RoadVitals

1993 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.
146
Latest Jun 7, 2021
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.
44
31 injuries, 0 deaths reported

Overview

Our database contains 146 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1993 Honda Civic, most frequently naming the airbags, electrical and steering 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.

PE94055ClosedPreliminary Evaluation

ALLEGED STEERING LOCKUP

Opened Jul 20, 1994
Closed Dec 30, 1994

There is no summary currently available

STEERING

Recent owner complaints

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

View all 146
Powertrain (other)Visibility
Filed Jun 7, 2021

the automatic transmission shift cable is recalled and the rear window also. I called norm reeves honda in port charlotte florida at 9417438883 and spoke to a woman in service. she took my information and told me she would call me back. Less than 10 minutes later she called me back and told me the parts aren't available and she wouldn't be able to help me any further.

NHTSA ID
11419940
Incident
Jun 7, 2021
Body & structure
Filed Aug 21, 2013
Crash reported

CRASHED

NHTSA ID
10536441
Incident
Aug 6, 2012
Tires & wheels
Filed Nov 8, 2010

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1993 HONDA CIVIC LX WITH GOODYEAR P-TRACKER TIRES, LINE SIZE P185/60/R15. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE PURCHASED AND INSTALLED TWO TIRES FOR THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. THE FOLLOWING MORNING, BOTH TIRES HAD LOST AIR PRESSURE AND WERE COMPLETELY FLAT. SHE THEN CONTACTED THE FACILITY IN WHICH SHE PURCHASED THE TIRES BUT RECEIVED NO ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT FURTHER EXAMINED FOR THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE NOR REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 139,000.

NHTSA ID
10364991
Incident
Nov 5, 2010
Mileage
139,000 mi
Body & structure
Filed Mar 22, 2009

I HAVE A 1993 HONDA CIVIC HATCHBACK. IT IS WELL KNOWN THAT IN THE EARLY 1990`S, THE REAR WHEEL WELLS EDGES RUST AND PERFORATE WHILE THE FRONT WELLS DO NOT. I HAVE TAKEN VERY GOOD CARE OF MY CAR AND IT IS OTHERWISE IN VERY GOOD SHAPE. ON INQUIRY, TO DEALERS AND OTHER HONDA CIVIC OWNERS THEY ALL SAY THAT IN THAT TIME THE SHEET METAL FOR THE REAR WELLS WAS INFERIOR TO THE FRONT WELLS AND THAT HONDA HAS SINCE THEN CORRECTED THE PROBLEM...MEANWHILE I HAVE A WELL CARED FOR CAR THAT STILL RUNS WELL BUT HAS THE UGLY RUST IN THOSE AREAS MENTIONED . PLS LET E KNOW IF THERE IS ANY RECOURSE....THANK YOU....TERRY *TR

NHTSA ID
10262707
Incident
Jan 1, 1993
Mileage
140,000 mi
Tires & wheels
Filed Mar 20, 2009

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1993 HONDA CIVIC. THE VEHICLE HAS SEARS ROADHANDLER TIRES. IN 2003, THE CONTACT PURCHASED A SET OF REPLACEMENT TIRES FROM SEARS AND THEY WERE GUARANTEED FOR 100,000 MILES. HE DISCOVERED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE TIRE HAS A TWO INCH SPLIT IN THE SIDEWALL. THE OTHER TIRES ARE ALSO BEGINNING TO CRACK ON THE SIDE. THE TIRES ARE QUICKLY LOSING TEN TO ELEVEN POUNDS OF AIR DURING THE WINTER MONTHS. THE CONTACT HAS NOT TAKEN THE TIRES BACK TO SEARS. THE TIRE SIZE WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 420,000.

NHTSA ID
10262570
Incident
Dec 20, 2008
Mileage
420,000 mi
Engine
Filed Sep 19, 2007

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1993 HONDA CIVIC. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WOULD NOT RESPOND WHEN DEPRESSED. THE BATTERY AND ENGINE OIL LIGHTS ILLUMINATED AND ALL ELECTRICAL POWER FAILED. A MECHANIC STATED THAT THE ENGINE COIL FAILED AND THE DEALER REPLACED THE PART. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 130,000.

NHTSA ID
10203415
Incident
Sep 18, 2007
Mileage
130,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Aug 19, 2007

CHECK ENGINE LIGHT,THEN ROUGH IDLE,THEN TOTAL DEATH OF IGNITION,STALLED. REPAIR STATION DIAGNOSED IT TO BE A DISTRIBUTOR FAILURE. REPLACED WITH NEW ONE,6 MONTHS LATER IT FAILED AND WAS REPLACED WITH REBUILT UNIT. NOW ABOUT 6 MONTHS AGAIN,SAME PROBLEM WITH THE REBUILT DISTRIBUTOR APPARENTLY. HAVEN'T TAKEN IT TO A REPAIR SHOP YET. *JB

NHTSA ID
10200059
Incident
Aug 13, 2007
Mileage
142,000 mi
Filed Mar 30, 2006

A VEHICLE WAS ADVERTISED IN THE NEWSPAPER WITH 87000 MILES. IT ACTUALLY HAS EXCESS OF 185300 AS DETERMINED IN A CARFAX REPORT. *JB

NHTSA ID
10154242
Incident
Mar 29, 2006
Mileage
87,000 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
1993Viewing14613165.9
19929813165.1
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.