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1999 Honda Civic

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 1999 Honda Civic do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 183.5.

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When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

145 reports with mileage · 193 unknown

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.

  • Electrical System. Review the 118 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Air Bags. Review the 58 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Power Train. Review the 35 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

61 crash reports5 fire reports44 injury reports

Engine And Engine Cooling complaints

30 reports
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100,300 miles · Sep 21, 2004
Engine And Engine Cooling

CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON; INITIAL REVIEW O2 SENSOR ($200) PART + LABOR; FURTHER REVIEW INDICATED EXHAUST MANIFOLD WAS CRACKED, NOT WARRANTIED; COST TO RPLC MANIFOLD $500 + LABOR; AND STILL HAD TO RPLC O2 SENSOR. CRACK APPEARS TO BE A STRESS CRACK / POSSIBLE DESIGN FLAW. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10092958

60,000 miles · Aug 29, 2004
Engine And Engine Cooling

THE HONDA CIVIC 1999 WILL NOT PASS STATE EMISSIONS TEST NOT BECAUSE OF THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER (WHICH FROM WHAT I UNDERSTAND IS COVERED NO MATTER WHAT), BUT BECAUSE OF THE OXYGEN SENSOR. HONDA CLAIMS EVEN AFTER THE WARRANTY IS UP ANY PROBLEMS ASSOCIATED WITH FAILING EMISSIONS TEST ARE COVERED NO QUESTIONS ASKED. MY QUESTION I…

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THE HONDA CIVIC 1999 WILL NOT PASS STATE EMISSIONS TEST NOT BECAUSE OF THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER (WHICH FROM WHAT I UNDERSTAND IS COVERED NO MATTER WHAT), BUT BECAUSE OF THE OXYGEN SENSOR. HONDA CLAIMS EVEN AFTER THE WARRANTY IS UP ANY PROBLEMS ASSOCIATED WITH FAILING EMISSIONS TEST ARE COVERED NO QUESTIONS ASKED. MY QUESTION IS WHY HASN'T THERE BEEN A RECALL ON THIS PIECE. MANY WHO HAVE THIS MODEL ARE COMPLAINING ABOUT THE EXACT PROBLEM. I HAVE PUT A LOT OF MONEY INTO THIS CAR AND IT SEEMS MORE PROBLEMS OCCUR. I WAS TOLD UNTIL I GET THE SENSOR REPLACED, I SHOULD PUT A HIGHER LEVEL OF GAS(89/93) IN THE CAR, WHICH MEANS MORE MONEY OUT OF MY POCKET. ALSO, THE CAR VIBRATES UNCONTROLLABLY AT HIGH SPEEDS AND WHILE STOPPED, IT FEELS AS IF IT IS GOING TO STALL. I WAS NEVER INFORMED OF THE RECALL ON THE IGNITION PIECE. HOPEFULLY, HONDA WILL FIX THAT PROBLEM. THE OXYGEN SENSOR NEEDS TO BE REPLACED BY HONDA. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10088782

Mileage unknown · Jun 16, 2004
Engine And Engine Cooling

I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE MY MANIFOLD ON MY CAR 3 TIMES! I AM TOLD THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM IN THE 1999 HONDA CIVICS. THEY CRACK! *AK

NHTSA ODI #10078312

Mileage unknown · Apr 8, 2004
Engine And Engine Cooling

1999 HONDA CIVIC LX, DEVELOPED ENGINE NOISE, DIAGNOSED AS "SOMETHING LOOSE", NOT TO WORRY, GET IT FIXED AT NEXT MAJOR SERVICE INTERVAL. CHECK LIGHT CAME ON AT 82,000 MILES, DUE TO A FAILED O2 SENSOR. DISCOVERED NOISE WAS DUE TO A CRACKED MANIFOLD. PROBABLY WHAT CAUSED THE SENSOR TO FAIL. APPEARS TO BE A KNOWN MANUFACTURING DE…

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1999 HONDA CIVIC LX, DEVELOPED ENGINE NOISE, DIAGNOSED AS "SOMETHING LOOSE", NOT TO WORRY, GET IT FIXED AT NEXT MAJOR SERVICE INTERVAL. CHECK LIGHT CAME ON AT 82,000 MILES, DUE TO A FAILED O2 SENSOR. DISCOVERED NOISE WAS DUE TO A CRACKED MANIFOLD. PROBABLY WHAT CAUSED THE SENSOR TO FAIL. APPEARS TO BE A KNOWN MANUFACTURING DEFECT. DEALER AND HONDA USA SAY THIS IS ONLY WARRENTIED TO 80,000 MILES, ESTIMATE ABOUT $700 TO REPAIR.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10065806

Mileage unknown · Jan 15, 2004
Engine And Engine CoolingUnknown Or Other

WHEN IT IS COLD OUT MY 1999 HONDA CIVIC JITTERS WHEN IT IDLES. IT'S LIKE IT WAS GOING TO STALL. THAT CAN BE DANGEROUS IN TRAFFIC

NHTSA ODI #10071264

Mileage unknown · Nov 5, 2003
Engine And Engine Cooling

VEHICLE WAS SLUGGISH AND CONSUMING MORE GAS; A RATTLING NOISE AT ACCELERATION AFTER BEING IDLE FOR AWHILE; ACCELERATED WITH REDUCED POWER. I TOOK IT INTO THE SHOP AND WAS TOLD THE EXHAUST MANAFOLD WAS CRACKED. THE CAR IS NO LONGER MAKING THE NOISE AND IS RUNNING AS IT SHOULD, BUT THE COST TO ME WAS $620 (MOSTLY IN THE HONDA PA…

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VEHICLE WAS SLUGGISH AND CONSUMING MORE GAS; A RATTLING NOISE AT ACCELERATION AFTER BEING IDLE FOR AWHILE; ACCELERATED WITH REDUCED POWER. I TOOK IT INTO THE SHOP AND WAS TOLD THE EXHAUST MANAFOLD WAS CRACKED. THE CAR IS NO LONGER MAKING THE NOISE AND IS RUNNING AS IT SHOULD, BUT THE COST TO ME WAS $620 (MOSTLY IN THE HONDA PART).

NHTSA ODI #10045500

Mileage unknown · Jul 16, 2003
Engine And Engine Cooling

CONSUMER STATES THAT WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED AND WITH NO WARNING VEHICLE WILL SHUT OFF CAUSING CONSUMER TO PULL OVER, AND IT WILL BE HARD TO GET THE VEHICLE BACK STARTED.DEALER NOTIFIED.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10029396

82,000 miles · May 28, 2003
Engine And Engine Cooling

THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON; IT TURNED OUT THAT THE O2 SENSOR HAD BLOWN. WE WERE ABOUT TO HAVE IT REPLACED WHEN OUR MECHANIC SUGGESTED THAT HE HAD SEEN A BUNCH OF HONDA CIVICS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM AND AS IT TURNED OUT, THE EXHAUSED MANIFOLD HAD CRACKED CAUSING THE O2 SENSOR TO GO. WHEN OUR CIVIC WAS CHECK, THIS WAS EXACTLY…

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THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON; IT TURNED OUT THAT THE O2 SENSOR HAD BLOWN. WE WERE ABOUT TO HAVE IT REPLACED WHEN OUR MECHANIC SUGGESTED THAT HE HAD SEEN A BUNCH OF HONDA CIVICS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM AND AS IT TURNED OUT, THE EXHAUSED MANIFOLD HAD CRACKED CAUSING THE O2 SENSOR TO GO. WHEN OUR CIVIC WAS CHECK, THIS WAS EXACTLY THE CASE. IT IS ~$1000 FOR PARTS ALONE. WE BELIEVE HONDA KNOWS THIS PROBLEM EXSISTS AND WILL NOT RECALL DUE TO THE COST.

NHTSA ODI #10020641

97,000 miles · May 21, 2003
Engine And Engine Cooling

MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT HAS BEEN COMING ON PERIODICALLY FOR A FEW MONTHS. I WAS INFORMED WHEN I TOOK IT TO HONDA THAT MY CATALYTIC CONVERTER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. I WANTED TO CHECK ON A SECOND OPINION JUST TO BE SAFE. WHEN DOING SO I HAVE BEEN TO 3 DIFFERENT INDEPENDENT AUTOMOTIVE REPAIR SHOPS THAT SPECIALIZE IN HONDA'S. EACH ST…

