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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

Structure complaints

85 reports
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110,000 miles · Nov 5, 2013
Structure

THE PAINT ON MY ROOF AROUND THE SUNROOF THE CLEAR COAT IS COMING COMPLETELY OFF. I WANT HONDA TO FIX THIS AS I NEVER RECEIVED A RECALL ON IT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10550993

44,000 miles · Sep 5, 2013
Structure

WHEN I BOUGHT MY HONDA CIVIC, THE BLUE COLOR WAS ONE OF THE REASONS I CHOSE IT. HAD I KNOWN THE PAINT JOB WAS GOING TO FADE AFTER ONLY 4 YEARS, I PROBABLY WOULD'VE CHOSEN A DIFFERENT COLOR OR EVEN A DIFFERENT MAKE. IS THERE A RECALL FOR THIS PROBLEM?. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10542073

83,000 miles · Sep 4, 2013
Structure

PAINT IS PEELING - STARTED ON HOOD LOOKS AWFUL - CHECKED WITH DEALER -THE DEALER STATED THERE IS NOTHING THEY CAN DO - THEY DID CONCEDE THAT THIS SHOULD NOT BE HAPPENING. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10541782

50,000 miles · Aug 13, 2013
Structure

THERE ARE WHITEST, SILVER LOOKING PLACES ON ROOF AND TOP OF TRUNK. THIS HAPPENED SOMETIME WITHIN PAST MONTH OR TWO BUT I DIDN'T NOTICE RIGHT AWAY. CAR STAYS UNDER CARPORT COVER. HAVE BEEN RETIRED FOR OVER A YEAR, SO CAR HAS NOT BEEN SITTING IN SUNLITE AT WORK. SHOWED SERVICE MANAGER ON AUGUST 09,2013 AND HE TOOK PICTURES AND…

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THERE ARE WHITEST, SILVER LOOKING PLACES ON ROOF AND TOP OF TRUNK. THIS HAPPENED SOMETIME WITHIN PAST MONTH OR TWO BUT I DIDN'T NOTICE RIGHT AWAY. CAR STAYS UNDER CARPORT COVER. HAVE BEEN RETIRED FOR OVER A YEAR, SO CAR HAS NOT BEEN SITTING IN SUNLITE AT WORK. SHOWED SERVICE MANAGER ON AUGUST 09,2013 AND HE TOOK PICTURES AND SAID HE WOULD CONTACT SOMEONE AT HONDA SINCE THERE WAS A 'GOODWILL' ALLOWANCE FOR THIS AND MY CAR IS NOT UNDER WARRANTY NOW. I HAD A 93 ACCORD FOR 16 YEARS AND NEVER HAD ANYTHING LIKE THIS TO HAPPEN. GOT THE USED 2008 CIVIC IN 2009 WITH VERY LITTLE MILEAGE. IT IS TO LAST ME REST OF MY LIFE, I THOUGHT. HAVE ALWAYS TOOK MY HONDAS TO HONDA SERVICE DEPT. FOR ALL SCHEDULED MAINTENANCE. HAVE NOT HEARD BACK FROM SERVICE MANAGER. WHAT TO DO?? *TR

NHTSA ODI #10535227

45,000 miles · Jun 24, 2013
Structure

I BOUGHT A USED 2008 HONDA CIVIC COUPE FROM A DEALERSHIP A YEAR AGO. IT WAS A ONE OWNER CAR. I NOTICED THE TOP HAD SOME PAINT / CLEAR COAT WEAR SO I HAD IT PAINTED. NOW THERE IS A LOT OF PAINT / CLEAR COAT WEAR ON THE SIDES, TRUNK AND DOORS. IT LOOKS LIKE AN OLD VEHICLE. HONDA SHOULD USE MORE CARE WITH THEIR PAINT AND CLEAR…

