1999 Honda Civic Problems: 11 Known Issues
1999 model year · 262+ owner reports · Updated November 2026
According to Au7o's analysis of 262+ owner reports, the 1999 Honda Civic has 11 documented known issues, with 5 rated critical. The most serious are Ignition Switch Failure Causing Stalling or No-Start ($150-$400 repair), Automatic transmission slipping / harsh shifting (shift solenoid, distributor-oil contamination, torque converter) ($200-$3,000 repair), Internal distributor failure (ignitor/ICM, coil, and oil-seal leak) causing misfire and hot no-start ($80-$600 repair), PGM-FI main relay solder-joint failure causes hot no-start / intermittent stall ($40-$200 repair) and Timing belt neglect destroys interference D-series engine ($400-$2,500 repair). The most commonly reported issue is Ignition Switch Failure Causing Stalling or No-Start with 262 owner reports. Across all issues with published estimates, repair costs range from $20 to $3,000. DIY maintenance guides at au7o.io.
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All 11 Known Issues
NHTSA Recalls31 recalls
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling specific 2003 Acura 3.2CL, 2013-2016 ILX, 2013-2014 ILX Hybrid, 2003-2006 MDX, 2007-2016 RDX, 2002-2003 3.2TL, 2004-2006, and 2009-2014 TL, 2010-2013 ZDX and 2001-2007 and 2009 Honda Accord, 2001-2005 Civic, 2003-2005 Civic Hybrid, 2001-2005 Civic GX NGV, 2002-2007 and 2010-2011 CR-V, 2003-2011 Element, 2007 Fit, 2002-2004 Odyssey, 2003-2008 Pilot, and 2006-2014 Ridgeline vehicles. The affected vehicles received a replacement driver air bag inflator as part of a previous Takata inflator recall remedy or a replacement driver air bag module containing the same inflator type as a service part. Due to a manufacturing error, in the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver frontal air bag, these inflators may explode.
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2003-2006 Acura MDX, 2005-2012 RL, 2003-2007 Honda Accord, 2001-2005 Civic, 2003-2005 Civic Hybrid, 2001-2005 Civic GX NGV, 2002-2006 CR-V, 2003-2011 Element, 2007-2008 Fit, 2002-2004 Odyssey, 2003-2008 Pilot, and 2006-2014 Ridgeline vehicles. The vehicles are equipped with passenger frontal air bag inflators assembled as a recall remedy part or replacement service part, that may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2003 Acura 3.2CL, 2002-2003 3.2TL, 2003-2006 MDX, 2001-2007 Honda Accord, 2001-2005 Civic, 2003-2005 Civic Hybrid, 2001-2005 Civic GX NGV, 2002-2006 CR-V, 2003-2011 Element, 2002-2004 Odyssey, 2003-2008 Pilot and 2006 Ridgeline vehicles. These vehicles are equipped with driver frontal air bag inflators assembled as a recall remedy part or replacement service part, that may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.
AIR BAGS
American Honda Motor Co. (Honda) is recalling certain model year 2001-2005 Honda Civic, 2003-2004 Civic CNG and Element, 2002-2005 CR-V, 2002-2004 Odyssey, 2003-2005 Accord, Pilot, Civic Hybrid, and Acura MDX, 2005 Acura RL and 2006 Honda Ridgeline vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in geographic locations associated with high absolute humidity. Specifically, vehicles sold, or ever registered, in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands, Saipan, Guam, and American Samoa are addressed by this recall. Upon deployment of the passenger side frontal air bag, excessive internal pressure may cause the inflator to rupture.
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2003-2012 Honda Accord and Pilot, 2010 Accord Crosstour, 2001-2011 Civic, 2002-2011 CR-V, 2003-2004, 2006-2008 and 2011 Element, 2007 and 2009-2013 Fit, 2010-2012 Insight, 2002-2004 Odyssey, and 2012 Ridgeline vehicles. The front passenger air bag may have been installed incorrectly during replacement.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What are the most common Honda Civic problems?
According to Au7o's analysis of 262+ owner reports, the 1999 Honda Civic has 11 documented issues. The most frequently reported are: Ignition Switch Failure Causing Stalling or No-Start, Automatic transmission slipping / harsh shifting (shift solenoid, distributor-oil contamination, torque converter), Internal distributor failure (ignitor/ICM, coil, and oil-seal leak) causing misfire and hot no-start. Of these, 5 are rated critical and should be addressed promptly.
Is the Honda Civic reliable?
The 1999 Honda Civic has 11 known issues documented across 262+ owner reports. 5 issues are rated critical: Ignition Switch Failure Causing Stalling or No-Start and Automatic transmission slipping / harsh shifting (shift solenoid, distributor-oil contamination, torque converter) and Internal distributor failure (ignitor/ICM, coil, and oil-seal leak) causing misfire and hot no-start and PGM-FI main relay solder-joint failure causes hot no-start / intermittent stall and Timing belt neglect destroys interference D-series engine. Prospective buyers should inspect for these issues and factor potential repair costs into their purchase decision. Regular maintenance following the manufacturer's schedule helps prevent many common problems.
How much does it cost to fix common Honda Civic problems?
