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2009 Honda Civic

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

More warning signs than most Civic years

Owner complaints for the 2009 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

268 reports with mileage · 127 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 95 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Structure. Review the 45 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 35 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

42 crash reports6 fire reports30 injury reports

Air Bags complaints

95 reports
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Mileage unknown · Dec 28, 2024
Air BagsEngine

There is a recall for the engines and air bags on theys cars handa said so.

NHTSA ODI #11632898

Mileage unknown · Mar 28, 2023
Air BagsCrashInjury

No codes on the dash, police said the airbags malfunctioned. Car hit an embankment on the front right side then the car flipped over. The steering wheel did not deploy. All of the side airbags, both bottom and top side airbags came out still folded and did not inflate. Car is currently with State Farm insurance at their gara…

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No codes on the dash, police said the airbags malfunctioned. Car hit an embankment on the front right side then the car flipped over. The steering wheel did not deploy. All of the side airbags, both bottom and top side airbags came out still folded and did not inflate. Car is currently with State Farm insurance at their garage.

NHTSA ODI #11514335

Mileage unknown · Jan 11, 2023
Air BagsCrashInjury

My husband made a left turn from a center lane and didn't see a vehicle coming at us because of the blind spot. We hit the other vehicle on the front right side. The airbags deployed and the side airbag exploded and burned my right arm badly. I now have injury scars from the passenger seat airbag exploding. I was taken by ambula…

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My husband made a left turn from a center lane and didn't see a vehicle coming at us because of the blind spot. We hit the other vehicle on the front right side. The airbags deployed and the side airbag exploded and burned my right arm badly. I now have injury scars from the passenger seat airbag exploding. I was taken by ambulance to the hospital.

NHTSA ODI #11501286

Mileage unknown · Nov 25, 2022
Air BagsCrashInjury

The contact was a former police officer who had been tasked with investigating a vehicle crash that involved a 2009 Honda Civic. The contact stated that while the owner was driving at a yet-to-be-determined rate of speed, he hit a dip in the road which sent the vehicle airborne and off the road. The vehicle then went through a g…

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The contact was a former police officer who had been tasked with investigating a vehicle crash that involved a 2009 Honda Civic. The contact stated that while the owner was driving at a yet-to-be-determined rate of speed, he hit a dip in the road which sent the vehicle airborne and off the road. The vehicle then went through a guardrail and crashed into a light pole with a large concrete support post. A control box for an electric sign and the guardrail was damaged due to the accident. The passenger-side air bags did not deploy upon impact. The driver was treated for his injuries at the scene by paramedics. The passenger was taken to the hospital where he was treated for injuries to both his head and torso, the passenger died three days later as a result of his injuries. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to an independent tow yard and was a total loss. The dealer nor the manufacturer had yet to be notified of the failure. The vehicle was destroyed. The failure mileage was unknown.

NHTSA ODI #11494876

140,000 miles · Jun 10, 2020
Air BagsStructureCrash

GOT HIT IN THE SIDE FROM MAKING A U TURN, MODERATE SPEED. CONCERN IS THAT MY SON, WHO WAS DRIVING, REPORTED THAT THE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED BUT DID NOT INFLATE. HE BUMPED HIS HEAD (NO PERSONAL INJURY REPORTED), WHICH IS HOW HE KNOWS THE BAGS NEVER INFLATED. *TR

