VehicleVerdict

1996 Acura Integra problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 43 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 1.8 times the median Integra year — the 1996 model ranks #6 of 20 Integra years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list. Complainants reported 12 injuries in total across these filings.

No single system dominates the record — complaints spread across airbags (8), electrical system (6), and brakes (5), which usually points to general build quality rather than one defect.

43

NHTSA complaints

5

Recalls

0

Investigations

9

Crash-involved

2

Fires reported

12

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 1996 compare to other Integra years?

Integra NHTSA complaints by model year, 1996 highlighted232 complaints1986: 6 complaints1987: 12 complaints1988: 12 complaints1989: 20 complaints1990: 46 complaints1991: 41 complaints1992: 38 complaints1993: 29 complaints1994: 68 complaints1995: 60 complaints1996: 43 complaints1997: 25 complaints1998: 24 complaints1999: 8 complaints2000: 18 complaints2001: 6 complaints2023: 232 complaints2024: 68 complaints2025: 3 complaints2026: 3 complaints
Integra NHTSA complaints by model year, 1996 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Integra years to avoid →

What are the most common 1996 Acura Integra problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Airbags819%
Electrical System614%
Brakes512%
Speed Control49%
Steering37%
Visibility & Wipers37%
Tires & Wheels37%
Seats25%
Engine25%
Transmission25%
Other25%
Body & Structure12%
Fuel System12%
Suspension12%

Does the 1996 Acura Integra have recalls?

5 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

09E025000LightingMay 11, 2009 · 42,540 units

Defect

DOPE, INC. IS RECALLING 42,540 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.

Consequence

DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy

DOPE, INC. WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 28, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DOPE, INC. AT 1-626-272-1798.

06E060000LightingJune 29, 2006 · 87,745 units

Defect

CERTAIN AAI MOTORSPORTS COMBINATION LAMPS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LIST PASSENGER VEHICLES. COMBINATION LAMPS NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT."

Consequence

LACK OF AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS IN THE LAMPS WILL DECREASE LIGHTING VISIBILITY TO OTHER DRIVERS AND MAY POSSIBLY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH

Remedy

AAI MOTORSPORTS WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE LAMPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 1, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT AAI MOTORSPORTS AT 909-923-9188.

06E049000LightingMay 24, 2006 · 27,176 units

Defect

CERTAIN CK MOTORSPORTS COMBINATION HEADLIGHTS, CLEAR CORNER, BUMPER, AND SIDE MARKER LIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON THE PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS THAT ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.

Consequence

WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.

Remedy

CK MOTORSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE NONCOMPLIANT LAMPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 1, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CK MOTORSPORT AT 1-909-610-7211.

06E032000LightingApril 18, 2006 · 845 units

Defect

CERTAIN EAGLE EYES AND SONAR HEADLIGHTS AND CORNER LIGHTS SOLD AS AFTERMARKET FOR USE ON 1988-2005 HONDA CIVIC, 1990-2005 HONDA ACCORD, AND 1990-2001 ACURA INTEGRA PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. HEADLIGHTS AND CORNER LIGHTS THAT ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.

Consequence

WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.

Remedy

TOM MOTORSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER REIMBURSEMENT FOR THE PURCHASE OF NONCOMPLIANT LIGHTS. THE RECALL BEGAN APRIL 17, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT TOM MOTORSPORT AT 626-968-4007.

06E026000LightingMarch 23, 2006 · 61,944 units

Defect

CERTAIN PRO-A MOTORS CORNER LAMPS, TURN SIGNALS, AND HEADLIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS THAT ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.

Consequence

WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.

Remedy

PRO-A MOTORS WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER TO REPURCHASE THE LAMPS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 3, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT PRO-A MOTORS AT 323-838-2988.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“I WAS INVOLVED IN A VIOLENT COLLISION IN MY 1996 ACURA INTEGRA. I WAS GOING AROUND 25 MILES PER HOUR AND A PICKUP TRUCK GOING FROM MY RIGHT TO LEFT AT ABOUT 40 MILES PER HOUR COLLIDED WITH MY CAR. THE PICKUP'S LEFT FRONT IMPACTED WITH MY RIGHT FRONT (I STEERED LEFT AND HE STEERED RIGHT AS EVASIVE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Airbags · May 24, 2011 · crash

“HAD STARTED VEHICLE AND WAS DRIVING IT WHEN AN ODOR HAD ENTERED INSIDE VEHICLE. DROVE TO MECHANIC COULD NOT LOCATE ANY PROBLEM. TWO MONTHS LATER WHILE DRIVING, NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. PULLED OVER , AND LIFTED HOOD. NOTICED FLAMES SHOOTING OUT OF ELECTRICAL WIRING. WAS ABLE TO…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · April 23, 2001 · fire

“WAS DRIVING ABOUT 25 MPH, THE CAR LURCHED AND THE ENGINE RPM WHEN ALL THE WAY UP, OUT OF CONTROL. APPLYING THE BRAKES FULL FORCE COULD NOT STOP THE CAR. CAR EVENTUALLY CRASHED INTO A FENCE AND CAME TO A STOP WITH THE ENGINE STILL TURNING AT VERY FAST RPM. DRIVE WHEELS DUG A HOLE INTO SOFT EARTH…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · November 18, 2000 · crash

“WAS DRIVING ABOUT 25 MPH, THE CAR LURCHED AND THE ENGINE RPM WHEN ALL THE WAY UP, OUT OF CONTROL. APPLYING THE BRAKES FULL FORCE COULD NOT STOP THE CAR. CAR EVENTUALLY CRASHED INTO A FENCE AND CAME TO A STOP WITH THE ENGINE STILL TURNING AT VERY FAST RPM. DRIVE WHEELS DUG A HOLE INTO SOFT EARTH…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Speed Control · November 18, 2000 · crash

“TODAY, FRIDAY, MARCH 18TH 2016 AT 3:40 PM I HIT A POTHOLE THAT HAD ALREADY BEEN PATCHED WHILE DRIVING THAT CAME LOOSE AND DESTROYED MY RIM OFF OF ROCKY POINT RD NW ROUGHLY 1/2 A MILE FROM CROWN HILL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL IN BREMERTON WA.”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Tires & Wheels · March 18, 2016

1996 Acura Integra — common questions

Is the 1996 Acura Integra reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 43 complaints put the 1996 model at #6 of 20 Integra years. It is one of the Integra years to avoid.

What are the most common 1996 Integra problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are airbags (8 complaints), electrical system (6 complaints), brakes (5 complaints).

Does the 1996 Acura Integra have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns affecting the 1996 Acura Integra. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Which Acura Integra years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Integra years to avoid are 2023, 2024, 1994, 1995, 1990, 1996, 1991, 1992. The cleanest record among Integra years belongs to 2026.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.