HONDA CIVIC · model year

1990 HONDA CIVIC

110 NHTSA complaints, 22 crash reports for this specific cohort.

NHTSA overall rating

Not crash-tested

New Car Assessment Program

The 1990HONDACIVIC carries 110 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 22 crashes, 3 fires, 19 injuries, and 2 fatalities. No NCAP 5-star crash-test rating is available for this model year in the federal database.

Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 1990 CIVIC is electrical system:ignition with 10 filings, followed by seat belts (9) and seat belts:front:anchorage (8). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability.

NHTSA currently has 3 investigation files overlapping the 1990 CIVIC. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page — a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.

110
Complaints
22
Crashes
3
Fires
19
Injuries
2
Deaths

Total Complaints

110 filings

Crashes Reported

22 reports

Source

NHTSA ODI

Federal complaints database

Complaints vs. fleet median (215)

At or below the fleet median complaint volume.

Complaints by Component

ComponentCount
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION10
SEAT BELTS9
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:ANCHORAGE8
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY8
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:RETRACTOR4
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL3
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD3
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION2
STRUCTURE:BODY:HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE:SUPPORT DEVICE/STRUT2
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS2
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER2
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FUSES AND CIRCUIT BREAKERS2
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TAIL LIGHTS2
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM2
TIRES2

Recent Complaints

20190528STRUCTURE:BODY

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1987 (NA) HONDA CIVIC. THE CONTACT HEARD AN ABNORMAL NOISE COMING FROM THE VEHICLE AND SMELLED A STRONG FUEL ODOR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING, BUT THE RESULTS WERE UNKNOWN. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 168,862.

Mileage: 168,862

20190528FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1987 (NA) HONDA CIVIC. THE CONTACT HEARD AN ABNORMAL NOISE COMING FROM THE VEHICLE AND SMELLED A STRONG FUEL ODOR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING, BUT THE RESULTS WERE UNKNOWN. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 168,862.

Mileage: 168,862

20190528SUSPENSION

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1987 (NA) HONDA CIVIC. THE CONTACT HEARD AN ABNORMAL NOISE COMING FROM THE VEHICLE AND SMELLED A STRONG FUEL ODOR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING, BUT THE RESULTS WERE UNKNOWN. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 168,862.

Mileage: 168,862

20180513SEAT BELTS

THE FRONT SEAT SHOULDER LAP SEAT BELTS HAVE NOT FUNCTIONED PROPERLY FOR A LONG TIME ON BOTH THE PASSENGER AND DRIVER'S SIDE. THEY DO NOT RETRACT ALONG THE DOORS WHEN THE DOORS ARE OPENED AND CLOSED. ALSO, THE SEAT BELT WARNING LIGHT AND BEEP ARE NOW CONSTANTLY ON MAKING IT VERY DIFFICULT TO FOCUS ON DRIVING.

Mileage: 530,000

20180420SEAT BELTS

SEAT BELT WARNING NEVER STOPS AT ALL TIMES

Mileage: 179,500

20110913SEAT BELTS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1990 HONDA CIVIC. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED THE CONTACT NOTICED THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE AUTOMATIC SEAT BELT WOULD NOT RETRACT AND COULD NOT BE RETRACTED MANUALLY. THE SEAT BELT COULD NOT BE USED TO SECURE A PASSENGER IN THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING WHERE THE TECHNICIAN STATED THE SEAT BELT CONTROL MODULE HAD TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 145,000.

Mileage: 145,000

20080807FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER

I HAVE A 1990 HONDA CIVIC 4 DR 1.5 LITER AUTO. AND THE DISTRIBUTOR WENT BAD-I KNOW THE CAR IS NOT WORTH MUCH BUT IT IS MY WORK CAR-TO REPLACE THIS PART $800.00 AND TALKING TO SEVERAL JUNK YARDS IT WOULD BE $225.00 BUT THE MAN SAID THAT THERE'S NO GUARANTEE THAT PART WOULD BE GOOD AS THIS YR. MAKE AND MODEL ARE FAMOUS FOR THIS PROBLEM BUT I DO NOT FIND ANY RECALL. *TR

