HondaCivic2018Overview/honda/civic/2018/base/

2018 Honda Civic

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2018 Civic.

Body PASSENGER CAR

The 2018 Honda Civic is a passenger‑car built on the longstanding Civic platform and equipped with Honda’s standard 0W‑20 API‑rated engine oil, reflecting the model’s contemporary power‑train design. Across its production span from 1990 to 2022, the Civic has amassed 601 owner complaints for the 2018 year, with steering identified as the most frequent issue and four recalls recorded, a modest figure compared with the program’s peak of 1,402 complaints in 2006 and its low of 102 complaints in its inaugural year. This positioning indicates that the 2018 iteration sits in a middle ground of the model’s reliability record, offering a generally dependable platform while flagging steering as the primary area for attention.

Model year202620242023202220212020201820172016

Quick specs

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

Engine oil capacityNSOEM · 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 · 410 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.

Battery groupBCI 51R · 410 CCAOEM · verified

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length178 in
Overall width74 in
Overall height56.3 in
Wheelbase106.3 in
Curb weight2917 lb
Track (front / rear)61 / 61.4 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)62/38

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.

4.9–5.4 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 4.90 sec — 2018 Type R Touring 5-door Hatchback
YearTrim / engine0–60¼ mileHPDrivetrain
2018Type R Touring 5-door Hatchback 2.0L Turbo I-44.90 sec13.60 sec306 hpFWD
2018Type R Touring 5-door Hatchback 2.0L Turbo I-45.00 sec13.70 sec306 hpFWD
2018Type R Touring 5-door Hatchback 2.0L Turbo I-45.20 sec13.60 sec306 hpFWD
2018Type R Touring 5-door Hatchback (Michelin Pilot Sport 4S) 2.0L Turbo I-45.40 sec13.70 sec306 hpFWD
2017Type R Touring 5-door Hatchback 2.0L Turbo I-44.90 sec13.50 sec306 hpFWD
2017Type R Touring 5-door Hatchback 2.0L Turbo I-45.10 sec13.70 sec306 hpFWD
2017Type R Touring 5-door Hatchback 2.0L Turbo I-45.20 sec13.90 sec306 hpFWD
2017Type R Touring 5-door Hatchback 2.0L Turbo I-45.40 sec14.00 sec306 hpFWD

Service quick specs OEM factory data

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

This engine holds NS 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

Brake FluidDOT 3
Engine CoolantUse Honda Type 2 Antifreeze
Engine Oil0W-20 · API

Engine torques

Crankshaft Position (CKP) Sensor Bolt(s)5.9 ft-lbs
Camshaft Position (CMP) Sensor Bolt(s)5.9 ft-lbs
Crankshaft Position (CKP) Sensor Bolt(s)9.0 ft-lbs
Camshaft Position (CMP) Sensor Bolt(s)9.0 ft-lbs
Crankshaft Position (CKP) Sensor Bolt(s)9.0 ft-lbs
Camshaft Position (CMP) Sensor Bolt(s)9.0 ft-lbs
Crankshaft Position (CKP) Sensor Bolt(s)9.0 ft-lbs
Camshaft Position (CMP) Sensor Bolt(s)9.0 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts80 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order1-3-4-2
Spark Plug ManufacturerHonda
Spark Plug Gap.028-.031 in
Spark Plug Torque16 ft-lbs
Spark Plug ManufacturerHonda
Spark Plug Gap.028-.030 in
Spark Plug Torque16 ft-lbs
Spark Plug ManufacturerHonda

Battery & A/C

Refrigerant Capacity0.83-0.95 lbs
Oil TypeDelphi RL85HM
Oil Capacity2.60-3.60 oz
RefrigerantR1234yf
RefrigerantR1234yf
Refrigerant Capacity.83-.94 lbs.
Oil TypeDelphi RL85HM or equivalent.
Oil Capacity2.60-3.50 oz.

Service checks

Fuel Pump Pressure Minimum57.0
Fuel Pump Pressure Maximum59.0
Fuel Pump Pressure Minimum73.0
Fuel Pump Pressure Maximum80.0
Fuel Pump Pressure Minimum57.0
Fuel Pump Pressure Maximum64.0
Fuel Pump Pressure Minimum73.0
Fuel Pump Pressure Maximum80.0

Brakes

Brake Caliper Bolt to Carrier TorqueFront: 25; Rear: 18
Brake Caliper Carrier to Hub Bolt Torque80
Brake Caliper Bolt to Carrier TorqueFront: 37; Rear: 18
Brake Caliper Carrier to Hub Bolt Torque80
Brake Caliper Bolt to Carrier TorqueRear: 18 /; Rear: 18
Brake Caliper Carrier to Hub Bolt TorqueFront: 103; Rear: 80
Brake Caliper Bolt to Carrier TorqueFront: 25; Rear: 18
Brake Caliper Carrier to Hub Bolt Torque80

