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1996 Honda Civic

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 1996 Honda Civic do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 183.5.

About this comparison →

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

Limited mileage data: 40 of 305 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Air Bags. Review the 70 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Service Brakes, Hydraulic. Review the 52 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Visibility. Review the 34 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

67 crash reports4 fire reports33 injury reports

Electrical System complaints

17 reports
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280,000 miles · May 2, 2014
Electrical System

WHILE DRIVING THE CAR ENGINE WILL SUDDENLY DIE. DOES NOT MATTER IF YOU ARE GOING 20 MILES OR 60 MILES AN HOUR. I CAN CRANK IT AFTER A FEW MOMENTS AND IT STARTS BACKUP. SOMETIMES IT TAKES SEVERAL TRIES. WHEN DRIVING, IT WILL SOMETIMES JERK SLIGHTLY LIKE IT IS NOT GETTING FUEL. RECENTLY, IT WOULD NOT START I HAD IT TOWED TO T…

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WHILE DRIVING THE CAR ENGINE WILL SUDDENLY DIE. DOES NOT MATTER IF YOU ARE GOING 20 MILES OR 60 MILES AN HOUR. I CAN CRANK IT AFTER A FEW MOMENTS AND IT STARTS BACKUP. SOMETIMES IT TAKES SEVERAL TRIES. WHEN DRIVING, IT WILL SOMETIMES JERK SLIGHTLY LIKE IT IS NOT GETTING FUEL. RECENTLY, IT WOULD NOT START I HAD IT TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE IT SUBSEQUENTLY STARTED RIGHT UP. THE HONDA DEALER THOUGHT IT COULD BE MY OLD ALARM SYSTEM SO THEY REMOVED IT. HOWEVER, THE PROBLEM PERSISTED INTERMITTENTLY. I TOOK THE CAR BACK. THEY AGAIN PLACED IT ON THE DIAGNOSTIC MACHINE AND TOLD ME THERE WERE VARIOUS THINGS WRONG WITH MY OLDER MODEL CAR. HOWEVER, THEY DID NOT KNOW WHAT WAS CAUSING IT TO STALL OUT. DEFINITELY IT WAS A FUEL DELIVERY ISSUE SO THEY SAID REPLACING THE FUEL PUMP COULD BE IT. THEY REPLACED THE FUEL PUMP (WITH GENUINE HONDA PARTS) AND STILL THE PROBLEM PERSISTS INTERMITTENTLY ALMOST ON A DAILY BASIS. YOU NEVER KNOW IF IT IS GOING TO START OR DIE WHEN DRIVING. I HAVE HAD A NEW BATTERY INSTALLED AND EVERYTHING I CAN THINK OF CHECKED. I CANNOT AFFORD TO INVEST ANY MORE MONEY IN MY OLDER MODEL CAR AND WITH THE ENGINE STALLING IT IS, OF COURSE, NOT REALLY SAFE TO DRIVE. HOWEVER, WHEN I RESEARCHED THE PROBLEM, I LEARNED THERE HAD BEEN A RECALL ON HONDA CAR MODELS STARTING WITH 1997 MODELS (MINE IS A 1996) FOR IGNITION PROBLEMS THAT SOUND EXACTLY LIKE THE ONE I AM CURRENTLY HAVING THAT THE DEALER IS NOT ABLE TO IDENTIFY. IS THERE ANYTHING LEFT I CAN DO. THE CAR WILL SOMETIMES START RIGHT UP AND DRIVE WITHOUT ANY PROBLEM AT ALL. IT IS VERY STRANGE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10586077

170,000 miles · Dec 13, 2010
Electrical System

MY 1996 HONDA CIVIC WOULD NOT START ONE MORNING, I HAD INITIALLY THOUGHT IT WAS DUE TO THE CHILLY WEATHER. A WEEK LATER, WHILE DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY AT 65+ MPH, ALL OF A SUDDEN, MY CAR STALLED AND THE ENGINE SHUT OFF!!!! AFTER MY CAR FINISHES COASTING ON THE FREEWAY (AND RESIDENTIAL ROAD), I WILL HAVE A LITTLE PROBLEM TRYING …

