Independent · Not affiliated with NHTSA or any automaker MethodologyData sourcesData refreshed Oct 6, 2026

1999 Honda Civic: Problems, Recalls and MPG

What this means

NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns for the 1999 Honda Civic, most recently filed January 2020. Owners have filed 338 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the electrical system.

Data summary generated from official records. Methodology Data: NHTSA, DOT, EPA · Refreshed Oct 6, 2026
Compare

Recalls (3)

NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns for the 1999 Honda Civic. Check whether yours was repaired with NHTSA's free VIN lookup ↗

Only NHTSA and your automaker know whether your specific car was repaired. PlainVIN shows every recall campaign listed for a model year, with the official text and how many cars have been fixed so far.

Check on NHTSA ↗
Listed for 1999 Honda Civic. Not checked against your VIN.
Recall 20V026000 Filed Jan 17, 2020

Air Bag Inflators May Rupture or Underinflate Bag

Air bags · frontal · driver side · inflator module
Official NHTSA text
Summary
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 Isuzu Oasis vehicles. These vehicles were equipped with Non-Azide Driver air bag Inflators (NADI) and do not contain phase stabilized ammonium nitrate (PSAN) propellant. Due to a manufacturing issue, the NADI inflators may absorb moisture, causing the inflators to rupture or the air bag cushion to underinflate.
Consequence
In the event of a crash necessitating air bag deployment, an inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants. An underinflated air bag cushion may not properly protect the occupant. These scenarios increase the risk of serious injury or death.
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. Owners may contact American Honda's Customer Support & Campaign Center at 1-888-234-2138 or Isuzu customer service at 1-800-255-6727.
7.9% repairedof 1,439,841 vehicles
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA or ask a dealer to check campaign 20V026000
Listed for 1999 Honda Civic. Not checked against your VIN.
Recall 07V512000 Filed Nov 1, 2007

CNG FUEL TANK THERMAL INSULATOR

Fuel system, other · storage · tank assembly
Official NHTSA text
Summary
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.
Consequence
THIS COULD RESULT IN A TANK RUPTURE, EXPLOSION, AND EJECTION OF THE TANK FROM THE VEHICLE.
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. WHEN PARTS ARE AVAILABLE, OWNERS WILL BE RENOTIFIED ASKING THEM TO BRING IN THEIR VEHICLE FOR REPAIR. OWNERS MAY CONTACT HONDA AT 1-800-999-1009.
Repair progress not yet reported6,545 vehicles potentially affected
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA or ask a dealer to check campaign 07V512000
Listed for 1999 Honda Civic. Not checked against your VIN.
Recall 02V120000 Filed May 16, 2002

HONDA/IGNITION SWITCH

Electrical system · ignition · switch
Official NHTSA text
Summary
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.
Consequence
WORN CONTACTS COULD CAUSE THE ENGINE TO STALL WITHOUT WARNING, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
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 REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT HONDA AT 1-800-999-1009 OR ACURA AT 1-800-382-2238.
Repair progress not yet reported1,000,000 vehicles potentially affected
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA or ask a dealer to check campaign 02V120000

PlainVIN shows public government records for education. It isn't a vehicle inspection or legal advice. Check your own VIN with NHTSA or your dealer.

Owner complaints (338)

338 complaints filed with NHTSA (owner reports, not verified findings). The electrical system is mentioned most often.

61involved a crash
5involved a fire
54injuries reported
1deaths reported

As reported by owners in their complaints. These are reports, not NHTSA findings.

Most-reported components

Complaints filed with NHTSA for the 1999 Honda Civic, by component (top 10). One complaint can list several components, so these add up to more than 338.Source: NHTSA ODI owner complaints · Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 · Report a data error

How 1999 compares with other Civic years

Best and worst Civic years →
1995199619971998199920002001200220032004
This year (1999)Other yearsStill collecting reports

Counts are owner reports, not failure rates. Higher sales years tend to draw more reports. Owners are still filing reports for recent model years, so these counts will grow. Source: NHTSA ODI, retrieved Oct 6, 2026.

Fuel economy: up to 33 mpg combined

33
mpg combined
30
city
38
highway
EPA annual fuel cost
$2,050
CO₂ tailpipe
269 g/mi
EPA class
Subcompact Cars

What it costs you to run

$1,979per year
$165per month
455gallons a year

Miles ÷ 33 mpg × $4.354 (EIA US average regular, week of Oct 5, 2026, all taxes included). Source: EPA · EIA.

EPA label estimates from lab tests; your mileage will vary.

Specs by configuration

1999 Honda Civic configurations with EPA data
Engine · transmissionDriveCity / Hwy / CombEPA $/yrCO₂ g/mi
1.6 L 4-cyl · 5-speed manualFront-Wheel Drive30 / 38 / 33$2,050269
1.6 L 4-cyl · CVTFront-Wheel Drive29 / 35 / 31$2,150287
1.6 L 4-cyl · 5-speed manualFront-Wheel Drive27 / 34 / 30$2,250296
1.6 L 4-cyl · 5-speed manualFront-Wheel Drive25 / 32 / 28$2,400317
1.6 L 4-cyl · 4-speed automaticFront-Wheel Drive24 / 32 / 27$2,500329
1.6 L 4-cyl · 4-speed automaticFront-Wheel Drive24 / 31 / 27$2,500329
1.6 L 4-cyl · 4-speed automaticFront-Wheel Drive24 / 31 / 27$1,700260
1.6 L 4-cyl · 5-speed manualFront-Wheel Drive22 / 29 / 25$3,300356

Source: EPA fuel economy data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026. Configurations are listed when EPA and NHTSA records match.

Used blue SUV on a sunny dealer lot with its hood open and a clipboard on the fender

Looking at a 1999 Civic for sale?

Print a one-page buyer's checklist: each recall campaign with a box to tick when the seller shows proof of repair, the top complaint areas to inspect, crash stars, MPG, and a link back to this page.

All Civic years

Where to next

1999 Honda Civic FAQ

How many recalls does the 1999 Honda Civic have?

NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns: 20V026000 (air bag), 07V512000 (fuel system), 02V120000 (electrical). Use NHTSA's VIN lookup to see whether a specific car was repaired.

What are the most common 1999 Honda Civic problems?

Owners filed 338 complaints with NHTSA. Electrical system (118), Air bags (58), Power train (35) are mentioned most. These are owner reports, not verified findings.

What mpg does the 1999 Honda Civic get?

EPA rates the 1.6 L 4-cyl · 5-speed manual version at 30 city, 38 highway and 33 combined mpg. Other configurations are listed in the fuel economy section.

How does the 1999 Civic compare with other years?

Among the 1995–2004 Honda Civic model years at least five years old, the 1995 drew the fewest complaints (199) and the 2001 the most (1,079). The 1999 drew 338. Counts are owner reports, not failure rates.

How this page was madeSources, processing, limits, review and changes

Processing

  • Complaints are counted per component. One complaint can list several, so component totals add up to more than the total.
  • Fuel cost = miles per year ÷ EPA combined mpg × EIA weekly price for your region.

Limitations

  • Complaint counts are owner reports, not verified findings or failure rates. There is no sales denominator.
  • Recall campaigns are listed for the model year. Only NHTSA and the automaker know whether a specific car was repaired.
  • Recent model years are still collecting reports.

Review

Data compiled automatically from the official files listed here.

Changelog

  • 2026-10-06 Data refreshed from the official files.
Was this report useful?Report a data error
My Garage
Save this car and we'll flag new recall campaigns next time you visit.