HONDA CIVIC · model year

1992 HONDA CIVIC

113 NHTSA complaints, 29 crash reports for this specific cohort.

NHTSA overall rating

Not crash-tested

New Car Assessment Program

The 1992HONDACIVIC carries 113 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 29 crashes, 4 fires, 31 injuries, and 0 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 1992 CIVIC is electrical system:ignition with 23 filings, followed by air bags:frontal (16) and tires (7). 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 1992 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.

113
Complaints
29
Crashes
4
Fires
31
Injuries
0
Deaths

Total Complaints

113 filings

Crashes Reported

29 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:IGNITION23
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL16
TIRES7
UNKNOWN OR OTHER4
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY3
STEERING3
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION3
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:ANCHORAGE3
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:HOOD:LATCH3
SEATS3
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL2
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:MODULE2
SEAT BELTS2
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE2
AIR BAGS2

Recent Complaints

20110630ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1992 HONDA CIVIC. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START AFTER BEING PARKED AND TURNED OFF FOR APPROXIMATELY 20 MINUTES. AFTER REPEATED ATTEMPTS, THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO START THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE HAD SINCE RECURRED EVERY TIME THE VEHICLE WAS OPERATED. AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC EXAMINED THE VEHICLE ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS AND REPLACED THE DISTRIBUTOR TWICE. THE CONTACT ALSO REPLACED THE BATTERY. THE FAILURE CONTINUED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 205,105.

Mileage: 205,105

20100811ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

1. I DO NOT KNOW WHAT EVENTS LEAD UP TO THIS FAILURE. 2. IGNITION KEY CANNOT BE REMOVED APPROX. 90% OF THE TIME. (CAR IS IN PARK.) THIS PROBLEM DEVELOPED ABOUT TWO YEARS AGO. HAVE TO LEAVE THE KEY IN THE IGNITION WHICH CAN CAUSE A PROBLEM WITH MY INSURANCE COMPANY IF THE CAR IS STOLEN. 3. MECHANICS ARE UNABLE TO DETERMINE WHAT IS CAUSING THIS TO HAPPEN. *TR

Mileage: 116,754

20100811EQUIPMENT

1. I DO NOT KNOW WHAT EVENTS LEAD UP TO THIS FAILURE. 2. IGNITION KEY CANNOT BE REMOVED APPROX. 90% OF THE TIME. (CAR IS IN PARK.) THIS PROBLEM DEVELOPED ABOUT TWO YEARS AGO. HAVE TO LEAVE THE KEY IN THE IGNITION WHICH CAN CAUSE A PROBLEM WITH MY INSURANCE COMPANY IF THE CAR IS STOLEN. 3. MECHANICS ARE UNABLE TO DETERMINE WHAT IS CAUSING THIS TO HAPPEN. *TR

Mileage: 116,754

20090909CrashSEAT BELTS

I WAS IN A CAR ACCIDENT ON 9/7/09. I WAS INJURED, AND HAD TO BE TAKEN TO SHOCK TRAUMA. MY SEAT BELT WAS ON BUT DID NOT WORK, AND BECAUSE IT DIDN'T WORK I RECEIVED A SEVERE HEAD INJURY AS WELL AS NECK AND BACK PROBLEMS, AND CONSTANT HEADACHES. *TR

Mileage: 144

20090205TIRES

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1992 HONDA CIVIC. THREE MONTHS AFTER NEW TIRES WERE PURCHASED, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE TIRES WOULD SPORADICALLY LOSE TIRE PRESSURE. THE RISK OF A CRASH WAS INCREASED. SHE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND HAD THE TIRES REPLACED WITH THE SAME BRAND. SEVERAL MONTHS AFTER THE TIRE REPLACEMENT, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE HAS NOT YET BEEN DETERMINED. THE VIN, TIRE INFORMATION, AND DOT NUMBER WERE UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 3,000.

