1992 Honda Civic Electrical system Problems
- Complaints
- 28about this part
- Share
- 29%of 98 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 204,430miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 28 complaints about the electrical system of the 1992 Honda Civic, 29% of the 98 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 204,430 miles. 1 a fire, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“1. I do not know what events lead up to this failure. 2. Ignition key cannot be removed approx. 90% of the time. (car is in park.) this problem developed about two years ago. Have to leave the key in the ignition which can cause a problem with my insurance company if the car is stolen. 3. Mechanics are unable to determine what is causing this to happen.”
NHTSA complaint #10348694, filed 2010-08, 116,754 miles“In 1998 distributor failed without warning. At that time I had distributor replaced. Since then I had a second distributor put in 6/22/2000 after engine check light came on. Service light and diagnose pointed to bad distributor again. Now it 2002 and check engine light is coming on again. It looks like it might be the same problem however, I plan to take it to the dealer soon. Diagnose code of 9 flashes on the engine check light. Points maybe to distributor failure again. I am submitting this in an effort to be reimbursted by Honda for repairs I paid for. …”
NHTSA complaint #763877, filed 2002-07“The contact owns a 1992 Honda Civic. The contact stated that the vehicle would not start after being parked and turned off for approximately 20 minutes. After repeated attempts, the contact was able to start the vehicle. The failure had since recurred every time the vehicle was operated. An independent mechanic examined the vehicle on several occasions and replaced the distributor twice. The contact also replaced the battery. The failure continued. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 205,105.”
NHTSA complaint #10410003, filed 2011-06, 205,105 miles“Distributor bearings were ground up. Distributor needed replacement. I heard about a possible recall/reimbursement on the pat goss automotive radio show. Pat told me that there is some type of recall on Honda distributors, and that Honda distributors are a known problem in the automotive field. I am submitting this in an effort to be reimbursed by Honda for the repairs that I paid for. I also want to know if Honda has redesigned their distributors so that failures will not occour in the future. The pat goss automotive is on from 11am to 2pm est on sundays. …”
NHTSA complaint #702782, filed 1999-01“Dt: the contact stated the engine would start and then stall immediately. This happened twice. He found the ignition switch was not making contact. He replaced the ignition switch himself. The vehicle is working correctly at this time.”
NHTSA complaint #10142994, filed 2005-11Electrical system: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 5 | 16% |
| 2025 | 6 | 8% |
| 2024 | 8 | 6% |
| 2023 | 17 | 7% |
| 2022 | 38 | 4% |
| 2021 | 18 | 12% |
| 2020 | 37 | 16% |
| 2019 | 37 | 8% |
| 2018 | 61 | 8% |
| 2017 | 103 | 17% |
| 2016 | 119 | 11% |
| 2015 | 28 | 7% |
| 2014 | 39 | 13% |
| 2013 | 39 | 12% |
| 2012 | 60 | 13% |
| 2011 | 16 | 9% |
| 2010 | 23 | 6% |
| 2009 | 36 | 9% |
| 2008 | 51 | 6% |
| 2007 | 67 | 6% |
| 2006 | 100 | 7% |
| 2005 | 26 | 8% |
| 2004 | 32 | 9% |
| 2003 | 51 | 10% |
| 2002 | 49 | 7% |
| 2001 | 59 | 5% |
| 2000 | 38 | 13% |
| 1999 | 118 | 35% |
| 1998 | 88 | 20% |
| 1997 | 30 | 8% |
| 1996 | 17 | 6% |
| 1995 | 12 | 6% |
| 1994 | 2 | 1% |
| 1993 | 25 | 17% |
| 1992 | 28 | 29% |
| 1991 | 22 | 20% |
| 1990 | 18 | 20% |
| 1989 | 11 | 16% |
| 1988 | 7 | 15% |
| 1986 | 4 | 11% |
Other parts of the 1992 Honda Civic
17 complaintsSeat belts
9 complaintsBrakes
7 complaintsTires
7 complaintsEngine cooling
6 complaintsSteering
5 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
5 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
5 complaintsLatches, locks and linkages
4 complaintsOther or unknown
4 complaintsBody and structure
4 complaintsSeats
3 complaints
← All problems reported for the 1992 Honda Civic
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 30, 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