2005 Honda Civic Reliability Report

NHTSA data as of Sep 17, 2026Published Oct 15, 2026

Good

Ranks 12th of 25 Civic years we score.

Owner complaints: 364; 31 are recall notices
Per 10,000 cars: 11.5; 289,225 made for the U.S.
Vs the average car: 0.37×; same age, 1× is average
Serious outcomes: 131; crash, fire, injury, stall or tow
Recalls: 10
NHTSA crash rating: Not rated; no overall rating before 2011

← 2004 Civic 2006 Civic →

Should You Buy the 2005 Honda Civic?

Yes, with the usual checks. Our reliability score for the 2005 Honda Civic is 78 out of 100, which rates Good. Owners reported about a third as many problems as for the average car of the same age. It ranks 12th of the 25 Civic years we score.

The most reported problem is airbag warning lights (41 of 364 complaints). Owners also complain about the transmission and airbags. 131 of the 364 complaints describe a serious outcome, such as a crash, a fire, an injury or stalling while driving.

It has 10 recalls. For comparison, the 2004 scores 79.

Before you buy, check that the recalls were done and get an independent inspection. The full checklist is at the end of this page.

Pros

Good reliability score of 78
About a third of the problems of the average car its age
Recent complaints at or below average
No do-not-drive or park-outside recalls

Cons

Airbag warning light41 complaints
Transmission: slipping33 complaints
Airbags: no deployment in a crash31 complaints

How the 2005 Civic Earned Its Score

Every model year starts at 100. Each part takes points away when this year has more problems than the average car of the same age. How we score

Score breakdown
Item	Vs average	Points lost
Starting score		100
Serious problems	0.37×	−6
Everyday problems	0.36×	−2
Problems in the last two years	0.48×	−6
Recalls	2.3×	−8
Score		78

What Owners Report

We read all 364 complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2005 Honda Civic, one by one, and grouped them by the problem they describe. The most reported problems come first.

Airbag warning light
41 complaints (11%)
Warning lights and a failure. Median mileage when it started: about 115,000 miles.
Transmission: slipping
33 complaints (9%)
Slipping, failure or loss of drive and locking up. 12 of these 33 complaints describe a serious outcome, most often stalling or losing power while driving. In 3 complaints, the problem came back after a repair. Median mileage when it started: about 66,000 miles.
Airbags: no deployment in a crash
31 complaints (9%)
No deployment in a crash, deployment injury and deployment with no crash. 8 of these 31 complaints describe a serious outcome, most often a crash. Median mileage when it started: about 86,000 miles.
Frontal airbags: no deployment in a crash
31 complaints (9%)
No deployment in a crash, deployment injury and delayed deployment. 10 of these 31 complaints describe a serious outcome, most often an airbag problem. Median mileage when it started: about 86,000 miles.
Unintended acceleration (cause not stated)
19 complaints (5%)
Sudden acceleration and surging. 15 of these 19 complaints describe a serious outcome, most often sudden acceleration or braking. In 6 complaints, the dealer could not find or fix the problem. Median mileage when it started: about 24,000 miles.
Seat belts failure
18 complaints (5%)
A failure, warning lights and the system not working when needed. 1 of these 18 complaints describes a serious outcome: an airbag problem. Median mileage when it started: about 70,000 miles.
CVT: vibration or shudder
13 complaints (4%)
Vibration or shudder, slipping and failure or loss of drive. 3 of these 13 complaints describe a serious outcome. Median mileage when it started: about 75,000 miles.
Brakes: loss of braking
13 complaints (4%)
Loss of braking, a failure and unusual noises. 5 of these 13 complaints describe a serious outcome, most often loss of braking. In 3 complaints, the dealer could not find or fix the problem. Median mileage when it started: about 52,000 miles.
Paint and rust: peeling
10 complaints (3%)
Peeling and rust or corrosion. Median mileage when it started: about 50,000 miles.
Hybrid battery failure
8 complaints (2%)
A failure, high fuel use and abnormal charging. Median mileage when it started: about 83,000 miles.
Engine: stalling
7 complaints (2%)
Stalling, surging and sudden acceleration. 3 of these 7 complaints describe a serious outcome, most often sudden acceleration or braking. In 3 complaints, the dealer could not find or fix the problem. Median mileage when it started: about 58,000 miles.
Manual transmission or clutch: unusual noises
7 complaints (2%)
Unusual noises, slipping and parts breaking or coming apart. 4 of these 7 complaints describe a serious outcome, most often a tow. Median mileage when it started: about 99,000 miles.
Tires: blowout
7 complaints (2%)
Blowout, damage and parts breaking or coming apart. 1 of these 7 complaints describes a serious outcome: a crash. Median mileage when it started: about 14,000 miles.
Vibration (cause not stated)
6 complaints (2%)
Vibration or shudder. Median mileage when it started: about 74,000 miles.
Body seals (water leak): water leaking in
5 complaints (1%)
Water leaking in. Median mileage when it started: about 166,000 miles.

