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1996 Honda Civic
2 recall campaigns and 303 complaints are on NHTSA's register for the 1996 Honda Civic; the recalls concern air bags and service brakes, hydraulic.
The component named most often is air bags: 192.6 of every 1,000 component mentions for this year, above the 66.6 per 1,000 across all 1996 model-year vehicles and against 181.8 per 1,000 for the Honda Civic line as a whole.
That is more than the average of 206.4 complaints per model year across the 52 Honda Civic model years on this register; 66 complaints reported a crash and 4 a fire.
Complaints were received in the largest number in 1997 (72); the most recent in the file is dated 24 Apr 2019.
NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation has opened 2 investigations naming this model year.
Complaints are consumer reports and have not been verified by NHTSA. Recall text is the manufacturer's Part 573 report as filed with NHTSA. Complaint file through 15 May 2019; recall file through 29 Sep 2026.
Recalls by model year:
Recall campaigns
Defect, as filed: 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.
Filed by Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) (manufacturer campaign D8J, Z8G).
- 96V106000SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:POWER ASSIST:VACUUM:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGSReported 18 Jun 1996 · 160,689 units
Defect, as filed: A soapy lubricant was used to insert the check valve into the vacuum hose which causes the brake booster check valve to stick.
Consequence: This condition can cause a loss of the brake's power assist resulting in a reduction in braking performance increasing the potential for a vehicle accident.
Remedy: Dealers will clean the check valve by washing the vacuum hose with hot water.
Filed by AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO..
Each entry links to the NHTSA record. NHTSA states that safety recall repairs are free of charge at an authorised dealer; check a specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Complaints by component
Component mentions per 1,000 for the 1996 Honda Civic (black) against all 1996 model-year vehicles in the file (yellow). A complaint can name more than one component.
| Per 1,000 component mentions | 1996 | Civic line | All 1996 vehicles |
|---|---|---|---|
| Air Bags | 192.6 | 181.8 | 66.6 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 145.1 | 33.7 | 121.3 |
| Visibility | 92.3 | 60 | 59.2 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 84.4 | 40.2 | 41.9 |
| Engine and Engine Cooling | 76.5 | 56.8 | 141.4 |
| Power Train | 68.6 | 105.2 | 98.2 |
| Component | Mentions | Per 1,000 | Line | All 1996 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Air Bags | 73 | 192.6 | 181.8 | 66.6 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 55 | 145.1 | 33.7 | 121.3 |
| Visibility | 35 | 92.3 | 60 | 59.2 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 32 | 84.4 | 40.2 | 41.9 |
| Engine and Engine Cooling | 29 | 76.5 | 56.8 | 141.4 |
| Power Train | 26 | 68.6 | 105.2 | 98.2 |
| Structure | 19 | 50.1 | 47.6 | 39.4 |
| Electrical System | 18 | 47.5 | 80.9 | 83.8 |
| Unknown or Other | 16 | 42.2 | 40 | 22.1 |
| Exterior Lighting | 13 | 34.3 | 22.9 | 22.9 |
| Tires | 12 | 31.7 | 33.8 | 37.3 |
| Equipment | 10 | 26.4 | 14.2 | 22 |
| Parking Brake | 9 | 23.7 | 2.2 | 4.2 |
| Seat Belts | 7 | 18.5 | 33.3 | 23 |
| Suspension | 6 | 15.8 | 60.6 | 55 |
| Steering | 6 | 15.8 | 28.5 | 48.9 |
| Seats | 4 | 10.6 | 14.5 | 14.2 |
| Latches/Locks/Linkages | 3 | 7.9 | 6.6 | 13.7 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 2 | 5.3 | 13.2 | 51.6 |
| Engine | 2 | 5.3 | 46.8 | 2 |
| Service Brakes, Air | 1 | 2.6 | 0.8 | 5 |
| Child Seat | 1 | 2.6 | 0.4 | 4 |
303 unique complaints, 379 component mentions; 45 injuries and 1 deaths reported by complainants. Complaint narratives are not republished.
