RoadVitals

1986 Honda Civic

Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
35
Latest Mar 20, 2025
Safety recallsA safety recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle has a safety-related defect or does not comply with a federal motor vehicle safety standard. Recall repairs are free. Whether a specific vehicle is covered depends on its VIN — a recall listed for a model year does not necessarily apply to every vehicle of that year.
3
Latest May 24, 1995
InvestigationsNHTSA opens an investigation to examine whether a safety defect may exist. An open investigation is not a determination that a defect exists, and many investigations close without a recall. Investigations can, however, lead to one.
3
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
5
2 injuries, 0 deaths reported

Overview

Our database contains 35 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1986 Honda Civic, most frequently naming the seat belts, body & structure and exterior lighting categories. 3 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; and 3 NHTSA investigations name it.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

What owners report

Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded

  • Seat belts1331.0%
  • Body & structure511.9%
  • Exterior lighting49.5%
  • Electrical49.5%
  • Powertrain (other)49.5%
  • Engine37.1%
  • Fuel system37.1%
  • Interior & seats24.8%

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Safety recalls

3 campaigns cover this model year

Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.

Check a VIN on NHTSA.gov
95V103001

SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY

May 24, 1995
3,700,000 units potentially affected
The defect: 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.
The risk: THE SAFETY BELTS WOULD NOT PROVIDE ADEQUATE PROTECTION TO AN OCCUPANT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
The 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.
AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO.View on NHTSA.gov
88V180000

VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER

Nov 18, 1988
360,198 units potentially affected
The defect: UNDER HIGH AMBIENT TEMPERATURES FRONT WINDSHIELD WIPER CONTACT UNIT COULD LOOSEN AND BECOME DISLODGED.
The risk: THIS COULD RESULT IN WINDSHIELD WIPER FAILURE AND WOULDAFFECT DRIVER VISIBILITY.
The remedy: INSTALL A CONTACT UNIT HOLDER THAT WOULD PREVENT LOOSENING.
AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO.View on NHTSA.gov
86V045000

POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DRIVESHAFT

Mar 20, 1986
17,338 units potentially affected
The defect: LEFT SIDE DRIVE SHAFT COULD DEVELOP CRACKS NEAR THE OUTER JOINT.
The 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.
The remedy: REPLACE LEFT DRIVE SHAFT WITH A PROPERLY MANUFACTURED PART.
AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO.View on NHTSA.gov

Safety investigations

NHTSA inquiries naming this vehicle. An investigation is not a finding of a defect.

EA94035ClosedEngineering Analysis

SEAT BELT BUCKLE FAILURE

Opened Oct 27, 1994
Closed Jul 31, 1995

There is no summary currently available

SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLYLed to recall 95V103001
PE94052ClosedPreliminary Evaluation

SEAT BELT BUCKLE FAILS

Opened Jul 11, 1994
Closed Oct 27, 1994

There is no summary currently available

SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY
EA89005ClosedEngineering Analysis

FUEL SYSTEM VENTING

Opened Nov 16, 1988
Closed Nov 30, 1989

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VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:LINKAGES

Recent owner complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words

View all 35
Seat belts
Filed Mar 20, 2025

The contact owns a 1986 Honda Civic. The contact stated that whether the vehicle was parked, stationary, or driven, the seat belt was difficult to retract. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact stated that the seat belts became difficult to retract even more frequently over time. The contact tested the seat belts, and the seat belts stopped recoiling. The vehicle was not taken to be diagnosed. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer was made aware of the failure; however, the contact stated that the dealer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 135,368.

NHTSA ID
11649594
Incident
Feb 27, 2025
Mileage
135,368 mi
Engine
Filed Aug 24, 2005

DT: THE CONTACT OWNS A 1986 HONDA CIVIC. THE ENGINE CONSTANTLY BROKE DOWN. THE DEALERSHIP TOLD THE CONTACT TO GET RID OF THE VEHICLE. THE ENGINE BROKEN DOWN FIVE TIMES AND HAD TO BE REPLACED. THE ENGINE OVERHEATED AND STOPPED. THE DEALERSHIP WAS UNABLE TO FIND A REASON WHY THIS IS HAPPENED. THE CONSUMER FIRST BEGAN TO HAVE PROBLEMS WITH ENGINE ABOUT FIVE YEARS AGO IN THE SUMMER MONTHS. *AK

