1997 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 1997 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
- Airbags14034.0%
- Driver assistance389.2%
- Visibility338.0%
- Electrical297.0%
- Engine286.8%
- Tires & wheels276.6%
- Brakes235.6%
- Transmission204.9%
- Body & structure184.4%
- Seat belts133.2%
- Interior & seats92.2%
- Other / unspecified61.5%
- Exterior lighting61.5%
- Steering51.2%
- Suspension51.2%
- Powertrain (other)51.2%
- Fuel system41.0%
- Heating & air conditioning30.7%
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
The contact owns a 1997 Honda Civic. The contact received a notification for NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V026000 (Air Bags) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact then received a notice that the parts were available. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it remained in their possession for three months due to the part for the vehicle not being available. The contact then signed a waiver to take liability for any air bag failure that may occur while in his possession. The contact also declined a buyback offer made by the manufacturer. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.
GOOD DAY: ON 17 MARCH 2020, HONDA ADVISED ME THAT MY 1997 CIVIC IS INCLUDED IN NHTSA RECALL 20V-026, WHICH AFFECTS THE DRIVER FRONTAL AIRBAG MODULE. IN THE RECALL NOTICE, HONDA SAID THE REPAIR PARTS ARE UNAVAILABLE, AND PROMISED TO NOTIFY ME WHEN THE DEFECTIVE COMPONENTS BECOME AVAILABLE. MORE THAN SIX MONTHS LATER, I AM STILL AWAITING WORD FROM HONDA ABOUT WHEN MY CAR CAN BE REPAIRED. MY HONDA DEALER SAYS THEY HAVE NO IDEA WHEN THE PARTS WILL BE AVAILABLE. I THEREFORE WISH TO ISSUE A FORMAL COMPLAINT THAT HONDA HAS FAILED TO REMEDY THIS DEFECT WITHIN THE 60-DAY REASONABLE TIME PERIOD SPECIFIED IN THE RECALL NOTICE. THANK YOU FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION.
Driver assistance
Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems.
From owner reports, verbatim
THROTTLE CABLE STICKS AT LOW SPEEDS - WHEN PRESSED, IT "SNAPS LOSE" GOING TO 1/2 THROTTLE, JERKING CAR FORWARD, SNAPPING NECKS OF DRIVER AND PASSENGERS. IS A SEVERE SAFETY PROBLEM - COULD CAUSE AN ACCIDENT BY SLAMMING VEHICLE INTO BACK OF LEAD VEHICLE. REF: CAMPAIGN ID 99I002000. HONDA DEALER SAYS THIS IS NOT A WARRANTY OR PRODUCT IMPROVEMENT CAMPAIGN ITEM. *NM
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THERE WAS AN ACCIDENT THAT OCCURRED WITH THE VEHICLE DUE TO THE INTERFERENCE OF THE DRIVER'S SIDE FLOOR MAT WITH THE ACCELERATOR. THERE IS A RECALL #99E015000 PERTAINING TO THE ACCESSORY DRIVER-SIDE FLOOR MATS. THE MANUFACTURER HAS BEEN ALERTED WHO REFUSES TO HONOR THE RECALL. THE CONTACT EXPRESSED THAT THE MANUFACTURER SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE ACCIDENT BECAUSE OF THE RECALL.*AK
Visibility
Reports naming windshields, glass, wipers, defrosters and mirrors.
From owner reports, verbatim
BOTH WINDOWS DO NOT OPEN ALL THE WAY. IN 2000 DRIVER'S SIDE WINDOW CAME OFF THE RUBBER TRACK. REPLACED CHANNEL AND REGULATOR IN 2000. 11/18/04 DRIVER SIDE WINDOW CAME OFF THE RUBBER TRACK AGAIN. *AK
I OWN A 1997 HONDA CIVIC DX COUPE AND FEW WEEKS AGO THE DRIVER WINDOW COLLAPSED WHILE I WAS DRIVING ON A FREEWAY. THE ONLY WARNING WAS FEW DAYS BEFORE THAT THE HANDLE WAS SLIGHTLY HARDER THEN USUAL. I GOT REALLY SCARED AND ALMOST CRASHED HEARING THIS LOUD NOISE AND NOT KNOWING WHAT WAS HAPPENING.*AK
Electrical
Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.
