RoadVitals

1992 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.
98
Latest Jun 30, 2011
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.
13
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.
1
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.
28
26 injuries, 0 deaths reported

Overview

Our database contains 98 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1992 Honda Civic, most frequently naming the electrical, airbags and seat belts categories. 13 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; 1 NHTSA investigation names it; and 16 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

13 campaigns cover this model year

View all 13

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.

DP00007ClosedDefect Petition

IGNITION DISTRIBUTOR

Opened Nov 13, 2000
Closed Oct 25, 2001

THE PETITION ALLEGES THAT IGNITION DISTRIBUTOR FAILURE COULD CAUSE A VEHICLE FIRE OR A TRAFFIC ACCIDENT

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

Recent owner complaints

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

View all 98
Electrical
Filed Jun 30, 2011

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1992 HONDA CIVIC. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START AFTER BEING PARKED AND TURNED OFF FOR APPROXIMATELY 20 MINUTES. AFTER REPEATED ATTEMPTS, THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO START THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE HAD SINCE RECURRED EVERY TIME THE VEHICLE WAS OPERATED. AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC EXAMINED THE VEHICLE ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS AND REPLACED THE DISTRIBUTOR TWICE. THE CONTACT ALSO REPLACED THE BATTERY. THE FAILURE CONTINUED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 205,105.

NHTSA ID
10410003
Incident
May 23, 2011
Mileage
205,105 mi
ElectricalOther / unspecified
Filed Aug 11, 2010

1. I DO NOT KNOW WHAT EVENTS LEAD UP TO THIS FAILURE. 2. IGNITION KEY CANNOT BE REMOVED APPROX. 90% OF THE TIME. (CAR IS IN PARK.) THIS PROBLEM DEVELOPED ABOUT TWO YEARS AGO. HAVE TO LEAVE THE KEY IN THE IGNITION WHICH CAN CAUSE A PROBLEM WITH MY INSURANCE COMPANY IF THE CAR IS STOLEN. 3. MECHANICS ARE UNABLE TO DETERMINE WHAT IS CAUSING THIS TO HAPPEN. *TR

NHTSA ID
10348694
Incident
Jan 1, 2008
Mileage
116,754 mi
Seat belts
Filed Sep 9, 2009
Crash reported2 injuries reported

I WAS IN A CAR ACCIDENT ON 9/7/09. I WAS INJURED, AND HAD TO BE TAKEN TO SHOCK TRAUMA. MY SEAT BELT WAS ON BUT DID NOT WORK, AND BECAUSE IT DIDN'T WORK I RECEIVED A SEVERE HEAD INJURY AS WELL AS NECK AND BACK PROBLEMS, AND CONSTANT HEADACHES. *TR

NHTSA ID
10283407
Incident
Sep 7, 2009
Mileage
144 mi
Tires & wheels
Filed Feb 5, 2009

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1992 HONDA CIVIC. THREE MONTHS AFTER NEW TIRES WERE PURCHASED, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE TIRES WOULD SPORADICALLY LOSE TIRE PRESSURE. THE RISK OF A CRASH WAS INCREASED. SHE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND HAD THE TIRES REPLACED WITH THE SAME BRAND. SEVERAL MONTHS AFTER THE TIRE REPLACEMENT, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE HAS NOT YET BEEN DETERMINED. THE VIN, TIRE INFORMATION, AND DOT NUMBER WERE UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 3,000.

NHTSA ID
10257587
Incident
Apr 5, 2008
Mileage
3,000 mi
Steering
Filed Feb 20, 2008

PLEASE DESCRIBE EVENTS LEADING UP TO THE FAILURE, FAILURE AND ITS CONSEQUENCES, AND WHAT WAS DONE TO CORRECT THE FAILURE; I.E, PARTS REPAIRED OR REPLACED (AND IF OLD PART IS AVAILABLE) DO NOT INCLUDE ANY PERSONAL INFORMATION IN YOUR DESCRIPTION SUCH AS NAMES, EMAIL ADDRESS, OR PHONE NUMBER. *TR

NHTSA ID
10218625
Incident
Jun 24, 2005
Mileage
150,000 mi
Tires & wheels
Filed Jun 4, 2007

