1989 Honda Civic Seat belts Problems
- Complaints
- 18about this part
- Share
- 26%of 69 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 90,000miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 18 complaints about the seat belts of the 1989 Honda Civic, 26% of the 69 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 90,000 miles. 10 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers. 1 recall campaign on record is filed under a similar system.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“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. My seat belt failed to hold, the seat belt assembly had been recalled mine was replaced under recall. In 1996 recall no.- 95-028 I was still having trouble with the belt latch not staying fastened called the Honda company to correct the problem they didn't help me at all. …”
NHTSA complaint #10156742, filed 2006-05“The 1989 Honda Civic dx uses motorized seat belts. My niece was in an accident this weekend, hit a freeway railing that caused the battery to become disconnected; upon its disconnect, the motorized seat belts were released which resulted in my niece being ejected from the vehicle. She was killed in subject accident. Is there any automotive recall or litigation information available about similar accidents? Have there been similar litigations?”
NHTSA complaint #716861, filed 2000-01“My Civic collided with the side of another vehicle at approximately 40mph. The lap component of my seatbelt engaged allowing only minor bruising/cuts to my knees which hit the dash. The shoulder belt, however, did not engage causing my chest to slam into the steering column causing a deep chest contusion. My insurance co's appraiser tested the belt but claims it catches when tugged on. The local dealership claims seatbelts are to keep you in the car, not to prevent you from hitting the steering wheel/dash/windshield.”
NHTSA complaint #704555, filed 1999-03“Was driving vehicle when another vehiclecrossed from another lane in front suddenly. Consumer applied the brakes & rear ended vehiclein front. Upon impact with vehicle, driver's seat belt failed to lock up to restrain driver. Seat belt buckle locking mechanism broke. Driver was thrown forward, but not injected. Driver suffered whiplash & released from emergency room.”
NHTSA complaint #869887, filed 2000-09“Consumer was concerned about the safety of the vehicle, especially on the seat belt buckles. There have been no problems with the vehicle. Owner contacted previous owner and found that there had been a recall on the seat belts and that it had already been fixed.”
NHTSA complaint #855646, filed 2000-01Related recalls
- 95V103001May 24, 1995The 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…Covers: Honda Civic 1986–1991, Accord 1986–1991, Prelude 1986–1991 +3 more
Seat belts: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 1 | 3% |
| 2025 | 1 | 1% |
| 2024 | 2 | 2% |
| 2023 | 3 | 1% |
| 2022 | 4 | 0% |
| 2021 | 1 | 1% |
| 2020 | 2 | 1% |
| 2019 | 5 | 1% |
| 2018 | 3 | 0% |
| 2017 | 5 | 1% |
| 2016 | 4 | 0% |
| 2015 | 5 | 1% |
| 2014 | 3 | 1% |
| 2013 | 5 | 2% |
| 2012 | 14 | 3% |
| 2011 | 7 | 4% |
| 2010 | 8 | 2% |
| 2009 | 5 | 1% |
| 2008 | 9 | 1% |
| 2007 | 16 | 1% |
| 2006 | 16 | 1% |
| 2005 | 21 | 7% |
| 2004 | 20 | 6% |
| 2003 | 20 | 4% |
| 2002 | 51 | 7% |
| 2001 | 41 | 4% |
| 2000 | 14 | 5% |
| 1999 | 9 | 3% |
| 1998 | 10 | 2% |
| 1997 | 13 | 3% |
| 1996 | 7 | 2% |
| 1995 | 16 | 8% |
| 1994 | 9 | 7% |
| 1993 | 11 | 8% |
| 1992 | 9 | 9% |
| 1991 | 38 | 35% |
| 1990 | 34 | 37% |
| 1989 | 18 | 26% |
| 1988 | 10 | 22% |
| 1987 | 21 | 54% |
| 1986 | 13 | 37% |
| 1985 | 5 | 33% |
| 1983 | 1 | 11% |
Other parts of the 1989 Honda Civic
11 complaintsVehicle speed control
9 complaintsEngine cooling
8 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 31, 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