CarComplaints.com Notes: Haven't we all owned one of these things at some point? Despite being a popular first car for teenage drivers and, as a result, being beat up like no other, the late 90's Civic is a true endurance car. And it still gets better gas mileage than more modern cars.

10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
1 / 1
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
133,631 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

1999 Honda Civic electrical problems

electrical problem

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1999 Honda Civic Owner Comments (Page 2 of 4)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #42

Jul 082015

Civic 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 130,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The contact owns a 1999 Honda Civic. The contact stated that while driving at 55 mph, the vehicle stalled without warning. The contact pulled to the road side and was able to restart the vehicle. In addition, the vehicle took multiple attempts to start. The failure recurred intermittently. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The VIN was not included in the NHTSA campaign number: 02V120000 (electrical system). The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 130,000. Updated 05/03/16 the consumer stated the vehicle was repaired at a local mechanic.

- Mt Pleasant, MA, USA

problem #41

Jan 282016

Civic

  • 152,500 miles
Vehicle has stalled once while idling and twice while driving - once on a city street and once at highway speed. On the highway, the car initially hesitated and then I felt a 'thunk' in the drivetrain {as if the engine restarted with a surge}, all of the dash lights flashed at least 3 times accompanied by a relay clicking with each on / off cycle. The speedometer gyrated about my actual speed ~5 mph below and then above before the engine completely died and I coasted to a stop. After turning the ignition off, the car restarted immediately as if nothing had happened, and I was able to resume driving normally. Although the ignition recall has been completed for this car, I am suspecting the problem could be the same issue the recall was supposed to prevent. The ignition coil, distributor and rotor, and wires were all recently replaced and a tune-up performed at the Honda dealer. No check-engine faults were captured during any of the stalling events that would have caused the check-engine light to come on.

- Cincinnati, OH, USA

problem #40

Dec 052015

Civic

  • 139,200 miles
When driving @ various speeds in motion on major and minor roads it will just cut off and can be restarted. I took it too Honda dealership and they said that my VIN # wasn't in the recall. The rep told me that it did happen to other Civics (ignitions in the same model year ) but not mine. I told him if it is doing the same thing as the recall and my Civic is within the recall dates. This is a safety issue and quite possible the recall should be broadened. This

- Semmes, AL, USA

problem #39

May 012015

Civic

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The contact owns a 1999 Honda Civic. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 25 mph, the vehicle stalled without warning. The vehicle was coasted to the side of the road. After restarting, the vehicle resumed normally. The failure recurred numerous times and became progressively worse. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic for diagnosis. The mechanic discovered there was a recall however, the VIN was not included in the NHTSA campaign number: 02V120000 (electrical system). The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage and VIN were not available.

- Columbia, SC, USA

problem #38

Oct 302014

Civic 4-cyl

  • miles
1999 Honda Civic. Consumer writes in regards to ignition recall repair issues. The consumer stated the vehicle stalled in the midst of driving. The vehicle was taken to the dealer. However, they stated VIN was not I included in the recall.

- Sunbury, OH, USA

problem #37

Apr 012015

Civic

  • 145,000 miles
The contact owns a 1999 Honda Civic. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 35 mph, the vehicle stalled and the steering wheel became difficult to maneuver. In addition, the brake pedal required a longer stopping distance when depressed. The failure recurred intermittently. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where the failure could not be determined. The vehicle was not repaired. The VIN was not included in the NHTSA campaign number: 02V120000 (electrical system). The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 145,000.

- North Fort Myers, FL, USA

problem #36

Aug 242015

Civic

  • 135,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The contact owns a 1999 Honda Civic. While parked, the ignition switch failed to turn to the on position. The failure recurred on one other occasion. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer or independent mechanic. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 135,000.

- Imperial, MO, USA

problem #35

Feb 122015

Civic

  • 114,786 miles
Back in November 2014, I changed out my headlights. They seemed to be working fine until recent. Last week my SRS and my battery light would flicker on and off. My headlights then blew out. I replaced the bulbs and checked the fuses. Less than one day later, my lights blew out again. I changed my battery and the alternator out within the last year. I am thinking that there must be a short in the wires somewhere, but not sure. I am sure this problem is going to cost several hundreds of dollars. There have been other issues in the past such as the radio having to be reset even though the battery was never disconnected. Power locks are erratic as sometimes they work and sometimes they don't. the last couple of points are further examples of potential wiring issues. This writing is as of 02/16/2015.

- Elgin , IL, USA

problem #34

Feb 132015

Civic

  • 166,000 miles
The car is still stalling out. The latest today, when pulling into parking space at home, it stalled. No warning, no lights, no sounds....just stalled. What do you think would happen if it happened on the interstate at fast speeds or in high traffic areas where you might Ram into the back of my car, without warning, just stopped in front of you with no warning. Maybe even in a turning lane, cars coming at me, right/left/front/behind. I am scared to death my luck is going to run out and someone or some people are going to get hurt and lose their lives because Honda can't fix this problem with the ignition switch. They can, but won't!!! they, Honda, is risking lives in order to save some money, not lives, money. It could be you behind me the next time it happens and it will happen again. Please help get this fix. I wanna save lives not end lives!!!!!!!!!! this has been a problem for about 2months now.

- Naples, FL, USA

problem #33

Dec 012014

Civic

  • 166,000 miles
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. It had a faulty ignition switch which causes the above symptoms.....stalling out and trouble starting. I never got a letter or mail of any kind stating there is a recall on this car's ignition switch. Why" there also is one other recall on this car, a fuel tank thermal insulator. No notice on that recall. What do I need to do to get these faulty recalls done" before there is a crash as a result of this manufacturer faulty equipment..

