VehicleVerdict

1979 Honda Civic problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Limited data — recalls on file

NHTSA has just one complaint on file for the 1979 Honda Civic — too few to judge reliability from owner reports alone — but one recall campaign applies to this year, so any used example should have its VIN checked for completed recall work.

1

NHTSA complaints

1

Recalls

1

Investigations

1

Crash-involved

0

Fires reported

1

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 1979 compare to other Civic years?

Civic NHTSA complaints by model year, 1979 highlighted1,709 complaints1973: 0 complaints1974: 0 complaints1975: 0 complaints1976: 0 complaints1977: 0 complaints1978: 0 complaints1979: 1 complaints1980: 0 complaints1981: 1 complaints1982: 1 complaints1983: 10 complaints1984: 7 complaints1985: 17 complaints1986: 54 complaints1987: 41 complaints1988: 51 complaints1989: 88 complaints1990: 110 complaints1991: 143 complaints1992: 113 complaints1993: 178 complaints1994: 171 complaints1995: 252 complaints1996: 383 complaints1997: 452 complaints1998: 502 complaints1999: 404 complaints2000: 351 complaints2001: 1,357 complaints2002: 876 complaints2003: 619 complaints2004: 424 complaints2005: 396 complaints2006: 1,709 complaints2007: 1,465 complaints2008: 1,079 complaints2009: 499 complaints2010: 489 complaints2011: 221 complaints2012: 620 complaints2013: 436 complaints2014: 384 complaints2015: 485 complaints2016: 1,348 complaints2017: 756 complaints2018: 854 complaints2019: 519 complaints2020: 288 complaints2021: 197 complaints2022: 1,150 complaints2023: 327 complaints2024: 163 complaints2025: 113 complaints2026: 40 complaints
Civic NHTSA complaints by model year, 1979 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Civic years to avoid →

What are the most common 1979 Honda Civic problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Steering1100%

Does the 1979 Honda Civic have recalls?

1 NHTSA recall campaign on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

81V136000SuspensionNovember 6, 1981 · 936,774 units

Defect

PROLONGED CONTACT WITH ROAD SALT MAY, UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS, CAUSE SERIOUS RUSTING. THIS CAN WEAKEN CERTAIN UNDERCARRIAGE COMPONENTS: LATERAL SUSPENSION ARMS, FRONT CROSSBEAM AND STRUT COIL SPRING LOWER SUPPORTS.

Remedy

VEHICLES WILL BE INSPECTED AND, IF NECESSARY, TREATED WITH A RUST PREVENTIVE COATING. IN SOME CASES, REPLACEMENT OF COMPONENTS WILL BE PERFORMED, WITHOUT CHARGE TO OWNER.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

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

“TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1979 HONDA CIVIC. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME STIFF. THE CONTACT LOST CONTROL AND CRASHED. THE DRIVER WAS SERIOUSLY INJURED AND TRANSPORTED TO THE HOSPITAL. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER; THE VEHICLE WAS NOT…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Steering · August 27, 1979 · crash

1979 Honda Civic — common questions

Is the 1979 Honda Civic reliable?

The record is thin — 1 NHTSA complaint — so owner-report data can't strongly confirm reliability either way, though 1 recall should be verified as completed.

Does the 1979 Honda Civic have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign affecting the 1979 Honda Civic. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 1979 Honda Civic under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened one investigation into this model year; all are now closed.

Which Honda Civic years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Civic years to avoid are 2006, 2007, 2001, 2016, 2022, 2008, 2002, 2018, 2017, 2012, 2003, 2019, 1998, 2009, 2010, 2015, 1997, 2013, 2004, 1999, 2005, 2014, 1996. The cleanest record among Civic years belongs to 1980.

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.