Mileage: 170,000

20080807ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

I HAVE A 1990 HONDA CIVIC 4 DR 1.5 LITER AUTO. AND THE DISTRIBUTOR WENT BAD-I KNOW THE CAR IS NOT WORTH MUCH BUT IT IS MY WORK CAR-TO REPLACE THIS PART $800.00 AND TALKING TO SEVERAL JUNK YARDS IT WOULD BE $225.00 BUT THE MAN SAID THAT THERE'S NO GUARANTEE THAT PART WOULD BE GOOD AS THIS YR. MAKE AND MODEL ARE FAMOUS FOR THIS PROBLEM BUT I DO NOT FIND ANY RECALL. *TR

Mileage: 170,000

20070910SEAT BELTS:FRONT

THE SEAT BELTS ON MY 1990 HONDA CIVIC DO NOT WORK. I TOOK THEM TO THE HONDA DEALER IN ROCKVILLE, MARYLAND. THEY KEPT THE CAR 24 HOURS, THEN TOLD ME THEY WOULD HAVE TO ORDER RETRACTOR MOTORS. THEY CALLED IN A FEW DAYS AND TOLD ME TO BRING THE CAR BACK IN. THEY KEPT IT THREE DAYS, THEN RETURNED IT IN THE SAME NON-WORKING CONDITION AND TOLD ME IT WOULD COST $962 TO REPLACE THE SEAT BELT RETRACTING MECHANISM. THE DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT BELT LATCH IS IN THE FORWARD UNUSABLE POSITION. THE PASSENGER'S SIDE DOES NOT RETRACT EITHER. THE SERVICE MAN SAID THAT THE SEAT BELTS THEMSELVES HAD A LIFETIME GUARANTEE BUT THAT THE SEAT BELT RETRACTING MECHANISM WAS NOT PART OF THE SEAT BELT ASSEMBLY. *TR

20070124TIRES

TL* - THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE PURCHASED PEP BOYS TIRES APPROXIMATELY 6 MONTHS AGO. HE WAS TRAVELING AT APPROXIMATELY 10-15 MPH ON A SMOOTH DRY STREET, WHEN THE FRONT DRIVER AND PASSENGER TIRES BLEW UP LIKE A BALLOON. THE TIRES FAILED ONE MONTH APART. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE IS STILL TREAD ON THE TIRES. THE MILEAGE ON THE TIRES AT THE TIME OF THE FAILURE WAS APPROXIMATELY 7,000 MILES. THE CONTACT HAS ONE OF THE TIRES. *AK

20061228FireELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD

AFTER DRIVING MY CAR AND IT SITTING FOR APPROXIMATELY 1 AND A HALF HOURS I NOTICED THAT THEIR WAS FLAMES COMING FROM UNDER MY HOOD. I RAN OUT AND TURNED ON THE WATER HOSE AND STARTED TO SQUIRT IT AS A NEIGHBOR OPENED THE HOOD FOR ME BUT WE QUICKLY REALIZED THAT WASN'T GOING TO DO ANYTHING BECAUSE IT WAS ELECTRICAL, SO WE THEN DISCONNECTED THE BATTERY. WHICH STOPPED THE FIRE. *NM

20061215ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION

MY 1990 HONDA CIVIC WAGON HAS STOPPED WITHOUT WARNING THREE TIMES IN THE LAST MONTH AND WILL NOT START AGAIN FOR 10 MINUTES TO OVERNIGHT. I HAVE HAD TO PUSH THE CAR OFF THE ROAD TO GET IT OUT OF RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC. FROM MEMBERS OF THE CIVIC.WAGON.FORUM@LISTS.UNH.EDU, I HAVE DETERMINED THAT THE IGNITER HAS FAILED. HONDA HAD AN UPGRADE TO THIS COMPONENT AND ACCORDING TO HONDA MY CAR RECEIVED THE UPGRADE IN 1994, BUT NOW IS APPARENTLY FAILING. WISHING TO BE SAFE, I HAVE ORDERED A WHOLE NEW DISTRIBUTOR TO INSTALL SO I DO NOT HAVE TO STOP SOMEWHERE AT ANY MOMENT. *JB

