Vehicles / Honda / Civic / 1999

1999 Honda Civic

338 federal complaints (404 component records) · 3 recall campaigns on file · 110 service bulletins · 2 Canadian recalls
See all 46 model years of the Honda Civic →
Engine
1.6L 4-cyl
Fuel
Cng, Premium, Regular
Drive
FWD
EPA economy
24 city / 32 hwy
Federal complaints
338
Recall campaigns
3
Specifications show one example EPA configuration for this model year; other engines, drivetrains, and trims exist and the records below cover all of them.
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.

Electrical system
122
Air bags
60
Engine & cooling
46
Power train
37
Body & structure
19
Tires
17
Brakes
17
Glass & wipers
16
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

0 years old: 29 complaints01 years old: 17 complaints2 years old: 24 complaints3 years old: 32 complaints4 years old: 19 complaints5 years old: 20 complaints56 years old: 19 complaints7 years old: 8 complaints8 years old: 4 complaints9 years old: 9 complaints10 years old: 12 complaints1011 years old: 14 complaints12 years old: 11 complaints13 years old: 12 complaints14 years old: 7 complaints15 years old: 6 complaints1516 years old: 10 complaints17 years old: 10 complaints18 years old: 4 complaints19 years old: 4 complaints20+ years old: 21 complaints20+
Years between the model year and the owner's reported failure date. Based on 292 of 338 complaints with a usable failure date.

Odometer when the failure occurred

0,000 - 20,000 miles: 5 complaints020,000 - 40,000 miles: 6 complaints40,000 - 60,000 miles: 8 complaints40k60,000 - 80,000 miles: 18 complaints80,000 - 100,000 miles: 17 complaints80k100,000 - 120,000 miles: 14 complaints120,000 - 140,000 miles: 17 complaints120k140,000 - 160,000 miles: 22 complaints160,000 - 180,000 miles: 13 complaints160k180,000 - 200,000 miles: 11 complaints200,000+ miles: 11 complaints200k+
Owner-reported mileage at failure, in 20,000-mile bands. Based on 142 of 338 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.

Electrical system

122 complaint records3 fire reports4 crash reports
"THE CONSUMER DID NOT RECEIVE ANY SERVICES FROM THE DEALERSHIP CONCERNING THE IGNITION SWITCH RECALL. RECALL# 02V120000 SCC *JB..."- 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 →

Air bags

60 complaint records45 crash reports
"Was in a car accident and the airbags did not deploy. I was diagnosed with a fractured sternum as my chest hit the steering wheel..."- 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 →

Engine & cooling

46 complaint records
"VEHICLE EXHIBITS A NOTICEABLE KNOCKING NOISE WHEN FIRST STARTED UNTIL IT SUFFICIENTLY WARMS UP. USUALLY ABOUT 5 MINUTES. *JB..."- 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 →

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.

CampaignComponentSummaryRemedy
20V026000Air BagsHonda (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
07V512000Fuel System, OtherON 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
02V120000Electrical SystemON 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

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.

RecallSystemUnits (CA)Summary
2020014
2020-01-17
Airbag178,835Issue: 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
Electrical188,463On 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.

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.

