1986 Honda CIVIC: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
20 owner complaints analyzed
3 distinct recall campaigns
107,684 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1986 model year. Data snapshot: . 2 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Seat Belts:Front:Retractor is the most frequently named component, appearing in 3 of 20 complaints (15.0%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Engine operation | 2 | 10.0% |
| Braking behavior | 2 | 10.0% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Seat Belts:Front:Retractor | 3 |
| Electrical System:Ignition | 2 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 2 |
| Exterior Lighting:Turn Signal:Switch | 2 |
| Seat Belts:Front:Webbing | 2 |
| Electrical System:Alternator/Generator/Regulator | 1 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System | 1 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline:Belts And Associated Pulleys | 1 |
Seat Belts:Front:Retractor: 3; Electrical System:Ignition: 2; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine: 2; Exterior Lighting:Turn Signal:Switch: 2; Seat Belts:Front:Webbing: 2; Electrical System:Alternator/Generator/Regulator: 1; Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System: 1; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline:Belts And Associated Pulleys: 1
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 0 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 0 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 0 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 1 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 1 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 0; 25,000 to 49,999: 0; 50,000 to 74,999: 0; 75,000 to 99,999: 1; 100,000 to 149,999: 1; 150,000 and above: 0
75,000 to 99,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (1). 18 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 |
|---|---|
| 1995 | 11 |
| 1996 | 2 |
| 2001 | 4 |
| 2003 | 1 |
| 2005 | 1 |
| 2025 | 1 |
1995: 11; 1996: 2; 2001: 4; 2003: 1; 2005: 1; 2025: 1
Pattern summary
Seat Belts:Front:Retractor leads the component reports. Engine operation appears in 2 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 2 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.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10036632 · 2003-08-26 (August 26, 2003)
THE 1986 HONDA CRX HAS PLASTIC FENDERS THAT HOLD THE SIDE MARKER LAMPS. THE PLASTIC HAS BECOME VERY BRITTLE OVER TIME. MY SIDE MARKER LIGHTS ARE ONLY HELD ON BY A CLUMSY, PLUG-IN ATTACHMENT NEXT TO THE HEADLIGHT. THE TWO SCREW HOLES THAT HOLD THE LAMPS ARE USELESS IN THE FENDERS THAT ARE BOTH BROKEN IN SEVERAL SPOTS. *NLM
Owner-reported narrative. 80,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10036632 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10134135 · 2005-08-24 (August 24, 2005)
DT: THE CONTACT OWNS A 1986 HONDA CIVIC. THE ENGINE CONSTANTLY BROKE DOWN. THE DEALERSHIP TOLD THE CONTACT TO GET RID OF THE VEHICLE. THE ENGINE BROKEN DOWN FIVE TIMES AND HAD TO BE REPLACED. THE ENGINE OVERHEATED AND STOPPED. THE DEALERSHIP WAS UNABLE TO FIND A REASON WHY THIS IS HAPPENED. THE CONSUMER FIRST BEGAN TO HAVE PROBLEMS WITH ENGINE ABOUT FIVE YEARS AGO IN THE SUMMER MONTHS. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10134135 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11649594 · 2025-03-20 (March 20, 2025)
The contact owns a 1986 Honda Civic. The contact stated that whether the vehicle was parked, stationary, or driven, the seat belt was difficult to retract. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact stated that the seat belts became difficult to retract even more frequently over time. The contact tested the seat belts, and the seat belts stopped recoiling. The vehicle was not taken to be diagnosed. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer was made aware of the failure; however, the contact stated that the dealer had exceeded a reason…
Owner-reported narrative. 135,368 miles reported. Look up ODI 11649594 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 480896 · 1995-01-23 (January 23, 1995)
FUEL FILLER PIPE DISINTEGRATED.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 480896 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 482144 · 1995-03-10 (March 10, 1995)
FRONT/REAR SEAT BELT RETRACTORS FAIL, LEAVING DRIVER/PASSENGER'S UNRESTRAINED. *SKD
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 482144 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 482159 · 1995-03-07 (March 7, 1995)
FRONT/REAR SEAT BELTS DO NOT RETRACT PROPERLY, ALSO CONNECTING SHOULDER/LAP BELTS DO NOT HOLD SECURELY. *SKD
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 482159 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 483280 · 1995-08-24 (August 24, 1995)
TRUNK RELEASE LATCH BROKE.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 483280 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 559956 · 2001-02-28 (February 28, 2001)
BOTH FENDERS HAVE CRACKS MIDWAY BETWEEN THE FRONT AND REAR FENDER, THERE ARE ALSO CRACKS ACROSS THE FRONT IN THE METAL WHICH IS BETWEEN THE HOOD AND BUMPER. NLM
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 559956 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
3 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
86V045000 · Power Train:Driveline:Driveshaft
Reported: 1986-03-20 (March 20, 1986)
LEFT SIDE DRIVE SHAFT COULD DEVELOP CRACKS NEAR THE OUTER JOINT.