Mileage: 119,000

20041104SEAT BELTS:FRONT:RETRACTOR

DRIVER'S SEAT BELT RETRACTOR FAILED. *AK

Mileage: 138,000

20040422CrashSTEERING

A LOT OF THE REPAIRS WERE DONE UNDER WARRANTY, BUT I AM STILL HAVING A PROBLEM WITH SOME THING THAT ISNT LISTED,IN THE TIME I HAVE OWNED THE CAR,I HAVE REPLACED THE IGNITION COIL 5 TIMES AND THEY ARE NOT CHEEP AT 200 A POP. THE STEERING IS A PAIN BUT AN EASY FIX FOR A BUSHING ON THE RIGHT SIDE, MINUS THE STIFF LOCK UP STEER THAT I THINK COMES WITH THE HONDA CIVIC SI ENGINE FIRST WENT AT 60.000 KM AND NOW IT HAS 170 ON THE ODOMETER AND WENT TODAY, NOT SURE WHAT IM GONNA DO,TRY AND DO WARRANTY ON IT OR FIX IT MY SELF AND HAVE IT DONE RIGHT.... THE BRAKES ARE THE PITS ON THESE CARS? FRONT. YOU GET BRAKE FAD GOING DOWN A STEEP HILL AND KISS YOUR ASS GOOD BYE, TO SOLVE THE PROBLEM WENT TO CROSS DRILL ROTORS AND A COURSE BRAKE PAD FOR THE FRONT, THE REAR BRAKES NEVER ADJUST THEMSELVES, AND WEAR OUT FAST. THE TRANSMISSION 5 GEAR SUCKS TO LOW AND MAKES THE REVS GO WAY TOO HIGH, THE SECOND GEAR SYNCRO IS BAD, PAINT IS BAD. FLAKES OFF ALMOST LIKE WHAT THE OLD CHEVYS DO. POWER SUN ROOF IS F

20040422CrashSERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

A LOT OF THE REPAIRS WERE DONE UNDER WARRANTY, BUT I AM STILL HAVING A PROBLEM WITH SOME THING THAT ISNT LISTED,IN THE TIME I HAVE OWNED THE CAR,I HAVE REPLACED THE IGNITION COIL 5 TIMES AND THEY ARE NOT CHEEP AT 200 A POP. THE STEERING IS A PAIN BUT AN EASY FIX FOR A BUSHING ON THE RIGHT SIDE, MINUS THE STIFF LOCK UP STEER THAT I THINK COMES WITH THE HONDA CIVIC SI ENGINE FIRST WENT AT 60.000 KM AND NOW IT HAS 170 ON THE ODOMETER AND WENT TODAY, NOT SURE WHAT IM GONNA DO,TRY AND DO WARRANTY ON IT OR FIX IT MY SELF AND HAVE IT DONE RIGHT.... THE BRAKES ARE THE PITS ON THESE CARS? FRONT. YOU GET BRAKE FAD GOING DOWN A STEEP HILL AND KISS YOUR ASS GOOD BYE, TO SOLVE THE PROBLEM WENT TO CROSS DRILL ROTORS AND A COURSE BRAKE PAD FOR THE FRONT, THE REAR BRAKES NEVER ADJUST THEMSELVES, AND WEAR OUT FAST. THE TRANSMISSION 5 GEAR SUCKS TO LOW AND MAKES THE REVS GO WAY TOO HIGH, THE SECOND GEAR SYNCRO IS BAD, PAINT IS BAD. FLAKES OFF ALMOST LIKE WHAT THE OLD CHEVYS DO. POWER SUN ROOF IS F

