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2009 Honda Civic Engine Problems

26 owner-reported engine complaints from NHTSA data

26
Complaints
2
Crashes
1
Fires
Jan 2019Dec 2014
Date Range

Data sourced from NHTSA public database. For informational purposes only. Always consult a qualified mechanic.

Owner Complaints (26)

mediumENGINE
Filed: Feb 2022

Honda Civic cracked motor block is leaking antifreeze that the car occupants unknowingly are inhaling. I ended up in Mission Viejo Hospital. For kidney and heart problems. I would inhale antifreeze three to four hours a day driving back and forth to work. This is a health crisis because it's deadly. How many elderly, pregnant women and small children or subjected to these poisonous toxin. Needs to be addressed ASAP.

NHTSA #: 11454361
mediumENGINE
Filed: Sep 2019

DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AND THE CAR JUST SHUT OFF = CAR ENGINE BLOCK BURNED UP THER WAS NO FLUID IN THE ENGINE VIN: 2HG VEHICLE MILEAGE: 153,684 DESCRIPTION: WARRANTY EXTENSION: ENGINE BLOCK SUPERSEDES 10-048, DATED DECEMBER 18, 2013, TO REVISE THE INFORMATION HIGHLIGHTED IN YELLOW. AFFECTED VEHICLES YEAR MODEL TRIM VIN RANGE 2006'08 CIVIC ALL ALL VINS BEGINNING WITH 1HG OR 2HG ' CHECK ELIGIBILITY WITH A IN VIN STATUS INQUIRY. 2009 CIVIC ALL ALL VINS BEGINNING WITH 1HG, 19X, AND 2HG ' CHECK ELIGIBILITY WITH A IN VIN STATUS INQUIRY. THEIR OWN INTERNAL FINDING ABOUT DEFECTIVE MOTORS. WE UNDERSTAND THAT WERE A SMALL PERCENTAGE, BUT THAT NOT DOES NEGATE US HAVING A BIG ISSUE. WE ARE BEING PENALIZED FOR SOMETHING THAT THE HONDA KNOWS TO BE A ISSUE.

NHTSA #: 11257257
mediumENGINE
Filed: May 2019

THE CAR OVERHEATED ON THE FREEWAY WITH LEAKING COOLANT AT ABOUT 138K MILES. IT WAS FOUND THAT IT IS A CRACKED ENGINE BLOCK NEAR THE WATERPUMP. THIS IS A KNOW ISSUE WITH THE VIN NUMBER AT HONDA. WE ARE JUST OUTSIDE THE 10 YR MARK BY 7 MONTHS (PURCHASED USED 1 WK OUTSIDE OF THE 10 YR MARK).

NHTSA #: 11208889
mediumENGINE
Filed: Jan 2019

CRACK IN ENGINE BLOCK - DRIVING ON HIGHWAY, CAME TO STOPLIGHT AND NOTICED STEAM COMING FROM ENGINE AND OVERHEATED. STOPPED TO LOOK UNDER HOOD, SMELLED OF COOLANT. CHECKED HOSES, CLAMPS, RADIATOR.... EVERYTHING LOOKED FINE. BOUGHT A GALLON OF COOLANT, POURED DIRECTLY INTO RADIATOR. IT NEEDED THE WHOLE GALLON. IT DID NOT OVERHEAT AFTER REFILLING COOLANT, BUT THE NEXT DAY THE ENGINE STARTED RATTLING AND RUNNING POORLY. I COULD NOT DRIVE OVER 50MPH. I TOOK TO HONDA DEALER, THEY SAID IT IS CRACK IN ENGINE BLOCK, KNOWN PROBLEM WITH '06-'09 HONDAS BUT OUT OF WARRANTY, SO THEY WILL NOT REPLACE ENGINE.

