1HGEC453XHA0318671987 HONDA CivicGL
1987 HONDA Civic was analyzed across NHTSA recalls, owner complaints, crash test data, and public auction records. There are 3 open recalls on record — verify these have been repaired before purchase. 41 owner complaints...
Executive Summary
1987 HONDA Civic
1987 HONDA Civic was analyzed across NHTSA recalls, owner complaints, crash test data, and public auction records. There are 3 open recalls on record — verify these have been repaired before purchase. 41 owner complaints include 7 reported injuries, indicating real-world safety incidents beyond normal wear.
- 3 open recalls — verify these have been repaired before purchase
- 7 injuries reported across 41 owner complaints
- 6 complaints involved a crash — unusually high incident rate
- Safety Systems is flagged in both recalls and owner complaints — double-confirmed failure pattern
- Engine or platform shared with models that have documented failure issues
Title Brand Check
Mined from auction damage fields and listing titles — not a DMV title history pull
No auction records available. Title brand status could not be verified — request title history from seller or state DMV.
Vehicle Specifications
Decoded from NHTSA vPIC database
- Make
- HONDA
- Model
- Civic
- Year
- 1987
- Trim / Series
- GL
- Body Style
- Sedan/Saloon
- Vehicle Type
- PASSENGER CAR
- Fuel Type
- Gasoline
- Engine
- 4-cyl 1.491222824L 76 hp
- Transmission
- Manual/Standard
- Doors
- 4
- Manufacturer
- AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
- Assembly
- MARYVILLE, OHIO, UNITED STATES (USA)
- GVWR
- Class 1: 6,000 lb or less (2,722 kg or less)
Assembly Plant Quality
Plant: MARYVILLE, OHIO
No specific quality data available for this plant. No documented recall or complaint concentrations on record.
Safety Intelligence
Composite analysis from NHTSA recall, complaint, and crash data
✓ No high-risk recall components found
- ⚠7 injuries reported in complaints
Lemon law eligibility depends on state law, number of repair attempts, and days out of service. Consult an attorney for actual eligibility.
The same components appear in both official NHTSA recalls and owner-filed complaints — a double-confirmed failure signal.
1.5L VTEC Turbo: documented gasoline fuel diluting engine oil in cold climates — Honda extended warranty and class action settlement
Deferred Failure Risk
Components and defects approaching or past their known service milestones
A snapped timing belt causes immediate, catastrophic engine damage — bent valves, destroyed pistons. No warning. Replace before the interval, not after.
Worn chain tensioners cause timing chain skip or snap — common on GM 5.3L/6.2L, Ford EcoBoost, VW/Audi EA888, BMW N47/N63. Listen for cold-start rattles.
Water pump failure causes rapid overheating. If the engine overheats even once, head gasket damage is likely — turning a $400 part into a $3,000+ repair.
Degraded transmission fluid destroys clutch packs and solenoids. CVT transmissions are especially sensitive — neglected fluid can result in a $4,000–$8,000 replacement.
Degraded coolant loses corrosion inhibitors and attacks aluminum engine components. Can cause head gasket failure and water pump corrosion.
Worn spark plugs cause misfires that can foul and crack catalytic converters. A $150 tune-up can prevent a $1,200 catalytic converter replacement.
Dirty or failing injectors cause rough idle, reduced fuel economy, and increased emissions. Cleaning costs $100–$200; replacement $800–$1,600.
NHTSA Safety Recalls
3 RECALLSNHTSA VIN-specific recall lookup returned no data for this VIN. The 3 recalls below are model-wide and may or may not apply to this exact vehicle depending on production date. Verify at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Average repair completion across 3 recalls is ~62%. Always ask the seller for dealer service records confirming each repair.
Statistical model based on recall age, component type, and manufacturer. Not a repair confirmation. Demand dealer service records.
HONDA completes recalls at a good rate (92%), averaging about 16 months to remedy. Most affected vehicles are fixed.
Avg time to remedy open recall: ~16 months · Source: NHTSA Recall Completion Rate Reports
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY
SummaryTHE FRONT SAFETY BELT BUCKLE RELEASE BUTTONS CAN BREAK. THESE RED PLASTIC RELEASE BUTTONS ARE MARKED "PRESS." IF A BUTTON BREAKS, PIECES CAN FALL INTO THE BUCKLE ASSEMBLY CAUSING THE BUCKLE TO OPERATE IMPROPERLY.Read full details...
