RoadVitals

1987 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.
39
Latest Feb 13, 2008
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.
6
7 injuries, 0 deaths reported

Overview

Our database contains 39 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1987 Honda Civic, most frequently naming the seat belts, driver assistance and brakes 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 belts2151.2%
  • Driver assistance49.8%
  • Brakes37.3%
  • Fuel system24.9%
  • Transmission24.9%
  • Suspension24.9%
  • Tires & wheels24.9%
  • Visibility12.4%

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
87V171000

EQUIPMENT:OTHER:OWNERS/SERVICE/OTHER MANUAL

Oct 29, 1987
99,088 units potentially affected
The defect: OWNERS MANUAL INFORMATION REQUIRED BY FMVSS 210, SECTIONS 6A AND 6B WAS OMITTED FROM THE MANUAL.
The risk: VEHICLES MANUAL INFORMATION DOES NOT COMPLY WITH FMVSS210.
The remedy: UPGRADE EXISTING MANUALS BY INSERTING ADHESIVE BACKED CORRECTION PAGES.
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 39
Tires & wheels
Filed Feb 13, 2008

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1987 HONDA CIVIC CRX. THE VEHICLE HAS HANKOOK RADIAL MAX A/S (NA) TIRES. WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE TIRE BOUNCED UP AND DOWN AND CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO PULL TO THE RIGHT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE DID NOT NOTICE ANYTHING AFTER INSPECTING THE TIRE. THE MECHANIC REPLACED THE WHEEL BEARINGS; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE CONTINUED. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE MECHANIC AND HE STATED THAT THE TIRE WAS DELAMINATING. THE TIRE SHOP OFFERED THE CONTACT A TIRE UPGRADE AT HIS EXPENSE. THERE HAD BEEN NO FURTHER OCCURRENCES. THE TIRE SIZE AND DOT NUMBER WERE UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 267,358 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 267,427.

NHTSA ID
10217979
Incident
Feb 4, 2008
Mileage
267,358 mi
Fuel system
Filed Jun 7, 2006

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING THE FUEL SYSTEM FAILED WITHOUT WARNING. THE FUEL SYSTEM LINES HAVE BEEN REPLACED TWICE, THE FIRST TIME BY A DEALER, THE SECOND TIME BY AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP. THE MECHANIC DETERMINED THE FUEL SYSTEM LINES HAD FAILED AGAIN AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER HAS NOT BEEN ALERTED.

NHTSA ID
10159221
Incident
May 26, 2006
Mileage
157,000 mi
Fuel system
Filed Sep 23, 2003

WHEN DRIVING AT ANY SPEED AND WITHOUT WARNING, THE FUEL LINE LEAKED WHICH CAUSED A DISTRACTION TO THE CONSUMER. *AK THERE WAS A STRONG ODOR OF GASOLINE INSIDE AND OUTSIDE THE VEHICLE. LIQUID GASOLINE DRIPPED FROM UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE ON THE DRIVER SIDE NEAR THE DRIVER'S DOOR. REPLACED OLD PIPES AND FUEL LINES AND OLD PARTS NOT AVAILABLE. *PH *JB

NHTSA ID
10034277
Incident
Mar 27, 1997
Mileage
93,645 mi
Seat belts
Filed Sep 18, 2002
Crash reported1 injury reported

NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK

NHTSA ID
767346
Incident
Sep 5, 2002
Powertrain (other)
Filed Mar 20, 2002

WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE STARTED TO SWERVE. CONSUMER INSPECTED VEHICLE, AND NOTICED SUPPORT ROD ARM FOR REAR AXLE WAS TORN FROM FRAME ON LEFT SIDE.*AK

NHTSA ID
8005998
Incident
Nov 1, 2001
Driver assistance
Filed Jan 2, 2002

CONSUMER VEHICLE WILL SURGE AT SPEEDS OF AROUND 30 MPH. VEHICLE NOT TAKEN TO DEALER YET.*AK

NHTSA ID
8001344
Incident
Dec 28, 2001
BrakesSuspension
Filed Apr 10, 2000

REAR WHEEL CYLINDER LEAKING CAUSING REAR BRAKE CONTAMINATION. *MJS

NHTSA ID
551810
Incident
Mar 23, 2000
Driver assistance
Filed Mar 6, 2000

WHILE THE DRIVER WAS PULLING INTO PARKING SPACE, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY SURGED FORWARD AND COLLIDED WITH TWO OTHER PARKED VEHICLES. YH

NHTSA ID
551202
Incident
Jan 11, 2000

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
1987Viewing393365.3
1986353362.6
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.