Repair costs for known Honda Civic issues range from $20 to $3,000, depending on the specific problem and whether you choose DIY or professional repair. The most critical issue, Ignition Switch Failure Causing Stalling or No-Start, typically costs $150-$400 to repair. Au7o provides step-by-step DIY maintenance guides that can help reduce repair costs.
What is the 1998-2000 Honda Civic Ignition Switch Failure Causing Stalling or No-Start?
Worn ignition switch contacts can make these Civics stall while driving, lose all electrical power, or fail to restart. Honda recalled the cars for this ignition switch problem under campaign 02V120000. Repairs typically run $150-$400. Severity: high.
What is the 1996-1999 Honda Civic Automatic transmission slipping / harsh shifting (shift solenoid, distributor-oil contamination, torque converter)?
The 4-speed automatics on 1990s D16 Civics develop slipping and harsh or stuck shifting. Frequent causes are a failing shift-control solenoid and, distinctively, the distributor O-ring leaking oil onto the transmission solenoid connectors. Torque-converter breakdown that burns th… Repairs typically run $200-$3,000. Severity: high.
What is the 1992-1999 Honda Civic Internal distributor failure (ignitor/ICM, coil, and oil-seal leak) causing misfire and hot no-start?
1990s Civics use a distributor housing the ignition coil, ignitor/ICM, and pickup sensors. The ignitor commonly fails (the coil rarely does), producing intermittent hot no-start and misfires. A separate frequent problem is the internal distributor oil seal leaking, which lets oil… Repairs typically run $80-$600. Severity: high.
What is the 1992-2000 Honda Civic PGM-FI main relay solder-joint failure causes hot no-start / intermittent stall?
The under-dash PGM-FI main relay powers the ECU and fuel pump. On 1990s Civics the internal circuit-board solder joints crack from years of heat-cycling, opening the connection when the relay is hot. It is a well-known electrical failure on EG/EK-generation Civics: the engine cra… Repairs typically run $40-$200. Severity: high.
What is the 1992-1999 Honda Civic Timing belt neglect destroys interference D-series engine?
All 1990s Civic D-series engines are interference designs and use a rubber timing belt. Honda's interval is 90,000 miles / 72 months on cars through 1996 and 105,000 miles / 84 months on 97+ cars (shorter in extreme climates). Because it's an interference engine, a belt that snap… Repairs typically run $400-$2,500. Severity: high.
What is the 1996-1999 Honda Civic MAP Sensor Failure (1.6L D-Series)?
The manifold absolute pressure (MAP) sensor mounted on the throttle body of 1.6L D16 Civics commonly fails as it ages, losing the ability to hold vacuum or drifting out of its 0.5-4.5V calibration range. Because the PCM uses MAP voltage as the primary load input on these speed-de… Repairs typically run $40-$180. Severity: medium.
What is the 1996-2005 Honda Civic Idle Air Control Valve Carbon Fouling — Hunting/High Idle and Stalling?
The idle air control valve (IACV) on the throttle body meters the air that bypasses the closed throttle at idle. On D-series Civics it fouls with carbon and the pintle sticks, so the ECU can no longer stabilize idle. Symptoms are a hunting/surging idle, abnormally high idle, or t… Repairs typically run $50-$300. Severity: medium.
What is the 1996-1999 Honda Civic Cracked cast-iron exhaust manifold near the oxygen sensor?
The stock cast-iron exhaust manifold on sixth-generation Civics (the 1996-2000 generation) is prone to heat-cycle cracking, typically right next to the front oxygen sensor. On SOHC D16Y7/Y8 cars the catalytic converter is integrated into the manifold, so the crack lets outside ai… Repairs typically run $250-$700. Severity: medium.
What is the 1992-1999 Honda Civic Distributor Internal Oil Seal Leak (D15/D16 Engines)?
The internal oil seal and rotor shaft bearing inside the Honda-built distributor (TEC/PDM) fail over time, allowing engine oil to seep past the seal and contaminate the distributor cap, rotor, and ignition coil. Once oil reaches the cap interior, it shorts the secondary ignition,… Repairs typically run $80-$450. Severity: medium.
What is the 1992-2000 Honda Civic Rear quarter-panel, wheel-well, and rocker-panel rust-through?
Despite Honda's reliability reputation, 1990s Civics are well known for structural corrosion. Poor rear-quarter ventilation (a single driver-side vent) traps condensation inside the rear quarter panels; it drips into the wheel-well lip and inner rocker, rusting from the inside ou… Repairs typically run $400-$3,000. Severity: medium.
What is the 1996-2005 Honda Civic VTEC Solenoid Spool Valve Gasket Oil Leak?
The VTEC spool valve (solenoid) bolts to the side of the cylinder head and uses oil pressure to actuate variable valve timing. Its rubber sealing gasket hardens and shrinks with age and heat, letting engine oil seep out the side of the head/block. The oil often drips onto the exh… Repairs typically run $20-$150. Severity: low.
Content on this page was compiled with AI assistance using NHTSA complaints, TSBs, owner reports, and public automotive data. While we strive for accuracy, this information may contain errors. Always verify repair procedures and specifications with your vehicle's service manual or a qualified mechanic.