Mileage: 3,000

20080220STEERING

PLEASE DESCRIBE EVENTS LEADING UP TO THE FAILURE, FAILURE AND ITS CONSEQUENCES, AND WHAT WAS DONE TO CORRECT THE FAILURE; I.E, PARTS REPAIRED OR REPLACED (AND IF OLD PART IS AVAILABLE) DO NOT INCLUDE ANY PERSONAL INFORMATION IN YOUR DESCRIPTION SUCH AS NAMES, EMAIL ADDRESS, OR PHONE NUMBER. *TR

Mileage: 150,000

20070604TIRES

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1992 HONDA CIVIC LX. THE VEHICLE HAS COOPER TRENDSETTER SE TIRES, SIZE P175/70R13. WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE CONTACT NOTICED A FLAT ON THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE TIRE. HE TOOK THE TIRE IN FOR INSPECTION AND THE MECHANIC COULD NOT LOCATE ANY PUNCTURES OR DENTS. NEVERTHELESS, THE TIRE WAS REPAIRED. LAST WEEK, THE CONTACT TOOK THE TIRES TO GET INSPECTED AND ROTATED AND WAS INFORMED THAT NOTHING WAS WRONG. A FEW DAYS AFTER THE INSPECTION, THE TIRE BECAME FLAT AGAIN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO SEARS AUTO CENTER WHO ALSO COULD FIND NO FAILURES WITH THE TIRE. SEARS FILLED THE TIRE WITH AIR. THE CONTACT FEELS THAT THE TIRES ARE UNSAFE AND PLANS ON HAVING THEM REPLACED. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 153,657 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 152,057.

Mileage: 152,057

20051117ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH

DT: THE CONTACT STATED THE ENGINE WOULD START AND THEN STALL IMMEDIATELY. THIS HAPPENED TWICE. HE FOUND THE IGNITION SWITCH WAS NOT MAKING CONTACT. HE REPLACED THE IGNITION SWITCH HIMSELF. THE VEHICLE IS WORKING CORRECTLY AT THIS TIME. *AK

20050912VISIBILITY

MY HUSBAND WAS DRIVING MY 1992 CIVIC EX 4 DR SEDAN ON INTERSTATE 95 NORTHBOUND ON 9/8/05. HE HAD THE A/C ON AND ALL WINDOWS AND MOONROOF CLOSED. HE HEARD A LOUD "POP" AND THEN HEARD WIND NOISE. A PASSING MOTORIST SIGNALED TO HIM TO LOOK UP, OPENED THE SUN SHADE, AND REALIZED THE ENTIRE GLASS MOONROOF WAS GONE!! THE CAR WAS PURCHASED BY ME BRAND NEW AND IS IN IMMACULATE MECHANICAL AND STRUCTURAL CONDITION. IT HAS NEVER BEEN INVOLVED IN AN AUTOMOBILE ACCIDENT. I CONTACTED HONDA AND EXPLAINED WHAT HAPPENED. THEY TOLD ME TO TAKE IT TO THE NEAREST DEALER TO BE INSPECTED. I HAD NO PROBLEMS WHATSOEVER WITH THE MOONROOF. NO LEAKS, NO UNUSUAL NOISE, IT OPENED AND CLOSED WITHOUT HESITATION. THE CAR RECEIVED REGULAR MAINTENANCE. I AM GRATEFUL THAT NO ONE WAS BEHIND MY HUSBAND OR SOMEONE COULD HAVE EASILY BEEN KILLED. HONDA ACCEPTS NO RESPONSIBILITY FOR THIS. WHEN I ASKED WHAT I SHOULD HAVE LOOKED FOR TO KNOW THAT THERE WAS A POTENTIAL PROBLEM WITH MY MOONROOF, THEY COULD NOT GIVE ME

Mileage: 136,000

20050808POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

DT:RECALL CAMPAIGN 94V063000 CONCERNING AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FAILURE. THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO VIN ALTHOUGH THIS VEHICLE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM AS LISTED THE RECALL. VEHICLE HAD A 90 DAY WARRANTY AT PURCHASE, BUT THE DEALER REFUSED TO FIX IT. *AK

Mileage: 43,000

20040816CrashUNKNOWN OR OTHER

CONSUMER REQUESTING INFO ON PASSENGER. NAR 06/18/2003 *MR PLEASE REVIEW FOR FURTHER INVESTIGATIONS. *CB

20040401ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:MODULE

WHILE DRIVING MY 1992 HONDA CIVIC ON INTERSTATE FREEWAY AND CITY STREETS, I HAVE EXPERIENCED IMMEDIATE ENGINE STALLING WITH NO WARNING. *AK

Mileage: 204,430

20031123CrashAIR BAGS:FRONTAL

IN A FORWARD COLLISION, STRONG ENOUGH FOR MY HEAD TO PUNCH A 2 INCH HEMISPHERICAL INDENTATION INTO THE WINDSHIELD, THE AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY. I WAS WEARING MY SEAT BELT. THE IMPACT OF MY HEAD AGAINST THE WINDSHIELD RESULTED IN A MODERATE CONCUSSION. *LA

