Engine
1.6L 4-cyl
How to read this file. Complaint records are unverified owner submissions to the federal safety agency. Counts are raw, not adjusted for sales volume or vehicle age. Recall campaigns apply to the model; only a VIN check shows whether this car is affected or repaired. Parts shown are named by an editorial note or listed as a search directory; none is a diagnosis. Full methodology.
Fault profile
Complaint-component records on this vehicle, grouped by family. A complaint naming two systems counts once in each.
Complaints are owner-reported and not verified by the agency.
When it fails
The timing of this vehicle's reported failures, from the complaint file itself. A cluster tells you what to expect and when; it is shaped by reporting behavior as well as by the vehicle.
Vehicle age when the failure occurred
Years between the model year and the owner's reported failure date. Based on 363 of 435 complaints with a usable failure date.
Odometer when the failure occurred
Owner-reported mileage at failure, in 20,000-mile bands. Based on 110 of 435 complaints reporting a plausible odometer (500 to 500,000 miles; unverified).
Known issues
The component families with the most complaint records against this vehicle. Counts, crash and fire figures belong to the whole family, not to any single named issue. Parts listed are related system parts, not a diagnosis.
Air bags
97 complaint records65 crash reports
"CONSUMER WAS IN A HEAD-ON COLLISION WITH ANOTHER VEHICLE, AND AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. HAD NOT CONTACTED DEALER YET.*AK..."- one owner's federal complaint about this system; it may not describe the issue named above
Parts
No specific part is named for this issue. Browse air bags parts in the directory →
Electrical system
96 complaint records2 fire reports2 crash reports
"WHILE DRIVING FLAMES SHOT UP FROM RIGHT FLOORBOARD, FIRE QUICKLY SPREAD TO LEFT FLOORBOARD, VEHICLE BURNED TOTALLY. *AK..."- one owner's federal complaint about this system; it may not describe the issue named above
Parts
No specific part is named for this issue. Browse electrical system parts in the directory →
Engine & cooling
57 complaint records2 crash reports
"FLUIDS FROM THE RADIATOR ARE LEAKING, CAUSE UNKNOWN. DEALER CANNOT IDENTIFY THE PROBLEM. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. *AK..."- one owner's federal complaint about this system; it may not describe the issue named above
Parts
No specific part is named for this issue. Browse engine & cooling parts in the directory →
Federal defect investigations
Formal investigations opened by the federal safety agency into this vehicle. An investigation is the step between a complaint pattern and a recall; not every one results in one.
| Investigation | Status | Component | Subject |
|---|---|---|---|
| SQ98012 opened Jun 1998 | closed Nov 1998 | Equipment | CONDENSER FAN MOTOR INOPERATIVE SEE RESUME FOR DETAILS. |
Recall campaigns
Safety-recall remedies are normally provided at no charge. Under US federal law the mandatory free remedy applies when the vehicle was no more than 15 years old at the time the defect was determined; manufacturers often cover older vehicles voluntarily. Canadian rules differ. Confirm eligibility with the manufacturer using the VIN. Each campaign number links to the federal record.
| Campaign | Component | Summary | Remedy |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20V026000 | Air Bags | 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... | Normally free |
| 07V512000 | Fuel System, Other | 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... | Normally free |
| 02V120000 | Electrical System | 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. | Normally free |
| 97V193000 | Air Bags | VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE FRONT PASSENGER AIR BAG MODULES HAVE BEEN IMPROPERLY ASSEMBLED. THE CLOTH FLAPS COVERING THE FOLDED AIR BAG MAY HAVE BEEN TUCKED IN TOO FAR. | Normally free |
Transport Canada recalls
Recalls issued under Canadian law for this model year, from Transport Canada's Vehicle Recalls Database. Matched by model name, so a Canadian-market variant may appear here that was sold under another name in the US. Units are Canadian vehicles affected.
| Recall | System | Units (CA) | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020014 2020-01-17 | Airbag | 178,835 | Issue: On certain vehicles, exposure to moisture over time could cause the driver-front airbag not to inflate properly in a crash. |
| 2002096 2002-05-24 | Electrical | 188,463 | On certain vehicles electrical contacts in the ignition switch can degrade due to the high electrical current passing through the switch when the vehicle is started. |
| 1997181 1997-10-20 | Seats And Restraints | 2,985 | On certaint vehicles, the passenger airbag modules may have been improperly assembled. The cloth flap covering the folded airbag may have been tucked in too far. |
Service bulletins and warranty extensions
Manufacturer communications to dealers on file with the federal agency: repair instructions, service campaigns, and warranty extensions. A warranty extension means the manufacturer may pay for a repair the recall table does not cover.
