RoadVitals

1996 Honda Civic Body & structure Problems

Owner-reported complaints naming the body or structure system, filed with NHTSA

Data refreshed

Body & structure reportsComplaints 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.
19
Latest Dec 24, 2015
Share of all reportsThis category as a share of every owner report on file for this model year. One report can name more than one component, so the categories overlap.
6%
of 305 total
Crash or fire reportedReports in this category whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. The reporter's own answer on the NHTSA form, not a verified finding.
1
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
1

What this page shows

Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 1996 Honda Civic submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 19 reports on file name it.

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

Owner reports naming body or structure

Shown in the owner’s own words, exactly as filed

Body & structure
Filed Dec 24, 2015

PASSENGER SIDE SUB-FRAME IS HEAVILY RUSTED AND BROKEN AT THE BOTTOM. PASSENGER SIDE WHEEL MOVES SIDE TO SIDE WITH EASE. THE CAR HAS BEEN OWNED BY ME FOR TWO YEARS WITH NO ISSUE. I DO NOT AND HAVE NOT USED THE A/C, BUT LIKELY RELATED TO THE A/C DRIP TUBE POINTING DIRECTLY ON THE SUB-FRAME AND RUSTING IT THROUGH. IT'S NOT WORTH REPAIRING BUT COULD POSSIBLE BE REINFORCED WITH A WELD. SELLING DEALER DENIES ANY DEFECT UPON ORIGINAL SALE. EVEN THOUGH THE CAR WAS MAINLY RUST FREE, WHAT WAS LURKING UNDERNEATH WAS DEFINITELY NOT SAFETY INSPECTED BEFORE PUTTING ON THE LOT FOR SALE. AT THE TIME I INSPECTED THE VEHICLE, I SAW NO OBVIOUS DAMAGE TO THE PASSENGER SIDE LOWER CONTROL ARM AND SUB-FRAME AREA. I LATER FOUND OUT THE DAMAGE TO BE CONCEALED BY SANDING AND DARK COLORED UNDERCOATING. PRESUMABLY BY THE SCAM DEALER. EVEN THOUGH THE CAR IS AND HAS BEEN DRIVEN IN THE NE, HONDA SHOULD ASSURE THAT CRITICAL PARTS LIKE THIS WILL STAND UP. I CAN'T SAY WHAT WORK HAD BEEN DONE TO THE VEHICLE BEFORE I OWNED IT, OR IF THE VEHICLE WAS GARAGED OR NOT. FROM WHAT I AM READING, THAT DOES NOT MAKE A DIFFERENCE THOUGH. HONDA OWNERS, CHECK THIS ITEM. I COULDN'T SEE PUTTING A NEW SUB-FRAME, ALONG WITH STEEP DEALER LABOR PRICES TO CORRECT THIS ISSUE. HONDA AMERICA NEEDS TO STEP UP WITH AN ADMISSION OF FAULT AND A RECALL, IF NOT ONLY TO REINFORCE THOSE FRAMES THAT ARE STRESSED.

NHTSA ID
10816165
Incident
Dec 24, 2015
Mileage
218,025 mi
Body & structureEngineFuel system+1 more
Filed Aug 4, 2014