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MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT HAS BEEN COMING ON PERIODICALLY FOR A FEW MONTHS. I WAS INFORMED WHEN I TOOK IT TO HONDA THAT MY CATALYTIC CONVERTER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. I WANTED TO CHECK ON A SECOND OPINION JUST TO BE SAFE. WHEN DOING SO I HAVE BEEN TO 3 DIFFERENT INDEPENDENT AUTOMOTIVE REPAIR SHOPS THAT SPECIALIZE IN HONDA'S. EACH STATES THAT THERE HAVE BEEN A NUMBER OF REQUESTS FOR CATALYTIC CONVERTERS OVER THE PAST 8-9 MONTHS FOR MY SAME MODEL. I FOUND THAT TO BE VERY DISTURBING. I WOULD STRONGLY SUGGEST THAT THIS BE LOOKED FURTHER INTO. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10019074

Mileage unknown · Nov 27, 2002
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine Cooling

CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO HAVE THE IGNITION SWITCH RECALL (02V120000) REPAIRED AND WAS CHARGED A FEE FOR REWIRING AN AFTER MARKET PRODUCT. CONSUMER CALLED AMERICAN HONDA WHO INFORMED CONSUMER THAT THEY DO NOT PAY FOR LABOR COSTS OR THIRD PARTY ALARM SYSTEMS. CONSUMER SEEKS ASSISTANCE FOR REIMBURSEMENT. *JG

NHTSA ODI #568428

Official recalls

3

20V026000 · Air Bags:frontal:driver Side:inflator Module

Jan 17, 2020

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 1998 Acura 2.2CL, 1998-1999 Acura 2.3CL, 1998-1999 Acura 3.0CL, 2001 Acura 3.2CL and Acura MDX, 1998-2000 Honda Accord Coupe, Accord Sedan, Civic Sedan, Odyssey and Acura 3.5RL, 1999-2000 Acura 3.2TL, 1996-2000 Civic Coupe, 1997-2000 CR-V, 1997-1998 EV Plus, and 1998-1999 Isuzu Oasis vehicles. These vehicles were equipped with Non-Azide Driver air bag Inflators (NADI) and do not contain phase stabilized ammonium nitrate (PSAN) propellant. Due to a manufacturing issue, the NADI inflators may absorb moisture, causing the inflators to rupture or the air bag cushion to underinflate.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: In the event of a crash necessitating air bag deployment, an inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants. An underinflated air bag cushion may not properly protect the occupant. These scenarios increase the risk of serious injury or death.

Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the driver frontal air bag inflator, and replace it if necessary, with an inflator of a different design, free of charge. The recall began October 1, 2020. Owners may contact American Honda's Customer Support & Campaign Center at 1-888-234-2138 or Isuzu customer service at 1-800-255-6727.

07V512000 · Fuel System, Other:storage:tank Assembly

Nov 1, 2007

ON CERTAIN COMPRESSED NATURAL GAS (CNG) VEHICLES, IN THE EVENT OF A SEVERE INTERIOR FIRE IN THE AREA OF THE REAR SEAT, THE CNG TANK MAY BE HEATED UNEVENLY, PREVENTING THE PRESSURE RELIEF DEVICE FROM VENTING THE CONTENTS OF THE TANK AS DESIGNED.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: THIS COULD RESULT IN A TANK RUPTURE, EXPLOSION, AND EJECTION OF THE TANK FROM THE VEHICLE.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A HEAT INSULATOR MATERIAL TO THE REAR SEAT BACK. AN INTERIM OWNER LETTER WAS MAILED TO OWNERS BEGINNING NOVEMBER 26, 2007. WHEN PARTS ARE AVAILABLE, OWNERS WILL BE RENOTIFIED ASKING THEM TO BRING IN THEIR VEHICLE FOR REPAIR. OWNERS MAY CONTACT HONDA AT 1-800-999-1009.

02V120000 · Electrical System:ignition:switch

May 16, 2002

ON CERTAIN SEDANS, COUPES, HATCHBACKS, AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, ELECTRICAL CONTACTS IN THE IGNITION SWITCH CAN DEGRADE DUE TO THE HIGH ELECTRICAL CURRENT PASSING THROUGH THE SWITCH WHEN THE VEHICLE IS STARTED.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: WORN CONTACTS COULD CAUSE THE ENGINE TO STALL WITHOUT WARNING, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE IGNITION SWITCH. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN JUNE 14, 2002. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT HONDA AT 1-800-999-1009 OR ACURA AT 1-800-382-2238.

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

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.

Go deeper into Honda Civic problems