1981 HONDA CIVIC

0 recalls, 1 complaints

No recalls found for this vehicle.

Complaint Statistics

1 total complaints 1 fires

Top Reported Components

Component	Complaints
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL:CATALYTIC CONVERTOR	1

Incident date: Apr 26, 1996

DRIVING DOWN ROAD, STOPPED COMPLETELY, TRIED TO GET BACK HOME, NOTICE SMOKE FROM UNDERNEATH, THEN VEHICLE BURST INTO FLAMES NEAR PASSENGER SIDE. *AK

Fire

NHTSA Safety Investigations, HONDA CIVIC

Investigations opened by NHTSA into potential safety defects. These are separate from recalls and may or may not result in a recall.

PE, Closed , Model Year: 2022

Momentary Increased Steering Effort

On March 17, 2023, The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened Preliminary Evaluation (PE23-005) to access the alleged defect of momentary increase in steering effort in model years (MY) 2022 and 2023 Honda Civic vehicles. The complaints report that the momentary increase in steering effort (de... scribed as "sticky steering") occurs mostly at highway speeds after driving for a certain amount of time. The reports have been received over the past 2 years with most occurring with low vehicle mileage. The steering gear contains a unit that includes a worm gear and a worm wheel. Honda stated this condition of momentary increase in steering effort occurs due to two factors within this unit. During manufacturing, the worm wheel goes through annealing and component conditioning processes. These processes caused internal stress and strain within the worm wheel. This strain was slowly released over the first few months of the vehicle life. Over time, the released strain caused the deformation of the teeth on the worm wheel, causing the worm gear to catch on the worm wheel. This results in the consumer’s momentary increased in steering effort. Also, the manufacturing process did not guarantee consistent grease application and therefore, some vehicles within the scope received too little grease which contributes to the momentary increase in steering effort. Analysis of all relevant data indicates that the subject condition occurs early in the vehicle’s life primarily in winter months. Additionally, the subject vehicles need to be driven in a straight line for a period of time, possibly until the vehicle is warmed up, to recreate the condition. The condition does not illuminate a malfunction indicator light (MIL). Some complaints allege Honda dealerships are unable to recreate the condition or state this is a normal vehicle operation. However, Honda released Service Bulletin 23-037 in July of 2023 which accurately describes the condition. To address this issue, Honda directs dealerships to remove the electronic power steering (EPS) gearbox and replace with a new gearbox. Further, Honda stated that the worst case steering effort from all warranty returned parts tested was 2.4 pounds. ODI complaint traffic remains steady. ODI has received 13 crashes to date, 11 of which allege roadway departure due to not being able to overcome the momentary increased steering effort prior to their vehicle leaving the roadway. The remaining 2 incidents claim overcorrection of the steering wheel. PE23-005 has been upgraded to an Engineering Analysis (EA23-003) to further assess the scope, frequency and potential safety related consequences of the momentary increase of steering effort. Further the scope has been expanded to include assessment of the Acura Integra and Honda CR-V models. To review the ODI reports cited in the Opening Resume ODI Report Identification Number document, go to NHTSA.gov.Read more

EA, Closed , Model Year: 2002

Low Beam Headlights Stop Illuminating

This investigation was prompted by Preliminary Evaluation (PE) 11-017, and was based on reports from consumers alleging that both low beam headlights stopped illuminating simultaneously.Some complainants also reported that the combination switch (switch) that controls the headlights and turn signals... , and/or its electrical wiring harness connector were damaged by overheating.ODI's PE information request letter asked Honda for certain data on model years (MY) 2002-2006 CR-V, 2003-2008 Pilot, 2003-2008 Element, 2001-2005 Civic, and 2000-2001 S 2000 vehicles.Analysis of complaint and Honda data show that a complete low beam headlight circuit failure occurs in models with 2-bulb headlight systems (i.e., a single bulb on each side for high and low beam).Models with 2-bulb systems include MY 2002-2004 CR-V, 2003-2005 Pilot, 2001-2003 Civic, and 2003-2008 Element.Models with 4-bulb headlight systems (i.e., two bulbs on each side, one for high and one for low beam) have different electrical circuits for the headlights and do not experience the same failure mechanism as the 2-bulb system.MY 2000-2001 S 2000 models with 2-bulb high intensity discharge headlights also have different electrical circuits for the headlights and do not experience the same failure mechanism.Honda introduced the 4-bulb headlight system in CR-V in MY 2005, in Pilot in MY 2006, and in Civic in MY 2004.On March 29, 2012 Honda submitted a defect information report (DIR) to recall 554,428 vehicles, including MY 2002-2004 CR-V and MY 2003 Pilot.In the DIR, Honda stated that tension from the combination switch wiring harness to the electrical terminal for the low beam headlight circuit could cause a small amount of motion as the combination switch was operated.This motion, over time, can wear the surface of the terminal creating copper oxide, increasing electrical resistance, which may cause the terminal to melt within the harness connector.ODI continued its investigation, and on August 31, 2012 Honda submitted another DIR to recall an additional 820,789 vehicles.This report included the MY 2002 Civic vehicles which were not subject to a prior safety recall (04V-086) for headlights, all of MY 2003 Civic, and MY 2004-2005 Pilot.Honda's DIR advised that operation of the turn signal switch lever at high speed and/or with heavy force can cause movement between the combination switch body and the sub-harness wiring connector.This can cause wear and continued movement can create copper oxide, increasing electrical resistance, and potentially causing the terminal to melt within the harness connector. Please see both DIRs at http://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/recalls/ under safety recall 12V-136 for complete details.Honda also provided additional information on the Element model, stating that it was not recalled due to it's very low failure rate.Honda sold 301,497 Element vehicles in the United States and received 17 reports, while ODI received one report (see VOQ 10395219).Honda's technical explanation for the low rate, which was submitted under request for confidentiality, is that the headlight switch, as installed in the Element, reacts differently to the forces applied to it as compared to the recalled models.See attachment for additional information.Read more

