1996 Honda Civic Owner Complaints

GAS IDLE DIDN'T RETURN BACK AND I GOT INTO A CAR ACCIDENT. *TR

NHTSA ID

11326823

Incident

Jun 1, 2020

I HAVE 2 RECALLS AND I NEED THE NOTIFICATION FOR THEM GONE ASAP SO I CAN SHIP MY CAR OVERSEAS. THE ISSUES STATED ABOUT THE "AIR BAG" AND "FLOOR MATS" HAVE YET TO CAUSE A CONCERN TO MY DRIVING AND OR HANDLING ABILITY. I DON'T HAVE THE TIME TO GO THROUGH THESE RECALLS AS I AM MILITARY AND NEED MY VEHICLE SHIPPED BUT THE RECALLS ARE WHATS KICKING ME BACK.

NHTSA ID

11308881

Incident

Feb 10, 2020

THIS HONDA WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT YESTERDAY WITH BOTH SIDE AND FRONT IMPACT WHILE IN MOTION, BOTH IMPACTS BEING MAJOR. BUT NEITHER THE PASSENGER OR DRIVER'S AIRBAGS WERE DEPLOYED AT ANY TIME. THERE WERE NO WARNING LIGHTS ON ABOUT THE AIRBAG PRIOR TO THIS.

NHTSA ID

11203305

Incident

Apr 23, 2019

Mileage

235,000 mi

ACCESSORY DRIVER-SIDE FLOOR MATS USED IN 1996-1998 HONDA CIVIC VEHICLES. DUE TO THE SHAPE OF THE FLOOR ON THESE VEHICLES, A MISPOSITIONED FLOOR MAT COULD INTERFERE WITH THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL. THE CAR IS IN MOTION. K60

NHTSA ID

11052354

Incident

Dec 4, 2017

Mileage

148,000 mi

MY 1996 HONDA CIVIC'S ENGINE TURNS OFF WHILE DRIVING. THERE WAS JUST A RECALL FOR THE NEWER VERSIONS(2016 HONDA CIVICS) FOR THE SAME PROBLEM. I CANNOT FIND ANY RECALLS ONLINE ABOUT 1996 HONDA CIVICS SHUTTING OFF WHILE DRIVING THOUGH. I HAVE HAD THIS PROBLEM FOR ABOUT A YEAR NOW.

NHTSA ID

10825029

Incident

Feb 7, 2016

Mileage

224,000 mi

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

USING CRUISE CONTROL, SET CRUISE AT 60MPH. CRUISE CONTROL WORKED FINE. APPLIED FOOT TO ACCELERATOR. CAR CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE AFTER REMOVING FOOT. APPLIED BRAKE AND CRUISE CONTROL DID NOT RELEASE. APPLIED CLUTCH AND ENGINE CONTINUED TO INCREASE ROTATIONS PER MINUTE (RPM). I BELIEVE THAT ENGINE RPM MUST HAVE HIT A THRESHOLD THEN DISENGAGED. *TR

NHTSA ID

10627711

Incident

Aug 1, 2011

Mileage

103,000 mi

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

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 HONDA CIVIC. WHILE DRIVING OVER A BUMP AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED ERRONEOUSLY AND SHATTERED THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE WINDOW. THE PASSENGER SUSTAINED INJURIES TO THE FACE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 147,000. UPDATED 8/28/14*CN THE CONSUMER STATED THE MANUFACTURER DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE. UPDATED 11/12/2014 *JS

NHTSA ID

10610440

Incident

Jul 12, 2014

Mileage

147,000 mi

FOR SOME UNKNOWN REASON THE SRS AIR BAG LIGHT CAME ON AND STAYED ON. I HAD NOT BEEN IN ANY KIND OF CRASH OR ALMOST CRASH. THE LOCAL HONDA DEALER SAID THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH IT AND HONDA HAD DID A RECALL BUT MY CAR WAS OUT OF THE WARRANTY PERIOD THAT HONDA SET UP SO THEY WOULD CHARGE ME $400.00 TO FIX. *TR

NHTSA ID

10586080

Incident

Mar 1, 2010

Mileage

200,000 mi

THE WINDOW ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE CONTINUALLY COMES OFF THE TRACK. I HAVE HAD IT FIXED, BUT IT STILL COMES OFF AND IT IS VERY DIFFICULT TO GET THE WINDOW BACK UP. I HAVE NO CHILDREN AND USUALLY RIDE ALONE TO WORK SO NO ONE 'PLAYS' WITH THE UP/DOWN BUTTON. THE WINDOW ON THE PASSENGER SIDE WILL SOMETIMES NOT COME UP. I HAVE TO HAVE SOMEONE MANUALLY PULL IT UP WHILE I PRESS THE BUTTON. THIS HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR A NUMBER OF YEARS. *TR

