1995 Honda Civic Problems
- Complaints
- 199filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- 131,000miles, 21 complaints with mileage
- Recalls
- 0campaigns on record
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
- NHTSA crash rating
- —overall rating starts with 2011 models
- EPA fuel economy
- 28 mpgcombined, 1.5L 4-cyl FWD · 25 city / 33 hwy
Sources: NHTSA records for the 1995 Honda Civic (complaints, recalls, investigations), NHTSA crash tests, EPA fuel economy. Report an error
What owners report
Owners of this model year most often describe air bags that did not deploy in collisions, along with a smaller but steady stream of reports about ignition switch failures, stalling, and seat belt or seat problems. Many complaints come from vehicles with well over 100,000 miles, and several describe failures that appeared suddenly while driving rather than as a slow decline.
- Air bags
Air bags did not deploy in a collision
- 65 complaints (33%)
- median 165,000 mi at 18.7 yrs old (3 state mileage, few)
- 60 mention a crash, fire or injury
- filed 1995–2018
Complaints repeatedly describe frontal and other impacts at speeds ranging from about 20 to 60 mph in which neither the driver nor the passenger air bag inflated. Some owners state that occupants were injured and that the vehicle was totaled. In a few reports the air bag light came on or the air bag computer was diagnosed as failed, with the dealer quoting a repair cost; in others the dealer said nothing was wrong. Reported across a wide mileage and age range, with the most recent reports on vehicles beyond 100,000 miles.
What to check: Ask whether the air bag warning lamp comes on with the ignition and then goes out, and whether the air bag computer or any air bag components have been replaced. A scan tool check of the air bag system before purchase is worth requesting.
2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records
“While driving this 95 Honda Civic si, on 4 different occasions when significant impact was made with my car; the airbags (front drivers and passengers) did not deploy! One occasion was when we hit a deer head on. The hood of the car was crumpled in, the poor deer died, one headlight was knocked out. The airbags didn't deploy. On a second occasion, driving on freeway at 65 MPH, my son swerved and hit the siderail, then swerved onto the median of the road. …”
NHTSA complaint #10264091, filed 2009-04, 110,000 miles“Driver was traveling a5 about 55 MPH when he fell asleep and had a frontal impact with a highway guardrail, veered into bridge guardrail. No deployment of driver's/passnger's air bags upon impact, resulting in a fatality and injury. Vehicle was totaled.”
NHTSA complaint #534893, filed 1998-04 - Seat belts
Seat belts that fail to hold or retract
- 12 complaints (6%)
- median 174,000 mi at 16.2 yrs old (2 state mileage, few)
- 4 mention a crash, fire or injury
- filed 1995–2018
Complaints describe passenger-side buckles that will not stay latched, belts that fail to retract during a collision so the occupant's head struck the windshield, and a driver belt that had deteriorated with age. Another owner reported that a child seat blocked access to the buckle, and the manufacturer offered no belt extender. Mostly on older, high-mileage vehicles, including one report near 270,000 miles.
What to check: Buckle and unbuckle every belt, pull each one fully out and let it retract, and inspect the webbing for fraying, stiffness or age-related damage.
2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records
“On march the 11,02,I was in a bad accident it was about 10 pm,a car was sitting in the street with no light on a I hit the back of her car and her car was okey but ky car the front end was push to the engine doing this time when we hit the other car my seat belt did not hold me and my air begs did not come out .I took pictures of my car two was hit in the accident if you can help us please do so thank you.”
NHTSA complaint #760474, filed 2002-04“Consumer has 2 small children and travels with 1 infant seat and 1 booster seat. Booster seat covers up the belt buckle for seating position behind the driver. The consumer has arranged seats in all combinations to no avail. Manufacturer advised consumer that they have no product to extend the seat belt. Consumer states that she loves her vehicle, but has to buy another vehicle because they need access to the third seat belt.”
NHTSA complaint #8015173, filed 2002-07 - Electrical system
Ignition switch failure and sudden stalling
- 12 complaints (6%)
- median 131,000 mi at 19.0 yrs old (7 state mileage, few)
- 3 mention a crash, fire or injury
- filed 1998–2019
Owners describe the engine cutting out without warning while driving, sometimes leaving only radio and headlight power, and restarting after the key is cycled. Others report smoke from behind the steering wheel with flickering dash lights, and a mechanic diagnosing a faulty electrical ignition switch. In one account the car would only keep running if the key was manually released slightly. Reported from about 130,000 to 255,000 miles, with one instance at 50,000 miles that recurred in both cold and hot weather.
What to check: Ask if the ignition switch has been replaced and whether the key feels loose or the engine has ever cut out while driving. Note any burning smell or flickering dash lights on a test drive.
