RoadVitals

1993 Honda Civic Owner Complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers, shown in full

Data refreshed

Complaints on fileComplaints 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
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
Filed in the last 12 monthsReports filed with NHTSA in the trailing 365 days. Recent volume reflects attention and vehicle age as much as anything else.
0
Reports on file since Jan 11, 1995

What this page shows

Our database holds 146 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1993 Honda Civic. Each one is a report filed by an owner or driver and published by NHTSA without most of them being verified. A complaint is not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. Narratives are shown exactly as filed.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

Complaints, most recent first

Showing 1–25 of 146 · page 1 of 6

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
Interior & seats
Filed Nov 24, 2004
Fire reported

VEHICLE BURNEDD UP. UPON STARTING THE VEHICLE THE CONSUMER HEARD A FAINT POP, FOLLOWED BY SMOKE COMING FROM THE DIMMER. THE CONSUMER IMMEDIATELY TURN THE VEHICLE OFF AND GOT OUT. THEY LET THE VEHICLE STAND FOR A FEW SECONDS, WENT INTO THE CHURCH TO CALL 911. BY THE TIME THEY RETURN TO THE VEHICLE ,THE LEFT SIDE OF THE DASHBOARD WAS IN FLAMES. THE FIRE ORIGINATED FROM UNDERNEATH THE DASHBOARD. THE FIRE WAS ELECTRICAL. A FIRE REPORT WAS FILED. *NM......*AK

NHTSA ID
10101621
Incident
Nov 23, 2004
Mileage
182,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Mar 15, 2004

I HAVE A 1993 HONDA CIVIC LX. COUPLE OF DAYS BACK WHEN I WAS DRIVING BACK FROM WORK, MY CAR SUDDENLY STALLED AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT. IT WOULD NOT START. WITH THE HELP OF A PASSER BY I GOT MY CAR PUSHED IN A PARKING LOT. LATER I HAD IT TOWED TO MY GARAGE. MY MECHANIC TOLD ME THAT THE IGNITER HAD FAILED. HE CHARGED ME $700 TO REPLACE THE IGNITER AND DO A TUNE UP. *AK

NHTSA ID
10062183
Incident
Mar 17, 2004
Mileage
111,655 mi
Electrical
Filed Feb 24, 2004

DISTRIBUTO AND RELATED PARTS FAILED. *AK

NHTSA ID
10058915
Incident
Sep 1, 2002
Electrical
Filed Feb 24, 2004

DISTRIBUTOR AND RELATED PARS FAILED. *AK

NHTSA ID
10058912
Incident
Oct 3, 2002
Electrical
Filed Feb 24, 2004

DISTRIBUTOR AND RELATED PARTS FAILURE. SINCE 2000, I HAVE HAD TO HAVE 3 REPLACEMENTS.THIS IS HIGHLY UNUSUAL FOR CARS IN GENERAL. I WILL REPORT THE MOST RECENT INCIDENT SINCE I JUST FOUND OUT ABOUT THIS REPORTING SERVICE TODAY.*AK

NHTSA ID
10058910
Incident
Feb 19, 2004
Engine
Filed Feb 9, 2004

THE HEAD GASKET HAD TO BE REPLACED AND THE ENGINE WAS WARPED SO CAR KEPT OVERHEATING AND FINALLY THE ENGINE HAD TO BE REPLACED

NHTSA ID
10056812
Incident
Mar 1, 2002
Mileage
140,000 mi
Interior & seats
Filed Jan 27, 2004

DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT BACK FAILED. NO UNUSUAL STRESS WAS ON SEAT BACK, BUT EITHER JOINT BROKE, OR BAR CONNECTING SEAT BACK TO JOINT BROKE. *JB

NHTSA ID
10054967
Incident
Jan 26, 2004
Mileage
104,000 mi
Heating & air conditioning
Filed Nov 30, 2003

A/C UNIT IN 1993 HONDA CIVIC EXPLODED NOT ONCE BUT TWICE ON ORIGINAL AND REPLACEMENT UNIT.*AK

NHTSA ID
10048909
Incident
Jun 7, 1996
Transmission
Filed Nov 17, 2003

AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION WAS LEAKING OIL AND SLIPPING OUT OF GEAR. DEALER ATTEMPTED TO REPAIR TRANSMISSION THREE TIMES, BUT THE PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. *AK

