Data sourced from NHTSA public database. For informational purposes only. Always consult a qualified mechanic.
2009 Honda Civic — Known Issues & Recalls
Complaints from Jan 2019 to Dec 2013
The most reported issue is air bags problems (80 complaints). 42 complaints involved crashes. 6 involved fires.
Open Safety Recalls (8)
NHTSA Campaign: 18V268000
Component: 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. 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: 19V502000
Component: 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. 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: 19V378000
Component: 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. 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: 17V545000
Component: 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. 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: 18V042000
Component: AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
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.
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. 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: 17V030000
Component: 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. 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: 16V346000
Component: 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. 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: 08V535000
Component: 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. THE RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 13, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT HONDA AT 1-800-999-1009.
Owner-Reported Issues (20 of 393)
Air Bags →3 issues
Your car was involved in a crash where it hit an embankment and flipped over. The steering wheel airbag did not deploy at all, and the side airbags came out but remained folded and did not inflate properly. Police indicated the airbags malfunctioned. The vehicle is currently being inspected by your insurance company.
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During a crash on the front right side of your vehicle, the passenger side airbag deployed and burned your arm severely, resulting in hospitalization and permanent scarring. The airbag appeared to explode rather than deploy normally, causing thermal injury beyond what would be expected from a standard airbag deployment. This suggests a potential defect in the airbag inflator or deployment mechanism that could pose a serious burn risk to passengers in future crashes.
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During a serious crash where a 2009 Honda Civic hit a dip in the road, became airborne, and struck a light pole, the passenger-side airbags failed to deploy. The passenger was hospitalized with head and torso injuries and died three days later. The vehicle was destroyed, and neither the dealer nor Honda had been notified of the airbag failure at the time of reporting.
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Unknown Or Other →2 issues
Your car's readiness codes aren't resetting during emissions inspections, even after driving 250-300 miles like they did in 2019. Additionally, your tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS) light keeps coming on intermittently even after new tires were installed and checked. The underlying issue likely involves your emissions system components, and a diagnostic scan and potential sensor replacement may be needed to identify why the codes aren't clearing.
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Your navigation system's clock keeps resetting to January 1st, 2002 at 4:00 AM, and you can't manually change it—it reverts to 12:00 whenever you try to adjust it. This issue has affected many Honda Civics with navigation systems since January 2022. The fix will likely require a navigation system software update or replacement of the clock module in your infotainment system.
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Structure →2 issues
Your sun visors on both the driver's and passenger's sides have split or cracked. This was discovered during an inspection at 160,000 miles, with no warning lights appearing beforehand. The issue appears to be a known problem that Honda is aware of, though it hasn't been formally diagnosed or repaired yet. Fixing this will likely involve replacing one or both damaged sun visors.
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The paint on your 2009 Honda Civic is peeling significantly, and this issue started about two years ago. You've read that this may be a manufacturing defect. The fix would likely involve having the affected areas sanded down and repainted by a professional body shop.
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Electrical System,exterior Lighting,unknown Or Other →1 issue
Your hood prop rod became dislodged from its securing clip while driving and fell onto the positive battery terminal, causing an electrical short that ignited a fire under the hood. The fire damaged your headlight assembly and trim before a police officer extinguished it. The issue appears to be a design or manufacturing defect in the clip that's supposed to hold the prop rod in place. The fix will likely involve replacing the hood prop rod assembly and the defective retaining clip, along with repairing fire-damaged components.
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Air Bags,engine →1 issue
Your car is subject to recalls affecting both the engine and airbags, according to Honda. You should contact Honda or an authorized dealer to schedule service for these recalls as soon as possible.
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Electrical System,unknown Or Other,engine →1 issue
Your car shuts off suddenly while driving in traffic without any warning lights or symptoms beforehand. The cause is unclear — it could be an internal electrical issue or something external interfering with the system. This is a serious safety concern that needs immediate diagnosis by a mechanic, likely involving a thorough electrical system inspection and engine computer scan.
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Vehicle Speed Control,service Brakes,engine →1 issue
Your car unexpectedly accelerated into a garage door, and the brakes failed to stop it. You had taken the vehicle to a Honda dealer twice before this incident due to similar sudden acceleration problems, but the issue couldn't be reproduced at that time. The car was totaled in the crash and hasn't been inspected since the accident occurred.
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Service Brakes →1 issue
While driving at about 5 mph with your foot on the brake pedal, your car unexpectedly accelerated instead of slowing down, causing it to hit a garage door. The airbags didn't deploy during the collision, and the driver sustained neck and shoulder injuries. The dealer determined the vehicle couldn't be safely repaired. This issue happened at around 100,000 miles and may involve problems with the brake system, accelerator, or their interaction.
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Seat Belts →1 issue
Your seat belt buckle strap detached and came loose while your infant was in the car seat, leaving your child unsecured while driving. The strap that holds the buckle in place separated from its attachment point. This is a serious safety issue that needs immediate attention before using the seat belt again.
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Steering →1 issue
Your steering wheel has become stiff and difficult to turn while driving. This happened on several occasions at various speeds. The vehicle hasn't been diagnosed or repaired yet, and the issue occurred around 115,000 miles. A mechanic will need to inspect the steering system, which might involve checking the power steering fluid, pump, or related components.
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Power Train →1 issue
Your clutch pedal bracket may be poorly manufactured and could break while driving. If the bracket breaks, you might get stuck in a gear and lose the ability to shift, which could lead to an accident. The bracket may need to be replaced with a stronger, more reliable part.
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Service Brakes,engine →1 issue
Your foot has slipped off the brake pedal onto the gas pedal three separate times, causing your car to lurch forward. You were able to recover each time by pressing the brake pedal again, but you've noticed the brake pedal feels slippery compared to other cars you've driven. This issue may be addressed by having the brake pedal surface inspected and potentially replaced or treated for better grip.
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Structure,latches/locks/linkages →1 issue
Your car's door latch, lock, or linkage mechanism may not be functioning properly. This could affect your ability to open or close the doors securely. You may want to have a mechanic inspect the door hardware and latch assembly to identify what needs adjustment or replacement.
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Electrical System,unknown Or Other →1 issue
You may be concerned about the security of your car's computer systems and remote controls. There are potential vulnerabilities that could allow unauthorized access to vehicle functions through remote control devices or direct connections to the vehicle's ports. This is a security issue rather than a mechanical malfunction.
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Steering,suspension →1 issue
Your car makes abnormal clicking and clacking sounds from the front end and steering column when you turn left or right. A dealer diagnosed that your lower control arm needs to be replaced. Replacing the lower control arm will restore normal steering operation and eliminate the noise.
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Unknown Or Other,engine →1 issue
Your engine mounts have needed replacement twice since you've owned the car, and they were apparently already replaced once before you bought it. Engine mounts secure the engine to the frame and wear out over time. This repair typically involves removing and installing new rubber and metal mounts to reduce vibration and noise.
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Related Vehicles
Other Honda Civic years: