1999 Honda CIVIC: complaints, problems and recalls
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.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10000137 · 2002-12-16 (December 16, 2002)
FOGGING PROBLEM
Owner-reported narrative. 78,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10000137 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10000652 · 2002-12-31 (December 31, 2002)
WHILE TRAVELING THROUGH A PARKING LOT, A LAMP POST WAS HIT ON THE DRIVER SIDE QUARER PANEL ABOVE THE TIRE. THE SPEED TRAVELED WAS 5 MPH AND THE AIRBAGS WENT OFF. THERE ARE NUMEROUS PROBLEMS COMPLAINTS OF AIRBAGS NOT GOING OFF IN FRONTAL COLLISIONS, BUT A SIDE IMPACT AT 5 MPH CAUSED THE AIRBAG TO GO OFF, WHICH IN TURN ALSO TWISTED THE DASH BOARD AND BROKE THE FRONT WINDSHIELD. THE ACTUAL CRASH ITSELF CAUSED LESS THEN $500 OF DAMAGE, IT IS THE AIRBAG, WINDSHIELD, AND DASH BOARD THAT CAUSED ALL OF THE DAMAGE.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10000652 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10001859 · 2003-01-02 (January 2, 2003)
RECALL# 02V12000 CONCERNING IGNITION SWITCH. DEALER REFUSED REPAIRS DUE TO LACK OF PARTS. VATLAND HONDA. [phone removed] [phone removed]. PLEASE PROVIDE THE ADDRESS. TS. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10001859 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10002080 · 2003-01-06 (January 6, 2003)
CONSUMER RECEIVED A RECALL LETTER, DEALER WAS WILLING TO DO RECALL REPAIRS BUT ONLY AFTER CONSUMER AGREED TO PAY $90.00 FOR DEINSTALLING AND THEN REINSTALLING AFTER MARKET IGNITION SWITCH. CONSUMER REFUSED TO DO SO. PH.....*AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10002080 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10002239 · 2003-01-07 (January 7, 2003)
THE DEALER STATED NO PARTS REGARDING RECALL 02 V 120 000 (IGNITION SWITCH) WOULD NOT BE AVAILABLE FOR ANOTHER 6 MONTHS. *TS *JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10002239 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10002498 · 2003-01-10 (January 10, 2003)
CONSUMER STATED THE REAR SEAT BELT BUCKLE CLIP MECHANISM IS NOT WORKING PROPERLY. DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION.*JB THE CONSUME NO LONGER OWNS THE VEHICLE. UPDATED 11/29/05. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10002498 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10003896 · 2003-01-15 (January 15, 2003)
CONSUMER STATES THAT WHEN HIT AT 30MPH IN THE FRONT CENTER OF THE VEHICLE THE AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY CAUSING MINOR INJURIES TO THE CONSUMER. DEALER NOTIFIED. TS
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10003896 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10006067 · 2003-02-06 (February 6, 2003)
IGNITION SWITCH PROBLEM. PH
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10006067 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.
02V120000 · Electrical System:Ignition:Switch
Reported: 2002-05-16 (May 16, 2002)
ON CERTAIN SEDANS, COUPES, HATCHBACKS, AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, ELECTRICAL CONTACTS IN THE IGNITION SWITCH CAN DEGRADE DUE TO THE HIGH ELECTRICAL CURRENT PASSING THROUGH THE SWITCH WHEN THE VEHICLE IS STARTED.
Consequence: WORN CONTACTS COULD CAUSE THE ENGINE TO STALL WITHOUT WARNING, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE IGNITION SWITCH. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN JUNE 14, 2002. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT HONDA AT 1-800-999-1009 OR ACURA AT 1-800-382-2238.
NHTSA campaign record ↗07V512000 · Fuel System, Other:Storage:Tank Assembly
Reported: 2007-11-01 (November 1, 2007)
ON CERTAIN COMPRESSED NATURAL GAS (CNG) VEHICLES, IN THE EVENT OF A SEVERE INTERIOR FIRE IN THE AREA OF THE REAR SEAT, THE CNG TANK MAY BE HEATED UNEVENLY, PREVENTING THE PRESSURE RELIEF DEVICE FROM VENTING THE CONTENTS OF THE TANK AS DESIGNED.
Consequence: THIS COULD RESULT IN A TANK RUPTURE, EXPLOSION, AND EJECTION OF THE TANK FROM THE VEHICLE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A HEAT INSULATOR MATERIAL TO THE REAR SEAT BACK. AN INTERIM OWNER LETTER WAS MAILED TO OWNERS BEGINNING NOVEMBER 26, 2007. WHEN PARTS ARE AVAILABLE, OWNERS WILL BE RENOTIFIED ASKING THEM TO BRING IN THEIR VEHICLE FOR REPAIR. OWNERS MAY CONTACT HONDA AT 1-800-999-1009.
NHTSA campaign record ↗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 ↗