8/4/2014 DEAR AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR COMPANY, INC. I AM A PROUD HONDA OWNER, AND I CHOSE HONDA AS MY AUTO OF CHOICE FOR ITS COMPACT SIZE, ITS KNOWN RELIABILITY AS WELL AS GREAT GAS MILEAGE. I HAVE BEEN HOLDING ON YOUR CUSTOMER SERVICE LINE @ 1-800-999-1009 FOR QUITE A WHILE AND A FEW DAYS, AND I HAVE BEEN UNABLE TO SPEAK TO A CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE, SO I AM IN THIS LETTER CORRESPONDING MY CONCERNS TO YOU. I OWN A 1997 HONDA CIVIC LX WHICH I PURCHASE IN 6/12/2006 NEW. MY HONDA HAS JUST LEGITIMATELY CLOCKED 90 THOUSAND MILES AS OF 8/4/2014, SO I AM QUERIED I WOULD BE HAVING PROBLEMS. I WAS RECENTLY INFORMED BY A HONDA DEALER AS WELL AS I CHECKED AND READ ON LINE THAT HONDA ISSUED A RECALL ON THESE MODELS FOR TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS AS WELL AS THE PAINT CHIPPING OFF IN SEVERAL AREAS. I NEVER RECEIVED ANY KIND OF NOTIFICATION FROM HONDA NOR HAD AN OPPORTUNITY TO HAVE MY HONDA CHECKED FOR THESE PROBLEMS, ALTHOUGH I HAD MY HONDA SERVICED IN 3 MAJOR PENNSYLVANIA HONDA DEALERSHIP SERVICE DEPARTMENTS ON A REGULAR BASIS. IT WAS NEVER REPORTED AS A MAJOR CONCERN TO ME, MY AUTO CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS ON AND OFF AND THE CAR STUTTERS AND JERKS WHILE ACCELERATING INDICATING PROBLEMS, I CAN DRIVE WITHOUT A MAJOR INCIDENT DOING NEIGHBORHOOD CHORES OR PHYSICIANS OFFICE VISITS IF THE AUTO IS GOING 40 MPH OR UNDER, AND WHEN TAKEN TO BE SERVICED BY ME AND CHECKED, IT IS NOT SHOWING UP. RECENTLY MY AUTO BOGGED DOWN ON THE HIGHWAY ONLY GOING 50 MPH WHILE THE SPEED LIMIT IS 70, I WAS FRIGHTENED BY THIS OCCURRENCE AND I FELT THE AUTO WAS GOING TO STOP AND I WOULD BE UNABLE TO GET OUT OF HARMS WAY! I AM A SENIOR CITIZEN ON A FIXED INCOME AND I AM ASKING FOR GOODWILL REPAIRS CONCERNING THESE PROBLEM AS WELL AS A REPAIR FOR THE CHIPPING PAINT. WOULD YOU PLEASE GET IN TOUCH WITH ME SO THESE CAN BE RESOLVED? *TR

NHTSA ID
10618839
Incident
Aug 4, 2014
Mileage
90,000 mi
Body & structureDriver assistanceElectrical+3 more
Filed Mar 17, 2003
Crash reported

BELTS CAME OF PULLEYS, VEHICLE LOST CONTROL RESULTING IN ACOLLISION. ALSO, REPLACED THROTTLE CABLE/EMISSIONS/IGNITION/CV BOOTS AND WINDSHIELD WIPERS. *AK

NHTSA ID
10009619
Body & structure
Filed Sep 17, 2001

LOSS OF CONTROL DUE TO DRIVING DURING EXTENSIVE RAIN CONDITIONS. CAR IS BUILT TOO CLOSE TO THE ROAD AND EXCESSIVE WATER ON THE ROAD HAS NO PLACE TO GO EXCEPT UNDER THE CAR. LOST CONTROL EVERY TIME OVER 40MPH, EVEN WITH NEW TIRES. TRADED CAR. TOO AFRAID TO DRIVE IN HEAVY RAIN. ALSO SAW A FATILITY ON THE NEWS ABOUT LOSS OF CONTROL IN HEAVY RAIN WITH A HONDA CIVIC SEDAN. *AK

NHTSA ID
752280
Body & structure
Filed Mar 17, 2000
1 injury reported

WHEN OPENING, TRUNK LID REBOUNDS STRIKING OPERATOR IN HEAD, CAUSING CONCUSSION

NHTSA ID
720252
Body & structure
Filed Oct 5, 1999

THE REMOTE DOOR LOCKS STOPPED WORKING WHEN THE CAR HAD BEEN SITTING FOR A WEEK IN THE DRIVEWAY. APPARENTLY A "CRYSTAL" WHICH CONTROLS THIS BROKE. THERE WAS NO RESON ON MY PART WHY IT SHOULD HAVE BROKEN. I DON'T SEE WHY I SHOULD PAY $450 FOR SOMETHING THAT IS A DEFECT AND HAS BEEN FIXED NUMEROUS TIMES BY MY MECHANIC IN CIVICS OF THE SAME YEAR. ALSO, THE PASSENGER SIDE WINDOW HAS FAILED IN NUMEROUS CIVICS FROM 1996 ACCORDING TO MY MECHANIC, LEADING US TO BELIEVE THAT BOTH OF THESE PROBLEMS ARE DEFECTS.

