2008 Honda Civic
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Air bags is the leading concern among 916 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 5th highest complaint count among 26 Civic model years with reports.
Of the 2008 reports, 62 involved a crash and 6 involved a fire. 50 people were injured.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
Air bags, frontal, passenger side, inflator moduleJun 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.
An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
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.
Campaign 19V502000 on NHTSA.gov
Air bags, frontal, passenger side, inflator moduleMay 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.
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.
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.
Campaign 19V378000 on NHTSA.gov
Air bags, frontal, passenger side, inflator moduleApr 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.
An incorrectly installed air bag may deploy improperly in the event of a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
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.
Campaign 18V268000 on NHTSA.gov
Air bags, frontal, passenger side, inflator moduleAug 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.
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.
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.
Campaign 17V545000 on NHTSA.gov
Air bags, frontal, passenger side, inflator moduleJan 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.
An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
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.
Campaign 17V030000 on NHTSA.gov
Air bags, frontal, passenger side, inflator moduleMay 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.
An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
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.
Campaign 16V346000 on NHTSA.gov
Fuel system, gasoline, delivery, hoses, lines/piping, and fittingsOct 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.
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.
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.
Campaign 08V535000 on NHTSA.gov
Representative owner complaints: structure
85 reports, newest first. Show all
Visibility, Structure, May 9, 2012
MY 2008 HONDA CIVIC HAS A NOTORIOUS PROBLEM: DEFECTIVE SUN VISORS THAT DROP DOWN, COVERING MORE THAN HALF THE VERTICAL SPACE OF THE WINDSHIELD IN FRONT OF THE DRIVER. THE PROBLEM, WHICH INVOLVES A METAL BAR THAT EXPANDS IN HOT WEATHER AND FORCES APART THE TWO SIDES OF THE PLASTIC VISOR, IS PRONE TO HAPPEN IN HOT WEATHER. THIS IS THE FOURTH TIME IT HAS HAPPENED TO ME. A CALIFORNIA SUPERIOR COURT RULING REQUIRES HONDA TO REPLACE THESE AS NEEDED UP TO 100,000 MILES. HOWEVER, THE SAFETY ISSUE REMAINS UNADDRESSED. THE REPLACEMENT IS THE SAME AS THE FAILED VISOR, AND IT TOO WILL FAIL IN ABOUT 10,000 MILES (OR LESS, IN SEVERE CLIMATES). TWO SCREWS HOLD THE VISOR TO THE ROOF OF THE CAR. CAN'T HONDA BE REQUIRE TO DESIGN A NEW VISOR WITHOUT THIS DEFECT (REQUIRES ONLY MAKING THE CHANNEL FOR THE METAL BAR WIDER) AND REPLACE THE VISORS WITH AN IMPROVED VERSION ON ALL AFFECTED HONDA CIVICS (2006-2009)? IT IS NOT FUN VIEWING THE ROAD AHEAD BY PEEKING AROUND AND UNDER THE DROPPED VISOR. HONDA CIVICS HAVE A SEVERELY SLANTED WINDSHIELD, AND THE VERTICAL VIEWING SPACE IS LIMITED WITHOUT A FAILED VISOR. *TR
Structure, Apr 2, 2012
I REPORTED TO HONDA OF AMERICA THAT THE CLEAR COAT PAINT ON MY VEHICLE HAD BEGUN SPLITTING THROUGHOUT THE HOOD AND FENDERS. HONDA OF AMERICA RECOMMENDED THAT I TAKE IT IN TO BE EVALUATED BY THE SERVICE TEAM AND SERVICE MANAGER AT MY LOCAL DEALERSHIP. I TOOK MY VEHICLE IN TO EARNHARDT HONDA IN AVONDALE, ARIZONA, THE END OF DECEMBER 2011. I BELONG TO A HONDA CIVIC ENTHUSIAST FORUM CALLED 8THCIVIC.COM. HUNDREDS OF MEMBERS THERE WITH CIVICS IN THE COLOR OF NIGHTHAWK BLACK PEARL AND FIJI BLUE PEARL HAVE NOTICED THIS PHENOMENA AND HAVE POSTED PICTURES OF THERE VEHICLE. THIS HAS SPARKED SOME DEBATE OVER WHY HONDA HAS NOT ADMITTED TO AND TAKEN RESPONSIBILITY FOR ISSUES REGARDING PAINT ON THE 06-11 MODELS. I'VE HEARD PAINT EXPERTS ON THE MESSAGE BOARD STATE THAT THE CLEAR COAT IS CRACKING, CALLED "CROWS FEET" DUE TO A DEFECTIVE CLEAR COAT THAT WAS APPLIED DURING MANUFACTURING. THIS MIXED WITH THE HEAT OF THE ENGINE BAY CAUSED THE CLEAR COAT TO SEPARATE AND CRACK. THE LONG TERM EFFECTS OF THIS WILL BASICALLY BE THE PAINT BUBBLING AND WEARING AWAY. I'VE HARD MY CAR FOR ONLY 2 YEARS, AND IT HAD 38K MILES ON IT WHEN I BROUGHT IT TO THE DEALERSHIP. SINCE THAT TIME THE DEALERSHIP HAS BEEN IGNORING MY CALLS AND HONDA OF AMERICA HAS BEEN RUNNING ME AROUND IN CIRCLES TO NO AVAIL. *TR
