IllustrationCAR SHIFTS HARD INTO NEXT GEAR (AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION) ALSO DRIVES ROUGH. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT HAS A 420 CODE (CATALYTIC CONVERTER). *TR
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 →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Civic years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
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
Engine And Engine Cooling complaints
27 reportsWHEN THE VEHICLE REACHES THE OF 75 MPH THERE IS A BURNING SMELL THAT COMES FROM THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE IS SERVICED ON A QUARTERLY BASIS. SERVICING INCLUDES AN OIL AND FLUID CHANGE AND A TRANSMISSION CHECK. *NM
WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH VEHICLE VIBRATED UNCONTROLLABLY. DRIVER WAS ABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE ,AND PULLED OVER. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT APPEARED ON THE DASHBOARD AND REMAINED ON. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE CAUSE HAS NOT BEEN DETERMINED AT THIS TIME. *AK
WHILE DRIVING CHECK ENGINE LIGHT APPEARED ON THE DASHBOARD AND REMAINED ON. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION, AND MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *AK
WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH VEHICLE STALLEED. CONSUMER RESTARTED THE VEHICLE, AND DROVE IT TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. HOWEVER, MECHANIC COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. *AK
THE COMPUTER CONTROL ISSUE IS UNRESOLVED. THE FACTORY DEFAULT SETTINGS FOR THE AIR CONDITIONING WERE LOST AFTER A BATTERY EXCHANGE. EXPENSIVE CHARGES FOR HOURLY FISHING EXPEDITIONS HAVE NOT APPEALED TO ME. THE AIR CONDITIONER WORKS IT JUST DOESN'T APPLY TO THE APPROPRIATE BUTTONS ON THE CONTROL PANEL THEY SETTINGS ARE OFF LINE. …
Read full complaint
THE COMPUTER CONTROL ISSUE IS UNRESOLVED. THE FACTORY DEFAULT SETTINGS FOR THE AIR CONDITIONING WERE LOST AFTER A BATTERY EXCHANGE. EXPENSIVE CHARGES FOR HOURLY FISHING EXPEDITIONS HAVE NOT APPEALED TO ME. THE AIR CONDITIONER WORKS IT JUST DOESN'T APPLY TO THE APPROPRIATE BUTTONS ON THE CONTROL PANEL THEY SETTINGS ARE OFF LINE. HONDA WAS NO HELP TO ME. TODAY, MY IGNITION COIL WENT. HONDA SAID IT WAS NOT COVERED VIA FACTORY SERVICE BULLETIN ALTHOUGH THE ACCORD WAS.
MY ENGINE STARTS TO OVERHEAT WHILE IDLING FOR PERIODS LONGER THAN A FEW MINUTES, ESPECIALLY WHEN IT'S HOT OUT. USING THE A/C TREMENDOUSLY SPEEDS UP THE OVERHEATING PROCESS. TURNING ON THE HEATER COOLS IT DOWN BACK TO NORMAL. I HAVE CHECKED THE FLUIDS AND PERFORMED A RADIATOR FLUSH, AS WELL AS CHECKING BELTS AND THE FAN. *JB
BELTS CAME OF PULLEYS, VEHICLE LOST CONTROL RESULTING IN ACOLLISION. ALSO, REPLACED THROTTLE CABLE/EMISSIONS/IGNITION/CV BOOTS AND WINDSHIELD WIPERS. *AK
KEY MOUNT FAILED, WHICH CAUSED THE ENGINE TO MOVE OUT OF PLACE AND THE CRANKSHAFT TO BE DAMAGED. *TT *JB
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
Official recalls
220V026000 · 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
2SQ98017 · 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.