Model year guide

1985 Honda Civic

Recalls, most-reported problems, crash-test ratings, fuel economy and what a 1985 Honda Civic is worth — from official NHTSA and EPA data. 20 on record.

1985 Honda Civic — representative photo
Representative photo

1985 Honda Civic at a glance

Safety recalls2
Owner complaints17
Combined24–34 mpg

Included: that car's specs and build sheet, model-year recall campaigns and a fair price.

1985 Honda Civic recalls 2

Visibility:windshield Wiper/washer NHTSA Campaign #88V180000 · 18/11/1988

UNDER HIGH AMBIENT TEMPERATURES FRONT WINDSHIELD WIPER CONTACT UNIT COULD LOOSEN AND BECOME DISLODGED.

Fix: INSTALL A CONTACT UNIT HOLDER THAT WOULD PREVENT LOOSENING.

Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:fuel Pump NHTSA Campaign #88V117000 · 22/07/1988

UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS, MECHANICAL FUEL PUMPS MAY DEVELOP FUEL LEAKAGE AT CRIMPED SEAM BETWEEN THE TWO FUEL PUMP HALVES.

Fix: INSTALL AN IMPROVED FUEL PUMP ASSEMBLY.

Source: U.S. NHTSA, checked 4 Nov 2026. A campaign covers the model year; to see whether a particular car still needs the repair, check its VIN on NHTSA.gov or ask a franchised dealer.

1985 Honda Civic common problems

The most-reported problem areas across all 17 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — and what to check before you buy.

Seat Belts
Check that every belt latches, retracts and locks under a sharp tug, and that none are frayed.
Fuel System
Sniff for fuel odor, check for leaks, hard starts or stalling, and confirm the fuel gauge reads correctly.
Gasoline
Have a trusted mechanic inspect this system as part of a pre-purchase inspection.
Engine And Engine Cooling
Check coolant level and color, look for leaks, and confirm the engine reaches normal temperature without overheating.
Latches/locks/linkages
Have a trusted mechanic inspect this system as part of a pre-purchase inspection.
Seats
Have a trusted mechanic inspect this system as part of a pre-purchase inspection.

1985 Honda Civic MPG & running costs

Combined24–34 mpg
City27 mpg
Highway33 mpg
Est. annual fuel cost$2,308
EPA size classSubcompact Cars
Transmission3 options
Passenger volume84 cu ft
Cargo volume15 cu ft
5-yr fuel cost vs average new car$458 less

Source: U.S. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov. The EPA lists 6 versions of this model year; combined is shown as a range and the other figures are averages.

Estimated 5-year cost to own

A rough guide to what running a 1985 Honda Civic costs over five years and 75,000 miles.

Fuel (5 yrs)$11,540
Fuel only$11,540
Per mile$0.15

How this is estimated: fuel is the U.S. EPA annual cost at 15,000 miles a year. There aren't enough comparable listings to estimate depreciation for this model, so it is left out. Not included: insurance, maintenance, repairs, taxes, registration and finance costs. Treat it as a comparison guide, not a quote.

Dimensions & weight

Length
144.9–163.4 in
Width
64.2 in
Height
50.8–58.3 in
Wheelbase
86.6–96.5 in
Curb weight
1,825–2,004 lb

Manufacturer-reported figures for the 1985 Honda Civic — ranges cover the 5 body / drivetrain versions on record. Source: Transport Canada vehicle specifications via NHTSA.

Canadian recalls 1

Transport Canada recall campaigns for the 1985 Honda Civic. Relevant if the car was first sold in, or imported from, Canada.

Fuel System

On certain vehicles, the mechanically operated fuel pump on carburated engine may eventually develop a fuel leak at the crimped seam between the two fuel pump halves. This could result in an engine compartment fire. Correction: An improved fuel pump will be installed.

Transport Canada #1988112 · Jul 1988

Source: Transport Canada Motor Vehicle Safety Recalls Database.

About the Honda Civic

The Honda Civic is a series of automobiles manufactured by Honda since 1972. As of 2023, the Civic is positioned between the Honda Fit/City and Honda Accord in Honda's global passenger car line-up. It is one of the best-selling automobiles in history, with over 27 million units sold through 2021.

From Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Describes the model line in general, not this model year specifically.

1985 Honda Civic vehicles on record

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Other Honda Civic model years

2025 2024 2023 2022 2021 2020 2019 2018 2017 2016 2015 2014 2013 2012 2011 2010 2009 2008 2007 2006 2005 2004 2003 2002 2001 2000 1999 1998 1997 1996 1995 1994 1993 1992 1991 1990 1989 1988 1987 1986 1984 1983 1982 1981

1985 Honda Civic — frequently asked questions

Does the 1985 Honda Civic have any safety recalls?

NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for the 1985 Honda Civic. Whether an individual car still needs a recall repair depends on its VIN — check it on NHTSA.gov or ask a franchised dealer. Recall repairs are done at no charge.

What are the most common problems with the 1985 Honda Civic?

Across all 17 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the most-reported problem areas are seat belts, fuel system, gasoline.

What gas mileage does the 1985 Honda Civic get?

The 1985 Honda Civic has U.S. EPA estimates of 24–34 mpg combined, depending on engine and trim (6 versions).

Sources: NHTSA (recalls, complaints, crash tests), U.S. EPA (fuel economy). Vehicle data only — CarLogs never shows owner information.