| Bulletin | Type | Component | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| A13-022 Feb 2017 | Fuel System | "SERVICE BULLETIN - FOR VEHICLES WITH SCI COMPRESSED NATURAL GAS (CNG) FUEL TANKS, HONDA IS NO LONGER REPLACING THE FUEL TANK AND SOLENOID VALVE ALTOGETHER. IF YOU REPLACE THE FUEL TANK SOLENOID VALVE, YOU MUST NOW REINSTALL THE ORIGINAL FUEL TANK." | |
| A99034 Sep 2016 | Vehicle Speed Control | SERVICE BULLETIN - DUE TO THE FLOOR DESIGN, A MISPOSITIONED FLOOR MAT COULD PREVENT THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL FROM RETURNING TO THE IDLE POSITION. IN THIS CASE, THE VEHICLE MAY CONTINUE ACCELERATING EVEN THOUGH THE DRIVER MAY NO LONGER BE PRESSING ON THE PEDAL. | |
| A15070B - 7-2-15 Jul 2015 | Power Train | SERVICE NEWS ARTICLE - PLANNING ON USING A LEAK CHECK DYE TO HELP FIND A LEAK? HERES THE CURRENT LIST OF VEHICLES THAT YOU SHOULDNT USE DYE ON. | |
| A13-022 Jun 2015 | Fuel System | "SERVICE BULLETIN - FOR VEHICLES WITH SCI COMPRESSED NATURAL GAS (CNG) FUEL TANKS, HONDA IS NO LONGER REPLACING THE FUEL TANK AND SOLENOID VALVE ALTOGETHER. IF YOU REPLACE THE FUEL TANK SOLENOID VALVE, YOU MUST NOW REINSTALL THE ORIGINAL FUEL TANK." | |
| DLR MSG - HONDA Jun 2015 | Fuel System | "DEALER MESSAGE - THIS IS TO INFORM YOU THAT HONDA SERVICE BULLETIN 06-015, NATURAL GAS FUEL TANK AND FUEL LINE INSPECTION, HAS BEEN REVISED TO INCLUDE INSTRUCTIONS FOR ORDERING THE CNG FUEL TANK INSPECTION LABELS. THESE LABELS CAN BE ORDERED FROM HELM, INC. |
Show 55 more bulletins
| Bulletin | Type | Component | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| A06-015 May 2015 | Fuel System | "SERVICE BULLETIN - THE FUEL TANK IN ALL HONDA NATURAL GAS VEHICLES MUST BE INSPECTED FOR DETERIORATION OR DAMAGE EVERY 3 YEARS OR 36,000 MILES, WHICHEVER COMES FIRST. THIS IS A REQUIREMENT OF HONDA AND THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT. | |
| SB-99-075 Aug 2013 | Engine And Engine Cooling | HONDA: TROUBLESHOOTING OF DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODES (DTC) P1456 AND P1457. DEALERS ARE TO RUN EVAP FUNCTION TEST TO FIND IF THERE IS A LEAK SO THE VEHICLE CAN BE REPAIRED. *KB | |
| SB-13-022 Mar 2013 | Fuel System | HONDA: THE FUEL TANK AND SOLENOID VALVE ARE NO LONGER BEING REPLACED TOGETHER AND IF FUEL TANK SOLENOID VALVE IS REPLACED, THEN REINSTALL ORIGINAL FUEL TANK. MODELS 1998-11 CIVIC GX, 2012-13 CIVIC. *PE UPDATED 04/15/2013. *KB | |
| SB-01-005 Aug 2011 | Fuel System | HONDA: FUEL TANK ASSEMBLY WARRANTY INFORMATION. *RM | |
| 06015 Mar 2006 | Fuel System | NATURAL GAS FUEL TANK INSPECTION. *TT | |
| 09012005 Sep 2005 | Electrical System | TROUBLESHOOTING TIPS FOR DTC P1381. *NM | |
| 05027 Jun 2005 | Engine And Engine Cooling | MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LAMP ON WITH DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODE P0420 OR ENGINE PING UNDER LOAD. *TT | |
| 405 Apr 2005 | Electrical System | TRANSFERRING ODOMETER MILEAGE AT ODOMETER R&R. *TT | |
| 205 Feb 2005 | Engine And Engine Cooling | TIMESERT 14MM DRAIN PLUG THREAD REPAIR KIT. *TT | |
| 04004 Aug 2004 | Electrical System | ROUGH IDLE AT COLD START; MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LAMP (MIL) COMES ON WITH DIAGNOSTIC P0107 OR P0108. *MJ UPDATE. *TT | |
| 00064 Aug 2004 | Visibility | CONCERNS WITH WARPED OR DEFORMED WINDSHIELD MOLDING. *TT UPDATE. *TT | |
| 704 Jul 2004 | Electrical System | POOR RADIO RECEPTION, SEEK-STOP TEST. *SC | |
| 07012004 Jul 2004 | Engine And Engine Cooling | POOR A/C COOLING DURING HARD ACCELERATION. *EH | |
| 05012004 May 2004 | Equipment | AUDIO UNIT AND NAVIGATION SYSTEM ANTI-THEFT CODES AVAILABLE ON INTERACTIVE NETWORK. *NM | |
