1993 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 1993 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
- Airbags2716.8%
- Electrical2113.0%
- Steering159.3%
- Interior & seats138.1%
- Brakes138.1%
- Engine138.1%
- Seat belts127.5%
- Tires & wheels74.3%
- Body & structure74.3%
- Visibility63.7%
- Suspension53.1%
- Transmission53.1%
- Driver assistance53.1%
- Powertrain (other)42.5%
- Heating & air conditioning42.5%
- Fuel system42.5%
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
Airbags
Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights.
From owner reports, verbatim
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
RIGHT FRONT OF VEHICLE IMPACTED ANOTHER VEHICLE WHILE TRAVELING AT APPROXIMATELY 30 TO 40 MPH. DRIVER'S AIR BAG RELEASED A POWDER, BUT FAILED TO DEPLOY. DEALERSHIP INFORMED CONSUMER THAT AIR BAG SHOULD BE FINE, BUT HAS NOT EXAMINED THE VEHICLE. *AK CONSUMER WAS INJURED IN ACCIDENT. *SLC
Electrical
Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.
From owner reports, verbatim
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
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
Steering
Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage.
From owner reports, verbatim
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
GEAR BOX FAILURE. *AK
Interior & seats
Reports naming seats, latches, locks, linkages and interior fittings.
From owner reports, verbatim
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
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
Brakes
Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.
From owner reports, verbatim
CONSUMER WAS TRAVELING ABOUT 40MPH ON HIGHWAY AND APPLIED BRAKES, PEDAL WENT ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR. SHE WAS FORCED TO PULL OVER TO SHOULDERS. DEALERSHIP WAS AWARE OF PROBLEM.*AK
WHEN HIT A POOL OF WATER (~ 1" DEEP), ENGINE STALLED AND THE POWER BRAKE SYSTEM DIED. I WAS UNABLE TO RESTART THE CAR FOR ~5 MTS AND CHANGING THE GEAR F/R AND STEERING DO NOT HAVE ANY EFFECT. FORTUNATELY HAND BRAKE HELPED TO SLOW DOWN. IT LOOKS LIKE I HAD A SHORT CIRCUIT PROBLEM. NEED MORE EXPLANATION FROM THE MANUFACTURER ON WHAT COULD HAVE CAUSED IT. *AK
Engine
Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.
From owner reports, verbatim
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.
THE HEAD GASKET HAD TO BE REPLACED AND THE ENGINE WAS WARPED SO CAR KEPT OVERHEATING AND FINALLY THE ENGINE HAD TO BE REPLACED
Seat belts
Reports naming seat belts, buckles, retractors and pretensioners.
From owner reports, verbatim
CONSUMER STATES AT TIME OF A SEMI HEAD ON CLUSION SEAT BELT UNHOCKED ON IMPACT OF OTHER VEHICLE.
VEHICLE WAS REAR ENDED AND PUSHED INTO TRAFFIC AND HIT BY A TRUCK, UPON IMPACT THE SEATBELT STRAP WEBBING BROKE, CAUSING A BROKE COLLAR BONE AND INJURY TO RIGHT HAND. SEAT LATCH ALSO FAILED CAUSING THE SEAT BACK TO COLLAPSE. NLM
Tires & wheels
Reports naming tires, wheels, hubs, or the tire-pressure monitoring system.
From owner reports, verbatim
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.
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.
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
CRASHED
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
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
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.
BACK REAR WINDOWN SHATTERED WHILE DRIVING. CAUSE IS UNKNOWN. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED.*AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Suspension
Reports naming suspension components — springs, struts, shocks, control arms and related hardware.
From owner reports, verbatim
WHEN YOU SLOW DOWN BY LIFTING FOOT OFF THE ACCELERATOR THE FRONT PASSANGER WHEEL AREA STARTS TO MAKE A GRINDING NOISE. THIS NOISE HAPPENS WITHOUT USING THE BRAKES. IT COMES AND GOES CONSTANTLY. NO MACHANIC HAS BEEN ABLE TO PINPOINT THE PROBLEM. *AK
THE FENDER LINER TORE INTO STRIPS AND WRAPPED AROUND THE TIRES, CAUSED A RUBBING NOISE AND PREVENTED VEHICLE FROM DRIVING SMOOTHLY. OWNER CUT THE STRIPS FROM THE FENDER LINER AWAY FROM THE TIRE TO FREE IT. *ML
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
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION WAS LEAKING OIL AND SLIPPING OUT OF GEAR. DEALER ATTEMPTED TO REPAIR TRANSMISSION THREE TIMES, BUT THE PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. *AK
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK
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
WHILE ON THE BELTWAY, OUT OF THE BLUE, MY CAR ACCELERATED BY ITSELF (THE ACCELERATOR LEFT MY FOOT & THE CRUISE CONTROL WAS NOT ACTIVATED AT THE TIME), AND THE BRAKES DID NOT WANT TO OPERATE TO SLOW THE CAR DOWN---VERY FRIGHTENING! *AK
VEHICLE HAS EXPERIENCED SUDDEN ACCELERATION ON THREE OCCASIONS ONE INCIDENT RESULTING VEHICLE COLLISION.
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
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.
WILLIAM SCOTT TAMPERED WITH THE ODOMETER AND TOOK OFF APPROXIMATELY 140,000 MILES. IS THERE ANY COURSE OF ACTION YOU OR I CAN TAKE AGAINST HIM?*AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Heating & air conditioning
Reports naming the heating, ventilation and air-conditioning system.
From owner reports, verbatim
A/C UNIT IN 1993 HONDA CIVIC EXPLODED NOT ONCE BUT TWICE ON ORIGINAL AND REPLACEMENT UNIT.*AK
I AM EXPERIENCING PROBLEMS WITH MY AIR CONDITIONER, I AM BURNING 3 QUARTS OF OIL EVERY SEVEN DAYS, MY CAR IS OVERHEATING AFTER I HAVE REPLACED THE THERMOSTAT, TOP AND BOTTOM HOSES
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
DUE TO A LEAK IN THE FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM, VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE. VEHICLE'S FRONT END AND REAR END WERE BURNED. DEALER HAS NOT BEEN CONTACTED. *AK
NO SUMMARY
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 .