1979 Honda Civic recalls & complaints
Source: NHTSA, updated daily. Last checked 2026-10-21. Recalls apply to specific VINs — run your VIN to confirm.
1 safety recall, most serious first
1. Suspension
What's wrong, in plain English: Parts can break and cause loss of control. PROLONGED CONTACT WITH ROAD SALT MAY, UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS, CAUSE SERIOUS RUSTING. THIS CAN WEAKEN CERTAIN UNDERCARRIAGE COMPONENTS: LATERAL SUSPENSION ARMS, FRONT CROSSBEAM AND STRUT COIL SPRING LOWER SUPPORTS.
What could happen:
The fix: VEHICLES WILL BE INSPECTED AND, IF NECESSARY, TREATED WITH A RUST PREVENTIVE COATING. IN SOME CASES, REPLACEMENT OF COMPONENTS WILL BE PERFORMED, WITHOUT CHARGE TO OWNER.
What to do
- Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 1979 CIVIC.
- Book a repair at any authorized Honda dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 81V136000.
- The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
- Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.
Official wording from NHTSA
Component: SUSPENSION
Summary: PROLONGED CONTACT WITH ROAD SALT MAY, UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS, CAUSE SERIOUS RUSTING. THIS CAN WEAKEN CERTAIN UNDERCARRIAGE COMPONENTS: LATERAL SUSPENSION ARMS, FRONT CROSSBEAM AND STRUT COIL SPRING LOWER SUPPORTS.
Consequence:
Remedy: VEHICLES WILL BE INSPECTED AND, IF NECESSARY, TREATED WITH A RUST PREVENTIVE COATING. IN SOME CASES, REPLACEMENT OF COMPONENTS WILL BE PERFORMED, WITHOUT CHARGE TO OWNER.
Notes: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. SYSTEM: SUSPENSION; LATERAL SUSPENSION ARMS, FRONT CROSSBEAM, AND STRUT COILSPRING LOWER SUPPORTS.CONSEQUENCES OF DEFECT: WEAKENED UNDERCARRIAGE COMPONENTS COULD LEAD TO A LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL AND, POSSIBLY, AN ACCIDENT. NOTE: THIS DEFECT APPEARS TO BE MORE SERIOUS IN VEHICLES DRIVEN IN AREAS WHERE ROAD SALT IS USED EXTENSIVELY FOR SNOW REMOVAL.
Useful for owners
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA
Most complained-about parts: Steering (1).
Complaints are unverified reports from owners. A pattern (many complaints about the same part) matters more than any single one.
Read recent complaints (1)
11/24/2010 · Steering · crash
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1979 HONDA CIVIC. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME STIFF. THE CONTACT LOST CONTROL AND CRASHED. THE DRIVER WAS SERIOUSLY INJURED AND TRANSPORTED TO THE HOSPITAL. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER; THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED BUT WAS REPAIRED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE…