1996 Honda Civic Exterior lighting Problems
- Complaints
- 13about this part
- Share
- 4%of 305 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 125,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 13 complaints about the exterior lighting of the 1996 Honda Civic, 4% of the 305 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 125,000 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved, 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 dealer replaced the turn signal unit at 30,000 miles. 79,000 later the unit needed to be replaced again at the owners expense. The turn signal switch would not reset after the turn was made.”
NHTSA complaint #10064885, filed 2004-04, 30,000 miles“The contact stated the power windows were inoperable. The vehicle was taken to an independent repair shop where it was determined the wiring harness needed to be replaced. It was taken to the dealership for repair. Also, the hazard light was inoperable. The dealership determined the hazard light switch needed to be replaced.”
NHTSA complaint #10153052, filed 2006-03, 125,000 miles“Both headlight got water in them when car washed-replaced seals and lenses-warranty, windshield made howling noise at freeway speeds-resealed twice-warranty, left front seat would not move back and forth-replaced track-warranty, dead battery-replaced-warranty, rt front seatbelt would not retract-installed new seatbelt-warranty.”
NHTSA complaint #724492, filed 2000-06“Both headlights have leaks that allow water to enter and accumulate inside. The lenses fog up ans sooner or later this may lead to a short circuit and a possible electrical fire.”
NHTSA complaint #522575, filed 1997-08Exterior lighting: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 1 | 3% |
| 2024 | 1 | 1% |
| 2023 | 4 | 2% |
| 2022 | 2 | 0% |
| 2021 | 2 | 1% |
| 2020 | 2 | 1% |
| 2019 | 1 | 0% |
| 2018 | 3 | 0% |
| 2017 | 4 | 1% |
| 2016 | 30 | 3% |
| 2015 | 1 | 0% |
| 2014 | 7 | 2% |
| 2013 | 5 | 2% |
| 2012 | 10 | 2% |
| 2011 | 3 | 2% |
| 2010 | 5 | 1% |
| 2009 | 10 | 3% |
| 2008 | 6 | 1% |
| 2007 | 14 | 1% |
| 2006 | 23 | 2% |
| 2005 | 6 | 2% |
| 2004 | 12 | 3% |
| 2003 | 23 | 5% |
| 2002 | 53 | 8% |
| 2001 | 62 | 6% |
| 2000 | 9 | 3% |
| 1999 | 2 | 1% |
| 1998 | 5 | 1% |
| 1997 | 6 | 2% |
| 1996 | 13 | 4% |
| 1995 | 2 | 1% |
| 1994 | 1 | 1% |
| 1991 | 7 | 6% |
| 1990 | 4 | 4% |
| 1989 | 1 | 1% |
| 1986 | 4 | 11% |
Other parts of the 1996 Honda Civic
70 complaintsBrakes
61 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
34 complaintsVehicle speed control
31 complaintsEngine cooling
27 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
25 complaintsOther or unknown
19 complaintsBody and structure
19 complaintsElectrical system
17 complaintsTires
11 complaintsEquipment
10 complaintsSeat belts
7 complaints
← All problems reported for the 1996 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