FaultScore

1989 Honda Civic electrical problems

12 of the 88 complaints about the 1989 Honda Civic are about the electrical system — 14% of everything reported for this model year. Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before 100,000 miles.

C

12

Complaints

0

Crashes

1

Fires

0

Injuries

Exactly what failed

Ignition 7 58.3%
12V/24V/48V Battery 1 8.3%
Front Underhood 1 8.3%
Module 1 8.3%
Starter Assembly 1 8.3%
Electrical System 1 8.3%

Electrical System across every Honda Civic year

1989 12 0.8%
1990 19 1.2%
1991 24 1.6%
1992 29 1.9%
1993 28 1.8%
1995 13 0.8%
1996 18 1.2%
1997 33 2.2%
1998 96 6.3%
1999 122 8.0%
2000 41 2.7%
2001 61 4.0%
2002 49 3.2%
2003 51 3.3%
2004 32 2.1%
2005 26 1.7%
2006 101 6.6%
2007 70 4.6%
2008 51 3.3%
2009 36 2.3%
2010 23 1.5%
2011 15 1.0%
2012 59 3.8%
2013 39 2.5%
2014 39 2.5%
2015 27 1.8%
2016 119 7.8%
2017 99 6.5%
2018 61 4.0%
2019 37 2.4%
2020 34 2.2%
2021 17 1.1%
2022 38 2.5%
2023 15 1.0%

What owners said

Filed with NHTSA, in their own words.

at 100,000 miles RED OAK, TX

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE ENGINE REVVED WHILE THE VEHICLE IDLED IN PARK. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WOULD ILLUMINATE AND THE GEARS WERE HARD TO SHIFT. WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS THE VEHICLE GRADUALLY LOST POWER AND THEN STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP FOR THE STALLING ISSUE. THE MECHANIC REPLACED THE TIMING BELT, HOWEVER THE PROBLEM CONTINUED. DURING THE SECOND INSPECTION THE MECHANIC DETERMINED THERE WAS AN ELECTRICAL ISSUE. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED.

NHTSA complaint #10151024 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Carrboro, NC

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION

WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH VEHICLE STALLED. A TECHNICIAN SERVICED THE VEHICLE ON 3-15-04, AND DETERMINED THAT IGNITION DISTRIBUTOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED.

NHTSA complaint #10063362 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Mount Carmel, PA

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION

FOR ABOUT 8 YEARS WHEN CAR WAS PARKED IN SUMMER SUN, CAR WOULD START (MYSTERIOUSLY) ONLY AFTER I LIFTED THE HOOD TO TINKER. RECENTLY A HONDA DEALER'S EMPLOYEE CASUALLY MENTIONED IT WAS A DEFECTIVE RELAY THAT WOULD COST $60 TO REPLACE. IT FAILED AT SUMMER TEMPERATURES. THAT EXPLAINED EVERYTHING, E.G., LIFTING THE HOOD COOLED THE RELAY, AND PRESTO! BUT HOW COME THE DEALER GUY KNEW THIS, WHILE NOTHING SHOWS UP ON NHTSA? SECRET WARRANTY? COULD BE A ROADSIDE SAFETY ISSUE. I.E., HELP...!

NHTSA complaint #757727 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Chappaqua, NY

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION

PREVIOUSY VEHICLE HAS HAD PROBLEMS WITH INTERMITTENTLY NOT STARTING AND STALLING AT ANY SPEED. VEHICLE HAD BEEN AT DEALER SEVERAL TIMES, AND DEALER NEVER MADE CONSUMER AWARE OF A RECALL. IGNITER WAS REPLACED WITH A UPDATE PIECE.

NHTSA complaint #897392 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Carol Stream, IL Fire

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD

CAR STALLED AT SPEED ON HIGHWAY. SMOKE OBSERVED UNDER HOOD WHICH WAS JAMMED SHUT. FIRE STARTED WHICH ENGULFED THE CAR. TOTAL LOSS.

NHTSA complaint #711169 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Brooklyn, NY

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY

BATTERY FAILED.

NHTSA complaint #605401 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Charlotte, NC

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION

WHEN DRIVING WITH THE AIR CONDITIONING UNIT ON, THE VEHICLE CUT OFF.

NHTSA complaint #985607 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

OAK Park, MI

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION

THE CAR WILL NOT START IF THE WEATHER IS BAD ( RAIN, FOG, MISTY) THE CAR HAS BEEN LOOKED AT BY THE DEALER THEY REPLACED DEMODULER AND THE CAR STILL WON'T START.

NHTSA complaint #979385 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

OAK Park, MI

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION

THE CAR WILL NOT START IF THE WEATHER IS BAD ( RAIN, FOG, MISTY) THE CAR HAS BEEN LOOKED AT BY THE DEALER THEY REPLACED DEMODULER AND THE CAR STILL WON'T START.

NHTSA complaint #979385 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

LAS Vegas, NV

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:STARTER ASSEMBLY

DIFFICULTY STARTING VEHICLE, THINKS THA TIT IS CAUSED BY A FAULTY STARTER; ALSO, FUEL GAUGE IS INACCURATE.

NHTSA complaint #510688 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Watervliet, NY

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:MODULE

FUEL THROTTLE BODY ASSEMBLY SPRAYED GAS ON COMPUTER SHORTING IT OUT. TT

NHTSA complaint #975825 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Scott AIR FO, 00

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION

HAS HAD TO REPLACE THE IGNITOR TWICE.

NHTSA complaint #968142 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Other 1989 Honda Civic problems

← Full 1989 Honda Civic report