1987 Honda Civic problems
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 1987 Honda Civic problems
The 1987 Honda Civic is known for its fuel efficiency, reliability, and lightweight design. However, like any car, it has its share of common problems that owners have reported over the years.
One of the most common issues with the 1987 Honda Civic is transmission failure. This problem is so prevalent that it ranks as the number one worst problem for the model year 2001, with an average cost to fix of $2,300 and an average mileage of 105,000 miles. While the 1987 model year may not have as many reported transmission failures as later models, it is still a concern for many owners.
Another issue that owners of the 1987 Honda Civic may encounter is problems with the carburetor. The carbureted CVCC system in the 1987 Civic was known for its complexity and tendency to cause problems, especially in areas with strict emissions-equipment inspections. This issue can be particularly challenging for those who live in areas with strict emissions standards and may require significant time and money to address.
The 1987 Honda Civic's automatic transmission is another area where problems may arise. The automatic transmission can make the driving experience less enjoyable and may contribute to other issues with the car's performance.
The seatbelt mechanism in the 1987 Honda Civic is another area where issues may occur. For example, one owner reported that the right seatbelt in their 1987 Civic would not reel back in, requiring them to find a solution to the problem.
Finally, the 1987 Honda Civic's engine may also present problems for owners. For example, the engine may blow head gaskets, which can be a significant issue that requires costly repairs. Additionally, the engine's complexity and tendency to blow head gaskets can make it challenging to maintain and repair, especially for those who are not mechanically inclined.
In summary, the 1987 Honda Civic is known for its fuel efficiency, reliability, and lightweight design. However, like any car, it has its share of common problems that owners have reported over the years. These issues include transmission failure, problems with the carburetor, issues with the automatic transmission, problems with the seatbelt mechanism, and engine problems such as blown head gaskets. While these issues can be challenging to address, they are not insurmountable, and many owners have found ways to keep their 1987 Honda Civics on the road for many years.
What is the biggest problem with Honda Civic?
Top Honda Civic Problems
- Airbag Light Due to Failed Occupant Position Sensor. ...
- Bad Engine Mounts May Cause Vibration, Roughness, and Rattle. ...
- Power Window Switch May Fail. ...
- Hood Release Cable May Break at Handle. ...
- Possible Shift Control Solenoid Fault. ...
- Wipers Won't Park Due to Windshield Wiper Motor Failure.
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 engine does a 1987 Honda Civic have?
Like the CRX Si, the Si hatchback was powered by a 91 hp (68 kW), 12-valve SOHC 4-cylinder engine designated EW4/D15A4 (the latter code was used for the 1987 model year but with the same specs).
Can a Honda Civic last 30 years?
Regular maintenance along with making the needed repairs the Civic can last 20+ years. All cars need something repaired or replaced during a lengthy ownership. For my personal example I own a 2009 civic, the only repairs needed in 10 years has been the CV axles have been replaced.
1987 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:
- Seat belts problems
- Vehicle speed control problems
- Tires problems
- Fuel system problems
- Gasoline problems
The graph below shows statistics for all 1987 Honda Civic vehicle components and the number of complaints received.
Latest 25 complaints 1987 Honda Civic
The NHTSA has received 41 complaints about various vehicle components related to the 1987 Honda Civic. Below are the 25 most recent complaints reported for 1987 Honda Civic vehicles.
TIRES PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2008-02-04
- VIN: JHMEC1315HS
- Components: TIRES
- Summary: TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1987 HONDA CIVIC CRX. THE VEHICLE HAS HANKOOK RADIAL MAX A/S (NA) TIRES. WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE TIRE BOUNCED UP AND DOWN AND CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO PULL TO THE RIGHT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE DID NOT NOTICE ANYTHING AFTER INSPECTING THE TIRE. THE MECHANIC REPLACED THE WHEEL BEARINGS; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE CONTINUED. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE MECHANIC AND HE STATED THAT THE TIRE WAS DELAMINATING. THE TIRE SHOP OFFERED THE CONTACT A TIRE UPGRADE AT HIS EXPENSE. THERE HAD BEEN NO FURTHER OCCURRENCES. THE TIRE SIZE AND DOT NUMBER WERE UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 267,358 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 267,427.
