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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 →
305Owner complaints

Model-year median: 183.5

2Recall campaigns

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2Investigations

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How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

Other model years Selected year
146
1993135
1994199
1995305
1996373
1997435
1998338
1999
Compare all Civic years →

Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.

What owners reported most

Air Bags
70Service Brakes, Hydraulic
52Visibility
34Vehicle Speed Control
31Engine And Engine Cooling
27
All reported categories
Power Train
25Structure
19Unknown Or Other
18Electrical System
17Exterior Lighting
13Tires
11Equipment
10Parking Brake
9Seat Belts
7Steering
6Suspension
6Seats
4Latches/locks/linkages
3Engine
2Fuel System, Gasoline
2Child Seat
1Service Brakes, Air
1

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

Latches/locks/linkages complaints

3 reports
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71,141 miles · Jan 8, 2005
Latches/locks/linkages

I PURCHASED 1996 HONDA CIVIC EX COUPE FROM DEALER ON DEC 23, 2004 CAR WAS CHECKED BY DEALERSHIP BEFORE RELEASING I AM VERY PLEASED WITH VEHICLE HAS RUN WONDERFULLY BUT AM HAVING TROUBLE WITH TRUNK. EVERY TIME IT RAINS THE TRUNK GETS SOAKED, CANNOT FIND ENTRANCE SPOT, THERE IS MOLD ON TIRE COVER MAKING ME THINK THIS HAS BEEN A PR…

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I PURCHASED 1996 HONDA CIVIC EX COUPE FROM DEALER ON DEC 23, 2004 CAR WAS CHECKED BY DEALERSHIP BEFORE RELEASING I AM VERY PLEASED WITH VEHICLE HAS RUN WONDERFULLY BUT AM HAVING TROUBLE WITH TRUNK. EVERY TIME IT RAINS THE TRUNK GETS SOAKED, CANNOT FIND ENTRANCE SPOT, THERE IS MOLD ON TIRE COVER MAKING ME THINK THIS HAS BEEN A PROBLEM BEFORE. IT APPEARS THAT DEALER HAS PUT A NEW SEAL AROUND TRUNK B/C RUBER LOOKS BRAND NEW, ANY SUGGESTIONS???THANK YOU. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10106005

Mileage unknown · Sep 2, 1997
Latches/locks/linkages

HAD PUT HOOD OF VEHICLE UP; SUDDENLY THE SUPPORT BRACKETS ON HOOD BROKE & HOOD COLLAPSED. HAD CAUSED A LARGE DENT IN HOOD ARE WHERE BRACKET WAS. *AK

NHTSA ODI #816968

Mileage unknown · Apr 10, 1997
Latches/locks/linkages

HATCHBACK LATCH DEFECTIVE.

NHTSA ODI #603040

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.

Go deeper into Honda Civic problems

Honda Civic transmission problems →Honda Civic electrical problems →