UsedScore

2008 Honda Civic: Avoid

Owners filed 430 complaints with NHTSA about the 2008 Honda Civic in its first five years on the road, about 128 for every 100,000 sold: 2.1× the rate of a typical Civic year. That's more than twice a typical year, across more than one problem area.

The biggest problem area, counting serious complaints more, is the air bags (6% of complaints, median 35,000 miles).

Complaint index
2.1×
per vehicle sold, vs. a typical Civic year
Rank
13th of 14
1st = fewest complaints
Complaints
430
first five years; 128 per 100,000 sold
Recalls
7
campaigns
8th generation, 2006–2011 · Updated September 24, 2026 · How we rate
2006–2008 Honda Civic LX sedan

Photo: 2006–2008 Honda Civic LX sedan · IFCAR, public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Problem areas

Ranked by severity-weighted complaints · share · median miles
  1. Air bags6% · 24 complaints · median 35,000 miles
  2. Visibility26% · 112 complaints · median 40,000 miles
  3. Engine13% · 57 complaints · median 40,000 miles
  4. Suspension18% · 77 complaints · median 20,000 miles
  5. Brakes7% · 31 complaints · median 17,000 miles
  6. Powertrain9% · 37 complaints · median 26,000 miles
  7. Electrical9% · 40 complaints · median 24,000 miles
  8. Speed control5% · 22 complaints · median 30,000 miles
  9. Wheels and tires8% · 36 complaints · median 16,000 miles
  10. Fuel and propulsion3% · 13 complaints · median 28,000 miles

Bars rank problem areas by complaints weighted for severity (crashes, fires, injuries and deaths count more). A complaint can name more than one area. Mileage is reported on about half of complaints.

What owners describe

Air bags

Owners describe air bags that sometimes fail to go off in a crash, other times deploy on their own with no collision, and warning lights that stay lit due to wiring or inflator issues. Many mention the Takata recall, with some frustrated by delayed parts or repairs.

Warning signs:
Many report the SRS/air bag warning light illuminating intermittently or staying on before any deployment issue occurred.
What shops did:
Dealers often diagnosed frayed or poorly crimped wiring harnesses, replaced inflators or the floor wire harness, and many repairs were tied to the Takata air bag recall.
Mileage:
most between 45,000 and 120,000 miles, among 88 complaints that give it

“The side airbag off indicator light illuminates on dash for a few seconds and then goes out”

“The drivers side airbag opened up and hit my chest causing minor powder burns to my right arm and a small cut”

Engine

Owners of this Civic frequently describe engine block cracks causing coolant loss and overheating, plus motor mount and water pump failures that cause vibration or stalling. Many also report that a hybrid battery software update left the car sluggish or hesitant to accelerate.

Warning signs:
Many report a burnt-coolant smell, rising temperature gauge, dashboard warning lights, vibration or grinding noise on startup or in reverse, and sudden loss of power or acceleration.
What shops did:
Dealers often replaced the cracked engine block, motor mounts, or water pump, sometimes under warranty or extended warranty; some report software reflashes for the hybrid battery, and a few say dealers could not duplicate or find the problem.
Mileage:
most between 55,000 and 125,000 miles, among 175 complaints that give it

“There was a smell of burnt anti-freeze. Checking the radiator and radiator reservoir showed there was no coolant.”

“I noticed my 2008 honda civic coupe would vibrate excessively while in reverse, especially during start up.”

Visibility

Owners describe sun visors that crack and drop unexpectedly, blocking their view of the road, especially in hot weather. Many say dealers replaced the visors for free under warranty, but out-of-warranty owners often had to pay or went without a fix.

Warning signs:
Many note the visor suddenly swings or falls into their line of sight, sometimes hitting them, often after hot weather or heat buildup in the car.
What shops did:
Dealers frequently replaced visors under warranty, but many owners report being charged once out of warranty, and some say replacements failed again later.
Mileage:
most between 30,000 and 65,000 miles, among 119 complaints that give it

“The sunvisors bind and split in warm weather, resulting in the visors swinging freely directly in the driver's line of sight.”

