1999 Honda Civic — 15 Open Recalls & Full Specs

The 1999 Honda Civic is a compact car from Japan. Below are the specifications, open safety recalls and NHTSA data available for this specific model year. Decode a 1999 Civic VIN to see the exact trim, engine and equipment for one particular vehicle.

Value calculator

Move the slider: the estimate applies the observed one-year depreciation rate for this model line (13.6%/year) to the value you enter. It updates instantly, right here.

Estimated value
$0

Source: Craigslist U.S. used listings (2020-2021 snapshot) + Car Features & MSRP dataset. Asking prices run above negotiated sale prices, and the snapshot was taken in 2020–2021 — pair the estimate with live listings for your area before pricing a car.

Overview

The Honda Civic is a compact car that blends fun-to-drive dynamics, efficiency and strong safety into an affordable package.

Specifications at a glance

Basic build info
Model year1999
MakeHonda
ModelCivic
BodyCompact Car
Country of originJapan
Available engines (model line)
Engine2.0L 4-cylinder
Engine1.5L turbo 4-cylinder

Model-year-exact trim, engine and equipment vary by VIN. Decode the specific VIN above to confirm.

Fuel Economy (1999 Honda Civic)

24
City MPG
32
Highway MPG
27
Combined MPG

Source: FuelEconomy.gov (U.S. DOE/EPA).

NHTSA safety ratings

—
Overall
—
Frontal
—
Side
—
Rollover

Source: NHTSA New Car Assessment Program (NCAP).

Real-world pricing & specs — 1999 Honda Civic

Used-market medians (U.S. listings)

U.S. used-market listings for the 1999 Civic (Craigslist, 2020–2021 snapshot) cluster around a median asking price of $2,150 at roughly 198,450 miles, based on 18 listings. Asking prices run above negotiated sale prices, and values have moved since the snapshot — pair with live listings for your area.

Used median price
$2,150
Median mileage
198,450
Sample: 18 listings

Median of real U.S. Craigslist asking prices for this model year; asking prices skew above negotiated sale prices. Snapshot taken 2020-2021.

NHTSA safety recalls — 1999 Honda Civic

15
open recall campaigns on file with NHTSA for this year/make/model. Repairs are free at any authorized Honda dealer (within 10 years of first sale). See all recalls →

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

Campaign: 20V026000 · Filed: 17/01/2020

Defect description: 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.

Corrective action: 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.

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS

Campaign: 08E050000 · Filed: 11/08/2008

Defect description: K2 MOTOR IS RECALLING 1,921 AFTERMARKET HEADLAMPS OF VARIOUS MODELS SOLD FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LISTED VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS ARE MISSING THE AMBER SIDE REFLEX REFLECTOR WHICH FAILS TO CONFORM WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT."

Consequence: WITHOUT THE AMBER SIDE REFLEX REFLECTORS, THE LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY BE AFFECTED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Corrective action: K2 MOTOR WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND. THE RECALL BEGAN ON DECEMEBER 17, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT K2 MOTOR AT 1-909-839-2992.

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

Campaign: 06E060000 · Filed: 29/06/2006

Defect description: CERTAIN AAI MOTORSPORTS COMBINATION LAMPS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LIST PASSENGER VEHICLES. COMBINATION LAMPS NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT."

Consequence: LACK OF AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS IN THE LAMPS WILL DECREASE LIGHTING VISIBILITY TO OTHER DRIVERS AND MAY POSSIBLY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH

Corrective action: AAI MOTORSPORTS WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE LAMPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 1, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT AAI MOTORSPORTS AT 909-923-9188.

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS

Campaign: 09E025000 · Filed: 11/05/2009

Defect description: DOPE, INC. IS RECALLING 42,540 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.

Consequence: DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Corrective action: DOPE, INC. WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 28, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DOPE, INC. AT 1-626-272-1798.

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

Campaign: 06E040000 · Filed: 15/05/2006

Defect description: CERTAIN E SPEED RACING COMBINATION LAMPS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT FOR USE ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS THAT ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.

Consequence: WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.

Corrective action: E SPEED RACING WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER TO REPURCHASE THE LAMPS. THE RECALL BEGAN MAY 10, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT E SPEED RACING 909-923-3636.