NHTSA #: 11164505
mediumENGINE
Filed: Apr 2018

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 HONDA CIVIC. THE CONTACT NOTICED A LEAK FROM THE RADIATOR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THERE WAS A CRACK IN THE ENGINE. THE INDEPENDENT MECHANIC REFERRED THE CONTACT TO 1ST HONDA OF SIMI VALLEY (2203 FIRST ST, SIMI VALLEY, CA 93065, 805-433-9526) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THERE WAS AN ENGINE CRACK AND STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS OUT OF WARRANTY. THERE WAS NO WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS OUT OF WARRANTY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 144,000.

NHTSA #: 11082674
mediumENGINE
Filed: Oct 2017

2009 HONDA CIVIC. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO ENGINE BLOCK CRACK ON VEHICLE. *LD THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE SHOULD BE REPAIRED UNDER WARRANTY. UPDATED 10/24/2017*JS

NHTSA #: 11035056
mediumENGINE
Filed: Aug 2017

DEVELOPED A CRACKED ENGINE BLOCK, HONDA SERVICE PEOPLE SHOWED THE CRACK AND TOLD US TO CALL HONDA. HONDA BULLETIN 10-048 LISTED EXTENDED WARRANTY OF 10 YEARS FOR 2006-2009 HONDA CIVICS. SPOKE WITH A HONDA REPRESENTATIVE INITIALLY WHO TOLD US THAT REPAIR WOULD BE COVERED. HONDA DEALERSHIP TOOK A FEW DAYS TO LOOK INTO THE ISSUE AND TOLD US WE DID NOT HAVE THE CORRECT VIN NUMBER FOR THE REPAIR. OUR HONDA IS THE SAME MAKE MODEL AND YEAR OF CARS AFFECTED, HAS THE SAME PROBLEM MANY MANY OTHER HONDA DRIVERS HAVE FACED. YET, OUR HONDA WILL NOT BE COVERED BY THE EXTENDED WARRANTY. FRUSTRATED OWNER THAT HAS CORPORATE OWNERS DOING AS LITTLE AS POSSIBLE TO ADDRESS BIG ISSUES

NHTSA #: 11018877
mediumENGINE
Filed: Apr 2017

OUR 2009 HONDA CIVIC SI I PURCHASED WITH MY SON BEGAN OVERHEATING ON THE HIGHWAY ON HIS WAY TO WORK. WE IMMEDIATELY TOOK IT TO OUR REGULAR MECHANIC & THEY THOUGHT IT WAS A WATER PUMP ISSUE, BUT UPON FURTHER INSPECTION DISCOVERED THE ENGINE BLOCK WAS CRACKED & LEAKING COOLANT. HE ALSO FOUND FOR US, AN AMERICAN HONDA SERVICE BULLETIN THAT SAYS HONDA CIVICS, YEARS 2006-2009, ARE ELIGIBLE FOR A NEW INSTALLED ENGINE BLOCK AT HONDA'S EXPENSE, IF YOUR VIN SHOWS AS ELIGIBLE. WE HAD IT TOWED TO BROOKDALE HONDA, OUR REGULAR DEALER & REPAIR SHOP WHERE WE HAVE PURCHASED 5 VEHICLES. THEY TOO, THOUGHT IT WAS THE WATER PUMP SO WE HAD THAT REPAIRED AT A COST OF $730. WE PICKED IT UP ON SATURDAY APRIL 22, 2017, ONLY TO HAVE THE SAME ISSUE THAT NIGHT AGAIN ON THE WAY HOME FROM WORK. TEMPERATURE WAS GETTING EXTREMELY HOT, LEAKING COOLANT, & THE ENGINE WAS SMELLING. WE BROUGHT IT BACK TO THE DEALER AGAIN ON MONDAY APRIL 24TH, & IT WAS NOT INSPECTED UNTIL TUESDAY APRIL 25. MY SERVICE ADVISOR CALLED & ASKED ME WHAT THE PROBLEM WAS...I TOLD HIM THE SAME THING AS BEFORE, TEMPERATURE GAUGE GETTING VERY HOT/LEAKING COOLANT/ENGINE SMELLING. I MENTIONED THAT OUR MECHANIC SAID TO LOOK FOR AN ENGINE BLOCK LEAK IN THE SAME LOCATION AS THE CRACKED ENGINE BLOCK SHOWS IN THE 10-048 HONDA EXTENDED WARRANTY S.B. CAMPAIGN PICTURE SHOWS. SURE ENOUGH, HE LOOKS THERE AND CALLS ME TO SAY WHAT I ALREADY KNEW. HOWEVER THE VIN NUMBER DOES NOT MATCH THE RECALL WARRANTY SO THEY SAID THEY CAN'T HELP ME WITH THIS $5500 REPAIR. WE STILL OWE $10,500 ON THE VEHICLE & ITS NOW WORTHLESS OR WE DRIVE AN UNSAFE VEHICLE ANYWAY & GET STRANDED ON THE HIGHWAY OR IN AN ACCIDENT BECAUSE THE CAR CATCHES ON FIRE FROM OVERHEATING. VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION WHEN OVERHEATING/LEAKING COOLANT OCCURRED. HOW CAN OUR VEHICLE BE EXCLUDED WHEN THIS IS DANGEROUS & STILL HAPPENING TO HONDA CIVIC OWNERS ALL OVER WITH 10 YR WARRANTY & THEY SAID NO.

