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Research · Subcompact Cars

1999 Honda CivicRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 15 safety recalls and 348 owner complaints for the 1999 Honda Civic. Most complaints involve electrical system (120) and air bags (59). The EPA rates it 25–33 mpg combined.

Check a VINAdd to my garage
Combined MPG
25–33mpg
EPA · 8 versions
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
15campaigns
Latest Jan 2020
Owner complaints
348
Top: electrical system
Fuel cost / yr
$1,700est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

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

Air bags: inflator module

Free remedy

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 1998 Acura 2.2CL, 1998-1999 Acura 2.3CL, 1998-1999 Acura 3.0CL, 2001 Acura 3.2CL and Acura MDX, 1998-2000 Honda Accord Coupe, Accord Sedan, Civic Sedan, Odyssey and Acura 3.5RL, 1999-2000 Acura 3.2TL, 1996-2000 Civic Coupe, 1997-2000 CR-V, 1997-1998 EV Plus, and 1998-1999 Isuzu Oasis vehicles. These vehicles were equipped with Non-Azide Driver air bag Inflators (NADI) and do not contain phase stabilized ammonium nitrate (PSAN) propellant. Due to a manufacturing issue, the NADI inflators may absorb moisture, causing the inflators to rupture or the air bag cushion to underinflate.

Air bagsReported Jan 17, 2020NHTSA 20V026000

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

SABERSPORT IS RECALLING 16,270 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 Apr 7, 2009NHTSA 09E012000
See all 15 recalls with remedies
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 6, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

348 complaints filed with NHTSA · Jan 1998 – Dec 2023
  1. Electrical system120
  2. Air bags59
  3. Power train39
  4. Engine and engine cooling29
  5. Tires17
  6. Structure16
  7. Service brakes, hydraulic16
  8. Engine14
  9. Vehicle speed control13

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 Civic model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
1996314
1997383
1998450
1999348
2000297
20011,089
2002717
2003525
2004351
2005316
20061,411
20071,212
2008923
2009398
2010400
2011170
2012462
2013320
2014293
2015389
20161,083
2017608
2018602
2019460
2020240
2021162
2022962
2023338
2024144
202588
202632
Crashes reported
62
Fires reported
5
Injuries reported
55
Deaths reported
1
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 6, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Electrical system

120 reports3 crashes3 fires
“The contact owns a 1999 Honda Civic. The contact stated while driving 20 MPH, the vehicle lost electrical power inadvertently. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact was able to veer to the side of the road. The contact was able to restart the vehicle and continued driving. The contact stated that the failure had been recurring. Additionally, the contact stated that the instrument panel lights were no longer illuminated while starting the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed and determined that the ignition switch was corroded at the contact point. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer and several other unknown dealers were notified of the failure and informed the contact that the VIN was not included in a recall related to the failure. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 160,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 2, 2023Electrical systemODI 11536022

Air bags

59 reports44 crashes
“You listed this VIN as having an airbag recall repair pending. I setup an appointment at the dealer. They went through the motions of doing the replacement and gave me paperwork indicating they had serviced the recall, but I believe you had lied to me and they are lying to me about the recall. This VIN does not correspond to an airbag recall according to multiple other sources. I recently inspected the passenger airbag it definitely not new. That is what clued me to begin checking further. I don't believe they replaced the driver airbag either. In the mean time I had to take buses to and from the dealership, after work, at night, in the rain, in the middle of this Omicron Covid spike. You an the dealer endangered my health and I want to know why and who is responsible.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Dec 27, 2021Air bagsODI 11445149

Power train

39 reports2 crashes
“WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY DOING 60MPH, MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON SO I PULLED INTO A LOCAL PARTS STORE HAD THEM LOOK UP WHAT HAD MADE MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT TO COME ON AND THE CODE THAT SHOWED UP WAS P0740 (TORQUE CONVERTER CLUTCH CIRCUIT MALFUNCTION). NOW MY CAR IS HAVING HARD TIMES SHIFTING UP AND DOWN IN ALL SPEED RANGES. I HAVE BEEN RESEARCHING THIS PROBLEM AND HAVE FOUND SEVERAL COMPLAINTS BUT NO ACTION TAKEN. *TR”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Feb 24, 2013Power trainODI 10499855
All 1999 Civic problemsSend a problem to a mechanic on findmechanic.ai
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 6, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

8 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Subcompact Cars
Engines
1.6L 4-cyl
Transmissions
Manual 5-spd · Automatic (variable gear ratios) · Automatic 4-spd
Drive
Front-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Regular Gasoline · Natural Gas · Premium 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 Nov 6, 2026EPA listing
05 —Fuel economy

EPA fuel economy by version

City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
VersionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
Civic HX
Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 1.6 L · Front-Wheel Drive
303833$1,950269
Civic HX
Auto (variable gear ratios), 4 cyl, 1.6 L · Front-Wheel Drive
293531$2,050287
Civic
Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 1.6 L · Front-Wheel Drive
273430$2,150296
Civic
Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 1.6 L, SOHC-VTEC · Front-Wheel Drive
253228$2,300317
Civic
Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 1.6 L · Front-Wheel Drive
243227$2,400329
Civic
Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 1.6 L, SOHC-VTEC · Front-Wheel Drive
243127$2,400329
Civic
Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 1.6 L, CNG FFS · Front-Wheel Drive
243127$1,700260
Civic
Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 1.6 L, DOHC-VTEC · Front-Wheel Drive
222925$3,200355
  • Civic HX
    Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 1.6 L
    30 city · 38 hwy · $1,950/yr
    33
    mpg comb.
  • Civic HX
    Auto (variable gear ratios), 4 cyl, 1.6 L
    29 city · 35 hwy · $2,050/yr
    31
    mpg comb.
  • Civic
    Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 1.6 L
    27 city · 34 hwy · $2,150/yr
    30
    mpg comb.
  • Civic
    Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 1.6 L, SOHC-VTEC
    25 city · 32 hwy · $2,300/yr
    28
    mpg comb.
  • Civic
    Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 1.6 L
    24 city · 32 hwy · $2,400/yr
    27
    mpg comb.
  • Civic
    Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 1.6 L, SOHC-VTEC
    24 city · 31 hwy · $2,400/yr
    27
    mpg comb.
  • Civic
    Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 1.6 L, CNG FFS
    24 city · 31 hwy · $1,700/yr
    27
    mpg comb.
  • Civic
    Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 1.6 L, DOHC-VTEC
    22 city · 29 hwy · $3,200/yr
    25
    mpg comb.
Estimate your fuel costCost of ownership
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 6, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

2 tested variants
NHTSA has not published 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 1999 Honda Civic as of Nov 6, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Nov 6, 2026Vehicle 3966Vehicle 3965
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

1999 Civic questions

How many recalls does the 1999 Honda Civic have?

15 safety recalls as of Nov 6, 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 1999 Honda Civic problems?

Owners filed 348 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are electrical system (120), air bags (59), power train (39). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 1999 Honda Civic get?

The EPA rates the 1999 Honda Civic at 25–33 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (8 versions rated).

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 6, 2026