2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records
“I was stopped due to a red traffic light when I noticed smoked coming out behind the steering wheel, at the same time the dash lights were also flickering/ fluctuating. I managed to pull over quickly to a parking lot and shut of the engine. I had it towed to a mechanic. The diagnosis was a faulty electrical ignition switch.”
NHTSA complaint #10694739, filed 2015-03, 131,000 miles“I have a 95 Honda Civic vx I purchased new from the local dealer here in austin texas. For the past couple of weeks my car would stall out on the highway and a couple of times around town for no reason at all, but would come back on a few seconds later. Today as I write this message I am waiting for a tow truck to come get me and my Honda Civic from the side of the road. My car finally died out today with the same symptoms as above but this time the car wouldn't start again. …”
NHTSA complaint #10230392, filed 2008-06, 255,000 miles - Seats
Seat backs and seat tracks breaking
- 8 complaints (4%)
- typically at 2.2 yrs old
- 6 mention a crash, fire or injury
- filed 1995–2003
Owners report seat backs collapsing or reclining fully on impact, and seat bases breaking away from the track in rear-end and stationary impacts. One owner also notes that the headrest does not adjust, and the dealer said nothing could be done. Reported in collisions and impacts on vehicles of unspecified mileage, mostly older reports.
What to check: Rock each front seat by hand to feel for looseness in the track, and check that the seat back locks upright and the headrest adjusts or at least sits at a usable height.
2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records
“My son was rear ended in a 95 Honda Civic by a car going about 60 MPH. He was then knocked across an intersection and into a stone wall. Both drivers seats broke away from the base and airbags did not deploy. There were two other passengers. One being my other son. Thank god there was only some soreness and bruises.”
NHTSA complaint #10010532, filed 2003-03“Headrest does not adjust. When someone tall sits in the vehicle there is no protection against whiplash. Dealer says there is nothing that can be done.”
NHTSA complaint #844689, filed 1999-08
Buying note. This is an old vehicle, and the most common complaints involve safety systems that are hard to verify from the outside, so a pre-purchase inspection that includes the air bag and seat belt systems is worthwhile. Ask for service records covering the ignition switch and any air bag work, and budget for catching up on deferred maintenance.
Summary written with AI from a sample of 60 NHTSA complaints for this model year (picked at random, with complaints that state a mileage and recent ones taken first), then checked automatically against the source records. Where a problem shows a complaint count, every complaint for this model year was matched with fixed keyword rules (written with AI and tested against the sample), and the mileage, age and repair figures are calculated from those complaints; owners' figures are as stated, not verified. Other counts refer to the sample. The excerpts come from NHTSA's public complaint records and are unverified; capitalisation is normalised, NHTSA staff notes are removed, and shortened text ends with “…”. Something wrong? Request a correction.
NHTSA recorded 199 consumer complaints for the 1995 Honda Civic. 21 of the complaints include a mileage, and 10% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 131,000 miles. Of all complaints, 84 involved a crash, 2 a fire, 70 an injury, 5 a death, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 0 recall campaigns and 1 technical service bulletin for this model year.
Not compared (before 2008). Model years 2008–2023 of the same vehicle that have at least 25 complaints are compared, and a model needs at least 3 of them.
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.
- Air bags76 38%
- Seat belts16 8.0%
- Equipment14 7.0%
- Transmission and drivetrain14 7.0%
- Brakes13 6.5%
- Other or unknown13 6.5%
- Electrical system12 6.0%
- Seats12 6.0%
- Body and structure12 6.0%
- Tires11 5.5%
Also reported: Steering (9), Engine cooling (7), Vehicle speed control (7), Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors) (6), Suspension (4), Fuel system (3), Exterior lighting (2), Latches, locks and linkages (2).
Example complaints
Air bags: “I was getting ready to pull up into a parking space to back into my garage when the car accelerated to a high speed causing me to crash into a brick wall and a neighboring garage. My neck snapped forward after the airbags deployed, I am having back and neck pain after this injury. I am going to need medical assistance.”
NHTSA complaint #10516141, filed 2013-06, 165,000 milesSeat belts: “Sought vehicle history to see if airbag switch installed - could not get prev. Owners contact info, and could not locate on/off switch for airbag. Children ride in the front of this car, and we feel a switch should be installed w/out cost. Also concerned with TSB 96010 (1/96) - A/C compressor, and most recent one about a possible seat-belt problem. I want my questions answered and problems corrected, as needed.”
