Complaints
54
Crashes
3
Fires
2
Injuries
2
Fatalities
—
Recalls
0
Worst 1986 Honda Civic Problems
Top 3 most-reported issues with average mileage at failure.
#14 complaints
Seat Belts:Front:Buckle Assembly
Crash-related:1
#23 complaints
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine
#33 complaints
Seat Belts:Front:Retractor
Considering a 1986 Honda Civic?
Check the actual VIN — every car is different.
This page shows the model year's reputation. The VIN tells you about this specific car — accidents, title issues, odometer rollbacks. Full report just $4.99 (vs. Carfax $44.99).
All Problems by Category
Every NHTSA complaint category for the 1986 Honda Civic.
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Avg Mileage | Volume |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Seat Belts:Front:Buckle Assembly | 4 | 1 | — | — | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Seat Belts:Front:Retractor | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Electrical System:Alternator/Generator/Regulator | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Electrical System:Ignition | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline:Belts And Associated Pulleys | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Emission Control:Catalytic Convertor | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Exterior Lighting:Turn Signal:Switch | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Tank Assembly:Filler Pipe And Cap | 2 | — | 1 | — | |
| Power Train:Driveline:Driveshaft | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Seat Belts:Front:Anchorage | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Seat Belts:Front:Webbing | 2 | 1 | — | — | |
| Structure:Frame And Members | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Manifold/Header/Muffler/Tail Pipe | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Exterior Lighting:Headlights | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Exterior Lighting:Headlights:High/Low Beam Dimmer Switch | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Tank Assembly | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Latches/Locks/Linkages:Trunk Lid:Lock | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Power Train:Axle Assembly | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Power Train:Axle Assembly:Axle Shaft | 1 | — | 1 | — | |
| Power Train:Clutch Assembly | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Seat Belt Issues | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Seat Belts:Rear/Other | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Seat Belts:Rear/Other:Retractor | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Seat-Related Issues | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components | 1 | 1 | — | — | |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc | 1 | — | — | — |
Seat Belts:Front:Buckle Assembly
4
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine
3
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Seat Belts:Front:Retractor
3
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Electrical System:Alternator/Generator/Regulator
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Electrical System:Ignition
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline:Belts And Associated Pulleys
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Emission Control:Catalytic Convertor
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Exterior Lighting:Turn Signal:Switch
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Tank Assembly:Filler Pipe And Cap
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
1
Avg Miles
—
Power Train:Driveline:Driveshaft
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Seat Belts:Front:Anchorage
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Seat Belts:Front:Webbing
2
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Structure:Frame And Members
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Manifold/Header/Muffler/Tail Pipe
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Exterior Lighting:Headlights
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Exterior Lighting:Headlights:High/Low Beam Dimmer Switch
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Tank Assembly
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Latches/Locks/Linkages:Trunk Lid:Lock
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Power Train:Axle Assembly
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Power Train:Axle Assembly:Axle Shaft
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
1
Avg Miles
—
Power Train:Clutch Assembly
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Seat Belt Issues
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Seat Belts:Rear/Other
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Seat Belts:Rear/Other:Retractor
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Seat-Related Issues
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components
1
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Search Owner Complaints
Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 1986 Honda Civic. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.
Other Honda Civic Years
1986 Honda Civic — FAQ
Answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this specific model year.
Is the 1986 Honda Civic reliable?
Verdict: Below Average Complaints. The 1986 Honda Civic has 54 NHTSA complaints, 3 crash-related, and 0 recall campaigns. The most common issue is Seat Belts:Front:Buckle Assembly with 4 complaints. Source: NHTSA via VinItel.
What are common problems with the 1986 Honda Civic?
Top reported problems: Seat Belts:Front:Buckle Assembly (4 complaints); Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine (3 complaints); Seat Belts:Front:Retractor (3 complaints). Every complaint is filed by an owner with NHTSA — this is raw reported data, not editorial opinion.
How safe is the 1986 Honda Civic?
NHTSA complaints for the 1986 Honda Civic include 3 crash-related reports, 2 fire reports, 2 injuries, and 0 fatalities. These are owner-reported incidents, not official crash-test ratings — a complaint being filed doesn't confirm a defect, but clusters around specific components are worth investigating.
Does the 1986 Honda Civic have any recalls?
No NHTSA recall campaigns have been issued for the 1986 Honda Civic as of the latest data sync. Verify by VIN for the most current status — new recalls can be issued years after a model year ships.
Should I buy a 1986 Honda Civic?
Fewer complaints than typical for this model. That's a good sign, but every individual car is different — the VIN still tells you what happened to this specific one.
Source: NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) complaint and recall databases, aggregated by VinItel.
Wider context: See the full Honda Civic reliability report with year-by-year comparison and generation analysis.
Check Your Specific 1986 Honda Civic
Real owner complaints tell you about the model. The VIN tells you about your specific car — accidents, title issues, odometer fraud.
Check Any VIN — $4.99