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2009 Honda CIVIC: complaints, problems and recalls

Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.

Key facts

395 owner complaints analyzed

8 distinct recall campaigns

30,750 mi median reported failure mileage

Scope: 2009 model year. Data snapshot: . 266 complaints include usable failure mileage.

Owner-reported patterns

Most common problems

Air Bags is the most frequently named component, appearing in 92 of 395 complaints (23.3%). A complaint can name multiple components.

Recurring terms in complaint narratives
TopicMatching reportsShare of complaints
Braking behavior7017.7%
Electrical and battery issues276.8%
Steering behavior143.5%
Transmission and shifting82.0%
Fuel system concerns41.0%
Engine operation30.8%

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.

Air Bags
92
Structure:Body
36
Unknown Or Other
36
Electrical System
30
Engine
27
Tires
25
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
23
Service Brakes
21
Component breakdown data
CategoryCount
Air Bags92
Structure:Body36
Unknown Or Other36
Electrical System30
Engine27
Tires25
Service Brakes, Hydraulic23
Service Brakes21

Air Bags: 92; Structure:Body: 36; Unknown Or Other: 36; Electrical System: 30; Engine: 27; Tires: 25; Service Brakes, Hydraulic: 23; Service Brakes: 21

Reported problems by failure mileage

Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.

Under 25,000
115
25,000 to 49,999
59
50,000 to 74,999
35
75,000 to 99,999
19
100,000 to 149,999
30
150,000 and above
8
Reported problems by failure mileage data
CategoryCount
Under 25,000115
25,000 to 49,99959
50,000 to 74,99935
75,000 to 99,99919
100,000 to 149,99930
150,000 and above8

Under 25,000: 115; 25,000 to 49,999: 59; 50,000 to 74,999: 35; 75,000 to 99,999: 19; 100,000 to 149,999: 30; 150,000 and above: 8

Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (115). 129 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.

2008
2
2009
34
2010
63
2011
40
2012
26
2013
23
2014
23
2015
21
2016
52
2017
42
2018
16
2019
18
2020
10
2021
2
2022
7
2023
6
2024
3
2025
5
2026
2
Complaints over time data
CategoryCount
20082
200934
201063
201140
201226
201323
201423
201521
201652
201742
201816
201918
202010
20212
20227
20236
20243
20255
20262

2008: 2; 2009: 34; 2010: 63; 2011: 40; 2012: 26; 2013: 23; 2014: 23; 2015: 21; 2016: 52; 2017: 42; 2018: 16; 2019: 18; 2020: 10; 2021: 2; 2022: 7; 2023: 6; 2024: 3; 2025: 5; 2026: 2

Pattern summary

Air Bags leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 70 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 27 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 14 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.

Examples from the source records

Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.

Owner report 10247306 · 2008-10-30 (October 30, 2008)

WHILE DRIVING AFTER THE CRUISE CONTROL HAS BEEN SET, IT DOES NOT STAY AT THE SPEED YOU HAVE SELECTED. I WAS GOING DOWN A ROAD THAT WASN'T DOWN HILL AND THE CAR ACCELERATED ON IT'S OWN. I HAD SET CRUISE AT 55 AND BEFORE I KNEW IT, IT HAD ACCELERATED TO 80 AND WOULD NOT MAINTAIN THE DESIRED SPEED. LUCKILY, I WAS ON THE ROAD BY MYSELF AND NO ONE WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT. THE CAR HAS BEEN OWNED ABOUT THREE WEEKS AND HAS LESS THAN 800 MILES ON IT. *TR

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10247306 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10250693 · 2008-12-04 (December 4, 2008)

AIR BAG LIGHT CAME ON LESS THAN TWO WEEKS FROM PURCHASE DATE...... COULD CAUSE SAFETY ISSUES IN CASE OF AN ACCIDENT. *TR

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10250693 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10256311 · 2009-01-26 (January 26, 2009)

FRONT WHEEL AREAS MAKING CREEKING SOUND AS IF THERE IS A BAD BALL JOINT OR BUSHING. THE CAR IS ONLY 4000 MILES ON IT. IT'S A 2009 CIVIC COUPE LX. SOUND IS GETTING WORSE. I AM STARTING IT HEAR IT FROM THE BACK SIDE AS WELL TIME TO TIME. IT'S BEEN GOING ON FOR ALMOST A MONTH NOW. *TR

Owner-reported narrative. 3,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10256311 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10258501 · 2009-02-12 (February 12, 2009)

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 HONDA CIVIC. WHILE DRIVING 10 MPH, THE CONTACT STRUCK ANOTHER VEHICLE ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE. SHE DOES NOT KNOW HOW THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE TIRE DETACHED FROM HER VEHICLE AFTER STRIKING THE OTHER VEHICLE FROM A RIGHT ANGLE. THE ENTIRE FRONT END CAME OFF OF THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE AND IT WAS UNABLE TO BE DRIVEN. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED FROM THE SCENE AND A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE DEALER ADVISED HER TO HAVE THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THEM SO IT CAN BE REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 45.

Owner-reported narrative. 45 miles reported. Look up ODI 10258501 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10258935 · 2009-02-17 (February 17, 2009)

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 HONDA CIVIC. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HEADREST IS EXTREMELY UNCOMFORTABLE IN HER VEHICLE BECAUSE IT FORCES HER HEAD TO TILT IN A FORWARD/DOWNWARD POSITION. AS A CONSEQUENCE, SHE EXPERIENCES PAIN WHILE DRIVING. THE CONTACT IS 5'2" TALL AND SHE MUST RECLINE THE SEAT TO A POSSIBLY UNSAFE POSITION OR PLACE A PILLOW BEHIND HER BACK TO MAINTAIN A COMFORTABLE POSITION. SHE FILED A COMPLAINT WITH THE MANUFACTURER. CURRENTLY, THERE ARE NO KNOWN REMEDIES TO RESOLVE THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 9. …

Owner-reported narrative. 9 miles reported. Look up ODI 10258935 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10259607 · 2009-02-22 (February 22, 2009)

BRAND NEW 2009 CIVIC SI SEDAN HAVE NOTICED GRINDING OF 2ND AND THIRD GEAR SYNCHROMESH, AND ALSO A LOT OF NOTCHINESS WHILE SHIFTING. BROUGHT IT TO THE DEALERSHIP, THEY RESPONDED THAT THIS WAS NORMAL, UNDER FURTHER INVESTIGATION I FOUND OUT ABOUT A RECALL ON 06-08 TRANSMISSIONS. I FEEL THAT THE PROBLEM THAT THEY SAY WAS RESOLVED WAS NOT. I WORK ON CARS SO I REPLACED THE MANUAL TRANS FLUID IT CAME OUT AS BLACK AS MOLASSES, THERE IS SOMETHING SERIOUSLY WRONG WITH MY TRANSMISSION AND I DON'T FEEL THAT HONDA WANTS TO FIX THE PROBLEM. NOW I KNOW THERE…

Owner-reported narrative. 1,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10259607 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10260929 · 2009-03-06 (March 6, 2009)

MY 2009 HONDA CIVIC WILL OFTEN NOT START ON DAYS WHERE THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN SITTING FOR SEVERAL HOURS IN TEMPERATURES BELOW 55 DEGREES FAHRENHEIT. EVEN WHEN THE VEHICLE DOES START, IT STRUGGLES TO FIRE UP, AND THE IDLE IS ROUGH FOR A FEW SECONDS. THE HONDA DEALERSHIP TESTED THE BATTERY AND STATED THAT IT WAS GOOD; THE INDICATOR LIGHT ON THE BATTERY ITSELF ALSO REVEALED THAT THE BATTERY IS FINE. I BELIEVE HONDA SUPPLIED BATTERIES WITH INSUFFICIENT COLD CRANKING AMPS. THIS PROBLEM ONLY MANIFESTS ITSELF IN "COLD" TEMPERATURES. THIS IS NOT AN ISOLA…

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10260929 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10261034 · 2009-03-07 (March 7, 2009)

THE AIR CONDITIONER ON MY BRAND NEW 2009 HONDA CIVIC STOPPED WORKING. WHEN I GOT IT SERVICED, THEY SAID IT WAS A HOLE IN THE CONDENSER. THIS IS NOT COVERED UNDER THE WARRANTY WHEN IT SHOULD BE. *TR

Owner-reported narrative. 5,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10261034 at NHTSA ↗

Recall history

8 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.

08V535000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery:Hoses, Lines/Piping, And Fittings

Reported: 2008-10-14 (October 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: 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.

NHTSA campaign record ↗
16V346000 · Air Bags:Frontal:Passenger Side:Inflator Module

Reported: 2016-05-24 (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: 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.

NHTSA campaign record ↗
17V030000 · Air Bags:Frontal:Passenger Side:Inflator Module

Reported: 2017-01-10 (January 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: 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.

NHTSA campaign record ↗
17V545000 · Air Bags:Frontal:Passenger Side:Inflator Module

Reported: 2017-08-31 (August 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: 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.

NHTSA campaign record ↗
18V042000 · Air Bags:Frontal:Passenger Side:Inflator Module

Reported: 2018-01-09 (January 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: 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.

NHTSA campaign record ↗
18V268000 · Air Bags:Frontal:Passenger Side:Inflator Module

Reported: 2018-04-26 (April 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: 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.

NHTSA campaign record ↗
19V378000 · Air Bags:Frontal:Passenger Side:Inflator Module

Reported: 2019-05-16 (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: 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.

NHTSA campaign record ↗
19V502000 · Air Bags:Frontal:Passenger Side:Inflator Module

Reported: 2019-06-27 (June 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: 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.

NHTSA campaign record ↗