NHTSA #: 10981345
mediumENGINE
Filed: Dec 2016

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 HONDA CIVIC. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE LEAKED WATER AND CAUSED THE ENGINE TO OVERHEAT WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS NOT COVERED UNDER A RECALL. THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

NHTSA #: 10936201
mediumENGINE
Filed: Mar 2016

FRONT RIGHT MOTOR MOUNT IS BROKE, WAS VIBRATION WHEN YOU PUT IT IN REVERSE. NOW IT HAS A VIBRATION ALL THE TIME.

NHTSA #: 10849985
mediumENGINE
Filed: Feb 2015

I WAS DRIVING MY 2009 MANUAL HONDA CIVIC WITH A 55K ON IT AND THE TEMP OUTSIDE WAS -20 F, ON THE HIGH WAY AT ABOUT 75 MPH, NOTHING WAS ABNORMAL ON MY DASHBOARD AND THE CAR WAS ON THE 5 TH TRANSMISSION THE CAR SUDDENLY STOPPED RESPONDING TO MY ACCELERATION AND THE ENGINE LIGHT BLINKED THREE TIMES BEFORE MY ENGINE COMPLETELY STOPPED, IT WAS FREEZING OUTSIDE AND THERE WAS A FROTH BITE WARNING. I PARKED SAFELY ON THE SIDE THANKS GOD THERE WERE NO MUCH OF A TRAFFIC ON THE HIGH WAY OTHERWISE IT WOULD HAVE BEEN DISASTROUS. I CHECKED MY BATTERY AND NOTHING WAS WRONG WITH IT, SO I CHECKED MY OIL WHICH I JUST CHANGED 10 DAYS AGO, I FOUND OUT THAT MY OIL CHECKING STICK IS COMPLETELY BURNT AND THE REMAINS WAS BLACK. AT THIS TIME I WAS SURE THAT IT SOMETHING BAD. I TOWED THE CAR TO THE MECHANIC AND ARRIVED SAFELY TO MY HOME. I CHECKED ONLINE ON MY WARRANTY AND RECALLS OR BULLETINS, I FOUND OUT THAT HONDA HAS THIS PROBLEM AND I CALLED THE HONDA CUSTOMER SERVICE AND THEY TOLD ME SORRY YOUR CAR IS NOT COVERED UNDER THIS BULLETIN, AN UNRESPONSIBLE CAR MANUFACTURER WHO PRODUCED AN ENGINE THAT FAILS IN 5 YEARS AFTER 55K AND DOESN'T CLAIM RESPONSIBILITY, NO COMMENT!!!!!. AS IF SAFETY IS THE LAST THING THAT MATTERS FOR THOSE COMPANIES, PUTTING ME AND MY FAMILY AT RISK AND CLAIMING NO RESPONSIBLY FOR THEIR PRODUCT.

