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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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Mileage unknown · Oct 14, 2019
Engine

AT 85,000 MILES, MY ENGINE BLOCKED CRACKED IN ONE OF THE 4 SPOTS IDENTIFIED BY HONDA ENGINEERS IN THEIR OWN SERVICE BULLETIN (10-048). MY CAR HAS BEEN GARAGE-KEPT AND RELIGIOUSLY MAINTAINED IN TERMS OF SERVICE. THIS IS A MANUFACTURER'S DEFECT. MY PRIMARY ISSUE (AS THE ORIGINAL OWNER) IS THAT I WAS NEVER NOTIFIED OF THIS PROBLEM.

NHTSA ODI #11268294

650,000 miles · Sep 5, 2019
Engine

I AM THE 2ND OWNER OF MY 2008 HONDA CIVIC CURRENTLY WITH 65,000 MILES. ONE DAY DRIVING OUT OF NO WHERE MY CAR BEGINS TO HEAT WITH NO WARNING NO LIGHTS NOTHING. I HAD PULLED OVER AND TURNS OUT MY ENGINE BLOCK HAS CRACKED. I REACHED OUT TO AMERICAN HONDA , THIS IS A DEFECT IN ALL OF THERE HONDA CIVICS FROM 2006-2009. THEY DID HAVE…

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I AM THE 2ND OWNER OF MY 2008 HONDA CIVIC CURRENTLY WITH 65,000 MILES. ONE DAY DRIVING OUT OF NO WHERE MY CAR BEGINS TO HEAT WITH NO WARNING NO LIGHTS NOTHING. I HAD PULLED OVER AND TURNS OUT MY ENGINE BLOCK HAS CRACKED. I REACHED OUT TO AMERICAN HONDA , THIS IS A DEFECT IN ALL OF THERE HONDA CIVICS FROM 2006-2009. THEY DID HAVE AN EXTENDED WARRANTY FOR 10 YEARS. BEING THE SECOND OWNER I WAS NEVER NOTIFIED, I WAS ONLY NOTIFIED OF A AIR BAG RECALL WHICH WAS FIXED. I AM ONLY ONE YEAR OVER THE WARRANTY WITH ONLY 65,000 MILES IN WHICH HONDA REFUSES TO REPLACE.THIS IS A DEFECT ON HONDA'S PART WHICH SHOULD BE CORRECTED.

NHTSA ODI #11253343

208,000 miles · Aug 31, 2019
Engine

CRACKED ENGINE BLOCK DURING NORMAL DRIVING. LEAKING COOLANT. KNOWN MANUFACTURER'S DEFECT BUT OUTSIDE THE EXTENDED WARRANTY PERIOD.

NHTSA ODI #11252555

100,000 miles · Aug 28, 2019
Engine

TAKATA RECALL I CAME HOME FROM A 200 MILE TRIP & NOTICED COOLANT LEAKING FROM ENGINE WHEN I GOT OFF MY CAR AT MY HOUSE. THE ENGINE DID NOT GET HOT OR DID THE TEMPERATURE GAGE MOVE TO INDICATE ENGINE WAS HOT. I HAVE OWNED MY 2008 HONDA CIVIC SINCE 09/05/2009 & NEVER HAD ANY ISSUES. I REMEMBERED I HAD A LETTER FROM HONDA MAI…

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TAKATA RECALL I CAME HOME FROM A 200 MILE TRIP & NOTICED COOLANT LEAKING FROM ENGINE WHEN I GOT OFF MY CAR AT MY HOUSE. THE ENGINE DID NOT GET HOT OR DID THE TEMPERATURE GAGE MOVE TO INDICATE ENGINE WAS HOT. I HAVE OWNED MY 2008 HONDA CIVIC SINCE 09/05/2009 & NEVER HAD ANY ISSUES. I REMEMBERED I HAD A LETTER FROM HONDA MAILED TO ME ABOUT 10 YR EXTENDED WARRANTY ON THE ENGINE OF MY CIVIC . I DID NOT HAVE ANY ISSUES WITH THE ENGINE UP UNTIL JULY 2018. I WAS IN DISBELIEF THAT THE WARRANTY HAD ALREADY BEEN EXPIRED. I WAS SO UPSET THAT I ALWAYS TOOK GOOD CARE OF MY CAR. I CHANGED OIL WHEN IT WAS SUPPOSED TO FLUIDS WERE NEVER LOW. I NEVER HAD ANY ISSUES UNTIL AFTER WARRANTY EXPIRED. IT WAS NOT MY FAULT AND THERE WAS NOT ANYTHING I COULD HAVE DONE TO PREVENT THE ENGINE BLOCK FROM CRACKING SINCE IT WAS A KNOWN DEFECT. I TOOK THE CAR TO THE HONDA DEALERSHIP 50 MILES AWAY ON A FLAT BED TRAILER TO GET IT DIAGNOSED. THE DEALERSHIP SAID WARRANTY EXPIRED GAVE ME A BILL STATING ,SHORT ENGINE BLOCK ,RADIATOR ASSY, THERMOSTAT, RADIATIOR HOSES, BYPASS HOSES, TOTAL COST $7504.99 PARTS & LABOR HONDA WOULD COVER PORTION OF THE BILL. THEY DIDNT STATE WHAT PORTION OF THE BILL OR HOW MUCH OF THE BILL THEY WOULD COVER. I AM OUTRAGED THAT I PAID $16,450.00 FOR A HONDA CIVIC WITH A DEFECTIVE ENGINE. HONDA HAS KNOWN ABOUT THE DEFECT IT HAS ON ITS ENGINES AND SOLD ME A HARD WORKING AMERICAN CONSUMER A DEFECTIVE VEHICLE. HONDA SHOULD HAVE RECALLED THIER LEAKING COOLANT ENGINE PRODUCT. INSTEAD OF OFFERING TO PAY A PORTION OF THE BILL SINCE IT WAS NOT MY FAULT . I HAVE BEEN STRUGGLING WITHOUT A VEHICLE SINCE JULY 2018 I WILL NEVER BUY A HONDA AGAIN.

