HondaCivic2011Overview/honda/civic/2011/base/

2011 Honda Civic

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2011 Civic.

Body PASSENGER CAR

The 2011 Honda Civic, a passenger car, arrives with a 3.4‑quart oil capacity and 0W‑20 API viscosity. It is part of the Civic’s platform that underpins the model’s consistent dimensions, and it logged nine recalls alongside 168 owner complaints. In the broader complaint history, its 168 grievances exceed the all‑time low of 102 but remain well below the 2006 peak of 1,402, indicating a moderate reliability standing for the model year.

Model year202620242023202220212020201820172011

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Engine oil capacity3.4 qtOEM · verified
Engine oil type0W-20 APIOEM · verified
Lug nut torque80 ft-lbsOEM · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 51R U.S. · 310 U.S. CCA battery. Note the factory serpentine belt is now discontinued — plan on a superseded or quality aftermarket equivalent, which the part pages below list where known. 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.

Battery groupBCI 51R U.S. · 310 U.S. CCAOEM · verified
Tire sizeP195-65R15OEM · verified
Wheel / rimN/A inOEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Serpentine belt56992RNAA04 discontinued

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length174.8 in
Overall width68.9 in
Overall height53.5 in
Wheelbase104.3 in
Curb weight2597 lb
Track (front / rear)59.1 / 59.4 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)60/40

Performance & power Independent road tests

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.

6.3–12.3 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 6.30 sec — 2007 Si Sedan
YearTrim / engine0–60¼ mileHPDrivetrain
2009Si Sedan 2.0L I-46.60 sec15.00 sec197 hpFWD
2009Si Sedan 2.0L I-46.70 sec15.10 sec197 hpFWD
2009LX-S Sedan 1.8L I-49.80 sec17.60 sec140 hpFWD
2008EX Sedan 1.8L I-49.40 sec17.10 sec140 hpFWD
2007Si Sedan 2.0L I-46.30 sec14.80 sec197 hpFWD
2007Si Sedan 2.0L I-46.80 sec15.10 sec197 hpFWD
2007LX Sedan 1.8L I-49.60 sec17.30 sec140 hpFWD
2006Si Coupe 2.0L I-46.30 sec14.90 sec197 hpFWD

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine holds 3.4 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.

Lubricants & capacities

Automatic Transmission FluidATF
Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity2.5-3.0
Brake FluidDOT 3
Engine Oil0W-20 · API
Engine Oil Capacity3.4 qt
Engine Oil0W-20 · API
Engine Oil Capacity4 qt
Engine Oil5W-20 · API

Engine torques

Camshaft Bearing/Carrier Cap Bolts or Studs8mm Bolts: 16 ft-lbs, 6mm Bolts: 9 ft-lbs
Engine Flywheel Bolts33 ft-lbs
Engine Flywheel BoltsAT: 54 ft-lbs, MT: 86 ft-lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts17 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts33 ft-lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine Boltsin three steps: 17 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts23 ft-lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts16 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts80 ft-lbs
Automatic Transmission Drain Plug33.0-36.0 ft-lbs
Front Wheel Hub134 ft-lbs
Front Wheel Hub181 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order1-3-4-2
Curb Idle Speed (No Load)820 rpm
Curb Idle Speed Variance (No Load)50 rpm
Curb Idle Speed (No Load)670 rpm
Curb Idle Speed Variance (No Load)50 rpm
Curb Idle Speed (Secondary Under Load)710 rpm
Curb Idle Speed Variance (Secondary Under Load)50 rpm
Curb Idle Speed (No Load)With EPS: 670, Without EPS: 750 rpm

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR134a
Refrigerant Capacity0.83-1.00 lbs
Oil GroupPAG
Oil Type46
Oil Capacity2.50-3.00 oz
RefrigerantR134a
Refrigerant Capacity0.83-0.95 lbs
Oil TypeSE-10Y or equivalent

