1990 Honda Civic Seat belts Problems
- Complaints
- 34about this part
- Share
- 37%of 91 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 145,000miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 34 complaints about the seat belts of the 1990 Honda Civic, 37% of the 91 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 145,000 miles. 5 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.
“The seat belts on my 1990 Honda Civic do not work. I took them to the Honda dealer in rockville, maryland. They kept the car 24 hours, then told me they would have to order retractor motors. They called in a few days and told me to bring the car back in. They kept it three days, then returned it in the same non-working condition and told me it would cost $962 to replace the seat belt retracting mechanism. The driver's side seat belt latch is in the forward unusable position. The passenger's side does not retract either. …”
NHTSA complaint #10202413, filed 2007-09“Trying to get my sealt belt on my Honda repaired for last 5 months and Honda has not taken any action to repair the broken seat belt after numerous attempts at the dealership and at the corporate level.”
NHTSA complaint #10000344, filed 2002-12“The front seat shoulder lap seat belts have not functioned properly for a long time on both the passenger and driver's side. They do not retract along the doors when the doors are opened and closed. Also, the seat belt warning light and beep are now constantly on making it very difficult to focus on driving.”
NHTSA complaint #11093568, filed 2018-05“The contact owns a 1990 Honda Civic. While the vehicle was parked the contact noticed the front passenger side automatic seat belt would not retract and could not be retracted manually. The seat belt could not be used to secure a passenger in the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for diagnostic testing where the technician stated the seat belt control module had to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The VIN was not available. The approximate failure mileage was 145,000.”
NHTSA complaint #10425162, filed 2011-09, 145,000 miles“Consumer was stopped at the traffic light, and a drunken driver hit him from behind, and pushed his vehicle into the vehicle in front of him . Consumer was traveling at 40mph. Upon impact, passenger went into the windshield and cracked it. Also, his knee went into the glove deparment, and the seatbelt broke.”
NHTSA complaint #857828, filed 2000-03Related 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 1990 Honda Civic
18 complaintsBrakes
6 complaintsEngine cooling
6 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
6 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
6 complaintsBody and structure
5 complaintsVehicle speed control
5 complaintsExterior lighting
4 complaintsFuel system
3 complaintsTires
3 complaintsOther or unknown
2 complaintsSteering
2 complaints
← All problems reported for the 1990 Honda Civic
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Nov 1, 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