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I BOUGHT A USED 2008 HONDA CIVIC COUPE FROM A DEALERSHIP A YEAR AGO. IT WAS A ONE OWNER CAR. I NOTICED THE TOP HAD SOME PAINT / CLEAR COAT WEAR SO I HAD IT PAINTED. NOW THERE IS A LOT OF PAINT / CLEAR COAT WEAR ON THE SIDES, TRUNK AND DOORS. IT LOOKS LIKE AN OLD VEHICLE. HONDA SHOULD USE MORE CARE WITH THEIR PAINT AND CLEAR COAT PRODUCTS. I OWN TWO OTHER CARS, TOYOTAS, WITH NO PAINT PROBLEMS WHATSOEVER. I FEEL THAT HONDA SHOULD TAKE AN INITIATIVE TO HAVE THEIR VEHICLES RE-PAINTED. IT LOOKS TACKY. THERE SHOULD BE A WARRANTY ON THE CLEAR COAT AND PAINT. I HAVE NOTICED MANY HONDAS LIKE THIS AROUND 2008 AND 2009 MODELS - DARK COLORED PAINTS. I WILL NOT BUY ANOTHER HONDA IF THEY CANNOT INCREASE THE QUALITY OF THEIR PRODUCTS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10521449

55,000 miles · May 23, 2013
Structure

ABOUT A YEAR AGO I STARTED NOTICING LARGE WHITE PATCHES ON THE ROOF OF MY HONDA ( BLACK). I THOUGHT PERHAPS SOMETHING HAD SCRATCHED IT. NOW, A YEAR LATER, IT HAS WORSENED. THE CAR LOOKS ABOUT 10 YEARS OLD, THE PAINT IS FADED THROUGHOUT, THE ROOF IS COVERED IN WHITE PATCHES. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10513286

54,000 miles · May 3, 2013
Structure

THE REAR OF MY VEHICLE'S CLEAR COAT PAINT IS CRACKING AND PEELING. THERE ARE CROWS FEET AND CRACKING ON THE REAR QUARTER PANELS, PANEL CONNECTING THE QUARTER PANELS TO THE ROOF, AND THE RIGHT REAR DOOR. HONDA ONLY OFFERED TO PAY 25% OF THE COST TO REPAIR WHEN IT HAS ALREADY BEEN ADMITTED THAT THE CLEAR COAT PAINT THEY USED IS DE…

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THE REAR OF MY VEHICLE'S CLEAR COAT PAINT IS CRACKING AND PEELING. THERE ARE CROWS FEET AND CRACKING ON THE REAR QUARTER PANELS, PANEL CONNECTING THE QUARTER PANELS TO THE ROOF, AND THE RIGHT REAR DOOR. HONDA ONLY OFFERED TO PAY 25% OF THE COST TO REPAIR WHEN IT HAS ALREADY BEEN ADMITTED THAT THE CLEAR COAT PAINT THEY USED IS DEFECTIVE. UNACCEPTABLE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10510563

100,000 miles · Jan 29, 2013
Structure

THE BLACK PAINT ON TOP OF THE ROOF OF MY CIVIC HAS A WHITE FADING HAZE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10495030

80,000 miles · Jan 11, 2013
SteeringStructureVisibility

I WAS TURNING ON FROM A LEFT LANE INTO A LEFT LANE SEPARATED BY A CEMENT DIVIDER; THE CAR WENT OVER THE CEMENT DIVIDER AND ALMOST OVERTURNED. AT NIGHT WITH NORMAL LIGHTING AND NORMAL SPEED. I HAVE HAD ANOTHER INCIDENT 3 MONTHS PRIOR MAKING A RIGHT TURN. I NOTICED CAREFULLY BY COMPARISON OF THE EXACT POSITION OF SIMILAR MAK…

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I WAS TURNING ON FROM A LEFT LANE INTO A LEFT LANE SEPARATED BY A CEMENT DIVIDER; THE CAR WENT OVER THE CEMENT DIVIDER AND ALMOST OVERTURNED. AT NIGHT WITH NORMAL LIGHTING AND NORMAL SPEED. I HAVE HAD ANOTHER INCIDENT 3 MONTHS PRIOR MAKING A RIGHT TURN. I NOTICED CAREFULLY BY COMPARISON OF THE EXACT POSITION OF SIMILAR MAKE SEDAN CARS; THIS CAR HAS THE MIRROR ATTACHED TO THE DOOR PANELS AND PRESENTS A HAZARD (HAS 2 BLIND SPOTS) MAKING IT ESPECIALLY DANGEROUS AT NIGHT WITH LOW BEAM LIGHTS AND OLD PAINTED DIVIDER LINES. IT NEEDS IMMEDIATE ACTION AND RECALL SO THE DEALERS CAN REPOSITION THE MIRRORS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10492218

70,000 miles · Nov 30, 2012
Structure

THE PAINT IS OXIDIZING AND FLAKING OFF EVEN THOUGH THE CAR WAS WASHED AND WAXED REGULARLY. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10486550

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