Honda has announced a substantial recall affecting approximately 406,290 Honda Civic models manufactured between 2016 and 2021. This recall, while significant in scale, is focused on a specific production window and wheel type, minimizing the potential impact on most owners. The Civic, a consistently popular and reliable model for Honda for over five decades, making this recall particularly noteworthy, though largely contained.
The Issue: Missing Lugnut Inserts in Alloy Wheels
The core problem lies in a manufacturing error affecting certain 18-inch alloy wheels. These wheels lack critical steel lugnut inserts or seats that securely fasten the wheel to the vehicle. During production, a barrier designed to separate finished and unfinished wheels was inadvertently removed, allowing incomplete wheels to be shipped alongside finished products.
Why This Matters
Without the steel inserts, the wheel’s attachment could gradually loosen over time. The potential consequence of this is the wheel, or even multiple wheels, becoming detached from the vehicle while driving — a dangerous situation that could lead to accidents. Experts also note the challenges of addressing this recall effectively, as customization and resale of the wheels may mean the original owners no longer have the affected components. This increases the risk of the faulty wheels ending up on used vehicles sold to unsuspecting buyers.
Identifying Affected Vehicles
The recall specifically targets 2016-2021 Honda Civics equipped with a particular 18-inch alloy wheel style (pictured above). While the Civic has been offered in sedan, hatchback, and coupe body styles, this recall centers on the wheels produced during a limited production window.
Limited Production and Italian Factory Connection
Honda’s investigation, initiated in July 2024 following the discovery of a missing lugnut insert on a Civic in Japan, traced the error back to a factory in Italy. The affected wheel style was produced between December 2018 and December 2019. While the production period was relatively short, Honda is taking the issue seriously given the potential for severe consequences. The Italian factory responsible for the manufacturing error subsequently closed in 2023, raising questions about quality control procedures.
Addressing the Recall
Fortunately, as of the recall announcement in October 2025, Honda reports no accidents or warranty claims related to these faulty wheels. Honda has begun notifying dealers and will subsequently contact affected vehicle owners, starting December 8, 2025. The remedy involves a free inspection of the wheels. If necessary, Honda will replace the defective wheels at no charge to the owner.
This recall highlights the importance of robust quality control measures in manufacturing, and Honda’s commitment to addressing potential safety risks proactively.
This recall underscores the need for diligent quality control processes and represents Honda’s proactive response to a potential safety concern. Owners of affected Civic models should promptly contact their local Honda dealer to schedule an inspection.
