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.
1996 Honda Civic: airbag warning light
20 of the 305 complaints about the 1996 Honda Civic describe airbag warning light.
- owner complaints
- 20
- of this car's complaints
- 7%
- typical repair cost reported
- $600
- typical mileage
- 89,000
- recalls
- 1
Is there a fix? There is 1 recall and 1 service bulletin for this area of the car. See below
Airbag warning light by model year
What owners say
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!!!!
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.
The SRS light will not go off. I'm afraid this may be a safety hazard.
I own honda civic ex 1996 VIN [xxx]. The SRS light turned on after replacing the battery. When I took it to dealer for diagnostics, they say the computer is faulty and it need to be replaced to fix this and till then, the airbags won't engage. My car was never exposed to any accidents or abnormal driving conditions. Honda has a faulty computer SRS system and this causes serious safety issue where air bags won't activate. *jb updated 07/17/2012 *js information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6)
Srs light indicator light comes on with no trouble codes.
After starting the vehicle the SRS warning light would stay illuminated until vehicle was shut off. Dealership was notified, but did not resolve the problem.
The SRS light on the dash of my 1996 honda civic had come on 5 times the past 18 months. I had taken it to a honda dealership in san bruno, ca on all these incidents. The first time I took it to their shop, they told me that it was the caused by a weak battery. Then on the second and third incidents, all they did was reset the alarm code. On november 24, 2004 I took the the car back to the dealership and complained, again, about the SRS light coming on. This time, I had been told that they pulled out an error code of dtc 8-5 and had reset the alarm code. I had been told to take the car back to them if the SRS light comes on again. I took the car back to the same delaership today because the SRS light came on again on january 27, 2005 (5th time). The dealership told me that they pulled up the code dtc 8-5 and cleared the code. However, they want me to spend $600 (parts and labor) to replace the SRS unit this time. I believe that there is definitely a factory defect with the SRS system of my 1996 honda civic.
1996 honda civic ex sedan, SRS light stays on. Apparently, this is a common problem with many hondas (accords, civics from several years). Dealers charge $90+/- to diagnose and reset, often due to false codes. Or, worse yet, they may recommend very costly replacement of sensors, computers, etc. After which the lights come back on anyway. Many websites blogs, posts, etc. Indicate owners are resetting their own SRS lights, or simply ignoring them. Sounds like a majority of 90's hondas & acuras are driving around with potentially disabled air bags. Honda america has avoided responsibility to this point. We drive with the light on, always using our seatbelts, and hoping the air bags don't deploy by mistake. Sad, for such an otherwise excellent company.
1996 honda civic SRS light on. Resolved only at dealer cost of $1100 to replace control module. Research on internet indicates this is a popular recurrent problem yet there are no recalls or tsbs. Please help. Need to know where to go for possible reimbursement or financial assistance. Thx.
The SRS light on my 1996 honda civic remains on. I have taken the car to the dealer twice during the last two weeks. The first visit the service department charged me $89.00 to run a "diagnostic". I was told the SRS was "retooled" and the system should be okay. Two days later the SRS light came on again. Service personnel told me I needed to bring the car in again soon. There was no charge, but I was told if the light came on again, the module would need to be replaced. The cost is usually $460.00, I was told. Also I'd need to call and make an appointment in advance since the department does not stock the module- it would have to be ordered. When I asked if the car was safe to drive, service personnel answered in the affirmative. Two days later the light came on again. That was last weekend. I have not taken the car in for service. An internet search I performed has turned up quite a few consumers who are experiencing the same problem as well as similar run-arounds from dealers: http://www.autofan.com/forum_thread.asp?message=7364 will the airbags work on impact? If I have the module replaced, will the system work? These are my concerns. I do not understand why honda is not being required to address and remedy this safety issue.
The SRS light stayed illuminated while driving. The dealership indicated it was caused by the SRS unit's complete failure which would render the air bag inoperative if the vehicle was in an accident.*ak consumer stated the air bag component is a safety item and is the responsibility of the manufacturer. *ph
Service bulletins that may apply
Related recalls
Air bags: frontal: driver side: inflator module
- 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
Questions about the 1996 Honda Civic airbag light
Is airbag warning light a common problem on the 1996 Honda Civic?
20 of 305 owner complaints about the 1996 Honda Civic (7%) mention airbag warning light. The model year with the most reports is 2001.
How much does it cost to fix airbag warning light on the 1996 Honda Civic?
Owners who mentioned a price put the repair at about $600 (median of 8 complaints that include a dollar amount). Costs vary with mileage, warranty and where the work is done.
Is there a recall or service bulletin for this on the 1996 Honda Civic?
There is 1 recall and 1 service bulletin for the same area of the car. Check them below with your VIN.
Other symptoms on the 1996 Honda Civic
Brake failure 27No deployment 23ABS 9Headlights 9Sudden acceleration 8Stalling 7Adaptive cruise 5Jerking 5
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