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MY 1996 HONDA CIVIC WOULD NOT START ONE MORNING, I HAD INITIALLY THOUGHT IT WAS DUE TO THE CHILLY WEATHER. A WEEK LATER, WHILE DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY AT 65+ MPH, ALL OF A SUDDEN, MY CAR STALLED AND THE ENGINE SHUT OFF!!!! AFTER MY CAR FINISHES COASTING ON THE FREEWAY (AND RESIDENTIAL ROAD), I WILL HAVE A LITTLE PROBLEM TRYING TO RESTART MY CAR, BUT IT WILL EVENTUALLY RESTART! I WAS SCARED FOR MY LIFE FOR THE OBVIOUS REASONS (ONE SECOND YOU'RE GOING 65MPH AND THE NEXT, YOUR CAR DIES ON THE FREEWAY WITH CARS SPEEDING BEHIND YOU)!! I FOUND ONLINE THAT THERE WAS A RECALL FOR CERTAIN HONDAS & ACURAS (1997 TO 2000 MODELS OF ACCORD, CIVIC, PRELUDE, CR-V, AND ODYSSEY AND SOME 1999 ACURA TL SEDANS AND CERTAIN 1997 TO 1999 CL COUPES). THE PROBLEM IS, MY CAR IS A 1996 CIVIC AND IT IS NOW DECEMBER 2010, SO THEREFORE, IT IS NOT COVERED WITH MANUFACTURE!! I'LL BET MY LIFE THAT A LOT OF PEOPLE DO NOT KNOW OF THIS DEFECT WITH THEIR HONDAS BECAUSE #1, THEY PROBABLY WERE NOT THE 1ST OWNER OF THEIR HONDA SO THEY WOULD NOT OF BEEN AWARE OF THE RECALL, AND #2, EVEN THOUGH IT HAS BEEN YEARS SINCE THE RECALL, I BELIEVE THAT IT IS STILL A LIFE THREATENING ISSUE FOR MYSELF AND FOR ALL OTHER DRIVERS DUE TO THE MANUFACTURES FAULT!!! THIS ISSUE SHOULD BE RESOLVED AND RE-EVALUATED ASAP, AS LIVES ARE AT STAKE!!!! *TR

NHTSA ODI #10370496

120,000 miles · May 14, 2004
Electrical SystemFire

CIVIC HAD BEEN PARKED FOR ABOUT 24 HOURS AND WHEN I LOOKED OUTSIDE MY APARTMENT WINDOW IT WAS ON FIRE. THE FAILURE SEEMED TO START IN THE DASH WIRING SOMEWHERE. THE FIRE STARTED THERE AS THE MOST DAMAGE WAS DONE TO THE FRONT PORTION OF THE CAR AND THE DASH WAS COMPLETELY DESTROYED. THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT WAS NOT DAMAGED, THE RE…

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CIVIC HAD BEEN PARKED FOR ABOUT 24 HOURS AND WHEN I LOOKED OUTSIDE MY APARTMENT WINDOW IT WAS ON FIRE. THE FAILURE SEEMED TO START IN THE DASH WIRING SOMEWHERE. THE FIRE STARTED THERE AS THE MOST DAMAGE WAS DONE TO THE FRONT PORTION OF THE CAR AND THE DASH WAS COMPLETELY DESTROYED. THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT WAS NOT DAMAGED, THE REAR SEAT WAS DAMAGED BUT NOT DESTROYED BY FIRE COMPLETELY, AND THE TRUNK WAS UNTOUCHED. FRONT WINDOW BLEW OUT AND THE SAFETY GLASS (MORE LIKELY THE PLASTIC FILM IN BETWEEN GLASS SHEETS) MELTED, BOTH FRONT DOOR WINDOWS BLEW OUTWARDS, AND MOONROOF GLASS SHATTERED. FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CALLED AND THEY PUT IT OUT. VEHICLE WAS A TOTAL LOSS. IT WAS JUNKED. NO INSURANCE CLAIM WAS FILED ON IT BECAUSE IT WAS PAID OFF AND WE WERE ONLY CARRYING LIABILITY ON IT.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10072618

Mileage unknown · Mar 17, 2003
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine CoolingPower TrainCrash

BELTS CAME OF PULLEYS, VEHICLE LOST CONTROL RESULTING IN ACOLLISION. ALSO, REPLACED THROTTLE CABLE/EMISSIONS/IGNITION/CV BOOTS AND WINDSHIELD WIPERS. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10009619

Mileage unknown · Nov 27, 2002
Electrical System

CONSUMER STATED THAT THEY COULD TAKE THE KEY OUT OF THE IGNITION IN ANY GEAR. DEALER NOTIFIED. TS

NHTSA ODI #8023408

Mileage unknown · May 17, 2001
Electrical System

REGULATOR ON THE ALTERNATOR IS CHARGING UP, THEN GOING DOWN THEN UP. LIGHTS ARE AFFECTED.*AK

NHTSA ODI #745453

Mileage unknown · Mar 29, 2001
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine CoolingFire