| 404 Apr 2004 | Equipment | AUDIO, ANTI-THEFT CODES. HONDA. TECH LINE SUMMARY. *TT | |
| 04012004 Apr 2004 | Power Train | STALLING IN REVERSE OR DRIVE AFTER DOING SERVICE BULLETIN 02-003. HONDA. SERVICENEWS. APRIL 2004. *TT | |
| 204 Feb 2004 | Power Train | 2ND TO 5TH OR 3RD TO 5TH GEAR UPSHIFT. *NM | |
| 11012003 Nov 2003 | Engine And Engine Cooling | HEATER BLOWER MOTOR GETS HOT OR BLOWS A FUSE. HONDA. SERVICENEWS. *TT | |
| 03078 Oct 2003 | Service Brakes | BRAKE SYSTEM INDICATOR COMES ON AND GOES OFF. *TT | |
| 1003 Oct 2003 | Service Brakes | TESTING BRAKE FLUID FOR PETROLEUM CONTAMINATION. THIS INCLUDES 2004 INSIGHT AND S2000. *TT | |
| 03076 Oct 2003 | Engine And Engine Cooling | MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LAMP COMES ON WITH DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODE P0131 (PRIMARY HEATED OXYGEN SENSOR CIRCUIT LOW VOLTAGE) OR POOR ENGINE PERFORMANCE. *TT | |
| 903 Sep 2003 | Power Train | HARD TO ENGAGE 1ST GEAR, GRINDS INTO REVERSE. TECH LINE SUMMARY. *TT | |
| 9971 Jun 2003 | Engine And Engine Cooling | COOLANT IN THE ENGINE OIL PAN. *TT | |
| 060103 Jun 2003 | Power Train | GRADE LOGIC CONTROL INFORMATION. *TT | |
| 303 Mar 2003 | Electrical System | TROUBLESHOOTING INTERMITTENT ANTI-LOCK BRAKE (ABS) OR TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM (TCS) DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODES. *TT | |
| 020103 Feb 2003 | Air Bags | SRS INDICATOR ON WITH NO SRS DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODES (DTC) SET. *TT *JB | |
| 03001 Jan 2003 | Fuel System | MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LAMP ON WITH DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODE P1457 - EVAP BYPASS SOLENOID VALVE FAILURE. *TT | |
| 010103 Jan 2003 | Power Train | CHECK (ATF) AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FLUID CONDITION TO DIAGNOSE (A/T) AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONS. *TT *JB | |
| 1202 Dec 2002 | Power Train | STRAINING THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FLUID (ATF) TO DIAGNOSE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONS. *TT | |
| 1102 Nov 2002 | Service Brakes | ANTI-LOCK BRAKING SYSTEM (ABS) OR TCS DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODE (DTC) 51 AND/OR 53 TROUBLESHOOTING. HONDA TECH LINE SUMMARY. *TT | |
| 110102 Nov 2002 | Service Brakes | ANTI-LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM (ABS) GRUNTS WHEN DOING A SELF-CHECK. *TT | |
| 1002 Oct 2002 | Service Brakes | GRUNT NOISE WHEN ACCELERATING AFTER SITTING. HONDA OCTOBER TECH LINE INFORMATION. 2002 PRELUDE ALSO INCLUDED. *TT | |
| 100102 Oct 2002 | Visibility | BUFFETING NOISE WITH REAR WINDOW(S) OPEN IS NORMAL. HONDA SERVICENEWS. *TT | |
| 802 Aug 2002 | Fuel System | SUBJECT REGARDING CNG TANK INSPECTION. *TT | |
| 02003 Jun 2002 | Power Train | SHUDDER, JUDDER, SURGING, SHOCK, NOISE OR IDLE FLUCTUATION. THIS BULLETIN ALSO REPLACED 99-069. *TT | |
| 502 May 2002 | Power Train | SUBJECT REGARDING 3RD AND 4TH GEAR SYNCHRONIZER HUB INSTALLATION. *TT | |
| 402 Apr 2002 | Fuel System | INFORMATION CONCERNING EVAPORATIVE SYSTEM FUNCTION TEST ERROR MESSAGE. *TT | |
| 010402 Apr 2002 | Equipment | SUBJECT REGARDING PGM TESTER SOFTWARE SN211 - THINGS TO KNOW. *TT | |
| 00095 Mar 2002 | Visibility | VEHICLES MAY EXPERIENCE THE MOONROOF SQUEAKING. *SLC | |
| 302 Mar 2002 | Engine And Engine Cooling | CUSTOMERS MAY COMPLAIN OF A BRIEF HESITATION WHEN ACCELERATING AT HIGH ENGINE SPEEDS. *TT | |
| 5905 Feb 2002 | Suspension | CUSTOMERS MAY COMPLAIN OF A TWANG NOISE FROM THE FRONT SUSPENSION THAT SOUNDS LIKE A SPRING CONTACT. *SLC | |
| 010202 Feb 2002 | Fuel System | INFORMATION ON WRONG INJECTORS CAUSING DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODE P0171, P0172 (FUEL SYSTEM TOO, LEAN TOO RICH). *TT | |
