VehicleVerdict

1996 Honda Civic airbags problems

The 1996 Honda Civic has 75 airbags complaints filed with NHTSA — 20% of the year's total, and roughly flat versus the prior model year.

75

Airbags complaints

20%

Share of year

41

Crash-involved

1

Related recalls

Airbags complaints by year

Related recalls

20V026000AirbagsJanuary 17, 2020 · 1,439,841 units

Defect

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 1998 Acura 2.2CL, 1998-1999 Acura 2.3CL, 1998-1999 Acura 3.0CL, 2001 Acura 3.2CL and Acura MDX, 1998-2000 Honda Accord Coupe, Accord Sedan, Civic Sedan, Odyssey and Acura 3.5RL, 1999-2000 Acura 3.2TL, 1996-2000 Civic Coupe, 1997-2000 CR-V, 1997-1998 EV Plus, and 1998-1999 Isuzu Oasis vehicles. These vehicles were equipped with Non-Azide Driver air bag Inflators (NADI) and do not contain phase stabilized ammonium nitrate (PSAN) propellant. Due to a manufacturing issue, the NADI inflators may absorb moisture, causing the inflators to rupture or the air bag cushion to underinflate.

Consequence

In the event of a crash necessitating air bag deployment, an inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants. An underinflated air bag cushion may not properly protect the occupant. These scenarios increase the risk of serious injury or death.

Remedy

Honda will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the driver frontal air bag inflator, and replace it if necessary, with an inflator of a different design, free of charge. The recall began October 1, 2020. Owners may contact American Honda's Customer Support & Campaign Center at 1-888-234-2138 or Isuzu customer service at 1-800-255-6727.

What owners report

REARENDED A STOPPED VEHICLE WHILE TRAVELING APPROX 20-25 MPH. AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. ACCIDENT OCCURRED ON 10-14-99. ABOUT 6-7 MONTHS LATER, BEGAN HAVING INTERMITTENT PROBLEMS WITH SRS LIGHT STAYING ON WHILE DRIVING. AROUND 7/15/2000, SRS LIGHT BEGAN TO CONSISTENTLY STAY ON WHILE DRIVING. TOOK IT…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Airbags · October 14, 1999 · crash

Common questions

How many airbags complaints does the 1996 Honda Civic have?

NHTSA has 75 complaints about the 1996 Honda Civic airbags — 20% of all complaints filed for that model year.

Are there recalls for the 1996 Honda Civic airbags?

Yes — 1 NHTSA recall campaign for this model year is tied to the airbags: 20V026000.

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.