NHTSA #: 10690498
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
CrashFiled: Dec 2014

WHILE TRYING TO PULL INTO AN ISLE OF A PARKING LOT FOR THE PURPOSE OF FINDING A PARKING SPACE, THE ENGINE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED ON ITS OWN AND OUT OF CONTROL SPINNING AROUND, JUMPING A CURB AND CRASHING INTO A TREE, AND FOUR OTHER AUTOMOBILES PARKED ON THE PARKING LOT CAUSING PROPERTY DAMAGE TO FIVE AUTOMOBILES INCLUDING MY AUTOMOBILE. *TR

NHTSA #: 10668564
mediumENGINE
Filed: Dec 2014

STOPPED AT AN STOP LIGHT IN TOWN WHEN VEHICLE RPM SUDDENLY WENT TO 5900 RPM AND VEHICLE ATTEMPTED TO ACCELERATE. HAD FOOT ON BRAKE AND WAS ABLE TO STOP. PUT VEHICLE IN PARK BUT RPM STAYED AROUND 5900-6000. TURNED OFF IGNITION AND RESTARTED. VEHICLE DROVE NORMALLY. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER WHO COULD NOT FIND A PROBLEM. THERE ARE OVER 50 CASES OF THIS SAME BEHAVIOR REPORTED ONLINE, IN ALL CASES THE DEALER COULD NOT FIND A PROBLEM. *TR

NHTSA #: 10664532
mediumENGINE,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Filed: Dec 2013

2009 HONDA CIVIC 4 DOOR SEDAN, BOUGHT BRAND NEW ? WITHIN THE FIRST 30,000 MILES, THE CAR BEGAN TO HAVE INTERMITTENT PROBLEMS WITH STARTING IN LOWER TEMPERATURE WEATHER (50 AND BELOW). CAR ENGINE WILL CRANK AND FAIL TO TURN OVER IF LEFT IN COLDER TEMPERATURE FOR MORE THAN 12 HOURS, I HAVE INSTALLED A NEW BATTERY AND THE PROBLEM HAS PERSISTED. BROUGHT THE CAR INTO THE DEALER AND THE STARTER, ALTERNATOR, FUEL PUMP, BATTERY, EVERYTHING WAS ?FINE.? PROBLEM CONTINUES TO THIS DAY AND HONDA HAS NEVER BEEN ABLE TO ANSWER WHY. *TR

NHTSA #: 10555708
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,STRUCTURE
Filed: Feb 2013

I WAS AT A RED LIGHT WAITING FOR THE GREEN LIGHT TO TURN TO THE LEFT. WHEN THE GREEN LIGHT APPEARED, I ACCELERATED AT A SPEED OF 15 WHEN OUT OF NO WHERE I HEARD A BOOM SOUND COMING FROM THE ENGINE. THIS SEEM VERY ABNORMAL TO ME SINCE I HAD BARELY PURCHASE MY CAR 4 MONTHS AGO. I TOOK MY CAR TO THE HONDA DEALER TO SEE WHAT WAS GOING ON WITH MY CAR. AFTER WAITING A FEW HOURS, THE MECHANIC TOLD ME THERE WERE MANY THINGS WRONG WITH THE CAR. THE BOOM SOUND WAS MADE BY THE BREAKAGE OF THE WISHBONE THAT HOLDS THE LOWER ENGINE AND BESIDES THAT IT NEEDED 2 TIRES, ALIGNMENT, CABINFILTER, BRAKE FLUSH, P/S RACK. I HONESTLY DON'T THINK IT IS FAIR TO ME THAT I BOUGHT A 2009 CAR FOR IT TO HAVE THIS MANY PROBLEMS. WHEN I BOUGHT MY CAR THE MAN FROM AUTO PLAZA TOLD ME THAT I WOULDN'T BE HAVING ANY PROBLEMS WITH MY CAR FOR A LONG TIME AND THEN I FIND OUT ALL OF THIS PARTS WRONG WITH MY CAR. AFTER THIS INCIDENT, I WENT TO TALK TO THE MAN FROM AUTO PLAZA AND HE TOLD ME THAT WHEN THEY HAD PURCHASE THE CAR THEY DIDN'T INSPECT IT BEFORE PUTTING IT ON SALE.THIS ACTION SEEMS TO ME VERY IRRESPONSIBLE TO NOT HAVE INSPECTED THE CAR BEFORE PUTTING IT ON SALE. I HONESTLY DIDN'T KNOW WHAT ELSE TO DO AND THIS IS WHY I'M WRITING A COMPLAINT HERE. PLEASE HELP ME WITH MY SITUATION. *TR