- Naples, FL, USA

problem #32

Jan 262015

Civic

  • 237,242 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The contact owns a 1999 Honda Civic. The contact stated that the ignition key failed to turn into the on or start position. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. In addition, the contact stated that the vehicle was previously serviced under NHTSA campaign number: 02V120000 (electrical system). The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 237,242.

- Jacksonville , FL, USA

problem #31

Sep 012014

Civic

  • 150,000 miles
The car just shuts off at random times while at highway speeds and will immediately restart once stopped. The ignition switch was replaced under another recall in 2005 for this same issue. Dealership refuses to repair again and wants to charge for diagnostics. The ignition switch is intermittent just as stated in the recall, same issues have not been repaired.

- Millers Creek, NC, USA

problem #30

Nov 072013

Civic 4-cyl

  • 155,000 miles
The car ignition turned off suddenly while driving. I was able to come to a stop and restart the engine. My car already had the ignition switch replaced per the national recall. It looks like the replacements are not an improvement.

- Lynnwood, WA, USA

problem #29

Jan 152013

Civic 4-cyl

  • 140,000 miles
The car engine stalls while driving soon after starting. It will happen typically while the car starts hot, either if the weather is hot or if the car was already warm from driving. The engine will also fail to stay started unless I turn the starter engine over a few times extra. I believe this is a result of the faulty ignition switch which was recalled for similar vehicle models.

- Calabasas, CA, USA

problem #28

Jul 272013

Civic 4-cyl

  • miles
On 7/27/13, my son was driving and stopped at a traffic light. Prior to driving everything seemed fine. When he pulled off from the traffic light and the car got to about 25 mph the engine line flashed and the car suddenly stopped. He was able to pull off to the side into a parking lot, popped the hood and take a quick look to see if anything was wrong. He couldn't see anything and of course he's not a mechanic. He tried starting the car and it started right up. The car worked fine for a week and then on 8/5/13 he left work to quickly get lunch and while waiting at a traffic light the car died after the engine light flashed on and off. He waited a few seconds and tried restarting the car and it started without any problems. He took the car to 2 different mechanics and autozone and they couldn't find any issues with the car because the computer didn't identify a problem/error. Then he took it to Firestone and they told he and my husband it was an ignition switch problem ($350). He found out that this was a recall issue. I'm the 2nd owner of the car and I'm uncertain if this problem was ever fixed. How can I find out if this is reimbursable if it wasn't fixed in the recall. I notice a number of the more recent complaints on your site are cars with the same issue that were not included in the recall but clearly have this problem. What can be done about this"?"

- Edison, NJ, USA

problem #27

Feb 012012

Civic 4-cyl

  • 210,000 miles
It began I think in February 2012 going down the highway. My 1999 Honda Civic turned off then back on which jerked the car. It did not do it again until weeks later. Then it would begin to actually turn off while driver without warning. But then again it would only do it a time or 2.... then not for several weeks later (which by then I had forgotten about it). It did this on and off for the rest of 2012.... but would always start right back up.... even putting it in neutral while moving and starting it..... then putting it back in gear without hardly slowing down. But the last few months, especially in July (2013).... it began cutting off more often and would be harder to start. So I decided to have it checked and it was the ignition switch. I had it repaired because it was definitely becoming a hazard to myself and others. My car was not part of the recall in 2002 for the ignition switch (NHTSA # 02V120000). I see online there are many more instances of this part failing and would like to see my car added to the recall list and possibly reimbursed for the cost of repair.

- Charlotte, NC, USA

problem #26

Apr 192012

Civic 4-cyl

  • 210,000 miles
Vehicle stalls without notice, can't accelerate anymore when it happens, have to throw hazard lights on and pull over into emergency lane. If not in motion, car will just stall, and cars behind will rear end my vehicle if not paying attention. This is a huge safety concern, it can cause an accident. I brought this up to american Honda, but, my VIN does not qualify for the recall they had on the electrical ignition switch. They directed me to have NHTSA add my VIN to the recall so that I may then qualify.

- Palmdale, CA, USA

problem #25

Mar 062013

Civic

  • miles
The contact owns a 1999 Honda Civic. The contact was driving approximately 25 mph when the engine stalled with the illumination of the SRS warning indicator. The engine was restarted after several minutes and then resumed normally. The failure recurred twelve times. The vehicle was inspected by a certified mechanic, who stated that the ignition switch would need to be replaced. There was a recall associated with the failure under NHTSA campaign id number: 02V120000 (electrical system) however, the contact was advised by the manufacturer that the VIN was not included in the recall campaign. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was unavailable.

- Itasca, IL, USA

problem #24

Jan 272013

Civic 4-cyl

  • miles
The contact owns a 1999 Honda Civic ex. The contact was driving approximately 65 mph when the engine stalled without warning. The vehicle was restarted and resumed normally. The failure recurred numerous times. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who informed the contact that the ignition switch would need to be replaced. The technician also stated that there was a recall associated with the failure under NHTSA campaign id number: 02V120000 (electrical system) however, the contacts VIN was not included. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was unavailable.

- England, AR, USA

problem #23

Nov 212012

Civic

  • 184,635 miles
The contact owns a 1999 Honda Civic ex. The contact stated that while driving 40 mph, the engine stalled without warning. The instrument panel lights flickered erratically, causing the vehicle to stall. The vehicle was driven to the side of the road and was restarted within ten minutes. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who advised the contact that the electrical ignition switch needed to be replaced. The contact referenced NHTSA recall campaign id number: 02V120000 (electrical system: Ignition: Switch) but the vehicle was not included in the recall campaign. The manufacturer was notified and confirmed that her VIN was not included in the recall and advised her to file a complaint. The failure mileage was 184,635.

- Massillion, OH, USA

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