NHTSA ODI #11328172

68,000 miles · May 29, 2020
Air BagsService BrakesCrashInjury

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 HONDA CIVIC. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 33 MPH WHEN THE BRAKES WERE BEING APPLIED THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED TO 54 MPH. THE CONTACT STATED SHE WAS UNABLE TO CONTROL THE VEHICLE AS THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE GUARD RAIL, SPINNING AROUND, CROSSING TO THE OTHER SIDE OF THE ROADWAY,…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 HONDA CIVIC. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 33 MPH WHEN THE BRAKES WERE BEING APPLIED THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED TO 54 MPH. THE CONTACT STATED SHE WAS UNABLE TO CONTROL THE VEHICLE AS THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE GUARD RAIL, SPINNING AROUND, CROSSING TO THE OTHER SIDE OF THE ROADWAY, HITTING THE MOUNTAIN SIDE. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE CONTACT RECEIVED INJURY TO HER RIGHT KNEE, SHOULDER, ELBOW, BACK AND NECK HOWEVER MEDICAL TREATMENT WAS NOT RECEIVED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO FREEWAY HONDA (1505 AUTO MALL DR, SANTA ANA, CA 92705 PHONE: (714) 547-3555) WHOM WAS ATTEMPTING TO DIAGNOSIS THE FAILURE HOWEVER, WHEN THE INSURANCE COMPANY INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND DEEMED IT A TOTAL LOSS, ALL DIAGNOSES WAS SEIZED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE 68,000. *BF *AS

NHTSA ODI #11326518

1 miles · Feb 3, 2020
Air BagsCrash

ACCIDENT WITH HEAVY FRONT END DAMAGE, AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY.

NHTSA ODI #11306886

Mileage unknown · Jan 31, 2020
Air Bags

I GOT A RECALL NOTICE AND TRYING TO CALL AND SCHEDULE THE REPAIR FOR LAST ONE YEAR. THE RECALL NOTICE CLEARLY SAYS I WILL GET A FREE LOANER VEHICLE BUT EVERY TIME I TALK TO DEALERSHIP OR HONDA CUSTOMER CARE THEY DENY THE CLAIM AND SAY THAT I AM NOT ABLE TO GET A LOANER VEHICLE DURING THE REPAIR. THE NOTICE LETTER ALSO SUGGESTED …

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I GOT A RECALL NOTICE AND TRYING TO CALL AND SCHEDULE THE REPAIR FOR LAST ONE YEAR. THE RECALL NOTICE CLEARLY SAYS I WILL GET A FREE LOANER VEHICLE BUT EVERY TIME I TALK TO DEALERSHIP OR HONDA CUSTOMER CARE THEY DENY THE CLAIM AND SAY THAT I AM NOT ABLE TO GET A LOANER VEHICLE DURING THE REPAIR. THE NOTICE LETTER ALSO SUGGESTED THAT I CAN SCHEDULE THE REPAIR AND GET A LOANER VEHICLE BY TEXTING AT [XXX]. BUT WHEN I TEXTED THE PERSON DENY IT AND SUGGESTED THAT I NEED TO TALK TO CUSTOMER CARE OR HONDA DEALERSHIP. WHICH I ALREADY DID AND THEY DENY ME THE LOANER VEHICLE. I WANT COMPENSATION FOR MY TIME AND ALSO WANT MY REPAIR TO BE DONE AND I WANT A LOANER VEHICLE AS SUGGESTED IN THE NOTICE LETTER. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

NHTSA ODI #11306385

Mileage unknown · Sep 16, 2019
Air BagsElectronic Stability Control (esc)Engine

AFTER NUMEROUS VISITS TO OCEAN HONDA OF BURLINGAME TO DISCUSS THAT THE CAR I PURCHASED WAS NEVER ACTUALLY COMPLETELY "PROPERLY CERTIFIED" AS WAS DISCUSSED; AND THE FACT THAT I BROUGHT IT IN NUMEROUS TIMES. - I HAVE HAD NO COOPERATION. PLEASE VERIFY WITH LISA MENDEZ WHO JUST VERIFIED TO SALES MGR VAN THAT THE CAR HAS BEEN PROBELE…

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AFTER NUMEROUS VISITS TO OCEAN HONDA OF BURLINGAME TO DISCUSS THAT THE CAR I PURCHASED WAS NEVER ACTUALLY COMPLETELY "PROPERLY CERTIFIED" AS WAS DISCUSSED; AND THE FACT THAT I BROUGHT IT IN NUMEROUS TIMES. - I HAVE HAD NO COOPERATION. PLEASE VERIFY WITH LISA MENDEZ WHO JUST VERIFIED TO SALES MGR VAN THAT THE CAR HAS BEEN PROBELEMATIC SINCE PURCHASE AND SHOULD BE TRADED OUT. I DO NOT FEEL AND HAVE NOT FELT I'M DRIVING A COMPLETELY SAFE OR DEPENDABLE CAR. MOST RECENT VISIT TO DISCUSS ISSUES WAS 09/06/19 AND I HAD BEEN THERE ALREADY 3 TIMES WITHIN THE PREVIOUS 2 WEEKS FOR CONTINUING ISSUES WITH LIGHTS COMING ON AFTER I HAD SERVICE AND AFTER I HAD ASKED IF THERE WAS ANYTHING NEEDED . I WAS TOLD I WAS ALL GOOD !!... NOW JUST SPENT $460 TO FIND OUT THAT I NEED $1700 WORK AND THERE ARE RECALLS I WASN'T NOTIFIED ABOUT. THERE IS PREVIOUS DOCUMENTED COMPLAINT I FILED ON THIS CAR A LONG WHILE BACK. I HAVE BEEN TRYING TO GET THEM TO TAKE IT BACK SINCE I GOT IT DUE TO ONE THING OR ANOTHER. JUST DOESN'T FEEL STABLE OR SECURE. THEY SHOULD TAKE IT BACK AND DEAL WITH IT THEMSELVES. INITIAL COMPLAINT LOGGED WAS DUE TO A REPLACED SEAL OF SOME SORT THAT THEY BROKE AND REPLACED AGAIN, I WAS DRIVING AND IT STARTED MAKING A BURNING SMELL. THEY REPLACED AGAIN, BUT STILL SEEMS NOT RIGHT AND ENGINE HAZARD LIGHTS COME ON -- AND THEY CLEAR THEM AND TELL ME ITS OK.... DOES NOT FEEL OK, AND WAS NOT OK. I AM NOT WAITING FOR AN ACCIDENT TO HAPPEN HOWEVER MY NUMEROUS VISITS AND PLEAS TO EXCHANGE AND TAKE BACK THE CAR HAVE GONE UPON DEAF EARS AND THEY (SALES) HAVE NOW BECOME RUDE. I FEEL LIKE DROPPING OFF THE CAR TO THEM AND GIVING THEM THE KEYS AND THEY CAN DEAL WITH IT HOWEVER I'M SO UPSET THAT I "MUST HAVE A CAR" SO I AM TRYING TO FIND A NEW CAR NOW AND HAVING NO LOCK SINCE MY CREDIT IS RUINED.

NHTSA ODI #11256047

Mileage unknown · Aug 11, 2019
Air BagsUnknown Or Other

CAR ROOF PAINT IN EXCHANGE COLOR

NHTSA ODI #11243065

Official recalls

8

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.

18V042000 · Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module

Jan 9, 2018

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2010-2013 Acura TSX, ZDX, Honda Accord Crosstour, Fit, Insight and Pilot vehicles, 2011-13 Acura TSX Sportswagon, 2010-2012 Honda Accord,, 2010-2011 Honda Civic, Civic NGV, Civic Hybrid and CR-V vehicles and 2013 Honda FCX Clarity and Fit EV vehicles ever registered in the states of 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, Honda is recalling certain 2010-2012 Acura TSX, Honda Accord, Accord Crosstour, Fit and Pilot, 2010-2011 Honda Civic, Civic NGV, Civic Hybrid and CR-V, and 2010 Acura ZDX and Honda Insight vehicles ever registered in the states of 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." Unless included in Zones A or B above, Honda is recalling certain 2009 Acura TSX, Honda Accord, Civic, Civic NGV, Civic Hybrid, CR-V, Fit, and Pilot vehicles ever registered in the states of 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 or "Zone C." These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the frontal air bag modules, and used as original equipment or replacement equipment (such as after a vehicle crash necessitating replacement of the original air bags), may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to higher 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 February 16, 2018. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are B0K and L0J.

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.

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