Model year record

1996 Honda Civic

2 recall campaigns on file for this model year. 383 owner complaints on file.

Honda Civic, 1996–2000 generation
Pictured: the 1996–2000 generation. Elise240SX, CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons

Recalls

Recall campaignNHTSA 20V026000

Air bags: frontal: driver side: inflator module

Component
Air bags: frontal: driver side: inflator module
Manufacturer
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.)
Vehicles affected
1,439,841
Reported to NHTSA
2020-01-17
Owners notified
2020-10-01

Defect description

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.

Safety risk

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.

Manufacturer 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.

Recall campaignNHTSA 96V106000

Service brakes, hydraulic: power assist: vacuum: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings

Component
Service brakes, hydraulic: power assist: vacuum: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
Manufacturer
AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO.
Vehicles affected
160,689
Reported to NHTSA
1996-06-18
Owners notified
1996-09-24

Defect description

A SOAPY LUBRICANT WAS USED TO INSERT THE CHECK VALVE INTO THE VACUUM HOSE WHICH CAUSES THE BRAKE BOOSTER CHECK VALVE TO STICK.

Safety risk

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.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL CLEAN THE CHECK VALVE BY WASHING THE VACUUM HOSE WITH HOT WATER.

Owner complaints

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

ComponentComplaintsMedian mileage
Air bags: frontal41134,000 mi
Air bags27120,000 mi
Unknown or other18—
Vehicle speed control17106,000 mi
Visibility: power window devices and controls12125,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip11—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components11—
Service brakes, hydraulic: power assist: vacuum: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings11—
Exterior lighting: headlights10—
Visibility: windshield9—
Power train: automatic transmission8140,000 mi
Tires898,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine7—
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline7—
Vehicle speed control: cables7—
Air bags: frontal: sensor/control module689,000 mi
Power train690,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc6—
Structure: body: door6—
Electrical system: ignition5—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: rotor574,000 mi
Vehicle speed control: accelerator pedal570,000 mi
Visibility: windshield wiper/washer5—
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system4—
Equipment422,000 mi
Parking brake: conventional: mechanical4—
Service brakes, hydraulic422,000 mi
Structure490,000 mi
Structure: body4218,025 mi
Tires: tread/belt497,200 mi
Electrical system: horn3—
Electrical system: wiring: interior/under dash3120,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling3—
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe3—
Equipment: electrical: radio/tape deck/CD etc.3—
Parking brake: conventional3—
Power train: manual transmission3—
Seat belts: front: retractor389,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: power assist: hydraulic3—
Steering374,300 mi
Electrical system2170,000 mi
Electrical system: ignition: module2—
Electrical system: ignition: switch2—
Engine290,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: emission control2—
Parking brake2—
Power train: axle assembly2—
Power train: clutch assembly2—
Seat belts2223,500 mi
Seats: front assembly: head restraint2—
Structure: body: trunk lid2—
Suspension2—
Suspension: front2—
Vehicle speed control: cruise control271,464 mi
Visibility2—
Visibility: defroster/defogger/hvac system2—
Air bags: side/window1—
Child seat: tether: strap/webbing1—
Electrical system: alternator/generator/regulator1—
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system1—
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline: belts and associated pulleys1—
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: emission control: catalytic convertor1—
Equipment: appliance: air conditioner1—
Equipment: electrical1—
Equipment: mechanical: accessory scissor/screw/bottle jack/lift1—
Exterior lighting1160,000 mi
Exterior lighting: hazard flashing warning lights: switch1125,000 mi
Exterior lighting: turn signal: switch130,000 mi
Fuel system, gasoline190,000 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: fuel injection system1—
Latches/locks/linkages: hatchback/liftgate: lock1—
Latches/locks/linkages: hood: latch1—
Latches/locks/linkages: trunk lid: lock171,141 mi
Power train: automatic transmission: control module (TCM/PCM/TECM)1—
Power train: automatic transmission: lever and linkage: floor shift1—
Power train: driveline: constant velocity joint1—
Power train: driveline: universal joint1—
Power train: manual transmission: floor shift assembly1—
Seat belts: front: anchorage1—
Seat belts: front: webbing1—
Seats1—
Seats: front assembly: recliner1—
Service brakes, air: antilock1—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: master cylinder1—
Service brakes, hydraulic: power assist1—
Service brakes, hydraulic: power assist: hydraulic: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings1—
Service brakes, hydraulic: power assist: vacuum1—
Steering: steering wheel/handle bar1—
Steering: column locking: anti-theft device1—
Steering: rack and pinion1—
Structure: body: door: hinge and attachments1—
Structure: body: hood: hinge and attachments1—
Structure: frame and members1—
Suspension: front: macpherson strut1—
Suspension: rear1—
Vehicle speed control: linkages1—
Visibility: defroster/defogger/hvac system: heater core1—
Visibility: glass, side/rear1—
Visibility: rearview mirrors/devices: interior1—
Visibility: sun/moon roof assembly1—
Visibility: windshield wiper/washer: motor1—

The 1995 model has about 1.5 times as many complaints as this one. The 1997 model has roughly the same number of 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

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.