Most common 1999 Honda Civic problems
Share of the 338 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
Honda Civic complaints by model year
Best Civic years: 2011, 2021, 2014. Years to avoid: 2022, 2016, 2018, 2023, 2017. Compare all years →
1999 Honda Civic recalls (3)
Air bags › Frontal › Driver side › Inflator module
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…
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.
Fuel system, other › Storage › Tank assembly
On certain compressed natural gas (cng) vehicles, in the event of a severe interior fire in the area of the rear seat, the cng tank May be heated unevenly, preventing the pressure relief device from venting the contents of the tank as designed.
Remedy: Dealers will install a heat insulator material to the rear seat back. An interim owner letter was mailed to owners beginning November 26, 2007.
Electrical system › Ignition › Switch
On certain sedans, coupes, hatchbacks, and sport utility vehicles, electrical contacts in the ignition switch can degrade due to the high electrical current passing through the switch when the vehicle is started.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the ignition switch. Owner notification began June 14, 2002. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a…
What 1999 Honda Civic owners say
Electrical system all 118 →
The contact owns a 1999 Honda Civic. The contact stated while driving 20 MPH, the vehicle lost electrical power inadvertently. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact was able to veer to the side of the road. The contact was able to restart the vehicle and continued driving. The contact stated that the failure had been recurring. Additionally, the contact stated that the instrument panel lights were no longer illuminated while starting the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed and determined that the ignition switch was corroded at the contact point. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer and several other unknown dealers were notified of the failure and informed the contact that the VIN was not included in a recall related to the failure. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was provided. …
I left work as usual when shortly after near my work I began to smell a strong gasoline smell and I parked to check the vehicle when I turned off the vehicle it made a slight explosion and caught fire
Air bags all 58 →
You listed this VIN as having an airbag recall repair pending. I setup an appointment at the dealer. They went through the motions of doing the replacement and gave me paperwork indicating they had serviced the recall, but I believe you had lied to me and they are lying to me about the recall. This VIN does not correspond to an airbag recall according to multiple other sources. I recently inspected the passenger airbag it definitely not new. That is what clued me to begin checking further. I don't believe they replaced the driver airbag either. In the mean time I had to take buses to and from the dealership, after work, at night, in the rain, in the middle of this Omicron Covid spike. You an the dealer endangered my health and I want to know why and who is responsible.
Tl* the contact owned a 1999 Honda Civic. The contact stated that while traveling west bound at 45 MPH, there was another vehicle who had jumped into the left lane without using his turn signal. The contact proceeded to accelerate into the left lane as a result, the contact collided with the other vehicle. The air bags failed to deploy. The contact sustained two fractured rib, shoulder and concussion due to his head collided with the steering that required medical attention. The contact stated that the other driver did not sustained injuries. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to a tow yard. The contact also mentioned that there was property damaged. The vehicle contact insurance deemed the vehicle as totaled. The VIN was included in NHTSA campaign number: 20V026000 (air bags). The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. …
Engine & cooling all 44 →
While driving on the highway car engine shut off and completely lost power. After getting on to the shoulder car would not start, electric windows would not operate. Approximately 30 minutes later car started and made it home on city streets. Have not driven it since. Checked and did not find any recalls on this.
I was driving my 1999 Honda Civic lx and out of no where it stalled coming up to a stop sign. No warning lights on the dash came on. It also gave a little shake while holding onto the steering wheel.it took a few ignition turns before it started back up. This was the start of many to come stalling out or several attempts at starting the vehicle. This happens intermittently. It will start...it won't start...it stalled...it did not stall. The car had a mind of it's own. Now, we took it to repair shop and they couldn't get it to not start. It started everytime while at the shop. In order to do a diagnostic test on the vehicle it would need to not start. It is dangerous to drive this vehicle as a result of stalling out without any warning and at any speed where a crash is inevitable. I researched this vehicle afterwards to find any recalls on it. Sure enough there was. …
1999 Honda Civic engines & fuel economy
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG city / hwy / combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1.6L 4-cyl | 5-speed manual | FWD | 30 / 38 / 33 |
| 1.6L 4-cyl | CVT | FWD | 29 / 35 / 31 |
| 1.6L 4-cyl | 4-speed automatic | FWD | 24 / 32 / 27 |
EPA ratings. Class: Subcompact car.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 1999 Honda Civic a good car?
Based on 338 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 1999 Civic rates average: 34% fewer complaints than a typical year of the Civic at the same age. Complaint counts don't account for sales volume or individual maintenance, so have any used car inspected before buying.
What is the most common problem with the 1999 Honda Civic?
The electrical system — 118 complaints, 35% of all complaints for this model year, most often about ignition › switch. Next are the air bags (58) and engine & cooling (44).
How many recalls does the 1999 Honda Civic have?
There are 3 recalls for the 1999 Honda Civic, the most recent from January 17, 2020 (inflator module). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer — check whether yours has been done with the VIN recall check.
What are the best and worst years of the Honda Civic?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2011, 2021 and 2014. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 2022, 2016, 2018, 2023 and 2017. See the full Honda Civic years comparison.
At what mileage do 1999 Honda Civic problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 120,000 miles; 12% of problems with a recorded mileage started before 50,000 miles.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.