1989 Honda Civic Engine cooling Problems
- Complaints
- 8about this part
- Share
- 12%of 69 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 100,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 8 complaints about the engine cooling of the 1989 Honda Civic, 12% of the 69 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 100,000 miles. 2 a fire, according to the filers.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“The contact stated the engine revved while the vehicle idled in park. The check engine light would illuminate and the gears were hard to shift. While driving at various speeds the vehicle gradually lost power and then stalled. The vehicle was inspected by an independent repair shop for the stalling issue. The mechanic replaced the timing belt, however the problem continued. During the second inspection the mechanic determined there was an electrical issue. The vehicle has not been repaired.”
NHTSA complaint #10151024, filed 2006-02, 100,000 miles“Within the first year after purchase the vehicle on three separate occasions stalled and would not restart (temporarily)while moving. One one occasion merely waiting at curbside about 25 minutes was sufficient to allow car to restart. No dashboard lights indicated any problem. The situation repeated itself on at least two occasions. On the final occasion (1990) it was accompanied by an intense electrical burning smell. No fuses blew that I could tell. Thereafter I have never experienced another stalling episode of this type. However, since that time the cooling fan never operates. …”
NHTSA complaint #706821, filed 1999-05“I spoke with repair facilities and other Civic owners who say this is a common problem. The repair centers said they always replace the cracked plastic radiator with a metal radiator. Honda should install a metal radiator to begin with and this would not be a problem.”
NHTSA complaint #752252, filed 2001-09Engine cooling: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 1 | 1% |
| 2019 | 1 | 0% |
| 2017 | 5 | 1% |
| 2016 | 4 | 0% |
| 2015 | 1 | 0% |
| 2014 | 3 | 1% |
| 2013 | 1 | 0% |
| 2012 | 4 | 1% |
| 2011 | 4 | 2% |
| 2010 | 10 | 3% |
| 2009 | 12 | 3% |
| 2008 | 55 | 6% |
| 2007 | 74 | 6% |
| 2006 | 151 | 11% |
| 2005 | 19 | 6% |
| 2004 | 16 | 5% |
| 2003 | 37 | 7% |
| 2002 | 31 | 4% |
| 2001 | 64 | 6% |
| 2000 | 47 | 16% |
| 1999 | 30 | 9% |
| 1998 | 53 | 12% |
| 1997 | 25 | 7% |
| 1996 | 27 | 9% |
| 1995 | 7 | 4% |
| 1994 | 9 | 7% |
| 1993 | 13 | 9% |
| 1992 | 6 | 6% |
| 1991 | 5 | 5% |
| 1990 | 6 | 7% |
| 1989 | 8 | 12% |
| 1988 | 4 | 9% |
| 1987 | 1 | 3% |
| 1986 | 3 | 9% |
| 1985 | 2 | 13% |
| 1984 | 1 | 20% |
Other parts of the 1989 Honda Civic
18 complaintsElectrical system
11 complaintsVehicle speed control
9 complaintsFuel system
7 complaintsLatches, locks and linkages
4 complaintsSeats
4 complaintsBrakes
3 complaintsSuspension
3 complaintsTires
3 complaintsEquipment
2 complaintsSteering
2 complaintsBody and structure
2 complaints
← All problems reported for the 1989 Honda Civic
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.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology