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

1989 vs 1990 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 443 months on market for each model year

Exposure window calculated through Aug 22, 2026

Age-matched reports

▲ 29.4% 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 1989 share 1990 share Share change
SEAT BELTS 25.0% 35.2% ▲ 10.2 pts larger share
FUEL SYSTEM 8.8% 1.1% ▼ 7.7 pts smaller share
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 11.8% 19.3% ▲ 7.6 pts larger share
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL 11.8% 5.7% ▼ 6.1 pts smaller share
POWER TRAIN 1.5% 5.7% ▲ 4.2 pts larger share
ENGINE 8.8% 5.7% ▼ 3.1 pts smaller share
EXTERIOR LIGHTING 1.5% 4.6% ▲ 3.1 pts larger share
VISIBILITY 2.9% 5.7% ▲ 2.7 pts larger share
TIRES 2.9% 1.1% ▼ 1.8 pts smaller share
SUSPENSION 2.9% 1.1% ▼ 1.8 pts smaller share
STEERING 2.9% 1.1% ▼ 1.8 pts smaller share
AIR BAGS not reported 1.1% ▲ 1.1 pts larger share
WHEELS not reported 1.1% ▲ 1.1 pts larger share
STRUCTURE 2.9% 3.4% ▲ 0.5 pts larger share
SERVICE BRAKES 2.9% 3.4% ▲ 0.5 pts larger share
UNKNOWN OR OTHER 80.9% 73.9% ▼ 7.0 pts smaller share

NHTSA Safety Recalls recalls · snapshot 2026-08-22

Recall campaigns

1989 6

Campaign components: EXTERIOR LIGHTING and SEAT BELTS

1990 10

Campaign components: EXTERIOR LIGHTING, POWER TRAIN, SEAT BELTS, and VISIBILITY

NHTSA Consumer Complaints complaints · snapshot 2026-08-21

Safety signals

◆ Fires
2 → 3
◆ Injuries
17 → 15