RoadVitals

1990 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.
91
Latest May 28, 2019
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.
10
Latest May 11, 2009
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.
18
17 injuries, 2 deaths reported

Overview

Our database contains 91 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1990 Honda Civic, most frequently naming the seat belts, electrical and brakes categories. 10 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; 3 NHTSA investigations name it; and 7 manufacturer communications are on file.

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 belts3432.4%
  • Electrical1817.1%
  • Brakes76.7%
  • Engine65.7%
  • Visibility65.7%
  • Driver assistance54.8%
  • Body & structure54.8%
  • Exterior lighting32.9%

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

10 campaigns cover this model year

View all 10

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
09E025000

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS

May 11, 2009
42,540 units potentially affected
The defect: DOPE, INC. IS RECALLING 42,540 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.
The risk: DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
The remedy: DOPE, INC. WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 28, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DOPE, INC. AT 1-626-272-1798.
DOPE, INC.View on NHTSA.gov
09E012000

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

Apr 7, 2009
16,270 units potentially affected
The defect: SABERSPORT IS RECALLING 16,270 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.
The risk: DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
The remedy: SABERSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 11, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SABERSPORT AT 1-909-598-7589.
SABERSPORTView on NHTSA.gov
08E050000

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS

Aug 11, 2008
1,921 units potentially affected
The defect: K2 MOTOR IS RECALLING 1,921 AFTERMARKET HEADLAMPS OF VARIOUS MODELS SOLD FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LISTED VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS ARE MISSING THE AMBER SIDE REFLEX REFLECTOR WHICH FAILS TO CONFORM WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT."
The risk: WITHOUT THE AMBER SIDE REFLEX REFLECTORS, THE LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY BE AFFECTED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
The remedy: K2 MOTOR WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND. THE RECALL BEGAN ON DECEMEBER 17, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT K2 MOTOR AT 1-909-839-2992.
K2 MOTOR CORPORATIONView 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
PE93082ClosedPreliminary Evaluation

STALLING

Opened Sep 23, 1993
Closed Jan 31, 1994

There is no summary currently available

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

Recent owner complaints

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

View all 91
Body & structureFuel systemSuspension
Filed May 28, 2019

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1987 (NA) HONDA CIVIC. THE CONTACT HEARD AN ABNORMAL NOISE COMING FROM THE VEHICLE AND SMELLED A STRONG FUEL ODOR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING, BUT THE RESULTS WERE UNKNOWN. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 168,862.

NHTSA ID
11210284
Incident
Nov 1, 2018
Mileage
168,862 mi
Seat belts
Filed May 13, 2018

THE FRONT SEAT SHOULDER LAP SEAT BELTS HAVE NOT FUNCTIONED PROPERLY FOR A LONG TIME ON BOTH THE PASSENGER AND DRIVER'S SIDE. THEY DO NOT RETRACT ALONG THE DOORS WHEN THE DOORS ARE OPENED AND CLOSED. ALSO, THE SEAT BELT WARNING LIGHT AND BEEP ARE NOW CONSTANTLY ON MAKING IT VERY DIFFICULT TO FOCUS ON DRIVING.

NHTSA ID
11093568
Incident
May 1, 2018
Mileage
530,000 mi
Seat belts
Filed Apr 20, 2018

SEAT BELT WARNING NEVER STOPS AT ALL TIMES

NHTSA ID
11089121
Incident
Feb 15, 2018
Mileage
179,500 mi
Seat belts
Filed Sep 13, 2011

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1990 HONDA CIVIC. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED THE CONTACT NOTICED THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE AUTOMATIC SEAT BELT WOULD NOT RETRACT AND COULD NOT BE RETRACTED MANUALLY. THE SEAT BELT COULD NOT BE USED TO SECURE A PASSENGER IN THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING WHERE THE TECHNICIAN STATED THE SEAT BELT CONTROL MODULE HAD TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 145,000.

