10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
1 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
51,901 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

The NHTSA is the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints can be spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem. See the Back button — blue bar at the very top of the page — to explore more.

Get notified about new defects, investigations, recalls & lawsuits for the 2008 Honda Civic:

Unsubscribe any time. We don't sell/share your email.

problem #29

Jul 272022

Civic

  • miles
Car experiences 'judder' which is identified in the Honda Civic Hybrid Service Technician's Manual as an identified issue with this transmission. Their suggestion is to change the transmission fluid, which does not fix the problem. When the car starts from a complete stop it shudders and shakes and does not engage the transmission so there is no acceleration, leaving the car in a position to be hit by traffic. This car has had this problem from about 50k. There is a TSB 08-014 which Honda will not allow a consumer to access, even though this is a documented problem. There are numerous complaints on this website regarding this issue. The dealership and Honda corp state there is no safety recall for this VIN and therefore the problem does not exist, even though it does. There are no warning messages and the vehicle does not recognize there is a problem. It is worse when going up a hill or accelerating rapidly. If the transmission fluid is changed it improves slightly for a limited time, usually less than 1,000 miles.

- N Chesterfld, VA, USA

problem #28

Dec 292018

Civic

  • miles
I went to a mechanic today, I have 'passenger airbag off light flashing' he told me Honda have recalled for airbags in dealerships so I checked my vehicle report it says that I had 2 recalls in 2019 and I did them but I didn't. 'recall subject: Air bags: Passenger side frontal report receipt date: 06/27/2019 NHTSA campaign: 19V502000' I believe I had that problem when I bought my car, my passenger lights off blinking while I'm driving even tho no passengers there. So I was trying to check my recalls on the Honda website it shows that I don't have any. Also, I have a problem when I do reverse engine light starts flashing P0812 code but no problems except code

- Williamsburg, VA, USA

problem #27

Oct 312018

Civic 4-cyl

  • 143,000 miles
The contact owns a 2008 Honda Civic. The contact stated that when the brake pedal was depressed, the vehicle inadvertently accelerated. The contact stated that the vehicle was then shifted into park and the engine began to rev. The vehicle was taken to O'malley Honda (3405 stewart ave, wausau, wi 54401 (715) 842-2131) but a diagnostic test was not completed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 143,000.

- Merrill, WI, USA

problem #26

Sep 102018

Civic

  • 140,000 miles
This car started leaking coolant on the driveway. One day later my wife drives car and when she returns home steam is coming from engine and a lot more coolant is leaking on driveway. Towed it to the dealer. Turns out there is a factor defect causing engine block to crack prematurely. Luckily engine didn't overheat and lock-up while on the freeway. Scary that the symptoms and onset of crack were so sudden. Only started dripping on driveway one day previous to near overheat. Not sure if my wife or I would have been able to safely get the car to the side of the road if it overheated while driving on the freeway.

- Magna, UT, USA

problem #25

Mar 212018

Civic

  • miles
Map for my car, navi for my car

- Washington, DC, USA

problem #24

Jun 042010

Civic

  • 17 miles
The contact owns a 2008 Honda Civic. The contacted stated that the transmission would pop out of third gear intermittently and without warning while driving. The contact also noticed an abnormal grinding sound while the vehicle was in third gear. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer (lamacchia Honda, 932 w genesee St., syracuse, NY, 13204), but they were unable to duplicate and diagnose the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. There were times that the contact called and went to the dealer for regular maintenance, but no assistance was offered. The manufacturer was not contacted. Over time, the popping noise worsened and the vehicle was currently unable to move. The failure mileage was approximately 17.

- Bayberry, NY, USA

problem #23

Oct 152014

Civic

  • 90,000 miles
Transmission has to be completely rebuilt after 105000 miles approximately; mechanic told me he could estimate how much longer I have if it was something that he saw more often, but this isn't something he sees often. The vehicle would run heavy, and I was told an engine mount was bad and was subsequently replaced under warranty. There is still a tendency for the car to vibrate and shake as I drive between 17-30 mph, and attribute this to the issue of the transmission. The vehicle also does not shift well, and clicks on certain shifting points. Dealership stated the car is outside of the powertrain warranty, even though this issues started prior to the end of that warranty.

- Renfrew, PA, USA

problem #22

Feb 112014

Civic

  • 55,000 miles
The contact owns a 2008 Honda Civic. The contact stated that there was a grinding noise upon shifting gears and progressed when downshifting. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the third gear synchronizer needed to be replaced. The failure progressed when there was high rpms. The dealer also indicated that there was a manufacturer recall for the power steering but the part was not available for the recall remedy. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 55,000.

- Bingham Canyon, UT, USA

problem #21

Oct 062015

Civic

  • 134,000 miles
I was driving and switched into 3rd gear; popped out. Also 3rd gear gets stuck and can't shift into 3rd gear.

- Atlanta, GA, USA

problem #20

Jun 142012

Civic 4-cyl

  • 61,000 miles
The first time this problem occurred was in June of 2012 when shifting into 3rd gear there was grinding sounds. The vehicle would also pop out of 3rd gear while driving. I took it into a Honda dealer to see what was wrong they diagnosed it as internal M/T malfunction saying that my shift fork and 3rd gear S set needed replacing. Since I purchase this car used at a dealership that I worked at the time they fixed it as a courtesy to me. I had to fight with them to finally agree to fix it from the beginning. Once again now in September of 2014 the same thing has happen again to my Civic which the estimated repair cost is around $3,000. Being a trained mechanic I know there are several silent recalls and tsb recalls on this vehicle for this problem. I do not feel that I should have to pay out of the pocket to fix a recurring problem.

