2008 Honda CIVIC problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
916 owner complaints analyzed
7 distinct recall campaigns
50,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2008 model year. Data snapshot: . 686 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Air Bags is the most frequently named component, appearing in 166 of 916 complaints (18.1%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 81 | 8.8% |
| Steering behavior | 43 | 4.7% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 39 | 4.3% |
| Transmission and shifting | 35 | 3.8% |
| Engine operation | 17 | 1.9% |
| Fuel system concerns | 6 | 0.7% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Air Bags | 166 |
| Engine | 156 |
| Visibility | 109 |
| Structure:Body | 69 |
| Unknown Or Other | 54 |
| Suspension:Rear | 51 |
| Suspension | 43 |
| Electrical System | 41 |
Air Bags: 166; Engine: 156; Visibility: 109; Structure:Body: 69; Unknown Or Other: 54; Suspension:Rear: 51; Suspension: 43; Electrical System: 41
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 197 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 136 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 120 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 75 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 116 |
| 150,000 and above | 42 |
Under 25,000: 197; 25,000 to 49,999: 136; 50,000 to 74,999: 120; 75,000 to 99,999: 75; 100,000 to 149,999: 116; 150,000 and above: 42
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (197). 230 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2007 | 2 |
| 2008 | 37 |
| 2009 | 87 |
| 2010 | 120 |
| 2011 | 113 |
| 2012 | 67 |
| 2013 | 35 |
| 2014 | 59 |
| 2015 | 48 |
| 2016 | 107 |
| 2017 | 72 |
| 2018 | 47 |
| 2019 | 37 |
| 2020 | 22 |
| 2021 | 14 |
| 2022 | 22 |
| 2023 | 16 |
| 2024 | 1 |
| 2025 | 6 |
| 2026 | 4 |
2007: 2; 2008: 37; 2009: 87; 2010: 120; 2011: 113; 2012: 67; 2013: 35; 2014: 59; 2015: 48; 2016: 107; 2017: 72; 2018: 47; 2019: 37; 2020: 22; 2021: 14; 2022: 22; 2023: 16; 2024: 1; 2025: 6; 2026: 4
Pattern summary
Air Bags leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 81 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 43 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 39 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10224271 · 2008-04-12 (April 12, 2008)
MY 2007 HONDA CIVIC RAN OVER A PIECE OF TIRE FROM A TRUCK. IT PASSED UNDER THE CAR AND BENT THE REAR MOST BRACKET HOLDING THE HANDBRAKE CABLE. IT APPLIED THE REAR BRAKES CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO BECOME DIFFICULT TO CONTROL. THE REAR BRAKES OVERHEATED AND THE REAR BRAKES REQUIRED A MAJOR SERVICE TO RESTORE IT TO ROADWORTHINESS. WE CONTACTED HONDA, THEY OPENED A CASE NUMBER BUT REFUSED TO ACCEPT THERE WAS A DESIGN PROBLEM AND LEFT THE RESOLUTION TO ME. I BELIEVE THIS COULD LEAD TO A NASTY ACCIDENT IF THE REAR WHEEL BRAKES LOCKED UP AND I THINK …
Owner-reported narrative. 13,260 miles reported. Look up ODI 10224271 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10225955 · 2008-04-28 (April 28, 2008)
THE CAR INTERMITTENTLY DOES NOT STOP CAUSING IT TO PROCEED INTO INTERSECTIONS. THE BRAKES DO NOT HOLD THE CAR FROM BEING PULLED INTO TRAFFIC. RAMMED CAR ON EXIT RAMP CAUSING $4,500.00 DAMAGE. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 30,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10225955 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10229410 · 2008-05-31 (May 31, 2008)
