The 1996 Honda Civic has 2 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting an estimated 1,600,530 vehicles. Recall repairs are always free at any authorized dealer. Owners have filed 383 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the air bags. Last updated July 5, 2026.
Recall campaigns
AIR BAGS20V0260002020-01-171,439,841 affected
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…
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 BRAKES, HYDRAULIC96V1060001996-06-18160,689 affected
Defect
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.
Complaints by component
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
41
34crashes25injuries1deaths
AIR BAGS
27
6crashes1fires5injuries
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
18
3crashes1injuries
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
17
2crashes5injuries
VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS
12
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
11
4crashes2injuries
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS
11
4crashes3injuries
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:POWER ASSIST:VACUUM:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
11
7crashes1injuries
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
10
1crashes
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD
9
Total complaints383
What owners report
Verbatim reports filed with NHTSA, lightly edited for readability and with personal
information removed.
“Gas idle didn't return back and I got into a car accident. *tr”
“Gas idle didn't return back and I got into a car accident. *tr”
“I have 2 recalls and I need the notification for them gone asap so I can ship my car overseas. The issues stated about the "air bag" and "floor mats" have yet to cause a concern to my driving and or handling ability. I don't have the time to go through these recalls as I am military and need my…”
“I have 2 recalls and I need the notification for them gone asap so I can ship my car overseas. The issues stated about the "air bag" and "floor mats" have yet to cause a concern to my driving and or handling ability. I don't have the time to go through these recalls as I am military and need my…”
“This honda was involved in an accident yesterday with both side and front impact while in motion, both impacts being major. But neither the passenger or driver's airbags were deployed at any time. There were no warning lights on about the airbag prior to this.”
“Accessory driver-side floor mats used in 1996-1998 honda civic vehicles. Due to the shape of the floor on these vehicles, a mispositioned floor mat could interfere with the accelerator pedal. The car is in motion. K60”
“Accessory driver-side floor mats used in 1996-1998 honda civic vehicles. Due to the shape of the floor on these vehicles, a mispositioned floor mat could interfere with the accelerator pedal. The car is in motion. K60”
“My 1996 honda civic's engine turns off while driving. There was just a recall for the newer versions(2016 honda civics) for the same problem. I cannot find any recalls online about 1996 honda civics shutting off while driving though. I have had this problem for about a year now.”
Defect investigations
InvestigationSQ98012 Opened 1998-06-30 · closed 1998-11-02
CONDENSER FAN MOTOR INOPERATIVE
SEE RESUME FOR DETAILS.
InvestigationSQ98017 Opened 1998-09-11 · closed 1999-06-03
THROTTLE CABLE STICKING
DUE TO THE AGENCY'S INVESTIGATION INTO THIS MATTER, HONDA AGREED TO CONDUCT A SAFETY RECALL TO NOTIFY OWNERS OF THE 1996-1998 HONDA CIVICS AND INSTALL A POSITIVE FLOOR MAT RETENTION SYSTEM ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE (GENUINE HONDA) FLOOR MAT.FURTHERMORE, HONDA WILL CONDUCT A PRODUCT IMPROVEMENT CAMPAIGN TO INSPECT AND…
InvestigationSQ98017 Opened 1998-09-11 · closed 1999-06-03
THROTTLE CABLE STICKING
DUE TO THE AGENCY'S INVESTIGATION INTO THIS MATTER, HONDA AGREED TO CONDUCT A SAFETY RECALL TO NOTIFY OWNERS OF THE 1996-1998 HONDA CIVICS AND INSTALL A POSITIVE FLOOR MAT RETENTION SYSTEM ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE (GENUINE HONDA) FLOOR MAT.FURTHERMORE, HONDA WILL CONDUCT A PRODUCT IMPROVEMENT CAMPAIGN TO INSPECT AND…
Recall, complaint, and investigation records from official NHTSA datasets (FLAT_RCL,
FLAT_CMPL, FLAT_INV), synced weekly. Counts reflect NHTSA records for the 1996 Honda Civic as of
July 5, 2026. Complaint narratives are consumer-submitted and unverified. This page
contains ads and affiliate links. Full methodology.