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Model Year Problem Record

Honda Civic 1996 - Problems, Recalls, and Investigations

The complete public record for the 1996 Honda Civic: what owners reported, which systems drew recalls, and where complaints exist that no recall has ever covered.

305Distinct owner complaintsSource: NHTSA Complaints
2Recall campaignsSource: NHTSA Recalls
2Defect investigationsSource: NHTSA Investigations
101Complaints reporting a crash or fireOwner Reports, Unverified

Complaints by System

Distinct complaints naming each system, most reported first. Select a system for its own page.

Did a Recall Cover It?

The join between complaints and recalls for this model year, system by system. A gap does not prove a defect - it means owners reported the problem and no recall campaign covers that system on this model year.

Air Bags72 complaints

72 complaints; 1 recall campaign covers this system. Campaigns: 20V026000.

Brakes63 complaints

63 complaints; 1 recall campaign covers this system. Campaigns: 96V106000.

Visibility35 complaints

35 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Vehicle Speed Control32 complaints

32 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Engine31 complaints

31 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Power Train26 complaints

26 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Vehicle Structure19 complaints

19 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Unknown Or Other18 complaints

18 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Electrical System18 complaints

18 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Lighting13 complaints

13 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Tires11 complaints

11 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Equipment10 complaints

10 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Seat Belts7 complaints

7 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Steering6 complaints

6 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Suspension6 complaints

6 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Seats5 complaints

5 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Latches, Locks and Linkages3 complaints

3 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Fuel and Propulsion System2 complaints

2 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Recall Campaigns

Every campaign covering this model year, in our own words. The campaign number is the official reference.

20V026000Reported January 17, 2020 - 1,439,841 vehicles potentially affected

Air Bags. Recall covering the air bags system, reported to NHTSA on January 17, 2020. The campaign covers an estimated 1,439,841 vehicles across all affected models.

96V106000Reported June 18, 1996 - 160,689 vehicles potentially affected

Brakes. Recall covering the brakes system, reported to NHTSA on June 18, 1996. The campaign covers an estimated 160,689 vehicles across all affected models.

Defect Investigations

NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation opened these investigations touching this model year.

SQ98012Opened June 30, 1998 - Closed November 2, 1998

CONDENSER FAN MOTOR INOPERATIVE. No recall campaign resulted from this investigation.

SQ98017Opened September 11, 1998 - Closed June 3, 1999

THROTTLE CABLE STICKING. Resulted in recall campaign 99E015000.

Complaints by Year Received

When this model year's complaints reached NHTSA - whether its problems surfaced early or late in its life.

19951
199650
199772
199829
199931
200030
200120
20027
200314
200414
20057
20066
20071
20081
20094
20103
20111
20122
20146
20151
20161
20171
20191
20202
How to Read These Counts: complaint counts are owner reports to NHTSA, not failure rates. Older and higher-volume vehicles accumulate more reports, and counts are not adjusted for vehicles sold - no per-sales rate or reliability ranking is shown, because the public data does not support one.

Data as of October 30, 2026. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaints, recalls, and investigations files (U.S. Government public domain). DefectRecord is not affiliated with NHTSA or any manufacturer. For your specific vehicle, use NHTSA's VIN lookup. Report an error.