HAD TIRED ROTATED IN MAY 2008 AND AFTER ROTATION STEERING STARTED SHAKING FROM SIDED TO SIDE. FIRESTONE/BRIDGESTONE DEALER TOLD ME THAT THE TIRES WERE DAMAGED BECAUSE OF A CAMBER PROBLEM IN THE REAR OF MY 2008 HONDA CIVIC. WAS NOT TOLD OF THIS PROBLEM WITH MY CAR WHEN I HAD IT TO THE DEALER EARLIER THAT MORNING. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 8,700 miles reported. Look up ODI 10229410 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10253050 · 2008-12-29 (December 29, 2008)
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 HONDA CIVIC. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE OWNED A 2006 HONDA CIVIC AND HAD CONSTANT ISSUES WITH THE RACK AND PINION AND POWER STEERING. SHE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND THEY REPLACED THE ENTIRE PART OF THE STEERING SYSTEM CONTAINING THE RACK AND PINION. A MONTH AND A HALF LATER, THE FAILURE RECURRED AND SHE DECIDED TO TRADE THE 2006 IN FOR A 2008, IN HOPES THAT THE FAILURE WOULD BE RESOLVED. TWO MONTHS LATER, AT 3,500 MILES, THE POWER STEERING WAS LEAKING JUST LIKE THE 2006 HONDA CIVIC. THE PARTS WERE REPLAC…
Owner-reported narrative. 3,549 miles reported. Look up ODI 10253050 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10280472 · 2009-08-14 (August 14, 2009)
I DON'T KNOW WHERE TO TURN FOR HELP MY PROBLEMS IS THAT I BOUGHT A HONDA CIVIC LAST YEAR 2008, FOR BUSINESS USE. MY WIFE WAS USING IT TO COMMUTED FROM HOME TO BUSINESS EVERY DAY. IT HAPPENED YESTERDAY (AUG/12) WHILE SHE WAS DRIVING DOWN I-15 AND BANGERTER HWY SHE HEARD A SNAP SOUND VERY LOUD UNDER THE CAR, SHE THEN SLOWED DOWN TO 60MPH. THE CAR BEHIND HER PASSED ALONG SIDE HER AND SIGNALED HER TO PULL THE CAR OVER IMMEDIATELY. SHE PULLED OVER AND GOT OUT TO INSPECT THE VEHICLE, AND SHE FOUND OUT THAT THE AXLE (SUSPENSION SUPPORT) HAD BROKE OFF…
Owner-reported narrative. 38,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10280472 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10283439 · 2009-09-09 (September 9, 2009)
1. I ATTEMPTED TO TURN LEFT ON A BUSY 6 LANE FARM TO MARKET ROAD. WHEN THERE WAS AN OPENING IN TRAFFIC I PRESSED THE ACCELERATOR AND THE CAR MOVED OUT INTO THE TRAFFIC LANES, BUT WITH GREATLY REDUCED ACCELERATION. MY HYBRID HAD LOST THE ELECTRIC MOTOR ASSIST NEEDED TO ACCELERATE NORMALLY. I WAS ALMOST BROADSIDED BY A SPEEDING SUV BECAUSE I COULD NOT ACCELERATE OUT OF THE WAY QUICKLY. 2. THIS LOSS OF ELECTRIC MOTOR ASSIST OR INTEGRATED MOTOR ASSIST (IMA) STARTED OFF HAPPENING ONCE OR TWICE A MONTH. NOW IT IS HAPPENING A COUPLE OF TIMES A …
Owner-reported narrative. 13,268 miles reported. Look up ODI 10283439 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10225261 · 2008-04-21 (April 21, 2008)
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 HONDA CIVIC HYBRID. WHILE ACCELERATING FROM A STOP, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SHAKE UNTIL IT REACHED AT LEAST 20 MPH. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED BY THE DEALER. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 730 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 600. UPDATED 05/19/08 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED THE SHAKE FEELS AS THOUGH THE CLUTCH IS BEING RELEASED TOO FAST, HOWEVER THE VEHICLE HAS AN AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION. UPDATED
Owner-reported narrative. 600 miles reported. Look up ODI 10225261 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10243335 · 2008-09-24 (September 24, 2008)
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 HONDA CIVIC. WHEN SHIFTING FROM REVERSE TO DRIVE, THERE IS CONSTANT TRANSMISSION NOISE COMING FROM THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT IT WAS SIMILAR TO A LOUD SMACKING SOUND. HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION, BUT THEY WOULD NOT MAKE ANY REPAIRS. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 23,000.
