1996 Honda CIVIC: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
148 owner complaints analyzed
2 distinct recall campaigns
100,500 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1996 model year. Data snapshot: . 40 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Air Bags is the most frequently named component, appearing in 18 of 148 complaints (12.2%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 25 | 16.9% |
| Transmission and shifting | 10 | 6.8% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 10 | 6.8% |
| Engine operation | 5 | 3.4% |
| Steering behavior | 3 | 2.0% |
| Fuel system concerns | 1 | 0.7% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Air Bags | 18 |
| Air Bags:Frontal | 13 |
| Unknown Or Other | 9 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 8 |
| Visibility:Power Window Devices And Controls | 7 |
| Air Bags:Frontal:Sensor/Control Module | 6 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 6 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline | 6 |
Air Bags: 18; Air Bags:Frontal: 13; Unknown Or Other: 9; Vehicle Speed Control: 8; Visibility:Power Window Devices And Controls: 7; Air Bags:Frontal:Sensor/Control Module: 6; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine: 6; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline: 6
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 3 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 1 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 7 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 9 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 10 |
| 150,000 and above | 10 |
Under 25,000: 3; 25,000 to 49,999: 1; 50,000 to 74,999: 7; 75,000 to 99,999: 9; 100,000 to 149,999: 10; 150,000 and above: 10
100,000 to 149,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (10). 108 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 | 1 |
| 1996 | 25 |
| 2000 | 30 |
| 2001 | 20 |
| 2002 | 7 |
| 2003 | 14 |
| 2004 | 14 |
| 2005 | 7 |
| 2006 | 6 |
| 2007 | 1 |
| 2008 | 1 |
| 2009 | 4 |
| 2010 | 3 |
| 2011 | 1 |
| 2012 | 2 |
| 2014 | 6 |
| 2015 | 1 |
| 2016 | 1 |
| 2017 | 1 |
| 2019 | 1 |
| 2020 | 2 |
1995: 1; 1996: 25; 2000: 30; 2001: 20; 2002: 7; 2003: 14; 2004: 14; 2005: 7; 2006: 6; 2007: 1; 2008: 1; 2009: 4; 2010: 3; 2011: 1; 2012: 2; 2014: 6; 2015: 1; 2016: 1; 2017: 1; 2019: 1; 2020: 2
Pattern summary
Air Bags leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 25 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 10 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 10 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 10000209 · 2002-12-18 (December 18, 2002)
IF A HARD TAKE OFF IS MADE THE STEERING WHEEL ALONG WITH THE CAR ABRUPTLY PULLS RIGHT. I'VE TOOK MY VEHICLE WHICH IS A 1996 HONDA CIVIC EX TO A CERTIFIED REPAIR SHOP AND THE TECHNICIAN INFORMED ME MY ALIGNMENT WAS IN SPECIFICATIONS. THIS HAS HAPPENED NUMEROUS OCCASIONS OVER THE PAST 6 MONTHS AND IN MY OPINION THIS COULD EVENTUALLY CAUSE ME TO LOSE CONTROL AND EITHER CAUSE OR HAVE AN ACCIDENT.
Owner-reported narrative. 74,300 miles reported. Look up ODI 10000209 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10007289 · 2003-03-03 (March 3, 2003)
ENGINE FAILED DUE TO FAULTY KEY MOUNT ON CRANKSHAFT, AND 2 BELTS CAME OFF PULLEY, VEHICLE LOSS CONTROL RESULTING IN AN ACCIDENT. ALSO, REPLACED WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER, EXHAUST SYSTEM, THROTTLE CABLE, EMISSIONS, AXLES, BRAKES, CV BOOTS, AND FLOOR MAT. *AK 8JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10007289 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10007761 · 2003-02-18 (February 18, 2003)
COMPLAINT ABOUT THE MALFUNCTION ON MY DRIVER SIDE WINDOW,AND THE FACT THAT THIS PROBLEM OCCURED OVER THREE TIMES WHILE UNDER HONDA WARRANTY, AND WAS NEVER RESOLVED.