“Suddenly without warning the sun visor flipped down without being touched and hit me in the forehead.”

Summaries are written with AI from the owner complaints shown on NHTSA's site and checked against them; quotes are word for word.

Recalls (7)

Check a VIN on NHTSA ›
  • NHTSA 19V502000June 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.

    Fix: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator, free of charge.

  • NHTSA 19V378000May 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.

    Fix: 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.

  • NHTSA 18V268000April 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.

    Fix: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and, if necessary, replace the passenger frontal air bag module assembly, free of charge.

  • NHTSA 17V545000August 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.

    Fix: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag module assembly, free of charge.

  • NHTSA 17V030000January 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.

    Fix: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger side air bag inflator, free of charge.

  • NHTSA 16V346000May 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.

    Fix: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the inflator, free of charge.

  • NHTSA 08V535000October 2008128 vehicles

    Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings

    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.

    Risk: 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.

    Fix: Dealers will install a nut on the fuel feed hose bracket.

A recall only helps if the repair was done. Enter the vehicle's 17-character VIN on NHTSA's official recall lookup before you buy.

Service bulletins

Honda sent NHTSA 81 service bulletins and other notices to dealers covering the 2008 Civic. These are repair instructions, not recalls. Warranty extensions and bulletins about its top problem areas:

  • A18-066 · June 2026Warranty Extension: Customer Support Program For Front Passenger's Airbag Inflator.
  • A20-016 · March 2020This bulletin is a notification of a class action settlement relating to airbag inflators.
  • A18-115 · May 2019American Honda is conducting an inspection of certain vehicles that have previously had the passenger's airbag inflator replaced as part of the Takata Passsenger's Airbag Inflator recall.
  • A18100B · October 2018American Honda is conducting an inspection of certain vehicles that have previously had the passenger's airbag inflator replaced as part of the Takata Passsenger's Airbag Inflator recall.
  • A18-052 · June 2018This bulletin is a notification of a class action settlement relating to airbag inflators.
  • APaS09192017901 · September 2017Dealer message - Beginning September 26, 2017, the 2006-2011 Civic Engine Block (part number 10002-RNA-A50 and 10002- RNE-A01) warranty claim submission will enforce proper engine ordering through iN.
  • APaS08172017901 · August 2017Dealer message - Beginning August 29, 2017, the 2006-2011 Civic Engine Block (part number 10002-RNA-A50 and 10002- RNE-A01) warranty claim submission will require proper engine ordering through iN.
  • A10-048 · July 2017On some 2006 - 08 and early production 2009 Civics, the engine (cylinder) block may leak engine coolant, resulting in engine overheating.

All 2008 Civic bulletins on NHTSA ›

Questions owners ask

Is the 2008 Honda Civic reliable?
Owners filed 430 complaints with NHTSA about the 2008 Honda Civic in its first five years on the road, about 128 for every 100,000 sold: 2.1× the rate of a typical Civic year. That's more than twice a typical year, across more than one problem area. Ratings compare Civic years with each other using complaints filed with NHTSA; they don't measure every problem owners have.
What are the most common 2008 Civic problems?
Owners' complaints most often involve the air bags (6%), visibility (glass, wipers, mirrors) (26%) and the engine (13%). A complaint can name more than one area.
Has the 2008 Honda Civic been recalled?
Yes. NHTSA lists 7 recall campaigns for the 2008 Honda Civic, the most recent in June 2019 (air bags). Enter the vehicle's VIN on NHTSA's recall lookup to see whether the repairs were done.

Sources

Owner complaints, recalls and manufacturer communications from NHTSA's public data files, as of September 24, 2026. Complaints are counted once each, over the model year's first 60 months on the road. UsedScore is not affiliated with NHTSA or Honda. The 2008 Honda Civic on NHTSA.gov · How we rate