1986 Honda Civic
Safety record from NHTSA: recalls, owner complaints, investigations and service bulletins.
Have the VIN?
Vehicles › Honda › Civic › 1986
These records cover every 1986 Honda Civic. To see whether one car still needs a recall repair, decode its VIN or check it with NHTSA.
Recalls
3 recalls name the 1986 Honda Civic. Newest first.
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.
Risk and remedy
Risk
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.
Under high ambient temperatures front windshield wiper contact unit could loosen and become dislodged.
Risk and remedy
Risk
This could result in windshield wiper failure and wouldaffect driver visibility.
Remedy
Install a contact unit holder that would prevent loosening.
Left side drive shaft could develop cracks near the outer joint.
Risk and remedy
Risk
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.
Owner complaints
35 complaints3 involved a crash2 involved a fire2 injuries
What owners report most
Latest complaints
- Seat belts › Front › Retractor · Seat belts › Rear/other › Retractor
The contact owns a 1986 Honda Civic. The contact stated that whether the vehicle was parked, stationary, or driven, the seat belt was difficult to retract. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact stated that the seat belts became difficult to retract even more frequently over time.…
The contact owns a 1986 Honda Civic. The contact stated that whether the vehicle was parked, stationary, or driven, the seat belt was difficult to retract. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact stated that the seat belts became difficult to retract even more frequently over time. The contact tested the seat belts, and the seat belts stopped recoiling. The vehicle was not taken to be diagnosed. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer was made aware of the failure; however, the contact stated that the dealer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 135,368.
- Engine and engine cooling › Engine
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 consumer first began to have problems with engine about five years ago in the summer months. *Ak
- Structure
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 broken in several spots. *nlm
- Seat belts
The seatbelt anchor points near the doors have both rusted out and do not restrain properly. The car IS now in violation of national seatbelt laws. What can I do? What will honda do? Thank you.
- Structure › Body › Bumpers
The trim piece above the front bumper in front of the hood IS cracked in 3 places. I have been looking at other crx's and every similar crx I have seen IS cracked in the same places.
- Exterior lighting › Turn signal › Switch · Structure › Frame and members
The low beam switch failed while driving at night causing the light to go out, the multi-function switch was replaced. nlm
- Exterior lighting › Headlights › High/low beam dimmer switch
While driving with low beam, beams died out and went to 0. Consumer stated switch was faulty. *ak the low beam switch failed causing the low beam inoperative. *yh
- Power train › Axle assembly › Axle shaft
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 problem. Friction from wheel bearing too close to brake line caused the fire. Problem still exists. *ak
- Seats
Driver's seat spring broke causing seat to swing back.
- Electrical system › Alternator/generator/regulator · Power train › Clutch assembly
Clutch failure. Also alternator replaced.
- Fuel system, gasoline › Storage › Tank assembly › Filler pipe and cap
Disintegrated/corroded fuel filter pipe, resulting in puddle of gasoline under car in the morning only when tank IS full. During repairs caught on fire due to vapors igniting during a passingelectrical storm. *ak
- Seat belts › Front › Anchorage
Seat belt recall repairs refused by dealer.
- Seat belts › Front › Buckle assembly
Consumer contacted the dealer to have the recall work corrected. parts not available for the listed recall 95v103001, seat belt buckle. *ak
- Engine and engine cooling › Engine › Gasoline
Engine failed 2 times.
- Power train › Driveline › Driveshaft
The driveshaft has a crack in it .there IS a recall on the honda civic , consumer contacted manufacturer with vin . Consumer was told vehicle was not in the recall. *ak
- Fuel system, gasoline › Storage › Tank assembly
Strong smell of gasoline when tank IS filled.
- Seat belts › Front › Buckle assembly
Recall #95v1030.01, ordered parts in november of 96. Received call from dealer on april 25, 1997 stating that parts were available. Waited more than (60) days. *ak
- Power train › Axle assembly
Rear axle assembly rusted and corroded and ruptured the vehicle line, causing the fuel tank damage. *ak
- Power train › Driveline › Driveshaft
Driveshaft failed.
- Structure › Body › Hatchback/liftgate › Support device/strut
Rear hatchback support rods failed. *ak
- Seat belts › Front › Buckle assembly
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
- Structure › Frame and members
Rear crossmember bar rotted in two places, causing vehicle to sway when turning the car. *ak
- Service brakes, hydraulic › Foundation components
Applied the brakes and the brakes would not work. please describe. *ak
- Exterior lighting › Turn signal › Switch
Headlight on and off switch broke, also controls turn signal lights, unable to turn lights on or off, or indicate that vehicle IS turning. tt
- Electrical system › Ignition
Purchase car new when driving push on the brake car stalled . tt
Defect investigations
NHTSA’s Office of Defects Investigation opened these reviews into vehicles including this one.
- Seat belt buckle failure
There is no summary currently available
- Seat belt buckle fails
There is no summary currently available
- Fuel system venting
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