Reliability, what owners report, and what it costs to keep.
AVOIR's read: a solid ownership case with specific caveats below.
Owners have filed 106 complaints with NHTSA about the 1992 Honda Civic, and it carries 13 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical system | 25 | 24% |
| Air bags | 16 | 15% |
| Seat belts | 8 | 8% |
| Tires | 8 | 8% |
| Power train | 5 | 5% |
| Service brakes | 5 | 5% |
| Steering | 4 | 4% |
| Seats | 4 | 4% |
| Structure | 4 | 4% |
| Engine and engine cooling | 4 | 4% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1992 HONDA CIVIC. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START AFTER BEING PARKED AND TURNED OFF FOR APPROXIMATELY 20 MINUTES. AFTER REPEATED ATTEMPTS, THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO START THE VEHI
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
1. I DO NOT KNOW WHAT EVENTS LEAD UP TO THIS FAILURE. 2. IGNITION KEY CANNOT BE REMOVED APPROX. 90% OF THE TIME. (CAR IS IN PARK.) THIS PROBLEM DEVELOPED ABOUT TWO YEARS AGO. HAVE TO LEAVE THE KEY IN THE IGNITION WHI
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
I WAS IN A CAR ACCIDENT ON 9/7/09. I WAS INJURED, AND HAD TO BE TAKEN TO SHOCK TRAUMA. MY SEAT BELT WAS ON BUT DID NOT WORK, AND BECAUSE IT DIDN'T WORK I RECEIVED A SEVERE HEAD INJURY AS WELL AS NECK AND BACK PROBLEMS,
NHTSA complaint: Seat belts
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1992 HONDA CIVIC. THREE MONTHS AFTER NEW TIRES WERE PURCHASED, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE TIRES WOULD SPORADICALLY LOSE TIRE PRESSURE. THE RISK OF A CRASH WAS INCREASED. SHE
NHTSA complaint: Tires
PLEASE DESCRIBE EVENTS LEADING UP TO THE FAILURE, FAILURE AND ITS CONSEQUENCES, AND WHAT WAS DONE TO CORRECT THE FAILURE; I.E, PARTS REPAIRED OR REPLACED (AND IF OLD PART IS AVAILABLE) DO NOT INCLUDE ANY PERSONAL
NHTSA complaint: Steering
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1992 HONDA CIVIC LX. THE VEHICLE HAS COOPER TRENDSETTER SE TIRES, SIZE P175/70R13. WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE CONTACT NOTICED A FLAT ON THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE TIRE. HE TOOK THE TIRE IN FOR INSPE
NHTSA complaint: Tires
DT: THE CONTACT STATED THE ENGINE WOULD START AND THEN STALL IMMEDIATELY. THIS HAPPENED TWICE. HE FOUND THE IGNITION SWITCH WAS NOT MAKING CONTACT. HE REPLACED THE IGNITION SWITCH HIMSELF. THE VEHICLE IS WORKING COR
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
MY HUSBAND WAS DRIVING MY 1992 CIVIC EX 4 DR SEDAN ON INTERSTATE 95 NORTHBOUND ON 9/8/05. HE HAD THE A/C ON AND ALL WINDOWS AND MOONROOF CLOSED. HE HEARD A LOUD "POP" AND THEN HEARD WIND NOISE. A PASSING MOTORIST SIGN
NHTSA complaint: Visibility
NHTSA lists 13 recall campaigns for the 1992 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.
K2 MOTOR IS RECALLING 1,921 AFTERMARKET HEADLAMPS OF VARIOUS MODELS SOLD FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LISTED VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS ARE MISSING THE AMBER SIDE REFLEX REFLECTOR WHICH FAILS TO CONFORM WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND A
Risk: WITHOUT THE AMBER SIDE REFLEX REFLECTORS, THE LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY BE AFFECTED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
Fix: K2 MOTOR WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND. THE RECALL BEGAN ON DECEMEBER 17, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT K2 MOTOR AT 1-909-839-2992.
CERTAIN E SPEED RACING COMBINATION LAMPS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT FOR USE ON CERTAIN 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 ASSOCIA
Risk: WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.
Fix: E SPEED RACING WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER TO REPURCHASE THE LAMPS. THE RECALL BEGAN MAY 10, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT E SPEED RACING 909-923-3636.
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
Risk: DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
Fix: DOPE, INC. WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 28, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DOPE, INC. AT 1-626-272-1798.
CERTAIN ANZO COMBINATION HEADLAMP ASSEMBLIES SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS WHICH FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPME
Risk: WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
Fix: ANZO WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE HEADLAMPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN MAY 9, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT ANZO USA AT 909-468-3688.
| Reliability | 59 | average |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 72 | good |
| Maintenance | 90 | excellent |
| Depreciation | 83 | excellent |
| Performance | 39 | below average |
| Efficiency | 61 | average |
Percentile ranks against other compact cars in the catalog.
What stands behind each score for this car:
Owners have filed 106 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and electrical system is the most reported area with 25 of them (24%). There are 13 recalls on record. Check any specific car against its VIN before buying.
AVOIR scores its reliability 59/100 (average) 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 72/100, but that figure is an estimate built from the powertrain and the brand's record, not a measurement. A 1992 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 70/100. 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.