From owner reports, verbatim
"TAKATA RECALL" MY AIRBAGS WENT OFF WHEN I WAS TURNING AND WENT OVER A A BUMP, AND CRACKED MY WINDSHIELD REALLY BAD ON THE PASSENGER SIDE. THE SRS RED LIGHT HAD BEEN ON FOR QUITE SOME TIME BEFORE THIS. WHEN THIS OCCURRED IT BLEW A FUSE AND I HAD TO HAVE IT TOWED. I DID NOT FILE A POLICE REPORT BECAUSE I ONLY HAVE LIABILITY INSURANCE FOR THE CAR SO INSURANCE DID NOT NEED IT. I HAVE ALSO HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE WIRING AND THE CRUISE CONTROL WOULD NOT WORK AND WOULD HONK THE HORN WHEN I TRIED TO USE IT
I HAD CAR COMPUTER PROBLEMS, AIR CONDITIONING PROBLEM AND PAINT ON CAR BODY IS CRACKING. THESE PROBLEMS STARTED TO HAPPEN GRADUALLY, COMPUTER PROBLEMS HAPPENED WHILE I WAS DRIVING ON THE ROAD IN THE CITY; THE PAINT STARTED TO CRACK FOR MANY YEARS AND THE CAR LOOKS MISERABLE. THE AIR CONDITIONING BROKE DOWN DURING A SUMMER TIME, WHEN I HAD NO MONEY TO REPAIR IT AND HAD TO SUFFER DUE TO THE HIGH HEAT WEATHER. THERE IS ALSO A CRACK SOMEWHERE IN THE ENGINE, NOT SURE WHERE, WHICH CAN MAKE THINGS WORSE.
Engine
Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.
From owner reports, verbatim
I HAD CAR COMPUTER PROBLEMS, AIR CONDITIONING PROBLEM AND PAINT ON CAR BODY IS CRACKING. THESE PROBLEMS STARTED TO HAPPEN GRADUALLY, COMPUTER PROBLEMS HAPPENED WHILE I WAS DRIVING ON THE ROAD IN THE CITY; THE PAINT STARTED TO CRACK FOR MANY YEARS AND THE CAR LOOKS MISERABLE. THE AIR CONDITIONING BROKE DOWN DURING A SUMMER TIME, WHEN I HAD NO MONEY TO REPAIR IT AND HAD TO SUFFER DUE TO THE HIGH HEAT WEATHER. THERE IS ALSO A CRACK SOMEWHERE IN THE ENGINE, NOT SURE WHERE, WHICH CAN MAKE THINGS WORSE.
DATE AND MILEAGE ARE APPROXIMATE. THIS WAS MY WIFE'S CAR WHICH I VERY SELDOM DROVE. NOT LONG AFTER THE CAR WAS NEW, I DROVE IT AND THE FOLLOWING HAPPENED (THE DATE I'VE LISTED IS ONLY APPROXIMATE): I WAS DRIVING AT ABOUT 20MPH AND HAD TO STOP FOR A RED LIGHT. I TOOK MY FOOT OFF OF THE ACCELERATOR AND STEPPED ON THE BRAKE PEDAL. THE ENGINE RPM DID NOT SLOW DOWN TO IDLE, AND TRIED TO KEEP MOVING THE CAR FORWARD. I TURNED OFF THE IGNITION TO KEEP FROM HAVING A CRASH. THIS IS NOT AN ACCELERATOR PEDAL PROBLEM AS I SHALL EXPLAIN LATER. I CALLED THE HONDA DEALER AND WAS TOLD THAT IF IT HAPPENED AGAIN TO BRING THE CAR IN. I TOLD MY WIFE WHAT TO DO IF IT HAPPENED TO HER. EITHER IT NEVER HAPPENED TO HER OR IT DID AND SHE NEVER TOLD ME. MY WIFE DIED AT THE END OF JANUARY 2015. SINCE THEN, I HAVE SOMETIMES DRIVEN HER CIVIC. ABOUT 2-3 WEEKS AGO THE SAME PROBLEM OCCURRED: I HAD DRIVEN SEVERAL MILES AND HAD TO STOP. THE ENGINE RPM DID NOT SLOW! I IMMEDIATELY PUT THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION INTO NEUTRAL AND THE ENGINE RPM IMMEDIATELY SLOWED TO IDLE. THIS IS NOT A STUCK ACCELERATOR PROBLEM BECAUSE, IF IT WERE, THE ENGINE RPM WOULD HAVE INCREASED WHEN I SHIFTED INTO NEUTRAL. IT IS NOT A BRAKE PROBLEM UNLESS THE BRAKES ARE SOMEHOW PHYSICALLY OR ELECTRONICALLY CONNECTED TO THE ENGINE RPM. YESTERDAY, MARCH 4, 2015, THE SAME PROBLEM OCCURRED TWICE AGAIN AFTER I HAD DRIVEN ONLY ABOUT 3 BLOCKS. IN BOTH CASES I TURNED OFF THE IGNITION TO PREVENT AN ACCIDENT. I HAD THE CAR TOWED TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER COULD FIND NOTHING WRONG WITH THE CAR. I HAVE CONTACTED HONDA USA ABOUT THIS SERIOUS SAFETY PROBLEM. NOTE: I HAVE SPENT ALMOST ALL OF MY PROFESSIONAL LIFE IN THE AREA OF SAFETY ANALYSIS. *TR
Tires & wheels
Reports naming tires, wheels, hubs, or the tire-pressure monitoring system.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 HONDA CIVIC WITH A SET OF BF GOODRICH TOURING T/A TIRES, LINE SIZE P185/65/R14. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER TIRE WAS FLAT AND UPON FURTHER INSPECTION, HE FOUND THAT THERE WERE SEVERAL FRACTURES ALONG THE INNER SIDEWALL. THE TIRES WERE NOT REPLACED. THE VIN AND DOT NUMBER WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGE OF THE TIRES WAS 49,000. THE VEHICLE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 199,000.
I HAD A BLOWOUT AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS DUE TO A FAILED VALVE STEM IN MY REAR LEFT TIRE. THE TIRE WAS RUINED BY RIDING ON THE RIM TO EXIT THE HIGHWAY. *TR
Brakes
Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.
From owner reports, verbatim
1997 HONDA CIVIC, UNIT 1 WAS DRIVING UP TO LANE 5 EXIT 151 ON THE OHIO TURNPIKE. UNIT 1 WAS APPROACHING THE TOLL BOOTH WHEN THE BRAKES ON THE CAR FAILED. UNIT 1 STEERED INTO AND STRUCK THE CRASH BARRIER BETWEEN THE LANES. THIS ACTION WAS DONE TO PREVENT STRIKING ANOTHER VEHICLE. BF ACCORDING TO THE POLICE REPORT, THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT DOWN TO THE FLOOR. ALSO, THERE WAS FLUID LEAKING FROM UNDER THE VEHICLE. (OHIO TRAFFIC CRASH REPORT # 10-0098-90)*JB UPDATED 04/22/11 *BF UPDATED 06/17/11 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED HE DOES NOT OWN THE VEHICLE. IT WAS A DEALER VEHICLE BEING TRANSPORTED TO AN AUCTION. UPDATED 09/19/11
BRAKE FAILURE. *TR
Transmission
Reports naming the automatic or manual transmission, including shifting behaviour, shudder, slipping and transmission control modules.