20040422CrashPOWER TRAIN

A LOT OF THE REPAIRS WERE DONE UNDER WARRANTY, BUT I AM STILL HAVING A PROBLEM WITH SOME THING THAT ISNT LISTED,IN THE TIME I HAVE OWNED THE CAR,I HAVE REPLACED THE IGNITION COIL 5 TIMES AND THEY ARE NOT CHEEP AT 200 A POP. THE STEERING IS A PAIN BUT AN EASY FIX FOR A BUSHING ON THE RIGHT SIDE, MINUS THE STIFF LOCK UP STEER THAT I THINK COMES WITH THE HONDA CIVIC SI ENGINE FIRST WENT AT 60.000 KM AND NOW IT HAS 170 ON THE ODOMETER AND WENT TODAY, NOT SURE WHAT IM GONNA DO,TRY AND DO WARRANTY ON IT OR FIX IT MY SELF AND HAVE IT DONE RIGHT.... THE BRAKES ARE THE PITS ON THESE CARS? FRONT. YOU GET BRAKE FAD GOING DOWN A STEEP HILL AND KISS YOUR ASS GOOD BYE, TO SOLVE THE PROBLEM WENT TO CROSS DRILL ROTORS AND A COURSE BRAKE PAD FOR THE FRONT, THE REAR BRAKES NEVER ADJUST THEMSELVES, AND WEAR OUT FAST. THE TRANSMISSION 5 GEAR SUCKS TO LOW AND MAKES THE REVS GO WAY TOO HIGH, THE SECOND GEAR SYNCRO IS BAD, PAINT IS BAD. FLAKES OFF ALMOST LIKE WHAT THE OLD CHEVYS DO. POWER SUN ROOF IS F

20040422CrashVISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS

A LOT OF THE REPAIRS WERE DONE UNDER WARRANTY, BUT I AM STILL HAVING A PROBLEM WITH SOME THING THAT ISNT LISTED,IN THE TIME I HAVE OWNED THE CAR,I HAVE REPLACED THE IGNITION COIL 5 TIMES AND THEY ARE NOT CHEEP AT 200 A POP. THE STEERING IS A PAIN BUT AN EASY FIX FOR A BUSHING ON THE RIGHT SIDE, MINUS THE STIFF LOCK UP STEER THAT I THINK COMES WITH THE HONDA CIVIC SI ENGINE FIRST WENT AT 60.000 KM AND NOW IT HAS 170 ON THE ODOMETER AND WENT TODAY, NOT SURE WHAT IM GONNA DO,TRY AND DO WARRANTY ON IT OR FIX IT MY SELF AND HAVE IT DONE RIGHT.... THE BRAKES ARE THE PITS ON THESE CARS? FRONT. YOU GET BRAKE FAD GOING DOWN A STEEP HILL AND KISS YOUR ASS GOOD BYE, TO SOLVE THE PROBLEM WENT TO CROSS DRILL ROTORS AND A COURSE BRAKE PAD FOR THE FRONT, THE REAR BRAKES NEVER ADJUST THEMSELVES, AND WEAR OUT FAST. THE TRANSMISSION 5 GEAR SUCKS TO LOW AND MAKES THE REVS GO WAY TOO HIGH, THE SECOND GEAR SYNCRO IS BAD, PAINT IS BAD. FLAKES OFF ALMOST LIKE WHAT THE OLD CHEVYS DO. POWER SUN ROOF IS F

20040422CrashUNKNOWN OR OTHER

A LOT OF THE REPAIRS WERE DONE UNDER WARRANTY, BUT I AM STILL HAVING A PROBLEM WITH SOME THING THAT ISNT LISTED,IN THE TIME I HAVE OWNED THE CAR,I HAVE REPLACED THE IGNITION COIL 5 TIMES AND THEY ARE NOT CHEEP AT 200 A POP. THE STEERING IS A PAIN BUT AN EASY FIX FOR A BUSHING ON THE RIGHT SIDE, MINUS THE STIFF LOCK UP STEER THAT I THINK COMES WITH THE HONDA CIVIC SI ENGINE FIRST WENT AT 60.000 KM AND NOW IT HAS 170 ON THE ODOMETER AND WENT TODAY, NOT SURE WHAT IM GONNA DO,TRY AND DO WARRANTY ON IT OR FIX IT MY SELF AND HAVE IT DONE RIGHT.... THE BRAKES ARE THE PITS ON THESE CARS? FRONT. YOU GET BRAKE FAD GOING DOWN A STEEP HILL AND KISS YOUR ASS GOOD BYE, TO SOLVE THE PROBLEM WENT TO CROSS DRILL ROTORS AND A COURSE BRAKE PAD FOR THE FRONT, THE REAR BRAKES NEVER ADJUST THEMSELVES, AND WEAR OUT FAST. THE TRANSMISSION 5 GEAR SUCKS TO LOW AND MAKES THE REVS GO WAY TOO HIGH, THE SECOND GEAR SYNCRO IS BAD, PAINT IS BAD. FLAKES OFF ALMOST LIKE WHAT THE OLD CHEVYS DO. POWER SUN ROOF IS F

