10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 1
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
40,000 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

The NHTSA is the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints can be spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem. See the Back button — blue bar at the very top of the page — to explore more.

Get notified about new defects, investigations, recalls & lawsuits for the 1996 Honda Civic:

Unsubscribe any time. We don't sell/share your email.

problem #3

Dec 242001

Civic 4-cyl

  • Manual transmission
  • 120,000 miles
Civic had been parked for about 24 hours and when I looked outside my apartment window it was on fire. The failure seemed to start in the dash wiring somewhere. The fire started there as the most damage was done to the front portion of the car and the dash was completely destroyed. The engine compartment was not damaged, the rear seat was damaged but not destroyed by fire completely, and the trunk was untouched. Front window blew out and the safety glass (more likely the plastic film in between glass sheets) melted, both front door windows blew outwards, and moonroof glass shattered. Fire department was called and they put it out. Vehicle was a total loss. It was junked. No insurance claim was filed on it because it was paid off and we were only carrying liability on it.

- Springdale, PA, USA

problem #2

Jan 162000

Civic

  • miles
Turned car off. Car began to honk wildly, interior lights flashed, door locked and unlocked, and radio is without power. Had to pull under hood horn fuse to stop powering the electrical short. This fuse powers horn and brake lights. Fuse must remain pulled to keep horn from sounding. Previously had problems with electric windows and door locks. These were fixed under warranty. Latest problem has occurred before but did not include door locks and interior lights. Afraid under dash electrical short will cause accident (auto-deploy airbags, etc. While driving).

- Memphis, TN, USA

problem #1

Jun 261997

Civic

  • miles
Computer command control module malfunctioned. In addition, engine misfired, causing loss of power. Engine check light comes on/off.

- Bloomington, MN, USA