IllustrationTHE CONSUMER EXPERIENCED LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL BECAUSE THE PINION GEAR IN THE RACK AND PINION STEERING BROKE.THE DEFECT WAS UNDER INVESTIGATION. *YH
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
What owners actually said
305 reportsAFTER SLOWING TO MAKE A TURN OR OTHER MANEUVER, TRANSMISSION SHIFTS ROUGHLY AS YOU ACCELERATE UNLESS THE GAS PEDAL IS DEPRESSED VERY SLOWLY AND CAREFULLY. I'M ASSUMING THE CAR IS DOWNSHIFTED TO 1ST OR 2ND GEAR, BUT THERE'S A VIOLENT JERK AS YOU INCREASE THE SPEED FROM THERE AND I'M AFRAID THIS MIGHT HARM MY TRANSMISSION, SO I TR…
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AFTER SLOWING TO MAKE A TURN OR OTHER MANEUVER, TRANSMISSION SHIFTS ROUGHLY AS YOU ACCELERATE UNLESS THE GAS PEDAL IS DEPRESSED VERY SLOWLY AND CAREFULLY. I'M ASSUMING THE CAR IS DOWNSHIFTED TO 1ST OR 2ND GEAR, BUT THERE'S A VIOLENT JERK AS YOU INCREASE THE SPEED FROM THERE AND I'M AFRAID THIS MIGHT HARM MY TRANSMISSION, SO I TRY TO "BABY" IT, BUT I HATE THAT I CAN'T ACCELERATE NORMALLY.
REGULATOR ON THE ALTERNATOR IS CHARGING UP, THEN GOING DOWN THEN UP. LIGHTS ARE AFFECTED.*AK
I AM WRITING TO REPORT A PROBLEM WITH MY EVENFLO ON MY WAY POSITION RIGHT CARSEAT, NOT MY CAR. WE PURCHASED THIS FOR OUR FIRST CHILD AND HAD USED IT LESS THAN 3 MONTHS WHEN IT BROKE! WE WERE SIMPLY TIGHTENING THE SHOULDER HARNESSES, BY PULLING THE STRAP FROM BEHIND, WHEN THE PLASTIC LEVER PIECE (THAT YOU WOULD PUSH DOWN ON TO …
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I AM WRITING TO REPORT A PROBLEM WITH MY EVENFLO ON MY WAY POSITION RIGHT CARSEAT, NOT MY CAR. WE PURCHASED THIS FOR OUR FIRST CHILD AND HAD USED IT LESS THAN 3 MONTHS WHEN IT BROKE! WE WERE SIMPLY TIGHTENING THE SHOULDER HARNESSES, BY PULLING THE STRAP FROM BEHIND, WHEN THE PLASTIC LEVER PIECE (THAT YOU WOULD PUSH DOWN ON TO RELEASE MORE HARNESS) BROKE! IT SNAPPED RIGHT OFF. IT REALLY SCARED ME BECAUSE I HAD TO TAKE MY DAUGHTER IN THE BROKEN CARSEAT TO THE STORE (A 40 MINUTE DRIVE) IN ORDER TO EXCHANGE THIS BROKEN SEAT FOR A NEW ONE. LATER, I GOT IN THE MAIL A BROCHURE FROM EVENFLO SAYING THEY WERE AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM. IF THEY WERE AWARE OF IT, WHY DIDN'T THEY DO SOMETHING PRO-ACTIVE -- LIKE RECALLING THESE SEATS AND GIVING US NEW ONES, ONES THAT ARE SAFE AND WON'T BREAK? ALSO, ON OUR REPLACED SEAT, IT IS POSSIBLE TO ACCIDENTALLY PULL THE HARNESSES TOO LOOSE AND THE END OF THE HARNESS COMES THROUGH THE PLASTIC LEVER ON THE BACK. THEN YOU CAN'T TIGHTEN THE HARNESS AGAIN AT ALL! THIS IS NOT A SAFE SEAT IN TERMS OF ITS SHOULDER HARNESS ADJUSTMENT SYSTEM.*AK
ACCORDING TO USER MANUAL, SRS SYSTEM SHOULD BE FREE OF TROUBLE FOR AT LEAST 10 YEARS, BUT THIS CAR IS ONLY FIVE YEARS OLD,THE ORIGINAL PRODUCT HAS DEFECTS.. *AK
TRANSMISSION WAS MAKING A RATTLING SOUND. DEALER FOUND TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *AK
HEATER CORE WENT OUT, AND MELTED DOWN RADIATOR, AND POSSIBLY ENGINE. CONTACTED DEALER, AND DEALER WAS WILLING TO FIX PROBLEM AT OWNER'S EXPENSE.
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.
TRANSMISSION BLEWOUT. HONDA MADE THIS TYPE OF TRANSMISSION FOR ONLY ONE YEAR. CONSUMER WAS UNABLE TO PURCHASE ANOTHER TRANSMISSION FOR VEHICLE. ONLY HONDA COULD REPAIR THIS COMPONENT FOR $ 4000.00. *AK *SLC
HARMONIC BALANCER BOLT HAS BROKEN IN HALF AND CAUSED ENGINE TO SHUT DOWN; DEALER/MANUFACTURER NOTIFIED, AND INFORMED CONSUMERTHAT VEHICLE WAS NOT COVERED UNDER A RECALL, AND WAS OUT OF ITS WARRANTY. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS ON THIS MATTER. *AK
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.