1990 Honda Civic
Safety record from NHTSA: recalls, owner complaints, investigations and service bulletins.
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Vehicles › Honda › Civic › 1990
These records cover every 1990 Honda Civic. To see whether one car still needs a recall repair, decode its VIN or check it with NHTSA.
Recalls
10 recalls name the 1990 Honda Civic. Newest first.
Dope, inc. IS recalling 42,540 combination corner and bumper lamp assemblies of various part numbers sold for use as aftermarket equipment for various passenger vehicles. these headlamps fail to conform to the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 108, "lamps, reflective devices, and associated equipment." these lamps do not contain…
Risk and remedy
Risk
Decreased lighting visibility may result in a vehicle crash.
Remedy
Dope, inc. Will notify owners and offer a full refund for the noncompliant combination lamps. the safety recall began on july 28, 2009. owners may contact dope, inc. At 1-626-272-1798.
Sabersport IS recalling 16,270 combination corner and bumper lamp assemblies of various part numbers sold for use as aftermarket equipment for various passenger vehicles. these headlamps fail to conform to the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 108, "lamps, reflective devices, and associated equipment." these lamps do not contain…
Risk and remedy
Risk
Decreased lighting visibility may result in a vehicle crash.
Remedy
Sabersport will notify owners and offer a full refund for the noncompliant combination lamps. the safety recall began on may 11, 2009. owners may contact sabersport at 1-909-598-7589.
K2 motor IS recalling 1,921 aftermarket headlamps of various models sold for use on the above listed vehicles. these headlamps are missing the amber side reflex reflector which fails to conform with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 108, "lamps, reflective devices, and associated equipment."
Risk and remedy
Risk
Without the amber side reflex reflectors, the lighting visibility may be affected, possibly resulting in a vehicle crash.
Remedy
K2 motor will notify owners and offer a full refund. the recall began on decemeber 17, 2008. owners may contact K2 motor at 1-909-839-2992.
Certain ck motorsports combination headlights, clear corner, bumper, and side marker lights sold as replacement lamps for use on the passenger vehicles listed above. some combination lamps that are not equipped with amber side reflectors fail to conform to federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 108, lamps, reflective devices, and associated equipment.
Risk and remedy
Risk
Without the amber reflectors, the vehicle will be poorly illuminated, possibly resulting in a vehicle crash without warning.
Remedy
Ck motorsport will notify owners and replace the noncompliant lamps free of charge. the recall began on july 1, 2006. owners may contact ck motorsport at 1-909-610-7211.
Certain e speed racing combination lamps sold as replacement equipment for use on certain passenger vehicles listed above. some combination lamps that are not equipped with amber side reflectors fail to conform to federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 108, lamps, reflective devices, and associated equipment.
Risk and remedy
Risk
Without the amber reflectors, the vehicle will be poorly illuminated, possibly resulting in a vehicle crash without warning.
Remedy
E speed racing will notify owners and offer to repurchase the lamps. the recall began may 10, 2006. owners may contact e speed racing 909-923-3636.
Certain eagle eyes and sonar headlights and corner lights sold as aftermarket for use on 1988-2005 honda civic, 1990-2005 honda accord, and 1990-2001 acura integra passenger vehicles listed above. headlights and corner lights that are not equipped with amber side reflectors fail to conform to federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 108, lamps…
Risk and remedy
Risk
Without the amber reflectors, the vehicle will be poorly illuminated, possibly resulting in a vehicle crash without warning.
Remedy
Tom motorsport will notify owners and offer reimbursement for the purchase of noncompliant lights. the recall began april 17, 2006. owners may contact tom motorsport at 626-968-4007.
Certain pro-a motors corner lamps, turn signals, and headlights sold as replacement lamps for use on certain passenger vehicles listed above. some combination lamps that are not equipped with amber side reflectors fail to conform to federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 108, lamps, reflective devices, and associated equipment.
Risk and remedy
Risk
Without the amber reflectors, the vehicle will be poorly illuminated, possibly resulting in a vehicle crash without warning.
Remedy
Pro-a motors will notify owners and offer to repurchase the lamps. the recall began on april 3, 2006. owners may contact pro-a motors at 323-838-2988.
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.
Due to an improperly machined internal shaft in the transmission, the pawl mechanisim may not fully engage when transmission IS in the park position.
Risk and remedy
Risk
Vehicle could roll while the transmission IS in the parkposition and a crash could result.
Remedy
Install an improved parking pawl shaft.
Poor adhesion may occur between paint layers in the windshield mounting area due to defective paint batches or overspraying.
