5 Most Common Engine Error Codes for Honda Civics

Table of Contents

• What are Honda Civic Engine Error Codes?
  • First steps to finding the Honda Error code
• What is the CEL ( Check Engine Light)
• How can you check the error code in your civic?
• Can you get a CEL code without buying a reader?
• Common Codes for Honda Civics
  • Honda Civic Error code P0420
  • Honda Civic Error code P0302
  • Honda Civic Error code P0303
  • Honda Civic Error code P0135
  • Honda Civic Error code P0300
• Troubleshooting Tips
• Conclusion: Understanding Honda Civic Error Codes

What are Honda Civic Engine Error Codes?

Honda Civics are one of the market’s most reliable and fuel-efficient cars. With regular maintenance, they can provide years of trouble-free driving. However, it’s important to know what engine error codes your car is displaying when something goes wrong. Common Honda Civic engine error codes can indicate various possible issues with your vehicle and should be addressed immediately.

We’ve gone over some other models like the common issues with the Acura Tl-S , so we thought it would be worthwhile to look at the best selling Honda model, the Civic.

First steps to finding the Honda Error code

The first step in troubleshooting an engine error code is to identify which code you have received. This can typically be done by connecting a scan tool to the vehicle’s onboard diagnostic port (OBDII) and reading the code that appears on the display screen. Once you have identified the specific error code associated with your Honda Civic, you can begin researching online or consulting with a professional mechanic for further information on how to fix it.

While this might not seem like it will help a lot, the truth is that there are times when fixing the codes isn’t that hard. We had a CEL ( Check engine light) come on, and turned out that it was a faulty oxygen sensor. Then we just went to the wrecking yard, found a donor and clipped the sensor. And after we took it home and cleared the code for $40. Most places will offer a free reading of the code but sometimes add a bit of pressure to fix it at their garage, which can cost a lot more than if you could fix it yourself.

So check out our list of the most common Honda Civic error codes, and pretty much everything you need to know about them in our guide.

What is the CEL ( Check Engine Light)

The CEL, or Check Engine Light, is an important indicator in Honda Civics that signals when something is wrong with the engine. It is a warning light usually located on the car’s dashboard that illuminates when there are issues with the automobile’s engine. If this light comes on while driving, it indicates that one of your vehicle’s components has malfunctioned and requires attention. It is essential to pay attention to this light and not ignore it as it could result in more serious issues down the line.

There are many common codes associated with checking engine lights in Honda Civics including P0171 which indicates a fuel system fault, P0300 which signals a misfire issue, and P0420 which means catalytic converter efficiency problems.

How can you check the error code in your civic?

When it comes to troubleshooting engine problems in your Honda Civic, the first step is to identify and diagnose any potential error codes. Checking for error codes can help you determine what may be causing issues with your vehicle’s performance. This article will explain common engine error codes found in Honda Civics and how to check them.

Error codes are a series of numbers or letters that indicate a problem with certain components of your Honda Civic’s engine. These codes could be related to fuel consumption, transmission issues, temperature sensors, spark plugs, or cooling systems. To check for these codes, you’ll need an OBD2 diagnostic scanner tool, which should be available at most auto parts stores. With this tool connected to your car’s diagnostic port, you can access all the relevant information about any errors stored in the onboard computer system.

Here is a great video that shows you how you can check your code with an error reader:

And if you think you would benefit from having a scanner at your place, check out the prices online as you can get them for a great price. We bought one from AliExpress , and have been happy with it.

Can you get a CEL code without buying a reader?

If you really want to try to find out the cause of the issue and don’t feel like buying an obd2 error reader don’t worry. There is actually a way to get the code without buying anything extra! We found this video that shows how you can get your CEL code without buying anything, which is awesome because we like free:

Common Codes for Honda Civics

Honda Civics are equipped with an onboard computer that monitors the engine’s performance to ensure it is running correctly. But, in some cases, the computer may detect an error and display a code on the dashboard. Knowing these common codes for Honda Civics can help owners identify any potential problems with their vehicle and take action accordingly.

Some of the most common codes that appear on Honda Civics include P0420, P0455, and P0300. The P0420 code indicates that the catalytic converter has failed or is malfunctioning due to a blocked intake valve or oxygen sensor failure. The P0455 code indicates an issue with the evaporative emissions control system, while P0300 means there’s a misfire in one of your cylinders. But don’t worry we have the top 5 errors, and what they mean coming up next!

Honda Civic Error code P0420

One common problem that Honda Civic owners experience is a P0420 error code. This error code indicates that there is an issue with the catalytic converter, which can have serious consequences if left unchecked.