Owner-reported narrative. 23,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10243335 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10347387 · 2010-08-05 (August 5, 2010)
THIS PROBLEM OCCURRED ONE TIME SO FAR BUT I HAVE A 2008 HONDA CIVIC LX THAT I JUST BOUGHT USED WITH ABOUT 25,500 MILES ON IT. I BOUGHT IT FROM A HONDA DEALERSHIP IN SOUTH FLORIDA. IT IS A "HONDA CERTIFIED" VEHICLE. IT ALMOST STALLED AT A STOP SIGN WHEN I PRESSED THE GAS PEDAL. I DON'T KNOW WHY IT DID THIS BUT IT WORRIES ME. I HAD TO RELEASE THE PEDAL AND RE-PRESS IS SLOWLY TO GET THE CAR TO GO AGAIN. WHAT IF I NEED TO GET OUT INTO TRAFFIC? *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 25,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10347387 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10349472 · 2010-08-15 (August 15, 2010)
MY 2008 HONDA CIVIC HYBRID HAS HAD TWO BASIC PROBLEMS. ONE, IT SIMPLY DOESN'T DELIVER THE MILEAGE PROMISED ON THE CAR STICKER AND THAT MILEAGE KEEPS DROPPING. THE SECOND ITEM WHICH I HAD NOT THOUGHT WAS RELATED AND WHICH IS A SAFETY ISSUE, SEVERAL TIMES AFTER LONG TRIPS ON THE HIGHWAY, WHEN I APPROACHED A HILL OR WAS GOING UP ONE, THE CAR WOULD STALL OUT OR REFUSE TO MOVE, DESPITE PUSHING ON THE ACCELERATOR WHILE THE ENGINE WAS ON AND IN DRIVE GEAR. SEVERAL TIMES IT WOULD START ROLLING BACK DOWN THE HILL OR WOULD IMPEDE TRAFFIC BEHIND ME. ONCE…
Owner-reported narrative. 24,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10349472 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10355467 · 2010-09-14 (September 14, 2010)
THIS IS NOW THE 2ND OCCASION IN WHICH I OWN A HONDA THAT HAS A LEAKY GAS TANK. THE FIRST TIME WAS IN 2007 WITH MY 2004 HONDA ODYSSEY THAT BEGAN SPONTANEOUSLY LEAKING GAS FROM A VALVE IN THE GAS TANK. IT WAS REPAIRED. LAST WEEK ON 09/09/10 I FILLED MY 2008 HONDA CIVIC HYBRID UP WITH GAS AS NORMAL AND BY SUNDAY AFTERNOON IT WAS LEAKING ENOUGH GAS TO MAKE THE SMELL IN THE GARAGE UNBEARABLE. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE LINE FROM WHERE THE GAS IS PUT IN BY THE USER AND WHERE IT MEETS THE GAS TANK IS DEFECTIVE AND HAS BE…
Owner-reported narrative. 28,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10355467 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10462721 · 2012-06-22 (June 22, 2012)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 HONDA CIVIC. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FUEL TANK COVER LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL UPON STARTING THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT WHENEVER THE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED, ALL SHE HAD TO DO WAS OPEN AND CLOSE THE FUEL TANK CAP. THE FAILURE RECURRED MANY TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER ON MANY OCCASIONS AND THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED TO PERFORM THE SAME REMEDY HERSELF. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE PROGRESSED UNTIL THE CHECK…
Owner-reported narrative. 1,009 miles reported. Look up ODI 10462721 at NHTSA ↗