Risk and remedy
Risk
Paint separation in the windshield areas would leadto non-compliance with fmvss 212 retention requirements. Loss of windshieldretention ability could cause winshield to separate from vehicle without warningand harm vehicle occupants and others in the vicinity.
Remedy
Reinstall windshield to insure proper retention.
Owner complaints
91 complaints15 involved a crash3 involved a fire17 injuries2 deaths
What owners report most
Latest complaints
- Fuel/propulsion system · Structure › Body · Suspension
TL* the contact owns a 1987 (na) honda civic. The contact heard an abnormal noise coming from the vehicle and smelled a strong fuel odor. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic for diagnostic testing, but the results were unknown. The dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer was notified of the failures. The approximate failure mileage was 168,862.
- Seat belts
The front seat shoulder lap seat belts have not functioned properly for a long time on both the passenger and driver's side. They do not retract along the doors when the doors are opened and closed. Also, the seat belt warning light and beep are now constantly on making it very difficult to focus on driving.
- Seat belts
Seat belt warning never stops at all times
- Seat belts
TL* the contact owns a 1990 honda civic. While the vehicle was parked the contact noticed the front passenger side automatic seat belt would not retract and could not be retracted manually. The seat belt could not be used to secure a passenger in the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for…
TL* the contact owns a 1990 honda civic. While the vehicle was parked the contact noticed the front passenger side automatic seat belt would not retract and could not be retracted manually. The seat belt could not be used to secure a passenger in the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for diagnostic testing where the technician stated the seat belt control module had to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The vin was not available. The approximate failure mileage was 145,000.
- Electrical system · Fuel system, other
I have a 1990 honda civic 4 dr 1.5 liter auto. And the distributor went bad-i know the car IS not worth much but it IS my work car-to replace this part $800.00 and talking to several junk yards it would be $225.00 but the man said that there's no guarantee that part would be good as this yr. Make and model are famous for this problem but I do not find any recall. *tr
- Seat belts › Front
The seat belts on my 1990 honda civic do not work. I took them to the honda dealer in rockville, maryland. they kept the car 24 hours, then told me they would have to order retractor motors. they called in a few days and told me to bring the car back in. they kept it three days, then returned…
The seat belts on my 1990 honda civic do not work. I took them to the honda dealer in rockville, maryland. they kept the car 24 hours, then told me they would have to order retractor motors. they called in a few days and told me to bring the car back in. they kept it three days, then returned it in the same non-working condition and told me it would cost $962 to replace the seat belt retracting mechanism. the driver's side seat belt latch IS in the forward unusable position. the passenger's side does not retract either. the service man said that the seat belts themselves had a lifetime guarantee but that the seat belt retracting mechanism was not part of the seat belt assembly. *tr
- Tires
TL* - the contact stated that he purchased pep boys tires approximately 6 months ago. he was traveling at approximately 10-15 mph on a smooth dry street, when the front driver and passenger tires blew up like a balloon. the tires failed one month apart. The contact stated that there IS still…
TL* - the contact stated that he purchased pep boys tires approximately 6 months ago. he was traveling at approximately 10-15 mph on a smooth dry street, when the front driver and passenger tires blew up like a balloon. the tires failed one month apart. The contact stated that there IS still tread on the tires. the mileage on the tires at the time of the failure was approximately 7,000 miles. the contact has one of the tires. *Ak
- Electrical system › Wiring › Front underhood
After driving my car and it sitting for approximately 1 and a half hours I noticed that their was flames coming from under my hood. I ran out and turned on the water hose and started to squirt it as a neighbor opened the hood for me but we quickly realized that wasn't going to do anything because it was electrical, so we then disconnected the battery. Which stopped the fire. *nm
- Electrical system › Ignition
My 1990 honda civic wagon has stopped without warning three times in the last month and will not start again for 10 minutes to overnight. I have had to push the car off the road to get it out of rush hour traffic. from members of the civic.wagon.forum@lists.unh.edu, I have determined that the…
My 1990 honda civic wagon has stopped without warning three times in the last month and will not start again for 10 minutes to overnight. I have had to push the car off the road to get it out of rush hour traffic. from members of the civic.wagon.forum@lists.unh.edu, I have determined that the igniter has failed. honda had an upgrade to this component and according to honda my car received the upgrade in 1994, but now IS apparently failing. wishing to be safe, I have ordered a whole new distributor to install so I do not have to stop somewhere at any moment. *Jb
- Seat belts › Front › Retractor
Driver's seat belt retractor failed. *ak
- Engine and engine cooling · Engine and engine cooling › Exhaust system · Equipment › Electrical · Power train · Service brakes, hydraulic · Steering · Unknown or other · Visibility › Power window devices and controls
A lot of the repairs were done under warranty, but I am still having a problem with some thing that isnt listed,in the time I have owned the car,i have replaced the ignition coil 5 times and they are not cheep at 200 a pop. The steering IS a pain but an easy fix for a bushing on the right side…
A lot of the repairs were done under warranty, but I am still having a problem with some thing that isnt listed,in the time I have owned the car,i have replaced the ignition coil 5 times and they are not cheep at 200 a pop. The steering IS a pain but an easy fix for a bushing on the right side, minus the stiff lock up steer that I think comes with the honda civic si engine first went at 60.000 km and now it has 170 on the odometer and went today, not sure what im gonna do,try and do warranty on it or fix it my self and have it done right.... The brakes are the pits on these cars? Front. you get brake fad going down a steep hill and kiss your ass good bye, to solve the problem went to cross drill rotors and a course brake pad for the front, the rear brakes never adjust themselves, and wear out fast. The transmission 5 gear sucks to low and makes the revs go way too high, the second gear syncro IS bad, paint IS bad. Flakes off almost like what the old chevys do. Power sun roof IS failing some times you have to crank it back by hand to close. Other times the motor works...had to replace the computer once got it from an auto wrecker..
