IllustrationMY HONDA CIVIC 2009 BREAK PAD NEED REPLACEMENT EVERY 6 MONTHS TO ONE YEAR. HONDA CIVIC BREAKING SYTEM HAS DEFECT AND HONDA IS REFUSING TO COVER IT UNDER WARRANTY. SEE THIS LINK HTTP://BLOGS.LAWEEKLY.COM/INFORMER/2011/02/HONDA_CIVIC_BRAKES_LAWSUIT.PHP
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.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Civic years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
1150–25K
5925–50K
3550–75K
1975–100K
30100–150K
10150K+
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
Service Brakes complaints
21 reportsTL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 HONDA CIVIC. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 15 MPH THE ABS LOCKED UPON ENGAGING THE BRAKE PEDAL. THERE WAS ALSO THE ILLUMINATION OF THE BRAKE WARNING INDICATOR.THE FAILURE RECURRED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS MANEUVERED TO A SAFE LOCATION. THE FAILURE HAD NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED OR REPA…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 HONDA CIVIC. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 15 MPH THE ABS LOCKED UPON ENGAGING THE BRAKE PEDAL. THERE WAS ALSO THE ILLUMINATION OF THE BRAKE WARNING INDICATOR.THE FAILURE RECURRED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS MANEUVERED TO A SAFE LOCATION. THE FAILURE HAD NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000.
SECOND TIME BRAKE PAD WORN BADLY: FIRST TIME WAS JUST OVER 20,000 MILES ON THE CAR AS FILED IN MY COMPLAINT # 10525136. NOW JUST OVER A YEAR LATER AND ONLY 12,000 MILES MORE (32,700) I FIND MY LEFT FRONT OUTER BRAKE PAD IS WORN TO 10% WHILE THE INNER PAD IS AT 85%. RIGHT TIRE PADS AT BOTH AT 90%. NOISE STARTED ABRUPTLY TWO DAY…
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SECOND TIME BRAKE PAD WORN BADLY: FIRST TIME WAS JUST OVER 20,000 MILES ON THE CAR AS FILED IN MY COMPLAINT # 10525136. NOW JUST OVER A YEAR LATER AND ONLY 12,000 MILES MORE (32,700) I FIND MY LEFT FRONT OUTER BRAKE PAD IS WORN TO 10% WHILE THE INNER PAD IS AT 85%. RIGHT TIRE PADS AT BOTH AT 90%. NOISE STARTED ABRUPTLY TWO DAYS AGO SOUNDING HORRIBLE. HAVE TO SPEND NEARLY AN ADDITIONAL $200.00 FOR NEW PADS AGAIN. NOISE CONTINUES EVEN WHEN NOT BRAKING - LEADING ONE TO BELIEVE THERE IS NO RETRACTION OF THE PAD AGAINST THE ROTOR. *TR
UNEVEN WEAR ON THE BRAKES TO THE POINT THE LEFT SIDE OF THE CAR HAD VERY LOUD NOISE. STILL HAVE ORIGINAL TIRES ON THE VEHICLE WITH PROPER TREAD; CAR MAINTENANCE MAINTAINED. PAID $165.00 FOR NEW BENDIX BRAKES (HIGH QUALITY) AND ROTOR REPAIR. ONCE NOISE STARTED, BRAKE PAD WENT QUICKLY!!! THIS HAPPENED AGAIN ONLY 12,000 MILES L…
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UNEVEN WEAR ON THE BRAKES TO THE POINT THE LEFT SIDE OF THE CAR HAD VERY LOUD NOISE. STILL HAVE ORIGINAL TIRES ON THE VEHICLE WITH PROPER TREAD; CAR MAINTENANCE MAINTAINED. PAID $165.00 FOR NEW BENDIX BRAKES (HIGH QUALITY) AND ROTOR REPAIR. ONCE NOISE STARTED, BRAKE PAD WENT QUICKLY!!! THIS HAPPENED AGAIN ONLY 12,000 MILES LATER (JULY 2013). LEFT OUTER BRAKE PAD AT 10% WHILE INNER PAD OF LEFT TIRE AT 85%. RIGHT TIRE, BOTH PADS AT 90%. STILL SAME ORIGINAL TIRES WITH A LOT OF TREAD, CAR MAINTENANCE MAINTAINED. VERY LITTLE WEAR AND TEAR ON THE CAR AT ALL FOR OTHER AREAS. *TR
I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE AS CERTIFIED PRE-OWNED IN JUNE 2012 WITH 23834 MILES. IN NOVEMBER 2012 AT 33035 MILES THE FRONT BRAKE PADS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AND THE LEFT FRONT ROTOR NEEDED TO BE RESURFACED. I FIGURED THE BRAKES HAD NEVER BEEN REPLACED SINCE I EXPECT APPROXIMATELY 30000 MILES OF USAGE FROM FRONT BRAKES. IN JULY 20…
