Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified
Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.
| At 160,000 mi | Universal Vehicle Operation (inspect idle speed) |
Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2012 Civic.
The 2012 Honda Civic is a compact passenger car built on Honda's global platform and powered by a four-cylinder engine that utilizes 0W-20 API-grade oil with a capacity of 3.8 quarts, specifications that align with the manufacturer's recommendations for optimal engine protection in this generation; the vehicle also incorporated the company's advanced compatibility system for improved structural rigidity and crash safety. In terms of reliability, the 2012 model year recorded 454 total owner complaints across its production run, with air bags representing the most frequently cited concern among the three recall campaigns issued for this model. When placed within the broader context of the Civic's complaint history from 1990 to 2022, the 2012 model's complaint figure falls well below the peak of 1,402 complaints recorded in 2006 yet remains substantially higher than the historic low of 102 complaints from 1990, suggesting that while this model year represents an improvement over earlier troubled generations, it did not achieve the exceptional dependability that characterized the vehicle's earliest production years.
Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.
Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.
From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 151R · 340 CCA battery. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.
Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.
| Overall length | 176 in |
| Overall width | 68.9 in |
| Overall height | 55.1 in |
| Wheelbase | 103.1 in |
| Curb weight | 2690 lb |
| Track (front / rear) | 59.1 / 59.8 in |
| Weight distribution (front / rear) | 61/39 |
0–60 mph, quarter-mile, horsepower and torque from independent road tests.
Independent road tests for the Civic of this era, listed by trim and engine — this page spans more than one engine, so no single horsepower figure is shown.
| Year | Trim / engine | 0–60 | ¼ mile | HP | Drivetrain |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 | Si Sedan 2.4L I-4 | 6.10 sec | 14.70 sec | 201 hp | FWD |
| 2012 | Si Sedan 2.4L I-4 | 6.10 sec | 14.70 sec | 201 hp | FWD |
| 2012 | Si Coupe 2.4L I-4 | 6.30 sec | 15.00 sec | 201 hp | FWD |
| 2012 | Si Sedan 2.4L I-4 | 6.30 sec | 14.80 sec | 201 hp | FWD |
| 2012 | Si Sedan 2.4L I-4 | 6.40 sec | 14.90 sec | 201 hp | FWD |
| 2012 | Si Coupe 2.4L I-4 | 6.50 sec | 15.00 sec | 201 hp | FWD |
| 2012 | HF Sedan 1.8L I-4 | 8.40 sec | 16.40 sec | 140 hp | FWD |
| 2012 | EX Sedan 1.8L I-4 | 8.90 sec | 16.80 sec | 140 hp | FWD |
Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.
This engine holds 3.8 qt of 0W-20 API engine oil, DOT 3 brake fluid. Torque lug nuts to 80 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-3-4-2. Note the cylinder-head bolts finish on a torque angle (torque-to-yield) — they stretch permanently and should be replaced, not reused, during any head service.
| Automatic Transmission Fluid | ATF |
| Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity | 2.5-3.0 |
| Brake Fluid | DOT 3 |
| Engine Oil | 0W-20 · API |
| Engine Oil Capacity | 3.8 qt |
| Engine Oil | 0W-20 · API |
| Engine Oil Capacity | 4 qt |
| Engine Oil | 5W-30 · API |
| Engine Flywheel Bolts | 87 ft-lbs |
| Engine Flywheel Bolts | AT: 54 ft-lbs, MT: 86 ft-lbs |
| Engine Flywheel Bolts | 55 ft-lbs |
| Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts | 18 ft-lbs |
| Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts | 33 ft-lbs |
| Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts | 18 ft-lbs |
| Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts | 24 ft-lbs |
| Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts | 16 ft-lbs |
| Lug Nuts | 80 ft-lbs |
| Automatic Transmission Drain Plug | 33.0-36.0 ft-lbs |
| Front Wheel Hub | 134 ft-lbs |
| Front Wheel Hub | 181 ft-lbs |
| Cylinder Firing Order | 1-3-4-2 |
| Ignition Timing | 0 degrees |
| Ignition Timing Acceptable Variance | 2 degrees |
| Ignition Timing Reference RPM | Idle rpm |
| Ignition Timing | 8, Not adjutstable degrees |
| Ignition Timing Acceptable Variance | 2 degrees |
| Ignition Timing Reference RPM | Idle rpm |
| Ignition Timing | 8, Not adjutstable degrees |
| Refrigerant | R134a |
| Refrigerant Capacity | 0.83-1.00 lbs |
| Oil Group | PAG |
| Oil Type | 46 |
| Oil Capacity | 2.50-3.00 oz |
| Refrigerant | R134a |
| Refrigerant Capacity | 0.83-0.95 lbs |
| Oil Type | SE-10Y or equivalent |
| Pressure Test | 14-18 psi |
| Radiator Cap Pressure Relief | 14-18 psi |
| Thermostat Opening Temperature | 168-176 °F |
| Regulated Fuel System Pressure (With Vacuum) | 46.0-54.0 psi |