BulletinTypeComponentSummary
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."
A15070B - 7-2-15
Jul 2015
Power TrainSERVICE NEWS ARTICLE - PLANNING ON USING A LEAK CHECK DYE TO HELP FIND A LEAK? HERE’S THE CURRENT LIST OF VEHICLES THAT YOU SHOULDN’T 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.
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.
Show 55 more bulletins
BulletinTypeComponentSummary
SB-99-075
Aug 2013
Engine And Engine CoolingHONDA: 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 SystemHONDA: 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 SystemHONDA: FUEL TANK ASSEMBLY WARRANTY INFORMATION. *RM
06015
Mar 2006
Fuel SystemNATURAL GAS FUEL TANK INSPECTION. *TT
09012005
Sep 2005
Electrical SystemTROUBLESHOOTING TIPS FOR DTC P1381. *NM
05027
Jun 2005
Engine And Engine CoolingMALFUNCTION INDICATOR LAMP ON WITH DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODE P0420 OR ENGINE PING UNDER LOAD. *TT
405
Apr 2005
Electrical SystemTRANSFERRING ODOMETER MILEAGE AT ODOMETER R&R. *TT
205
Feb 2005
Engine And Engine CoolingTIMESERT 14MM DRAIN PLUG THREAD REPAIR KIT. *TT
09222004
Sep 2004
Electrical System(HEALTHY) DISTRIBUTOR ASSEMBLY. REQUEST FOR PARTS. *TT
08252004
Aug 2004
Electrical System(COMPLETE) DISTRIBUTOR ASSEMBLY. HESITATION, PINGING AND/OR REPEAT DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODE P0420 (CATALYST) PROBLEMS. REQUEST FOR PARTS. *TT
04004
Aug 2004
Electrical SystemROUGH IDLE AT COLD START; MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LAMP (MIL) COMES ON WITH DIAGNOSTIC P0107 OR P0108. *MJ UPDATE. *TT
00064
Aug 2004
VisibilityCONCERNS WITH WARPED OR DEFORMED WINDSHIELD MOLDING. *TT UPDATE. *TT
704
Jul 2004
Electrical SystemPOOR RADIO RECEPTION, SEEK-STOP TEST. *SC
07012004
Jul 2004
Engine And Engine CoolingPOOR A/C COOLING DURING HARD ACCELERATION. *EH
05012004
May 2004
EquipmentAUDIO UNIT AND NAVIGATION SYSTEM ANTI-THEFT CODES AVAILABLE ON INTERACTIVE NETWORK. *NM
404
Apr 2004
EquipmentAUDIO, ANTI-THEFT CODES. HONDA. TECH LINE SUMMARY. *TT
04012004
Apr 2004
Power TrainSTALLING IN REVERSE OR DRIVE AFTER DOING SERVICE BULLETIN 02-003. HONDA. SERVICENEWS. APRIL 2004. *TT
204
Feb 2004
Power Train2ND TO 5TH OR 3RD TO 5TH GEAR UPSHIFT. *NM
11012003
Nov 2003
Engine And Engine CoolingHEATER BLOWER MOTOR GETS HOT OR BLOWS A FUSE. HONDA. SERVICENEWS. *TT
03078
Oct 2003
Service BrakesBRAKE SYSTEM INDICATOR COMES ON AND GOES OFF. *TT
1003
Oct 2003
Service BrakesTESTING BRAKE FLUID FOR PETROLEUM CONTAMINATION. THIS INCLUDES 2004 INSIGHT AND S2000. *TT
03076
Oct 2003
Engine And Engine CoolingMALFUNCTION 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 TrainHARD TO ENGAGE 1ST GEAR, GRINDS INTO REVERSE. TECH LINE SUMMARY. *TT
9971
Jun 2003
Engine And Engine CoolingCOOLANT IN THE ENGINE OIL PAN. *TT
060103
Jun 2003
Power TrainGRADE LOGIC CONTROL INFORMATION. *TT
303
Mar 2003
Electrical SystemTROUBLESHOOTING INTERMITTENT ANTI-LOCK BRAKE (ABS) OR TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM (TCS) DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODES. *TT
020103
Feb 2003
Air BagsSRS INDICATOR ON WITH NO SRS DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODES (DTC) SET. *TT *JB
03001
Jan 2003
Fuel SystemMALFUNCTION INDICATOR LAMP ON WITH DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODE P1457 - EVAP BYPASS SOLENOID VALVE FAILURE. *TT
010103
Jan 2003
Power TrainCHECK (ATF) AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FLUID CONDITION TO DIAGNOSE (A/T) AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONS. *TT *JB
