Reliability, what owners report, and what it costs to keep.
AVOIR's read: the numbers are mixed and the complaint record is worth reading before you commit.
Owners have filed 221 complaints with NHTSA about the 1994 Honda Civic, and it carries 14 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Air bags | 77 | 35% |
| Service brakes | 18 | 8% |
| Engine and engine cooling | 13 | 6% |
| Seat belts | 13 | 6% |
| Tires | 12 | 5% |
| Power train | 11 | 5% |
| Structure | 10 | 5% |
| Vehicle speed control | 9 | 4% |
| Visibility | 8 | 4% |
| Equipment | 7 | 3% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
The contact owns a 1994 Honda Del Sol. The contact stated that the air bag warning light was illuminated. The contact called the local dealer and was referred to the manufacturer. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaire
NHTSA complaint: Air bags
ABS LIGHT COMES ON. I HEAR A SOUND AS IF THERE'S SOMETHING LOOSE WHEN ABS LIGHT COMES ON AS WELL AS PULSATING WHILE IN MOTION. SHIFT LEVER ALSO GETS STUCK WHEN TRYING TO PULL OUT OF PARKING LOT.
NHTSA complaint: Service brakes
1994 HONDA DEL SOL. CONSUMER WRITES ABOUT SAFETY PASSENGER AIR BAG. *VA THE CONSUMER STATED THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME COMPLETING THE RECALL REPAIR. *JS
NHTSA complaint: Air bags
1994 HONDA DEL SOL. THE CONSUMER STATE THE AIR BAG LIGHT IS CURRENTLY ON. *TA
NHTSA complaint: Air bags
MY MOTHER WAS DRIVING HER VEHICLE ALONE AND HAD AN ENCOUNTER WITH A DEER STRIKE TO THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. THE SAFETY AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE ACCIDENT WAS IMMEDIATELY REPORTED TO THE LOCAL DEALER. SINCE THAT DA
NHTSA complaint: Air bags
MY LITTLE ONE AND I WERE IN A THREE CAR ACCIDENT ON THE FREEWAY. THE CAR SPUN OUT OF CONTROL AND NEITHER OF THE AIR BAGS WENT OFF. *JS
NHTSA complaint: Air bags
I WAS IN A CAR ACCIDENT AND MY AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY AND MY SEATBELT DID NOT CATCH. *TR
NHTSA complaint: Air bags
WHEN SHIFTING FROM PARK TO DRIVE SHIFTER LOCKS UP AND DRIVER MUST USE KEY IN SHIFT LOCK TO RELEASE THE SHIFTER ONCE THIS HAPPENS THE BRAKE LIGHTS DO NOT WORK. *JB
NHTSA complaint: Power train
NHTSA lists 14 recall campaigns for the 1994 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.
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 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.
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 | 53 | average |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 70 | 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 221 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and air bags is the most reported area with 77 of them (35%). There are 14 recalls on record. Check any specific car against its VIN before buying.
AVOIR scores its reliability 53/100 (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 70/100, but that figure is an estimate built from the powertrain and the brand's record, not a measurement. A 1994 car has no 200,000-mile population to observe yet, so treat it as a prior rather than evidence.
AVOIR's read: be careful, because the numbers are mixed and the complaint record is worth reading before you commit. Its overall ownership score is 68/100. 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.