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1979 Honda CivicProblems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 1 owner complaint about the 1979 Honda Civic, most often about the steering. It is covered by 1 safety recall.

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CarFlaw IndexNot enough dataHigher is better (0–100)
Safety recalls1Free fix at dealersOwner complaints12 with a crash, fire or injuryTop problem1Steering

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through November 24, 2010. Updated daily.

Complaints by system

Where the 1979 Honda Civic has problems

1 complaint grouped by the system owners reported.

Box size = number of complaints naming that system. Darker = larger share. One complaint can name more than one system.
Complaints by system
SystemComplaintsCrash, fire or injury
Steering11

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.

1 recall

1979 Honda Civic recalls and how many were fixed

Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with Honda.

Best & worst years

1979 vs. every other Civic year

Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the Civic median. How we score

'73'74'75'76'77'78'79'81'82'83'84'85'86'87'88'89'90'91'92'93'94'95'96'97'98'99'00'01'02'03'04'05'06'07'08'09'10'11'12'13'14'15'16'17'18'19'20'21'22'23'24'25'26
  • Avoid
  • Caution
  • Solid
  • Best
  • Not rated
1 investigation

NHTSA defect investigations

Federal investigations that included the 1979 Honda Civic, and the recalls they led to.

  1. SEAT BELT RETRACTORSDP86013 · closed Aug 21, 1986
    No recall
In owners' words

What Civic owners report

Recent steering complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1979 HONDA CIVIC. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME STIFF. THE CONTACT LOST CONTROL AND CRASHED. THE DRIVER WAS SERIOUSLY INJURED AND TRANSPORTED TO THE HOSPITAL. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER; THE VEHICLE WAS NOT…
Complaint 10367745 · Nov 24, 2010

Own a 1979 Civic?

Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.