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2008 Honda Civic

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

More warning signs than most Civic years

Owner complaints for the 2008 Honda Civic are substantially higher than the model-year median of 183.5.

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When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

688 reports with mileage · 228 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Air Bags. Review the 177 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine. Review the 156 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Visibility. Review the 112 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

62 crash reports6 fire reports38 injury reports

Engine complaints

156 reports
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63,500 miles · Jan 22, 2014
Engine

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 HONDA CIVIC. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, THE VEHICLE STARTED VIBRATING VIOLENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE MOTOR MOUNT NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. THE APP…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 HONDA CIVIC. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, THE VEHICLE STARTED VIBRATING VIOLENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE MOTOR MOUNT NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 63,500. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10561054

108,000 miles · Jan 16, 2014
Engine

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 HONDA CIVIC. THE CONTACT STATED THE ENGINE MOUNT HAD BROKEN CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO VIBRATE UPON STARTING. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A DEALER, WHO REPLACED THE MOTOR MOUNTS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 108,000.

NHTSA ODI #10560225

75,000 miles · Nov 19, 2013
Engine

CIVIC COUPE W 75K , NO PRIOR ENGINE/POWER TRAIN PROBLEMS OVERHEATED WHILE ON THE HIGHWAY. WE TURNED UP THE HEATER AND FAN AND MADE IT HOME. CHECKED THE NEXT MORNING AND THERE WAS A GREAT LOSS OF COOLANT. TOOK IT TO THE ORIGINAL DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED IT AS 'POROUS ENGINE BLOCK'. HONDA WILL REPLACE THE BLOCK AT NO CHARGE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10552878

120,000 miles · Nov 16, 2013
Engine

ENGINE TEMP GAUGE PEGGED TO HOT, WENT TO GARAGE - ENGINE BLOCK CRACKED IN FRONT - 2ND SUCH INCIDENT THIS GARAGE HAS SEEN IN TWO MONTHS ON THIS MODEL CAR; ALL MAINTENANCE HAS BEEN PERFORMED TO DATE @ REQUIRED INTERVALS; NO KNOWN SOURCE OF DAMAGE OTHER THAN DEFECT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10552545

57,650 miles · Nov 10, 2013
Engine

IN NOVEMBER 2013 MY 2008 HONDA CIVIC EXPERIENCED A MOTOR MOUNT FAILURE. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN WELL MAINTAINED, DRIVEN EASY AND ONLY HAS 57,000 MILES ON IT. INVESTIGATION ON THE INTERNET SHOWS THIS TO BE A VERY COMMON PROBLEM. HONDA REFUSES TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT THE ISSUE, OTHER THAN CHARGING THEIR CUSTOMERS A HEFTY FEE FOR TH…

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IN NOVEMBER 2013 MY 2008 HONDA CIVIC EXPERIENCED A MOTOR MOUNT FAILURE. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN WELL MAINTAINED, DRIVEN EASY AND ONLY HAS 57,000 MILES ON IT. INVESTIGATION ON THE INTERNET SHOWS THIS TO BE A VERY COMMON PROBLEM. HONDA REFUSES TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT THE ISSUE, OTHER THAN CHARGING THEIR CUSTOMERS A HEFTY FEE FOR THE REPAIRS. THIS HAS BECOME A WELL DOCUMENTED MANUFACTURING/DESIGN DEFECT FOR THIS GENERATION OF CIVICS. THE FACT HONDA REFUSES TO ACCEPT RESPONSIBILITY AND PLACES THE REPAIR BURDEN ON THEIR CUSTOMERS IS VERY TROUBLING. I WOULD HOPE EITHER THE GOVERNMENT STEPS IN OR A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT IS FILED TO MAKE HONDA?S CUSTOMERS WHOLE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10551675

55,000 miles · Jul 30, 2013
Engine

MY CAR WAS STOLEN OUTSIDE OF A SALVATION ARMY IN BUENA PARK AT APPROX 2 PM. THE CAR HAS SINCE BEEN SPOTTED IN LOMITA BEING DRIVEN BY A TALL WHITE MAN WITH TATTOOS AND A SHAVED HEAD. THE CAR IS A 2008 BLACK HONDA CIVIC. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10532572

63,000 miles · Jul 18, 2013
Engine

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 HONDA CIVIC. THE CONTACT STATED THAT UPON STARTING THE VEHICLE, THERE WAS A LOUD NOISE AND THE VEHICLE BEGAN SHAKING. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE FAILURE INCREASED AFTER SHIFTING INTO REVERSE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS FOUND THAT THE MOTOR MOUNT HAD FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 HONDA CIVIC. THE CONTACT STATED THAT UPON STARTING THE VEHICLE, THERE WAS A LOUD NOISE AND THE VEHICLE BEGAN SHAKING. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE FAILURE INCREASED AFTER SHIFTING INTO REVERSE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS FOUND THAT THE MOTOR MOUNT HAD FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED ABOUT THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 63,000.