NHTSA ID

10586078

Incident

May 1, 2012

Mileage

190,000 mi

WHILE DRIVING THE CAR ENGINE WILL SUDDENLY DIE. DOES NOT MATTER IF YOU ARE GOING 20 MILES OR 60 MILES AN HOUR. I CAN CRANK IT AFTER A FEW MOMENTS AND IT STARTS BACKUP. SOMETIMES IT TAKES SEVERAL TRIES. WHEN DRIVING, IT WILL SOMETIMES JERK SLIGHTLY LIKE IT IS NOT GETTING FUEL. RECENTLY, IT WOULD NOT START I HAD IT TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE IT SUBSEQUENTLY STARTED RIGHT UP. THE HONDA DEALER THOUGHT IT COULD BE MY OLD ALARM SYSTEM SO THEY REMOVED IT. HOWEVER, THE PROBLEM PERSISTED INTERMITTENTLY. I TOOK THE CAR BACK. THEY AGAIN PLACED IT ON THE DIAGNOSTIC MACHINE AND TOLD ME THERE WERE VARIOUS THINGS WRONG WITH MY OLDER MODEL CAR. HOWEVER, THEY DID NOT KNOW WHAT WAS CAUSING IT TO STALL OUT. DEFINITELY IT WAS A FUEL DELIVERY ISSUE SO THEY SAID REPLACING THE FUEL PUMP COULD BE IT. THEY REPLACED THE FUEL PUMP (WITH GENUINE HONDA PARTS) AND STILL THE PROBLEM PERSISTS INTERMITTENTLY ALMOST ON A DAILY BASIS. YOU NEVER KNOW IF IT IS GOING TO START OR DIE WHEN DRIVING. I HAVE HAD A NEW BATTERY INSTALLED AND EVERYTHING I CAN THINK OF CHECKED. I CANNOT AFFORD TO INVEST ANY MORE MONEY IN MY OLDER MODEL CAR AND WITH THE ENGINE STALLING IT IS, OF COURSE, NOT REALLY SAFE TO DRIVE. HOWEVER, WHEN I RESEARCHED THE PROBLEM, I LEARNED THERE HAD BEEN A RECALL ON HONDA CAR MODELS STARTING WITH 1997 MODELS (MINE IS A 1996) FOR IGNITION PROBLEMS THAT SOUND EXACTLY LIKE THE ONE I AM CURRENTLY HAVING THAT THE DEALER IS NOT ABLE TO IDENTIFY. IS THERE ANYTHING LEFT I CAN DO. THE CAR WILL SOMETIMES START RIGHT UP AND DRIVE WITHOUT ANY PROBLEM AT ALL. IT IS VERY STRANGE. *TR

NHTSA ID

10586077

Incident

Mar 3, 2014

Mileage

280,000 mi

I WAS DRIVING DOWN A RESIDENTIAL STREET IN MY 1996 HONDA CIVIC WHEN A 2004 GMC YUKON SUV CAME HURLING AROUND THE CORNER OF AN INTERSECTING STREET AHEAD OF ME. THE DRIVER OF THE YUKON FAILED TO STAY IN HIS LANE AS HE ROUNDED THE CORNER AND HIT MY HONDA CIVIC HEAD-ON. UPON IMPACT MY HEAD HIT THE WINDSHIELD SO HARD THAT IT LEFT A BUBBLE PROTRUDING OUT ON THE DRIVER SIDE OF MY WINDSHIELD. IN THE SHAPE OF MY HEAD ( I HAVE PHOTOS OF WINDSHIELD DAMAGE) RIGHT BEFORE THE AIRBAG DEPLOYED. I WAS ALSO WEARING A SEAT BELT WITH SHOULDER RESTRAINT. AS A RESULT OF THE COLLISION I SUSTAINED A BRAIN CONCUSSION. I HAVE ALWAYS BELIEVED THAT A DRIVER SIDE AIRBAG AND SEAT BELT WITH SHOULDER RESTRAINT WAS DESIGNED TO KEEP MY HEAD OUT OF THE WINDSHIELD IN THE EVENT OF A HEAD-ON COLLISION. EVIDENTLY BOTH THE SEAT BELT AND AIRBAG FAILED TO PROTECT ME FROM HITTING THE WINDSHIELD IN THE COLLISION I WAS IN. (I HAVE A COPY OF THE POLICE REPORT AND PRESENTLY AM STILL IN POSSESSION OF MY TOTALED OUT VEHICLE. *TR

