7.3
pretty bad- Typical Repair Cost:
- No data
- Average Mileage:
- 250 miles
- Total Complaints:
- 6 complaints
Most common solutions:
- not sure (4 reports)
- firmware/software update (1 reports)
- recall update 16-001 - dealership install (1 reports)
This problem may be covered under warranty. Ask your Honda dealer.
The audio system has failed to work 3 times since buying the car on 2/7/16. I commute for 3+ hours per day and need the audio system to work. Reported the problem to the dealer and it even acted up when I was at the dealer, but now they are saying their technician said it is working fine. I asked about a software update and they don't believe anything is necessary at this time. I am getting the run around. Love everything else about the car.
- Patty B., Sacramento, CA, US
On three separate occasions, the sound system would not initialize, first two times, took several minutes to turn on. The last time, it did not initialize at all for two days. the system showed that it was on and volume up but would just get a loud crackling noise no matter what source was selected. After the two days, it's been fine, although at times it still seems a little slow to turn on. I did let the dealer know I was having issues, but with it working okay now, I haven't had to take it in on this issue. They weren't aware of other cars having the same issue.
- kennyj, Albuquerque, NM, US
Having the same issue with my 2016 Civic. It's been a 50-50 chance of the speaker system initializing. Brought back to the dealer but of course it was working then. Hopefully Honda will have a fix soon. Will definitely call it in to Honda. Otherwise, it's an awesome car...just nice and quiet with no sound at times.
- Annelle D., Atlanta, GA, US
Car will only initialize the sound about 75% of the time, and applies across all available sources (CarPlay, Sirius, FM radio, vehicle navigation, Bluetooth). The screen shows that the music timer is progressing, and volume has been turned up/unmuted.
Forums suggest restarting the vehicle or disconnecting the car's battery for 10 minutes - neither solution is practical or (from forum comments) reliable. Honda Tech Support (888-528-7876) logged my complaint but said they will not reach back to me to resolve and could not tell me if/when a software update would be available; their resolution was to take it to the local dealer. Local dealer recognized this is a known issue, but they don't know how to fix it.
The issue started 12 hours into owning the vehicle and occurs with three different iPhones (5s, 6, and 6s) - extremely disappointing because otherwise the car is great.
Update from Jan 19, 2016: 1/19/16: Took the car to the dealer at the first of the year. They could not replicate the problem, even though the person checking in the car validated it (he's not a technician, so his input didn't help?). Recommended bringing it back when it was acting up again. It did work consistently for several days after bringing it in.
I had the issue again while I was driving past the dealer on 1/15, and stopped in. They validated it, and said they will need to keep the car for two days to troubleshoot (and offered a loaner). I made an appointment for the coming Monday, 1/18.
Brought the car in on 1/18 for the appointment, and THERE IS A SOFTWARE UPDATE!! It must have JUST come in, because it was not available two weeks ago when I was there. They had my car for about 2 hours while I did some errands, and called me to pick it up.
They installed the update (Recall Update 16-001 on my service receipt), and said that this update specifically addresses the issue with the speakers. I Googled the update/recall and did not find anything with further information.
I have only had the car back overnight, but it has worked properly for the past 2 starts. I am keeping my fingers crossed that this is the update we've been waiting for. My frustration is that they haven't proactively reached out to all owners, or even those that have reported issues. But, at least there's an update!
- Michelle T., Chicago, IL, US
click to see larger images
The speaker system of my 2016 Civic Touring fails to initialize about half of the time I turn on the engine. Sometimes it initializes only after 15 seconds or so. My local dealership confirmed that this is an issue, and told me to 'keep restarting the car until the speaker system initializes'.
When the speaker system does not initialize, this means that the radio, navigation voice, and bluetooth phone interface cannot be used.
Update from Dec 15, 2015: Another (perhaps related issue) is that the clock on the touch-screen fails to update unless you press it. It will just read the last time it's been updated and sit at that time unless you manually update it.
I've also experienced some sound drop-outs which may or may not be related to the audio problem. For instance, if you play music through bluetooth, there can be occasional quarter-second gaps in the playback. It happens occasionally with Sirius stations as well. I'm not completely sure if this is a car problem or an issue with my phone, though.
Update from Dec 16, 2015: Additionally, the clock on the center console only occasionally updates itself, so it will stay at one particular time for an entire drive, and then perhaps suddenly update to the car clock.
Update from Dec 17, 2015: After talking with the dealership, it sounds like this is a center console screen issue that is more widespread for 2016 Civics. It sounds like it would be good for potential buyers to wait on this car until Honda releases a fix.
- hondrivr, Chapel Hill, NC, US
I have had the no audio issue 4 times now, 3 after the software update. Honda still has not fixed it and refuses to replace the amp that is unique to the touring model which is the only model with this issue. Dealer did a reboot which consists of holding the power button for 10 seconds and selecting reboot. This will bring back audio until it fails again.
- khellendrose, Lynnwood, US