Owner-reported narrative. 21,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10007761 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10007822 · 2003-02-19 (February 19, 2003)
SRS COMPONENT FAILURE. AIR BAG LIGHT STAYS ON - TOLD SENSOR UNIT NEEDS REPLACING. AIR BAGS WILL NOT DEPLOY UNLESS REPLACED. COST APPROXIMATELY $500. VEHICLE ONLY HAS 85000 MILES.
Owner-reported narrative. 69,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10007822 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10009546 · 2003-03-10 (March 10, 2003)
KEY MOUNT FAILED, WHICH CAUSED THE ENGINE TO MOVE OUT OF PLACE AND THE CRANKSHAFT TO BE DAMAGED. *TT *JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10009546 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10009619 · 2003-03-17 (March 17, 2003)
BELTS CAME OF PULLEYS, VEHICLE LOST CONTROL RESULTING IN ACOLLISION. ALSO, REPLACED THROTTLE CABLE/EMISSIONS/IGNITION/CV BOOTS AND WINDSHIELD WIPERS. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10009619 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10011998 · 2003-03-18 (March 18, 2003)
THE GEAR SHIFTER STUCK AND CAUSED TO SURGE FORWARD RESULTING IN AN ACCIDENT. *NLM
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10011998 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10018587 · 2003-05-12 (May 12, 2003)
PURCHASED TIRES FROM NTB MODEL NTW 17570TR13 VIPER T OWL 50 ON 6/23/98 MILEAGE 65158. FIRST TIRE SEPARATED ON 8/22/02 MILEAGE 97200, SECOND TIRE SEPARATED (OUT OF ROUND) 9/18/02 MILEAGE 97234, THIRD TIRE BUBBLED 5/11/03 MILEAGE 99517. *NLM
Owner-reported narrative. 97,200 miles reported. Look up ODI 10018587 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
2 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
20V026000 · Air Bags:Frontal:Driver Side:Inflator Module
Reported: 2020-01-17 (January 17, 2020)
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 1998 Acura 2.2CL, 1998-1999 Acura 2.3CL, 1998-1999 Acura 3.0CL, 2001 Acura 3.2CL and Acura MDX, 1998-2000 Honda Accord Coupe, Accord Sedan, Civic Sedan, Odyssey and Acura 3.5RL, 1999-2000 Acura 3.2TL, 1996-2000 Civic Coupe, 1997-2000 CR-V, 1997-1998 EV Plus, and 1998-1999 Isuzu Oasis vehicles. These vehicles were equipped with Non-Azide Driver air bag Inflators (NADI) and do not contain phase stabilized ammonium nitrate (PSAN) propellant. Due to a manufacturing issue, the NADI inflators may absorb moisture, causing the inflators to rupture or the air bag cushion to underinflate.
Consequence: In the event of a crash necessitating air bag deployment, an inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants. An underinflated air bag cushion may not properly protect the occupant. These scenarios increase the risk of serious injury or death.
Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the driver frontal air bag inflator, and replace it if necessary, with an inflator of a different design, free of charge. The recall began October 1, 2020. Owners may contact American Honda's Customer Support & Campaign Center at 1-888-234-2138 or Isuzu customer service at 1-800-255-6727.
NHTSA campaign record ↗96V106000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Power Assist:Vacuum:Hoses, Lines/Piping, And Fittings
Reported: 1996-06-18 (June 18, 1996)
A SOAPY LUBRICANT WAS USED TO INSERT THE CHECK VALVE INTO THE VACUUM HOSE WHICH CAUSES THE BRAKE BOOSTER CHECK VALVE TO STICK.
Consequence: THIS CONDITION CAN CAUSE A LOSS OF THE BRAKE'S POWER ASSIST RESULTING IN A REDUCTION IN BRAKING PERFORMANCE INCREASING THE POTENTIAL FOR A VEHICLE ACCIDENT.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL CLEAN THE CHECK VALVE BY WASHING THE VACUUM HOSE WITH HOT WATER.
NHTSA campaign record ↗