NHTSA ID
712830
Incident
Jan 13, 1999
Body & structure
Filed Jun 21, 1999

PASSENGER SIDE FLOOR MAT PUSHES UNDER THE DASH, CAUSING AIR CODITIONER DRAIN HOSE TO DISCONNECT AND LEAK ONT INTERIOR CARPET, CONSUMER DOES NOT HAVE CIVIC ORIGINAL MATS WHICH IS UNDER RECALL AT THIS TIME RECALL # 99-E-015-000. ----------------PLEASE ADD VIN.#-----------------

NHTSA ID
840577
Body & structureBrakesDriver assistance+3 more
Filed Jul 9, 1998

ABS BRAKES FAILED.

NHTSA ID
538130
Body & structureBrakesPowertrain (other)
Filed Oct 27, 1997

BRAKE BOOSTER CHECK VALVE FAILED.

NHTSA ID
604948
Incident
Dec 13, 1996
Body & structure
Filed Oct 27, 1997

TRUNK SEAL FAILED CAUSING WATER TO LEAK INSIDE THE TRUNK WHEN IT RAINS.

NHTSA ID
604256
Incident
Nov 1, 1996
Body & structure
Filed Oct 1, 1997

POWER DOOR LOCKS FAILED.

NHTSA ID
605094
Incident
Apr 12, 1997
Body & structureVisibility
Filed Sep 9, 1997

WINDOW OFF TRACK, AND NEEDED REPAIR.

NHTSA ID
606046
Incident
Jun 1, 1996
Body & structureSeat belts
Filed Sep 8, 1997

PROBLEM WITH ARM REST.

NHTSA ID
603852
Body & structure
Filed Aug 29, 1997

SIDE/FRONT DOORS WOULD NOT STAY OPEN.

NHTSA ID
605377
Incident
Oct 1, 1996
Body & structure
Filed Aug 14, 1997

THE DESIGN OF THE VEHICLE ALLOWS WATER TO BLOCK DRIVER'S VIEW ON OUTSIDE MIRRORS AS WELL AS WINDOWS. THE CONSUMER FEELS THIS IS A SERIOUS VISIBILITY HAZARD.

NHTSA ID
520989
Body & structure
Filed Jul 10, 1997

SUPPORT ROD THAT HOLDS THE HOOD UP HAS A GIVEN POINT. THE SUPPORT ROD BROKE WHICH CAUSED THE HOOD TO COLLAPSE ON SOMEONE WHO'S UP UNDER THE HOOD. CONSUMER CONTACTED THE DEALER, AND THE DEALER SAID IT WAS THE MISHANDLING OF THE PERSON WHO WAS UNDERNEATH THE HOOD. *AK

NHTSA ID
814030
Incident
Jun 26, 1997
Body & structureElectricalTransmission
Filed Nov 1, 1996

VEHICLE TRANSMISSION HAVING TROUBLE GOING INTO REVERSE.

NHTSA ID
510944
Body & structure
Filed Sep 11, 1996

PURCHASED CAR NEW, RECEIVED IT ON JUNE 29. 1996 THERE IS A NOISE IN THE STRUCTURE FRAME AND HARD TO SHIFT CAR MANUALLY . PLEASE DESCRIBE .*AK

NHTSA ID
802196
Incident
Jun 29, 1996
Body & structure
Filed Jul 10, 1996

AFTER USING SUNVISOR AND IT IS RETURNED BACK TO ITS POSITION AGAINST THE ROOF OF THE VEHICLE, THE VISOR POPS OUT OF ITS RIGHT-SIDE FASTENING CLIP BLOCKING VIEW.

NHTSA ID
506109
Incident
Jul 10, 1996

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.

Other components reported on this vehicle

Categories with enough reports to have a page of their own

Elsewhere on this vehicle

Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .