1992 Honda Civic Problems
Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component
Data refreshed
What this page shows
Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 1992 Honda Civic, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Reports by component
Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category
- Electrical2826.7%
- Airbags1716.2%
- Seat belts98.6%
- Interior & seats76.7%
- Brakes76.7%
- Tires & wheels76.7%
- Engine65.7%
- Steering54.8%
- Visibility54.8%
- Body & structure43.8%
- Transmission43.8%
- Other / unspecified21.9%
- Driver assistance21.9%
- Powertrain (other)11.0%
- Fuel system11.0%
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
Each component in detail
What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words
Electrical
Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.
From owner reports, verbatim
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.
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
Airbags
Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights.
From owner reports, verbatim
IN A FORWARD COLLISION, STRONG ENOUGH FOR MY HEAD TO PUNCH A 2 INCH HEMISPHERICAL INDENTATION INTO THE WINDSHIELD, THE AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY. I WAS WEARING MY SEAT BELT. THE IMPACT OF MY HEAD AGAINST THE WINDSHIELD RESULTED IN A MODERATE CONCUSSION. *LA
AIR BAG & 3 POINT RESTRAINT FAILED AND INJURIES AND LOSS OF TEETH RESULTED. WHEN IS AN AUTO MANUFACTURER RESPONSIBLE FOR DEFECTIVE EQUIPMENT???*AK
Seat belts
Reports naming seat belts, buckles, retractors and pretensioners.
From owner reports, verbatim
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
AIR BAG & 3 POINT RESTRAINT FAILED AND INJURIES AND LOSS OF TEETH RESULTED. WHEN IS AN AUTO MANUFACTURER RESPONSIBLE FOR DEFECTIVE EQUIPMENT???*AK
Interior & seats
Reports naming seats, latches, locks, linkages and interior fittings.
From owner reports, verbatim
WHEN ENTERING THE CAR & SITTING DOWN IN DRIVERS SEAT, THE BRACKET SUPPORTING THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE SEAT BACK BROKE. THE SEAT IS NOW UNUSABLE & MUST BE REPLACED.*AK
THE HOOD WOULD NOT STAY CLOSED, DEALER REPLACED THE LATCH AND RELEASE CABLE. NLM
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Brakes
Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.
From owner reports, verbatim
VIBRATION IN BRAKES/STEERING DUE TO WARPED FRONT ROTORS, POSSIBLY CAUSED BY EXCESSIVE FRONT BRAKE BIAS
EXCESSIVE FRONT BRAKE BIAS: CAUSES LOCKED FRONT TIRES, INCREASED STOPPING DISTANCE, AND WARPED FRONT ROTORS. THE EXCESSIVE STOPPING DISTANCE HAS RESULTED IN TWO ACCIDENTS.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Tires & wheels
Reports naming tires, wheels, hubs, or the tire-pressure monitoring system.
From owner reports, verbatim
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.
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.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Engine
Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.
From owner reports, verbatim
WHEN TRAVELING BOLT WHICH HOLDS CRANKSHAFT BROKE, CAUSING POOR STEERING CONTROL. CONSUMER CONTACTED THE DEALER, DEALER HAS REPLACED PARTS AT OWNER'S EXPENSE. CONSUMER BELIEVES THAT IT IS A FACTORY DEFECT, AND THAT SHE SHOULD BE REIMBURSED. *AK *ML
INTERMITTENT STALLING/HESITATION.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Steering
Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage.
From owner reports, verbatim
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
WHILE DRIVING CONSUMER TRIED TO TURN INTO THE DRIVEWAY WHEN THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP AND WOULD NOT TURN , RESULTING IN CRASHING INTO ANTHER CAR. MJS
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Visibility
Reports naming windshields, glass, wipers, defrosters and mirrors.
From owner reports, verbatim
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
THE VEHICLE DID NOT COME EQUIPPED WITH A RIGHT SIDE MIRROR.*JB
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Body & structure
Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim.
From owner reports, verbatim
RUST AND CORROSION WERE DISCOVERED IN BOTH A-PILLARS AND ACROSS TOP IN BONDING AREA DURING WINDSHIELD INSTALLATION, THE RUST PROBABLY OCCURRED DUE TO IMPROPER INSTALLATION OF WINDSHIELD ON PREVIOUS OCCASION. NLM
REAR BUMPER FAILED.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Transmission
Reports naming the automatic or manual transmission, including shifting behaviour, shudder, slipping and transmission control modules.
From owner reports, verbatim
DT:RECALL CAMPAIGN 94V063000 CONCERNING AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FAILURE. THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO VIN ALTHOUGH THIS VEHICLE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM AS LISTED THE RECALL. VEHICLE HAD A 90 DAY WARRANTY AT PURCHASE, BUT THE DEALER REFUSED TO FIX IT. *AK
TRANSMISSION GEAR SHIFTER KEEPS GETTING STUCK IN DRIVE AND FIRST GEAR. *AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Other / unspecified
Reports whose component NHTSA recorded as unknown, or that do not map to one of the categories above.
From owner reports, verbatim
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
WHILE TRAVELING ON HIGHWAY, VEHICLE HIT A POTHOLE AND REAR WHEEL ON LEFT HAND SIDE DISENGAGED. *AK DEALER STRAIGHTENED OUT RIM AND REBALANCED TIRE. *TT
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Driver assistance
Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems.
From owner reports, verbatim
POSSIBLE SOLENOID FAILURE CAUSED THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY SURGED FORWARD AND CRASHED. YH
THROTTLE STICKS INTERMITTENTLY IN AN OPEN CONDITION CAUSING VEHICLE TO SURGE. TT
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Powertrain (other)
Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials.
From owner reports, verbatim
WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE STARTED MAKING A KNOCKING NOISE, TOOK TO MECHANIC, AND THEY SAD RIGHT AXLE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. CURRENTLY, LEFT SIDE WAS MAKING SAME NOISE.*AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Fuel system
Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.
From owner reports, verbatim
FAILED DISTRIBUTOR BEARINGS CAUSED ROTOR TO BREAK. *DH
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
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.
Elsewhere on this vehicle
Data sources
- NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation — owner-reported complaints and the components recorded on them
Data on this page last refreshed .