VehicleVerdict

1986 Honda Civic problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

A typical year for this model

The 1986 Honda Civic sits mid-pack among Civic years: 54 NHTSA complaints against a model median of roughly 235, with 3 recalls and 3 closed investigations.

Seat Belts leads the complaint categories with 14 reports (26% of the total).

54

NHTSA complaints

3

Recalls

3

Investigations

3

Crash-involved

2

Fires reported

2

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 1986 compare to other Civic years?

Civic NHTSA complaints by model year, 1986 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, 1986 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Civic years to avoid →

What are the most common 1986 Honda Civic problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Seat Belts1426%
Engine1120%
Brakes59%
Body & Structure59%
Transmission59%
Lighting47%
Electrical System47%
Fuel System36%
Seats12%
Steering12%
Latches & Locks12%

Does the 1986 Honda Civic have recalls?

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

95V103001Seat BeltsMay 24, 1995 · 3,700,000 units

Defect

THE FRONT SAFETY BELT BUCKLE RELEASE BUTTONS CAN BREAK. THESE RED PLASTIC RELEASE BUTTONS ARE MARKED "PRESS." IF A BUTTON BREAKS, PIECES CAN FALL INTO THE BUCKLE ASSEMBLY CAUSING THE BUCKLE TO OPERATE IMPROPERLY.

Consequence

THE SAFETY BELTS WOULD NOT PROVIDE ADEQUATE PROTECTION TO AN OCCUPANT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy

OWNERS SHOULD PROMPTLY CHECK THE CONDITION AND OPERATION OF BOTH FRONT SAFETY BELT BUCKLES. CAREFULLY INSPECT THE RED RELEASE BUTTON FOR ANY BREAKS OR CRACKS. CHECK THAT BOTH BUCKLES ARE OPERATING PROPERLY BY INSERTING EACH LATCH PLATE INTO ITS BUCKLE, TUG ON THE BELT TO MAKE SURE THE LATCH IS SECURELY LOCKED, THEN PRESS THE RELEASE BUTTON. THE LATCH PLATE SHOULD POP OUT OF THE BUCKLE WHEN THE BUTTON IS PRESSED. IF EITHER RELEASE BUTTON SHOWS ANY SIGN OF BREAKAGE OR CRACKING, OR IF EITHER BUCKLE FAILS TO OPERATE PROPERLY, PROMPTLY CONTACT YOUR AUTHORIZED HONDA/ACURA DEALER TO SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT TO HAVE THE BUCKLE REPLACED OR REPAIRED, FREE OF CHARGE. THE MANUFACTURER IS DEVELOPING A REMEDY DESIGNED TO PREVENT THE FAILURE OF THE BUTTONS THAT ARE NOT CURRENTLY BROKEN.

88V180000Visibility & WipersNovember 18, 1988 · 360,198 units

Defect

UNDER HIGH AMBIENT TEMPERATURES FRONT WINDSHIELD WIPER CONTACT UNIT COULD LOOSEN AND BECOME DISLODGED.

Consequence

THIS COULD RESULT IN WINDSHIELD WIPER FAILURE AND WOULDAFFECT DRIVER VISIBILITY.

Remedy

INSTALL A CONTACT UNIT HOLDER THAT WOULD PREVENT LOOSENING.

86V045000TransmissionMarch 20, 1986 · 17,338 units

Defect

LEFT SIDE DRIVE SHAFT COULD DEVELOP CRACKS NEAR THE OUTER JOINT.

Consequence

CONSEQUENCE OF DEFECT: DURING HIGH STRESS SITUATIONS, SUCH AS RAPID ACCELERATION OR DECELERATION, THE DRIVE SHAFT COULD BREAK WITHOUT WARNING AND CAUSE A SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER AND A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy

REPLACE LEFT DRIVE SHAFT WITH A PROPERLY MANUFACTURED PART.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

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

“AFTER HAVING RECALL REPAIR WORK DONE, CONSUMER WAS IN AN ACCIDENT AND THE DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT BELT DETACHED FROM BELT BUCKLE. RECALL#96V103001. *AK”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Seat Belts · crash

“DT: THE CONTACT OWNS A 1986 HONDA CIVIC. THE ENGINE CONSTANTLY BROKE DOWN. THE DEALERSHIP TOLD THE CONTACT TO GET RID OF THE VEHICLE. THE ENGINE BROKEN DOWN FIVE TIMES AND HAD TO BE REPLACED. THE ENGINE OVERHEATED AND STOPPED. THE DEALERSHIP WAS UNABLE TO FIND A REASON WHY THIS IS HAPPENED. THE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · June 1, 2000

“THE 1986 HONDA CRX HAS PLASTIC FENDERS THAT HOLD THE SIDE MARKER LAMPS. THE PLASTIC HAS BECOME VERY BRITTLE OVER TIME. MY SIDE MARKER LIGHTS ARE ONLY HELD ON BY A CLUMSY, PLUG-IN ATTACHMENT NEXT TO THE HEADLIGHT. THE TWO SCREW HOLES THAT HOLD THE LAMPS ARE USELESS IN THE FENDERS THAT ARE BOTH…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Body & Structure · August 26, 2003

“AFTER PARKING VEHICLE, 5 MINUTES LATER, THE HORN WAS BEEPING INTERMITTENTLY, THEN CONTINUOUSLY BEEPING. TWO MINUTES AFTER A LOUD NOISE LIKE EXPLOSION, FOUND OUT VEHICLE HAD CAUGHT FIRE. THEN HOUSE CAUGHT FIRE. FIRE DEPARTMENT CAME AND EXTINGUISHED FIRE. VEHICLE WAS TOTALLED. DEALER NOT AWARE OF THE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · February 5, 1999 · fire

1986 Honda Civic — common questions

Is the 1986 Honda Civic reliable?

Its record is better than the model's norm: 54 NHTSA complaints, below the typical Civic year, with 3 recalls and no open investigations.

What are the most common 1986 Civic problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are seat belts (14 complaints), engine (11 complaints), transmission (5 complaints).

Does the 1986 Honda Civic have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns affecting the 1986 Honda Civic. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 1986 Honda Civic under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened 3 investigations 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.