- Morrisville, PA, USA

problem #19

Jun 242014

Civic 4-cyl

  • 100,490 miles
On 4 separate occasions (the most recent being 6/24/14), twice at highway speeds and twice while slowing down, the vehicle's engine has surged, causing the vehicle to unexpectedly move forward. On the two occasions it has occurred when slowing down, I was operating the vehicle. What happened was as I was coming to a stop (once at a red light, once in a parking lot), the RPM indicator unexpectedly shot up to approximately 2500rpm, the vehicle moved forward, and even though I had my foot on the brake, the unexpected increase in power made it difficult to stop. Had there been any vehicles in front of me in either occurrence, there may have been an accident. On the two occurrences at highway speed, my wife was driving, and she reports that the RPM indicator again went high and the engine was making a lot of noise.

- Middletown, DE, USA

problem #18

Apr 102014

Civic 4-cyl

  • 40,773 miles
I was stopped at a red light with my foot firmly on the brake with the car in drive. Without warning the engine revved up and the car lurched forward a foot or two.

- Tampa, FL, USA

problem #17

Aug 012013

Civic

  • 50,000 miles
Transmission went completely out while driving my car. Only has 50,000 miles on it.

- Puyallup, WA, USA

problem #16

Dec 152012

Civic 4-cyl

  • 78,478 miles
I exited freeway and was waiting at a red signal light when the engine on its own speeded up to 3000+ RPM. It held at this elevated RPM for about a minute while the car remained stopped (foot brake was holding). The engine dropped back down to idle on its own. Headlights and occupant heater was on with fan at lowest setting. Radio was on. Floor mat was not out of place. My foot position remained unchanged except for applying extra force during the elevated RPM event.

- Saratoga, CA, USA

problem #15

Nov 232012

Civic 4-cyl

  • 46,000 miles
Shifting from 2nd to 3rd gear grinds and sometimes 3rd gear pops out when shifting at fast speeds, obviously while rolling. I went to the O'hare Honda dealership in des plaines, il where I purchased my car brand new with an extended warranty, and they would not do anything to repair it. I asked, what if the matter turns into a dangerous accident? they couldn't give me an answer. Please help me.

- Chicago, IL, USA

problem #14

Jul 242012

Civic 4-cyl

  • 78,000 miles
On multiple occasions, while shifting the car into 3rd gear, the gears grind. The shift knob is lined up exactly where it should be to go into 3rd gear. The car will also pop out of 3rd gear at random without even stepping on the clutch to prompt it. This is a very dangerous problem to have in a standard car, and I have seen many people make complaints about this online. I called Honda customer service and they said that it was my responsibility to get the car fixed, not theirs, and that they base most of their claims for reimbursement on mileage as well as Honda customer loyalty. The gentleman then proceeded to ask me if I had owned a Honda before and insinuated that due to the fact that this is the first Honda that I owned that the likelihood of them reimbursing would be slim. This is not right. I did not choose for my transmission to be built with a faulty part, and I should not be responsible for fixing the problem when my safety is called into question.

- Albany, NY, USA

problem #13

Jun 202012

Civic 4-cyl

  • 57,000 miles
Car started at usual time around 8 am and started vibrating. A very loud exhaust noise started to begin and the car began shaking. The vibrating noise was so loud and everyone in the car could feel the vibration. The front steering wheel as well as the seats were also shaking. Vibrating continued throughout the day and was gone at times when this first began but as days went by it became louder and more obvious by others outside of the car. The car now continues to vibrate not only in the morning but at all times of the day. It shakes at park, drive, and reverse. Car is very uncomfortable to drive and the noise can become very distracting. The car also vibrates so much during these times that I am afraid that something will happen on the highway and am worried about this. Honda dealer will not cover this under power train warranty because the car is now passed the warranty for power train which is 5 year/60,000 miles. Please look into this matter. It seems very common as I researched online and many people are having this issue on their Honda's which most seem after the 2005 models, more common around 2007 + 2008 models.

- Ludlow, MA, USA

problem #12

Aug 182012

Civic 4-cyl

  • 45,700 miles
My daughter was driving the car when the passenger cv joint at the wheel broke apart resulting in the car becoming not drivable. It had to be towed from the scene.

- Lyons, NY, USA

problem #11

Jul 262012

Civic 4-cyl

  • 30,500 miles
Owned this 2008 Honda Civic si (manual transmission) for one week before the clutch quit at highway speed. Very dangerous situation and totally unexpected for a car that was just inspected by a Honda dealer (who had listed another car dealer as the previous owner on the nys retail certificate of sale). This Honda dealer will not repair this car as they were flat-bedding it to an auction house that was actually the last owner of this vehicle for them to repair it. I called american Honda because the auction house repairs are likely to void the remainder of the Honda warranty but their representative stated that american Honda does not get involved with local Honda dealer issues. American Honda assigned case # [xxx] and also stated that they were not concerned that a safety report would be filed with the NHTSA. Information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

- North Tonawanda, NY, USA

problem #10

Jul 222012

Civic 4-cyl

  • 94,826 miles
My car was stopped in line while waiting to go through us customs. Transmission was in drive and my foot was on the brake. All of a sudden, engine started to rev. Placed transmission in neutral position. Engine revved three times, each time higher. On third revving, RPM reached 4000 RPM. Turned off engine and restarted. When I restarted the engine, the engine revved at high RPM again. Turned off engine, waited approximately 10 seconds. Restarted engine again, and engine started normally. Took car to Honda dealer on 7/23/12. Dealer was not able to find any trouble codes in the engine computer. This is very similar to what happened two years ago at approx mileage of 45,000 miles. Engine started revving while stopped at a signal. Car was towed to the dealer who was not able to find anything wrong. Dealer called in area rep who reviewed process and was not able to find anything wrong.

- Federal Way, WA, USA

Read the next 9 complaints »