HONDA CIVIC · model year

1993 HONDA CIVIC

178 NHTSA complaints, 48 crash reports for this specific cohort.

NHTSA overall rating

Not crash-tested

New Car Assessment Program

The 1993HONDACIVIC carries 178 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 48 crashes, 4 fires, 40 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 1993 CIVIC is air bags:frontal with 25 filings, followed by electrical system:ignition (14) and tires (6). 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 1993 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.

178
Complaints
48
Crashes
4
Fires
40
Injuries
0
Deaths

Total Complaints

178 filings

Crashes Reported

48 reports

Source

NHTSA ODI

Federal complaints database

Complaints vs. fleet median (215)

At or below the fleet median complaint volume.

Complaints by Component

ComponentCount
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL25
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION14
TIRES6
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE6
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE6
STEERING: STEERING WHEEL/HANDLE BAR5
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP5
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY5
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL5
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER5
UNKNOWN OR OTHER5
STEERING4
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS4
EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER4
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:HOOD:LATCH4

Recent Complaints

20210607POWER TRAIN

the automatic transmission shift cable is recalled and the rear window also. I called norm reeves honda in port charlotte florida at 9417438883 and spoke to a woman in service. she took my information and told me she would call me back. Less than 10 minutes later she called me back and told me the parts aren't available and she wouldn't be able to help me any further.

20210607VISIBILITY/WIPER

the automatic transmission shift cable is recalled and the rear window also. I called norm reeves honda in port charlotte florida at 9417438883 and spoke to a woman in service. she took my information and told me she would call me back. Less than 10 minutes later she called me back and told me the parts aren't available and she wouldn't be able to help me any further.

20130821CrashSTRUCTURE:BODY

CRASHED

20130821CrashUNKNOWN OR OTHER

CRASHED

20101108TIRES

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1993 HONDA CIVIC LX WITH GOODYEAR P-TRACKER TIRES, LINE SIZE P185/60/R15. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE PURCHASED AND INSTALLED TWO TIRES FOR THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. THE FOLLOWING MORNING, BOTH TIRES HAD LOST AIR PRESSURE AND WERE COMPLETELY FLAT. SHE THEN CONTACTED THE FACILITY IN WHICH SHE PURCHASED THE TIRES BUT RECEIVED NO ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT FURTHER EXAMINED FOR THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE NOR REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 139,000.

Mileage: 139,000

20090322STRUCTURE:BODY

I HAVE A 1993 HONDA CIVIC HATCHBACK. IT IS WELL KNOWN THAT IN THE EARLY 1990`S, THE REAR WHEEL WELLS EDGES RUST AND PERFORATE WHILE THE FRONT WELLS DO NOT. I HAVE TAKEN VERY GOOD CARE OF MY CAR AND IT IS OTHERWISE IN VERY GOOD SHAPE. ON INQUIRY, TO DEALERS AND OTHER HONDA CIVIC OWNERS THEY ALL SAY THAT IN THAT TIME THE SHEET METAL FOR THE REAR WELLS WAS INFERIOR TO THE FRONT WELLS AND THAT HONDA HAS SINCE THEN CORRECTED THE PROBLEM...MEANWHILE I HAVE A WELL CARED FOR CAR THAT STILL RUNS WELL BUT HAS THE UGLY RUST IN THOSE AREAS MENTIONED . PLS LET E KNOW IF THERE IS ANY RECOURSE....THANK YOU....TERRY *TR

Mileage: 140,000

20090320TIRES

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1993 HONDA CIVIC. THE VEHICLE HAS SEARS ROADHANDLER TIRES. IN 2003, THE CONTACT PURCHASED A SET OF REPLACEMENT TIRES FROM SEARS AND THEY WERE GUARANTEED FOR 100,000 MILES. HE DISCOVERED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE TIRE HAS A TWO INCH SPLIT IN THE SIDEWALL. THE OTHER TIRES ARE ALSO BEGINNING TO CRACK ON THE SIDE. THE TIRES ARE QUICKLY LOSING TEN TO ELEVEN POUNDS OF AIR DURING THE WINTER MONTHS. THE CONTACT HAS NOT TAKEN THE TIRES BACK TO SEARS. THE TIRE SIZE WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 420,000.

Mileage: 420,000

20070919ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1993 HONDA CIVIC. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WOULD NOT RESPOND WHEN DEPRESSED. THE BATTERY AND ENGINE OIL LIGHTS ILLUMINATED AND ALL ELECTRICAL POWER FAILED. A MECHANIC STATED THAT THE ENGINE COIL FAILED AND THE DEALER REPLACED THE PART. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 130,000.