From owner reports, verbatim
I OWN A 1997 CIVIC HX. I DID RESEARCH AND THERE ARE SO MANY DEFECTIVE CVT TRANSMISSIONS. THE TRANSMISSION WAS ONLY AVAILABLE FOR THIS MODEL. PEOPLE JUST DON'T PUT THE COMPLAINTS ON THIS SITE. I WAS TOLD TO DO SO BY HONDA. 90% OF THIS MODEL ON THE ROAD HAVE ALL HAD THEIR TRANSMISSIONS REBUILT AND FAIL IN THE EARLY STAGES OF THE CARS LIFE. WHY HASN'T HONDA RESOLVED THIS ISSUE? IT FAILS TO GO INTO REVERSE AND FAILS TO SOMETIMES GO INTO DRIVE. IF THE PERCENTAGE WERE LOW, THEN I'D UNDERSTAND THAT IT ISN'T A WIDE SPREAD ISSUE. BUT THE NUMBER OF CARS IS STAGGERING WHEN I GO ONTO FORUMS AND EVEN GOOGLE THE PROBLEM. AND THE ONES THAT HAVE BEEN REBUILT SOMETIMES HAVE A PROBLEM WITH THE SPEED SENSOR IN THE TRANSMISSION AND THE SPEEDOMETER FAILS TO READ THE SPEED OF THE CAR. IF I'M THE ONLY PERSON WHO'S GOING TO COMPLAIN ABOUT THIS, I'LL MAKE SURE TO POST THE LINK IN FORUMS. *TR
I HAVE A 1997 HONDA CIVIC EX COUPE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION WITH 95,900 MILES WHEN THE TRANSMISSION PROBLEM STARTED. ONE DAY I NOTICED MY CAR WAS HESITATING WHEN I PRESSED THE ACCELERATOR BUT DID NOT PUT A LOT OF ATTENTION TO IT. THEN SOON AFTER I NOTICED THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT TURN ON. SO I DECIDED TO TAKE MY CAR TO MY LOCAL HONDA DEALER (ROCK HONDA). THEY RESET THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT, THEN TOLD ME THAT THE PROBLEM WAS THE TRANSMISSION AND IF IT TURNS ON AGAIN THAT I WOULD NEED TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION. THE LIGHT TURNED ON WENT BACK TO ROCK HONDA , THEY RECOMMENDED ME REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION AND MENTIONED TO ME THERE IS NO RECALL ON THE A/T OR WARRANTY , THE ESTIMATE WAS $2900 FOR THE REPAIR. SO I DECIDED TO GET A SECOND OPINION, AND THEY TOLD ME THE SAME THING THE A/T NEEDS TO BE REPAIRED! I ENDED UP REPAIRING IT COSTING ME $2608.11 OUCH. I BELIEVE HONDA SHOULD HAVE TAKEN RESPONSIBILITY AND NOTIFY THE MILLIONS OF CUSTOMERS THAT OWN HONDA CIVICS AND TELL THEM ABOUT THIS MAJOR REPAIR BY ISSUING A RECALL. I FEEL HONDA SHOULD REIMBURSE ALL THEIR CUSTOMERS WHO UNKNOWINGLY HAVE HAD TO FIX THEIR AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION JUST LIKE I HAVE. NOW I'M WONDERING IF I SHOULD EVER BUY A HONDA AGAIN! PLEASE HELP. THANK YOU. *LA
Body & structure
Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim.
