treated right half shaft may break, increasing the risk of a crash.
2.	April 26, 2018	18V266000	Airbags	Absence of slit openings in the driver and front passenger seatback pads may hinder their deployment, increasing the risk of an injury in a crash.
3.	June 20, 2018	18V421000	Equipment	Random characters in the manufacturing date area of the certification labels may not let the owners determine if a recall has been issued, increasing the risk of a crash.
4.	September 27, 2018	18V663000	Steering	Improperly secured electronic power steering system torque sensor magnet may become dislodged. This reduces maneuverability and increases the risk of a crash.
5.	November 16, 2018	18V817000	Equipment	Absence of the owner’s guide in the affected vehicles may cause confusion, causing the owners to make mistakes while using the car. This increases the risk of injury/crash.
6.	May 28, 2020	20V314000	Fuel System	Failure of the low-pressure fuel pump in the fuel tank may stall the car, increasing the risk of a crash.
7.	March 25, 2021	21V215000	Fuel System	Failure of the low-pressure fuel pump in the fuel tank may stall the car, increasing the risk of a crash.

Model Years	Airbag	Equipment	Fuel System	Powertrain	Steering
2017	1	1	0	1	1
2018	0	2	1	0	1
2019	0	0	2	0	0
2020	0	0	1	0	0
2021	0	0	0	0	0

What model year of the Honda Civic Type-R to avoid?

The Honda Civic Type-R has been on the top of the charts when it comes to hot hatches in the American market. It possesses the best performance and reliability but, still, sees numerous complaints and niggles reported by the owners. The complaints are observed to recur the most in the 2017 and 2018 model years. The frequent occurrence of these issues is the reason we’d avoid these model years and look for the 2019 Type-R and above.

Should you buy the 2022 Honda Civic Type-R?

The Honda Civic entered a new generation with the 2022 model year and the 2022 Civic Type-R is nowhere to be seen. Dealerships still have the 2021 Honda Civic Type-R in their inventory but charge crazy markups on the same, causing the price to skyrocket. If one wants to buy a Civic Type-R new, a well-researched approach with a lot of luck is required. For the people preferring the pre-owned route, the 2019 model year and above make a good case.