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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.

About this comparison →

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

What owners actually said

916 reports
110,800 miles · Apr 23, 2021
Engine

THE BLOCK CRACKED CAUSING A ANTIFREEZE LEAK. HONDA EXTENDED THE WARRANTY ON 08 CIVICS AN EXTRA 10 YEARS FROM ORIGINAL WARRANTY WHICH WOULD ALLOW MY CIVIC TO STILL BE UNDER WARRANTY. I CONTACTED HONDA AND THEY TOLD ME THE WARRANTY ONLY PERTAINED TO FIRST OWNERS. I SUSPECT MY PROBLEM OCCURRED ON WEDNESDAY 4/21/2021 AS I WAS DRIVIN…

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THE BLOCK CRACKED CAUSING A ANTIFREEZE LEAK. HONDA EXTENDED THE WARRANTY ON 08 CIVICS AN EXTRA 10 YEARS FROM ORIGINAL WARRANTY WHICH WOULD ALLOW MY CIVIC TO STILL BE UNDER WARRANTY. I CONTACTED HONDA AND THEY TOLD ME THE WARRANTY ONLY PERTAINED TO FIRST OWNERS. I SUSPECT MY PROBLEM OCCURRED ON WEDNESDAY 4/21/2021 AS I WAS DRIVING HOME FROM WORK. IT HAS NEVER OVERHEATED SINCE I HAVE OWNED IT.

NHTSA ODI #11413626

250,000 miles · Feb 24, 2021
Seat Belts

2008 HONDA CIVIC LX SEAT BELT BUCKLE HAS A KNOWN DEFECT THAT WILL NOT DEPLOY AIRBAG DUE TO FAULTY MICRO SWITCH. HONDA HAS A LIFETIME WARRANTY ON MODEL YEARS PRIOR TO MINE. THIS IS A KNOWN DEFECT. J CONTACTED LOCAL DEALER AND THEY TOLD ME MY MODEL YEAR WARRANTY IS 15 YEARS 150K. THE LIGHT HAS BEEN ON FOR YEARS. I ASSUMED IT W…

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2008 HONDA CIVIC LX SEAT BELT BUCKLE HAS A KNOWN DEFECT THAT WILL NOT DEPLOY AIRBAG DUE TO FAULTY MICRO SWITCH. HONDA HAS A LIFETIME WARRANTY ON MODEL YEARS PRIOR TO MINE. THIS IS A KNOWN DEFECT. J CONTACTED LOCAL DEALER AND THEY TOLD ME MY MODEL YEAR WARRANTY IS 15 YEARS 150K. THE LIGHT HAS BEEN ON FOR YEARS. I ASSUMED IT WAS FINE TILL A LOCAL OIL CHANGE PLACE TOLD ME IT WASN'T!

NHTSA ODI #11397690

228 miles · Feb 4, 2021
Air BagsCrashFire

WE HAD A CAR ACCIDENT ON CHRISTMAS DUE TO ICE ON THE ROAD AND ENDED UP HITTING 2 TELEPHONE POLES! NONE OF THE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED AT ALL! WE HIT THE POLES HEAD ON! I HAVE HAD THE AIRBAGS FIXED FROM THE RECALL AND NEVER BEEN IN ANOTHER ACCIDENT TO HAVE TO HAVE AIRBAGS FIXED SO THERE WAS NO REASON THEM TO NOY DEPLOY!

NHTSA ODI #11394601

Mileage unknown · Dec 23, 2020
Air BagsPower Train

I WENT TO A MECHANIC TODAY, I HAVE 'PASSENGER AIRBAG OFF LIGHT FLASHING' HE TOLD ME HONDAS HAVE RECALLED FOR AIRBAGS IN DEALERSHIPS SO I CHECKED MY VEHICLE REPORT IT SAYS THAT I HAD 2 RECALLS IN 2019 AND I DID THEM BUT I DIDN'T. 'RECALL SUBJECT: AIR BAGS: PASSENGER SIDE FRONTAL REPORT RECEIPT DATE: 06/27/2019 NHTSA CAMPAIGN: 1…

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I WENT TO A MECHANIC TODAY, I HAVE 'PASSENGER AIRBAG OFF LIGHT FLASHING' HE TOLD ME HONDAS HAVE RECALLED FOR AIRBAGS IN DEALERSHIPS SO I CHECKED MY VEHICLE REPORT IT SAYS THAT I HAD 2 RECALLS IN 2019 AND I DID THEM BUT I DIDN'T. 'RECALL SUBJECT: AIR BAGS: PASSENGER SIDE FRONTAL REPORT RECEIPT DATE: 06/27/2019 NHTSA CAMPAIGN: 19V502000' I BELIEVE I HAD THAT PROBLEM WHEN I BOUGHT MY CAR, MY PASSENGER LIGHTS OFF BLINKING WHILE I'M DRIVING EVEN THO NO PASSENGERS THERE. SO I WAS TRYING TO CHECK MY RECALLS ON THE HONDA WEBSITE IT SHOWS THAT I DON'T HAVE ANY. ALSO, I HAVE A PROBLEM WHEN I DO REVERSE ENGINE LIGHT STARTS FLASHING P0812 CODE BUT NO PROBLEMS EXCEPT CODE

NHTSA ODI #11384764

140,000 miles · Dec 16, 2020
Engine

ENGINE BLOCK CRACKED WHILE I STARTED DRIVING IT TODAY AND CAR OVERHEATED, TOWED TO DEALER AND THEY SAID THAT IT WAS 2YEARS OUT OF WARRANTY, I HAD ASKED BEFORE IF IT WAS IN THE RECALL AND THEY SAID IF IT WASNT CRACKED IT WOULDNT BE UNDER WARRANTY

NHTSA ODI #11383656

150,000 miles · Nov 30, 2020
Engine

I JUST BOUGHT THIS CAR 7 MONTH AGO AND REPLACED BRAKES, ROTORS, A TIRE, REPAIRED A BROKEN LUGNUT, AND NOW THE ENGINE HAS OVERHEATED AND BLOWN AND IS EVIDENTLY NOT COVERED UNDER THE PREVIOUS WARRANTY BECAUSE IT IS PAST EXPIRATION (YEAR AND MILEAGE). PUTTING A USED ENGINE INTO THE VEHICLE IS NOT GOING TO SOLVE THE PROBLEM, AND MY …

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I JUST BOUGHT THIS CAR 7 MONTH AGO AND REPLACED BRAKES, ROTORS, A TIRE, REPAIRED A BROKEN LUGNUT, AND NOW THE ENGINE HAS OVERHEATED AND BLOWN AND IS EVIDENTLY NOT COVERED UNDER THE PREVIOUS WARRANTY BECAUSE IT IS PAST EXPIRATION (YEAR AND MILEAGE). PUTTING A USED ENGINE INTO THE VEHICLE IS NOT GOING TO SOLVE THE PROBLEM, AND MY DEALERSHIP IS NOT WILLING TO PUT A NEW ONE IN. WHEN IT BEGAN OVERHEATING, I HAD JUST PULLED ONTO THE HIGHWAY (AVERAGE SPEED OF ABOUT 50) AND NOTICED THAT MY HEAT WASN'T WORKING (WHICH WAS WEIRD SINCE I HAD REPLACED THE THERMOSTAT ALREADY A FEW WEEKS PRIOR) AND THEN THE CAR READ AS HOT AS POSSIBLE. WHEN I SAFELY PULLED OVER, THERE WAS SMOKE COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD AND IT WAS TOWED TO A RELIABLE MECHANIC WHO SAID IT WAS THE COOLANT LEAKING FROM THE ENGINE BLOCK, BUT WAS NOT PART OF THE WARRANTY ANYMORE.

NHTSA ODI #11377105

150,000 miles · Oct 14, 2020
Engine

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 HONDA CIVIC. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR SERVICE ON THE WATER PUMP AND THE TECHNICIAN INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE ENGINE BLOCK WAS FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILUR…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 HONDA CIVIC. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR SERVICE ON THE WATER PUMP AND THE TECHNICIAN INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE ENGINE BLOCK WAS FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 150,000.

NHTSA ODI #11364366

80,000 miles · Sep 19, 2020
Air BagsEngine

HONDA EXTENDED A WARRANTY FOR 2006-2008 CIVICS TO REPLACE DEFECTIVE ENGINE BLOCKS. I HAVE A 2008 CIVIC THAT HAS VERY LOW MILEAGE SO I WAS UNAWARE OF THIS ISSUE UNTIL NOW. THEY WILL NOT HONOR THEIR REPLACEMENT WARRANTY, NOR DID THE DEALERSHIP SAY ANYTHING TO ME WHEN I HAD MY CAR SERVICED THERE SEVERAL TIMES A YEAR SINCE 2015. WH…

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HONDA EXTENDED A WARRANTY FOR 2006-2008 CIVICS TO REPLACE DEFECTIVE ENGINE BLOCKS. I HAVE A 2008 CIVIC THAT HAS VERY LOW MILEAGE SO I WAS UNAWARE OF THIS ISSUE UNTIL NOW. THEY WILL NOT HONOR THEIR REPLACEMENT WARRANTY, NOR DID THE DEALERSHIP SAY ANYTHING TO ME WHEN I HAD MY CAR SERVICED THERE SEVERAL TIMES A YEAR SINCE 2015. WHY WOULD THEY NOT SAY SOMETHING? NOW I'M LEFT WITH A CAR THAT IS USELESS AND I BET THE DEALERSHIP I HAVE PURCHASED MORE THAN 5 CARS FROM WILL TAKE IT AS A TRADE IN. IT WAS IN MOTION PARKED TO GO IN THE STORE AND CAME OUT TO ALL OF MY ANTIFREEZE ON THE PAVEMENT. HAD TO LIMP IT SOME SO IT WOULDN'T CAUSE MORE DAMAGE.

NHTSA ODI #11359918

141,000 miles · Sep 7, 2020
Service Brakes

BRAKESI.COM 301 MAIN ST, SUITE#19, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94105 DBA "CALLAHAN BRAKE PARTS" SOLD ON AMAZON.COM THIS SUPPLIER HAS SOLD AND IS SELLING UNSAFE REBUILT BRAKE CALIPERS. THERE ARE SEVERAL RUBBER SEALS IN BRAKE CALIPERS. IF A RUBBER PART FAILS, WATER WILL ENTER CRITICAL PARTS CAUSING THEM TO RUST AND SEIZE. THIS MAY RESU…

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BRAKESI.COM 301 MAIN ST, SUITE#19, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94105 DBA "CALLAHAN BRAKE PARTS" SOLD ON AMAZON.COM THIS SUPPLIER HAS SOLD AND IS SELLING UNSAFE REBUILT BRAKE CALIPERS. THERE ARE SEVERAL RUBBER SEALS IN BRAKE CALIPERS. IF A RUBBER PART FAILS, WATER WILL ENTER CRITICAL PARTS CAUSING THEM TO RUST AND SEIZE. THIS MAY RESULT IN UNSAFE BRAKE OPERATION OR BRAKE FAILURE. ON OUR CAR THIS CAUSED A BRAKE CALIPER TO SEIZE CAUSING UNEVEN BRAKING. AN INSPECTION FOUND ALL THE RUBBER PARTS IN THE AFFECTED CALIPERS HAD DISINTEGRATED. THE CALIPERS WERE APPROXIMATELY 22 MONTHS OLD. CLEARLY INFERIOR RUBBER MATERIAL WAS USED IN THE MANUFACTURE OF THESE PRODUCTS.

NHTSA ODI #11353575

179,000 miles · Sep 1, 2020
Fuel/propulsion System

GAS TANK LEAKS WHEN FILLED, DRIVING OR SITTING. SEAL ON TANK TO FILLER NECK. GAVE NO CODE ON THE EMISSION SYSTEM AND PASSED SMOKE TEST AT REPAIR SHOP. CONTACTED HONDA HEADQUARTERS. VIN NUMBER NOT LISTED ON FUEL TANK WARRANTY EXTENSION 11-0689. EXTENSION ON CIVIC 2006 TO 2011.

NHTSA ODI #11352553

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