Seven problems related to manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe have been reported for the 1999 Honda Civic. The most recently reported issues are listed below.
The check engine light came on. My husband took the car to a local automotive shop and was told that the O2 sensor had gone out. Upon further review, the mechanic found that there was a crack in the manifold and that I would cost about $1000 to repair. My husband paid $190 to have the O2 sensor replaces but was told that the O2 sensor may fail again due to the crack. The mechanic states that when he phoned a local Honda dealership to obtain a price quote on the parts the lady who answered the phone finished his sentence. The mechanic also said to me that this is a recurring problem that they have seen in Honda vehicles. This appears to be a defect in the vehicle as the same problem is happening at dealerships as well as other mechanic shops. This problem should be corrected at Honda's expense.
On 4/12/06 at 153,000 miles my check engine light came on while I was driving. My husband took my vehicle to an automotive shop and was told that the O2 sensor had gone out. My husband paid $300+ to have the O2 sensor replaced. Upon further review, the mechanic informed us that there was a crack in the manifold and that it would cost about $1000 to correct the problem. The mechanic stated that this is a recurring problem they see will Hondas. The mechanic stated that when he called a local Honda dealership to get a price on the parts required to fix the problem and the lady who answered the phone finished his sentence. Apparently they have had other customers bring their vehicles in for the repair of this same problem. This appears to be a defect in the vehicle and should be corrected by Honda as $1000 is a lot to pay for something that Honda should fix.
Check engine light came on; initial review O2 sensor ($200) part + labor; further review indicated exhaust manifold was cracked, not warrantied; cost to rplc manifold $500 + labor; and still had to rplc O2 sensor. Crack appears to be a stress crack / possible design flaw.
I have had to replace my manifold on my car 3 times! I am told that this is a common problem in the 1999 Honda Civics. They crack!.
My O2 sensor failed 1/9/2004 with 80,500 mi on my Honda Civic lx 1999. I replaced the O2 sensor. After hearing about the defective manifold, I had my manifold checked and sure enough, it was cracked. I haven't replace the manifold because of financial reasons. The Honda service stated that it will eventually give and will need replacing.
The check engine light came on; it turned out that the O2 sensor had blown. We were about to have it replaced when our mechanic suggested that he had seen a bunch of Honda Civics with the same problem and as it turned out, the exhaused manifold had cracked causing the O2 sensor to go. When our Civic was check, this was exactly the case. It is ~$1000 for parts alone. We believe Honda knows this problem exsists and will not recall due to the cost.
1999 Honda Civic lx, developed engine noise, diagnosed as "something loose", not to worry, get it fixed at next major service interval. Check light came on at 82,000 miles, due to a failed O2 sensor. Discovered noise was due to a cracked manifold. Probably what caused the sensor to fail. Appears to be a known manufacturing defect. Dealer and Honda USA say this is only warrentied to 80,000 miles, estimate about $700 to repair.