NHTSA ID
10048043
Mileage
176,260 mi
Steering
Filed Nov 5, 2003

VEHICLE SUFFERED BROKEN TIE ROD CAUSING VEHICLE TO RUN OFF THE ROAD.*MR THE CONSUMER HIT A DITCH. THE FAILURE WAS A BROKEN ROD ON THE RIGHT STEERING AXLE. *PH *JB

NHTSA ID
10047757
Incident
Jul 7, 2003
Interior & seats
Filed Sep 16, 2003
Fire reported

WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED THERE WAS A STRONG SMELL OF BURNING PLASTIC INSIDE THE VEHICLE. SMOKE WAS COMING FROM THE REAR WINDSHIELD WIPERS AND THE WIRES MELTED. WIRES UNDER THE DASHBOARD AND WIRES NEAR THE DOOR SPEAKERS WERE WARM TO THE TOUCH.*AK

NHTSA ID
10040110
Incident
Sep 16, 2003
Mileage
168,000 mi
Tires & wheels
Filed Sep 4, 2003

ON THREE SEPARATE OCCASIONS, THE TIRES EXPERIENCED TREAD SEPARATION. *AK *PH *JB

NHTSA ID
10031818
Mileage
177,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Jul 7, 2003

DISTRIBUTOR FAILED AND CAUSED THE VEHICLE STOP ON THE FREEWAY. WHEN I HAD THE CAR FIXED, THE MECHANIC SAID ALL THE HONDAS DURING THIS PERIOD HAVE THE SAME FAILURE. ONE YEAR LATER MY 1990 HONDA CIVIC HAD THE DISTRIBUTOR FAIL ALSO. I AM CONCERNED THAT ACCIDENTS ARE OCCURRING BECAUSE THE DISTRIBUTOR FAILS IN HEAVT TRAFFIC. IT IS A MANUFACTURE DEFECT. I WAS TOLD THE BEARINGS ARE LOW QUALITY AND FREEZE UP.

NHTSA ID
10025547
Incident
May 2, 2001
Mileage
170,000 mi
Airbags
Filed May 30, 2003
Crash reported

CONSUMER WA SHAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE AIR BAGS. ALSO, WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A COLLISION AND THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED AT THE TIME OF THIS CALL.*AK

NHTSA ID
10021921
Incident
May 19, 2002
Electrical
Filed May 13, 2003

1993 HONDA CIVIC LX STALLED WHILE IN MOTION. THE FIRST INCIDENT OCCURRED WHEN THE ODOMETER READ ABOUT 100,000 MILES BACK IN 2000. THE PROBLEM WAS PINPOINTED TO A FAULTY IGNITOR WHICH WAS PROMPTLY REPLACED. LUCKILY NO ONE WAS INJURED NOR WAS THERE AN ACCIDENT. RECENTLY IN MAY 13, 2003 THE SAME PART FAILED WITH THE ODOMETER READING 165,000 MILES. OBVIOUSLY THIS IS A DESIGN FLAW. THIS PART AND/OR DISTRIBUTOR PREMATURELY CAUSED SUCH FAILURE. ASIDE FROM THIS VEHICLE, A 1993 HONDA ACCORD EX COUPE ALSO HAD THE SIMILAR PART REPLACED BEFORE THE ODOMETER REACHED 100,000 MILES.*JB

NHTSA ID
10018605
Incident
May 13, 2003
Mileage
100,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Apr 29, 2003

DISTRIBUTOR CAP BEARING FAILURE RESULTED IN DISTRIBUTOR CAP / ROTOR WELDED TOGETHER, ENGINE STALLED WHILE DRIVING. *NLM

NHTSA ID
10016721
Incident
Nov 29, 2001
Mileage
98,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Jan 9, 2003

CAR ON 3RD DISTRIBUTOR BEARING AND INGNITOR FAILURES

NHTSA ID
10000886
Incident
Jan 3, 2003
Mileage
60,000 mi

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.

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