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: 17 of 146 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.
Air Bags. Review the 27 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Electrical System. Review the 25 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Steering. Review the 15 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
40 crash reports4 fire reports23 injury reports
What owners actually said
146 reports
170,000 miles · Jul 7, 2003
Electrical System
DISTRIBUTOR FAILED AND CAUSED THE VEHICLE STOP ON THE FREEWAY. WHEN I HAD THE CAR FIXED, THE MECHANIC SAID ALL THE HONDAS DURING THIS PERIOD HAVE THE SAME FAILURE. ONE YEAR LATER MY 1990 HONDA CIVIC HAD THE DISTRIBUTOR FAIL ALSO. I AM CONCERNED THAT ACCIDENTS ARE OCCURRING BECAUSE THE DISTRIBUTOR FAILS IN HEAVT TRAFFIC. IT IS A…
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DISTRIBUTOR FAILED AND CAUSED THE VEHICLE STOP ON THE FREEWAY. WHEN I HAD THE CAR FIXED, THE MECHANIC SAID ALL THE HONDAS DURING THIS PERIOD HAVE THE SAME FAILURE. ONE YEAR LATER MY 1990 HONDA CIVIC HAD THE DISTRIBUTOR FAIL ALSO. I AM CONCERNED THAT ACCIDENTS ARE OCCURRING BECAUSE THE DISTRIBUTOR FAILS IN HEAVT TRAFFIC. IT IS A MANUFACTURE DEFECT. I WAS TOLD THE BEARINGS ARE LOW QUALITY AND FREEZE UP.
NHTSA ODI #10025547
Mileage unknown · May 30, 2003
Air BagsCrash
CONSUMER WA SHAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE AIR BAGS. ALSO, WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A COLLISION AND THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED AT THE TIME OF THIS CALL.*AK
NHTSA ODI #10021921
100,000 miles · May 13, 2003
Electrical System
1993 HONDA CIVIC LX STALLED WHILE IN MOTION. THE FIRST INCIDENT OCCURRED WHEN THE ODOMETER READ ABOUT 100,000 MILES BACK IN 2000. THE PROBLEM WAS PINPOINTED TO A FAULTY IGNITOR WHICH WAS PROMPTLY REPLACED. LUCKILY NO ONE WAS INJURED NOR WAS THERE AN ACCIDENT. RECENTLY IN MAY 13, 2003 THE SAME PART FAILED WITH THE ODOMETER …
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1993 HONDA CIVIC LX STALLED WHILE IN MOTION. THE FIRST INCIDENT OCCURRED WHEN THE ODOMETER READ ABOUT 100,000 MILES BACK IN 2000. THE PROBLEM WAS PINPOINTED TO A FAULTY IGNITOR WHICH WAS PROMPTLY REPLACED. LUCKILY NO ONE WAS INJURED NOR WAS THERE AN ACCIDENT. RECENTLY IN MAY 13, 2003 THE SAME PART FAILED WITH THE ODOMETER READING 165,000 MILES. OBVIOUSLY THIS IS A DESIGN FLAW. THIS PART AND/OR DISTRIBUTOR PREMATURELY CAUSED SUCH FAILURE. ASIDE FROM THIS VEHICLE, A 1993 HONDA ACCORD EX COUPE ALSO HAD THE SIMILAR PART REPLACED BEFORE THE ODOMETER REACHED 100,000 MILES.*JB
NHTSA ODI #10018605
98,000 miles · Apr 29, 2003
Electrical System
DISTRIBUTOR CAP BEARING FAILURE RESULTED IN DISTRIBUTOR CAP / ROTOR WELDED TOGETHER, ENGINE STALLED WHILE DRIVING. *NLM
NHTSA ODI #10016721
60,000 miles · Jan 9, 2003
Electrical System
CAR ON 3RD DISTRIBUTOR BEARING AND INGNITOR FAILURES
NHTSA ODI #10000886
Mileage unknown · Jul 8, 2002
Steering
GEAR BOX FAILURE. *AK
NHTSA ODI #8013471
Mileage unknown · Apr 6, 2002
Seat Belts
CONSUMER STATES AT TIME OF A SEMI HEAD ON CLUSION SEAT BELT UNHOCKED ON IMPACT OF OTHER VEHICLE.
NHTSA ODI #8007020
Mileage unknown · Mar 8, 2002
Visibility
BACK REAR WINDOWN SHATTERED WHILE DRIVING. CAUSE IS UNKNOWN. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED.*AK
NHTSA ODI #8005251
Mileage unknown · Jun 29, 2001
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
CONSUMER WAS TRAVELING ABOUT 40MPH ON HIGHWAY AND APPLIED BRAKES, PEDAL WENT ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR. SHE WAS FORCED TO PULL OVER TO SHOULDERS. DEALERSHIP WAS AWARE OF PROBLEM.*AK
NHTSA ODI #891696
Mileage unknown · Jun 22, 2001
Air BagsCrashInjury
RIGHT FRONT OF VEHICLE IMPACTED ANOTHER VEHICLE WHILE TRAVELING AT APPROXIMATELY 30 TO 40 MPH. DRIVER'S AIR BAG RELEASED A POWDER, BUT FAILED TO DEPLOY. DEALERSHIP INFORMED CONSUMER THAT AIR BAG SHOULD BE FINE, BUT HAS NOT EXAMINED THE VEHICLE. *AK CONSUMER WAS INJURED IN ACCIDENT. *SLC
A RETAINING CLIP THAT CONNECTS THE TRANSMISSION SHIFT CABLE TO THE SHIFT LEVER ACTUATING ROD CAN HAVE INSUFFICIENT RETENTION PRESSURE AND MAY EVENTUALLY COME OFF AFTER REPEATED SHIFT LEVER OPERATION. IF THIS HAPPENS, THE POSITION OF THE SHIFT LEVER MAY NOT MATCH THE ACTUAL TRANSMISSION GEAR POSITION.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THIS COULD RESULT IN UNANTICIPATED VEHICLE MOVEMENT AND ACCIDENT.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL AN IMPROVED RETAINING CLIP.
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
1
PE94055 · Alleged Steering Lockup
Opened Jul 20, 1994 · Closed Dec 30, 1994
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Steering
Illustration