1985 Honda Civic Problems
- Complaints
- 15filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- —no mileage reported
- Recalls
- 2campaigns on record
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
- NHTSA crash rating
- —overall rating starts with 2011 models
- EPA fuel economy
- 29 mpgcombined, 1.5L 4-cyl FWD · 27 city / 33 hwy
Sources: NHTSA records for the 1985 Honda Civic (complaints, recalls, investigations), EPA fuel economy. Report an error
NHTSA recorded 15 consumer complaints for the 1985 Honda Civic. The part named most often is seat belts, with 5 complaints (33% of the total), followed by engine cooling (2) and fuel system (2). Of all complaints, 4 involved a crash, 1 a fire, 4 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns and 0 technical service bulletins for this model year.
This model year has fewer than 25 complaints on record, so the numbers below can change a lot with a few new reports.
Which parts are reported most
Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.
- Seat belts5 33%
- Engine cooling2 13%
- Fuel system2 13%
- Brakes1 6.7%
- Seats1 6.7%
- Suspension1 6.7%
- Tires1 6.7%
Example complaints
Brakes: “Son driving vehicle, went across 4 lanes, stopped at sign, pulled onto meridian, brakes failed, pumped brakes hard, not working, found brake fluid on seals.”
NHTSA complaint #986088, filed 1996-06Complaints by year filed
Trend: stable. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
Fuel economy and running cost
EPA ratings for each 1985 Honda Civic version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).
| Version | Engine | Transmission | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Civic FWD | 1.3L 4-cyl | 4-speed manual | 31 | 39 | 34 | $1,950 |
| Civic FWD | 1.3L 4-cyl | 4-speed manual | 32 | 38 | 34 | $1,950 |
| Civic FWD | 1.5L 4-cyl | 5-speed manual | 27 | 33 | 30 | $2,250 |
| Civic FWD | 1.5L 4-cyl | 5-speed manual | 26 | 31 | 28 | $2,400 |
| Civic FWD | 1.5L 4-cyl | 3-speed automatic | 25 | 29 | 27 | $2,500 |
| Civic FWD | 1.5L 4-cyl | 3-speed automatic | 23 | 26 | 24 | $2,800 |
| Civic CRX FWD | 1.5L 4-cyl | 5-speed manual | 27 | 34 | 30 | $2,250 |
| Civic CRX FWD | 1.5L 4-cyl | 5-speed manual | 27 | 33 | 29 | $2,300 |
| Civic CRX FWD | 1.5L 4-cyl | 5-speed manual | 26 | 32 | 28 | $2,400 |
| Civic CRX FWD | 1.5L 4-cyl | 3-speed automatic | 24 | 29 | 26 | $2,600 |
| Civic CRX HF FWD | 1.5L 4-cyl | 5-speed manual | 40 | 48 | 43 | $1,550 |
| Civic CRX HF FWD | 1.5L 4-cyl | 5-speed manual | 37 | 46 | 41 | $1,650 |
| Civic Wagon FWD | 1.5L 4-cyl | 5-speed manual | 27 | 33 | 30 | $2,250 |
| Civic Wagon FWD | 1.5L 4-cyl | 5-speed manual | 26 | 31 | 28 | $2,400 |
3 more EPA-rated versions are not shown.
Source: U.S. EPA and Department of Energy, fueleconomy.gov. Ratings are for comparing vehicles; real-world mileage varies with driving and conditions.
Recalls and investigations
- 88V180000Nov 18, 1988Visibility › Windshield wiper/washerCovers: Honda Civic 1985–1987, Acura Integra 1986–1987
Under high ambient temperatures front windshield wiper contact unit could loosen and become dislodged.
- 88V117000Jul 22, 1988Fuel system, gasoline › Delivery › Fuel pumpCovers: Honda Civic 1984–1985
Under certain conditions, mechanical fuel pumps may develop fuel leakage at crimped seam between the two fuel pump halves.
Recall details for the 1985 Honda Civic → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls
Technical service bulletins
No technical service bulletins are on record for the 1985 Honda Civic.
