1989 Honda Civic
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.
- Complaints
- 69
- Recalls
- 6
- Investigations
- 3
- Top problem
- Seat belts
Campaigns on file for 1989
Opened by NHTSA
28% of complaints
Complaints per year
1989: 69 complaints
View as data table
| Year | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 1980 | 0 |
| 1981 | 1 |
| 1982 | 1 |
| 1983 | 9 |
| 1984 | 5 |
| 1985 | 15 |
| 1986 | 35 |
| 1987 | 39 |
| 1988 | 48 |
| 1989 | 69 |
| 1990 | 92 |
| 1991 | 111 |
| 1992 | 100 |
| 1993 | 155 |
| 1994 | 161 |
| 1995 | 199 |
| 1996 | 305 |
| 1997 | 373 |
| 1998 | 435 |
| 1999 | 338 |
| 2000 | 287 |
| 2001 | 1,079 |
| 2002 | 702 |
| 2003 | 499 |
| 2004 | 350 |
| 2005 | 316 |
| 2006 | 1,404 |
| 2007 | 1,204 |
| 2008 | 916 |
| 2009 | 396 |
| 2010 | 397 |
| 2011 | 169 |
| 2012 | 456 |
| 2013 | 318 |
| 2014 | 293 |
| 2015 | 379 |
| 2016 | 1,081 |
| 2017 | 602 |
| 2018 | 747 |
| 2019 | 441 |
| 2020 | 232 |
| 2021 | 146 |
| 2022 | 885 |
| 2023 | 259 |
| 2024 | 125 |
| 2025 | 79 |
| 2026 | 32 |
Known problem areas
Percentages can add to more than 100% — a complaint can name more than one system.
Seat belts
28% · 19 reportsMost commonly citing buckle assembly and anchorage.
Show complaint excerpts
I had auto accident, I was going 15 to 20 miles an hour. When I hit small tree. The steering wheel crushed my chest and I suffered a spinal cord injury at the t~2 level and now I'm now a quadriplegic.
NHTSA ODI report, 2006-05-03
Also filed under Equipment
Car was in accident and the passenger side seat belt didn't hold the person in the car . Tt
NHTSA ODI report, 1995-04-24
Electrical system
16% · 11 reportsMost commonly citing ignition and front underhood.
Vehicle speed control
13% · 9 reportsMost commonly citing linkages.
Fuel system, gasoline
12% · 8 reportsMost commonly citing tank assembly and filler pipe and cap.
Engine and engine cooling
12% · 8 reportsMost commonly citing engine and gasoline.
Safety timeline
6 recalls · 3 investigations · oldest first
To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →
-
I
1993-09-23Preliminary evaluationClosed 1994-01-31 Stalling
-
I
1994-07-11Preliminary evaluationClosed 1994-10-27 Seat belt buckle fails
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I
1994-10-27Engineering analysisClosed 1995-07-31 Seat belt buckle failure
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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…
-
R
2006-04-03Exterior lighting06E026000 Certain pro-a motors corner lamps, turn signals, and headlights sold as replacement lamps for use on certain passenger vehicles listed above. Some combination lamps that are not equipped with amber…
Remedy: Pro-a motors will notify owners and offer to repurchase the lamps. The recall began on April 3, 2006. Owners may contact pro-a motors at 323-838-2988.
-
R
2006-04-17Exterior lighting06E032000 Certain eagle eyes and sonar headlights and corner lights sold as aftermarket for use on 1988-2005 Honda Civic, 1990-2005 Honda accord, and 1990-2001 Acura integra passenger vehicles listed above.…
Remedy: Tom motorsport will notify owners and offer reimbursement for the purchase of noncompliant lights. The recall began April 17, 2006. Owners may contact tom motorsport at 626-968-4007.
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R
2006-07-01Exterior lighting06E049000 Certain ck motorsports combination headlights, clear corner, bumper, and side marker lights sold as replacement lamps for use on the passenger vehicles listed above. Some combination lamps that are…
Remedy: Ck motorsport will notify owners and replace the noncompliant lamps free of charge. The recall began on July 1, 2006. Owners may contact ck motorsport at 1-909-610-7211.
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R
2009-05-11Exterior lighting09E012000 Sabersport is recalling 16,270 combination corner and bumper lamp assemblies of various part numbers sold for use as aftermarket equipment for various passenger vehicles. These headlamps fail to…
Remedy: Sabersport will notify owners and offer a full refund for the noncompliant combination lamps. The safety recall began on May 11, 2009. Owners may contact sabersport at 1-909-598-7589.
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R
2009-07-28Exterior lighting09E025000 Dope, inc. Is recalling 42,540 combination corner and bumper lamp assemblies of various part numbers sold for use as aftermarket equipment for various passenger vehicles. These headlamps fail to…
Remedy: Dope, inc. Will notify owners and offer a full refund for the noncompliant combination lamps. The safety recall began on July 28, 2009. Owners may contact dope, inc. At 1-626-272-1798.
Buy-smart checklist
1989 Honda Civic — pre-purchase inspection
Inspect
- Seat belts: 19 reports on file for this year.
- Electrical system: 11 reports on file for this year.
- Vehicle speed control: 9 reports on file for this year.
Verify these recalls were completed
- Recall 95V103001 · Seat belts
- Recall 06E026000 · Exterior lighting
- Recall 06E032000 · Exterior lighting
- Recall 06E049000 · Exterior lighting
- Recall 09E012000 · Exterior lighting
- Recall 09E025000 · Exterior lighting
Other years of this model
See all years ranked →FAQ
- Is the 1989 Honda Civic reliable?
- Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 1989 Honda Civic is rated "better than typical".
- What are the most common problems with the 1989 Honda Civic?
- The most-reported component is seat belts, accounting for 28% of complaints on file.
- How many recalls does the 1989 Honda Civic have?
- 6 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.