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1986 Honda Civic

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 1986 Honda Civic do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 183.5.

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How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

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Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.

What owners reported most

All reported categories

Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

Limited mileage data: 2 of 35 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Seat Belts. Review the 13 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Power Train. Review the 5 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Structure. Review the 5 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

3 crash reports2 fire reports1 injury reports

Electrical System complaints

4 reports
Clear category filter
Mileage unknown · Mar 24, 1998
Electrical SystemPower Train

CLUTCH FAILURE. ALSO ALTERNATOR REPLACED.

NHTSA ODI #533198

Mileage unknown · Dec 14, 1995
Electrical System

PURCHASE CAR NEW WHEN DRIVING PUSH ON THE BRAKE CAR STALLED . TT

NHTSA ODI #976572

Mileage unknown · Apr 11, 1995
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine CoolingService Brakes, Hydraulic

CONSUMER PURCHASED USED CAR AND FOUNG OUT THAT CAR HAD THE WRONG BRACKET THAT HOLDS THE RACK AND PINION STEERING. TT

NHTSA ODI #963670

Mileage unknown · Feb 24, 1995
Electrical SystemSeat Belts

BROKEN PIECES OR CHIPS FROM RELEASE BUTTON PREVENTS FASTENING OR UNFASTENING WHEN USING DRIVERS SIDE SEATBELT

NHTSA ODI #960538

Official recalls

3

95V103001 · Seat Belts:front:buckle Assembly

May 24, 1995

THE FRONT SAFETY BELT BUCKLE RELEASE BUTTONS CAN BREAK. THESE RED PLASTIC RELEASE BUTTONS ARE MARKED "PRESS." IF A BUTTON BREAKS, PIECES CAN FALL INTO THE BUCKLE ASSEMBLY CAUSING THE BUCKLE TO OPERATE IMPROPERLY.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: THE SAFETY BELTS WOULD NOT PROVIDE ADEQUATE PROTECTION TO AN OCCUPANT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy: OWNERS SHOULD PROMPTLY CHECK THE CONDITION AND OPERATION OF BOTH FRONT SAFETY BELT BUCKLES. CAREFULLY INSPECT THE RED RELEASE BUTTON FOR ANY BREAKS OR CRACKS. CHECK THAT BOTH BUCKLES ARE OPERATING PROPERLY BY INSERTING EACH LATCH PLATE INTO ITS BUCKLE, TUG ON THE BELT TO MAKE SURE THE LATCH IS SECURELY LOCKED, THEN PRESS THE RELEASE BUTTON. THE LATCH PLATE SHOULD POP OUT OF THE BUCKLE WHEN THE BUTTON IS PRESSED. IF EITHER RELEASE BUTTON SHOWS ANY SIGN OF BREAKAGE OR CRACKING, OR IF EITHER BUCKLE FAILS TO OPERATE PROPERLY, PROMPTLY CONTACT YOUR AUTHORIZED HONDA/ACURA DEALER TO SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT TO HAVE THE BUCKLE REPLACED OR REPAIRED, FREE OF CHARGE. THE MANUFACTURER IS DEVELOPING A REMEDY DESIGNED TO PREVENT THE FAILURE OF THE BUTTONS THAT ARE NOT CURRENTLY BROKEN.

88V180000 · Visibility:windshield Wiper/washer

Nov 18, 1988

UNDER HIGH AMBIENT TEMPERATURES FRONT WINDSHIELD WIPER CONTACT UNIT COULD LOOSEN AND BECOME DISLODGED.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: THIS COULD RESULT IN WINDSHIELD WIPER FAILURE AND WOULDAFFECT DRIVER VISIBILITY.

Remedy: INSTALL A CONTACT UNIT HOLDER THAT WOULD PREVENT LOOSENING.

86V045000 · Power Train:driveline:driveshaft

Mar 20, 1986

LEFT SIDE DRIVE SHAFT COULD DEVELOP CRACKS NEAR THE OUTER JOINT.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: CONSEQUENCE OF DEFECT: DURING HIGH STRESS SITUATIONS, SUCH AS RAPID ACCELERATION OR DECELERATION, THE DRIVE SHAFT COULD BREAK WITHOUT WARNING AND CAUSE A SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER AND A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy: REPLACE LEFT DRIVE SHAFT WITH A PROPERLY MANUFACTURED PART.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

3

EA94035 · Seat Belt Buckle Failure

Opened Oct 27, 1994 · Closed Jul 31, 1995

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Seat Belts:front:buckle Assembly

There is no summary currently available

PE94052 · Seat Belt Buckle Fails

Opened Jul 11, 1994 · Closed Oct 27, 1994

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Seat Belts:front:buckle Assembly

There is no summary currently available

EA89005 · Fuel System Venting

Opened Nov 16, 1988 · Closed Nov 30, 1989

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Vehicle Speed Control:linkages

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