Known Recalls

Model year record

1986 Honda Civic

3 recall campaigns on file for this model year. 54 owner complaints on file.

Honda Civic, 1984–1987 generation
Pictured: the 1984–1987 generation. IFCAR, Public domain · Wikimedia Commons

Recalls

Recall campaignNHTSA 95V103001

Seat belts: front: buckle assembly

Component
Seat belts: front: buckle assembly
Manufacturer
AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO.
Vehicles affected
3,700,000
Reported to NHTSA
1995-05-24
Owners notified
1995-05-19

Defect description

THE FRONT SAFETY BELT BUCKLE RELEASE BUTTONS CAN BREAK. THESE RED PLASTIC RELEASE BUTTONS ARE MARKED "PRESS." IF A BUTTON BREAKS, PIECES CAN FALL INTO THE BUCKLE ASSEMBLY CAUSING THE BUCKLE TO OPERATE IMPROPERLY.

Safety risk

THE SAFETY BELTS WOULD NOT PROVIDE ADEQUATE PROTECTION TO AN OCCUPANT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Manufacturer remedy

OWNERS SHOULD PROMPTLY CHECK THE CONDITION AND OPERATION OF BOTH FRONT SAFETY BELT BUCKLES. CAREFULLY INSPECT THE RED RELEASE BUTTON FOR ANY BREAKS OR CRACKS. CHECK THAT BOTH BUCKLES ARE OPERATING PROPERLY BY INSERTING EACH LATCH PLATE INTO ITS BUCKLE, TUG ON THE BELT TO MAKE SURE THE LATCH IS SECURELY LOCKED, THEN PRESS THE RELEASE BUTTON. THE LATCH PLATE SHOULD POP OUT OF THE BUCKLE WHEN THE BUTTON IS PRESSED. IF EITHER RELEASE BUTTON SHOWS ANY SIGN OF BREAKAGE OR CRACKING, OR IF EITHER BUCKLE FAILS TO OPERATE PROPERLY, PROMPTLY CONTACT YOUR AUTHORIZED HONDA/ACURA DEALER TO SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT TO HAVE THE BUCKLE REPLACED OR REPAIRED, FREE OF CHARGE. THE MANUFACTURER IS DEVELOPING A REMEDY DESIGNED TO PREVENT THE FAILURE OF THE BUTTONS THAT ARE NOT CURRENTLY BROKEN.

Recall campaignNHTSA 88V180000

Visibility: windshield wiper/washer

Component
Visibility: windshield wiper/washer
Manufacturer
AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO.
Vehicles affected
360,198
Reported to NHTSA
1988-11-18
Owners notified
1988-11-18

Defect description

UNDER HIGH AMBIENT TEMPERATURES FRONT WINDSHIELD WIPER CONTACT UNIT COULD LOOSEN AND BECOME DISLODGED.

Safety risk

THIS COULD RESULT IN WINDSHIELD WIPER FAILURE AND WOULDAFFECT DRIVER VISIBILITY.

Manufacturer remedy

INSTALL A CONTACT UNIT HOLDER THAT WOULD PREVENT LOOSENING.

Recall campaignNHTSA 86V045000

Power train: driveline: driveshaft

Component
Power train: driveline: driveshaft
Manufacturer
AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO.
Vehicles affected
17,338
Reported to NHTSA
1986-03-20
Owners notified
1986-04-04

Defect description

LEFT SIDE DRIVE SHAFT COULD DEVELOP CRACKS NEAR THE OUTER JOINT.

Safety risk

CONSEQUENCE OF DEFECT: DURING HIGH STRESS SITUATIONS, SUCH AS RAPID ACCELERATION OR DECELERATION, THE DRIVE SHAFT COULD BREAK WITHOUT WARNING AND CAUSE A SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER AND A VEHICLE CRASH.

Manufacturer remedy

REPLACE LEFT DRIVE SHAFT WITH A PROPERLY MANUFACTURED PART.

Owner complaints

A complaint is one person's report to a federal agency. It is not a finding.

ComponentComplaintsMedian mileage
Seat belts: front: buckle assembly4—
Engine and engine cooling: engine3—
Seat belts: front: retractor3135,368 mi
Electrical system: alternator/generator/regulator2—
Electrical system: ignition2—
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline: belts and associated pulleys2—
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: emission control: catalytic convertor2—
Exterior lighting: turn signal: switch2—
Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly: filler pipe and cap2—
Power train: driveline: driveshaft2—
Seat belts: front: anchorage2—
Seat belts: front: webbing2—
Structure: frame and members2—
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system1—
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline1—
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system1—
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe1—
Exterior lighting: headlights1—
Exterior lighting: headlights: high/low beam dimmer switch1—
Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly1—
Latches/locks/linkages: trunk lid: lock1—
Power train: axle assembly1—
Power train: axle assembly: axle shaft1—
Power train: clutch assembly1—
Seat belts1—
Seat belts: rear/other1—
Seat belts: rear/other: retractor1135,368 mi
Seats1—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components1—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc1—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: drum: drum1—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: drum: wheel cylinders1—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: master cylinder1—
Steering: rack and pinion1—
Structure180,000 mi
Structure: body: bumpers1—
Structure: body: hatchback/liftgate: support device/strut1—

The 1985 model has 3 times as many complaints as this one. The 1987 model has about 1.5 times as many complaints as this one. These figures reflect raw complaint counts, not failure rates. Higher-selling model years naturally receive more complaints.

Other Honda Civic model years

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All Honda Civic recalls by year

Safety recall repairs are provided free of charge by franchised dealers, regardless of vehicle age or mileage. This page displays aggregated data for the model year. To check recall status for a specific vehicle, search its VIN at nhtsa.gov.