1996 Honda Civic Body & Structure Problems
19 owner-reported body & structure complaints from NHTSA data
Data sourced from NHTSA public database. For informational purposes only. Always consult a qualified mechanic.
Owner Complaints (19)
The metal support frame on the passenger side of your car is heavily rusted and broken at the bottom, causing the passenger-side wheel to move side-to-side easily. The owner believes the A/C drain tube was pointing directly at this frame, causing rust damage that was hidden under dark undercoating before purchase. Fixing this would likely require welding reinforcement or replacing the entire subframe, which is an expensive repair.
Parts you may need:
As an Amazon Associate, MyCarTSB earns from qualifying purchases.
LOSS OF CONTROL DUE TO DRIVING DURING EXTENSIVE RAIN CONDITIONS. CAR IS BUILT TOO CLOSE TO THE ROAD AND EXCESSIVE WATER ON THE ROAD HAS NO PLACE TO GO EXCEPT UNDER THE CAR. LOST CONTROL EVERY TIME OVER 40MPH, EVEN WITH NEW TIRES. TRADED CAR. TOO AFRAID TO DRIVE IN HEAVY RAIN. ALSO SAW A FATILITY ON THE NEWS ABOUT LOSS OF CONTROL IN HEAVY RAIN WITH A HONDA CIVIC SEDAN. *AK
WHEN OPENING, TRUNK LID REBOUNDS STRIKING OPERATOR IN HEAD, CAUSING CONCUSSION
THE REMOTE DOOR LOCKS STOPPED WORKING WHEN THE CAR HAD BEEN SITTING FOR A WEEK IN THE DRIVEWAY. APPARENTLY A "CRYSTAL" WHICH CONTROLS THIS BROKE. THERE WAS NO RESON ON MY PART WHY IT SHOULD HAVE BROKEN. I DON'T SEE WHY I SHOULD PAY $450 FOR SOMETHING THAT IS A DEFECT AND HAS BEEN FIXED NUMEROUS TIMES BY MY MECHANIC IN CIVICS OF THE SAME YEAR. ALSO, THE PASSENGER SIDE WINDOW HAS FAILED IN NUMEROUS CIVICS FROM 1996 ACCORDING TO MY MECHANIC, LEADING US TO BELIEVE THAT BOTH OF THESE PROBLEMS ARE DEFECTS.
PASSENGER SIDE FLOOR MAT PUSHES UNDER THE DASH, CAUSING AIR CODITIONER DRAIN HOSE TO DISCONNECT AND LEAK ONT INTERIOR CARPET, CONSUMER DOES NOT HAVE CIVIC ORIGINAL MATS WHICH IS UNDER RECALL AT THIS TIME RECALL # 99-E-015-000. ----------------PLEASE ADD VIN.#-----------------
ELECTRIC WINDOW/DOOR LOCKS FAILED 4 TIMES.
SUN VISOR FAILED.
TRUNK SEAL FAILED CAUSING WATER TO LEAK INSIDE THE TRUNK WHEN IT RAINS.
POWER DOOR LOCKS FAILED.
ELECTRIC DOOR LOCKS FAILED.
PROBLEM WITH ARM REST.
SUN VISOR IS TOO SMALL AND OWNER FEELS IT'S INSUFFICIENT.
POOR VISIBILITY (BLIND ANGLE) CREATED BY THE DESIGN OF THE EXTENDED ROOF SUPPORT WINGS.
SIDE/FRONT DOORS WOULD NOT STAY OPEN.
THE DESIGN OF THE VEHICLE ALLOWS WATER TO BLOCK DRIVER'S VIEW ON OUTSIDE MIRRORS AS WELL AS WINDOWS. THE CONSUMER FEELS THIS IS A SERIOUS VISIBILITY HAZARD.
SUPPORT ROD THAT HOLDS THE HOOD UP HAS A GIVEN POINT. THE SUPPORT ROD BROKE WHICH CAUSED THE HOOD TO COLLAPSE ON SOMEONE WHO'S UP UNDER THE HOOD. CONSUMER CONTACTED THE DEALER, AND THE DEALER SAID IT WAS THE MISHANDLING OF THE PERSON WHO WAS UNDERNEATH THE HOOD. *AK
DOOR LOCKS FAIL INTERMITTANTLY.
PURCHASED CAR NEW, RECEIVED IT ON JUNE 29. 1996 THERE IS A NOISE IN THE STRUCTURE FRAME AND HARD TO SHIFT CAR MANUALLY . PLEASE DESCRIBE .*AK
AFTER USING SUNVISOR AND IT IS RETURNED BACK TO ITS POSITION AGAINST THE ROOF OF THE VEHICLE, THE VISOR POPS OUT OF ITS RIGHT-SIDE FASTENING CLIP BLOCKING VIEW.