Show 39 more problems

Ignition or push-button start: locking up
5 complaints (1%)
Locking up and a failure. 3 of these 5 complaints describe a serious outcome, most often a car that would not start. Median mileage when it started: about 88,000 miles.
Steering: loss of steering control
5 complaints (1%)
Loss of steering control, pulling or wandering and a failure that needed a new part. 3 of these 5 complaints describe a serious outcome, most often loss of steering control. Median mileage when it started: about 31,000 miles.
12V battery failure
4 complaints (1%)
A failure that needed a new part. 1 of these 4 complaints describes a serious outcome: stalling or losing power while driving. Median mileage when it started: about 47,000 miles.
Cooling system: overheating
4 complaints (1%)
Overheating, a leak and a feature that stopped working. Median mileage when it started: about 126,000 miles.
Cylinder head gasket failure
4 complaints (1%)
A failure that needed a new part and damage. 1 of these 4 complaints describes a serious outcome. Median mileage when it started: about 86,000 miles.
Engine failure: shattering or cracking
4 complaints (1%)
Shattering or cracking, parts breaking or coming apart and damage. 2 of these 4 complaints describe a serious outcome.
Exhaust or catalytic converter failure
4 complaints (1%)
A failure that needed a new part and a stored fault code. Median mileage when it started: about 88,000 miles.
Instrument cluster: wrong readings
4 complaints (1%)
Wrong readings and a feature that stopped working. Median mileage when it started: about 6,000 miles.
Noise (cause not stated)
4 complaints (1%)
Unusual noises.
Seats: loose / rocking
4 complaints (1%)
Loose / rocking, skin irritation and not closing or latching. 2 of these 4 complaints describe a serious outcome, most often an injury. Median mileage when it started: about 25,000 miles.
Wiring, fuses or body control module: parts breaking or coming apart
4 complaints (1%)
Parts breaking or coming apart, a fire and a failure that needed a new part. 1 of these 4 complaints describes a serious outcome: a fire.
ABS: locking up
3 complaints (under 1%)
Locking up, loss of braking and surging. 2 of these 3 complaints describe a serious outcome, most often loss of braking.
Alternator or charging failure
3 complaints (under 1%)
A failure that needed a new part and problems that come and go. 2 of these 3 complaints describe a serious outcome, most often a car that would not start. Median mileage when it started: about 62,000 miles.
Door latches: not opening or unlocking
3 complaints (under 1%)
Not opening or unlocking and a feature that stopped working.
Engine overheating
3 complaints (under 1%)
Overheating.
Hood latch: parts breaking or coming apart
3 complaints (under 1%)
Parts breaking or coming apart and not closing or latching. 1 of these 3 complaints describes a serious outcome: a car that would not start. Median mileage when it started: about 127,000 miles.
Interior trim: will not stay up
3 complaints (under 1%)
Will not stay up, damage and sticky surface. 1 of these 3 complaints describes a serious outcome: a crash. Median mileage when it started: about 50,000 miles.
Side or curtain airbags: no deployment in a crash
3 complaints (under 1%)
No deployment in a crash. Median mileage when it started: about 100,000 miles.
Stall (cause not stated)
3 complaints (under 1%)
Stalling. All 3 describe a serious outcome, most often stalling or losing power while driving.
Windshield: shattering or cracking
3 complaints (under 1%)
Shattering or cracking and unsealed.
A/C: foreign material
2 complaints (under 1%)
Foreign material and a feature that stopped working.
A/C condenser: a leak
2 complaints (under 1%)
A leak and a failure that needed a new part.
Uneven tire wear: early wear
2 complaints (under 1%)
Early wear.
Check engine light (cause not stated)
2 complaints (under 1%)
Warning lights.
Engine sensors or computer: fault code
2 complaints (under 1%)
A stored fault code.
Exhaust manifold: shattering or cracking
2 complaints (under 1%)
Shattering or cracking. 1 of these 2 complaints describes a serious outcome: an injury.
Frame or structure: water leaking in
2 complaints (under 1%)
Water leaking in.
Fuel economy: high fuel use
2 complaints (under 1%)
High fuel use.
Fuel pump: a leak
2 complaints (under 1%)
A leak.
Fuel system: warning lights
2 complaints (under 1%)
Warning lights and a bad smell.
Headlights: stopped working
2 complaints (under 1%)
A feature that stopped working and dimming.
Loss of power (cause not stated)
2 complaints (under 1%)
A loss of power. Both describe a serious outcome, most often stalling or losing power while driving.
Cruise control: works on and off
2 complaints (under 1%)
Problems that come and go and sudden acceleration.
Fire (cause not stated)
2 complaints (under 1%)
A fire. 1 of these 2 complaints describes a serious outcome.
Vehicle electrical power: stopped working
2 complaints (under 1%)
A feature that stopped working. 1 of these 2 complaints describes a serious outcome: stalling or losing power while driving.
Vehicle fire (cause not stated)
2 complaints (under 1%)
A fire. Both describe a serious outcome, most often a fire.
Piston rings: damage
2 complaints (under 1%)
Damage and a failure.
Valve train failure
2 complaints (under 1%)
A failure and parts breaking or coming apart.
Wheel bearings failure
2 complaints (under 1%)
A failure that needed a new part and parts breaking or coming apart. 1 of these 2 complaints describes a serious outcome.