From owner reports, verbatim
TAKATA RECALL? WHILE DRIVING STRAIGHT THROUGH MY NEIGHBORHOOD BOULEVARD I FELL ASLEEP, CAUSING ME TO QUICKLY ACCELERATTE AND HIT A TREE HEAD ON APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, ACCORDING TO MULTIPLE WITNESSES AND EMERGENCY RESPONDERS. NO AIRBAGS DEPLOYED IN THE CAR. MY FACE AND BODY HIT THE STEERING WHEEL, RESULTING IN 4 TEETH KNOCKED OUT, 8 SPINE DISC HERNIATIONS AND INJURIES, A HEART CONTUSION, WHIPLASH, CONCUSSION, CRACKED COLLAR BONE, AND MUCH BRUISING, AND BROKEN EYE GLASSES, RETRIEVED BY AN ATTENDING NEIGHBOR WITNESS. I WAS TOLD BY AN ATTENDING EMT THAT IF THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED THESE INJURIES WOULD NOT HAVE OCCURRED. WHEN I ASKED MY INSURANCE AGENT HOW TO RETRIEVE MY PERSONAL ITEMS FROM THE CAR I WAS TOLD HE CAR WAS IMMEDIATELY DEEMED A TOTAL LOSS AND, WITHOUT MY KNOWLEDGE, MY INSURANCE CO. TRANSFERED MY HONDA TO THE WRECKING YARD TO BE FLATTENED. I SPOKE TO THE ACCIDENT ATTENDING RESCUE RESPONDERS AND FIREMEN. THEY SAID BASED ON THE WAY MY CAR HIT THE TREE HEAD ON AND THE IMPACT SPEED, THE AIRBAGS SHOULD HAVE DEPLOYED AND IF THE AIRBAGS WERE PRESENT IN THE CAR THEY MUST HAVE BEEN DEFECTIVE. I HAVE KEPT ALL WRITTEN PAPERWORK RESULTING FROM THIS ACCIDENT.
THE ROOF AND DRIVERS SIDE DOOR BLACK PAINT PEELING. I HAVE SEEN A FEW OTHER SAME CARS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM.
Seat belts
Reports naming seat belts, buckles, retractors and pretensioners.
From owner reports, verbatim
MY HONDA IS OVER 15 YEARS OLD. ARE THE AIRBAGS SAFE?
E-MAIL-[XXX].//.**[XXX]** INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
Interior & seats
Reports naming seats, latches, locks, linkages and interior fittings.
From owner reports, verbatim
I HAVE HAD NUMEROUS PROBLEMS WITH MY POWER WINDOWS IN MY 1997 HONDA CIVIC EX. THE WINDOWN WILL ONLY GO BACK UP HALFWAY AND GETS OFF TRACK, IT HAS BEEN IN THE SHOP SEVERAL TIMES. I FINALLY PLACED THE WINDOW REGULATOR AND IT WORKED FOR ABOUT A WEEK AND THEN GOT OFF TRACK AGAIN. I AM SIGNLE FEMALE AND HAVE TO PAY EVERYTIME TO GET IT BACK ON TRACK. I HAVE SPENT ABOUT $200.00 ON GETTING IT LOOKED AT, PUT BACK TOGETHER BECAUSE I DO A LOT OF TRAVEL WITH MY JOB. I KNOW TWO OTHER PEOPLE (MODELS 2003 & 1997) WHO HAVE SIMIALR PROBLEMS. A MECHANIC TOLD ME THAT THE WINDOW REGULATOR HAS A MAL-FUNCTION. I LOVE MY HONDA AND MECHANICALLY IT HAS BEEN A GREAT CAR EXCEPT FOR BACK TIRES LOCKING UP THIS PAST WINTER BUT I THINK THAT WAS DUE TO COLD WEATHER. I PLAN TO PURCHASE ANOTHER HONDA BUT MY WINDOW IS AN AGGRAVATION. I KNOW SO MANY WITH SIMILAR PROBLEMS AND WAS WONDERING IF HONDA HAS INITIATED A RECALL PROCESS OR IF THERE ARE ANY OTHER RECALLS ON THAT CAR/MODEL. THANKS-LENA
WHILE DRIVING HEADLIGHTS AND INTERIOR LIGHTS FLICKERED SIMULTANEOUSLY.*AK
Other / unspecified
Reports whose component NHTSA recorded as unknown, or that do not map to one of the categories above.
