MYRModel Year Report

1986 Honda Civic

▲ Better than typical
1986 Honda Civic
RENDERED 2026-09-16T05:39:49.756Z

This year had at least 30% fewer complaints than this model's typical year.

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.

How is this computed?

COMPLAINTS PER YEAR

Complaints per year, Honda Civic Bar chart of distinct NHTSA complaints filed per model year, 1986 highlighted. 1981: 1 complaints 1981 1982: 1 complaints 1983: 9 complaints 1984: 5 complaints 1985: 15 complaints 1986: 35 complaints 1986 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: 121 complaints 2025: 70 complaints 2026: 28 complaints 2026
1986: 35 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
2024121
202570
202628

KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS

Percentages can add to more than 100% -- a complaint can name more than one system.

SEAT BELTS 40%

40% of complaints: seat belts — 14 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing buckle assembly and retractor.

CRASH
Show complaint excerpts

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

NHTSA ODI report, 19961018

SEAT BELT SYSTEM FAILED DURING AN ACCIDENT. TT

NHTSA ODI report, 19950822

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.

NHTSA ODI report, 20250320

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 23%

23% of complaints: engine and engine cooling — 8 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing engine and manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe.

Show complaint excerpts

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.

NHTSA ODI report, 20050824

STRUCTURE 14%

14% of complaints: structure — 5 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing frame and members and support device/strut.

Show complaint excerpts

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.

NHTSA ODI report, 20030826

POWER TRAIN 14%

14% of complaints: power train — 5 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing driveshaft and clutch assembly.

FIRE
SERVICE BRAKES 14%

14% of complaints: service brakes — 5 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing hydraulic.

CRASH

SAFETY TIMELINE

R 19860404 — power train

LEFT SIDE DRIVE SHAFT COULD DEVELOP CRACKS NEAR THE OUTER JOINT.

Remedy: REPLACE LEFT DRIVE SHAFT WITH A PROPERLY MANUFACTURED PART.

Campaign 86V045000 — check if this car was fixed

I 19881116 — EA (closed 19891130)

FUEL SYSTEM VENTING

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

I 19940711 — PE (closed 19941027)

SEAT BELT BUCKLE FAILS

I 19941027 — EA (closed 19950731)

SEAT BELT BUCKLE FAILURE

R 19950519 — seat belts

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

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 PRO

Campaign 95V103001 — check if this car was fixed

BUY-SMART CHECKLIST

1986 Honda Civic — pre-purchase inspection

  • Test/inspect for seat belts issues (14 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for engine and engine cooling issues (8 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for structure issues (5 reports on file for this year).
  • Verify recall 86V045000 (power train) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 88V180000 (visibility) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 95V103001 (seat belts) has been completed.
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL

BEST YEARS

▲ 1987 ▲ 1988 ▲ 2025

WORST YEARS

■ 2006 ■ 2007 ■ 2001

See all years ranked →

FAQ

Is the 1986 Honda Civic reliable?

Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 1986 Honda Civic is rated "better than typical".

What are the most common problems with the 1986 Honda Civic?

The most-reported component is seat belts, accounting for 40% of complaints on file.

How many recalls does the 1986 Honda Civic have?

3 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-09-15 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.