1999 Honda CIVIC problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
302 owner complaints analyzed
3 distinct recall campaigns
120,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1999 model year. Data snapshot: . 145 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Electrical System is the most frequently named component, appearing in 63 of 302 complaints (20.9%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Engine operation | 60 | 19.9% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 40 | 13.2% |
| Braking behavior | 27 | 8.9% |
| Transmission and shifting | 20 | 6.6% |
| Steering behavior | 17 | 5.6% |
| Fuel system concerns | 5 | 1.7% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Electrical System | 63 |
| Electrical System:Ignition:Switch | 42 |
| Air Bags:Frontal | 29 |
| Air Bags | 26 |
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission | 15 |
| Engine | 14 |
| Unknown Or Other | 12 |
| Electrical System:Ignition | 10 |
Electrical System: 63; Electrical System:Ignition:Switch: 42; Air Bags:Frontal: 29; Air Bags: 26; Power Train:Automatic Transmission: 15; Engine: 14; Unknown Or Other: 12; Electrical System:Ignition: 10
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 8 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 10 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 18 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 21 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 44 |
| 150,000 and above | 44 |
Under 25,000: 8; 25,000 to 49,999: 10; 50,000 to 74,999: 18; 75,000 to 99,999: 21; 100,000 to 149,999: 44; 150,000 and above: 44
100,000 to 149,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (44). 157 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2000 | 24 |
| 2001 | 28 |
| 2002 | 43 |
| 2003 | 29 |
| 2004 | 21 |
| 2005 | 22 |
| 2006 | 9 |
| 2007 | 5 |
| 2008 | 6 |
| 2009 | 6 |
| 2010 | 17 |
| 2011 | 14 |
| 2012 | 9 |
| 2013 | 7 |
| 2014 | 8 |
| 2015 | 12 |
| 2016 | 12 |
| 2017 | 5 |
| 2018 | 4 |
| 2019 | 5 |
| 2020 | 8 |
| 2021 | 3 |
| 2022 | 1 |
| 2023 | 4 |
2000: 24; 2001: 28; 2002: 43; 2003: 29; 2004: 21; 2005: 22; 2006: 9; 2007: 5; 2008: 6; 2009: 6; 2010: 17; 2011: 14; 2012: 9; 2013: 7; 2014: 8; 2015: 12; 2016: 12; 2017: 5; 2018: 4; 2019: 5; 2020: 8; 2021: 3; 2022: 1; 2023: 4
Pattern summary
Electrical System leads the component reports. Engine operation appears in 60 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 40 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 27 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10071264 · 2004-01-15 (January 15, 2004)
WHEN IT IS COLD OUT MY 1999 HONDA CIVIC JITTERS WHEN IT IDLES. IT'S LIKE IT WAS GOING TO STALL. THAT CAN BE DANGEROUS IN TRAFFIC
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10071264 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10088782 · 2004-08-29 (August 29, 2004)
THE HONDA CIVIC 1999 WILL NOT PASS STATE EMISSIONS TEST NOT BECAUSE OF THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER (WHICH FROM WHAT I UNDERSTAND IS COVERED NO MATTER WHAT), BUT BECAUSE OF THE OXYGEN SENSOR. HONDA CLAIMS EVEN AFTER THE WARRANTY IS UP ANY PROBLEMS ASSOCIATED WITH FAILING EMISSIONS TEST ARE COVERED NO QUESTIONS ASKED. MY QUESTION IS WHY HASN'T THERE BEEN A RECALL ON THIS PIECE. MANY WHO HAVE THIS MODEL ARE COMPLAINING ABOUT THE EXACT PROBLEM. I HAVE PUT A LOT OF MONEY INTO THIS CAR AND IT SEEMS MORE PROBLEMS OCCUR. I WAS TOLD UNTIL I GET THE SE…
Owner-reported narrative. 60,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10088782 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10107851 · 2005-01-24 (January 24, 2005)
