MYRModel Year Report

1987 Honda Civic

▲ Better than typical
1987 Honda Civic
RENDERED 2026-11-01T11:40:04.091Z

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
39
Recalls
3

Campaigns on file for 1987

Investigations
3

Opened by NHTSA

Top problem
Seat belts

54% of complaints

Complaints per year

1981: 1 complaint 1981 1982: 1 complaint 1983: 9 complaints 1984: 5 complaints 1985: 15 complaints 1986: 35 complaints 1987: 39 complaints 1987 39 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 1984 1985: 15 complaints 1986: 35 complaints 1987: 39 complaints 1987 39 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 1985 1986: 35 complaints 1987: 39 complaints 1987 39 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

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
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

54% · 21 reports

Most commonly citing buckle assembly and retractor.

CRASHINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

No summary listed for above vehicle.

NHTSA ODI report, 2002-09-20

Drivers/passengers shoulder belts failed duringn an accident, resulting in injuries. Tt

NHTSA ODI report, 1995-02-27

Vehicle was involved in an accident and passenger side seat belt did not work. Tt

NHTSA ODI report, 1995-01-24

Vehicle speed control

10% · 4 reports
CRASHINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

Vehicle speed increased while driving erratic operation during brake application. Resulting in a loss of control. Tt

NHTSA ODI report, 1995-03-10

Fuel system, gasoline

5% · 2 reports

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, 2006-06-07

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, 2003-08-20

Tires

5% · 2 reports

Most commonly citing tread/belt.

Suspension

5% · 2 reports

Most commonly citing rear and control arm.

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
    1987-11-19Equipment87V171000 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.

    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

1987 Honda Civic — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

  • Seat belts: 21 reports on file for this year.
  • Vehicle speed control: 4 reports on file for this year.
  • Fuel system, gasoline: 2 reports on file for this year.

Verify these recalls were completed

  • Recall 87V171000 · Equipment
  • 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 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 2026-10-31 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.