2008 Honda Civic problems
Owners have filed 1,083 complaints with NHTSA about the 2008 Honda Civic. Engine is the most reported problem area, at 19% of complaints. Next are air bags (17%) and wipers, windshield & visibility (12%).
At a glance
- Complaints
- 1,083 filed with NHTSA
- Most reported
- Engine 19% of complaints
- Crashes and fires
- 89 and 8
- Injuries and deaths
- 65 and 0
- Typical mileage
- 50,000 miles 818 complaints with mileage
Source: NHTSA owner complaints
Where the complaints are
Share of this model year's complaints by the part of the car involved. One complaint can name more than one part, so the shares can add up to more than 100%.
When problems show up
View the numbers
| Mileage | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 0k to 20k miles | 186 |
| 20k to 40k miles | 149 |
| 40k to 60k miles | 134 |
| 60k to 80k miles | 93 |
| 80k to 100k miles | 72 |
| 100k to 120k miles | 80 |
| 120k to 140k miles | 43 |
| 140k to 160k miles | 27 |
| 160k to 180k miles | 16 |
| 180k to 200k miles | 5 |
| 200k+ miles | 13 |
What the data shows
Of the 818 complaints that include odometer readings, half describe a problem before roughly 50,000 miles. For engine specifically, the median reported mileage is about 100,000 miles (160 complaints with mileage).
Safety-related details: 89 complaints mention a crash; 8 complaints mention a fire; 65 injuries reported.
Looking only at complaints filed within five years of the model year (so older and newer years are comparable), the 2008 ranks 5th most-complained-about out of 37 model years of the Honda Civic with enough data (593 complaints in that window). It is also covered by 7 safety recall campaigns.
What owners wrote
A few complaints as filed, shortened and with personal details removed. The first ones are among the most serious reports for this model year; the rest are typical.
On january 23, 2010, I was involved in a single automobile accident, on highway 111, in indian wells, ca. Roads were wet that day. I recall my vehicle hydro-planing and spinning out of control. That is the last I recall, as I believe I was knocked unconscious, I awoke minutes later to find myself still in the drivers seat, to find my back seat engulfed in flames. I managed to free myself from my seat belt and get out through the drivers side window.
'08 honda civic hybrid experiencing a dramatic decrease in fuel economy. Ima battery suspected. Dealership upgraded software (as per honda recall) and told me that to get better mpg's I should shut off my heater (we live in wisconsin!) and recommended an air filter change. I stated that an air filter and shutting off the heat would not increase my mpg's from 28-31 back up to it's prior performance range of 40-50. Vehicle is still dramatically underperforming.
I noticed that 2 days ago it was raining inside my car I bought the car brand new off of the lot in 2008. The areas that are leaking/collecting water are where the side front airbag is located, along with the windshield, and side of the door. Called the dealer they are telling me that my warranty has expired therefore I will need to replace the windshield and other components (roof, airbags,etc.) the car has never been in an accident or anything and now I am almost scared to drive it since they are telling me that…