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2006-05-26
- VIN: JHMEC1348HS
- Components: FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
- Summary: DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING THE FUEL SYSTEM FAILED WITHOUT WARNING. THE FUEL SYSTEM LINES HAVE BEEN REPLACED TWICE, THE FIRST TIME BY A DEALER, THE SECOND TIME BY AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP. THE MECHANIC DETERMINED THE FUEL SYSTEM LINES HAD FAILED AGAIN AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER HAS NOT BEEN ALERTED.
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1997-03-27
- VIN: JHMEC1348HS
- Components: FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
- Summary: WHEN DRIVING AT ANY SPEED AND WITHOUT WARNING, THE FUEL LINE LEAKED WHICH CAUSED A DISTRACTION TO THE CONSUMER. *AK THERE WAS A STRONG ODOR OF GASOLINE INSIDE AND OUTSIDE THE VEHICLE. LIQUID GASOLINE DRIPPED FROM UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE ON THE DRIVER SIDE NEAR THE DRIVER'S DOOR. REPLACED OLD PIPES AND FUEL LINES AND OLD PARTS NOT AVAILABLE. *PH *JB
SEAT BELTS PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2002-09-05
- Number Of Injuries: 1
- Crash: 1
- VIN: JHMEC1348HS
- Components: SEAT BELTS
- Summary: NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK
POWER TRAIN PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2001-11-01
- VIN: JHMEC1320HS
- Components: POWER TRAIN
- Summary: WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE STARTED TO SWERVE. CONSUMER INSPECTED VEHICLE, AND NOTICED SUPPORT ROD ARM FOR REAR AXLE WAS TORN FROM FRAME ON LEFT SIDE.*AK
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2001-12-28
- VIN: ADD
- Components: VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
- Summary: CONSUMER VEHICLE WILL SURGE AT SPEEDS OF AROUND 30 MPH. VEHICLE NOT TAKEN TO DEALER YET.*AK
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2000-03-23
- VIN: JHMEC1311HS
- Components: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
- Summary: REAR WHEEL CYLINDER LEAKING CAUSING REAR BRAKE CONTAMINATION. *MJS
SUSPENSION PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2000-03-29
- VIN: JHMEC1311HS
- Components: SUSPENSION
- Summary: BALL JOINT ASSEMBLY FAILED WHILE DRIVING AT LOW SPEED. *MJS
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2000-01-11
- Components: VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
- Summary: WHILE THE DRIVER WAS PULLING INTO PARKING SPACE, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY SURGED FORWARD AND COLLIDED WITH TWO OTHER PARKED VEHICLES. YH
TIRES PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1998-06-01
- VIN: JHMEC2310HS
- Components: TIRES
- Summary: TIRES FAILED TWICE 8-1-95 & 6-1-98 (MICHELIN 165X13). *YC
SEAT BELTS PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1998-06-24
- Number Of Injuries: 1
- Crash: 1
- Components: SEAT BELTS
- Summary: THE METAL TONGUE OF THE BUCKLE SNAPPED IN HALF. MY CHILD COULD HAVE BEEN STRANGLED BY THE T-TYPE HARNESS THAT GOES OVER HIS HEAD, IF WE THERE WOULD HAVE BEEN MORE FORCE.
SUSPENSION PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1999-02-24
- VIN: JHMEY1726HS
- Components: SUSPENSION
- Summary: THE RIGHT SWINGARM ON THE REAR SUSPENSION BROKE DUE TO BEING ROTTED COMPLEATELY THROUGH, THE SWING ARM ON THE LEFR SIDE IS ALSO IN VERY BAD SHAPE AND ALSO WOULD LIKELY FAIL SOON.
