NHTSA // CRASH-TESTED
2020 Honda Civic Safety Ratings
The 2020 Honda Civic scores 84 out of 100 on the NHTSA Safety Index (Strong), with a 5-star overall NHTSA crash rating, 5 recalls, and 213 owner complaints on file.
Updated Oct 1, 2026 from NHTSA data · Reviewed by Ivanna Verstliar
The 2020 Honda Civic achieved an 84/100 on the NHTSA Safety Index, earning a "Strong" designation. While its NHTSA crash-test results are largely excellent, five distinct recall campaigns and a defect-record subscore of 9/20 introduce areas of concern. This combination suggests a capable, but not flawless, safety profile for the model year.
The 2020 Honda Civic Coupe holds a NHTSA Safety Index of 84/100 and an NHTSA overall crash-test rating of 5 stars, sourced from federal NHTSA data.
MotorCaliber Safety Desk // NHTSA data, verified Oct 1, 2026
Among the 9 Coupes from 2020 that NHTSA has crash-tested, the 2020 Honda Civic ranks 3 for overall NHTSA Safety Index.
- families prioritizing rollover safety
- new and teen drivers who want standard crash-avoidance tech
- urban drivers exposed to side-impact risk
| NHTSA Safety Index | 84 / 100 (Strong) |
|---|---|
| Overall crash rating | 5 of 5 stars |
| Frontal / Side / Rollover | 4 / 5 / 5 stars |
| Rollover risk | 9.3% |
| Recalls on file | 5 |
| Owner complaints | 213 (unverified allegations) |
| Class rank | 3 of 9 Coupes tested for 2020 |
| Data verified | Oct 1, 2026 |
ANALYSISHow safe is the 2020 Honda Civic?
The 2020 Honda Civic Coupe presents a mixed safety profile, marked by a notable decline in its NHTSA Safety Index to 84/100, down from the 2019 model's 90/100. This six-point drop moves the Civic Coupe from an Exceptional rating to the Strong band. The primary factor in this reduction is its defect-record subscore, which stands at a low 9 out of 20 points. This reflects five distinct recall campaigns, a substantial number for a single model year. Crash protection remains a strength for the 2020 Civic Coupe, earning 65/70 points and aligning with its 5-star overall NHTSA rating. Avoidance technology also scored perfectly at 10/10, with standard forward collision warning, lane departure warning, and electronic stability control across all coupe trims. However, the recall record warrants close attention. Two separate campaigns address failures in the front passenger occupant classification system, a critical component for proper airbag deployment. Additional recalls for the fuel pump and brake master cylinder further broaden the scope of these safety concerns. The presence of 213 unverified owner complaints, some detailing alleged crashes and injuries, underscores the importance of verifying that all recall remedies have been completed before acquiring this vehicle.
NCAP // CRASH TESTHow did the 2020 Honda Civic perform in crash tests?
The 2020 Honda Civic Coupe achieved a 4 out of 5 stars rating in frontal crash tests, which stands as its lowest individual result. This car otherwise performed robustly in federal safety evaluations, earning an overall 5-star rating from NHTSA. Both side impact and rollover resistance tests concluded with perfect 5-star scores, and its rollover risk was a low 9 percent, with no dynamic tip registered.
Source: NHTSA NCAP, VehicleId 14819
Index breakdown
NCAP // CRASH IMAGESCrash-test images
Crash-test images are US federal government works (NHTSA / NCAP), public domain.
NHTSA // RECALLSDoes the 2020 Honda Civic have any recalls?
Yes. Five recall campaigns cover this coupe. Two target the front-passenger air bag occupant-classification sensor. Two separate campaigns address the gasoline fuel pump. A fifth covers the hydraulic brake master cylinder shared with the 2020-2021 Civic lineup. No park-outside or do-not-drive directive is noted in the data, but all five campaigns warrant VIN verification.
AIR BAGS:SENSOR:OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION:FRONT PASSENGER26V332000
Risk: Air bags that deploy unintentionally during a crash increase the risk of injury.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the seat weight sensors, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 7, 2026. Owners may contact Honda's customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are BOL, WO9, OOA, WOM, XOH, NOC, POD, BOE, UOF, POB, EOG, AOI, QO8, TOJ, DO7, and SOK. This recall expands previous NHTSA recall number 24V064. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involve
Reported 2026-05-21
AIR BAGS:SENSOR:OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION:FRONT PASSENGER24V064000
Risk: An air bag that deploys unintentionally during a crash can increase the risk of injury.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the seat weight sensors, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 28, 2024. This is a phased recall. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for these recalls are XHP and VHQ.