- Visibility › Windshield
Windshield leaks on the passenger side of car, and I have to push the driver side window out slightly to roll it up.*ak
- Power train › Automatic transmission
Problems with the transmission, rolls in park, transmission will not drive. *Jb
- Seat belts › Front
Trying to get my sealt belt on my honda repaired for last 5 months and honda has not taken any action to repair the broken seat belt after numerous attempts at the dealership and at the corporate level.
- Vehicle speed control
Consumer stated when he backed into a parking space with his foot on the brake pedal, the vehicle suddenly accelerated and crashed into his motor home.ts *jb
- Electrical system › Ignition
The car fails to start on occasion, I noticed on honda's web site there IS a recall for the ignition switch, but it doesn't cover the year of my car. I know of 3 other people who are experiencing the same problem. the problem seem to occur as the temperature outside gets hotter. I get in the car…
The car fails to start on occasion, I noticed on honda's web site there IS a recall for the ignition switch, but it doesn't cover the year of my car. I know of 3 other people who are experiencing the same problem. the problem seem to occur as the temperature outside gets hotter. I get in the car try to start it nothing, go back an hour later and it starts right up. I think honda should be held responsible. email me with any questions. thanks, ter.*aki
- Seat belts › Front › Anchorage
The shoulder restraint within the door of the civic does not engage. *Ak
- Electrical system › Wiring › Interior/under dash
No summary listed for above vehicle. *ak
- Engine and engine cooling › Exhaust system
Air filter attaches to plastic radiator which splitand burned left arm while checking trans. Fluid. *Ak
- Vehicle speed control › Cables
While driving at 65 mph heard a popping noise. Consumer was unable to accelerate on highway. Consumer managed to make it to shoulder 0F highway. *ak dealer found the throttle cable broke, dealer replaced cable. *slc
- Unknown or other
No summary listed for above vehicle. *ak
- Seat belts › Front › Warning light/devices
Seat belt light came on and never turned off. To turn it off technician had to disconnect a piece under seat, then light went off. *ak
- Electrical system › Ignition
No summary listed for above vehicle. *Ak
- Electrical system › Alternator/generator/regulator
The first time the alternator was replaced the car slowly lost power til it just stopped, this also happened the second time, then the 3RD time the car started and stalled and wouldn't start again, the 4TH time the car was run for a short trip(5 miles) and after turned off a left for a couple hours would not start at all , hazard lights would not light, either. The 5TH time was a faulty alternator...
- Electrical system › Ignition
Distibutor rotor came off on 3 occasions in past 10 months, causing instant engine failure while driving in heavy traffic in fast lane.. *ak
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
- Stalling
There is no summary currently available
Service bulletins
Technical service bulletins and other communications the manufacturer sent dealers about this vehicle. Ask a dealer for the full document by its number.
- 10013953Audio unit and navigation system anti-theft codes available on interactive network.
- 10009048Audio, anti-theft codes. Honda. Tech line summary.
- 629065Concerns with a clunk or squeak from the rear suspension when going over rough or bumpy roads.
- 626720Information regarding cam-on fuel fill cap failures during smog check.
- 610611Experiencing a clunk from the rear suspension when going over rough or bumpy roads.
- 54041Problems with head gasket leaks.
- 44013Unknown
Every Honda Civic model year
Bars are owner complaints, dots mark years with recalls. Select a year to open its report.