02068
Dec 2002
Power TrainCVT SHUDDER, JUDDER, SURGING, SHOCK, NOISE, OR IDLE FLUCTUATION. *TT
1202
Dec 2002
Power TrainSTRAINING THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FLUID (ATF) TO DIAGNOSE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONS. *TT
1102
Nov 2002
Service BrakesANTI-LOCK BRAKING SYSTEM (ABS) OR TCS DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODE (DTC) 51 AND/OR 53 TROUBLESHOOTING. HONDA TECH LINE SUMMARY. *TT
110102
Nov 2002
Service BrakesANTI-LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM (ABS) GRUNTS WHEN DOING A SELF-CHECK. *TT
1002
Oct 2002
Service BrakesGRUNT NOISE WHEN ACCELERATING AFTER SITTING. HONDA OCTOBER TECH LINE INFORMATION. 2002 PRELUDE ALSO INCLUDED. *TT
100102
Oct 2002
VisibilityBUFFETING NOISE WITH REAR WINDOW(S) OPEN IS NORMAL. HONDA SERVICENEWS. *TT
802
Aug 2002
Fuel SystemSUBJECT REGARDING CNG TANK INSPECTION. *TT
010802
Aug 2002
Unknown Or OtherINFORMATION ON SERVICING A VEHICLE WITH THE MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LAMP ON WITH DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODE P1457 (LEAK DETECTED IN EVAP CONTROL SYSTEM). *TT
502
May 2002
Power TrainSUBJECT REGARDING 3RD AND 4TH GEAR SYNCHRONIZER HUB INSTALLATION. *TT
402
Apr 2002
Fuel SystemINFORMATION CONCERNING EVAPORATIVE SYSTEM FUNCTION TEST ERROR MESSAGE. *TT
010402
Apr 2002
EquipmentSUBJECT REGARDING PGM TESTER SOFTWARE SN211 - THINGS TO KNOW. *TT
00095
Mar 2002
VisibilityVEHICLES MAY EXPERIENCE THE MOONROOF SQUEAKING. *SLC
302
Mar 2002
Engine And Engine CoolingCUSTOMERS MAY COMPLAIN OF A BRIEF HESITATION WHEN ACCELERATING AT HIGH ENGINE SPEEDS. *TT
5905
Feb 2002
SuspensionCUSTOMERS MAY COMPLAIN OF A TWANG NOISE FROM THE FRONT SUSPENSION THAT SOUNDS LIKE A SPRING CONTACT. *SLC
010202
Feb 2002
Fuel SystemINFORMATION ON WRONG INJECTORS CAUSING DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODE P0171, P0172 (FUEL SYSTEM TOO, LEAN TOO RICH). *TT
102
Jan 2002
Electrical SystemSUBJECT REGARDING DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODES P0171 OR P0172 AFTER INJECTOR REPLACEMENT. *TT
010102
Jan 2002
Power TrainSUBJECT REGARDING GEARS GRINDING WHEN SHIFTING INFORMATION - BLACK SYNCHRO RING PLACEMENT. *TT
00006
Dec 2001
SuspensionCONCERNS WITH A CLUNK OR SQUEAK FROM THE REAR SUSPENSION WHEN GOING OVER ROUGH OR BUMPY ROADS. *TT
01082
Oct 2001
Power TrainSUBJECT REGARDING GEARS GRINDING WHEN SHIFTING. *JG
011001
Oct 2001
Engine And Engine CoolingINFORMATION REGARDING CATALYTIC CONVERTER EFFICIENCY BELOW THRESHOLD. *YD
901
Sep 2001
Engine And Engine CoolingSUBJECT ON DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODE OF CATALYTIC CONVERTER EFFICIENCY BELOW THRESHOLD.*JB
010901
Sep 2001
Fuel SystemINFORMATION REGARDING LOW FUEL WARNING INDICATOR ON. *YH
160801
Aug 2001
Fuel SystemSUBJECT ON REGARDING LOW FUEL WARNING INDICATOR ON. *ET
801
Aug 2001
Fuel SystemSUBJECT REGARDING LOW FUEL WARNING INDICATOR ON. *YH
01040
Aug 2001
Engine And Engine CoolingSUBJECT ON REGARDING CIVIC REAR MAIN OIL SEAL LEAKS. *ET
01005
Jul 2001
Fuel SystemSUBJECT REGARDING CERTAIN MODELS INCLUDING THE 2001 AND LATER CNG FUEL TANK ASSEMBLY IN-WARRANTY EXCHANGE PROGRAM. *ET

Showing 60 of 110 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.

  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. 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.
  4. Run the VIN against open recalls before you negotiate.This vehicle has 3 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.
  5. 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 →