Service checks

Pressure Test14-18 psi
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief14-18 psi
Thermostat Opening Temperature169-176 °F
Pressure Test14-18 psi
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief14-18 psi
Thermostat Opening Temperature186-194 °F
Regulated Fuel System Pressure (With Vacuum)38.0-46.0 psi
Regulated Fuel System Pressure (With Vacuum)55.0

Brakes

Torque Caliper to Bracket25 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle79 ft-lbs
Torque Caliper to Bracket17 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle54 ft-lbs
Torque Caliper to Bracket37 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle79 ft-lbs
Brake ApplicationWITH FN3 (16 inch) CALIPER PR NOS. 1LH/1ZG
Torque Caliper to Bracket25 ft-lbs

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
17 ft. lbs., Step 2: 907 ft. lbs
Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
114 ft. lbs., Step 2: 9014 ft. lbs
Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
127 ft. lbs., 9027 ft. lbs
Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
151 ft. lbs., step 2: 9051 ft. lbs
Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
136 ft. lbs., step 2: 9036 ft. lbs
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 3 stages

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.

122.0.0 ft. lbs.
290 degrees90 degrees
390 degrees90 degrees
Main Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
118 ft. lbs., Step 2: 4018 ft. lbs
Main Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
118 ft. lbs., Step 2: 5718 ft. lbs

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

At 160,000 miUniversal Vehicle Operation (inspect idle speed)

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

The 2011 Honda Civic sits at the low end of the complaint trend for its generation, with 168 complaints and 9 recalls—well below the spikes seen in 2006 (1402 complaints) and 2001 (1128 complaints). Compared to the previous year, 2010’s 396 complaints and 8 recalls, the 2011 model shows a sharp decline, and it remains below the 2012 figure of 454 complaints despite a smaller recall count. The recall trend across the decade is generally flat, hovering around 9–15 recalls annually, indicating no sudden surge in safety issues for the 2011 year. Top complaint areas for 2011—air bags (40), service brakes (16), and visibility/wiper (9)—are typical for the era, with no unprecedented defect noted. Given the downward complaint trajectory, the modest recall count, and the absence of a known root‑cause issue in the data, 2011 represents a comparatively reliable year to purchase a used Civic.

9
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
49
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
0
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
168
Owner complaints
22 involved a crash · 5 a fire
NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars
Rollover★★★★

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 168 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Air Bags40
Service Brakes16
Unknown Or Other13
Visibility/Wiper9
Engine6
Visibility6
Service Brakes, Hydraulic6
Structure5

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 9 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

18V661000Air Bags:Frontal:Passenger Side:Inflator ModuleReported 27/09/2018

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2014 Honda Insight and Acura TSX and TSX Wagon, 2014-2015 Honda Crosstour and Pilot vehicles nationwide, as well as certain 2014 Honda FCX Clarity and Fit EV… Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began November 6, 2018. Owners may contact Honda customer…

18V268000Air Bags:Frontal:Passenger Side:Inflator ModuleReported 26/04/2018

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2003-2012 Honda Accord and Pilot, 2010 Accord Crosstour, 2001-2011 Civic, 2002-2011 CR-V, 2003-2004, 2006-2008 and 2011 Element, 2007 and 2009-2013 Fit, 2010-2012… Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and, if necessary, replace the passenger frontal air bag module assembly, free of charge. The recall began June 22, 2018. Owners…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 49 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
A18-0662026-06-30Air BagsService Bulletin - Warranty Extension: Customer Support Program For Front Passenger's…
A07-0782026-01-27SuspensionService Bulletin - There is a pop or clunk from the front suspension area when driving…
A21120B2023-06-13Electrical SystemService News - The navigation clock and date are incorrect. This is due to a limited GPS…
A21120B2022-01-29Electrical SystemServiceNews Article - The clock shows the incorrect time. This issue is due to a limited…
A11-0642020-12-22StructureService Bulletin - There's a gap between the A-pillar trim and the headliner. The…

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420
Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1
P0300
Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected
P0171
System too lean — Bank 1
P0455
Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak
P0128
Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature
P0442
Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN
Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific Civic. OEM
Build data
Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.
Recalls
Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 2011 Civic take?

3.4 qt of 0W-20 API, per the factory manual.

Does the 2011 Civic have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 9 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.