Structure, Oct 4, 2011
THE CLEARCOAT PAINT IS PEELING ON THE ROOF AND TRUNK AND OTHER AREAS OF THE CAR ARE LOOKING DULL LIKE THEY WILL PEEL SOON TOO. THIS CAR HAS BEEN WELL TAKEN CARE OF AND THERE IS NO REASON FOR THIS HAPPENING, OTHER THAN DEFECTIVE PAINT. ALTHOUGH THIS IS NOT SAFETY RELATED, THIS IS A VERY EXPENSIVE TO FIX PROBLEM THAT SHOULD BE COVERED BY THE MANUFACTURER. *TR
Structure, May 23, 2011
AS I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE STREET MY BUMPER JUST POPPED OFF AND STARTED TO FALL OFF NOTHING WAS HIT I NEED TO KNOW IF THE REST OF THE CAR IS GOING TO FALL OFF IS IT A SAFETY CONCERN AS BUS DRIVER I AM A VERY SAFE DRIVER IF I'M GOING TO DIE AS THE CAR FALLS APART I NEED TO KNOW.... *TR
Structure, Apr 7, 2011
I WAS DRIVING MY 2008 HONDA CIVIC WHEN MY VISOR SWUNG DOWN AND PARTIALLY BLOCKED MY VISION. UPON LOOKING AT THE VISOR, I NOTICED THE BACK HAD CRACKED OPEN AND THE VISOR WOULD NO LONGER CLOSE. EVENTUALLY I JUST REMOVED THE VISOR SO I WOULD NOT HAVE TO DEAL WITH IT ANY LONGER. *TR
Structure, Jun 17, 2010
THE PAINT ON MY 2008 HONDA CIVIC SI A FEW MONTHS AFTER I BOUGHT IT. THE DEALER TOLD ME THAT IT WAS FROM ROCKS. THERE ARE PAINT CHIPS ON THE CAR WHERE IT IS NOT POSSIBLE FOR A ROCK TO HIT IT. THEY REFUSED TO FIX THE PROBLEM AND SAID THAT A REP WOULD CONTACT ME. I'VE BEEN COMPLAINING ABOUT THE PAINT FOR 2 YRS AND HAVE NOT HEARD FROM ANY HONDA REP. I'VE PUT TOUCH-UP PAINT ON THE CAR TO PREVENT THE CAR FROM RUSTING BUT THE TOUCH-UP PAINT WON'T EVEN STAY ON. WHEN I FIRST BOUGHT THE CAR I HAD IT "SIMONIZED" IN THE HOPES THAT THE PAINT WOULD BE PROTECTED. GUESS I WAS WRONG AND NOW I DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO. MY CAR IS RUSTING OUT AND IT'S ONLY 2 YRS OLD. *TR
Structure, Jun 1, 2010
INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6) PURCHASED 2008 HONDA CIVIC SEDAN VIN [XXX] , PAID CASH, UNDER WARRANTY IN 2008. FRONT BUMPER COVER FALLS OFF. DEFECTIVE DESIGN, LATENT DEFECT. ROAD HAZARD IF IT FALLS OFF IN TRAFFIC. HONDA OF HOLLYWOOD HAS REFUSED TO REPAIR UNDER WARRANTY. *TR
Structure, Oct 1, 2009
RODENTS EAT WIRES, FUEL, BRAKE LINES. IT SEEMS THE CAR COMPANIES HAVE STARTED USING A NEWER MATERIAL TO REPLACE THE COMMON PLASTIC USED IN WIRE INSULATION AND TUBING WITH A SOY BASED PRODUCT. THIS NEWER PRODUCT HAS ATTRACTED SQUIRRELS AND OTHER RODENTS WHICH EAT THIS MATERIAL. THIS IS NOT ONLY A SAFETY ISSUE IT'S ALSO A HAZARD AS THERE IS NO WAY TO PREVENT THIS. ANY NUMBER OF THINGS CAN HAPPEN TO CAUSE A MAJOR ACCIDENT DUE TO THIS VERY BAD CHOICE OF MATERIAL USED. ONE ONLY HAS TO SEARCH GOOGLE TO SEE HOW WIDE SPREAD THIS PROBLEM IS. I TYPED IN "SQUIRREL ATE MY HONDA WIRES" AND CAME UP WITH PAGES AND PAGE OF COMPLAINTS. THE FIRST ONE IN THE RESULTS GIVEN IS A PERSON THAT HAD TWO NEW HONDA CARS AND BOTH WERE DISABLED DUE TO THIS. *TR
Structure, Jul 30, 2008
THE HUSH PANEL UNDER THE INSTRUMENT PANEL HAS STARTED TO DROOP, CAUSING IT TO COME IN CONTACT WITH THE TOP OF MY SHOE WHEN I MOVE MY FOOT FROM THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL TO THE BRAKE PEDAL. THE HUSH PANEL WAS NOT DESIGNED WITH ENOUGH RETAINING CLIPS TO AVOID THIS INTERFERENCE. *TR
Structure, Mar 12, 2008
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 HONDA CIVIC. THE BUMPER IS HANGING FROM THE VEHICLE. THE INSPECTOR FROM THE HONDA DEALER STATED THAT THE UNDERCARRIAGE OF THE VEHICLE WAS SCRAPED. HE BELIEVES THE FAILURE OCCURRED WHEN THE VEHICLE CAME OFF OF THE DELIVERY TRUCK. THE DEALER STATED THAT THEY NEVER INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND THE BUMPER FAILURE WAS HER FAULT. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 900 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 137.