Equal-exposure complaint evidence and changes in the reported problem mix

1986 vs 1987 HONDA CIVIC

NHTSA Consumer Complaints complaints · snapshot 2026-08-21

Share shifts show how a vehicle's problem mix changed. They do not measure reliability, and complaint counts are not normalized for sales volume.

First 479 months on market for each model year

Exposure window calculated through Aug 22, 2026

Age-matched reports

▲ 8.6% more reports in the equal exposure window

NHTSA Consumer Complaints complaints · snapshot 2026-08-21

Component share shift

Bars start at the neutral midpoint. Left means a smaller share; right means a larger share.

View component share data as a table
Component 1986 share 1987 share Share change
SEAT BELTS 31.4% 55.3% ▲ 23.8 pts larger share
STRUCTURE 14.3% 2.6% ▼ 11.7 pts smaller share
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL not reported 10.5% ▲ 10.5 pts larger share
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 8.6% not reported ▼ 8.6 pts smaller share
EXTERIOR LIGHTING 8.6% not reported ▼ 8.6 pts smaller share
POWER TRAIN 11.4% 5.3% ▼ 6.2 pts smaller share
ENGINE 8.6% 2.6% ▼ 5.9 pts smaller share
SUSPENSION not reported 5.3% ▲ 5.3 pts larger share
TIRES not reported 5.3% ▲ 5.3 pts larger share
FUEL SYSTEM 8.6% 5.3% ▼ 3.3 pts smaller share
SERVICE BRAKES 2.9% 2.6% ▼ 0.2 pts smaller share
UNKNOWN OR OTHER 88.6% 81.6% ▼ 7.0 pts smaller share

NHTSA Safety Recalls recalls · snapshot 2026-08-22

Recall campaigns

1986 3

Campaign components: POWER TRAIN, SEAT BELTS, and VISIBILITY

1987 3

Campaign components: EQUIPMENT, SEAT BELTS, and VISIBILITY

NHTSA Consumer Complaints complaints · snapshot 2026-08-21

Safety signals

◆ Fires
2 → 0
◆ Injuries
2 → 7