NHTSA ID

10468464

Incident

Jul 12, 2012

Mileage

223,500 mi

CLEAR PLASTIC OVER HEADLIGHT CLOUDING UP REDUCING LIGHT AVAILABLE. *TR

NHTSA ID

10450288

Incident

Jan 1, 2006

Mileage

160,000 mi

THE TRANSMISSION INPUT SHAFT BEARING IS HAVING ISSUES. MAKES NOISE WHEN CLUTCH IS NOT PRESSED IN BUT ITS OK WHEN PRESSED. I HEARD HONDA DID RECALL FOR THIS ISSUE.. NEED HELP TO FIX IT.. *TR

NHTSA ID

10441428

Incident

Dec 6, 2011

Mileage

135,000 mi

UPON INSPECTIONS AT THE TIRE STORE, ALL 4 OF 4 PIRELLI P3000 CINTURATO (P185/65R-14) TIRES ON MY PASSENGER CAR HAD TO BE REPLACED BECAUSE OF A MANUFACTURER'S DEFECT, PER THE TIRE TECHNICIAN. THE TECHNICIAN SHOWED ME A CRACK IN THE RUBBER RUNNING THE CIRCUMFERENCE OF THE SIDEWALLS, NOT FAR FROM THE TREAD AREA. EVENTUALLY, HE SAID THE TREAD WOULD SEPARATE FROM THE REST OF THE TIRE IF THE TIRE REMAINED IN SERVICE. I HAVE THE ORIGINAL RECEIPT AND REPLACEMENT RECEIPTS. I BELIEVE THE TIRES WERE BEING RETURNED TO THE PIRELLI MANUFACTURER. *TR

NHTSA ID

10371903

Incident

Dec 17, 2010

Mileage

98,000 mi

MY 1996 HONDA CIVIC WOULD NOT START ONE MORNING, I HAD INITIALLY THOUGHT IT WAS DUE TO THE CHILLY WEATHER. A WEEK LATER, WHILE DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY AT 65+ MPH, ALL OF A SUDDEN, MY CAR STALLED AND THE ENGINE SHUT OFF!!!! AFTER MY CAR FINISHES COASTING ON THE FREEWAY (AND RESIDENTIAL ROAD), I WILL HAVE A LITTLE PROBLEM TRYING TO RESTART MY CAR, BUT IT WILL EVENTUALLY RESTART! I WAS SCARED FOR MY LIFE FOR THE OBVIOUS REASONS (ONE SECOND YOU'RE GOING 65MPH AND THE NEXT, YOUR CAR DIES ON THE FREEWAY WITH CARS SPEEDING BEHIND YOU)!! I FOUND ONLINE THAT THERE WAS A RECALL FOR CERTAIN HONDAS & ACURAS (1997 TO 2000 MODELS OF ACCORD, CIVIC, PRELUDE, CR-V, AND ODYSSEY AND SOME 1999 ACURA TL SEDANS AND CERTAIN 1997 TO 1999 CL COUPES). THE PROBLEM IS, MY CAR IS A 1996 CIVIC AND IT IS NOW DECEMBER 2010, SO THEREFORE, IT IS NOT COVERED WITH MANUFACTURE!! I'LL BET MY LIFE THAT A LOT OF PEOPLE DO NOT KNOW OF THIS DEFECT WITH THEIR HONDAS BECAUSE #1, THEY PROBABLY WERE NOT THE 1ST OWNER OF THEIR HONDA SO THEY WOULD NOT OF BEEN AWARE OF THE RECALL, AND #2, EVEN THOUGH IT HAS BEEN YEARS SINCE THE RECALL, I BELIEVE THAT IT IS STILL A LIFE THREATENING ISSUE FOR MYSELF AND FOR ALL OTHER DRIVERS DUE TO THE MANUFACTURES FAULT!!! THIS ISSUE SHOULD BE RESOLVED AND RE-EVALUATED ASAP, AS LIVES ARE AT STAKE!!!! *TR

NHTSA ID

10370496

Incident

Dec 11, 2010

Mileage

170,000 mi

AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. A CAR IN THE OPPOSITE LANE TURNED IN FRONT OF MY 1996 HONDA CIVIC LX AS I ENTERED THE INTERSECTION WITH A GREEN LIGHT TRAVELING ABOUT 40 MILES PER HOUR. I PROMPTLY SLAMMED ON MY BRAKES AND I HIT THE OTHER CAR ESSENTIALLY HEAD ON. THE IMPACT LEFT MY CIVIC'S FRONT BUMPER AND UNDERLYING METAL SUPPORT BEAM LYING IN THE INTERSECTION, ALONG WITH THE ANTIFREEZE THAT WAS RAPIDLY DRAINING EVERYWHERE. I HIT THE OTHER CAR'S FRONT PASSENGER-SIDE FROM ITS WHEEL WELL TO THE FRONT BUMPER. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. *TR

