2008 Honda Civic problems, complaints & recalls

Updated from NHTSA data · How we count

Owners have filed 85 complaints with NHTSA about the 2008 Honda Civic, most often about engine. There are 6 recalls for this model year.

Complaints
85
Recalls
6
Crashes
8
Fires
2
Injuries
6
Median mileage
138,000 mi
at time of problem

Key facts

  • Engine is the most-reported problem area, named in 48 of 85 complaints (56%).
  • Airbags (19) and body & structure (6) follow.
  • Half of the complaints that list mileage happened before 138,000 mi.
  • Owners reported 8 crashes, 2 fires and 6 injuries.
  • The 2008 Honda Civic has 6 recalls on file.
  • It ranks 17th of 22 Honda Civic model years by our severity-weighted complaint score (1st = worst).
  • That is 39% more complaints than the 2007 model year (61).

2008 Honda Civic problems by category

  • 48 complaints
  • Airbags · 7 crashes
    19 complaints
  • Body & Structure
    6 complaints
  • Other / Unknown
    4 complaints
  • Steering
    3 complaints
  • Brakes · 1 crash
    3 complaints
  • Acceleration & Cruise Control
    3 complaints
  • Transmission & Drivetrain
    2 complaints
  • Fuel, Hybrid & EV Propulsion
    2 complaints
  • Seats & Seat Belts
    2 complaints
  • Wheels & Tires
    1 complaints
  • Lighting
    1 complaints
  • Visibility & Wipers
    1 complaints
  • Electrical System
    1 complaints

A complaint can mention more than one problem area, so categories add up to more than the total.

Most-reported components

Component (as filed with NHTSA)Complaints
Engine45
Air bags18
Engine and engine cooling5
Structure:body5
Unknown or other4
Service brakes3
Steering3
Vehicle speed control3

When problems happen (mileage)

1Under 10k10k–30k30k–60k360k–100k18100k–150k13150k+
Mileage at the time of the problem, for 2008 Honda Civic complaints that list mileage.

2008 Honda Civic recalls (6)

  • Recall 19V502000Jun 27, 20199,555 vehicles
    AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

    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.

    Risk: 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.

  • Recall 19V378000May 16, 201919,138 vehicles
    AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

    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.

    Risk: 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.

  • Recall 18V268000Apr 26, 20181,335 vehicles
    AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

    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.

    Risk: 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.

  • Recall 17V545000Aug 31, 20173,257 vehicles
    AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

    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.

    Risk: 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.

  • Recall 17V030000Jan 10, 2017977,708 vehicles
    AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

    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.

    Risk: 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.

  • Recall 16V346000May 24, 20162,719,386 vehicles
    AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

    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.

    Risk: 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.

Recent 2008 Honda Civic complaints

Excerpts of the newest owner complaints, lightly cleaned of personal details. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

  1. Filed Jul 17, 2026TXEngineAcceleration & Cruise ControlSteering
    What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? Engine, steering. Purchased the car from a certified dealership in January 2026. After 3 months of driving, the car began exhibiting performance issues. During a normal acceleration pattern, the car would go into a ‘limp mode’ where all dashboard lights would turn on and the car’s performance became severely limited. Acceleration is barely possible when this happens and the car…
    NHTSA complaint #11751178 · source
  2. Filed Jul 9, 2026127,517 miCAAirbags
    The contact owns a 2008 Honda Civic. The contact stated that the vehicle was serviced by a dealer under an unknown NHTSA Campaign Number related to the airbags. After the recall repair, the passenger airbag warning light illuminated and remained illuminated. A dealer was contacted regarding the failure but informed the contact that no assistance could be provided. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 127,517.
    NHTSA complaint #11749407 · source
  3. Filed Jun 10, 2026CAAirbags
    Got mail that my car needs to have the airbag recall done and I took it to Honda dealer in Selma for the recall, got the car back and noticed the passenger airbag light was left on. I called and talked to the service attendant that worked on my car and they said they couldn’t not do anything about it. Not sure on the date but this was about a year ago around around spring time.
    NHTSA complaint #11743222 · source
  4. Filed Feb 19, 2026WIEngine
    Engine temperature suddenly rose high, pulled over. Discovered what appeared to be coolant on front of block. Had diagnosed and found to have a cracked block. Contacted Honda, the refused to do anything as it wasn’t a recall only a warranty bulletin. This needs to be recalled so people who are affected can get their cars fixed.
    NHTSA complaint #11719251 · source
  5. Filed Sep 22, 2025159,000 miTXAirbags
    The contact owned a 2008 Honda Civic. The contact stated that while driving at 30 MPH, the air bag warning light illuminated. The contact pulled over to the side of the road and turned off the engine. After the vehicle was restarted, the air bag warning light was no longer illuminated. The contact stated that the air bag warning light was intermittently illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure…
    NHTSA complaint #11689018 · source
  6. Filed Aug 20, 2025SCVisibility & Wipers
    Driver's side sun visor defective. Visor started splitting, leading to inoperative, and finally fell off. Replaced by manufacturer a number of years ago, but design flaw not addressed causing persistent issue recurrence. Multiple complaints have been filed related to this issue. Following are some of the complaint record numbers: 110884671041796510466838 110630431041670210466343 110395371041422810462119 109831981041221710461924 109710161041170010461699…
    NHTSA complaint #11681983 · source
  7. Filed May 4, 2025NYCrash1 injuredAirbags
    The drivers air bag system or any other didn't deploy upon a rear collision with another vehicle, and yes the vehicle is available for any inspection.
    NHTSA complaint #11658782 · source
  8. Filed Mar 6, 2025WIEngine
    Engine has a crack block on the front. It is a known issue but it is past the warranty that honda offered. I think they should extend the warranty more.
    NHTSA complaint #11646828 · source

Compare the 2008 Honda Civic with another vehicle →

Other 2008 Honda models

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Office of Defects Investigation public data, as of Oct 11, 2026. Complaints are submitted by owners and are not verified by NHTSA or by us; a complaint does not prove a defect exists. View this vehicle on NHTSA.gov Methodology