Research · Subcompact Cars

1996 Acura IntegraRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 5 safety recalls and 44 owner complaints for the 1996 Acura Integra. Most complaints involve air bags (8) and service brakes, hydraulic (6). The EPA rates it 24–25 mpg combined.

Combined MPG
24–25mpg
EPA · 3 versions
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
5campaigns
Latest May 2009
Owner complaints
44
Top: air bags
Fuel cost / yr
$2,550est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

5 NHTSA campaigns · applies to some vehicles, check your VIN

Exterior lighting: headlights

Free remedy

DOPE, INC. IS RECALLING 42,540 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.

Exterior lightingReported May 11, 2009NHTSA 09E025000

Exterior lighting

Free remedy

CERTAIN AAI MOTORSPORTS COMBINATION LAMPS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LIST PASSENGER VEHICLES. COMBINATION LAMPS NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT."

Exterior lightingReported Jun 29, 2006NHTSA 06E060000

Exterior lighting

Free remedy

CERTAIN CK MOTORSPORTS COMBINATION HEADLIGHTS, CLEAR CORNER, BUMPER, AND SIDE MARKER LIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON THE PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS THAT ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.

Exterior lightingReported May 24, 2006NHTSA 06E049000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Oct 28, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

44 complaints filed with NHTSA · Feb 1996 – Dec 2017
  1. Air bags8
  2. Service brakes, hydraulic6
  3. Vehicle speed control5
  4. Electrical system4
  5. Equipment3
  6. Engine and engine cooling3
  7. Suspension3
  8. Visibility3
  9. Structure2

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

By model year

Complaints for each Integra model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
199644
199722
199821
19998
200017
20016
2023208
202464
202511
20262
Crashes reported
7
Fires reported
1
Injuries reported
7
Deaths reported
0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Oct 28, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Air bags

8 reports4 crashes
“I GOT INTO A CAR ACCIDENT WHERE A CAR DROVE INTO ONCOMING TRAFFIC AND HIT THE FRONT OF MY CAR. THE AIRBAGS ON BOTH THE DRIVER'S AND PASSENGERS SEAT WERE RELEASED. THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Dec 8, 2017Air bags, StructureCrash reportedODI 11053585

Service brakes, hydraulic

6 reports1 crash
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 ACURA INTEGRA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE CONTACT DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL BUT THE VEHICLE DID NOT SLOW DOWN. AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC STATED THAT THE CALIPERS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 157,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 12, 2014Service brakes, hydraulicODI 10621743

Vehicle speed control

5 reports2 crashes
“WAS DRIVING ABOUT 25 MPH, THE CAR LURCHED AND THE ENGINE RPM WHEN ALL THE WAY UP, OUT OF CONTROL. APPLYING THE BRAKES FULL FORCE COULD NOT STOP THE CAR. CAR EVENTUALLY CRASHED INTO A FENCE AND CAME TO A STOP WITH THE ENGINE STILL TURNING AT VERY FAST RPM. DRIVE WHEELS DUG A HOLE INTO SOFT EARTH FROM SPINNING WHEELS UNTIL ENGINE WAS SHUT OFF. *AK”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Nov 18, 2000Service brakes, hydraulic, Vehicle speed controlCrash reportedODI 736500
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Oct 28, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

3 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Subcompact Cars
Engines
1.8L 4-cyl
Transmissions
Manual 5-spd · Automatic 4-spd
Drive
Front-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Premium Gasoline · Regular Gasoline

Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.

Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Oct 28, 2026EPA listing
05 —Fuel economy

EPA fuel economy by version

City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
VersionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
Integra
Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 1.8 L, DOHC/VTEC (FFS) · Front-Wheel Drive
222925$3,200355
Integra
Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 1.8 L, (FFS) · Front-Wheel Drive
222925$2,550355
Integra
Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 1.8 L, (FFS) · Front-Wheel Drive
212924$2,700370
  • Integra
    Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 1.8 L, DOHC/VTEC (FFS)
    22 city · 29 hwy · $3,200/yr
    25
    mpg comb.
  • Integra
    Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 1.8 L, (FFS)
    22 city · 29 hwy · $2,550/yr
    25
    mpg comb.
  • Integra
    Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 1.8 L, (FFS)
    21 city · 29 hwy · $2,700/yr
    24
    mpg comb.
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Oct 28, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

1 tested variant
NHTSA has not published 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 1996 Acura Integra as of Oct 28, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Oct 28, 2026Vehicle 3620
07 —Maintenance

Maintenance basics

General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
ItemMilesTimeNote
Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi6–12 monthsFollow the oil-life monitor if fitted
Tire rotation5,000–7,500 miEvery oil changeCheck pressure monthly
Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi1–2 yearsSooner in dusty areas
Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi1–2 years
Brake fluid—2–3 yearsAbsorbs moisture over time
Coolant60,000–100,000 mi5–10 yearsLong-life coolants last longer
Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi—Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end
12V battery—3–5 yearsHeat shortens battery life
  • Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi
    6–12 months
  • Tire rotation5,000–7,500 mi
    Every oil change
  • Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Brake fluid—
    2–3 years
  • Coolant60,000–100,000 mi
    5–10 years
  • Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi
    —
  • 12V battery—
    3–5 years
Typical intervals for modern cars. Severe service (towing, short trips, extreme heat or cold) shortens them.
09 —FAQ

1996 Integra questions

How many recalls does the 1996 Acura Integra have?

5 safety recalls as of Oct 28, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.

What are the most common 1996 Acura Integra problems?

Owners filed 44 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are air bags (8), service brakes, hydraulic (6), vehicle speed control (5). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 1996 Acura Integra get?

The EPA rates the 1996 Acura Integra at 24–25 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (3 versions rated).

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Oct 28, 2026