NHTSA #: 10498164
mediumENGINE
Filed: Sep 2012

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 HONDA CIVIC. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN IN FOR A ROUTINE INSPECTION TO THE DEALER WHO INFORMED HER THAT THE ENGINE MOUNT WAS BROKEN AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE WHO DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED ON ANY RECALLS AND REFERRED THE CONTACT BACK TO THE DEALER FOR THE REPAIRS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 69,000. UPDATED 10/24/12*LJ

NHTSA #: 10477130
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Filed: Feb 2012

MY 2009 HONDA CIVIC SI, BOUGHT NEW, HAS BEEN LEAKING OIL AFTER OIL CHANGE AND THE DEALERSHIP SERVICE DEPARTMENT CANNOT FIND WHY IT IS LEAKING EXCEPT THAT IT IS COMING FROM THE FILTER. I WAS CHARGED $100 FOR DIAGNOSTIC FEES THAT DID NOT FIND ANY OTHER FAULT BESIDES A 'LEAKING FILTER'. THE DEALERSHIP SIMPLY ASKED ME TO BRING THE CAR IN, CHANGE THE FILTER, AND CONTINUE THIS CYCLE UNTIL IT DOESN'T LEAK ANYMORE. THE FIRST INCIDENCE TOOK 4 VISITS. I JUST HAD ANOTHER SCHEDULED SERVICE AT A DIFFERENT DEALERSHIP, AND THE CAR IS LEAKING OIL HEAVILY IN MY DRIVEWAY AGAIN. MY CAR WAS NOT LEAKING OIL WHEN I BROUGHT IT IN FOR SERVICE. THE OIL IS COVERING MY SUSPENSION AND VARIOUS UNDERBODY COMPONENTS. *TR

NHTSA #: 10448489
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Filed: Jul 2011

2009 HONDA CIVIC. AIR CONDITIONER STARTED TO BLOW OUT WARM AIR. THIS WAS ABOUT 6 MONTHS AFTER PURCHASING THE VEHICLE. I LIVE IN THE UPPER MIDWEST AND THE ISSUE OCCURRED SOON AFTER THE WEATHER WARMED UP. I TOOK IT TO BOYLAND HONDA IN MILWAUKEE, WI WHERE I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE. THEY CORRECTED THE PROBLEM AND THE AIR WORKED FOR THE REST OF THE SUMMER. ONE YEAR LATER I HAVE THE EXACT SAME ISSUE. THE AIR CONDITIONER IS ONCE AGAIN BLOWING OUT WARM AIR. I HAVE AN APPOINTMENT TO TAKE THE CAR IN TO HONDA OF KENOSHA. I DON'T TRUST THAT BOYLAND ACTUALLY CORRECTED THE PROBLEM SO WOULD LIKE TO TRY ANOTHER DEALER. I ONLY HAVE 12,999 MILES ON THE VEHICLE AND HAVE BEEN WITHOUT AIR CONDITIONING ON TWO DIFFERENT OCCASIONS. MY WIFE HAS A CR-V (OUR 2ND) AND I HAVE THE CIVIC (ALSO OUR 2ND) I HAVE ALWAYS HAD GOOD LUCK, THIS IS THE FIRST TIME I HAVE ENCOUNTERED AN ISSUE LIKE THESE. *TR

NHTSA #: 10410349
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Filed: May 2011