20040422CrashENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM

A LOT OF THE REPAIRS WERE DONE UNDER WARRANTY, BUT I AM STILL HAVING A PROBLEM WITH SOME THING THAT ISNT LISTED,IN THE TIME I HAVE OWNED THE CAR,I HAVE REPLACED THE IGNITION COIL 5 TIMES AND THEY ARE NOT CHEEP AT 200 A POP. THE STEERING IS A PAIN BUT AN EASY FIX FOR A BUSHING ON THE RIGHT SIDE, MINUS THE STIFF LOCK UP STEER THAT I THINK COMES WITH THE HONDA CIVIC SI ENGINE FIRST WENT AT 60.000 KM AND NOW IT HAS 170 ON THE ODOMETER AND WENT TODAY, NOT SURE WHAT IM GONNA DO,TRY AND DO WARRANTY ON IT OR FIX IT MY SELF AND HAVE IT DONE RIGHT.... THE BRAKES ARE THE PITS ON THESE CARS? FRONT. YOU GET BRAKE FAD GOING DOWN A STEEP HILL AND KISS YOUR ASS GOOD BYE, TO SOLVE THE PROBLEM WENT TO CROSS DRILL ROTORS AND A COURSE BRAKE PAD FOR THE FRONT, THE REAR BRAKES NEVER ADJUST THEMSELVES, AND WEAR OUT FAST. THE TRANSMISSION 5 GEAR SUCKS TO LOW AND MAKES THE REVS GO WAY TOO HIGH, THE SECOND GEAR SYNCRO IS BAD, PAINT IS BAD. FLAKES OFF ALMOST LIKE WHAT THE OLD CHEVYS DO. POWER SUN ROOF IS F

20040422CrashENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

A LOT OF THE REPAIRS WERE DONE UNDER WARRANTY, BUT I AM STILL HAVING A PROBLEM WITH SOME THING THAT ISNT LISTED,IN THE TIME I HAVE OWNED THE CAR,I HAVE REPLACED THE IGNITION COIL 5 TIMES AND THEY ARE NOT CHEEP AT 200 A POP. THE STEERING IS A PAIN BUT AN EASY FIX FOR A BUSHING ON THE RIGHT SIDE, MINUS THE STIFF LOCK UP STEER THAT I THINK COMES WITH THE HONDA CIVIC SI ENGINE FIRST WENT AT 60.000 KM AND NOW IT HAS 170 ON THE ODOMETER AND WENT TODAY, NOT SURE WHAT IM GONNA DO,TRY AND DO WARRANTY ON IT OR FIX IT MY SELF AND HAVE IT DONE RIGHT.... THE BRAKES ARE THE PITS ON THESE CARS? FRONT. YOU GET BRAKE FAD GOING DOWN A STEEP HILL AND KISS YOUR ASS GOOD BYE, TO SOLVE THE PROBLEM WENT TO CROSS DRILL ROTORS AND A COURSE BRAKE PAD FOR THE FRONT, THE REAR BRAKES NEVER ADJUST THEMSELVES, AND WEAR OUT FAST. THE TRANSMISSION 5 GEAR SUCKS TO LOW AND MAKES THE REVS GO WAY TOO HIGH, THE SECOND GEAR SYNCRO IS BAD, PAINT IS BAD. FLAKES OFF ALMOST LIKE WHAT THE OLD CHEVYS DO. POWER SUN ROOF IS F

Compare 1990HONDACIVIC to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations

Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 1990 HONDA CIVIC have?
The 1990 HONDA CIVIC has 110 NHTSA complaints, 22 crashes, 3 fires, 19 injuries, and 2 deaths reported.
What are the most common problems with the 1990 HONDA CIVIC?
The most-complained component for the 1990 HONDA CIVIC is ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION with 10 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include SEAT BELTS and SEAT BELTS:FRONT:ANCHORAGE.
Is the 1990 HONDA CIVIC safe to buy?
Review the complaint history, crash and fire reports, safety ratings, and recall status on this page to make an informed decision. No NHTSA crash test rating is available for this model year. Compare with other model years using the links above.
Where does this data come from?
All complaint, recall, and safety rating data is sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaints are filed by vehicle owners through NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation.

Vehicle Safety Guides

Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.