Consequence: CONSEQUENCE OF DEFECT: DURING HIGH STRESS SITUATIONS, SUCH AS RAPID ACCELERATION OR DECELERATION, THE DRIVE SHAFT COULD BREAK WITHOUT WARNING AND CAUSE A SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER AND A VEHICLE CRASH.
Remedy: REPLACE LEFT DRIVE SHAFT WITH A PROPERLY MANUFACTURED PART.
NHTSA campaign record ↗88V180000 · Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer
Reported: 1988-11-18 (November 18, 1988)
UNDER HIGH AMBIENT TEMPERATURES FRONT WINDSHIELD WIPER CONTACT UNIT COULD LOOSEN AND BECOME DISLODGED.
Consequence: THIS COULD RESULT IN WINDSHIELD WIPER FAILURE AND WOULDAFFECT DRIVER VISIBILITY.
Remedy: INSTALL A CONTACT UNIT HOLDER THAT WOULD PREVENT LOOSENING.
NHTSA campaign record ↗95V103001 · Seat Belts:Front:Buckle Assembly
Reported: 1995-05-24 (May 24, 1995)
THE FRONT SAFETY BELT BUCKLE RELEASE BUTTONS CAN BREAK. THESE RED PLASTIC RELEASE BUTTONS ARE MARKED "PRESS." IF A BUTTON BREAKS, PIECES CAN FALL INTO THE BUCKLE ASSEMBLY CAUSING THE BUCKLE TO OPERATE IMPROPERLY.
Consequence: THE SAFETY BELTS WOULD NOT PROVIDE ADEQUATE PROTECTION TO AN OCCUPANT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
Remedy: OWNERS SHOULD PROMPTLY CHECK THE CONDITION AND OPERATION OF BOTH FRONT SAFETY BELT BUCKLES. CAREFULLY INSPECT THE RED RELEASE BUTTON FOR ANY BREAKS OR CRACKS. CHECK THAT BOTH BUCKLES ARE OPERATING PROPERLY BY INSERTING EACH LATCH PLATE INTO ITS BUCKLE, TUG ON THE BELT TO MAKE SURE THE LATCH IS SECURELY LOCKED, THEN PRESS THE RELEASE BUTTON. THE LATCH PLATE SHOULD POP OUT OF THE BUCKLE WHEN THE BUTTON IS PRESSED. IF EITHER RELEASE BUTTON SHOWS ANY SIGN OF BREAKAGE OR CRACKING, OR IF EITHER BUCKLE FAILS TO OPERATE PROPERLY, PROMPTLY CONTACT YOUR AUTHORIZED HONDA/ACURA DEALER TO SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT TO HAVE THE BUCKLE REPLACED OR REPAIRED, FREE OF CHARGE. THE MANUFACTURER IS DEVELOPING A REMEDY DESIGNED TO PREVENT THE FAILURE OF THE BUTTONS THAT ARE NOT CURRENTLY BROKEN.
NHTSA campaign record ↗