I OWN A 2009 HONDA CIVIC HYBRID. THE HYBRID SYSTEM RECENTLY STOPPED WORKING (LEAVING ONLY THE UNDERPOWERED GASOLINE ENGINE AS THE MEANS TO POWER THE CAR). THE CAR WAS TAKEN TO THE HONDA DEALERSHIP TO FIX THE ISSUE IN DECEMBER. THEY PERFORMED AN IRREVERSIBLE SOFTWARE UPDATE WHICH HAS, AS A RESULT, MADE THE HYBRID SYSTEM WORK ONLY INTERMITTENTLY. THE DEALER STATES THERE IS NO WAY TO REVERSE THIS CHANGE. AS A RESULT, THE HYBRID BATTERY/MOTOR ASSIST WILL SUDDENLY STOP WORKING DURING AN ACCELERATION (FOR INSTANCE MERGING ON THE FREEWAY) WITH A DRAMATIC LOSS OF POWER. STEPPING MORE ON THE ACCELERATOR INCREASES RPMS TO 4-5,000 BUT DOES NOT RESULT IN ANY SIGNIFICANT POWER TO THE CAR. THIS HAS BEEN REPORTED TO THE DEALER, THEY STATE THEY HAVE HAD MANY SIMILAR COMPLAINTS BUT DO NOT HAVE A FIX. I FEEL THIS IS A SIGNIFICANT SAFETY CONCERN GIVEN THE UNPREDICTABLE NATURE OF WHEN THE POWER LOSS OCCURS, AND USUALLY OCCURS WHEN A DRIVER MOST NEEDS POWER. *TR

NHTSA #: 10402640
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Filed: Jan 2011

I WAS STOPPED AT A STOP SIGN WITH MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE OF MY 2009 HONDA CIVIC WHEN THE CAR'S ENGINE SUDDENLY REVVED TO 4000RPM. I PLACED THE CAR IN PARK AND THE ENGINE CONTINUED TO REV AT 4000RPM. THE ENTIRE INCIDENT LASTED ABOUT 10 SECONDS AND THEN THE ENGINE RETURNED TO NORMAL IDLING SPEED AND I CONTINUED ON MY WAY. THE VEHICLE, WHICH HAS ABOUT 11,000 MILES, IS CURRENTLY AT A HONDA DEALER FOR EVALUATION. *TR

NHTSA #: 10376940
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER,POWER TRAIN,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Filed: Aug 2010

I CURRENTLY AM THE LESSEE OF A 2009 HONDA CIVIC HYBRID STARTING THIS JANUARY, THE HYBRID BATTERY CHARGE LEVEL GOES FROM ALMOST FULL (8-10 OUT OF 10 BARS) TO VIRTUALLY ZERO (1 BAR) EVERY OTHER WEEK (THE TECHNICAL TERM FOR THIS IS A "RECALL" OR RECALIBRATING). THIS SUMMER, IT STARTED HAPPENING EVERY 3-4 DAYS, AND WHENEVER I HAD THE A/C ON. THEN, IT STARTED TO HAPPEN EVERY 100 MILES (WHICH MADE IT VERY PREDICTABLE). THE PROBLEM IS THAT WHEN IN THE 'RECALL' STATE, THE CAR IS ALMOST UNRESPONSIVE AND DOES NOT ACCELERATE MUCH, IF AT ALL. THIS POSES A SAFETY HAZARD ESPECIALLY WHEN MAKING LEFT TURNS WHEN THE ONCOMING TRAFFIC HAS A BLIND SPOT, OR IS COMING AROUND A CORNER. IT ALSO IMPACTS FUEL EFFICIENCY SUBSTANTIALLY. I HAVE SEEN ABOUT A 7 MILE-PER-GALLON DROP IN FUEL ECONOMY. I TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALER WHO TOLD ME THAT THERE WERE NO CODES IN THE SYSTEM BUT THERE WERE 3 SOFTWARE UPDATES, SO THEY INSTALLED THOSE AND THAT IF I STILL HAD THE PROBLEM, TO COME BACK. I STILL HAVE THE PROBLEM SO I SCHEDULE THE APPOINTMENT AND I TAKE THE MECHANIC FOR A TEST DRIVE AND HE SEES THE CHARGE DROP RAPIDLY AND STATES THAT IT'S COMPLETELY NORMAL. I ARGUE THAT IS HAPPENS TOO OFTEN AND HE STILL SAYS "IT'S FINE." ABOUT 3 WEEKS LATER THE IMA LIGHT AND 'CHECK ENGINE' LIGHT COME ON. TURNS OUT, IT WAS A BLOWN FUSE (FOR THE A/C ELECTRIC DRIVE, FUSE #22) SO THEY REPLACE IT, AND TELL ME THAT THEY CHECKED THE CURRENT DRAW ON THE A/C JUST TO BE SAFE AND CLAIMED EVERYTHING WAS FINE. NOW, ABOUT 2 WEEKS LATER, EVERY TIME I START THE CAR IT DOES A RECALL. THIS IS BEYOND ANNOYING AND NOW I'M STARTING TO SEE DROPS OF ABOUT 10 MPG BECAUSE OF THIS PROBLEM, AS OPPOSED TO THE PREVIOUS 6 OR 7. I'M THINKING THAT HONDA KNOWS THAT THEIR NIMH BATTERY CELLS ARE PRONE TO PREMATURE FAILURE AND WILL NOT DO ANYTHING TO FIX THE ISSUE. *TR

NHTSA #: 10348354
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Filed: Jun 2010

A ROCK CAME THROUGH THE GRILLE OF A 2009 HONDA CIVIC DAMAGING THE A/C CONDENSER. THE VEHICLE IS STILL UNDER WARRANTY BUT IT IS NOT COVERED BECAUSE THE ROCK CAUSED THE DAMAGE. ACCORDING TO THE DEALER THEY SEE THIS ALL THE TIME. A SIMPLE SEARCH ON THE INTERNET BRINGS UP LOTS OF LINKS FOR THIS EXACT PROBLEM FOR HONDA, AND VERY FEW FOR OTHER CAR MAKERS. APPARENTLY THEY CHANGED THE GRILLE DESIGN ON THE ODYSSEY TO LESSEN THE CHANCES OF A ROCKS COMING THROUGH THE GRILLS. TO ME IT APPEARS TO BE A DESIGN FLAW. *TR

NHTSA #: 10339344
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Filed: May 2010

WITHIN A MONTH OF PURCHASING A 2009 HONDA CIVIC IN NOVEMBER 2009, MY AC STOPPED WORKING. I TOOK MY CAR TO THE HONDA DEALERSHIP AND WAS TOLD THAT A ROCK HIT MY AC CONDENSER. I WAS TOLD THAT I WOULD HAVE TO PAY 700 DOLLARS TO FIX IT. WHILE DOING SOME RESEARCH, I FOUND OUT THAT THIS HAS HAPPENED TO PLENTY OF OTHER HONDA OWNERS. I WENT BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP AND TOLD THEM ABOUT THE PLENTY OF OTHER HONDA OWNERS WHO SUFFERED THE SAME PROBLEM. I WAS STILL TOLD THAT I WOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR IT. WHEN PLENTY OF PEOPLE HAVE SUFFERED THE SAME PROBLEM, THERE IS OBVIOUSLY A DESIGN FLAW AND WE SHOULD NOT BE PUNISHED FOR IT AND HAVE TO PAY 700 DOLLARS TO FIX IT. I HAVE BEEN TRYING TO FIX THIS FOR ABOUT A YEAR AND A HALF. *TR

NHTSA #: 10330597
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Filed: Feb 2010

IMA CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WENT ON. *TR

NHTSA #: 10314997
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,TIRES
Crash / FireFiled: Jul 2009