NHTSA ID

10343045

Incident

Jul 9, 2010

Mileage

134,000 mi

SUBJECT WAS DRIVING SOUTH ON I55 STEVENSON EXPRESSWAY IN CHICAGO, IL IN 1996 HONDA CIVIC. GAS PEDAL STUCK ON FLOOR MAT CAUSING ACCELERATION. SUBJECT WAS NOT ABLE TO DE-ACCELERATE. THIS WAS DURING EVENING RUSH HOUR STILL DAYLIGHT. SUBJECT PUT CAR IN NEUTRAL PUT HAZARD LIGHTS ON STARTED HONKING AND WAS ABLE TO SAFELY GET CAR ONTO THE SHOULDER OF THE HIGHWAY. SUBJECT PULLED FLOOR MAT OUT AND DROVE IMMEDIATELY TO THE CONTINENTAL HONDA DEALERSHIP ON LAGRANGE ROAD IN LAGRANGE IL TO REPORT THE INCIDENT AND HAVE CAR CHECKED. DEALER SAID IT WAS NO PROBLEM WITH THE CAR. SUBJECT NEVER PUT THE FLOOR MAT BACK ON DRIVERS SIDE. *TR

NHTSA ID

10294168

Incident

Mar 29, 1996

FRONT AIR BAGS DIDN'T DEPLOY IN CRASH. *TR

NHTSA ID

10281966

Incident

Aug 9, 2009

ON APRIL 20, 2007, I WRECKED MY CIVIC ON THE FREEWAY WHEN THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME SUDDENLY HIT THEIR BRAKES, AND WHEN I APPLIED MY BRAKES WHICH DID NOT WORK PROPERLY CAUSING MY CAR FISHTAILED AND RUN INTO THE CEMENT FREEWAY DIVIDER. MY CAR WAS A TOTAL LOSS, AND I HAD TO BUY ANOTHER CAR. *TR

NHTSA ID

10272385

Incident

Apr 20, 2009

Mileage

22,000 mi

I JUST BOUGHT THIS CAR FROM THE DEALER LAST WEEK (96 HONDA CIVIC WITH 140,000 MI). I NOTICED RIGHT AWAY THAT WHEN I PRESS THE GAS, IT REVS UP A LITTLE AND CATCHES. BASICALLY, ITS CHOPPY WHEN I PRESS ONTO THE GAS AND IT SOUNDS LIKE THE COMMON RECALL. IT SEEMS DANGEROUS BC IT SHAKES THE VEHICLE A BIT. *TR

NHTSA ID

10264425

Incident

Mar 31, 2009

Mileage

140,000 mi

CAR SHIFTS HARD INTO NEXT GEAR (AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION) ALSO DRIVES ROUGH. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT HAS A 420 CODE (CATALYTIC CONVERTER). *TR

NHTSA ID

10214507

Incident

Dec 11, 2007

TL* - THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 HONDA CIVIX DX. WHILE DRIVING AT 15 MPH THE BRAKE PEDAL BECAME HARD TO ENGAGE. THE DEALER MAILED HER RECALL 99I002000 REGARDING VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL. THIS FAILURE OCCURRED SINCE PURCHASING THE VEHICLE ON DECEMBER 24, 2006. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGE WERE 162,956. *AK UPDATED 03/30/07. *JB

NHTSA ID

10183913

Incident

Mar 1, 2007

Mileage

162,956 mi

OUR SRS LIGHT CAME ON ONE SATURDAY WITH NO ACCIDENT OR REASON. WE TOOK IT INTO THE DEALER AND THEY TOLD US THE CODE SHOWED THAT THE SRS COMPUTER MODULE HAD TO BE REPLACED AT A COST OF $750. AFTER READING ALL OF THE COMPLAINTS FROM OTHER OWNERS, I WAS SHOCKED THAT THEY DIDN'T TELL US THAT THIS WAS A COMMON COMPLAINT AND THEY ARE SO QUICK TO CHARGE US THE MOST EXPENSIVE AMOUNT WHEN IT IS PROBABLY A WEAK BATTERY THAT SET IT OFF IN THE FIRST PLACE!! THIS PROBLEM NEEDS TO BE FIXED BECAUSE WE DRIVE AROUND WITHOUT AIRBAGS FOR REASONS THAT HAVE NOTHING TO DO WITH THE OWNERS!! JUST BECAUSE A BATTERY GOES WEAK, OR YOU SET AN ELECTRICAL DEVICE ON THE SEAT, OUR AIRBAGS SHOULDN'T STOP WORKING!!!! *JB

NHTSA ID

10158734

Incident

May 17, 2006

Mileage

92,000 mi