MYRModel Year Report

1987 Honda Civic

▲ Better than typical
1987 Honda Civic
RENDERED 2026-09-17T01:55:29.129Z

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, 1987 highlighted. 1981: 1 complaints 1981 1982: 1 complaints 1983: 9 complaints 1984: 5 complaints 1985: 15 complaints 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
1987: 39 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

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

SEAT BELTS 54%

54% of complaints: seat belts — 21 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing buckle assembly and retractor.

CRASH INJURY
Show complaint excerpts

NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK

NHTSA ODI report, 20020920

DRIVERS/PASSENGERS SHOULDER BELTS FAILED DURINGN AN ACCIDENT, RESULTING IN INJURIES. TT

NHTSA ODI report, 19950227

VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT AND PASSENGER SIDE SEAT BELT DID NOT WORK. TT

NHTSA ODI report, 19950124

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL 10%

10% of complaints: vehicle speed control — 4 distinct reports on file.

CRASH INJURY
Show complaint excerpts

VEHICLE SPEED INCREASED WHILE DRIVING ERRATIC OPERATION DURING BRAKE APPLICATION. RESULTING IN A LOSS OF CONTROL. TT

NHTSA ODI report, 19950310

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE 5%

5% of complaints: fuel system, gasoline — 2 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing hoses, lines/piping, and fittings.

Show complaint excerpts

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING THE FUEL SYSTEM FAILED WITHOUT WARNING. THE FUEL SYSTEM LINES HAVE BEEN REPLACED TWICE, THE FIRST TIME BY A DEALER, THE SECOND TIME BY AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP.

NHTSA ODI report, 20060607

WHEN DRIVING AT ANY SPEED AND WITHOUT WARNING, THE FUEL LINE LEAKED WHICH CAUSED A DISTRACTION TO THE CONSUMER. *AK THERE WAS A STRONG ODOR OF GASOLINE INSIDE AND OUTSIDE THE VEHICLE.

NHTSA ODI report, 20030820

TIRES 5%

5% of complaints: tires — 2 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing tread/belt.

SUSPENSION 5%

5% of complaints: suspension — 2 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing rear and control arm.

SAFETY TIMELINE

R 19871119 — equipment

OWNERS MANUAL INFORMATION REQUIRED BY FMVSS 210, SECTIONS 6A AND 6B WAS OMITTED FROM THE MANUAL.

Remedy: UPGRADE EXISTING MANUALS BY INSERTING ADHESIVE BACKED CORRECTION PAGES.

Campaign 87V171000 — 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

1987 Honda Civic — pre-purchase inspection

  • Test/inspect for seat belts issues (21 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for vehicle speed control issues (4 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for fuel system, gasoline issues (2 reports on file for this year).
  • Verify recall 87V171000 (equipment) 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

▲ 1986 ▲ 1988 ▲ 2025

WORST YEARS

■ 2006 ■ 2007 ■ 2001

See all years ranked →

FAQ

Is the 1987 Honda Civic reliable?

Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 1987 Honda Civic is rated "better than typical".

What are the most common problems with the 1987 Honda Civic?

The most-reported component is seat belts, accounting for 54% of complaints on file.

How many recalls does the 1987 Honda Civic have?

3 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.