I WAS DRIVING WEST BOUND ON I-84 IN DANBURY CT, IN THE LEFT HAND LANE. IT FELT AS IF I HAD HIT SOMETHING. THE CAR VEERED INTO THE GUARDRAIL, THE LEFT FRONT TIRE WAS RIPPED OFF THE CAR, I WAS ABLE TO MANEUVER THE VEHICLE TO THE RIGHT HAND SIDE OF THE HIGHWAY - BREAK DOWN LANE. I FELT HEAT UNDER MY SEAT, I IMMEDIATELY GOT OUT OF THE VEHICLE, WITH IN 3 - 5 MINUTES THE CAR WAS FULL ENGULFED IN FLAMES. *TR

NHTSA #: 10277551
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER
Filed: Jul 2009

I BOUGHT A BRAND NEW 2009 HONDA CIVIC LX IN DECEMBER OF 2008. IN MARCH 2009, ONLY 3 MONTHS AFTER OWNING THE VEHICLE AND ONLY 3,000KM TOTAL ON THE VEHICLE, I'VE BEEN EXPERIENCING AN INCONSISTENT AND DISCONCERTING PROBLEM AFTER DRIVING THIS CAR OFF THE LOT. THE VEHICLE SEEMS TO HAVE AN INTERMITTENT STARTING ISSUE WHERE ON RANDOM OCCASIONS THE VEHICLE WILL NOT START. ONCE TRYING TO START IT, IT CRANKS, LIKE IT IS TRYING TO TURN OVER TO START FOR A RANGE OF 5-15 SECONDS. IT EVENTUALLY STARTS ON THE 2ND OR 3RD ATTEMPT. I HAVE CONSULTED IN THE DEALERSHIP ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. AFTER 2 MONTHS OF TAKING THE CAR IN, THE DEALERSHIP AND HONDA CANADA WANTED TO INSTALL A COMPUTER RECORDER ON MY CAR TO TRY TO GET THE PROBLEM RECORDED, SINCE THEY WERE NOT ABLE TO REPRODUCE THE NOISE. AFTER HAVE THE RECORDER INSTALLED FOR JUST OVER A MONTH, THE PROBLEM FINALLY REPRODUCED. I CALLED THE DEALERSHIP IN WHICH THEY TOOK OUT THE MONITOR TO HAVE IT SEND FOR AN ANALYSIS. I HAD MENTIONED THAT THIS WAS THE WORST ONE, BECAUSE NOT ONLY DID IT CRANK FOR ABOUT 8 SECONDS, IT JUST DIED - DID NOT CATCH OR KEEP CRANKING. I CALLED 2 WEEKS AFTER TO GET AN UPDATE IN WHICH I DID NOT GET A RESPONSE AFTER LEAVING A MESSAGE FOR GEORGE (HEAD OF SERVICE). I CALLED AGAIN 2 WEEKS LATER IN WHICH GEORGE STATED HE HAD HEARD BACK A FEW DAYS PRIOR BUT WAS TOO "BUSY" TO CALL ME. HE STATED THAT THE RECORDER SAID IT WAS 8 SECONDS AND STARTED, AND 2 TIMES WHERE IS WAS 5 SECONDS AND STARTED. HE THEN TOLD ME IF I WAS NOT HAPPY TO DEAL WITH HEAD OFFICE AND WE WOULD CONTACT TECH SUPPORT. I STILL HAVE NOT HEARD BACK FROM GEORGE, 2 BUSINESS DAYS LATER, AFTER TRYING TO CONTACT HIM. I SPOKE WITH HEAD OFFICE WHO TOLD ME THE DEALER SAID IT WAS NORMAL FOR MY CAR NOT TO START. I AM STILL IN THE DARK AS TO WHAT THE ISSUE COULD BE, AND I'M TIRED OF SPECULATING. FOR ALL I KNOW IT COULD BE THE OEM BATTERY WITH THE INSUFFICIENT COLD-CRANKING AMP RATINGS, THE MAIN FUEL RELAY OR A FAULTY CAM/CRANK SENSOR. *TR

NHTSA #: 10276578

Other 2009 Honda Civic Issues