VISIBILITY PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1995-01-01
- Components: VISIBILITY
- Summary: RIGHT AND LEFT FRONT WINDOWS ARE NOT ALIGNED PROPERLY AND REQUIRE TWO HANDS TO ROLL UP.
SEAT BELTS PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1998-04-21
- VIN: JHMEC6729AC
- Components: SEAT BELTS
- Summary: RECALL # 95V103001, SEAT BELT BUCKLES; DEALER NOT ABLE TO CORRECT RECALL BECAUSE PARTS ARE NOT AVAILABLE. OWNER IS EXPERIENCING A PROBLEM WITH THE BELT BUCKLE ON THE PASSENGER'S SIDE. DEALER NOT SURE WHEN PART WILL BECOME AVAILABLE. *AK
SEAT BELTS PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1997-09-30
- VIN: 1HGEC4534HA
- Components: SEAT BELTS
- Summary: RECEIVED RECALL NOTICE (#95V103001) IN THE MAIL. CALLED DEALER & SET UP APPOINTMENT. ON THE DAY OF THE APPOINTMENT, TOOK VEHICLE IN. AFTER WAITING FOR AWHILE, WAS INFORMED DID NOT HAVE THE PARTS FOR REPAIR & DID NOT KNOW WHEN THE PARTS WILL BE AVAILABLE. *AK
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1997-08-06
- VIN: 1HGEC463XHA
- Components: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
- Summary: ENGINE STALLS WHILE DRIVING LOW SPEEDS, LESS THAN 10 MPH, COULD CAUSE CRASH, DEALER REPLACED AIR SHOT VALVE, PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. *AK
SEAT BELTS PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1997-02-26
- VIN: JHMEC5729HS
- Components: SEAT BELTS
- Summary: DRIVER'S SEAT TRACK ANCHOR BOLT CAME OUT, LEAVING DRIVER'S SEAT UNSTABLE.
UNKNOWN OR OTHER PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-11-24
- Components: UNKNOWN OR OTHER
- Summary: THE CLOCK ON THE DASH IS MELTING , PURCHASED CAR USED . PLEASE DESCRIBE .*AK
SEAT BELTS PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1995-06-01
- VIN: JHMEC134XHS
- Components: SEAT BELTS
- Summary: MOTORBELTS DO NOT LOCK WHEN APPLYING BRAKES. *DH
POWER TRAIN PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1996-02-05
- Components: POWER TRAIN
- Summary: TRANSMISSION FAILURE.
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1996-06-04
- Number Of Injuries: 1
- Crash: 1
- VIN: 1HGEC4639HA
- Components: VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
- Summary: PUT VEHICLE IN REVERSE, IT ACCELERATED ON ITS OWN, HIT AN IRON FENCE. *AK
SEAT BELTS PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1994-01-26
- Number Of Injuries: 1
- VIN: JHMEC1325HS
- Components: SEAT BELTS
- Summary: DRIVER'S SEAT BELT BUCKLE FAILED IN ACCIDENT, CAUSING INJURY.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1996-01-30
- VIN: 1HGEC4631HA
- Components: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
- Summary: BRAKE SYSTEM FAILURE, DRIVER EXPERIENCED TOTAL LOSS OF BRAKING ABILITY. TT
SEAT BELTS PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-11-24
- Components: SEAT BELTS
- Summary: THE DRIVER SIDE SEAT BELT BUCKLE IS BROKEN. TT
SEAT BELTS PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-11-24
- Components: SEAT BELTS
- Summary: TAKATA SEAT BELT; NHTSA RECALL 95V103001; MARKLEY MOTORS IN FORT COLLINS, CO. OWNER UNSATISFIED W/CORRECTIVE ACTION BY THIS DEALERSHIP. PLEASE DESCRIBE DETAILS.
1987 Honda Civic recalls
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has issued 3 recalls for different components of the 1987 Honda Civic.
- Manufacturer: AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO.
- Components: SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY
- Summary: THE FRONT SAFETY BELT BUCKLE RELEASE BUTTONS CAN BREAK. THESE RED PLASTIC RELEASE BUTTONS ARE MARKED "PRESS." IF A BUTTON BREAKS, PIECES CAN FALL INTO THE BUCKLE ASSEMBLY CAUSING THE BUCKLE TO OPERATE IMPROPERLY.