If you are wondering what the catalytic converter is, as you have heard a lot about them recently, then you aren’t alone. This part of the car has been in the news recently because it is a target of thieves due to the valuable metals that are located within them. These metals include palladium, platinum, and rhodium which are all taken out and sold at scrap shops. As the price of these rare metals rises so too does the theft rates. So now, let’s get into what the converter does in your car.

The catalytic converter is an important part of your vehicle’s emissions system and helps to reduce harmful pollutants from entering the environment. When this system malfunctions, it can cause significant damage to your engine and lead to costly repairs down the line. To avoid any further damage or expenses, you must address this error code immediately.

In order to diagnose and repair this issue properly, you must take your car to a certified mechanic who has the necessary equipment to diagnose and repair the problem correctly. You could try to fix this issue at home by replacing it, but this issue is a bit more than your average DIY project at home due to the location of the equipment and the tools needed to do the job correctly.

Honda Civic Error code P0302

The next code that many people come up with when owning a Civic is the P0302: Cylinder 2 Misfire Detected code. In this article we explore what this error code means and how to diagnose and fix it.

P0302 typically indicates an issue with the spark plug or fuel injector of cylinder 2. If left unchecked, a misfire in this cylinder can cause serious damage to other engine components over time. Fortunately, diagnosing the problem does not require special tools; simply removing the spark plugs will enable you to identify signs of wear or damage that can be replaced before further damage occurs.

This is one that you can do at home if you have some tools, and there are lots of easy to follow videos online on how to remove your spark plugs. So give it a try if you think you can handle it after watching a video online.

Honda Civic Error code P0303

The third code is the P0303 error, indicating a misfire in cylinder 3. You will notice the first three numbers are the same with the final number indicating a different cylinder than the previous variants.

This is pretty much the same as the 302 but a different cylinder so it has the same steps to checking and fixing.

Honda Civic Error code P0135

The fourth Error code we are going to look at is the P0135 usually indicates that the oxygen sensor heater circuit malfunctioned in bank 1, sensor 1 of the engine.

This type of fault is common in Honda Civics and can be caused by various issues, including a broken or loose wiring connection or an overheating catalytic converter. If you see this code show up on your dashboard display, it’s important to diagnose and repair the issue as quickly as possible to prevent any further damage from occurring to your vehicle’s engine. This issue can pop up if the oxygen sensor isn’t warming up right, so it might not be as easy as just swapping the part out, but again is one that you can find easy DIY fix videos to try to do at home.

Honda Civic Error code P0300

The final code that we are going to look at is the dreaded P0300 code , which is usually trying to tell you that there is a misfire in the engine cylinders.

If your Honda Civic is displaying this error code, it’s important to take action right away as misfires can have a pretty bad impact on your driving. It will usually lower your fuel economy and can increase your emissions levels. While P0300 may seem like a daunting issue to diagnose, there are several steps you can take to troubleshoot this issue in your vehicle, but again this is one that we would suggest taking to a mechanic ( unless you are comfortable taking your engine apart on your own!)

This one is worse than the previous P03 error codes as two or more cylinders are misfiring. One isn’t good, two is pretty bad and once you get over that you are just getting into broken engine territory… which no one wants.

Troubleshooting Tips

Troubleshooting engine errors can be a daunting task for any Honda Civic owner. But don’t worry; with the right knowledge and tools, you can easily find the source of your problem and take corrective action.

First, it is important to understand an engine error code and how it should be with either an error code scanner or the technique we showed in the video above. An engine error code indicates a potential problem within the vehicle’s powertrain system or another part of your car.

The codes are triggered by sensors embedded in various parts of the car’s systems that measure parameters such as temperature or pressure. When these values exceed pre-defined thresholds, an error code will be generated, which can then be read using appropriate diagnostic equipment.

If you have chosen a Civic for your base of your next build, we think that you will be pretty used to checking error codes, and if you aren’t yet we suggest you get ready for it. More often than not you will encounter some type of errors when swapping engines or making upgrades.

Conclusion: Understanding Honda Civic Error Codes

As Honda Civics are one of the most popular cars in the automotive world, it is important to understand the common engine error codes that may appear. Understanding and troubleshooting these error codes can save time and money for both drivers and mechanics alike. While it might sound overwhelming to “diagnose” your car’s error code it actually isn’t hard at all.

With the information the code provides you, there will be ways for you to find out what the issue is, if you can fix it yourself, and if not, the possible cost of fixing the problem. It is always great to go to a mechanic with a ballpark figure in your head, just so you know you aren’t getting charged too much.