Known Recalls

Model year record

1990 Honda Civic

3 recall campaigns on file for this model year. 110 owner complaints on file.

Honda Civic, 1988–1991 generation
Pictured: the 1988–1991 generation. Cutlass, CC0 · 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 90V163000

Power train: automatic transmission

Component
Power train: automatic transmission
Manufacturer
AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO.
Vehicles affected
18
Reported to NHTSA
1990-09-04
Owners notified
1990-09-10

Defect description

DUE TO AN IMPROPERLY MACHINED INTERNAL SHAFT IN THE TRANSMISSION, THE PAWL MECHANISIM MAY NOT FULLY ENGAGE WHEN TRANSMISSION IS IN THE PARK POSITION.

Safety risk

VEHICLE COULD ROLL WHILE THE TRANSMISSION IS IN THE PARKPOSITION AND A CRASH COULD RESULT.

Manufacturer remedy

INSTALL AN IMPROVED PARKING PAWL SHAFT.

Recall campaignNHTSA 90V126000

Visibility: windshield

Component
Visibility: windshield
Manufacturer
AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO.
Vehicles affected
65
Reported to NHTSA
1990-07-10
Owners notified
1990-07-10

Defect description

POOR ADHESION MAY OCCUR BETWEEN PAINT LAYERS IN THE WINDSHIELD MOUNTING AREA DUE TO DEFECTIVE PAINT BATCHES OR OVERSPRAYING.

Safety risk

PAINT SEPARATION IN THE WINDSHIELD AREAS WOULD LEADTO NON-COMPLIANCE WITH FMVSS 212 RETENTION REQUIREMENTS. LOSS OF WINDSHIELDRETENTION ABILITY COULD CAUSE WINSHIELD TO SEPARATE FROM VEHICLE WITHOUT WARNINGAND HARM VEHICLE OCCUPANTS AND OTHERS IN THE VICINITY.

Manufacturer remedy

REINSTALL WINDSHIELD TO INSURE PROPER RETENTION.

Owner complaints

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

ComponentComplaintsMedian mileage
Electrical system: ignition10119,000 mi
Seat belts9179,500 mi
Seat belts: front: anchorage8—
Seat belts: front: buckle assembly8—
Seat belts: front: retractor4138,000 mi
Vehicle speed control3—
Visibility: windshield3—
Electrical system2170,000 mi
Electrical system: wiring: fuses and circuit breakers2—
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system2—
Exterior lighting: tail lights2—
Power train: automatic transmission2—
Seat belts: front2—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components2—
Structure: body: hatchback/liftgate: support device/strut2—
Suspension2168,862 mi
Tires2—
Unknown or other2—
Visibility: windshield wiper/washer2—
Air bags: frontal1—
Electrical system: alternator/generator/regulator1—
Electrical system: ignition: switch1—
Electrical system: starter assembly1—
Electrical system: wiring: front underhood1—
Electrical system: wiring: interior/under dash1—
Engine and engine cooling1—
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system1—
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system: radiator assembly1—
Engine and engine cooling: engine1—
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: emission control: catalytic convertor1—
Equipment: electrical1—
Exterior lighting1—
Exterior lighting: brake lights1—
Fuel system, gasoline: fuel injection system1—
Fuel system, other1170,000 mi
Fuel/propulsion system1168,862 mi
Latches/locks/linkages: hood: latch1—
Power train1—
Power train: axle assembly1—
Power train: driveline: universal joint1—
Power train: manual transmission1—
Seat belts: front: warning light/devices1—
Seat belts: front: webbing1—
Seat belts: rear/other1—
Seats: front assembly: recliner1—
Service brakes, hydraulic1—
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip1—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: caliper1—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: drum1—
Steering1—
Steering: steering wheel/handle bar1—
Structure: body1168,862 mi
Structure: body: trunk lid1—
Structure: frame and members1—
Tires: tread/belt1—
Vehicle speed control: cables1—
Vehicle speed control: linkages1—
Visibility: glass, side/rear1—
Visibility: power window devices and controls1—
Wheels1—

The 1989 model has about 1.5 times as many complaints as this one. The 1991 model has about half 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

20262025202420232022202120202019201820172016201520142013201220112010200920082007200620052004200320022001200019991998199719961995199419931992199119901989198819871986198519841983198219811979197819771976197519741973

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.