2008 Honda Civic engine problems

Related recalls

No recalls on file.

What owners say

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 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
3. 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
4. Filed Nov 6, 2023OHEngine

   As I was driving my car home on 8/31, I looked at the temperature gauge and saw my car was overheating. I make sure to check my temperature gauge periodically while driving so I am positive it’s the first time it’s popped up. I tried to pull over ASAP, but was in nonstop traffic and the car stopped moving. No lights were shown on the dashboard. I had recently gotten an oil change end of July when I purchased the car. Car was inspected by the state, 7/17/23 and passed. Car…

   NHTSA complaint #11553852 · source
5. Filed Oct 12, 2023134,000 miMNEngine

   The contact owns a 2008 Honda Civic. The contact stated while driving 45 MPH, the vehicle started overheating. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact pulled to the side of the road, where she noticed that coolant was leaking onto the ground. The vehicle was towed to the residence. The vehicle was then towed to Firestone, where it was diagnosed that there was a crack in the engine block, and that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The…

   NHTSA complaint #11549643 · source
6. Filed Sep 3, 2023CAEngine

   No warning except temp Guage rising extremely fast pulled over no coolant no obvious leaks took to shop cracked block along with all the other 2008 Honda civics with the same factory defect My car is late to show signs and I missed the warranty extention 130000 miles Expected to run at minimum 200000 unacceptable business practice

   NHTSA complaint #11542379 · source
7. Filed Aug 7, 2023144,000 miLAEngine

   The contact owns a 2008 Honda Civic. The contact stated while entering the vehicle, the contact discovered a coolant leak underneath the vehicle onto the ground. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed with a crack in the engine block. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but provided no assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 144,000.

   NHTSA complaint #11536916 · source
8. Filed Jul 10, 2023150,000 miNVTowedEngine

   The contact owns a 2008 Honda Civic. The contact stated while driving 30 MPH, there was smoke coming from underneath the hood, and the vehicle was overheating. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact pulled into a gas station, where her son added coolant to the vehicle. The contact was able to drive to her destination. Additionally, the contact stated that upon parking the vehicle, she noticed a trail of coolant in the driveway and there was no coolant in the…

   NHTSA complaint #11531353 · source
9. Filed Jun 6, 2023NYEngine

   The vehicle started dripping coolant at a pretty consistent rate, and it is a cracked engine block. Honda has issued a service bulletin regarding the issue, but most of these vehicles (2006-2009 Civics) are now out of warranty and have to replace the engine at their own expense.

   NHTSA complaint #11525556 · source
10. Filed May 10, 2023INEngine

    All of a sudden, with out warning, something was leaking from the car. Took it to a shop, and was surprised that they told me that it was leaking engine coolant and that the block was cracked and that the engine needed to be fixed replaced. No warning lights or anything, other than noticing that it was leaking something.

    NHTSA complaint #11521430 · source
11. Filed Apr 20, 2023272,906 miTXTowedEngine

    The contact owns a 2008 Honda Civic. The contact stated while driving 55 MPH, he noticed a strong coolant odor and that the temperature gauge was showing that the engine was overheating. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact veered to the side of the road. Upon inspecting the vehicle, the contact noticed that coolant was leaking into the engine compartment. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed that the engine block was fractured,…

    NHTSA complaint #11518039 · source
12. Filed Feb 2, 2023WVEngine

    Coolant leaking from cylinder block. i was driving with my family in the car and the vehicle begin overheating from loosing all my coolant. There were no warnings before it happened

    NHTSA complaint #11505189 · source

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Office of Defects Investigation public data. 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