From owner reports, verbatim
E-MAIL-[XXX].//.**[XXX]** INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
(1) NORMAL DRIVING OF MY 1997 HONDA CIVIC 4 DOOR DX (2) THE SRS LIGHT IS NOW ILLUMINATED AND HAS STAYED ILLUMINATED FOR THE LAST YEAR - THIS MEANS MY AIRBAGS DON'T WORK. - DEALER CHECKED IT OUT ($90 CHARGE) AND SAID THAT MY SRS UNIT IS COMPLETELY DEAD AND CAN'T TELL ME WHY - CAR HAS NEVER BEEN WRECKED - NO PROBLEMS WITH IT OTHER THAN THIS DEFECT (PRETTY HUGE DEFECT). (3) I'VE LODGED A COUPLE OF COMPLAINTS AND NEVER HEARD ANYTHING BACK ON THEM. SEVERAL PEOPLE POST TO MESSAGE BOARDS WITH SAME PROBLEM - THIS IS AN ISSUE THAT NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED - I CAN'T AFFORD TO BUY A NEW CAR AND AM CURRENTLY RIDING IN A DANGEROUS ONE BECAUSE OF DEFECTIVE EQUIPMENT. COST TO FIX THIS IS > $1000... PLEASE HELP. *NM
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Exterior lighting
Reports naming headlights, tail lights, turn signals and other exterior lighting.
From owner reports, verbatim
HEADLIGHTS HAVE NOT AND WILL NOT OPERATE ON LOW BEAMS. ONLY ON HIGHBEAMS AND EVEN AFTER FACTORY REPLACEMENT. BLINKERS DO NOT OPERATE CORRECTLY AND SEEM TO CHANGE TIMING PATTERN WHEN REAR BLUBS ARE CHANGED FOR A SHORT TIME. ONE BLINKS AT A DIFFERENT TIME THAN THE OTHER EXCEPT WHEN THE FLASHERS ARE ON. IT BLINKS FASTER IN IDLE AT AT STOP LIGHT BUT AS SOON AS YOU ACCELERATE IT SLOWS DOWN. THESE ARE THE AMBER SIDE HEADLIGHTS BUT ON HIGHBEAMS AMBER DOESN'T WORK CORRECTLY. MY VIN HOWEVER DOES NOT SHOW UP ON HE RECALL. HOW CAN I GET THIS REPAIRED? I'VE HAD THE CAR SINCE 1999 AND NEVER RECEIVED ANY NOTIFICATION EXCEPT WHEN MY MILEAGE MAINTENANCE IS DUE. I'M CONCERNED ABOUT THE AIRBAG ISSUE AS WELL BUT HAVE NO WAY OF KNOWING HOW TO GET IT CHECKED AND IF NEEDED REPLACEMENT BAGS AND LIGHTS PUT IN. PLEASE ADVISE (XXXX) THANK YOU PARTS OF THIS DOCUMENT HAVE BEEN REDACTED TO PROTECT PERSONALLY IDENTIFIABLE INFORMATION PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
WHILE DRIVING HEADLIGHTS AND INTERIOR LIGHTS FLICKERED SIMULTANEOUSLY.*AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Steering
Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage.