~42% chance this recall was never fixed
Moderate RiskSource: NHTSA statistical model by recall age & component type
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER
SummaryUNDER HIGH AMBIENT TEMPERATURES FRONT WINDSHIELD WIPER CONTACT UNIT COULD LOOSEN AND BECOME DISLODGED.Read full details...
~36% chance this recall was never fixed
Moderate RiskSource: NHTSA statistical model by recall age & component type
EQUIPMENT:OTHER:OWNERS/SERVICE/OTHER MANUAL
SummaryOWNERS MANUAL INFORMATION REQUIRED BY FMVSS 210, SECTIONS 6A AND 6B WAS OMITTED FROM THE MANUAL.Read full details...
~36% chance this recall was never fixed
Moderate RiskSource: NHTSA statistical model by recall age & component type
Recall Intelligence
Detailed analysis of recall history and severity
1 in 6 complaints involved an injury — significantly above average, indicating real-world safety incidents.
Complaint Intelligence
41 complaints analyzed across 9 system categories
32% of complaints filed in Apr & Jan — may indicate temperature-sensitive or weather-related failures.
Owner Complaints
HIGH VOLUME41 safety complaints filed with NHTSA
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1987 HONDA CIVIC CRX. THE VEHICLE HAS HANKOOK RADIAL MAX A/S (NA) TIRES. WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE TIRE BOUNCED UP AND DOWN AND CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO PULL TO THE RIGHT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE DID NOT NOTICE ANYTHING AFTER INSPECTING THE TIRE. THE MECHANIC REPLACED THE WHEEL BEARINGS; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE CONTINUED. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE MECHANIC AND HE STATED THAT THE TIRE WAS DELAMINATING. THE TIRE SHOP OFFERED THE CONTACT A TIRE UPGRADE AT HIS EXPENSE. THERE HAD BEEN NO FURTHER OCCURRENCES. THE TIRE SIZE AND DOT NUMBER WERE UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 267,358 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 267,427.
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING THE FUEL SYSTEM FAILED WITHOUT WARNING. THE FUEL SYSTEM LINES HAVE BEEN REPLACED TWICE, THE FIRST TIME BY A DEALER, THE SECOND TIME BY AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP. THE MECHANIC DETERMINED THE FUEL SYSTEM LINES HAD FAILED AGAIN AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER HAS NOT BEEN ALERTED.
WHEN DRIVING AT ANY SPEED AND WITHOUT WARNING, THE FUEL LINE LEAKED WHICH CAUSED A DISTRACTION TO THE CONSUMER. *AK THERE WAS A STRONG ODOR OF GASOLINE INSIDE AND OUTSIDE THE VEHICLE. LIQUID GASOLINE DRIPPED FROM UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE ON THE DRIVER SIDE NEAR THE DRIVER'S DOOR. REPLACED OLD PIPES AND FUEL LINES AND OLD PARTS NOT AVAILABLE. *PH *JB
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK
WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE STARTED TO SWERVE. CONSUMER INSPECTED VEHICLE, AND NOTICED SUPPORT ROD ARM FOR REAR AXLE WAS TORN FROM FRAME ON LEFT SIDE.*AK
CONSUMER VEHICLE WILL SURGE AT SPEEDS OF AROUND 30 MPH. VEHICLE NOT TAKEN TO DEALER YET.*AK
REAR WHEEL CYLINDER LEAKING CAUSING REAR BRAKE CONTAMINATION. *MJS
BALL JOINT ASSEMBLY FAILED WHILE DRIVING AT LOW SPEED. *MJS
WHILE THE DRIVER WAS PULLING INTO PARKING SPACE, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY SURGED FORWARD AND COLLIDED WITH TWO OTHER PARKED VEHICLES. YH
TIRES FAILED TWICE 8-1-95 & 6-1-98 (MICHELIN 165X13). *YC
THE RIGHT SWINGARM ON THE REAR SUSPENSION BROKE DUE TO BEING ROTTED COMPLEATELY THROUGH, THE SWING ARM ON THE LEFR SIDE IS ALSO IN VERY BAD SHAPE AND ALSO WOULD LIKELY FAIL SOON.
THE METAL TONGUE OF THE BUCKLE SNAPPED IN HALF. MY CHILD COULD HAVE BEEN STRANGLED BY THE T-TYPE HARNESS THAT GOES OVER HIS HEAD, IF WE THERE WOULD HAVE BEEN MORE FORCE.