NHTSA complaint #738971, filed 2001-01Equipment: “While the air conditioner was on, water leaked through the dashboard. This caused an electrical malfunction and damaged the radio shorting out the head lamps and other parts to the vehicle. Dealership replaced so many parts within a 5 year period. Consumer will send invoices showing the components replaced.”
NHTSA complaint #10094355, filed 2004-09Transmission and drivetrain: “My car was parked on the right had side of the road, front wheels turned towards the curb. I turned on the ignition, put the car into drive and it accelerated out of control over the sidewalk and up into a front yard, slowing down over a bonsai tree. I shifted the gears into reverse and the car accelerated backwards, still out of control (brakes didn't work) until it crashed into a tree on the sidewalk and came to a halt. I had a passenger and 2 other witnesses but Honda say they can not duplicate the acceleration problem. Dt”
NHTSA complaint #770207, filed 2002-11Mileage when problems were reported
10% of the 21 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 85,000 and 180,000 miles.
Complaints by year filed
Trend: falling. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
Crash test ratings
NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 1995 Honda Civic. Frontal results are shown driver / passenger; rollover shows the star rating and NHTSA's estimated risk of rolling over in a single-vehicle crash.
| Version | Overall | Frontal | Side | Side pole | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Civic · sedan | not rated | 3 / 3 | — | — | — |
| Civic · coupe | not rated | 3 / 4 | — | — | — |
Ratings before the 2011 model year come from an older, less demanding test and are not comparable with ratings for 2011 and later.
Source: NHTSA New Car Assessment Program (5-Star Safety Ratings), nhtsa.gov/ratings.
Fuel economy and running cost
EPA ratings for each 1995 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 | 1.5L 4-cyl | 5-speed manual | 35 | 41 | 38 | $1,750 |
| Civic FWD | 1.5L 4-cyl | 5-speed manual | 33 | 41 | 36 | $1,850 |
| Civic FWD | 1.5L 4-cyl | 5-speed manual | 29 | 36 | 32 | $2,100 |
| Civic FWD | 1.5L 4-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 25 | 33 | 28 | $2,400 |
| Civic FWD | 1.6L 4-cyl | 5-speed manual | 25 | 32 | 28 | $2,400 |
| Civic FWD | 1.6L 4-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 23 | 31 | 26 | $2,600 |
| Civic Del Sol FWD | 1.5L 4-cyl | 5-speed manual | 30 | 37 | 33 | $2,050 |
| Civic Del Sol FWD | 1.5L 4-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 25 | 33 | 28 | $2,400 |
| Civic Del Sol FWD | 1.6L 4-cyl | 5-speed manual | 25 | 32 | 28 | $2,400 |
| Civic Del Sol FWD | 1.6L 4-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 23 | 31 | 26 | $2,600 |
| Civic Del Sol FWD | 1.6L 4-cyl | 5-speed manual | 23 | 27 | 24 | $3,400 |
| Civic HB VX FWD | 1.5L 4-cyl | 5-speed manual | 39 | 50 | 43 | $1,550 |
| Civic HB VX FWD | 1.5L 4-cyl | 5-speed manual | 37 | 45 | 40 | $1,700 |
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
NHTSA lists no recall campaigns for the 1995 Honda Civic in the data used here. A recall can apply to some vehicles of a model year and not others, so check a specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Technical service bulletins
TSBs are manufacturer notes to dealers about known repair procedures. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault. 1 on record; the latest 1 are shown.
- 10013953May 1, 2004Equipment. Audio unit and navigation system anti-theft codes available on interactive network.
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
What are the most common problems with the 1995 Honda Civic?
Owners of this model year most often describe air bags that did not deploy in collisions, along with a smaller but steady stream of reports about ignition switch failures, stalling, and seat belt or seat problems. The issues reported most often: Air bags did not deploy in a collision; Seat belts that fail to hold or retract; Ignition switch failure and sudden stalling.
How many NHTSA complaints does the 1995 Honda Civic have?
NHTSA recorded 199 consumer complaints for the 1995 Honda Civic as of Oct 29, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 1995 Honda Civic is reported most often?
Air bags is named most often, in 76 complaints (38% of the total), followed by seat belts with 16.
Has the 1995 Honda Civic been recalled?
NHTSA lists no recall campaigns for this model year in the data used here. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 1995 Honda Civic get?
The EPA rates the 1995 Honda Civic (Civic, 1.5L 4-cyl) at 28 mpg combined, 25 city and 33 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $2,400 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.
At what mileage are problems with the 1995 Honda Civic reported?
Among the 21 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 131,000 miles and the middle half falls between 85,000 and 180,000 miles; 10% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.
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. Crash ratings are from NHTSA’s New Car Assessment Program. 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.