From owner reports, verbatim
E-MAIL-[XXX].//.**[XXX]** INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
CONSUMER WAS IN AN ACCIDENT AND AIRBAGS DIDNOT DEPLOY. ANOTHER VEHICLE CUT IN FRONT, AND CONSUMER LOST CONTROL. VEHICLE HIT SAND BARRELS AND SIDE RAILS.*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
I ORDERED DRIVER SIDE AND PASSENGER SIDE VALUCRAFT BALL JOINT (PART NUMBER: VFA2084) FROM AUTOZONE.COM FOR MY CAR ,1997 HONDA CIVIC DX 2 DR COUPE ON 5/29/2016. THE BALL JOINTS WERE INSTALLED ON BOTH SIDES AND RAN FINE UNTIL ON 4/21/2017 BETWEEN 10-11PM PASSENGER SIDE VALUCRAFT BALL JOINT BROKE OFF BETWEEN STUD AND BALL WHILE I WAS MAKING LEFT TURN WITHOUT ANY WARNING SIGNS. PASSENGER SIDE CV AXLE WAS PULLED OUT OF TRANSMISSION AND BROKE APART AT INNER BOOT AREA. ABOUT 2/3 OF TRANSMISSION FLUID LEAKED OUT. PASSENGER SIDE WHEEL FELL INWARD. THE CAR?S BODY AROUND PASSENGER SIDE WHEEL AREA WAS DAMAGED. MY CAR COULDN?T BE MOVED AND HAD TO BE TOWED. FORTUNATELY, IT HAPPENED ON LOCAL ROAD AND NO OTHER CARS AROUND, OTHERWISE I COULD HAVE BEEN SERIOUSLY INJURED. *JS
VEHICLE HAS CONSTANTLY PULLED TO THE LEFT SINCE PURCHASE REGARDLESS OF SPEED. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO DIFFERENT DEALERSHIPS, ALIGNMENTS WERE DONE AND TIRES REPLACED. THIS DID NOT REMEDY THE PROBLEM.*AK
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
DRIVING AT A SPEED OF 40 MPH, THEN THE CAR WENT INTO LIMP MODE AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON WITH CODES PO700 AND PO715, TOOK TO TRANSMISSION BUSINESS, COULD NOT FIND THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM. THIS PROBLEM IS STILL PRESENT. RECENTLY FOUND A SERVICE BULLETIN FROM HONDA ABOUT THIS DEFECT ON THE TRANSMISSION. *JS
THE VTEC-E ON MY 1997 HONDA CIVIC HX IS NOT ENGAGING AT THE PROPER TIMES WHICH IS NOT ONLY AN ANNOYANCE WHEN DRIVING, BUT ALSO A SAFETY HAZARD WHEN IT ENGAGES AT LOW SPEEDS (WHICH IT SHOULD NOT DO) IN TRAFFIC LAUNCHING YOU FORWARD INTO THE BACK ENDS OF OTHER VEHICLES. HAS CAUSED (2) REARENDERS. *TR
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
DATE AND MILEAGE ARE APPROXIMATE. THIS WAS MY WIFE'S CAR WHICH I VERY SELDOM DROVE. NOT LONG AFTER THE CAR WAS NEW, I DROVE IT AND THE FOLLOWING HAPPENED (THE DATE I'VE LISTED IS ONLY APPROXIMATE): I WAS DRIVING AT ABOUT 20MPH AND HAD TO STOP FOR A RED LIGHT. I TOOK MY FOOT OFF OF THE ACCELERATOR AND STEPPED ON THE BRAKE PEDAL. THE ENGINE RPM DID NOT SLOW DOWN TO IDLE, AND TRIED TO KEEP MOVING THE CAR FORWARD. I TURNED OFF THE IGNITION TO KEEP FROM HAVING A CRASH. THIS IS NOT AN ACCELERATOR PEDAL PROBLEM AS I SHALL EXPLAIN LATER. I CALLED THE HONDA DEALER AND WAS TOLD THAT IF IT HAPPENED AGAIN TO BRING THE CAR IN. I TOLD MY WIFE WHAT TO DO IF IT HAPPENED