RIGHT AND LEFT FRONT WINDOWS ARE NOT ALIGNED PROPERLY AND REQUIRE TWO HANDS TO ROLL UP.
RECALL # 95V103001, SEAT BELT BUCKLES; DEALER NOT ABLE TO CORRECT RECALL BECAUSE PARTS ARE NOT AVAILABLE. OWNER IS EXPERIENCING A PROBLEM WITH THE BELT BUCKLE ON THE PASSENGER'S SIDE. DEALER NOT SURE WHEN PART WILL BECOME AVAILABLE. *AK
RECEIVED RECALL NOTICE (#95V103001) IN THE MAIL. CALLED DEALER & SET UP APPOINTMENT. ON THE DAY OF THE APPOINTMENT, TOOK VEHICLE IN. AFTER WAITING FOR AWHILE, WAS INFORMED DID NOT HAVE THE PARTS FOR REPAIR & DID NOT KNOW WHEN THE PARTS WILL BE AVAILABLE. *AK
ENGINE STALLS WHILE DRIVING LOW SPEEDS, LESS THAN 10 MPH, COULD CAUSE CRASH, DEALER REPLACED AIR SHOT VALVE, PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. *AK
DRIVER'S SEAT TRACK ANCHOR BOLT CAME OUT, LEAVING DRIVER'S SEAT UNSTABLE.
THE CLOCK ON THE DASH IS MELTING , PURCHASED CAR USED . PLEASE DESCRIBE .*AK
MOTORBELTS DO NOT LOCK WHEN APPLYING BRAKES. *DH
TRANSMISSION FAILURE.
PUT VEHICLE IN REVERSE, IT ACCELERATED ON ITS OWN, HIT AN IRON FENCE. *AK
DRIVER'S SEAT BELT BUCKLE FAILED IN ACCIDENT, CAUSING INJURY.
BRAKE SYSTEM FAILURE, DRIVER EXPERIENCED TOTAL LOSS OF BRAKING ABILITY. TT
THE DRIVER SIDE SEAT BELT BUCKLE IS BROKEN. TT
TAKATA SEAT BELT; NHTSA RECALL 95V103001; MARKLEY MOTORS IN FORT COLLINS, CO. OWNER UNSATISFIED W/CORRECTIVE ACTION BY THIS DEALERSHIP. PLEASE DESCRIBE DETAILS.
REAR SEAT BELT RETRACTORS WILL FAIL TIGHTENING WITH NO WARNING. PLEASE DESCRIBE DETAILS. TT
THE DRIVER,PASSENGER AND BACK SIDE SEAT BELT BUCKLES ARE BROKEN . TT
RIGHT FRONT SEAT LEVER SPRING THAT HOLDS THE LEVER DOWN, THAT KEEPS THE SEAT FROM MOVING BROKE, ALLOWING THE SEAT TO MOVE FREELY. TT
THE DRIVER SIDE SEAT BELT BUCKLE WHEN LOCK IT COME LOOSE . TT
DRIVER AND PASSENGER SEAT BELT DOES NOT RETRACT INTO HOUSING. TT
LEFT REAR SEATBELT SEEMS TO BE LOCK, BUT IT COMES UNFASTENED. TT
PASSENGER SIDE SEATBELT LOCKING MECHANISM FAILS TO LOCK TO PROPERLY RETAIN OCCUPANTS. PLEASE DESCRIBE DETAILS. TT
THE FRONT SEAT BELT BUCKLE COME LOOSE AT TIME WHEN DRIVING BOTH FRONT ONES. TT
REAR LEFT SEAT BELT BUCKLE LOOSE. *SKD
VEHICLE SPEED INCREASED WHILE DRIVING ERRATIC OPERATION DURING BRAKE APPLICATION. RESULTING IN A LOSS OF CONTROL. TT
DRIVERS/PASSENGERS SHOULDER BELTS FAILED DURINGN AN ACCIDENT, RESULTING IN INJURIES. TT
THE PASSENGER FRONT SEATBELT, MALE END WILL NOT LOCK INTO FEMALE END. TT
PASSENGER SEATBELT WOULD NOT RELEASE. PLEASE EXPLAIN FURTHER. TT
VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT AND PASSENGER SIDE SEAT BELT DID NOT WORK. TT
HOOD APPEARS TO BE DISTORTED DUE TO WEAK MATERIAL WHEN GOING OVER BUMPS AT LOW SPEED.