NHTSA ID
10134135
Incident
Jun 1, 2000
Body & structure
Filed Aug 26, 2003

THE 1986 HONDA CRX HAS PLASTIC FENDERS THAT HOLD THE SIDE MARKER LAMPS. THE PLASTIC HAS BECOME VERY BRITTLE OVER TIME. MY SIDE MARKER LIGHTS ARE ONLY HELD ON BY A CLUMSY, PLUG-IN ATTACHMENT NEXT TO THE HEADLIGHT. THE TWO SCREW HOLES THAT HOLD THE LAMPS ARE USELESS IN THE FENDERS THAT ARE BOTH BROKEN IN SEVERAL SPOTS. *NLM

NHTSA ID
10036632
Incident
Aug 26, 2003
Mileage
80,000 mi
Seat belts
Filed Jul 12, 2001

THE SEATBELT ANCHOR POINTS NEAR THE DOORS HAVE BOTH RUSTED OUT AND DO NOT RESTRAIN PROPERLY. THE CAR IS NOW IN VIOLATION OF NATIONAL SEATBELT LAWS. WHAT CAN I DO? WHAT WILL HONDA DO? THANK YOU.

NHTSA ID
748378
Incident
Jul 9, 2001
Body & structure
Filed Jun 4, 2001

THE TRIM PIECE ABOVE THE FRONT BUMPER IN FRONT OF THE HOOD IS CRACKED IN 3 PLACES. I HAVE BEEN LOOKING AT OTHER CRX'S AND EVERY SIMILAR CRX I HAVE SEEN IS CRACKED IN THE SAME PLACES.

NHTSA ID
746401
Incident
Sep 1, 2000
Body & structureExterior lighting
Filed Feb 28, 2001

THE LOW BEAM SWITCH FAILED WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT CAUSING THE LIGHT TO GO OUT, THE MULTI-FUNCTION SWITCH WAS REPLACED. NLM

NHTSA ID
559956
Exterior lighting
Filed Feb 5, 2001

WHILE DRIVING WITH LOW BEAM, BEAMS DIED OUT AND WENT TO 0. CONSUMER STATED SWITCH WAS FAULTY. *AK THE LOW BEAM SWITCH FAILED CAUSING THE LOW BEAM INOPERATIVE. *YH

NHTSA ID
879767
Incident
Feb 5, 2001
Powertrain (other)
Filed Mar 5, 1999
Fire reported

AFTER PARKING VEHICLE, 5 MINUTES LATER, THE HORN WAS BEEPING INTERMITTENTLY, THEN CONTINUOUSLY BEEPING. TWO MINUTES AFTER A LOUD NOISE LIKE EXPLOSION, FOUND OUT VEHICLE HAD CAUGHT FIRE. THEN HOUSE CAUGHT FIRE. FIRE DEPARTMENT CAME AND EXTINGUISHED FIRE. VEHICLE WAS TOTALLED. DEALER NOT AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. FRICTION FROM WHEEL BEARING TOO CLOSE TO BRAKE LINE CAUSED THE FIRE. PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. *AK

NHTSA ID
834909
Incident
Feb 5, 1999

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

Honda Civic by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2027000—
2026250044.1
2025662060.7
20241163162.6
20232514261.8
20228784259.3
20211394056.0
20202195058.8
20194164056.5
20187256058.8
20175796056.4
20161,0715055.2
20153771253.9
20142902261.2
20133160251.1
20124543261.8
20111689058.8
20103968054.2
20093958056.3
20089167052.1
20071,2049049.6
20061,40215052.6
200531415469.1
200435015365.2
200349924667.3
200270224466.3
20011,07927465.9
200028718061.9
199933815058.6
199843518162.9
199737316163.1
199630517266.2
199519912064.9
199413514065.0
199314613165.9
19929813165.1
19911108365.0
19909110367.8
1989696368.3
1988468363.2
1987393365.3
1986Viewing353362.6
1985152059.8
1984530—
1983900—
1982100—
1981101—
1980001—
1979111—
1978010—
1977030—
1976020—
1975020—
1974020—
1973020—

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.