TO HER. EITHER IT NEVER HAPPENED TO HER OR IT DID AND SHE NEVER TOLD ME. MY WIFE DIED AT THE END OF JANUARY 2015. SINCE THEN, I HAVE SOMETIMES DRIVEN HER CIVIC. ABOUT 2-3 WEEKS AGO THE SAME PROBLEM OCCURRED: I HAD DRIVEN SEVERAL MILES AND HAD TO STOP. THE ENGINE RPM DID NOT SLOW! I IMMEDIATELY PUT THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION INTO NEUTRAL AND THE ENGINE RPM IMMEDIATELY SLOWED TO IDLE. THIS IS NOT A STUCK ACCELERATOR PROBLEM BECAUSE, IF IT WERE, THE ENGINE RPM WOULD HAVE INCREASED WHEN I SHIFTED INTO NEUTRAL. IT IS NOT A BRAKE PROBLEM UNLESS THE BRAKES ARE SOMEHOW PHYSICALLY OR ELECTRONICALLY CONNECTED TO THE ENGINE RPM. YESTERDAY, MARCH 4, 2015, THE SAME PROBLEM OCCURRED TWICE AGAIN AFTER I HAD DRIVEN ONLY ABOUT 3 BLOCKS. IN BOTH CASES I TURNED OFF THE IGNITION TO PREVENT AN ACCIDENT. I HAD THE CAR TOWED TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER COULD FIND NOTHING WRONG WITH THE CAR. I HAVE CONTACTED HONDA USA ABOUT THIS SERIOUS SAFETY PROBLEM. NOTE: I HAVE SPENT ALMOST ALL OF MY PROFESSIONAL LIFE IN THE AREA OF SAFETY ANALYSIS. *TR
GAS TANK IS LEAKING CAUSING FUMES WHICH RESULTS IN DISCOMFORT TO PASSENGERS IN VEHICLE. *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
AFTER HIGHWAY DRIVING 2.5 HOURS, SMOKE APPEARED FROM UNDER HOOD AND CAR MISFIRED REPEATEDLY. AIR CONDITIONER SYSTEM NON-FUNCTIONAL; HALL HONDA ATTRIBUTES TO COOLING FAN FAILURE BUT IS RELUCTANT TO REPAIR UNDER EXTENDED WARRANTY CLAIMING PROBLEM IS RELATED TO PREVIOUS ACCIDENT DAMAGE THREE YEARS AGO ALTHOUGH ANOTHER MANAGER FROM SAME DEALERSHIP DISAGREES. *AK
THE DRIVER OF THE VEHICLE HAD NOTICED THAT THE OUTPUT OF THE AIR CONDITIONER HAD BEEN DIMINISHING OVER SEVERAL WEEKS. THEN ONE DAY, A LOUD AND RATTLING SOUND CAME FROM UNDER THE HOOD WHEN THE AIR CONDITIONER WAS ON. SEVERAL PEOPLE LOOKED UNDER THE HOOD BRIEFLY FOR THE SOURCE OF THE NOISE WITH NO SUCCESS. LATER IN THE DAY THE OWNER OF THE CAR PARKED IT IN HIS GARAGE AND BEGIN TO INVERSTIGATE THE PROBLEM. WITH THE MOTOR ON AND THE HOOD UP, THE OWNER COULD SEE NO CLEAR SOURCE OF THE NOISE. HE RETURNED TO THE DRIVER'S SEAT AT WHICH TIME A LOUD EXPLOSION OCCURED ACCOMPANIED BY A CLOUD OF REFRIGERANT. A LATER INVESTIGATION REVEALED A LARGE OPENING IN THE FORWARD FACE OF THE AIR COMPRESSOR THAT HAD BEEN THE RESULT OF AN EXPLOSION. ONE LARGE PIECE REMAINED IN THE CAVITY WHILE SEVERAL OTHER PIECES WERE STREWN ON THE FLOOR. THE CAR WAS DRIVEN TO THE DEALER WHO OBTAINED PERMISSION TO REPLACE THE A/C SYSTEM UNDER WARRANTY. THE POTENTIAL FOR SERIOUS INJURY TO ANYONE PEERING UNDER THE HOOD AT THE TIME OF THIS EXPLOSION IS OBVIOUS. THE DEALER WAS QUICK TO HAVE THE SYSTEM REPLACED WITH NO DELAYS. *AK
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 .