1996 Honda Civic airbags problems

70 complaints (23% of all complaints for this car). Typical mileage when it fails: 92,000. 39 crashes reported.

owner complaints: 70
of this car's complaints: 23%
typical mileage: 92,000
crashes: 39
recalls: 1

Which part fails

Frontal
39
Frontal: sensor/control module
6
Side/window
1

At what mileage

Complaints by mileage at the time of the problem.

0k-25k

25k-50k

50k-75k

75k-100k

100k-125k

125k-150k

150k-175k

175k-200k

200k+

Honda Civic airbags problems in other years

Specific symptoms reported on the 1996 Honda Civic airbags

Phrases found in the owners' own descriptions, so one complaint can mention several symptoms.

No deployment 23 Airbag light 20

Related recalls

Air bags: frontal: driver side: inflator moduleReported January 17, 2020 · 1,439,841 vehicles affected

What is wrong: 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.
Risk: In the event of a crash necessitating air bag deployment, an inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants. An underinflated air bag cushion may not properly protect the occupant. These scenarios increase the risk of serious injury or death.
Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the driver frontal air bag inflator, and replace it if necessary, with an inflator of a different design, free of charge. The recall began October 1, 2020. Owners may contact American Honda's Customer Support & Campaign Center at 1‑888‑234‑2138 or Isuzu customer service at 1‑800‑255‑6727.

Recall number 20V026000 · Recall details

What 1996 Honda Civic owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

Filed Jun 1, 2020 · Airbags · FL · crash · 1 injury

Gas idle didn't return back and I got into a car accident.

Filed Feb 12, 2020 · Airbags · WA

I have 2 recalls and I need the notification for them gone asap so I can ship my car overseas. The issues stated about the "air bag" and "floor mats" have yet to cause a concern to my driving and or handling ability. I don't have the time to go through these recalls as I am military and need my vehicle shipped but the recalls are whats kicking me back.

Filed Apr 24, 2019 · Airbags · 235,000 miles · MD · crash

This honda was involved in an accident yesterday with both side and front impact while in motion, both impacts being major. But neither the passenger or driver's airbags were deployed at any time. There were no warning lights on about the airbag prior to this.

Filed Jul 14, 2014 · Airbags · 147,000 miles · ID · 1 injury

Tl* the contact owns a 1996 honda civic. While driving over a bump at an unknown speed, the air bags deployed erroneously and shattered the front passenger side window. The passenger sustained injuries to the face. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified. The failure mileage was 147,000. Updated 8/28/14*cn the consumer stated the manufacturer did not offer any assistance. Updated 11/12/2014

Filed May 2, 2014 · Airbags · 200,000 miles · CA

For some unknown reason the SRS air bag light came on and stayed on. I had not been in any kind of crash or almost crash. The local honda dealer said there was a problem with it and honda had did a recall but my car was out of the warranty period that honda set up so they would charge me $400.00 to fix.

Filed Jul 31, 2012 · Airbags, Seat belts · 223,500 miles · TX · crash · 1 injury

I was driving down a residential street in my 1996 honda civic when a 2004 gmc yukon SUV came hurling around the corner of an intersecting street ahead of me. The driver of the yukon failed to stay in his lane as he rounded the corner and hit my honda civic head-on. Upon impact my head hit the windshield so hard that it left a bubble protruding out on the driver side of my windshield. In the shape of my head ( I have photos of windshield damage) right before the airbag deployed. I was also wearing a seat belt with shoulder restraint. As a result of the collision I sustained a brain concussion. I have always believed that a driver side airbag and seat belt with shoulder restraint was designed to keep my head out of the windshield in the event of a head-on collision. Evidently both the seat belt and airbag failed to protect me from hitting the windshield in the collision I was in. (I have a copy of the police report and presently am still in possession of my totaled out vehicle.

Filed Jul 13, 2010 · Airbags · 134,000 miles · MO · crash

Air bags did not deploy. A car in the opposite lane turned in front of my 1996 honda civic lx as I entered the intersection with a green light traveling about 40 miles per hour. I promptly slammed on my brakes and I hit the other car essentially head on. The impact left my civic's front bumper and underlying metal support beam lying in the intersection, along with the antifreeze that was rapidly draining everywhere. I hit the other car's front passenger-side from its wheel well to the front bumper. The air bags failed to deploy.

Filed Aug 27, 2009 · Airbags · TX · crash · 1 injury

Front air bags didn't deploy in crash.

Filed May 31, 2006 · Airbags · 92,000 miles · LA

Our SRS light came on one saturday with no accident or reason. We took it into the dealer and they told us the code showed that the SRS computer module had to be replaced at a cost of $750. After reading all of the complaints from other owners, I was shocked that they didn't tell us that this was a common complaint and they are so quick to charge us the most expensive amount when it is probably a weak battery that set it off in the first place!! This problem needs to be fixed because we drive around without airbags for reasons that have nothing to do with the owners!! Just because a battery goes weak, or you set an electrical device on the seat, our airbags shouldn't stop working!!!!

Filed Feb 28, 2006 · Airbags · CA

Air bags: frontal:sensor/control module needs to be replaced. The SRS light suddenly came on for no reason, took it to a reputable honda dealer. Was told I had to replace the module. Cost is around $800 - $ 900. The car since I have owned it has not been in any accident. On a limited income, I don't think I can fix this soon, do not like driving the car with the SRS light on, worried bags may or may not deploy when I need them to. Worry air bags may deploy for no reason.

Questions about the 1996 Honda Civic airbags

Does the 1996 Honda Civic have airbags problems?

Owners have filed 70 complaints about the airbags of the 1996 Honda Civic, 23% of all its complaints, more than any other problem.

At what mileage do 1996 Honda Civic airbags problems start?

The typical (median) mileage in owner complaints is 92,000 miles.

Was there a recall on the 1996 Honda Civic airbags?

Yes, 1 recall: 20V026000. Check your VIN to see if your car still needs the free repair.

What year does the Honda Civic have bad airbags?

The Honda Civic model years with the most airbags complaints are 2001 (310 complaints), 2002 (242 complaints) and 2006 (181 complaints).

Is there a class action lawsuit over the Honda Civic?

Yes. Class action says Honda and Acura keyless entry makes cars easy to steal and asks for theft protection (November 12, 2026).