1979 Honda Civic problems

General information about Honda-Civic
Overview of popular issues
Analysis of common problems
Сomplaints list
Recalls list

The Honda Civic (Japanese: ホンダ・シビック, Hepburn: Honda Shibikku) is a series of automobiles manufactured by Honda since 1972. As of 2023, the Civic is positioned between the Honda Fit/City and Honda Accord in Honda's global car line-up.

The first-generation Civic was introduced in July 1972 as a two-door fastback sedan, followed by a three-door hatchback that September. With a 1,169 cc transverse engine and front-wheel drive like the British Mini, the car provided good interior space despite overall small dimensions. Initially gaining a reputation for being fuel-efficient, reliable and environmentally friendly, later iterations have become known for performance and sportiness, especially the Civic Type R, Civic VTi, Civic GTi and Civic SiR/Si.

The Civic has been repeatedly rebadged for international markets, and served as the basis for the Honda CR-X, the Honda CR-X del Sol, the Concerto, the first generation Prelude, the Civic Shuttle (later to become the Orthia) and the CR-V (which, by extension, was used as the basis for the Honda FR-V).

The Civic is one of the all-time best-selling automobiles in the world, with over 27 million units sold since 1972 as of 2021.

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Common 1979 Honda Civic problems

Based on complaints from owners of the 1979 Honda Civic, several common problems have been reported:

Significant Engine Problems:
- Owners have reported significant engine problems, with 144 of them specifically mentioning cracked engine blocks. This issue can lead to overheating, loss of power, and potential safety hazards while driving. The cracked engine block problem seems to be a prevalent issue among 1979 Honda Civic owners, affecting the car's performance and reliability.
Transmission Issues:
- The 2001 model year of the Honda Civic is known for transmission problems. Owners have reported that the transmissions fail prematurely, with some failing as early as under 75,000 miles. This defect in the transmission can result in sudden breakdowns, leaving drivers stranded and facing costly repair bills. The average cost to repair the transmission issue is around $2,334, making it a significant financial burden for owners.
Corrosion and Rust:
- Corrosion problems have been highlighted as a common issue with the 1979 Honda Civic. Rusting from the inside out is a concern that many owners have faced, leading to structural weaknesses, aesthetic deterioration, and potentially compromising the safety and longevity of the vehicle. Corrosion can affect various parts of the car, including the body, frame, and critical components, impacting the overall integrity of the vehicle.
Bouncy Ride:
- Another reported problem with the 1979 Honda Civic is a bouncy ride. This issue can be attributed to suspension problems, worn-out shocks, or other factors affecting the car's handling and comfort. A bouncy ride not only affects the driving experience but can also indicate underlying issues with the suspension system that may require attention and maintenance to ensure safe and smooth operation of the vehicle.

In summary, the 1979 Honda Civic has been associated with significant engine problems, transmission issues, corrosion and rust concerns, and a bouncy ride according to owner complaints. These issues can impact the car's performance, reliability, safety, and overall driving experience, highlighting the importance of regular maintenance and thorough inspections to address and prevent these common problems.

What is the biggest problem with Honda Civic?

What year is bad for Honda Civic?

Models of the Honda Civic from 2001 to 2005, 2007 to 2009, and 2011 are the worst because of the multiple complaints and recall record. The 2001 model had close to 1,228 user complaints just in that year.

What is the top speed of a Honda Civic 1979?

142 – 150 km/h.
13.5 – 17.7 sec.
88 – 92 mph.
Acceleration, 0-60 mph. 12.5 – 16.3 sec.

What Honda Civic is the best years?

The Best Years: 2019, 2020, 2021

2019, 2020, and 2021 – best years for the 10th generation Honda Civic, were the top rankers in platforms like Consumer Reports, VehicleHistory, Cars.com, and Kelley Blue Book.

1979 Honda Civic car problems categorized by type of issue

After analyzing all complaints sent to the NHTSA and researching popular Honda Civic problems, we found that the most common problems with these 2023 model year vehicles are:

Steering problems

The graph below shows statistics for all 1979 Honda Civic vehicle components and the number of complaints received.

1979 Honda Civic complaints

The NHTSA has received 1 complaints about various vehicle components related to the 1979 Honda Civic.

2010-11-24

STEERING PROBLEM

Date Of Incident: 1979-08-27
Number Of Injuries: 1
Crash: 1
Components: STEERING
Summary: 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 DIAGNOSED BUT WAS REPAIRED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE UNKNOWN. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

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1979 Honda Civic recalls

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has issued 1 recalls for different components of the 1979 Honda Civic.

1981-11-06

Manufacturer: AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO.
Components: SUSPENSION
Summary: PROLONGED CONTACT WITH ROAD SALT MAY, UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS, CAUSE SERIOUS RUSTING. THIS CAN WEAKEN CERTAIN UNDERCARRIAGE COMPONENTS: LATERAL SUSPENSION ARMS, FRONT CROSSBEAM AND STRUT COIL SPRING LOWER SUPPORTS.
Remedy: VEHICLES WILL BE INSPECTED AND, IF NECESSARY, TREATED WITH A RUST PREVENTIVE COATING. IN SOME CASES, REPLACEMENT OF COMPONENTS WILL BE PERFORMED, WITHOUT CHARGE TO OWNER.

Additional sources

More sources of information about 1979 Honda Civic problems:

1979 Honda Civic Reviews - Carsurvey.org

http://www.carsurvey.org/reviews/honda/civic/1979/

Sep 30, 2005 ... Engine was replaced at 80,000 miles and thereafter I had a persistent head-gasket problem. Replaced the gasket 6 times until I finally found out ...

1979 Honda CVCC Question - Honda Civic Forum

https://www.civicforums.com/forums/237-mechanical-problems-vehicle-issues-fix-forum/385463-1979-honda-cvcc-question.html

Jun 14, 2022 ... Mechanical Problems/Vehicle Issues and Fix-it Forum - 1979 Honda CVCC Question - I have a 1979 Civic (Hondamatic) with 56000 original miles.

What are the problems with the Honda Accord? - Quora

https://www.quora.com/What-are-the-problems-with-the-Honda-Accord

Mar 21, 2020 ... So, respect a Honda when it comes to maintenance. I can give you a brief list of common issues… Automatic transmissions- Especially the late ...

1st gen Honda civic I'm gonna restore : r/Honda

https://www.reddit.com/r/Honda/comments/vdg421/1st_gen_honda_civic_im_gonna_restore/

Jun 16, 2022 ... The most common issue on these 1g and 2g civics? Rust. It looks like it's been parked on grass for a while I would bet my bottom dollar the ...