Reported Once (37)

Show the 37 problems reported once

A/C compressor failure
Airbag inflator (rupture risk or Takata): parts breaking or coming apart
Ball joints and control arms failure
Cabin odor or mold: a bad smell
Defroster: inadequate defogging
Engine air intake: fault code
Engine mounts failure
Engine oil leak
Exterior trim: parts breaking or coming apart
Fuel filler door: stopped working
Fuel leak: a fire
Fumes in cabin (cause not stated)
Hybrid system (inverter, motor, IPU): works on and off
Ignition coils or spark plugs: shattering or cracking
Screen and audio: overheating
CO2 sensors failure
SRS sensor failure
Accelerator pedal: sticking or stiffness
Clockspring failure
Cruise control (conventional) failure
Hazard lights: stopped working
Interior lighting: dimming
Rear side window glass: shattering or cracking
Steering knuckles: parts breaking or coming apart
Sun visor: parts breaking or coming apart
Traction loss (cause not stated)
Trunk latch: not closing or latching
Underseat component (cause not stated)
Wheel lug nuts: loose
Wheel spindle or axle: parts breaking or coming apart
Wheel studs: parts breaking or coming apart
Poor acceleration (cause not stated)
Door lock actuators: stopped working
Car not starting (cause not stated)
Timing chain or camshaft: damage
Shifter or park failure
Windows or locks or sunroof (operate by themselves): the system acting on its own

How the 2005 Honda Civic Compares With Other Years

The other Civic years of the 7th generation, 2001 to 2005, and the years just before and after it. When two scores are less than 3.5 points apart, treat them as about the same.

Year	Rating	Score	Vs average	Per 10k cars	Recalls	Most reported problem
2006	Caution	68	1.1×	41.1	15	Engine failure: shattering or cracking
2005 This year	Good	78	0.37×	11.5	10	Airbag warning light
2004	Good	79	0.37×	12.0	10	Airbag warning light
2003	Good	74	0.56×	17.0	11	Transmission: failure or loss of drive
2002	Good	72	0.66×	20.1	11	Transmission: failure or loss of drive
2001	Caution	66	1.1×	30.1	14	Transmission: failure or loss of drive
2000	Excellent	84	0.27×	7.8	6	Frontal airbags: no deployment in a crash

See every Civic year

2005 Honda Civic Recalls

A recall can cover some or all cars of this model year. Look up a specific car by its VIN at NHTSA to see which recalls are still open on it.