NHTSA ODI #11252037

100,003 miles · Aug 22, 2019
EngineUnknown Or Other

MY CAR WENT FROM NORMAL TEMP TO EXTREMELY OVERHEATING IN ABOUT THREE MINUTES OF IDLING. I HAVE HAD THIS PROBLEM OFF AND ON OVER THE LAST THREE YEARS, INCLUDING WHILE DRIVING, AND HAVE HAD TO ADD COOLANT ABOUT FIVE TIMES IN THE LAST FOR YEARS. THE MECHANIC COULD NEVER FIND THE PROBLEM UNTIL TODAY. I HAVE TO REPLACE THE RADIATOR.…

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MY CAR WENT FROM NORMAL TEMP TO EXTREMELY OVERHEATING IN ABOUT THREE MINUTES OF IDLING. I HAVE HAD THIS PROBLEM OFF AND ON OVER THE LAST THREE YEARS, INCLUDING WHILE DRIVING, AND HAVE HAD TO ADD COOLANT ABOUT FIVE TIMES IN THE LAST FOR YEARS. THE MECHANIC COULD NEVER FIND THE PROBLEM UNTIL TODAY. I HAVE TO REPLACE THE RADIATOR. THE ENGINE BLOCK RECALL SHOULD BE EXTENDED, AND SHE DEFINITELY INCLUDED THE RADIATOR SINCE FATHER'S CHERRY WHERE THE PROBLEM STARTS.

NHTSA ODI #11245855

91,000 miles · Aug 5, 2019
Engine

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 HONDA CIVIC. THE CONTACT STATED THAT OIL LEAKED INTO THE COOLANT AND THE ENGINE LEAKED OIL. THE ENGINE OVERHEATED AND THEN LEAKED COOLANT FROM THE VENTS. IN ADDITION, THE CHECK ENGINE INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE ENGINE BLOCK WAS CRACK…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 HONDA CIVIC. THE CONTACT STATED THAT OIL LEAKED INTO THE COOLANT AND THE ENGINE LEAKED OIL. THE ENGINE OVERHEATED AND THEN LEAKED COOLANT FROM THE VENTS. IN ADDITION, THE CHECK ENGINE INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE ENGINE BLOCK WAS CRACKED DUE TO THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER OVERHEATING. THE MECHANIC ALSO STATED THAT THE VEHICLE NEEDED A NEW WATER PUMP, ONE OIL RING, AND A PLASTIC HOSE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THE WARRANTY EXPIRED LAST YEAR. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 91,000.

NHTSA ODI #11241715

73,000 miles · Aug 1, 2019
Engine

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 HONDA CIVIC. WHILE THE CONTACT WAS SITTING IN THE VEHICLE WITH THE WINDOW ROLLED DOWN, HE DETECTED AN ODOR OF BURNING ANTIFREEZE. THE CONTACT EXITED THE VEHICLE AND LOOKED UNDER THE HOOD, BUT DID NOT SEE ANYTHING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO TEAM ROSSI HONDA (1517 S DELSEA DR, VINELAND, NJ 08360, (856) 6…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 HONDA CIVIC. WHILE THE CONTACT WAS SITTING IN THE VEHICLE WITH THE WINDOW ROLLED DOWN, HE DETECTED AN ODOR OF BURNING ANTIFREEZE. THE CONTACT EXITED THE VEHICLE AND LOOKED UNDER THE HOOD, BUT DID NOT SEE ANYTHING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO TEAM ROSSI HONDA (1517 S DELSEA DR, VINELAND, NJ 08360, (856) 692-1700) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ENGINE BLOCK FRACTURED BEHIND THE CATALYTIC CONVERTOR. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND PROVIDED A CASE NUMBER. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 73,000.

NHTSA ODI #11241007

107,000 miles · May 30, 2019
Engine

CRACKED ENGINE BLOCK AT 107,000 MILES. ENGINE DRAINED OF COOLANT, AND THEN OVERHEATED ON THE HIGHWAY.

NHTSA ODI #11210830

42,000 miles · May 21, 2019
Engine

FOUND OUT TODAY THAT I HAVE A BLOCKED CRACK IN THE ENGINE WOULD NOT START LOST COOLANT

NHTSA ODI #11209044

Mileage unknown · May 10, 2019
Engine

CAR HAS 100,000 MILES AND IS LEAKING COOLANT. FOUND OUT THAT HONDA HAS A RECALL ON THIS, BUT THE RECALL EXPIRED FEBRUARY OF 2018.

NHTSA ODI #11206842

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