| 102 Jan 2002 | Electrical System | SUBJECT REGARDING DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODES P0171 OR P0172 AFTER INJECTOR REPLACEMENT. *TT | |
| 010102 Jan 2002 | Power Train | SUBJECT REGARDING GEARS GRINDING WHEN SHIFTING INFORMATION - BLACK SYNCHRO RING PLACEMENT. *TT | |
| 00006 Dec 2001 | Suspension | CONCERNS WITH A CLUNK OR SQUEAK FROM THE REAR SUSPENSION WHEN GOING OVER ROUGH OR BUMPY ROADS. *TT | |
| 010901 Sep 2001 | Fuel System | INFORMATION REGARDING LOW FUEL WARNING INDICATOR ON. *YH | |
| 160801 Aug 2001 | Fuel System | SUBJECT ON REGARDING LOW FUEL WARNING INDICATOR ON. *ET | |
| 801 Aug 2001 | Fuel System | SUBJECT REGARDING LOW FUEL WARNING INDICATOR ON. *YH | |
| 01040 Aug 2001 | Engine And Engine Cooling | SUBJECT ON REGARDING CIVIC REAR MAIN OIL SEAL LEAKS. *ET | |
| 01005 Jul 2001 | Fuel System | SUBJECT REGARDING CERTAIN MODELS INCLUDING THE 2001 AND LATER CNG FUEL TANK ASSEMBLY IN-WARRANTY EXCHANGE PROGRAM. *ET | |
| 00012 Jun 2001 | Power Train | SUBJECT REGARDING HARSH SHIFTING AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION. *ET | |
| 01040 Jun 2001 | Engine And Engine Cooling | SUBJECT REGARDING REAR MAIN SEAL LEAK. *ET | |
| 010601 Jun 2001 | Unknown Or Other | SUBJECT REGARDING SERVICE BULLETIN FIX 01-040 - REAR MAIN SEAL LEAK. *TT | |
| 00004 Mar 2001 | Structure | EXPERIENCING A RATTLE FROM THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE WHEN DRIVING OVER ROUGH ROADS OR SMALL BUMPS. *TT | |
| 010201 Feb 2001 | Engine And Engine Cooling | BRIEF INFORMATION ON LONG CRANK TIME AT COLD STARTUP. *TT |
Showing 60 of 111 distinct bulletins on file for this vehicle.
Before you buy this vehicle
A test-drive checklist generated from this vehicle's own complaint and recall record.
- Watch the airbag warning light through a full key cycle.It should light on start and go out within seconds. A light that stays on, or never lights at all, means the system needs attention. Run the VIN for inflator recalls specifically.
- Sit in it with the engine off and test everything that has a switch.Windows, locks, lights, the cluster, the radio. Electrical faults are this vehicle's story and the hardest to see on a drive: an intermittent no-start waits for the second week of ownership. Ask for the battery's age and whether any control module has been replaced.
- Cold-start it yourself and listen for the first thirty seconds.Knocking, ticking that fades as it warms, or blue or white smoke on startup are the sounds of this vehicle's engine cluster. Check the oil level and the coolant color, and ask whether the engine or its head gaskets have ever been out.
- Run the VIN against open recalls before you negotiate.This vehicle has 4 recall campaigns on file. An open recall needs VIN-specific confirmation. Many are quick, no-charge fixes and worth negotiating over; an unresolved do-not-drive advisory, or a remedy the manufacturer has not yet made available, should stop the purchase until it is resolved.
- Ask for the service history in writing, then read it against this page.The complaint families above are where owners of this vehicle report trouble. Repairs in exactly those systems are evidence the car had the problem; no such repairs could mean it never developed it, or that it was never fixed. The test-drive items above are how you tell those apart.
Parts search directory
The generic parts list for this vehicle has its own page: a search launcher for every system, filtered by fuel type and era but not by engine, trim, or brake type. It is not a diagnosis and not a fitment guarantee.
Open the parts directory for this Honda Civic →