Complaints by year received
Investigations
| Action | Type | Subject | Component | Opened | Closed | Recall |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SQ98017 | Safety query | THROTTLE CABLE STICKING | vehicle speed control:linkages | 11 Sep 1998 | 3 Jun 1999 | 99E015000 |
| SQ98012 | Safety query | CONDENSER FAN MOTOR INOPERATIVE | equipment:appliance:air conditioner | 30 Jun 1998 | 2 Nov 1998 | — |
Other Honda Civic model years
| Model year | Recalls | Complaints | Units in campaigns |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1973 | 2 | 0 | 951,861 |
| 1974 | 2 | 0 | 1,002,883 |
| 1975 | 2 | 0 | 1,069,347 |
| 1976 | 2 | 0 | 1,069,347 |
| 1977 | 3 | 0 | 1,102,899 |
| 1978 NHTSA | 1 | 0 | 936,774 |
| 1979 NHTSA | 1 | 1 | 936,774 |
| 1981 NHTSA | 0 | 1 | — |
| 1982 NHTSA | 0 | 1 | — |
| 1983 NHTSA | 0 | 9 | — |
| 1984 | 3 | 5 | 293,067 |
| 1985 | 2 | 15 | 640,019 |
| 1986 | 3 | 34 | 4,077,536 |
| 1987 | 3 | 39 | 4,159,286 |
| 1988 | 3 | 46 | 3,803,602 |
| 1989 | 1 | 69 | 3,700,000 |
| 1990 | 3 | 90 | 3,700,083 |
| 1991 | 1 | 109 | 3,700,000 |
| 1992 | 1 | 98 | 191,289 |
| 1993 | 1 | 145 | 191,289 |
| 1994 | 2 | 135 | 191,320 |
| 1995 | 0 | 198 | — |
| 1996 | 2 | 303 | 1,600,530 |
| 1997 | 2 | 366 | 1,449,399 |
| 1998 | 4 | 418 | 2,455,944 |
| 1999 | 3 | 320 | 2,446,386 |
| 2000 | 6 | 260 | 3,355,270 |
| 2001 | 14 | 1,045 | 13,200,768 |
| 2002 | 11 | 669 | 14,366,149 |
| 2003 | 11 | 466 | 14,610,559 |
| 2004 | 10 | 329 | 12,684,260 |
| 2005 | 10 | 284 | 12,684,260 |
| 2006 | 13 | 1,314 | 5,355,752 |
| 2007 | 9 | 1,114 | 4,126,924 |
| 2008 | 7 | 813 | 3,730,507 |
| 2009 | 8 | 347 | 4,422,233 |
| 2010 | 8 | 343 | 5,777,511 |
| 2011 | 9 | 140 | 5,795,567 |
| 2012 | 3 | 312 | 51,503 |
| 2013 | 0 | 199 | — |
| 2014 | 2 | 149 | 153,492 |
| 2015 | 1 | 113 | 143,676 |
| 2016 | 5 | 275 | 2,993,410 |
| 2017 | 6 | 106 | 2,601,895 |
| 2018 | 6 | 43 | 2,732,430 |
| 2019 | 4 | 8 | 3,349,899 |
| 2020 | 5 | 0 | 4,088,095 |
| 2021 | 4 | 0 | 3,463,543 |
| 2022 | 4 | 0 | 2,806,772 |
| 2023 | 4 | 0 | 1,958,273 |
| 2024 | 3 | 0 | 1,957,887 |
| 2025 | 2 | 0 | 2,414,009 |
Model years with a single campaign and fewer than 25 complaints have no page here; the NHTSA link opens the agency's record for that year.
All Honda Civic model years · Honda: 67 model lines
Questions and answers
How many recalls does the 1996 Honda Civic have?
2 NHTSA recall campaigns name this model year; the most recent, 20V026000, was reported to NHTSA on 17 Jan 2020 and concerns air bags:frontal:driver side:inflator module. Across all model years the Honda Civic line has 79 campaigns.
Is there an open NHTSA investigation into the 1996 Honda Civic?
NHTSA's investigation file lists 2 actions naming this model year; the table above shows each action's opening and closing dates. An action with no closing date was still open when the file was produced.
What component do owners of the 1996 Honda Civic complain about most?
Air Bags: 73 of 379 component mentions (192.6 per 1,000). Next is service brakes, hydraulic with 55. Complaints are consumer reports and have not been verified by NHTSA.
How do I get a recall repaired?
NHTSA states that safety recall repairs are performed free of charge by the manufacturer's authorised dealers. Each campaign's remedy text above is the manufacturer's statement as filed with NHTSA. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether a specific vehicle has an unrepaired recall.
Where does this data come from?
NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation recall, complaint and investigation flat files, public domain, downloaded 29 Sep 2026. Complaint counts are unique complaint numbers per make, model and model year; component figures count each component a complaint names. The NHTSA record linked from each campaign is authoritative.
Provenance
Source: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Office of Defects Investigation flat files (recalls, complaints, investigations), public domain, files dated 29 Sep 2026 (recalls) and 15 May 2019 (complaints). Complaints since 1 Jan 1995. Counts are unique complaint numbers per make, model and model year; per-1,000 rates divide a component's mentions by all mentions for the same group. Errors in processing are corrected at the next daily build; see corrections and the methodology.