1987 Honda CIVIC: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
30 owner complaints analyzed
3 distinct recall campaigns
157,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1987 model year. Data snapshot: . 3 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Seat Belts:Front:Buckle Assembly is the most frequently named component, appearing in 10 of 30 complaints (33.3%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 3 | 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:Buckle Assembly | 10 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 4 |
| Seat Belts:Front:Retractor | 3 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery:Hoses, Lines/Piping, And Fittings | 2 |
| Seat Belts:Front:Webbing | 2 |
| Power Train:Axle Assembly:Axle Shaft | 1 |
| Seat Belts | 1 |
| Seat Belts:Front:Anchorage | 1 |
Seat Belts:Front:Buckle Assembly: 10; Vehicle Speed Control: 4; Seat Belts:Front:Retractor: 3; Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery:Hoses, Lines/Piping, And Fittings: 2; Seat Belts:Front:Webbing: 2; Power Train:Axle Assembly:Axle Shaft: 1; Seat Belts: 1; Seat Belts:Front:Anchorage: 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 | 0 |
| 150,000 and above | 2 |
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: 0; 150,000 and above: 2
150,000 and above miles has the most reports with usable mileage (2). 27 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 | 16 |
| 1996 | 6 |
| 2000 | 2 |
| 2002 | 3 |
| 2003 | 1 |
| 2006 | 1 |
| 2008 | 1 |
1995: 16; 1996: 6; 2000: 2; 2002: 3; 2003: 1; 2006: 1; 2008: 1
Pattern summary
Seat Belts:Front:Buckle Assembly leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 3 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 10034277 · 2003-09-23 (September 23, 2003)
WHEN DRIVING AT ANY SPEED AND WITHOUT WARNING, THE FUEL LINE LEAKED WHICH CAUSED A DISTRACTION TO THE CONSUMER. *AK THERE WAS A STRONG ODOR OF GASOLINE INSIDE AND OUTSIDE THE VEHICLE. LIQUID GASOLINE DRIPPED FROM UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE ON THE DRIVER SIDE NEAR THE DRIVER'S DOOR. REPLACED OLD PIPES AND FUEL LINES AND OLD PARTS NOT AVAILABLE. *PH *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 93,645 miles reported. Look up ODI 10034277 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10159221 · 2006-06-07 (June 7, 2006)
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING THE FUEL SYSTEM FAILED WITHOUT WARNING. THE FUEL SYSTEM LINES HAVE BEEN REPLACED TWICE, THE FIRST TIME BY A DEALER, THE SECOND TIME BY AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP. THE MECHANIC DETERMINED THE FUEL SYSTEM LINES HAD FAILED AGAIN AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER HAS NOT BEEN ALERTED.
Owner-reported narrative. 157,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10159221 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10217979 · 2008-02-13 (February 13, 2008)
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1987 HONDA CIVIC CRX. THE VEHICLE HAS HANKOOK RADIAL MAX A/S (NA) TIRES. WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE TIRE BOUNCED UP AND DOWN AND CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO PULL TO THE RIGHT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE DID NOT NOTICE ANYTHING AFTER INSPECTING THE TIRE. THE MECHANIC REPLACED THE WHEEL BEARINGS; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE CONTINUED. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE MECHANIC AND HE STATED THAT THE TIRE WAS DELAMINATING. THE TIRE SHOP OFFERED THE CONTACT A TIRE UPGRADE AT HIS EXPENSE. THERE HAD BEEN NO …
Owner-reported narrative. 267,358 miles reported. Look up ODI 10217979 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 481011 · 1995-01-18 (January 18, 1995)
FRONT FENDERS APPEAR TO BE DISTORTED DUE TO WEAK MATERIAL WHEN GOING OVER BUMPS AT LOW SPEED. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 481011 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 481387 · 1995-03-21 (March 21, 1995)
REAR LEFT SEAT BELT BUCKLE LOOSE. *SKD
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 481387 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 505134 · 1996-06-06 (June 6, 1996)
DRIVER'S SEAT BELT BUCKLE FAILED IN ACCIDENT, CAUSING INJURY.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 505134 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 505693 · 1996-06-26 (June 26, 1996)
MOTORBELTS DO NOT LOCK WHEN APPLYING BRAKES. *DH
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 505693 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 551202 · 2000-03-06 (March 6, 2000)
WHILE THE DRIVER WAS PULLING INTO PARKING SPACE, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY SURGED FORWARD AND COLLIDED WITH TWO OTHER PARKED VEHICLES. YH
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 551202 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.
87V171000 · Equipment:Other:Owners/Service/Other Manual
Reported: 1987-10-29 (October 29, 1987)
OWNERS MANUAL INFORMATION REQUIRED BY FMVSS 210, SECTIONS 6A AND 6B WAS OMITTED FROM THE MANUAL.
Consequence: VEHICLES MANUAL INFORMATION DOES NOT COMPLY WITH FMVSS210.
Remedy: UPGRADE EXISTING MANUALS BY INSERTING ADHESIVE BACKED CORRECTION PAGES.
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 ↗