Reliability, what owners report, and what it costs to keep.
AVOIR's read: a solid ownership case with specific caveats below.
Owners have filed 52 complaints with NHTSA about the 1986 Honda Civic, and it carries 3 recalls. These are owner allegations rather than confirmed defects, but the pattern of what people complain about is the most useful signal a used buyer has.
| Area | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Seat belts | 13 | 25% |
| Engine and engine cooling | 11 | 21% |
| Structure | 5 | 10% |
| Service brakes | 5 | 10% |
| Exterior lighting | 4 | 8% |
| Power train | 4 | 8% |
| Fuel system | 3 | 6% |
| Electrical system | 3 | 6% |
| Power train | 1 | 2% |
| Seats | 1 | 2% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
The contact owns a 1986 Honda Civic. The contact stated that whether the vehicle was parked, stationary, or driven, the seat belt was difficult to retract. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact stated tha
NHTSA complaint: Seat belts
DT: THE CONTACT OWNS A 1986 HONDA CIVIC. THE ENGINE CONSTANTLY BROKE DOWN. THE DEALERSHIP TOLD THE CONTACT TO GET RID OF THE VEHICLE. THE ENGINE BROKEN DOWN FIVE TIMES AND HAD TO BE REPLACED. THE ENGINE OVERHEATED AN
NHTSA complaint: Engine and engine cooling
THE 1986 HONDA CRX HAS PLASTIC FENDERS THAT HOLD THE SIDE MARKER LAMPS. THE PLASTIC HAS BECOME VERY BRITTLE OVER TIME. MY SIDE MARKER LIGHTS ARE ONLY HELD ON BY A CLUMSY, PLUG-IN ATTACHMENT NEXT TO THE HEADLIGHT. THE TWO
NHTSA complaint: Structure
THE SEATBELT ANCHOR POINTS NEAR THE DOORS HAVE BOTH RUSTED OUT AND DO NOT RESTRAIN PROPERLY. THE CAR IS NOW IN VIOLATION OF NATIONAL SEATBELT LAWS. WHAT CAN I DO? WHAT WILL HONDA DO? THANK YOU.
NHTSA complaint: Seat belts
THE TRIM PIECE ABOVE THE FRONT BUMPER IN FRONT OF THE HOOD IS CRACKED IN 3 PLACES. I HAVE BEEN LOOKING AT OTHER CRX'S AND EVERY SIMILAR CRX I HAVE SEEN IS CRACKED IN THE SAME PLACES.
NHTSA complaint: Structure
THE LOW BEAM SWITCH FAILED WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT CAUSING THE LIGHT TO GO OUT, THE MULTI-FUNCTION SWITCH WAS REPLACED. NLM
NHTSA complaint: Exterior lighting
BOTH FENDERS HAVE CRACKS MIDWAY BETWEEN THE FRONT AND REAR FENDER, THERE ARE ALSO CRACKS ACROSS THE FRONT IN THE METAL WHICH IS BETWEEN THE HOOD AND BUMPER. NLM
NHTSA complaint: Structure
WHILE DRIVING WITH LOW BEAM, BEAMS DIED OUT AND WENT TO 0. CONSUMER STATED SWITCH WAS FAULTY. *AK THE LOW BEAM SWITCH FAILED CAUSING THE LOW BEAM INOPERATIVE. *YH
NHTSA complaint: Exterior lighting
NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns for the 1986 Honda Civic. Recalls are free to have fixed at a franchised dealer regardless of who owns the car now, but only if they were never done, so check the VIN of the specific car rather than trusting the model.
THE FRONT SAFETY BELT BUCKLE RELEASE BUTTONS CAN BREAK. THESE RED PLASTIC RELEASE BUTTONS ARE MARKED "PRESS." IF A BUTTON BREAKS, PIECES CAN FALL INTO THE BUCKLE ASSEMBLY CAUSING THE BUCKLE TO OPERATE IMPROPERLY.
Risk: THE SAFETY BELTS WOULD NOT PROVIDE ADEQUATE PROTECTION TO AN OCCUPANT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
Fix: OWNERS SHOULD PROMPTLY CHECK THE CONDITION AND OPERATION OF BOTH FRONT SAFETY BELT BUCKLES. CAREFULLY INSPECT THE RED RELEASE BUTTON FOR ANY BREAKS OR CRACKS. CHECK THAT BOTH BUCKLES ARE OPERATING PRO
UNDER HIGH AMBIENT TEMPERATURES FRONT WINDSHIELD WIPER CONTACT UNIT COULD LOOSEN AND BECOME DISLODGED.
Risk: THIS COULD RESULT IN WINDSHIELD WIPER FAILURE AND WOULDAFFECT DRIVER VISIBILITY.
Fix: INSTALL A CONTACT UNIT HOLDER THAT WOULD PREVENT LOOSENING.
LEFT SIDE DRIVE SHAFT COULD DEVELOP CRACKS NEAR THE OUTER JOINT.
Risk: CONSEQUENCE OF DEFECT: DURING HIGH STRESS SITUATIONS, SUCH AS RAPID ACCELERATION OR DECELERATION, THE DRIVE SHAFT COULD BREAK WITHOUT WARNING AND CAUSE A SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER AND A VEHICLE CRAS
Fix: REPLACE LEFT DRIVE SHAFT WITH A PROPERLY MANUFACTURED PART.
| Reliability | 84 | excellent |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 84 | excellent |
| Maintenance | 90 | excellent |
| Depreciation | 83 | excellent |
| Performance | 37 | below average |
| Efficiency | 57 | average |
Percentile ranks against other compact cars in the catalog.
What stands behind each score for this car:
Owners have filed 52 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and seat belts is the most reported area with 13 of them (25%). There are 3 recalls on record. Check any specific car against its VIN before buying.
AVOIR scores its reliability 84/100 (excellent) from NHTSA recall campaigns and complaint density, adjusted for how many were sold so a popular model is not penalised for having more owners.
AVOIR scores its longevity 84/100, but that figure is an estimate built from the powertrain and the brand's record, not a measurement. A 1986 car has no 200,000-mile population to observe yet, so treat it as a prior rather than evidence.
AVOIR's read: worth a look, because a solid ownership case with specific caveats below. Its overall ownership score is 78/100. Condition, mileage and service history still matter more than any score, so get a pre-purchase inspection on the specific car.
Sources: NHTSA recalls and complaints, EPA fuel economy, IIHS awards, and live market listings. A score describes a model-year, not the individual car in front of you. Get a pre-purchase inspection.