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Camshaft Bearing/Carrier Cap Bolts or Studs — tightening sequence 2 stages
148.0 inch lbs.48 in
2144.0 inch lbs.144 in
Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
127.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: 90 degrees. When a new crankshaft or pulley bolt is installed: Step 1: Torque to 133 ft. lbs., Step 2: Remove bolt., Step 3: 29.0 ft. lbs., Step 4: 9427 ft. lbs
Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
137.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: 90 degrees. When a new bolt is used: Step 1: 133 ft. lbs., Step 2: Remove and torque 37.0 ft. lbs., Step 3: 9037 ft. lbs
Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
137.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: 9037 ft. lbs
Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
152 ft. lbs., Step 2: 9052 ft. lbs
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 1 stages

Prep New Bolts: Step 1: 22 ft. lbs.

2Turn 165 degrees. Old Bolts: Step 1: 22 ft. lbs.165 degrees
2Turn 140
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 1 stages

Prep New Bolts: Step 1: 22 ft. lbs.

2Turn 165 degrees. Old Bolts: Step 1: 22 ft. lbs.165 degrees
2Turn 140
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 4 stages
130 ft. lbs.30 ft. lbs
2Turn 90 degrees90 degrees
3Turn 90 degrees90 degrees
4If using new bolts turn 90 degrees.90 degrees
Main Bearings — tightening sequence 3 stages
1All bolts 22.0 ft. lbs.22 ft. lbs
2Journal bolts 1, 2, 4 and 522 degrees
332.0
Main Bearings — tightening sequence 2 stages
126.0 ft. lbs.26 ft. lbs
241.0

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 2018 Honda Civic falls within a generation that saw a sharp spike in complaints for the 2016 model year (1,061), followed by a general decline through 2021. Complaints for 2018 (601) are slightly higher than the prior year (574) but align with the downward trend, while recalls (4) are moderate compared to the generation’s range of 2 to 6. Technical Service Bulletins (TSBs) show a clear decreasing pattern from 316 in 2016 to 73 in 2021, with 2018’s 231 TSBs indicating that many issues were being addressed by the manufacturer. The top complaint area for 2018 is steering (193 reports), though the data does not specify a root cause, and there were 26 crash complaints and 4 fire complaints. Overall, the 2018 Civic appears to be a relatively stable year within its generation, but the elevated steering complaints suggest a potential area of concern that a buyer should investigate further.

4
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
231
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
0
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
601
Owner complaints
26 involved a crash · 4 a fire
NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars
Overall★★★★★
Frontal★★★★
Side★★★★★
Rollover★★★★★

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 601 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Steering193
Fuel System, Gasoline82
Unknown Or Other72
Fuel/Propulsion System50
Electrical System23
Engine21
Air Bags15
Structure10

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 6 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

20V314000Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery:Fuel PumpReported 28/05/2020

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Acura NSX, 2019 Acura RDX, RLX and RLX Sport Hybrid, 2018-2019 Honda Accord, Civic Hatchback, Civic Type R and HR-V, 2019-2020 Insight and 2019 Fit… Remedy: Honda will notify owners and dealers will replace the fuel pump assembly, free of charge. The recall began July 22, 2020. Owners may contact Honda customer service at…

18V421000Equipment:Other:LabelsReported 20/06/2018

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2018 Honda Civic vehicles. The manufacturing date area of the certification labels may have random characters which can affect the owner's ability to determine if a… Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the certification label, free of charge. The recall began August 7, 2018. Owners may contact Honda customer service at…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 231 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
A25-0762025-07-28EngineService Bulletin - Oil leak at timing chain tensioner inspection cover due to possible…
ATI&080620249062024-08-06Fuel/Propulsion SystemDealer Message - American Honda Motor Co., Inc. (AHM) is searching for certain 2018-2020…
ATI&072220249062024-07-22Fuel/Propulsion SystemDealer Message - American Honda Motor Co., Inc. (AHM) is searching for certain 2018-2020…
ATI&070520249012024-07-06Fuel/Propulsion SystemDealer Message - Dealer Message - American Honda Motor Co., Inc. (AHM) is searching for…
A23-0392024-06-19Visibility/WiperService Bulletin - Due to a new North America regulation which introduces a new…

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 2018 Civic take?

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

Does the 2018 Civic have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 4 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.