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1992 HONDA CIVIC LX. THE VEHICLE HAS COOPER TRENDSETTER SE TIRES, SIZE P175/70R13. WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE CONTACT NOTICED A FLAT ON THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE TIRE. HE TOOK THE TIRE IN FOR INSPECTION AND THE MECHANIC COULD NOT LOCATE ANY PUNCTURES OR DENTS. NEVERTHELESS, THE TIRE WAS REPAIRED. LAST WEEK, THE CONTACT TOOK THE TIRES TO GET INSPECTED AND ROTATED AND WAS INFORMED THAT NOTHING WAS WRONG. A FEW DAYS AFTER THE INSPECTION, THE TIRE BECAME FLAT AGAIN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO SEARS AUTO CENTER WHO ALSO COULD FIND NO FAILURES WITH THE TIRE. SEARS FILLED THE TIRE WITH AIR. THE CONTACT FEELS THAT THE TIRES ARE UNSAFE AND PLANS ON HAVING THEM REPLACED. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 153,657 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 152,057.

NHTSA ID
10192369
Incident
Aug 16, 2006
Mileage
152,057 mi
Electrical
Filed Nov 17, 2005

DT: THE CONTACT STATED THE ENGINE WOULD START AND THEN STALL IMMEDIATELY. THIS HAPPENED TWICE. HE FOUND THE IGNITION SWITCH WAS NOT MAKING CONTACT. HE REPLACED THE IGNITION SWITCH HIMSELF. THE VEHICLE IS WORKING CORRECTLY AT THIS TIME. *AK

NHTSA ID
10142994
Incident
Nov 11, 2005
Visibility
Filed Sep 12, 2005

MY HUSBAND WAS DRIVING MY 1992 CIVIC EX 4 DR SEDAN ON INTERSTATE 95 NORTHBOUND ON 9/8/05. HE HAD THE A/C ON AND ALL WINDOWS AND MOONROOF CLOSED. HE HEARD A LOUD "POP" AND THEN HEARD WIND NOISE. A PASSING MOTORIST SIGNALED TO HIM TO LOOK UP, OPENED THE SUN SHADE, AND REALIZED THE ENTIRE GLASS MOONROOF WAS GONE!! THE CAR WAS PURCHASED BY ME BRAND NEW AND IS IN IMMACULATE MECHANICAL AND STRUCTURAL CONDITION. IT HAS NEVER BEEN INVOLVED IN AN AUTOMOBILE ACCIDENT. I CONTACTED HONDA AND EXPLAINED WHAT HAPPENED. THEY TOLD ME TO TAKE IT TO THE NEAREST DEALER TO BE INSPECTED. I HAD NO PROBLEMS WHATSOEVER WITH THE MOONROOF. NO LEAKS, NO UNUSUAL NOISE, IT OPENED AND CLOSED WITHOUT HESITATION. THE CAR RECEIVED REGULAR MAINTENANCE. I AM GRATEFUL THAT NO ONE WAS BEHIND MY HUSBAND OR SOMEONE COULD HAVE EASILY BEEN KILLED. HONDA ACCEPTS NO RESPONSIBILITY FOR THIS. WHEN I ASKED WHAT I SHOULD HAVE LOOKED FOR TO KNOW THAT THERE WAS A POTENTIAL PROBLEM WITH MY MOONROOF, THEY COULD NOT GIVE ME AN ANSWER. *NM

NHTSA ID
10136251
Incident
Sep 8, 2005
Mileage
136,000 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

11012003

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM

HEATER BLOWER MOTOR GETS HOT OR BLOWS A FUSE. HONDA. SERVICENEWS. *TT

010402

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE

SUBJECT REGARDING CUSTOMER COMPLAINTS THAT THE ENGINE HESITATES BRIEFLY WHEN ACCELERATING. *TT

302

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE

CUSTOMERS MAY COMPLAIN OF A BRIEF HESITATION WHEN ACCELERATING AT HIGH ENGINE SPEEDS. *TT

00006

SUSPENSION:REAR

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

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
1992Viewing9813165.1
19911108365.0
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.