NHTSA ID
10425162
Incident
Sep 1, 2011
Mileage
145,000 mi
ElectricalFuel system
Filed Aug 7, 2008

I HAVE A 1990 HONDA CIVIC 4 DR 1.5 LITER AUTO. AND THE DISTRIBUTOR WENT BAD-I KNOW THE CAR IS NOT WORTH MUCH BUT IT IS MY WORK CAR-TO REPLACE THIS PART $800.00 AND TALKING TO SEVERAL JUNK YARDS IT WOULD BE $225.00 BUT THE MAN SAID THAT THERE'S NO GUARANTEE THAT PART WOULD BE GOOD AS THIS YR. MAKE AND MODEL ARE FAMOUS FOR THIS PROBLEM BUT I DO NOT FIND ANY RECALL. *TR

NHTSA ID
10237330
Incident
Aug 1, 2008
Mileage
170,000 mi
Seat belts
Filed Sep 10, 2007

THE SEAT BELTS ON MY 1990 HONDA CIVIC DO NOT WORK. I TOOK THEM TO THE HONDA DEALER IN ROCKVILLE, MARYLAND. THEY KEPT THE CAR 24 HOURS, THEN TOLD ME THEY WOULD HAVE TO ORDER RETRACTOR MOTORS. THEY CALLED IN A FEW DAYS AND TOLD ME TO BRING THE CAR BACK IN. THEY KEPT IT THREE DAYS, THEN RETURNED IT IN THE SAME NON-WORKING CONDITION AND TOLD ME IT WOULD COST $962 TO REPLACE THE SEAT BELT RETRACTING MECHANISM. THE DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT BELT LATCH IS IN THE FORWARD UNUSABLE POSITION. THE PASSENGER'S SIDE DOES NOT RETRACT EITHER. THE SERVICE MAN SAID THAT THE SEAT BELTS THEMSELVES HAD A LIFETIME GUARANTEE BUT THAT THE SEAT BELT RETRACTING MECHANISM WAS NOT PART OF THE SEAT BELT ASSEMBLY. *TR

NHTSA ID
10202413
Incident
Sep 7, 2007
Tires & wheels
Filed Jan 24, 2007

TL* - THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE PURCHASED PEP BOYS TIRES APPROXIMATELY 6 MONTHS AGO. HE WAS TRAVELING AT APPROXIMATELY 10-15 MPH ON A SMOOTH DRY STREET, WHEN THE FRONT DRIVER AND PASSENGER TIRES BLEW UP LIKE A BALLOON. THE TIRES FAILED ONE MONTH APART. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE IS STILL TREAD ON THE TIRES. THE MILEAGE ON THE TIRES AT THE TIME OF THE FAILURE WAS APPROXIMATELY 7,000 MILES. THE CONTACT HAS ONE OF THE TIRES. *AK

NHTSA ID
10180598
Incident
Nov 1, 2006
Electrical
Filed Dec 28, 2006
Fire reported

AFTER DRIVING MY CAR AND IT SITTING FOR APPROXIMATELY 1 AND A HALF HOURS I NOTICED THAT THEIR WAS FLAMES COMING FROM UNDER MY HOOD. I RAN OUT AND TURNED ON THE WATER HOSE AND STARTED TO SQUIRT IT AS A NEIGHBOR OPENED THE HOOD FOR ME BUT WE QUICKLY REALIZED THAT WASN'T GOING TO DO ANYTHING BECAUSE IT WAS ELECTRICAL, SO WE THEN DISCONNECTED THE BATTERY. WHICH STOPPED THE FIRE. *NM

NHTSA ID
10177248
Incident
Nov 24, 2004

Manufacturer communications

A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.

05012004

EQUIPMENT

AUDIO UNIT AND NAVIGATION SYSTEM ANTI-THEFT CODES AVAILABLE ON INTERACTIVE NETWORK. *NM

404

EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:ANTI-THEFT DEVICES

AUDIO, ANTI-THEFT CODES. HONDA. TECH LINE SUMMARY. *TT

00006

SUSPENSION:REAR

CONCERNS WITH A CLUNK OR SQUEAK FROM THE REAR SUSPENSION WHEN GOING OVER ROUGH OR BUMPY ROADS. *TT

010901

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY:FILLER PIPE AND CAP

INFORMATION REGARDING CAM-ON FUEL FILL CAP FAILURES DURING SMOG CHECK. *YH

00006

SUSPENSION:REAR

EXPERIENCING A CLUNK FROM THE REAR SUSPENSION WHEN GOING OVER ROUGH OR BUMPY ROADS. *TT

97111097047

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

PROBLEMS WITH HEAD GASKET LEAKS. *YC

Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.

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
1990Viewing9110367.8
1989696368.3
1988468363.2
1987393365.3
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.