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

1988 vs 1989 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 455 months on market for each model year

Exposure window calculated through Aug 22, 2026

Age-matched reports

▲ 47.8% 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 1988 share 1989 share Share change
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL 28.3% 11.8% ▼ 16.5 pts smaller share
SEAT BELTS 17.4% 25.0% ▲ 7.6 pts larger share
FUEL SYSTEM 15.2% 8.8% ▼ 6.4 pts smaller share
VISIBILITY not reported 2.9% ▲ 2.9 pts larger share
SERVICE BRAKES not reported 2.9% ▲ 2.9 pts larger share
STEERING not reported 2.9% ▲ 2.9 pts larger share
TIRES not reported 2.9% ▲ 2.9 pts larger share
ENGINE 6.5% 8.8% ▲ 2.3 pts larger share
EXTERIOR LIGHTING not reported 1.5% ▲ 1.5 pts larger share
STRUCTURE 4.4% 2.9% ▼ 1.4 pts smaller share
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 13.0% 11.8% ▼ 1.3 pts smaller share
SUSPENSION 2.2% 2.9% ▲ 0.8 pts larger share
POWER TRAIN 2.2% 1.5% ▼ 0.7 pts smaller share
UNKNOWN OR OTHER 78.3% 80.9% ▲ 2.6 pts larger share

NHTSA Safety Recalls recalls · snapshot 2026-08-22

Recall campaigns

1988 8

Campaign components: EQUIPMENT, EXTERIOR LIGHTING, SEAT BELTS, and VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

1989 6

Campaign components: EXTERIOR LIGHTING and SEAT BELTS

NHTSA Consumer Complaints complaints · snapshot 2026-08-21

Safety signals

◆ Fires
1 → 2
◆ Injuries
9 → 17