31 of the 383 complaints about the 1996 Honda Civic are about the engine — 8% of everything reported for this model year. Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before 157,000 miles.
31
Complaints
4
Crashes
2
Fires
0
Injuries
Filed with NHTSA, in their own words.
ENGINE
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 complaint #10825029 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE
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?
NHTSA complaint #10618839 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL:CATALYTIC CONVERTOR
CAR SHIFTS HARD INTO NEXT GEAR (AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION) ALSO DRIVES ROUGH. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT HAS A 420 CODE (CATALYTIC CONVERTER).
NHTSA complaint #10214507 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
WHEN THE VEHICLE REACHES THE OF 75 MPH THERE IS A BURNING SMELL THAT COMES FROM THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE IS SERVICED ON A QUARTERLY BASIS. SERVICING INCLUDES AN OIL AND FLUID CHANGE AND A TRANSMISSION CHECK.
NHTSA complaint #10151347 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH VEHICLE VIBRATED UNCONTROLLABLY. DRIVER WAS ABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE ,AND PULLED OVER. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT APPEARED ON THE DASHBOARD AND REMAINED ON. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE CAUSE HAS NOT BEEN DETERMINED AT THIS TIME.
NHTSA complaint #10115368 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
WHILE DRIVING CHECK ENGINE LIGHT APPEARED ON THE DASHBOARD AND REMAINED ON. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION, AND MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED.
NHTSA complaint #10091750 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH VEHICLE STALLEED. CONSUMER RESTARTED THE VEHICLE, AND DROVE IT TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. HOWEVER, MECHANIC COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #10084050 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
THE COMPUTER CONTROL ISSUE IS UNRESOLVED. THE FACTORY DEFAULT SETTINGS FOR THE AIR CONDITIONING WERE LOST AFTER A BATTERY EXCHANGE. EXPENSIVE CHARGES FOR HOURLY FISHING EXPEDITIONS HAVE NOT APPEALED TO ME. THE AIR CONDITIONER WORKS IT JUST DOESN'T APPLY TO THE APPROPRIATE BUTTONS ON THE CONTROL PANEL THEY SETTINGS ARE OFF LINE. HONDA WAS NO HELP TO ME. TODAY, MY IGNITION COIL WENT. HONDA SAID IT WAS NOT COVERED VIA FACTORY SERVICE BULLETIN ALTHOUGH THE ACCORD WAS.
NHTSA complaint #10069730 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM
MY ENGINE STARTS TO OVERHEAT WHILE IDLING FOR PERIODS LONGER THAN A FEW MINUTES, ESPECIALLY WHEN IT'S HOT OUT. USING THE A/C TREMENDOUSLY SPEEDS UP THE OVERHEATING PROCESS. TURNING ON THE HEATER COOLS IT DOWN BACK TO NORMAL. I HAVE CHECKED THE FLUIDS AND PERFORMED A RADIATOR FLUSH, AS WELL AS CHECKING BELTS AND THE FAN.
NHTSA complaint #10023273 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE:BELTS AND ASSOCIATED PULLEYS
BELTS CAME OF PULLEYS, VEHICLE LOST CONTROL RESULTING IN ACOLLISION. ALSO, REPLACED THROTTLE CABLE/EMISSIONS/IGNITION/CV BOOTS AND WINDSHIELD WIPERS.
NHTSA complaint #10009619 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL
BELTS CAME OF PULLEYS, VEHICLE LOST CONTROL RESULTING IN ACOLLISION. ALSO, REPLACED THROTTLE CABLE/EMISSIONS/IGNITION/CV BOOTS AND WINDSHIELD WIPERS.