Mileage: 130,000

20070819ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION

CHECK ENGINE LIGHT,THEN ROUGH IDLE,THEN TOTAL DEATH OF IGNITION,STALLED. REPAIR STATION DIAGNOSED IT TO BE A DISTRIBUTOR FAILURE. REPLACED WITH NEW ONE,6 MONTHS LATER IT FAILED AND WAS REPLACED WITH REBUILT UNIT. NOW ABOUT 6 MONTHS AGAIN,SAME PROBLEM WITH THE REBUILT DISTRIBUTOR APPARENTLY. HAVEN'T TAKEN IT TO A REPAIR SHOP YET. *JB

Mileage: 142,000

20060330UNKNOWN OR OTHER

A VEHICLE WAS ADVERTISED IN THE NEWSPAPER WITH 87000 MILES. IT ACTUALLY HAS EXCESS OF 185300 AS DETERMINED IN A CARFAX REPORT. *JB

Mileage: 87,000

20041124FireELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:INTERIOR/UNDER DASH

VEHICLE BURNEDD UP. UPON STARTING THE VEHICLE THE CONSUMER HEARD A FAINT POP, FOLLOWED BY SMOKE COMING FROM THE DIMMER. THE CONSUMER IMMEDIATELY TURN THE VEHICLE OFF AND GOT OUT. THEY LET THE VEHICLE STAND FOR A FEW SECONDS, WENT INTO THE CHURCH TO CALL 911. BY THE TIME THEY RETURN TO THE VEHICLE ,THE LEFT SIDE OF THE DASHBOARD WAS IN FLAMES. THE FIRE ORIGINATED FROM UNDERNEATH THE DASHBOARD. THE FIRE WAS ELECTRICAL. A FIRE REPORT WAS FILED. *NM......*AK

Mileage: 182,000

20040315ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION

I HAVE A 1993 HONDA CIVIC LX. COUPLE OF DAYS BACK WHEN I WAS DRIVING BACK FROM WORK, MY CAR SUDDENLY STALLED AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT. IT WOULD NOT START. WITH THE HELP OF A PASSER BY I GOT MY CAR PUSHED IN A PARKING LOT. LATER I HAD IT TOWED TO MY GARAGE. MY MECHANIC TOLD ME THAT THE IGNITER HAD FAILED. HE CHARGED ME $700 TO REPLACE THE IGNITER AND DO A TUNE UP. *AK

Mileage: 111,655

20040224ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION

DISTRIBUTOR AND RELATED PARTS FAILURE. SINCE 2000, I HAVE HAD TO HAVE 3 REPLACEMENTS.THIS IS HIGHLY UNUSUAL FOR CARS IN GENERAL. I WILL REPORT THE MOST RECENT INCIDENT SINCE I JUST FOUND OUT ABOUT THIS REPORTING SERVICE TODAY.*AK

20040224ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION

DISTRIBUTOR AND RELATED PARS FAILED. *AK

20040224ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION

DISTRIBUTO AND RELATED PARTS FAILED. *AK

20040209ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

THE HEAD GASKET HAD TO BE REPLACED AND THE ENGINE WAS WARPED SO CAR KEPT OVERHEATING AND FINALLY THE ENGINE HAD TO BE REPLACED

Mileage: 140,000

20040127SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER

DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT BACK FAILED. NO UNUSUAL STRESS WAS ON SEAT BACK, BUT EITHER JOINT BROKE, OR BAR CONNECTING SEAT BACK TO JOINT BROKE. *JB

Mileage: 104,000

20031130EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER

A/C UNIT IN 1993 HONDA CIVIC EXPLODED NOT ONCE BUT TWICE ON ORIGINAL AND REPLACEMENT UNIT.*AK

20031120STEERING:LINKAGES:TIE ROD ASSEMBLY

VEHICLE SUFFERED BROKEN TIE ROD CAUSING VEHICLE TO RUN OFF THE ROAD.*MR THE CONSUMER HIT A DITCH. THE FAILURE WAS A BROKEN ROD ON THE RIGHT STEERING AXLE. *PH *JB

20031117POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION WAS LEAKING OIL AND SLIPPING OUT OF GEAR. DEALER ATTEMPTED TO REPAIR TRANSMISSION THREE TIMES, BUT THE PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. *AK

Mileage: 176,260

Compare 1993HONDACIVIC to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations

Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 1993 HONDA CIVIC have?
The 1993 HONDA CIVIC has 178 NHTSA complaints, 48 crashes, 4 fires, 40 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
What are the most common problems with the 1993 HONDA CIVIC?
The most-complained component for the 1993 HONDA CIVIC is AIR BAGS:FRONTAL with 25 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION and TIRES.
Is the 1993 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.