How Many Cabin Air Filters Are in a Honda Civic?

Most Honda Civics have one cabin air filter. On U.S. models from 2001 to present, the car is designed with a single cabin filter located behind the glove box. Some early-2000s Civics use a two-piece filter element that inserts side by side in one slot; it’s still considered one cabin filter assembly. Pre-2001 U.S. Civics typically didn’t come with a factory cabin filter.

What Changes by Model Year and Market

While the general rule is “one cabin filter,” there are nuances across generations and regions. The following breakdown helps you identify what your Civic likely has, and whether there are notable exceptions.

• 1992–2000 (U.S. models): No factory cabin air filter; some trims may have a slot for retrofit kits, but none were standard.
• 2001–2005: One cabin filter assembly behind the glove box; uses a two-piece element that should be replaced as a pair.
• 2006–2011: One single-piece cabin filter behind the glove box.
• 2012–2015: One single-piece cabin filter behind the glove box.
• 2016–2021: One single-piece cabin filter behind the glove box.
• 2022–2025: One single-piece cabin filter behind the glove box (all trims, including turbo and hybrid variants where applicable).
• Outside the U.S.: Availability on earlier generations can vary by market; some Japanese and European models adopted cabin filters sooner than U.S. versions.

In practice, if your Civic is 2001 or newer, you almost certainly have one cabin air filter to service; if it’s 2000 or older (U.S.), you likely do not—unless a retrofit was installed.

Location and How to Verify

The cabin air filter is typically mounted vertically in the HVAC case behind the glove box. To check, empty the glove box, release the side stop tabs so it swings down, and remove the narrow rectangular access panel. The filter slides straight out. If there’s no access panel on an older model, your Civic probably wasn’t equipped with a cabin filter from the factory.

Don’t Confuse It With the Engine Air Filter

The engine air filter lives in the engine bay airbox and feeds the engine; the cabin air filter is part of the climate-control system and cleans the air you breathe inside the cabin. Even though both are “air filters,” only the one behind the glove box is the cabin filter—and there’s still just one of those in a Civic.

When to Replace and What to Watch For

Honda generally recommends replacing the cabin filter every 12,000–15,000 miles (about every 12 months), or more often if you drive in dusty, smoky, or high-pollen environments. Premium options, such as activated carbon or HEPA-style filters, can improve odor control and fine-particle capture. Always check your owner’s manual or maintenance minder for the interval specific to your model and conditions.

These common symptoms can help you decide if it’s time to replace the cabin filter:

• Reduced airflow from the vents even at higher fan speeds
• Persistent musty or sour odors when using HVAC
• Increased dust or film on the inside of the windshield
• Worsening allergies or irritation while driving

If you notice one or more of these, a quick inspection and replacement often restores airflow and improves air quality.

FAQ: Do Any Civics Have Two Separate Cabin Filters?

No. Some early-2000s Civics use a two-piece filter element, but it fits into a single filter slot and counts as one cabin filter assembly. The Civic line does not use dual, separate cabin filters for different zones—an approach seen in some luxury or larger vehicles.

Summary

Across modern Honda Civics (2001–2025), there is one cabin air filter located behind the glove box; older U.S. models (pre-2001) typically lack a factory-installed cabin filter. Early-2000s cars may use a two-piece filter element, but it’s still one filter assembly. Check your owner’s manual for exact maintenance intervals and replacement procedures.

How many cabin air filters does a Honda Civic have?

The typical Honda comes with two air filters, as described above. The cabin air filter will actually be located inside the front passenger area, usually under the glovebox or close to the hood of the car.

Are there two cabin air filters?

No, most cars have one cabin air filter, not two. While some vehicles might have two slots for cabin air filters, typically only one is used for the primary filter. The other slot might be used for an optional filter, or in some cases, two filters are used in markets with higher pollution levels. Most cars will have a cabin air filter and an engine air filter. 
This video explains how to choose and install a cabin air filter: 56sHealthy Home GuideYouTube · Mar 28, 2023
Here’s a breakdown:

• Engine Air Filter: This filter cleans the air entering the engine, ensuring clean combustion. 
• Cabin Air Filter: This filter cleans the air entering the passenger compartment, typically located behind the glove box. 
• Optional or Dual-Slot Filters: Some vehicles have two slots for cabin air filters, but often only one is used. In some cases, a secondary filter (like a HEPA or activated carbon filter) might be used in the second slot for enhanced filtration, especially in areas with high pollution. 

Will a dirty cabin air filter affect the AC?

A dirty cabin air filter significantly degrades your AC’s performance by restricting airflow, forcing the system to work harder and reducing cooling efficiency. This leads to weaker air from the vents, longer cool-down times, increased fuel consumption, and can even strain components like the compressor, potentially causing costly damage.
 
This video explains the symptoms of a dirty cabin air filter and its impact on AC performance: 1mcar PROblemsYouTube · May 15, 2023
How a dirty filter affects your AC:

• Reduced Airflow: A clogged filter blocks air from flowing freely through the system. 
• Weak Air From Vents: Even with the fan on high, the air coming from the vents is noticeably weak or slow. 
• Decreased Cooling: The restricted airflow limits the AC’s ability to cool the cabin effectively, making it take longer to reach a comfortable temperature. 
• Increased Strain: Your AC system has to work much harder to compensate for the lack of airflow, which consumes more energy and can lead to reduced efficiency. 
• Potential for Damage: The extra strain on the AC compressor and other components can lead to premature wear and tear, potentially causing expensive damage over time. 

This video demonstrates how a dirty cabin air filter affects the AC system and highlights the importance of replacing it: 54sUnderhood ServiceYouTube · Jan 31, 2020
What to do:

• Check your manual: Find out if your car has a cabin air filter and where it’s located. 
• Inspect the filter: Look at the filter to see if it’s visibly dirty or clogged with dust and debris. 
• Replace it: Changing the cabin air filter is a simple, inexpensive maintenance task that can significantly improve your AC’s performance and your vehicle’s overall efficiency. 

Where is the cabin air filter in a Honda Civic?

In a Honda Civic, the cabin air filter is located behind the passenger-side glove box. To access it, you first open the glove box and then push in on both sides to release the tabs, which allows the glove box to drop down. Once the glove box is lowered, you will see a plastic cover with tabs on each side; pressing these tabs will release the cover and expose the filter, which you can then slide out.
 
This video demonstrates how to access the cabin air filter in a Honda Civic: 55sO’Reilly Auto PartsYouTube · Feb 7, 2020
Here are the detailed steps to replace the filter:

1. Open the glove box: and empty it of any contents. 
2. Squeeze the sides: of the glove box to release the side clips and allow it to drop down. 
3. Locate the access cover: for the cabin air filter behind the glove box. 
4. Press the tabs: on either side of the cover to release them. 
5. Remove the cover: by lowering it. 
6. Slide out the old cabin air filter: from its slot. 
7. Install the new filter, making sure to align the airflow arrow on the filter with the direction indicated on the filter housing (usually pointing down). 
8. Replace the filter cover: by popping it back into place. 
9. Lift the glove box: and press the sides back into place to secure it back onto its hinges. 
10. Close the glove box .