Mileage: 70,000

20031111SEATS

WHEN ENTERING THE CAR & SITTING DOWN IN DRIVERS SEAT, THE BRACKET SUPPORTING THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE SEAT BACK BROKE. THE SEAT IS NOW UNUSABLE & MUST BE REPLACED.*AK

20031022POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:GEAR POSITION INDICATION (PRNDL)

TRANSMISSION GEAR SHIFTER KEEPS GETTING STUCK IN DRIVE AND FIRST GEAR. *AK

Mileage: 87,000

20030228VISIBILITY:REARVIEW MIRRORS/DEVICES:EXTERIOR

THE VEHICLE DID NOT COME EQUIPPED WITH A RIGHT SIDE MIRROR.*JB

20020708ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION

IN 1998 DISTRIBUTOR FAILED WITHOUT WARNING. AT THAT TIME I HAD DISTRIBUTOR REPLACED. SINCE THEN I HAD A SECOND DISTRIBUTOR PUT IN 6/22/2000 AFTER ENGINE CHECK LIGHT CAME ON. SERVICE LIGHT AND DIAGNOSE POINTED TO BAD DISTRIBUTOR AGAIN. NOW IT 2002 AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS COMING ON AGAIN. IT LOOKS LIKE IT MIGHT BE THE SAME PROBLEM HOWEVER, I PLAN TO TAKE IT TO THE DEALER SOON. DIAGNOSE CODE OF 9 FLASHES ON THE ENGINE CHECK LIGHT. POINTS MAYBE TO DISTRIBUTOR FAILURE AGAIN. I AM SUBMITTING THIS IN AN EFFORT TO BE REIMBURSTED BY HONDA FOR REPAIRS I PAID FOR. I ALSO WANT HONDA TO KNOW THERE DISTRIBUTORS SHOULD BE RECALLED. I DISCOVERED THAT THE DISTRIBUTORS FOR 1991-1993 ACCORD AND 199201993 CIVICS ALL HAVE COMMON PROBLEMS.*AK

20020708UNKNOWN OR OTHER

IN 1998 DISTRIBUTOR FAILED WITHOUT WARNING. AT THAT TIME I HAD DISTRIBUTOR REPLACED. SINCE THEN I HAD A SECOND DISTRIBUTOR PUT IN 6/22/2000 AFTER ENGINE CHECK LIGHT CAME ON. SERVICE LIGHT AND DIAGNOSE POINTED TO BAD DISTRIBUTOR AGAIN. NOW IT 2002 AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS COMING ON AGAIN. IT LOOKS LIKE IT MIGHT BE THE SAME PROBLEM HOWEVER, I PLAN TO TAKE IT TO THE DEALER SOON. DIAGNOSE CODE OF 9 FLASHES ON THE ENGINE CHECK LIGHT. POINTS MAYBE TO DISTRIBUTOR FAILURE AGAIN. I AM SUBMITTING THIS IN AN EFFORT TO BE REIMBURSTED BY HONDA FOR REPAIRS I PAID FOR. I ALSO WANT HONDA TO KNOW THERE DISTRIBUTORS SHOULD BE RECALLED. I DISCOVERED THAT THE DISTRIBUTORS FOR 1991-1993 ACCORD AND 199201993 CIVICS ALL HAVE COMMON PROBLEMS.*AK

20020514TIRES

LEFT REAR TIRE BLEW OUT, THIS WAS THE ONLY TIRE ON THE VEHICLE THAT WAS MADE BY YOKOHAMA.(TIRE SIZE P185/70R13). OHIO TRAFFIC CRASH REPORT. *YH

20020322WHEELS

WHILE TRAVELING ON HIGHWAY, VEHICLE HIT A POTHOLE AND REAR WHEEL ON LEFT HAND SIDE DISENGAGED. *AK DEALER STRAIGHTENED OUT RIM AND REBALANCED TIRE. *TT

Compare 1992HONDACIVIC to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations

Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 1992 HONDA CIVIC have?
The 1992 HONDA CIVIC has 113 NHTSA complaints, 29 crashes, 4 fires, 31 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
What are the most common problems with the 1992 HONDA CIVIC?
The most-complained component for the 1992 HONDA CIVIC is ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION with 23 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include AIR BAGS:FRONTAL and TIRES.
Is the 1992 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.