PE, Closed , Model Year: 2003

CNG TANK EXPLODING IN A FIRE

IN MID-APRIL 2007, HONDA INFORMED ODI OF A CNG TANK EXPLOSION INCIDENT THAT OCCURRED ON A SUBJECT VEHICLE.THE INCIDENT OCCURRED AFTER AN ARSONIST BROKE INTO A LOT WHERE MULTIPLE VEHICLES, INCLUDING A SUBJECT VEHICLE, WERE STORED AND SET THE VEHICLES ON FIRE.DURING THE FIRE, THE PRESSURE RELIEF DEVIC... Read more

DP, Closed , Model Year: 1992

IGNITION DISTRIBUTOR

THE PETITION ALLEGES THAT IGNITION DISTRIBUTOR FAILURE COULD CAUSE A VEHICLE FIRE OR A TRAFFIC ACCIDENT

SQ, Closed , Model Year: 1996

THROTTLE CABLE STICKING

DUE TO THE AGENCY'S INVESTIGATION INTO THIS MATTER, HONDA AGREED TO CONDUCT A SAFETY RECALL TO NOTIFY OWNERS OF THE 1996-1998 HONDA CIVICS AND INSTALL A POSITIVE FLOOR MAT RETENTION SYSTEM ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE (GENUINE HONDA) FLOOR MAT.FURTHERMORE, HONDA WILL CONDUCT A PRODUCT IMPROVEMENT CAMPAIGN T... Read more

SQ, Closed , Model Year: 1996

CONDENSER FAN MOTOR INOPERATIVE

SEE RESUME FOR DETAILS.

PE, Closed , Model Year: 1993

ALLEGED STEERING LOCKUP

There is no summary currently available

PE, Closed , Model Year: 1986

SEAT BELT BUCKLE FAILS

There is no summary currently available

PE, Closed , Model Year: 1988

STALLING

There is no summary currently available

HONDA CIVIC - All Years Overview

Complete safety history for the HONDA CIVIC across all model years (1973, 2025).

402 Total Recalls

20,182 Total Complaints

9 Investigations

2,351 Reported Crashes

288 Reported Fires

198 Reported Deaths

HONDA CIVIC - Year by Year

Compare recalls and complaints across model years. Click any year to see full details.

Year	Recalls	Complaints
2026	0	43	View
2025	2	119	View
2024	3	165	View
2023	4	327	View
2022	4	1,150	View
2021	4	197	View
2020	5	293	View
2019	4	524	View
2018	6	860	View
2017	6	755	View
2016	5	1,351	View
2015	1	485	View
2014	2	384	View
2013	0	436	View
2012	3	620	View
2011	9	221	View
2010	8	489	View
2009	8	499	View
2008	7	1,080	View
2007	9	1,465	View
2006	15	1,709	View
2005	15	396	View
2004	15	424	View
2003	24	619	View
2002	24	876	View
2001	27	1,357	View
2000	18	351	View
1999	15	404	View
1998	18	502	View
1997	16	452	View
1996	17	383	View
1995	12	252	View
1994	14	171	View
1993	13	178	View
1992	13	113	View
1991	8	143	View
1990	10	110	View
1989	6	88	View
1988	8	51	View
1987	3	41	View
1986	3	54	View
1985	2	17	View
1984	3	7	View
1983	0	10	View
1982	0	1	View
1981 (current)	0	1
1979	1	1	View
1978	1	0	View
1977	3	0	View
1976	2	0	View
1975	2	0	View
1974	2	0	View
1973	2	0	View

Other HONDA Models

Model	Recalls	Complaints
ACCORD	1,544	31,106	View
ODYSSEY	1,083	15,814	View
PILOT	1,019	12,296	View
ACCORD HYBRID	883	1,156	View
CR-V	820	20,314	View
INSIGHT	709	669	View
PASSPORT	510	2,127	View
FIT	348	2,698	View

Vehicle Safety

Consumer Safety

Infrastructure

Public Health

1981 HONDA CIVIC

Complaint Statistics

Top Reported Components

NHTSA Safety Investigations, HONDA CIVIC

HONDA CIVIC - All Years Overview

HONDA CIVIC - Year by Year

Other HONDA Models