Air bags: inflator module
An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
NHTSA 19V501000 Recall report (PDF)Owner letter (PDF)Issued Jun 27, 2019. By the fourth quarter of 2020, 42% of the cars in this recall had been fixed.
Air bags: inflator module
An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
NHTSA 19V499000 Recall report (PDF)Owner letter (PDF)Issued Jun 27, 2019. By the fourth quarter of 2020, 22% of the cars in this recall had been fixed.
Air bags: inflator module
An explosion of an inflator within the driver frontal air bag module may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver, front seat passenger or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
NHTSA 19V182000 Recall report (PDF)Owner letter (PDF)Issued Mar 6, 2019. By the third quarter of 2020, 49% of the cars in this recall had been fixed.
Air bags: inflator module
An incorrectly installed air bag may deploy improperly in the event of a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
NHTSA 18V268000 Recall report (PDF)Owner letter (PDF)Issued Apr 26, 2018. By the third quarter of 2019, 85% of the cars in this recall had been fixed.
Air bags: inflator module
In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the passenger seat occupant or other occupants possibly causing serious injury or death.
NHTSA 15V370000 Recall report (PDF)Owner letter (PDF)Issued Jun 15, 2015. By the fourth quarter of 2017, 65% of the cars in this recall had been fixed.
Air bags: inflator module
In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
NHTSA 15V320000 Recall report (PDF)Owner letter (PDF)Issued May 28, 2015. By the fourth quarter of 2017, 68% of the cars in this recall had been fixed.

Show 4 more recalls

Air bags
In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passengers frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants potentially resulting in serious injury or death.
NHTSA 14V700000 Recall report (PDF)Owner letter (PDF)Issued Nov 4, 2014. By the first quarter of 2016, 70% of the cars in this recall had been fixed.
Air bags
In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passengers frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants potentially resulting in serious injury or death.
NHTSA 14V353000 Recall report (PDF)Owner letter (PDF)Issued Jun 20, 2014. By the fourth quarter of 2015, 70% of the cars in this recall had been fixed.
Fuel system, other: tank assembly
This could result in a tank rupture, explosion, and ejection of the tank from the vehicle.
NHTSA 07V512000 Owner letter (PDF)Issued Nov 1, 2007.
Seat belts: anchorage
An improperly positioned belt could increase the risk of injury in the event of a crash.
NHTSA 04V550000 Owner letter (PDF)Issued Nov 18, 2004.

Honda Warranty Extensions and Programs

Repairs Honda agreed to cover or update outside a recall. Whether one applies depends on the VIN and the conditions listed. A Honda dealer can confirm.

Customer support programHonda 20-009
Driver's airbag inflator
The problem:
The driver's airbag inflator can be faulty, and the airbag warning light comes on.
The fix:
A Honda dealer replaces the driver's airbag inflator for free.
Who qualifies:
The airbag warning light must be on. A Honda dealer test must show the inflator is faulty. Only replacement inflators that fail later are covered. Open inflator recalls must be done first. Salvage or branded titles are not covered.
Coverage:
Covered until January 31, 2030.
Honda's bulletin (PDF)
Customer support programHonda 20-014
Front passenger's airbag inflator
The problem:
The front passenger's airbag inflator can be faulty, and the airbag warning light comes on.
The fix:
A Honda dealer replaces the front passenger's airbag inflator for free.
Who qualifies:
The airbag warning light must be on. A Honda dealer test must show the inflator is faulty. Only replacement inflators that fail later are covered. Open inflator recalls must be done first. Salvage or branded titles are not covered.
Coverage:
Covered until January 31, 2030.
Honda's bulletin (PDF)
Customer support programHonda 18-046Ended
Driver's airbag inflator
The problem:
The driver's airbag inflator can be faulty, and the airbag warning light comes on.
The fix:
While the program ran, a Honda dealer replaced the driver's airbag inflator for free.
Who qualifies:
The airbag warning light had to be on. A Honda dealer test had to show the inflator was faulty. Only replacement inflators that failed later were covered. Salvage or branded titles were not covered.
Coverage:
The program ended on June 30, 2022.
Honda's bulletin (PDF)
Customer support programHonda 18-049Ended
Front passenger's airbag inflator
The problem:
The front passenger's airbag inflator can be faulty, and the airbag warning light comes on.
The fix:
While the program ran, a Honda dealer replaced the front passenger's airbag inflator for free.
Who qualifies:
The airbag warning light had to be on. A Honda dealer test had to show the inflator was faulty. Only replacement inflators that failed later were covered. Salvage or branded titles were not covered.
Coverage:
The program ended on October 31, 2022.
Honda's bulletin (PDF)

NHTSA Investigations

Defect investigations by NHTSA that cover this model year, with what they found.