NHTSA complaint #10009619 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
KEY MOUNT FAILED, WHICH CAUSED THE ENGINE TO MOVE OUT OF PLACE AND THE CRANKSHAFT TO BE DAMAGED. *TT
NHTSA complaint #10009546 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM
ENGINE FAILED DUE TO FAULTY KEY MOUNT ON CRANKSHAFT, AND 2 BELTS CAME OFF PULLEY, VEHICLE LOSS CONTROL RESULTING IN AN ACCIDENT. ALSO, REPLACED WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER, EXHAUST SYSTEM, THROTTLE CABLE, EMISSIONS, AXLES, BRAKES, CV BOOTS, AND FLOOR MAT. *AK 8JB
NHTSA complaint #10007289 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
ENGINE FAILED DUE TO FAULTY KEY MOUNT ON CRANKSHAFT, AND 2 BELTS CAME OFF PULLEY, VEHICLE LOSS CONTROL RESULTING IN AN ACCIDENT. ALSO, REPLACED WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER, EXHAUST SYSTEM, THROTTLE CABLE, EMISSIONS, AXLES, BRAKES, CV BOOTS, AND FLOOR MAT. *AK 8JB
NHTSA complaint #10007289 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
VEHICLE WAS IDLING ROUGHLY AND EXPERIENCING VIBRATION. THE BELTS WERE ADJUSTED. ON ANOTHER OCCASION, THE VEHICLE MADE A HORRIFIC SOUND. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A CERTIFIED MECHANIC WHO ADVISED THAT THE HARMONIC BALANCE SCREW HAD COME OUT AND DAMAGED THE BALANCER WITH POSSIBLE DAMAGE TO THE CRANKSHAFT. THE BALANCER WAS REPLACED. CONSUMER, STILL CONCERNED ABOUT THE DEFECT, BROUGHT VEHICLE IN TO THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP WHERE THEY CHARGED FOR CLEANING THE FUEL INJECTORS, HAVING A VALVE ADJUSTMENT AND FOR REPLACEMENT OF SPARK PLUGS. A MONTH LATER THE PROBLEM REOCCURED. THE ENGINE WAS REPLACED. CONSUMER STATES WITH THE NEW ENGINE, THE VEHICLE DRIVES BETTER THAN IT EVER HAS.
NHTSA complaint #567223 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
CAR SUDDENLYU DIED WHILE DRIVING ON A FREEWAY.
NHTSA complaint #752473 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM
I WAS DRIVING AND THE AUTO JUST STOPPED. THIS WAS FIXED AND LESS THEN 2 YEARS LATER THE SAME THING HAPPEN I WAS DRIVING AND THE ENJINE STOPPED. THE SAME THING HAS BEEN REPLACED TWICE. I FIND IT UNUSUAL THAT THEY ARE WILLING TO FIX THIS UNDER ANOTHER RECALL FOR EMISSION WARRANTY , WHEN I SUBMITTED TO BE REINBURSED IT WAS DENIED. THE FIRST TIME THE MECHANIC SAID THAT THE COILS AND INGINITION LOOKED AS IF IT HAD CAUGHT ON FIRE. I AM GETTING CONCERNED OVER THIS AND THE FUTURE OF THIS IGNITIONS.
NHTSA complaint #743235 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
HARMONIC BALANCER BOLT HAS BROKEN IN HALF AND CAUSED ENGINE TO SHUT DOWN; DEALER/MANUFACTURER NOTIFIED, AND INFORMED CONSUMERTHAT VEHICLE WAS NOT COVERED UNDER A RECALL, AND WAS OUT OF ITS WARRANTY. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS ON THIS MATTER.
NHTSA complaint #881424 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
DONT UNDERSTAND WHY I NEED A NEW ENGINE WITH SUCH LOW MILEAGE, I KEEP GOOD C ARE OF MY CAR TOO!
NHTSA complaint #735618 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM
THIS VEHICLE HAS BEEN RECALLED FOR EMISSION PROBLEMS. MY CAR HAS HAD 3 EMMISSION RELATED REPAIRS WITH A 6 MONTH PERIOD. IT RESULTED IN A TRANSMISSION PROBLEM THAT I WAS TOLD WAS NOT COVERED.
