MYRModel Year Report

1986 Honda Civic

▲ Better than typical
1986 Honda Civic
RENDERED 2026-11-01T13:35:54.568Z

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
35
Recalls
3

Campaigns on file for 1986

Investigations
3

Opened by NHTSA

Top problem
Seat belts

40% of complaints

Complaints per year

1981: 1 complaint 1982: 1 complaint 1983: 9 complaints 1984: 5 complaints 1985: 15 complaints 1986: 35 complaints 1986 35 1987: 39 complaints 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: 1,079 complaints 2002: 702 complaints 2003: 499 complaints 2004: 350 complaints 2005: 316 complaints 2005 2006: 1,404 complaints 2007: 1,204 complaints 2008: 916 complaints 2009: 396 complaints 2010: 397 complaints 2011: 169 complaints 2011 2012: 456 complaints 2013: 318 complaints 2014: 293 complaints 2015: 379 complaints 2016: 1,081 complaints 2017: 602 complaints 2017 2018: 747 complaints 2019: 441 complaints 2020: 232 complaints 2021: 146 complaints 2022: 885 complaints 2023: 259 complaints 2023 2024: 125 complaints 2025: 79 complaints 2026: 32 complaints
1981: 1 complaint 1981 1982: 1 complaint 1983: 9 complaints 1984: 5 complaints 1985: 15 complaints 1986: 35 complaints 1986 35 1987: 39 complaints 1988: 48 complaints 1989: 69 complaints 1990: 92 complaints 1990 1991: 111 complaints 1992: 100 complaints 1993: 155 complaints 1993 1994: 161 complaints 1995: 199 complaints 1996: 305 complaints 1996 1997: 373 complaints 1998: 435 complaints 1999: 338 complaints 1999 2000: 287 complaints 2001: 1,079 complaints 2002: 702 complaints 2002 2003: 499 complaints 2004: 350 complaints 2005: 316 complaints 2005 2006: 1,404 complaints 2007: 1,204 complaints 2008: 916 complaints 2008 2009: 396 complaints 2010: 397 complaints 2011: 169 complaints 2011 2012: 456 complaints 2013: 318 complaints 2014: 293 complaints 2014 2015: 379 complaints 2016: 1,081 complaints 2017: 602 complaints 2017 2018: 747 complaints 2019: 441 complaints 2020: 232 complaints 2020 2021: 146 complaints 2022: 885 complaints 2023: 259 complaints 2023 2024: 125 complaints 2025: 79 complaints 2026: 32 complaints 2026
1981: 1 complaint 1981 1982: 1 complaint 1983: 9 complaints 1983 1984: 5 complaints 1985: 15 complaints 1986: 35 complaints 1986 35 1987: 39 complaints 1988: 48 complaints 1989: 69 complaints 1989 1990: 92 complaints 1991: 111 complaints 1991 1992: 100 complaints 1993: 155 complaints 1993 1994: 161 complaints 1995: 199 complaints 1995 1996: 305 complaints 1997: 373 complaints 1997 1998: 435 complaints 1999: 338 complaints 1999 2000: 287 complaints 2001: 1,079 complaints 2001 2002: 702 complaints 2003: 499 complaints 2003 2004: 350 complaints 2005: 316 complaints 2005 2006: 1,404 complaints 2007: 1,204 complaints 2007 2008: 916 complaints 2009: 396 complaints 2009 2010: 397 complaints 2011: 169 complaints 2011 2012: 456 complaints 2013: 318 complaints 2013 2014: 293 complaints 2015: 379 complaints 2015 2016: 1,081 complaints 2017: 602 complaints 2017 2018: 747 complaints 2019: 441 complaints 2019 2020: 232 complaints 2021: 146 complaints 2021 2022: 885 complaints 2023: 259 complaints 2023 2024: 125 complaints 2025: 79 complaints 2025 2026: 32 complaints

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
20011,079
2002702
2003499
2004350
2005316
20061,404
20071,204
2008916
2009396
2010397
2011169
2012456
2013318
2014293
2015379
20161,081
2017602
2018747
2019441
2020232
2021146
2022885
2023259
2024125
202579
202632

Known problem areas

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

Seat belts

40% · 14 reports

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.

NHTSA ODI report, 1996-10-18

Seat belt system failed during an accident. Tt

NHTSA ODI report, 1995-08-22

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, 2025-03-20

Engine and engine cooling

23% · 8 reports

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, 2005-08-24

Structure

14% · 5 reports

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, 2003-08-26

Power train

14% · 5 reports

Most commonly citing driveshaft and clutch assembly.

FIRE

Service brakes

14% · 5 reports

Most commonly citing hydraulic.

CRASH

Safety timeline

3 recalls · 3 investigations · oldest first

To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →

  1. R
    1986-04-04Power train86V045000 Left side drive shaft could develop cracks near the outer joint.

    Remedy: Replace left drive shaft with a properly manufactured part.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  2. I
    1988-11-16Engineering analysisClosed 1989-11-30 Fuel system venting
  3. R
    1988-11-18Visibility88V180000 Under high ambient temperatures front windshield wiper contact unit could loosen and become dislodged.

    Remedy: Install a contact unit holder that would prevent loosening.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  4. I
    1994-07-11Preliminary evaluationClosed 1994-10-27 Seat belt buckle fails
  5. I
    1994-10-27Engineering analysisClosed 1995-07-31 Seat belt buckle failure
  6. R
    1995-05-19Seat belts95V103001 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…

    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…

    Check if this car was fixed →

Buy-smart checklist

1986 Honda Civic — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

  • Seat belts: 14 reports on file for this year.
  • Engine and engine cooling: 8 reports on file for this year.
  • Structure: 5 reports on file for this year.

Verify these recalls were completed

  • Recall 86V045000 · Power train
  • Recall 88V180000 · Visibility
  • Recall 95V103001 · Seat belts
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

Other years of this model

See all years ranked →

Best years3 years

Worst years3 years

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 2026-11-01 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.