MYRModel Year Report

1985 Honda Civic

○ Not enough data
1985 Honda Civic
RENDERED 2026-09-16T18:28:16.548Z

Only 15 complaints on file — too few for a fair verdict.

This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.

Only 15 complaints on file — too few for a fair verdict. The data below is complete but unranked.

How is this computed?

COMPLAINTS PER YEAR

Complaints per year, Honda Civic Bar chart of distinct NHTSA complaints filed per model year, 1985 highlighted. 1981: 1 complaints 1981 1982: 1 complaints 1983: 9 complaints 1984: 5 complaints 1985: 15 complaints 1985 1986: 35 complaints 1987: 39 complaints 1987 1988: 48 complaints 1989: 69 complaints 1990: 92 complaints 1991: 111 complaints 1992: 100 complaints 1993: 155 complaints 1993 1994: 161 complaints 1995: 199 complaints 1996: 305 complaints 1997: 373 complaints 1998: 435 complaints 1999: 338 complaints 1999 2000: 287 complaints 2001: 1079 complaints 2002: 702 complaints 2003: 499 complaints 2004: 350 complaints 2005: 314 complaints 2005 2006: 1402 complaints 2007: 1204 complaints 2008: 916 complaints 2009: 395 complaints 2010: 396 complaints 2011: 168 complaints 2011 2012: 454 complaints 2013: 318 complaints 2014: 291 complaints 2015: 377 complaints 2016: 1079 complaints 2017: 591 complaints 2017 2018: 738 complaints 2019: 425 complaints 2020: 222 complaints 2021: 142 complaints 2022: 881 complaints 2023: 252 complaints 2023 2024: 122 complaints 2025: 70 complaints 2026: 28 complaints 2026
1985: 15 complaints
View as data table
YearComplaints
19800
19811
19821
19839
19845
198515
198635
198739
198848
198969
199092
1991111
1992100
1993155
1994161
1995199
1996305
1997373
1998435
1999338
2000287
20011079
2002702
2003499
2004350
2005314
20061402
20071204
2008916
2009395
2010396
2011168
2012454
2013318
2014291
2015377
20161079
2017591
2018738
2019425
2020222
2021142
2022881
2023252
2024122
202570
202628

KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS

Only 15 complaints on file for this model year -- too few to rank by share. Raw counts only, below.

SEAT BELTS

5 of 15 total reports mention: seat belts, most commonly citing buckle assembly and retractor.

CRASH INJURY
Show complaint excerpts

FAILURE OF THE DRIVER SIDE SEAT BELT BUCKLE THE CONSUMER WAS IN AN ACCIDENT AND THE BELT CAME OUT THE BUCKLE. TT

NHTSA ODI report, 19960213

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

2 of 15 total reports mention: engine and engine cooling, most commonly citing engine.

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

2 of 15 total reports mention: fuel system, gasoline, most commonly citing tank assembly and fuel pump.

FIRE INJURY
VISIBILITY

1 of 15 total reports mentions: visibility, most commonly citing windshield wiper/washer.

TIRES

1 of 15 total reports mentions: tires.

SAFETY TIMELINE

R 19880807 — fuel system, gasoline

UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS, MECHANICAL FUEL PUMPS MAY DEVELOP FUEL LEAKAGE AT CRIMPED SEAM BETWEEN THE TWO FUEL PUMP HALVES.

Remedy: INSTALL AN IMPROVED FUEL PUMP ASSEMBLY.

Campaign 88V117000 — check if this car was fixed

R 19881118 — visibility

UNDER HIGH AMBIENT TEMPERATURES FRONT WINDSHIELD WIPER CONTACT UNIT COULD LOOSEN AND BECOME DISLODGED.

Remedy: INSTALL A CONTACT UNIT HOLDER THAT WOULD PREVENT LOOSENING.

Campaign 88V180000 — check if this car was fixed

BUY-SMART CHECKLIST

1985 Honda Civic — pre-purchase inspection

  • Test/inspect for seat belts issues (5 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for engine and engine cooling issues (2 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for fuel system, gasoline issues (2 reports on file for this year).
  • Verify recall 88V117000 (fuel system, gasoline) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 88V180000 (visibility) has been completed.
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL

BEST YEARS

▲ 1986 ▲ 1987 ▲ 1988

WORST YEARS

■ 2006 ■ 2007 ■ 2001

See all years ranked →

FAQ

Is the 1985 Honda Civic reliable?

There isn't enough NHTSA complaint data on file yet to give this model year a verdict.

What are the most common problems with the 1985 Honda Civic?

The most-reported component is seat belts, accounting for 33% of complaints on file.

How many recalls does the 1985 Honda Civic have?

2 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-09-16 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.