NHTSA ODI #10525596

143,000 miles · Jul 2, 2013
Engine

DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING CAR AND WITHOUT ANY WARNING THE ENGINE STARTED TO LOSE POWER. SHE INDICATED THAT SHE PRESSED ON THE GAS AND THE CAR JUST SLOWED DOWN. SHE LOST POWER STEERING CONTROL BUT WAS ABLE TO PULL THE CAR OFF TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE CAR WAS TOWED TO THE NEAREST HONDA DEALERSHIP AND IT WAS DETERMINED BY THEIR TECH…

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DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING CAR AND WITHOUT ANY WARNING THE ENGINE STARTED TO LOSE POWER. SHE INDICATED THAT SHE PRESSED ON THE GAS AND THE CAR JUST SLOWED DOWN. SHE LOST POWER STEERING CONTROL BUT WAS ABLE TO PULL THE CAR OFF TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE CAR WAS TOWED TO THE NEAREST HONDA DEALERSHIP AND IT WAS DETERMINED BY THEIR TECHNICIANS THAT THE ENGINE BLOCK HAD CRACKED CAUSING COOLANT AND SHUT THE ENGINE DOWN. THERE WERE NO WARNING LIGHTS AND NO INDICATION ON THE GAUGE PANEL THAT THERE WERE ANY ISSUES OR THAT THE CAR WAS IN THE PROCESS OF OVERHEATING. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10522920

97,000 miles · May 8, 2013
Engine

DRIVING DOWN 270 IN COLUMBUS OHIO DOING 67MPH WHEN I NOTICED WHEN I PRESSED ON THE GAS TO PASS INTO THE NEXT LANE, NOTHING HAPPENED. I DOWN SHIFTED INTO 4TH GEAR AND TRIED AGAIN, NOTHING. LUCKILY I WAS ABLE TO CROSS OVER 3 LANES OF TRAFFIC AND COAST DOWN THE OFF RAMP ON WESTBROAD. I CALLED AAA AND HAD THEM TOW IT TO MY STEP F…

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DRIVING DOWN 270 IN COLUMBUS OHIO DOING 67MPH WHEN I NOTICED WHEN I PRESSED ON THE GAS TO PASS INTO THE NEXT LANE, NOTHING HAPPENED. I DOWN SHIFTED INTO 4TH GEAR AND TRIED AGAIN, NOTHING. LUCKILY I WAS ABLE TO CROSS OVER 3 LANES OF TRAFFIC AND COAST DOWN THE OFF RAMP ON WESTBROAD. I CALLED AAA AND HAD THEM TOW IT TO MY STEP FATHERS SHOP WERE HIM AND HIS FRIEND BUILD HOT RODS IN THEIR SPARE TIME. AFTER TAKING A LOOK UNDER THE HOOD AND RUNNING A COUPLE OF DIAGNOSTIC TESTS THEY DETERMINED THAT THE ENGINE BLOCK WAS CRACKED AND THE CAR OVER HEATED. NO ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON! *TR

NHTSA ODI #10511172

78,478 miles · Dec 15, 2012
EnginePower Train

I EXITED FREEWAY AND WAS WAITING AT A RED SIGNAL LIGHT WHEN THE ENGINE ON ITS OWN SPEEDED UP TO 3000+ RPM. IT HELD AT THIS ELEVATED RPM FOR ABOUT A MINUTE WHILE THE CAR REMAINED STOPPED (FOOT BRAKE WAS HOLDING). THE ENGINE DROPPED BACK DOWN TO IDLE ON ITS OWN. HEADLIGHTS AND OCCUPANT HEATER WAS ON WITH FAN AT LOWEST SETTING. …

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I EXITED FREEWAY AND WAS WAITING AT A RED SIGNAL LIGHT WHEN THE ENGINE ON ITS OWN SPEEDED UP TO 3000+ RPM. IT HELD AT THIS ELEVATED RPM FOR ABOUT A MINUTE WHILE THE CAR REMAINED STOPPED (FOOT BRAKE WAS HOLDING). THE ENGINE DROPPED BACK DOWN TO IDLE ON ITS OWN. HEADLIGHTS AND OCCUPANT HEATER WAS ON WITH FAN AT LOWEST SETTING. RADIO WAS ON. FLOOR MAT WAS NOT OUT OF PLACE. MY FOOT POSITION REMAINED UNCHANGED EXCEPT FOR APPLYING EXTRA FORCE DURING THE ELEVATED RPM EVENT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10488869

Official recalls

7

19V502000 · Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module

Jun 27, 2019

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2009-2014 Acura TSX, 2011-2014 TSX Sport Wagon, 2010-2013 ZDX, 2008-2012 Honda Accord, 2010-2011 Accord Crosstour, 2006-2011 Civic and Civic Hybrid, 2008-2010 Civic GX NGV, 2012-2015 Crosstour, 2007-2011 CR-V, 2009-2013 Fit, 2014 Fit EV, 2010-2014 Insight, and 2009-2015 Pilot vehicles. The vehicles are equipped with passenger frontal air bag inflators assembled as a recall remedy part or replacement service part, that may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began August 12, 2019. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are F5F and Q5E.