I WAS DRIVING AND THE AUTO JUST STOPPED. THIS WAS FIXED AND LESS THEN 2 YEARS LATER THE SAME THING HAPPEN I WAS DRIVING AND THE ENJINE STOPPED. THE SAME THING HAS BEEN REPLACED TWICE. I FIND IT UNUSUAL THAT THEY ARE WILLING TO FIX THIS UNDER ANOTHER RECALL FOR EMISSION WARRANTY , WHEN I SUBMITTED TO BE REINBURSED IT WAS DENIED.…

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I WAS DRIVING AND THE AUTO JUST STOPPED. THIS WAS FIXED AND LESS THEN 2 YEARS LATER THE SAME THING HAPPEN I WAS DRIVING AND THE ENJINE STOPPED. THE SAME THING HAS BEEN REPLACED TWICE. I FIND IT UNUSUAL THAT THEY ARE WILLING TO FIX THIS UNDER ANOTHER RECALL FOR EMISSION WARRANTY , WHEN I SUBMITTED TO BE REINBURSED IT WAS DENIED. THE FIRST TIME THE MECHANIC SAID THAT THE COILS AND INGINITION LOOKED AS IF IT HAD CAUGHT ON FIRE. I AM GETTING CONCERNED OVER THIS AND THE FUTURE OF THIS IGNITIONS.

NHTSA ODI #743235

Mileage unknown · May 11, 2000
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine Cooling

MY CAR HAS A NEW TIMING BELT, A NEW IGNITION CONTROL MODULE " IGNITOR" NEW PLUGS, AND FUEL IS GETTING TO THE ENGINE AND FIRE IS GOING TO PLUGS BUT MY CAR STILL WILL NOT START. IS IT POSSIBLE THAT THERE IS A SENSOR THAT WILL WILL CAUSE THE CAR NOT TO START.? I HAVE JUST BECOME AWARE OF THE THROTTLE PROBLEM AND IT WAS A RECALL BU…

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MY CAR HAS A NEW TIMING BELT, A NEW IGNITION CONTROL MODULE " IGNITOR" NEW PLUGS, AND FUEL IS GETTING TO THE ENGINE AND FIRE IS GOING TO PLUGS BUT MY CAR STILL WILL NOT START. IS IT POSSIBLE THAT THERE IS A SENSOR THAT WILL WILL CAUSE THE CAR NOT TO START.? I HAVE JUST BECOME AWARE OF THE THROTTLE PROBLEM AND IT WAS A RECALL BUT I DID NOT RECEIVE NOTICE. IS THIS THE PROBLEM? AT THE BOTTTOM PULLEY OF THE TIMING BELT THERE IS A SENSOR, WILL THAT CAUSE MY CAR NOT TO START. I NEED HELP AND WHEN I WENT TO HONDA HERE IN COLUMBIA SOUTH CAROLINA ON GREYSTONE BLVD THE PARTS DEPARTMENT HAD NO IDEA WHAT I NEEDED OR EVEN WHAT A IGNITION CONTROL MODULE WAS....I NEED ASSTSANCE WITHT HIS MATTER AND I EXPECT FOR SOMEONE TO CONTACT ME ASAP....THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME. *AK

NHTSA ODI #722544

Mileage unknown · Jan 16, 2000
Electrical System

TURNED CAR OFF. CAR BEGAN TO HONK WILDLY, INTERIOR LIGHTS FLASHED, DOOR LOCKED AND UNLOCKED, AND RADIO IS WITHOUT POWER. HAD TO PULL UNDER HOOD HORN FUSE TO STOP POWERING THE ELECTRICAL SHORT. THIS FUSE POWERS HORN AND BRAKE LIGHTS. FUSE MUST REMAIN PULLED TO KEEP HORN FROM SOUNDING. PREVIOUSLY HAD PROBLEMS WITH ELECTRIC WI…

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TURNED CAR OFF. CAR BEGAN TO HONK WILDLY, INTERIOR LIGHTS FLASHED, DOOR LOCKED AND UNLOCKED, AND RADIO IS WITHOUT POWER. HAD TO PULL UNDER HOOD HORN FUSE TO STOP POWERING THE ELECTRICAL SHORT. THIS FUSE POWERS HORN AND BRAKE LIGHTS. FUSE MUST REMAIN PULLED TO KEEP HORN FROM SOUNDING. PREVIOUSLY HAD PROBLEMS WITH ELECTRIC WINDOWS AND DOOR LOCKS. THESE WERE FIXED UNDER WARRANTY. LATEST PROBLEM HAS OCCURRED BEFORE BUT DID NOT INCLUDE DOOR LOCKS AND INTERIOR LIGHTS. AFRAID UNDER DASH ELECTRICAL SHORT WILL CAUSE ACCIDENT (AUTO-DEPLOY AIRBAGS, ETC. WHILE DRIVING). *AK

NHTSA ODI #717432

Mileage unknown · Dec 16, 1999
Air BagsElectrical SystemVehicle Speed Control

THE AIRBAG LIGHT IS ON, INDICATING THAT THE AIRBAG IS DISFUNCTIONING AND RECENTLY THE HORN AND THE CRUISE CONTROL STOPPED WORKING TOO. *AK

NHTSA ODI #716133

Official recalls

2

20V026000 · Air Bags:frontal:driver Side:inflator Module

Jan 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 & remedy

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.

