10.0
really awful- Crashes / Fires:
- 0 / 0
- Injuries / Deaths:
- 2 / 0
- Average Mileage:
- 1,436 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.
Bought the 2009 Honda Civic January 2016. Within weeks I developed a sore hip and then pain down my leg to my knee. Most uncomfortable seat I ever sat in. I tried using a cushion. It didn't help much. Its especially painful on any outing lasting more than an hour. Will not take it on long trips. I visited car complaints.com and realized that others with similar issues. Its defiantly a design flaw. Im seriously thinking of selling the car.
- Simi Valley, CA, USA
I have been experience ongoing lower back, hip and knee pain for the past few years. I have difficulty walking after getting out of the car.
- Tarrytown, NY, USA
My 2009 Honda Civic LX was a total waste of money, simply due to the "anti-whiplash" headrest. I am a 5'5" female, and I have been spending tons of money on chiropractor bills since purchasing my car! I know these are now standard issue, because I have been car shopping for months now, and all the cars (made after 2007) have the same stupid headrest. Who in the world decided these are safe and comfortable"?? go to google and you will find forum after forum of people complaining, yet nothing is being done" americans are spending millions of dollars on cars (buying) but NHTSA is trying to make them as uncomfortable as possible. Maybe I should send you my chiropractor bills and a bill for the amount of my time that I am spending trying to find a new car/a comfortable solution"?" my neck and back hurt----alot-----all the time now, because I have to drive my car daily, to get to work!!!!
- Beverly, MA, USA
The headrests in this vehicle cannot be adjusted to the proper height for a shorter female (approx. Below 5'2"). according to the owner's manual, the center of the headrest should be inline with the center of the occupants head. For a shorter person, the headrest cannot be lowered to the proper position. This problem seems to be caused by the shape of the headrest. In the lowest position the headrest pushes forward on the occupants upper head forcing the occupants chin down. This is a very uncomfortable position while driving or riding in the vehicle. I have informed Honda of this problem in September 2009 but they didn't seem too concerned and told me file a complaint with safercar.gov this issue is causing injury and/or discomfort to passengers and shorter drivers. I am in need of Honda to repair this problem.
- Pennsauken, NJ, USA
The headrests in this vehicle cannot be adjusted to the proper height for a person shorter than 5'10". according to the Honda's owner's manual, the center of the headrest should be adjusted inline with the center of the occupants head. For a shorter person, the headrest cannot be lowered to the proper position. This problem seems to be caused by the shape of the headrest. In the lowest position the headrest pushes forward on the occupants upper head forcing the occupants chin down. This is a very uncomfortable position while driving or riding in the vehicle and can cause neck injury. I have informed Honda of this problem in September 2009 and November 2009. I am in need of Honda to repair this problem.
- Pennsauken, NJ, USA
Many drivers, myself included, cannot drive a new car with the headrest installed. I must have a straighter than "average" posture. The forward tilting design forces my chin into my chest. While searching for an aftermarket headrest, I realized that many other drivers are having the same problem. They have also resorted to removing or turning the headrest backwards resulting in zero whiplash protection. I imagine that some government bureaucracy mandated the shape of the headreasts that result in a one-size-fits-all result that, unfortunately, leaves a great many individuals exposed to severe injury. Please understand that my body shape does not allow me to just deal with it. While I have not been injured as a result of this design I know, based on the number of internet postings of other people with the same dilemma, that serious injuries have occurred. While driving my new car the first day with the headrest reversed, I let the clutch out a little to fast while stopped on a hill and it caused my head to jerk back. If I had been a little less limber or had given the engine more gas I could have easily been injured. While I am not going to check the box below for injuries certainly other people have been injured. This problem is not specific to this vehicle. Every car I took for a test drive last week had the same poor design that did not allow for individuals to adjust the tilt to safely fit their posture.
- Kaneohe, HI, USA
- Auburn, WA, USA