| Regulated Fuel System Pressure (With Vacuum) | 55.0 |
| Regulated Fuel System Pressure (With Vacuum) | 57.0 |
| Regulated Fuel System Pressure (Without Vacuum) | 48.0-55.0 psi |
| Engine Compression | 142 Minimum PSI. 28 Maximum variation PSI. |
| Torque Caliper to Bracket | 17 ft-lbs |
| Torque to Knuckle | 55 ft-lbs |
| Torque Caliper to Bracket | 25 ft-lbs |
| Torque to Knuckle | 80 ft-lbs |
| Minimum Pad Thickness | Front: 0.063; Rear: 0.060 in |
| Minimum Shoe Thickness | 0.079 in |
| Drum Nominal Diameter | 8.661 in / 7.873 in |
| Drum Discard at-or-over | 8.7 / 7.913 |
| 1 | 7 ft. lbs., Step 2: 90 | 7 ft. lbs |
| 1 | 14 ft. lbs., Step 2: 90 | 14 ft. lbs |
| 1 | 4 ft. lbs, Step 2: 30 ft. lbs., Step 3: 120 | 4 ft. lbs |
| 1 | 27 ft. lbs., step 2: 90 | 27 ft. lbs |
| 1 | 52 ft. lbs., step 2: 90 degrees - When a new bolts is used: step 1: torque to 133 degrees, step 2: remove and retorque to 37 ft. lbs., step 3: tighten an additional 82 | 52 ft. lbs |
| 1 | 36 ft. lbs., step 2: 90 | 36 ft. lbs |
Prep Measure the diameter of each cylinder head bolt at point A and point B. Point A = 45.00 mm from thread end and point B = 50.00 mm from thread end. If either diameter is less than 11.3 mm (0.445 in), Do not reuse old bolts. Use new bolts coated with clean engine oil. Tighten all bolts to finger tight then continue on with the following procedure.
| 1 | 30.0 ft. lbs. | 30 ft. lbs |
| 2 | 90 degrees | 90 degrees |
| 3 | 90 degrees | 90 degrees |
| 4 | If using new bolts turn an additional 60 degrees | 60 degrees |
| 1 | 18 ft. lbs., Step 2: 40 | 18 ft. lbs |
| 1 | 18 ft. lbs., Step 2: 57 | 18 ft. lbs |
Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.
| At 160,000 mi | Universal Vehicle Operation (inspect idle speed) |
Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.
The 2012 Honda Civic marks a sharp break from 2011, with complaints jumping from 168 to 454, even as recalls fell from 9 to 3 and TSBs rose from 49 to 76. Within the 2012–2015 generation span, 2012 recorded the highest complaint volume (454), followed by 2013 (315), 2014 (290), and 2015 (377), placing it at the top of that four-year arc. The leading complaint areas were air bags (108), steering (53), electrical system (26), and power train (23), along with 55 crash-related and 5 fire-related complaints. The data does not specify root causes for those concentrations. Takeaway: Because 2012 carries the highest federal complaint load of its immediate generation and shows notable air bag and steering activity, it is a cautious buy at best; verify the three 2012 recalls are completed and inspect those systems closely before purchasing.
All 454 complaints on record, top 8 components.
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.
Showing 2 of 3 campaigns on record for this vehicle.
Honda is recalling certain model year 2012 Civic passenger vehicles, manufactured from October 26, 2012, through October 30, 2012. These vehicles were assembled with the incorrect steering column assembly. Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and replace the steering column, as necessary, free of charge. The safety recall began on December 10, 2012. Owners may contact…
HONDA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2012 CIVIC 2-DOOR AND 4-DOOR VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM APRIL 21, 2011, THROUGH MAY 2, 2011. THERE IS A POSSIBILITY THAT AN O-RING, WHICH SEALS A CONNECTION IN THE FUEL FEED LINE… Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FUEL FEED LINE ASSEMBLY FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 27, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT HONDA AT 1-800-999-1009.
Showing 5 of 76 bulletins on record with NHTSA.
| Bulletin | Date | Component | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| ONL6BD06242021 | 2021-06-24 | Power Train | Owner Notification Letter - Our records indicate that a EMISSIONS RECALL has not been… |
| ONL6BD10312019 | 2019-10-31 | Engine And Engine Cooling | Owner Notification Letter - Under certain circumstances, your vehicle's powertrain… |
| ABOM09242019 | 2019-09-24 | Engine And Engine Cooling | Dealer Message - Today, September 24, 2019, American Honda is announcing a stop sale and… |
| A17-023 | 2019-09-24 | Power Train | Service Bulletin - Due to an improper PCM calibration, under certain conditions after… |
| A19-106 | 2019-09-24 | Engine And Engine Cooling | Service Bulletin - Due to an improper PCM calibration, after starting the engine the PCM… |
The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.
Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.
Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.
Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.
3.8 qt of 0W-20 API, per the factory manual.
NHTSA lists 3 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.