19V378000 · Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module

May 16, 2019

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2009-2014 Acura TSX, 2011-2013 TSX Sport Wagon, and 2010-2012 ZDX and 2008-2012 Honda Accord, 2010-2011 Accord Crosstour, 2006-2011 Civic, Civic Hybrid and Civic NGV, 2012-2014 Crosstour, 2007-2011 CR-V, 2009-2013 Fit, 2010-2013 Insight, and 2009-2015 Pilot vehicles. The front passenger air bag inflator may have been installed incorrectly during replacement.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: An incorrectly installed air bag inflator may not properly deploy the passenger frontal air bag in the event of a crash, increasing the risk of injury.

Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the inflator installation and, if necessary, replace the passenger frontal air bag module assembly, free of charge. The recall began July 5, 2019. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are M4O, P4R, T4Q, and W4P.

18V268000 · Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module

Apr 26, 2018

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2003-2012 Honda Accord and Pilot, 2010 Accord Crosstour, 2001-2011 Civic, 2002-2011 CR-V, 2003-2004, 2006-2008 and 2011 Element, 2007 and 2009-2013 Fit, 2010-2012 Insight, 2002-2004 Odyssey, and 2012 Ridgeline vehicles. The front passenger air bag may have been installed incorrectly during replacement.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: An incorrectly installed air bag may deploy improperly in the event of a crash, increasing the risk of injury.

Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and, if necessary, replace the passenger frontal air bag module assembly, free of charge. The recall began June 22, 2018. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are K1P, and M1O.

17V545000 · Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module

Aug 31, 2017

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2008-2012 Accord, 2010-2012 Accord Crosstour, 2006-2011 Civic, 2007-2011 CR-V, 2009-2012 Fit and Pilot, 2010-2012 Insight, and 2009-2012 Acura TSX vehicles that received replacement passenger frontal air bag inflators. One dealership may have incorrectly installed the replacement air bag inflators.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: In the event of a crash, an incorrectly installed passenger frontal air bag inflator may deploy the air bag improperly, increasing the risk of injury.

Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag module assembly, free of charge. The recall began October 30, 2017. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are O07, Y0A, N06, G05, M04, Y01, and O09.

17V030000 · Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module

Jan 10, 2017

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2009-2012 Acura TSX, 2011-2012 Acura TSX Wagon, 2010-2012 Acura ZDX, 2008-2012 Honda Accord, 2010-2012 Honda Accord Crosstour and Honda Insight, 2009-2012 Honda Fit, 2009-2012 Pilot, 2007-2011 Honda CR-V, 2012 Honda FCX Clarity and 2006-2011 Honda Civic, Civic Hybrid, Civic NGV vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands, or "Zone A." Additionally, if not included in "Zone A" above, Honda is recalling certain 2009 Acura TSX, Honda Fit and Pilot, 2008-2009 Honda Accord, 2006-2009 Civic, Civic Hybrid and Civic NGV, and 2007-2009 Honda CR-V vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia, or "Zone B." Additionally, if not included in "Zone B" above, Honda is recalling certain 2008 Honda Accord, 2006-2008 Honda Civic, Civic Hybrid and Civic NGV and 2007-2008 Honda CR-V vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, and Wyoming. These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules used as original equipment or replacement equipment. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the front air bags, these inflators may rupture due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger side air bag inflator, free of charge. The manufacturer has mailed an interim notification, and will send a second notification when parts are available. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are KE1 and KE2.

16V346000 · Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module

May 24, 2016

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain model year 2009-2011 Acura TSX, 2011 TSX Wagon, 2010-2011 Acura ZDX, 2008-2011 Honda Accord, 2010-2011 Accord Crosstour, 2006-2011 Civic, Civic Hybrid, and Civic GX, 2007-2011 CR-V, 2010-2011 FCX Clarity and Insight, and 2009-2011 Fit, and Pilot vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands, or "Zone A." Additionally, unless already included in "Zone A" above, Honda is recalling certain model year 2008 Honda Accord, 2006-2008 Civic, Civic Hybrid and Civic GX, and 2007-2008 CR-V vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia, or "Zone B." Vehicles not originally sold or ever registered in either Zones A or B are not subject to this safety recall. These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules, and used as original equipment or replacement equipment. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the front air bags, these inflators may rupture due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the inflator, free of charge. The recall began March 2017. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall is KA4, KA5, KA6, and KA7.

08V535000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:hoses, Lines/piping, And Fittings

Oct 14, 2008

HONDA IS RECALLING 128 MY 2008-2009 CIVIC SEDANS. A BRACKET THAT COVERS THE FUEL HOSE CONNECTOR IS SECURED WITH A BOLT AND NUT, BUT DURING ASSEMBLY THE NUT WAS NOT INSTALLED.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, THE BRACKET MAY BECOME LOOSE WHICH COULD RESULT IN DAMAGE TO THE FUEL HOSE CONNECTOR. A DAMAGED CONNECTOR COULD LEAD TO A FUEL LEAK AND INCREASES THE RISK OF A FIRE.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NUT ON THE FUEL FEED HOSE BRACKET. THE RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 13, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT HONDA AT 1-800-999-1009.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.

Go deeper into Honda Civic problems