RoadVitals

1991 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.
110
Latest Jul 3, 2023
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.
8
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.
17
15 injuries, 1 deaths reported

Overview

Our database contains 110 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1991 Honda Civic, most frequently naming the seat belts, electrical and body & structure categories. 8 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

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

8 campaigns cover this model year

View all 8

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 110
Seat belts
Filed Jul 3, 2023

The contact owns a 1991 Honda Civic. The contact stated that the front passenger's side and driver's side shoulder belts pretensioners failed to operate as designed and the shoulder belts failed to tighten during aggressive braking. The dealer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to an auto body shop. The vehicle was taken to the auto body shop, where the front passenger's side and driver's side shoulder belts and pretensioners were replaced; however, the failure persisted. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 130,000.

NHTSA ID
11530144
Incident
Jun 12, 2023
Mileage
130,000 mi
Tires & wheels
Filed May 4, 2017

TREAD BELT SEPARATION

NHTSA ID
10983599
Incident
Apr 11, 2017
Seat belts
Filed Feb 24, 2015

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1991 HONDA CIVIC. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE ATTEMPTING TO START THE VEHICLE, THE SEAT BELT FAILED TO RETRACT. THE SEAT BELT WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 425,000.

NHTSA ID
10690298
Incident
Feb 10, 2015
Mileage
425,000 mi
Body & structure
Filed Nov 27, 2013
Crash reported

NOT QUITE SURE BUT I REMEMBER GOING HARD IN A STRAIGHT LINE PASSING RIDES JUST ENJOYING THE RIDE ME AND MY EX GIRLFRIEND I WAS IN THE LEFT DRIVER SEAT AND SHE WAS IN THE RIGHT PASSENGER SIDE AND I JUST HEARD WHEN I GOT HIT IN THE BACK RIGHT SIDE I JUST CONTINUED HOME WHEN REACHING HOME IT WAS JUST A SCRATCH REMOVING THE TOP COAT OF MY RED PAINT I JUST CALLED IT MY LESSON FOR GOING FAST. *TR

NHTSA ID
10554040
Incident
May 1, 2013
Seat belts
Filed Nov 6, 2013

1991 HONDA CIVIC. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO SEAT BELT PROBLEMS. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED THE SEAT BELT FLASHED AND AN ALARM SOUNDED. THE SEAT BELT DID NOT PULL TIGHT, IN AN EMERGENCY BRAKING SITUATION.

NHTSA ID
10551301
Incident
Nov 4, 2013
Seat belts
Filed Mar 26, 2011

1991 HONDA CIVIC AUTOMATIC SEAT BELT SYSTEM FAILURE. CAR SEAT BELT SYSTEM WILL NOT WORK. THERE IS SUPPOSE TO BE A LIFE TIME WARRANTY ON THE SYSTEM BUT THE HONDA CORPORATION IS NOT HONORING THE WARRANTY. *TR

NHTSA ID
10392975
Incident
Mar 26, 2011
Mileage
78,000 mi
Seat belts
Filed Dec 17, 2009

I OWN A 1991 HONDA CIVIC 4-DOOR SEDAN. I WAS HAVING MY CAR WORKED ON FOR SOMETHING COMPLETELY UNRELATED WHEN, ALL OF THE SUDDEN, THE AUTOMATIC SEATBELT (SHOULDER HARNESS) ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE STOPPED FUNCTIONING. IT WILL NO LONGER RUN ALONG THE TRACK WHEN MY DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR IS OPENED. I AM UNSURE ABOUT THE IMPLICATIONS OF THIS FAILURE ON ITS ABILITY TO PROVIDE SAFETY IN THE EVENT OF AN ACCIDENT. I KNEW OF HONDA'S "LIFETIME WARRANTY" ON THEIR SEATBELTS AND TOOK IT TO A DEALERSHIP TO HAVE IT FIXED. THEY CLAIMED THAT THE WARRANTY DOES NOT ACTUALLY COVER THE NEEDED FIX DUE TO ITS LIKELIHOOD OF BEING AN ELECTRICAL MALFUNCTION. AFTER THOROUGHLY READING THROUGH THE WARRANTY, IT WAS CONFIRMED THAT THE WARRANTY DOES NOT CLEARLY DISTINGUISH BETWEEN ELECTRICAL AND NON-ELECTRICAL MALFUNCTIONS - THUS MY COMPLAINT. *TR

NHTSA ID
10296287
Incident
Dec 9, 2009
Mileage
170,000 mi
Seat belts
Filed Oct 17, 2009

I PURCHASED A 1991 HONDA CIVIC USED FROM A PRIVATE OWNER. SEVERAL YEARS LATER NOW, THE AUTOMATIC SHOULDER HARNESS SEATBELT HAS STOPPED WORKING. I HAVE READ SEVERAL PLACES THAT HONDA OF AMERICA IS TRYING TO CHARGE OWNERS FOR REPLACEMENT OF A SYSTEM THAT IN MY OPINION FOR THE SAFETY OF CAR OWNERS, SHOULD NOT FAIL IN THE LIFETIME OF THE CAR. AND IF IT DOES FAIL I FEEL THAT HONDA SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR REPLACING OR REPAIRING THE AUTOMATIC RESTRAINT SYSTEM ON ITS VEHICLES. *TR

NHTSA ID
10288770
Incident
Oct 10, 2009
Mileage
207,000 mi

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
1991Viewing1108365.0
19909110367.8
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.