Recalls: Honda EK1/EK4/EJ8 Civic
Overview
Manufacturers, or importers, issue recalls for defects or faults which have the potential to cause injury. Generally, manufacturers will inform the original buyers if their vehicle is subject to a recall and of the steps required to remedy the defect or fault. Please note that the recalls below (if any) are for Australian-delivered vehicles only. Furthermore, the number of recalls should not be taken as an indication of a model’s reliability or its safety more generally.
Recalls: Honda EK1/EK4/EJ8 Civic
1999 Honda Civic GLi and VTi-R: seatbelts
In October 1999, a recall was issued for 1999 Honda Civic VTi-R and GLi variants because the applied seatbelts did not have an energy absorbing feature in the webbing area (PRA 1999/4119).
1998 Honda Civic: ignition switch malfunction and engine stall
In May 2002, a recall was issued for 1998 Honda Civic models due to the ignition switch potentially malfunctioning and causing the engine to stall – this could occur due to a high current surge passing through the switch during start-up, causing the ignition switch contacts to degrade (PRA 2002/5400).
1996-00 model year Honda EJ8/EJ6/EM1 Civic: Takata airbag recall and buyback
In January 2020, recall campaign 6NA was issued for 1996-00 model year Honda EJ8/EJ6/EM1 Civic vehicles. These recalled vehicles had Takata driver airbags with NADI-5AT inflators and, over time, moisture could enter the airbag inflator and degrade the airbag propellant. If this occurred, deployment of the airbag could cause the airbag inflator housing to rupture and project metal fragments into the vehicle’s cabin – these fragments posed a serious risk of injury and fatality. The airbag could also under-inflate and not protect the driver as intended. Honda Australia advised that owners should stop driving the vehicle immediately and contact Honda to organise an inspection. For affected registered vehicles, Honda would offer to purchase the registered vehicle from the owner at present market value (i.e. as determined by a third party valuer appointed by Honda). Due to the age of the vehicles, replacement airbag inflators were not available. For the VINs of the recalled vehicles, please see PRA 2020/18123.
Problems and faults: Honda EK1/EK4/EJ8 Civic
Overview
This section identifies potential problems, causes and fixes based on the experiences of owners and repairers, online sources and technical service bulletins. This information is provided solely for reference purposes and AustralianCar.Reviews recommends that only properly qualified persons carry out repairs or modifications. Furthermore, the number of items below should not be taken as an indicator of a model’s reliability or the frequency with which they may occur.
To report a problem or fault to the AustralianCar.Reviews team, please use the Contact Us form. Note that AustralianCar.Reviews does not offer advice on automotive problems or disputes; such enquiries will not receive a reply. For vehicles purchased from dealers after 1 January 2011, please see our Australian Consumer Law fact sheet.
Problems and faults: Honda EK1/EK4/EJ8 Civic
- The automatic transmission may shift harshly due to a contaminated linear shift solenoid – to fix, repeated fluid changes are required and a new solenoid must be installed.
- For Honda Civic models with automatic transmissions, surging – similar to the lock-up torque converter hesitating – may be caused by a poor electrical earth between the chassis and transmission.
- Seatbelts may not retract or may retract slowly, and the button that keeps the seatbelt tongue from sliding down can break.
- Insufficient sealing of body seams can result in water leaking into the front footwells.
- If the windscreen wipers do not park in the correct position, the wiper motor may need to be replaced.
- Installing aftermarket audio systems can affect the keyless entry system and interior lights as these systems are connected to the audio system.
