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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

Unknown Or Other complaints

54 reports
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Mileage unknown · Nov 26, 2023
StructureUnknown Or Other

Paint defect should extend it to fix the paint issues. Clear coat as well.

NHTSA ODI #11556889

Mileage unknown · May 16, 2021
Unknown Or Other

THE CAR DRIP WEATHER TRIM ARE COMING OUT, NEEDS REPLACEMENT WHICH COST SIGNIFICANTLY HIGH, I HAVE OBSERVED THIS IN MANY CARS OF EIGHT GENERATION HONDA CIVIC, INCLUDING MY CAR. IT NEEDS INVESTIGATION AND DECIDE, BECAUSE OF LOSING THIS TRIM., CAR INSIDE IS LEAKING IN RAIN, THE SEAL IS NOT PROPER. THIS WILL BE SAFETY CONCERN OVERTI…

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THE CAR DRIP WEATHER TRIM ARE COMING OUT, NEEDS REPLACEMENT WHICH COST SIGNIFICANTLY HIGH, I HAVE OBSERVED THIS IN MANY CARS OF EIGHT GENERATION HONDA CIVIC, INCLUDING MY CAR. IT NEEDS INVESTIGATION AND DECIDE, BECAUSE OF LOSING THIS TRIM., CAR INSIDE IS LEAKING IN RAIN, THE SEAL IS NOT PROPER. THIS WILL BE SAFETY CONCERN OVERTIME.

NHTSA ODI #11416803

112,000 miles · Aug 21, 2020
StructureUnknown Or Other

I JUST BOUGHT A HONDA CIVIC SI MUGEN FIJI BLUE THE CLEAR COAT START FLAKING COMING OUT PAINT STARTS FADING ITS 2008 CAR ITS NOT A 1990 I SEE CARS OLDER THAN MINE WITH BETTER PAINT JOB ITS A CHEAP PAINT JOB HONDA USED IN THE FIRST PLACE THATS NOT FAIR NOW ITS GONNA COST ME 4 TO 5 K AT LEAST

NHTSA ODI #11350591

Mileage unknown · Jul 15, 2020
Unknown Or Other

THE ENGINE BLOCK WAS LEAKING DUE TO HOLES AND CRACKS.

NHTSA ODI #11339552

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

168,000 miles · Jun 17, 2019
Unknown Or Other

MY CAR WILL NOT OPEN WHICH CAUSES A HUGE CONCERN BECAUSE IF I GO OUT, THEN I HAVE TO LEAVE A DOOR UNLOCKED BECAUSE IT'S NOT GUARANTEED THAT I CAN GET INTO MY CAR AGAIN AND PEOPLE COULD POTIENTIALLY THINK THAT I AM TRYING TO BREAK INTO MY OWN CAR. WHEN I DRIVE, THE LOCKS UNLOCK AND LOCK AGAIN WHILE DRIVING. THIS STARTED GETTING W…

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MY CAR WILL NOT OPEN WHICH CAUSES A HUGE CONCERN BECAUSE IF I GO OUT, THEN I HAVE TO LEAVE A DOOR UNLOCKED BECAUSE IT'S NOT GUARANTEED THAT I CAN GET INTO MY CAR AGAIN AND PEOPLE COULD POTIENTIALLY THINK THAT I AM TRYING TO BREAK INTO MY OWN CAR. WHEN I DRIVE, THE LOCKS UNLOCK AND LOCK AGAIN WHILE DRIVING. THIS STARTED GETTING WORSE AFTER I GOT AN OIL CHANGE AND AS I WAS IN THE PARKING LOT PULLING OUT, MY CAR COMPLETELY DIED. I COULD NOT MOVE IT OR ANYTHING. I DROVE AROUND THE PARKING LOT WITH IT DYING AND THEN RESTARTING IT. IT FINALLY WORKED AND I HAVEN'T HAD A PROBLEM WITH IT DYING COMPLETELY BUT NOW MY LOCKS WON'T UNLOCK UNLESS IT'S EARLY IN THE MORNING.

NHTSA ODI #11220697

10,519 miles · Jan 31, 2019
Service BrakesStructureUnknown Or Other

ONCE PAINT WAS RECALLED BUT NOT FOR THE BODY OF CAR THAT IS DOING THE SAME. PAINT IS PEELING ON TOP OF CAR AND ON BOTH DOORS. ALSO SUN VISORS WERE RECAL YET THEY ARE BROKE AGAIN. ALSO CAR HAS 11633 MILES AND I HAVE REPLACED BRAKES 3 TIMES.

NHTSA ODI #11173241

63,000 miles · Nov 10, 2018
Unknown Or Other

WATER LEAKING AT SIDE PANEL AT AIR BAG ON PASSENGER SIDE. ACCORDING TO HONDA NO RECALL. HOWEVER WHILE RESEARCHING IT APPEARS A TON OF COMPLAINTS. THE DRIPPING OF WATER WAS NOTICED DURING HEAVY RAINFALL.

NHTSA ODI #11150697

Mileage unknown · Aug 27, 2018
Air BagsUnknown Or Other

HORN RANDOMLY GOING OFF, WHILE STATIONARY AND WHILE DRIVING. ITS A STEADY BEEP AS IF SOMEONE IS LAYING ON THE HORN. THIS PAST SATURDAY THE HORN WAS GOING OFF FOR HOURS UNTIL I RETURNED HOME. I HAD TO GET IN THE CAR AND TAP THE STEERING WELL AND IT STOPPED. IT WENT OFF AGAIN THIS MORNING. A MECHANIC SAID THAT ITS THE AIRBAG …

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HORN RANDOMLY GOING OFF, WHILE STATIONARY AND WHILE DRIVING. ITS A STEADY BEEP AS IF SOMEONE IS LAYING ON THE HORN. THIS PAST SATURDAY THE HORN WAS GOING OFF FOR HOURS UNTIL I RETURNED HOME. I HAD TO GET IN THE CAR AND TAP THE STEERING WELL AND IT STOPPED. IT WENT OFF AGAIN THIS MORNING. A MECHANIC SAID THAT ITS THE AIRBAG PUSHING PRESSURE ON THE HORN. THIS HAS BEEN GOING ON A MONTH OR SO.

NHTSA ODI #11122481

110,000 miles · Jul 26, 2018
Unknown Or Other

THE HORN BEEPS (LIKE THAT OF AN ALARM) AS SOON AS I START THE CAR UNTIL I TURN IT OFF. THE HONDA DEALERSHIP NEEDS MORE THAN $135.00 JUST TO OPEN THE HOOD. NOBODY ELSE WILL TOUCH IT. I HAD THE HORN DISCONNECTED AND NOW HAVE NOTHING!

NHTSA ODI #11113930

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