1999 HONDA CIVIC EX YESTERDAY, MY CAR DIED ON ME THREE TIMES WHILE I WAS DRIVING ON THE ROAD. IT JUST STOPPED AS I WAS DRIVING. MY CAR MADE IT TO MY MECHANIC THIS MORNING, BUT IT WAS SCARY NOT KNOWING WHEN THE CAR WOULD SUDDENLY DIED. THE OIL, BATTERY, FUEL PUMP, AND ALTERNATOR WERE ALL WORKING PROPERLY AT THE TIME OF THE INCIDENTS. WHAT I JUST LEARNED FROM YOUR SITE WAS THAT MY CAR HAD AN IGNITION SWITCH RECALL, WHICH HONDA FAILED TO NOTIFY ME ABOUT SUCH DANGER. HAD I BEEN ON THE FREEWAY, I COULD HAVE BEEN IN A SERIOUS ACCIDENT. …
Owner-reported narrative. 82,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10107851 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10125127 · 2005-06-13 (June 13, 2005)
NEVER NOTIFIED OF PROBLEM, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
Owner-reported narrative. 110,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10125127 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10101716 · 2004-11-29 (November 29, 2004)
VEHICLE ENGAGED CRUISE CONTROL AT 65 MPH AND VEHICLE ACCELERATED TO 90 MPH ON ITS OWN, MAKING IT DIFFICULT TO SLOW DOWN. BRAKES WERE APPLIED, BUT THE SPEED STILL CONTINUED UNTIL THE ENGINE WAS SHUTDOWN BEFORE PULLING OVER.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10101716 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10123760 · 2005-06-28 (June 28, 2005)
DT: WHILE DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY IN A HONDA PASSPORT THE WHEELS LOCKED UP, AND THE ANTI LOCK BRAKES CAUGHT ON FIRE.*AK *TT *NM
Owner-reported narrative. 120,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10123760 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10033519 · 2003-08-26 (August 26, 2003)
CVT TRANSMISSION ON HONDA CIVIC HX SHUDDERS WHEN ACCELERATING FROM STANDING STOP. AFFECTS ACCELERATION. TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED IN 2000 AND DEVELOPED THE PROBLEM AGAIN IN 2002. *NLM
Owner-reported narrative. 15,116 miles reported. Look up ODI 10033519 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10041779 · 2003-10-14 (October 14, 2003)
HAVE BEEN IN 3 ACCIDENTS WITH MY 99 HONDA CIVIC. AIRBAGS HAVE NEVER DEPLOYED. LAST ACCIDENT CAR WAS TOTALED, FRONT PASSENGER SIDE PUSHED IN, AXLE BENT, TRANSMISSION PUSHED BACK, DRIVER AIRBAG RELEASED 1 INCH FROM STEERING WHEEL, PASSENGER SIDE SUNK IN!!! (IMPLODE) *LA
Owner-reported narrative. 103,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10041779 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10100820 · 2004-11-30 (November 30, 2004)
199 HONDA ACCORD - THE WELD ON THE RIGHT BRACKET ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT FAILED CAUSING THE SEAT TO RECLINE BACKWARDS UNEXPECTEDLY. I AM ONLY 195 POUNDS AND HAVE NEVER HAD A SEAT FAIL IN ANY VEHICLE I'VE EVER OWNED. THIS SHOULD BE CONSIDERED A RECALL ITEM. THE SEAT FAILURE RESULTED IN ME JERKING THE STEERING WHEEL AND TEMPORARILY LOOSING CONTROL OF MY VEHICLE. THOUGH I WASN'T HURT IT COULD HAVE BEEN WORSE HAD THERE BEEN ANOTHER VEHICLE IN THE LANE I VEERED INTO. THIS IS SOMETHING THAT SHOULD BE FIXED AT NOT COST TO THE OWNERS OF THESE VE…
Owner-reported narrative. 147,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10100820 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10284008 · 2009-09-15 (September 15, 2009)
MY FAMILY AND I WERE RECENTLY STRANDED WITH OUR 1999 HONDA CIVIC GX. IT IS A NATURAL GAS VEHICLE AND WOULD NOT START. AFTER HAVING IT TOWED TO A HONDA DEALER WE WERE REALLY WORRIED BECAUSE OF THE DIAGNOSIS. THEY SAID IT WAS A SHORT IN THE EMERGENCY SHUT OFF VALVE INSIDE THE NATURAL GAS TANK. A SHORT IS CAUSED BY ELECTRICITY TRAVELING THROUGH A ROUTE THAT IS NOT DESIGNED BY THE PART AND USUALLY RESULTS IN A SPARK. MY FAMILY FEELS VERY FORTUNATE THAT THIS DID NOT RESULT IN A CATASTROPHE AT THE NATURAL GAS STATION. IT HAPPENED RIGHT AFTER WE…
Owner-reported narrative. 69,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10284008 at NHTSA ↗