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1986
Engine & Cooling

1986 Honda Civic engine problems

11 of the 54 complaints about the 1986 Honda Civic are about the engine — 20% of everything reported for this model year.

Complaints

Crashes

Fires

Injuries

Exactly what failed

Engine 3 27.3%

Belts AND Associated Pulleys 2 18.2%

Catalytic Convertor 2 18.2%

Exhaust System 1 9.1%

Manifold/Header/Muffler/Tail Pipe 1 9.1%

Gasoline 1 9.1%

Cooling System 1 9.1%

Engine & Cooling across every Honda Civic year

1986 11 0.6%

1993 17 0.9%

1994 10 0.6%

1996 31 1.7%

1997 29 1.6%

1998 57 3.1%

1999 46 2.5%

2000 52 2.9%

2001 85 4.7%

2002 50 2.8%

2003 47 2.6%

2004 26 1.4%

2005 33 1.8%

2006 383 21.1%

2007 249 13.7%

2008 212 11.7%

2009 39 2.2%

2010 29 1.6%

2011 11 0.6%

2012 36 2.0%

2013 23 1.3%

2014 25 1.4%

2015 32 1.8%

2016 98 5.4%

2017 70 3.9%

2018 57 3.1%

2019 32 1.8%

2020 11 0.6%

2022 11 0.6%

What owners said

Filed with NHTSA, in their own words.

Filed 24 Aug 2005 Auburn, WA

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

DT: THE CONTACT OWNS A 1986 HONDA CIVIC. THE ENGINE CONSTANTLY BROKE DOWN. THE DEALERSHIP TOLD THE CONTACT TO GET RID OF THE VEHICLE. THE ENGINE BROKEN DOWN FIVE TIMES AND HAD TO BE REPLACED. THE ENGINE OVERHEATED AND STOPPED. THE DEALERSHIP WAS UNABLE TO FIND A REASON WHY THIS IS HAPPENED. THE CONSUMER FIRST BEGAN TO HAVE PROBLEMS WITH ENGINE ABOUT FIVE YEARS AGO IN THE SUMMER MONTHS.

NHTSA complaint #10134135 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Filed 27 Jun 1997 Puyallup, WA

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE

ENGINE FAILED 2 TIMES.

NHTSA complaint #511483 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.