Reported 2024-02-01
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP23V858000
Risk: Fuel pump failure can cause an engine stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the fuel pump module, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed September 6, 2024. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are KGC and KGD. This recall is an expansion of NHTSA recall numbers 21V-215 and 20V-314.
Reported 2023-12-18
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:MASTER CYLINDER23V458000
Risk: Brake master cylinder separation can cause a loss of brake function and increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and repair the brake booster assembly as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 7, 2023. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are VEU, AEV, and ZET.
Reported 2023-06-29
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP21V215000
Risk: Fuel pump failure can cause an engine stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel pump assembly, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed May 18, 2021. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Note: This recall is an expansion of recall 20V-314.
Reported 2021-03-25
NHTSA // COMPLAINTSWhat do owners report about the 2020 Honda Civic?
NHTSA has logged 213 unverified owner allegations for the 2020 Civic, including a reported 14 crash events and 11 alleged injuries. The most frequently cited components in these unverified reports are Unknown or Other, Electrical System, Power Train, Air Bags, Steering, and the Fuel and Propulsion System.
213 owner complaints on file. These are unverified allegations reported to NHTSA.
USED BUYERWhat should used buyers know about the 2020 Honda Civic?
Any shopper considering this 6-year-old coupe should run the VIN through NHTSA's recall lookup before purchase. All five campaigns, covering air bag sensors, fuel pump, and brake master cylinder, may or may not have been completed by the current owner. Confirm remedy status on every open campaign.
- The 2020 Civic Coupe's Safety Index of 84/100 is six points below the 2019 model's 90/100, a year-over-year drop driven almost entirely by a defect-record subscore of 9/20 reflecting five active recall campaigns.
- Two separate recall campaigns both target the front-passenger air bag occupant-classification sensor, meaning this specific safety system has been flagged for potential failure under two distinct Honda recall actions.
- The frontal crash rating of 4 out of 5 stars is the one area where NHTSA results fall short of the otherwise perfect scores in side protection, rollover resistance, and the 9-percent rollover risk figure.
- NHTSA has received 213 unverified complaints on this model year, with Air Bags ranking as the fourth most-cited component in those allegations, a detail that aligns directly with the two air bag sensor recall campaigns on record.
RANKINGSWhere the 2020 Honda Civic places
The 2020 Honda Civic qualifies for these MotorCaliber safety rankings:
FAQ2020 Honda Civic safety questions
Was the 2020 Honda Civic crash-tested by NHTSA?
Yes. NHTSA crash-tested the 2020 Honda Civic, and it earns a NHTSA Safety Index of 84 out of 100, placing it in the Strong band. The index combines federal crash-test stars, standard crash-avoidance tech, and the recall record.
What are the 2020 Honda Civic crash-test star ratings?
In NHTSA testing the 2020 Honda Civic earned 5 out of 5 stars for overall, 4 out of 5 stars for frontal, 5 out of 5 stars for side, and 5 out of 5 stars for rollover. Its measured rollover risk is 9.3%. Categories NHTSA did not test show as not rated.
How many recalls does the 2020 Honda Civic have?
According to NHTSA recall data, 5 vehicle recalls are on file for the 2020 Honda Civic. Confirm your VIN at nhtsa.gov to see which apply to your car.
How many complaints have owners filed about the 2020 Honda Civic?
According to NHTSA's complaint database, 213 owner complaints are on file for the 2020 Honda Civic. These are unverified allegations submitted by owners, not confirmed defects, and include reports involving a crash or a fire.
Cross-check this record against independent expert reviews and the live NHTSA database before you buy.
Other Civic years
Rivals in Coupe (2020)
| Vehicle | NHTSA Safety Index | Overall stars | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 Chevrolet Camaro Ss | 86/100 | 5 of 5 | 0 |
| 2020 Ford Mustang Gt350r | 86/100 | 5 of 5 | 0 |
| 2020 Subaru BRZ | 84/100 | not rated | 0 |
| 2020 Toyota 86 | 84/100 | not rated | 0 |
| 2020 Chevrolet Camaro Zl1 | 83/100 | not rated | 0 |
| 2020 Dodge Challenger | 83/100 | 5 of 5 | 1 |
- DATA Pulled directly from NHTSA: New Car Assessment Program crash tests (VehicleId 14819), the recallsByVehicle and complaintsByVehicle records for the Honda Civic 2020.
- SCORE The NHTSA Safety Index (0-100) weights crash protection, standard crash-avoidance tech, and the defect record. Full formula on the methodology page. It ranks 3 of 9 in the Coupe class for 2020.
- EDITED Written by the MotorCaliber Safety Desk and reviewed for accuracy and plain-language clarity by Ivanna Verstliar, Editor, against the source figures on this page.
- VERIFIED Data last synced Oct 1, 2026. Recalls change; confirm your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. See our corrections policy and disclosure.