FRONT FENDERS APPEAR TO BE DISTORTED DUE TO WEAK MATERIAL WHEN GOING OVER BUMPS AT LOW SPEED. *AK
Complaint & Reliability Timeline
Annual complaints (blue) vs. composite reliability score (amber) — recall years marked in red
The blue line shows 41 total NHTSA complaints filed over 10 years, with the worst year being 1995 (17 complaints, including 3 crash reports).
The amber reliability line shows an improving trend — scores have risen from the earlier years toward 100/100 more recently, suggesting the most serious issues are older and may have been addressed through repairs or recalls.
Notably, despite 41 complaints on file, no recall has been issued — either the defect pattern has not met NHTSA's threshold for a formal campaign, or a recall may be forthcoming.
Red dots on the amber line flag 4 years (1995, 1996, 1999, 2002) where complaints included crash events — these are the highest-severity incidents in the dataset.
Legal & Regulatory Actions
Known class action lawsuits, settlements, and manufacturer extended warranty programs
5-Year Ownership Cost Estimate
Based on EPA fuel data, standard depreciation, and US average insurance/maintenance costs
Estimates use EPA fuel economy data, AAA 2024 national averages for insurance and maintenance, and a standard depreciation curve. Actual costs vary by location, driving habits, and vehicle condition.
5-Year Total Cost of Ownership
Estimated based on EPA fuel data, risk-adjusted maintenance, and depreciation
Estimated 5-year cost of ownership: $50,614 (~$844/mo). Repair risk buffer is standard due to vehicle risk profile.
Negotiation Ammunition
Use these data-backed findings to negotiate the price down
Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist
Tailored for the 1987 HONDA Civic — specific failure modes your mechanic must check, not a generic list
Recall Probability Forecast
Estimated likelihood of a new recall in the next 18 months based on NHTSA signals
5% baseline recall probability — no strong indicators of an imminent recall.
Maintenance Schedule
OEM-specified service intervals for this vehicle
Maintenance intervals vary significantly by make, model, year, engine, and driving conditions. Always follow the manufacturer's official schedule — not generic industry estimates.
Tip: Request the seller's service records and compare against the manufacturer schedule. Missing intervals are a negotiation point.
Auction History
Public sale records from Copart, IAAI, and auction aggregators
Searching Public Auction Records
Checking Copart, IAAI, BidFax, and other sources for 1HGEC453XHA031867. Results appear automatically when found.
Insurance Cost Estimate
Estimated annual premiums based on vehicle profile, theft data, and NHTSA safety ratings
Based on 2024 national avg ($2,011/yr full coverage). Individual rates vary by driver, location & insurer. Always compare 3+ quotes.
Manufacturer NHTSA Penalty History
Federal fines issued for recall delays and safety violations
HONDA has been fined $93M+ by NHTSA. Most recently in 2016: Additional penalties related to Takata airbag recall management.
State-Specific Legal Protections
What consumer laws apply to this vehicle purchase in your state
Select your state to see what consumer protection laws, lemon law coverage, and title disclosure requirements apply to this vehicle purchase.
Complete Data Table
All decoded fields in a single flattened view
Vehicle Identity
| VIN | 1HGEC453XHA031867 |
| Model Year | 1987 |
| Make | HONDA |
| Model | Civic |
| Trim | GL |
| Vehicle Type | PASSENGER CAR |
Body & Configuration
| Body Style | Sedan/Saloon |
| Doors | 4 |
| Fuel Type | Gasoline |
| Transmission | Manual/Standard |
Engine
| Engine Cylinders | 4 |
| Displacement (L) | 1.491222824 |
| Horsepower | 76 |
Manufacturer
| Manufacturer | AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC. |
| Assembly City | MARYVILLE |
| Assembly Country | UNITED STATES (USA) |
VIN Structure
| WMI (Chars 1–3) | 1HG |
| Check Digit (Char 9) | X |
| Model Year Code (Char 10) | H |
| Plant Code (Char 11) | A |
| Sequence (Chars 12–17) | 031867 |
Safety Data
| NHTSA Recall Count | 3 |
| NHTSA Complaint Count | 41 |
VIN Structure Decode
ISO 3779 character-by-character breakdown of this Vehicle Identification Number
Disclaimer: Data sourced from NHTSA public APIs and scraped auction listings. For informational purposes only. Not a substitute for a paid vehicle history report. Retrieved: 6/13/2026, 8:27:40 AM.