Other model years of the Honda Civic
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | Crash ★ | MPG | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 32 | 300 | 0 | 5 | 34 | Too new to compare | Too new |
| 2025 | 77 | 7,278 | 2 | 5 | 34 | Too new to compare | Too new |
| 2024 | 125 | 11,000 | 3 | 5 | 33 | Too new to compare | Too new |
| 2023 | 258 | 10,000 | 4 | 5 | 33 | 64 · Typical | Too new |
| 2022 | 885 | 26,264 | 4 | 5 | 33 | 100 · More | Rising |
| 2021 | 147 | 30,000 | 4 | 5 | 33 | 10 · Fewer | Rising |
| 2020 | 233 | 15,400 | 5 | 5 | 32 | 49 · Typical | Rising |
| 2019 | 443 | 16,200 | 4 | 5 | 33 | 48 · Typical | Rising |
| 2018 | 747 | 32,508 | 6 | 5 | 33 | 61 · Typical | Rising |
| 2017 | 602 | 23,066 | 6 | 5 | 34 | 66 · More | Rising |
| 2016 | 1,082 | 30,000 | 5 | 5 | 34 | 84 · More | Stable |
| 2015 | 381 | 50,000 | 1 | 4–5 | 32 | 5 · Fewer | Falling |
| 2014 | 293 | 32,570 | 2 | 4–5 | 32 | 15 · Fewer | Stable |
| 2013 | 319 | 24,000 | 0 | 4–5 | 32 | 1 · Fewer | Stable |
| 2012 | 456 | 30,150 | 3 | 4–5 | 31 | 51 · Typical | Stable |
| 2011 | 169 | 31,500 | 9 | 3 | 29 | 30 · Fewer | Stable |
| 2010 | 397 | 39,960 | 8 | — | 29 | 48 · Typical | Falling |
| 2009 | 396 | 31,000 | 8 | — | 29 | 74 · More | Falling |
| 2008 | 916 | 50,000 | 7 | — | 29 | 78 · More | Falling |
| 2007 | 1,204 | 45,000 | 9 | — | 29 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2006 | 1,404 | 60,000 | 13 | — | 29 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2005 | 316 | 65,000 | 10 | — | 30 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2004 | 350 | 82,000 | 10 | — | 30 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2003 | 499 | 76,000 | 11 | — | 30 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2002 | 702 | 90,000 | 11 | — | 30 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2001 | 1,079 | 89,320 | 14 | — | 31 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2000 | 287 | 74,000 | 6 | — | 30 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 1999 | 338 | 120,000 | 3 | — | 28 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 1998 | 435 | 95,000 | 4 | — | 28 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 1997 | 373 | 88,000 | 2 | — | 30 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 1996 | 305 | 100,500 | 2 | — | 31 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 1995 | 199 | 131,000 | 0 | — | 28 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 1994 | 135 | 133,050 | 2 | — | 28 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1993 | 146 | 139,500 | 1 | — | 31 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 1992 | 98 | 116,754 | 1 | — | 37 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1991 | 110 | 150,000 | 1 | — | 29 | Not compared (before 2008) | Rising |
| 1990 | 91 | 156,931 | 3 | — | 29 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1989 | 69 | 100,000 | 1 | — | 29 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1988 | 46 | 150,000 | 3 | — | 29 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1987 | 39 | 157,000 | 3 | — | 28 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1986 | 35 | 107,684 | 3 | — | 28 | Not compared (before 2008) | Rising |
| 1985 | 15 | — | 2 | — | 29 | — | Stable |
| 1984 | 5 | — | 3 | — | 29 | — | Not enough data |
| 1983 | 9 | — | 0 | — | — | — | Not enough data |
All Honda Civic model years · Best and worst years by complaints
Frequently asked questions
How many NHTSA complaints does the 1985 Honda Civic have?
NHTSA recorded 15 consumer complaints for the 1985 Honda Civic as of Oct 29, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 1985 Honda Civic is reported most often?
Seat belts is named most often, in 5 complaints (33% of the total), followed by engine cooling with 2.
Has the 1985 Honda Civic been recalled?
NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 1985 Honda Civic get?
The EPA rates the 1985 Honda Civic (Civic CRX, 1.5L 4-cyl) at 29 mpg combined, 27 city and 33 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $2,300 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 29, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Fuel economy is from the EPA and DOE (fueleconomy.gov).
Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.