NHTSA complaint #731068 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #726452 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
CAR WOULD NOT START. TOLD BY AUTHORIZED SERVICE DEPARTMENT THE ENGINE WAS FLOODED. THE CAR HAD BEEN SITTING FOR 2 DAYS WITHOUT AN ATTEMPTED START SO I DON'T KNOW HOW THE ENGINE COULD BE FLOODED. WAS TOLD THERE WAS NO ACTION TO BE TAKEN TO PREVENT THIS FROM HAPPENING AGAIN.
NHTSA complaint #725732 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:MANIFOLD/HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE
CRACKED EXHAUST MANIFOLD UNDER HEAT SHIELD- HONDA DID COVER IT UNDER WARRANTY.
NHTSA complaint #724491 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
WHILE DRIVING COULD HEAR NOISE COMING FROM THE ENGINE THEN IT WOULD STALL. HAD TO BE TOWED TO DEALER WHERE THEY FOUND OUT THAT ENGINE HAD A HOLE AT THE BOTTOM, AND THAT CAUSED IT TO FAIL.
NHTSA complaint #863734 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
MY CAR HAS A NEW TIMING BELT, A NEW IGNITION CONTROL MODULE " IGNITOR" NEW PLUGS, AND FUEL IS GETTING TO THE ENGINE AND FIRE IS GOING TO PLUGS BUT MY CAR STILL WILL NOT START. IS IT POSSIBLE THAT THERE IS A SENSOR THAT WILL WILL CAUSE THE CAR NOT TO START.? I HAVE JUST BECOME AWARE OF THE THROTTLE PROBLEM AND IT WAS A RECALL BUT I DID NOT RECEIVE NOTICE. IS THIS THE PROBLEM? AT THE BOTTTOM PULLEY OF THE TIMING BELT THERE IS A SENSOR, WILL THAT CAUSE MY CAR NOT TO START. I NEED HELP AND WHEN I WENT TO HONDA HERE IN COLUMBIA SOUTH CAROLINA ON GREYSTONE BLVD THE PARTS DEPARTMENT HAD NO IDEA WHAT I NEEDED OR EVEN WHAT A IGNITION CONTROL MODULE WAS....I NEED ASSTSANCE WITHT HIS MATTER AND I EXPECT FOR SOMEONE TO CONTACT ME ASAP....THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME.
NHTSA complaint #722544 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
CAR LOSES POWER WHILE DRIVING AND SOMETIMES IT CAN JERK . IT WILL STALL WHEN IDLING. CONTACTED DEALER, AND WAS NOT ABLE TO FIND THE CAUS EOF THE PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #856038 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL
WITH ONLY 32,808 MILES ON MY VEHICLE, I AM REPLACING BOTH THE FRONT AND THE REAR OXYGEN SENSORS. THIS REPAIR CARRIES A PRICE TAG OF OVER $500. I AM OUT OF WARRANTY AS THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED IN APRIL OF 1996. THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE EMISSIONS SYSTEM, BUT WHEN I RESPONDED TO THE RECALL AND VISITED THE HONDA DEALER IN MY AREA, I WAS TOLD TO BRING IT BACK BETWEEN THE MILEAGE RANGE OF 50,000 TO 75,000 MILES.
NHTSA complaint #716719 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
ENGINE SHUTS DOWN THEN WHEN RESTARTED, IT KNCOKS LOUDLY.
NHTSA complaint #713425 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:MANIFOLD/HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE
WHILE DRIVING MUFFLER MADE LOUD NOISES WHEN THE GEAR WAS SHIFTED AND PRESSURE WAS RELEASED FROM THE CLUTCH. DEALER SAID MUFFLER HAD CRACKED DUE TO CORROSION.
NHTSA complaint #833768 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
COMPUTER COMMAND CONTROL MODULE MALFUNCTIONED. IN ADDITION, ENGINE MISFIRED, CAUSING LOSS OF POWER. ENGINE CHECK LIGHT COMES ON/OFF.
NHTSA complaint #522983 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.