- Consequence: THE SAFETY BELTS WOULD NOT PROVIDE ADEQUATE PROTECTION TO AN OCCUPANT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
- Remedy: OWNERS SHOULD PROMPTLY CHECK THE CONDITION AND OPERATION OF BOTH FRONT SAFETY BELT BUCKLES. CAREFULLY INSPECT THE RED RELEASE BUTTON FOR ANY BREAKS OR CRACKS. CHECK THAT BOTH BUCKLES ARE OPERATING PROPERLY BY INSERTING EACH LATCH PLATE INTO ITS BUCKLE, TUG ON THE BELT TO MAKE SURE THE LATCH IS SECURELY LOCKED, THEN PRESS THE RELEASE BUTTON. THE LATCH PLATE SHOULD POP OUT OF THE BUCKLE WHEN THE BUTTON IS PRESSED. IF EITHER RELEASE BUTTON SHOWS ANY SIGN OF BREAKAGE OR CRACKING, OR IF EITHER BUCKLE FAILS TO OPERATE PROPERLY, PROMPTLY CONTACT YOUR AUTHORIZED HONDA/ACURA DEALER TO SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT TO HAVE THE BUCKLE REPLACED OR REPAIRED, FREE OF CHARGE. THE MANUFACTURER IS DEVELOPING A REMEDY DESIGNED TO PREVENT THE FAILURE OF THE BUTTONS THAT ARE NOT CURRENTLY BROKEN.
- Manufacturer: AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO.
- Components: VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER
- Summary: UNDER HIGH AMBIENT TEMPERATURES FRONT WINDSHIELD WIPER CONTACT UNIT COULD LOOSEN AND BECOME DISLODGED.
- Consequence: THIS COULD RESULT IN WINDSHIELD WIPER FAILURE AND WOULDAFFECT DRIVER VISIBILITY.
- Remedy: INSTALL A CONTACT UNIT HOLDER THAT WOULD PREVENT LOOSENING.
- Manufacturer: AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO.
- Components: EQUIPMENT:OTHER:OWNERS/SERVICE/OTHER MANUAL
- Summary: OWNERS MANUAL INFORMATION REQUIRED BY FMVSS 210, SECTIONS 6A AND 6B WAS OMITTED FROM THE MANUAL.
- Consequence: VEHICLES MANUAL INFORMATION DOES NOT COMPLY WITH FMVSS210.
- Remedy: UPGRADE EXISTING MANUALS BY INSERTING ADHESIVE BACKED CORRECTION PAGES.
Additional sources
More sources of information about 1987 Honda Civic problems:
Thinking about getting a 1987 Honda civic sedan : r/Honda
Dec 4, 2020 ... 6 Miles or 10 KMs daily) if I maintain it? 2-What are their common issues and what should I avoid doing? PS: I'm passionate about this car and I ...
1987 Honda Civic Reviews - Carsurvey.org
Apr 24, 2012 ... In 16 years some things do go wrong like the following: The battery was replace twice, tyres replaced twice, front window replaced once, exhaust ...
Common Problems With a CRX - Honda-Tech - Honda Forum ...
Jul 1, 2004 ... Honda CRX / EF Civic (1988 - 1991) - Common Problems With a CRX - I'm getting ready to buy a car and thought that a CRX would be a good buy.
Q&A: Honda Civic Overheating Problems - Temperature Gauge ...
Aug 17, 2006 ... This is also a common problem. If the cooling fan does operate I would bring the car in to have the headgasket checked civics are known for this ...
1987 Honda crx si pgm fi problems - Honda-Tech - Honda Forum ...
Dec 28, 2010 ... But here is some info I've been told I could use a ecu form a 1986-1987 Civic Si, or 1985-1987 Crx Si. ... problem, substitute a known-good ECU ...
Other years of Honda Civic
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