See all 15 recalls →

Source: NHTSA Recalls API. Snapshot last checked: October 19, 2026. Recall status changes — verify by VIN for any vehicle you own or plan to buy.

Common problems to check on this generation

  • 1.5L turbo oil dilution
  • AC compressor issues on some years
  • Sun-visor rattles

Applies to the model line as a whole; the 1999 model year may have specific TSBs, always verify by VIN.

Owner-reported problems — 1999 Civic

359
owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this year/make/model. Complaints are self-reported by owners and are separate from formal recalls.

Most-reported problem areas:

  • ELECTRICAL SYSTEM — 106 reports
  • AIR BAGS — 49 reports
  • POWER TRAIN — 33 reports

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM — 12/31/2018

TAKATA RECALL LIGHTS FLASHING/FLICKERING IN AND OUT WHILE DRIVING INSIDE AND OUT. THERE ARE MANY FORMS ONLINE WHERE THIS IS HAPPENING TO PEOPLE WITH A HONDA CIVIC FROM 1998-2000.

AIR BAGS — 12/31/2002

WHILE TRAVELING THROUGH A PARKING LOT, A LAMP POST WAS HIT ON THE DRIVER SIDE QUARER PANEL ABOVE THE TIRE. THE SPEED TRAVELED WAS 5 MPH AND THE AIRBAGS WENT OFF. THERE ARE NUMEROUS PROBLEMS COMPLAINTS OF AIRBAGS NOT GOING OFF IN FRONTAL COLLISIONS, BUT A SIDE IMPACT AT 5 MPH CAUSED THE AIRBAG TO GO OFF, WHICH IN TURN ALSO TWISTED THE DASH BOARD AND BROKE THE FRONT WINDSHIELD. THE ACTUAL CRASH ITSELF CAUSED LESS THEN $500 OF DAMAGE, IT IS THE AIRBAG, WINDSHIELD, AND DASH BOARD THAT CAUSED ALL OF

⚠ Crash reported.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM — 12/30/2002

CONSUMER RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE REGARDING A DEFECTIVE IGNITION SWITCH, WHEN CONSUMER ARRIVED AT THE DEALERSHIP, SHE WAS INFORMED THERE WOULD BE A CHARGE TO RECONNECT THE AFTER MARKET REMOTE STARTER ON THE VEHICLE, OR THE STARTED WOULD BE LEFT DISCONNECTED, CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO ANOTHER DEALER AND WAS ASSURED THERE WOULD BE NO CHARGE.*JB

Source: NHTSA Complaints database. To file a complaint, use nhtsa.gov/report-a-safety-problem.

Check-engine light on your 1999 Civic?

Every 1996-and-newer vehicle uses the OBD-II standard. Look up any stored code, then search 2,000+ codes — to see what it means and how urgent it is.

OBD-II code lookup →

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Related guides for 1999 Honda Civic owners & buyers

Frequently asked questions

What are the 1999 Honda Civic specs?

The 1999 Civic is a Compact Car. Decode a specific VIN above for the exact trim, engine, transmission and factory options for one particular vehicle.

Are there recalls on the 1999 Civic?

Yes — 15 recalls on record. Repairs are free at any authorized dealer.

Is the 1999 Honda Civic reliable?

A dependable, low-cost compact that's a top pick for new drivers.

How do I check this specific 1999 Civic?

Enter the VIN above to see the factory-decoded specifications and open recalls. Combine with a free vehicle history check and a pre-purchase inspection.

How much is a 1999 Honda Civic worth?

Values vary by trim, mileage, condition and region. Check Kelley Blue Book, Edmunds and NADA/J.D. Power for a range, see our guide comparing them — and pair with 5–10 local listings for your exact year and mileage.

What common problems should I watch for on a 1999 Civic?

Segment-wide issues like brake and suspension wear are the norm at this age; model-specific issues vary by generation. Review the "common problems" section above, check NHTSA complaints and TSBs for the specific year, and get an independent inspection focused on those areas.

Sources on this page: NHTSA vPIC (specifications), NHTSA Recalls, NHTSA NCAP (safety), EPA FuelEconomy.gov (MPG), NHTSA Complaints, SAE J2012 (OBD-II standard). VinSpecs is an independent service, not affiliated with Honda or any government agency.