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I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE AS CERTIFIED PRE-OWNED IN JUNE 2012 WITH 23834 MILES. IN NOVEMBER 2012 AT 33035 MILES THE FRONT BRAKE PADS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AND THE LEFT FRONT ROTOR NEEDED TO BE RESURFACED. I FIGURED THE BRAKES HAD NEVER BEEN REPLACED SINCE I EXPECT APPROXIMATELY 30000 MILES OF USAGE FROM FRONT BRAKES. IN JULY 2013 AT 46216 MILES THE FRONT BRAKE PADS WERE REPLACED AGAIN. TO MY FRUSTRATION THE DEALERSHIP SAID NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR BUT I HAVE NEVER HEARD OF BRAKES ON A SMALL LIGHT CAR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. I'VE HAD NUMEROUS PRIOR CARS THAT HAD BREAKS LAST LONGER THAN 13000 MILES. I HAVE SEEN NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS ON FORUMS AND EVEN A PENDING CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT OVER THIS SPECIFIC ISSUE. THIS SHOULD BE ADDRESSED AND IF NECESSARY A RECALL ISSUED SINCE EARLY BRAKE FAILURE IS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE! *TR
PARKING BRAKE FAILURE - PARKING BRAKE WAS FULLY ENGAGED WHEN THE CAR ROLLED BACKWARDS INTO A NEIGHBORING YARD STRIKING ANOTHER VEHICLE. POLICE AND OTHER WITNESSES INDICATE PARKING BRAKE WAS ENGAGED AT THE TIME THE VEHICLE CAME TO A STOP. *TR
NOTICEABLE METALLIC SOUND COMING FROM FRONT LEFT SIDE WHEN DRIVING. DEALERSHIP SAYS THE INNER BRAKE PADS ARE WORN AWAY (DOWN TO THE WEAR INDICATORS), BUT THE OUTER BRAKE PADS STILL HAVE 50% LIFE AND THE ROTORS DO NOT APPEAR TO BE WARPED, CRACKED, OR WORN. CALIPERS AND PISTONS ARE ALSO FINE. DEALER CAN OFFER NO REASON WHY BRAK…
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NOTICEABLE METALLIC SOUND COMING FROM FRONT LEFT SIDE WHEN DRIVING. DEALERSHIP SAYS THE INNER BRAKE PADS ARE WORN AWAY (DOWN TO THE WEAR INDICATORS), BUT THE OUTER BRAKE PADS STILL HAVE 50% LIFE AND THE ROTORS DO NOT APPEAR TO BE WARPED, CRACKED, OR WORN. CALIPERS AND PISTONS ARE ALSO FINE. DEALER CAN OFFER NO REASON WHY BRAKE PADS WORE OUT SO QUICKLY. NEARLY ALL MILEAGE IS HIGHWAY MILEAGE, SO THE DEALER'S EXPLANATION OF "DRIVING HABITS" AND "STOP AND GO TRAFFIC" DO NOT SEEM LIKELY. *TR
FACTORY BRAKES ARE DEFECTIVE, WEARING OUT THE ROTOR WITH ONLY 36,000 MILES ON THE CAR. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 HONDA CIVIC. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT BRAKE PADS WERE WEARING OUT PREMATURELY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE REPLICATED. THE BRAKES WERE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED ABOUT THE ISSUE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 63,000.
WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES AND THE VEHICLE HITS A BUMP OR ROUGH PATCH ON THE ROAD, THE BRAKES FAIL ALMOST ENTIRELY. AS A REACTIONARY MEASURE, I USUALLY RELEASE AND RE-APPLY THE BRAKES AND THEN IT WORKS BUT THERE HAVE BEEN TIMES WHERE I APPLY THE BRAKES AS HARD AS I CAN WITHOUT LETTING UP BECAUSE I'M ABOUT TO READ END THE VEHICLE …
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WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES AND THE VEHICLE HITS A BUMP OR ROUGH PATCH ON THE ROAD, THE BRAKES FAIL ALMOST ENTIRELY. AS A REACTIONARY MEASURE, I USUALLY RELEASE AND RE-APPLY THE BRAKES AND THEN IT WORKS BUT THERE HAVE BEEN TIMES WHERE I APPLY THE BRAKES AS HARD AS I CAN WITHOUT LETTING UP BECAUSE I'M ABOUT TO READ END THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF ME. IN TOTAL SINCE PURCHASING THE CAR BRAND NEW, I'D SAY THIS HAPPEND OVER 30 TIMES SINCE SEPTEMBER 2009. *TR
Official recalls
819V502000 · 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
0No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.