Takata air bag inflators rupturing, mostly in humid areas
Led to a recall
NHTSA's preliminary evaluation began in June 2014 after six Takata air bag inflator ruptures. It covered Honda Accord, Civic, CR-V, Odyssey and Pilot models from 2001 to 2007, among others. All 10 makers started regional recalls within about two weeks. NHTSA asked them to widen the recalls. It closed in March 2015 and moved to engineering analysis EA15-001.
NHTSA PE14016 Opening report (PDF)Closing report (PDF)Jun 11, 2014 to Mar 2, 2015
Honda's reporting of deaths, injuries and warranty claims
Closed
NHTSA's audit query checked whether Honda failed to report some deaths, injuries and warranty claims under federal law. It is listed under the 2001 Accord and 2005 Civic. In a December 2014 consent order, Honda admitted violations and paid a $70 million penalty. It agreed to new procedures and two outside audits. NHTSA closed the query in April 2016.
NHTSA AQ14004 Opening report (PDF)Closing report (PDF)Oct 30, 2014 to Apr 21, 2016
Takata air bag inflator ruptures across all makers
Still open
NHTSA's engineering analysis, opened in February 2015, covers Takata air bag inflators that can rupture. It includes Honda Accord, Civic, CR-V, Odyssey and Pilot models from 2001 to 2007, among others. NHTSA is studying the root cause, the affected vehicles and whether repairs are adequate. The record links 194 recall campaigns to it. It is still open.
NHTSA EA15001 Opening report (PDF)Open since Feb 24, 2015
Rupture risk in Takata inflators with a desiccant
Still open
NHTSA's engineering analysis, opened in September 2021, asks whether Takata inflators with a moisture-trapping desiccant could degrade and rupture over time. They are not yet recalled. It covers Honda Accord, Civic, CR-V, Odyssey and Pilot models from 2001 to 2015, among others. No field ruptures have been reported in them. The case is still open.
NHTSA EA21002 Opening report (PDF)Open since Sep 17, 2021
Pedestrian alert sounds on hybrid and electric vehicles
Closed
A petition asked NHTSA to apply its pedestrian alert sound rule to all electric and hybrid vehicles operating in the United States. NHTSA opened a defect petition in January 2023. It lists Honda hybrids and electric cars, including Accord, Civic and CR-V hybrids. The petitioner withdrew in June 2023. NHTSA closed the case in August 2023 without a finding.
NHTSA DP22005 Opening report (PDF)Closing report (PDF)Jan 27, 2023 to Aug 7, 2023

NHTSA Crash Test Ratings

NHTSA gave the 2005 Civic no overall, frontal or side rating. It did rate each seat in those tests and lists the seat ratings under Rating Breakdown on its page. We show them the same way below. These tests are from before 2011, so the stars are not comparable with ratings for 2011 and newer models. See the 2005 Civic ratings on NHTSA.gov.

2-door

OverallNot rated

Frontal crashNot rated

Driver seat5/5

Passenger seat5/5

Side crashNot rated

Front seat3/5

Rear seat4/5

RolloverNot rated

4-door with side airbags, 4-door and 2-door Hatchback

OverallNot rated

Frontal crashNot rated

Driver seat5/5

Passenger seat5/5

Side crashNot rated

Front seat4/5

Rear seat4/5

RolloverNot rated

2-door with side airbags

OverallNot rated

Frontal crashNot rated

Driver seat5/5

Passenger seat5/5

Side crashNot rated

Front seat5/5

Rear seat5/5

RolloverNot rated

Check Before You Buy

A checklist for the 2005 Civic, from its recalls, Honda's programs and the problems owners report most.

Confirm the Recalls Were Done

Ask the seller for proof that each of these recalls was repaired.

Air bags: inflator module NHTSA 19V501000
Air bags: inflator module NHTSA 19V499000
Air bags: inflator module NHTSA 19V182000
Air bags: inflator module NHTSA 18V268000
Air bags: inflator module NHTSA 15V370000
Look up the VIN at NHTSA to see all 10 recalls and which are still open.

On the Test Drive

Accelerate gently from a stop and again at 20 to 40 mph. Shudder, slipping or harsh shifts are warning signs. Ask for the transmission fluid records.
Confirm every airbag recall on this VIN has been repaired before you buy.

Ask the Seller

Ask whether any of these were ever repaired, and ask to see the receipts.

Airbag warning lights
Transmission
Airbags
Also ask for the service records, especially oil changes and transmission fluid changes.

Before You Pay

Get an independent pre-purchase inspection from a mechanic you choose.
Decode the VIN to confirm the model year, engine and trim.
Check the title for salvage, flood or rebuilt branding.

What to do next

All Civic Years →Best years and years to avoid, side by side.Compare With Other Years →Put up to four model years side by side.Find Warranty Extensions →Repairs Honda may still cover for this year.Decode a VIN →Confirm the exact year, engine and trim of a car.