96V106000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:power Assist:vacuum:hoses, Lines/piping, And Fittings

Jun 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 & remedy

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.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

2

SQ98017 · Throttle Cable Sticking

Opened Sep 11, 1998 · Closed Jun 3, 1999

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Vehicle Speed Control:linkages

DUE TO THE AGENCY'S INVESTIGATION INTO THIS MATTER, HONDA AGREED TO CONDUCT A SAFETY RECALL TO NOTIFY OWNERS OF THE 1996-1998 HONDA CIVICS AND INSTALL A POSITIVE FLOOR MAT RETENTION SYSTEM ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE (GENUINE HONDA) FLOOR MAT.FURTHERMORE, HONDA WILL CONDUCT A PRODUCT IMPROVEMENT CAMPAIGN TO INSPECT AND REPLACE CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 1996 CIVIC THROTTLE CABLES EQUIPPED WITH CABLES NOT HAVING THE LATEST REVISIONS. SINCE EACH THROTTLE CABLE IS DATE CODED THE SUBJECT CABLES ARE EASILY IDENTIFIABLE.THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED; FURTHER USE OF THE AGENCY RESOURCES DOES NOT APPEAR WARRANTED.THE AGENCY MAY TAKE FURTHER ACTION ON THIS MATTER IF WARRANTED BY FUTURE CIRCUMSTANCES.SEE FULL CLOSING RESUME FOR ADDITIONAL DETAILS.

Additional source detail variants (2)

Vehicle Speed Control:linkages

DUE TO THE AGENCY'S INVESTIGATION INTO THIS MATTER, HONDA AGREED TO CONDUCT A SAFETY RECALL TO NOTIFY OWNERS OF THE 1996-1998 HONDA CIVICS AND INSTALL A POSITIVE FLOOR MAT RETENTION SYSTEM ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE (GENUINE HONDA) FLOOR MAT.FURTHERMORE, HONDA WILL CONDUCT A PRODUCT IMPROVEMENT CAMPAIGN TO INSPECT AND REPLACE CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 1996 CIVIC THROTTLE CABLES EQUIPPED WITH CABLES NOT HAVING THE LATEST REVISIONS. SINCE EACH THROTTLE CABLE IS DATE CODED THE SUBJECT CABLES ARE EASILY IDENTIFIABLE.THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED; FURTHER USE OF THE AGENCY RESOURCES DOES NOT APPEAR WARRANTED.THE AGENCY MAY TAKE FURTHER ACTION ON THIS MATTER IF WARRANTED BY FUTURE CIRCUMSTANCES.SEE FULL CLOSING RESUME FOR ADDITIONAL DETAILS.

Vehicle Speed Control:linkages

DUE TO THE AGENCY'S INVESTIGATION INTO THIS MATTER, HONDA AGREED TO CONDUCT A SAFETY RECALL TO NOTIFY OWNERS OF THE 1996-1998 HONDA CIVICS AND INSTALL A POSITIVE FLOOR MAT RETENTION SYSTEM ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE (GENUINE HONDA) FLOOR MAT.FURTHERMORE, HONDA WILL CONDUCT A PRODUCT IMPROVEMENT CAMPAIGN TO INSPECT AND REPLACE CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 1996 CIVIC THROTTLE CABLES EQUIPPED WITH CABLES NOT HAVING THE LATEST REVISIONS. SINCE EACH THROTTLE CABLE IS DATE CODED THE SUBJECT CABLES ARE EASILY IDENTIFIABLE.THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED; FURTHER USE OF THE AGENCY RESOURCES DOES NOT APPEAR WARRANTED.THE AGENCY MAY TAKE FURTHER ACTION ON THIS MATTER IF WARRANTED BY FUTURE CIRCUMSTANCES.SEE FULL CLOSING RESUME FOR ADDITIONAL DETAILS.

SQ98012 · Condenser Fan Motor Inoperative

Opened Jun 30, 1998 · Closed Nov 2, 1998

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Equipment:appliance:air Conditioner

SEE RESUME FOR DETAILS.

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