2009 Honda Civic Reliability Report

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

Excellent

Ranks 6th of 25 Civic years we score.

Owner complaints: 428; 57 are recall notices
Per 10,000 cars: 13.3; 278,514 made for the U.S.
Vs the average car: 0.32×; same age, 1× is average
Serious outcomes: 105; crash, fire, injury, stall or tow
Recalls: 8
NHTSA crash rating: Not rated; no overall rating before 2011

← 2008 Civic 2010 Civic →

Should You Buy the 2009 Honda Civic?

Yes. Our reliability score for the 2009 Honda Civic is 83 out of 100, which rates Excellent. Owners reported about a third as many problems as for the average car of the same age. It ranks 6th of the 25 Civic years we score.

The most reported problem is the brakes, mostly early wear (39 of 428 complaints). Owners also complain about the interior trim or dashboard and paint and rust. 105 of the 428 complaints describe a serious outcome, such as a crash, a fire, an injury or stalling while driving.

It has 8 recalls. Honda also offers 4 warranty extensions that may still apply, for hood and front fender paint cracking and paint cracking, chalking or clouding. For comparison, the 2008 scores 73 and the 2010 scores 82.

Before you buy, check that the recalls were done, ask a Honda dealer about warranty extension 12-049 and get an independent inspection. The full checklist is at the end of this page.

Pros

Excellent reliability score of 83
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

Brakes: early wear39 complaints
Interior trim: parts breaking or coming apart35 complaints
Paint and rust: peeling34 complaints

How the 2009 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	0.27×	−4
Everyday problems	0.45×	−3
Problems in the last two years	0.25×	−3
Recalls	1.6×	−7
Score		83

What Owners Report

We read all 428 complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2009 Honda Civic, one by one, and grouped them by the problem they describe. The most reported problems come first.

Brakes: early wear
39 complaints (9%)
Early wear, loss of braking and a failure that needed a new part. 8 of these 39 complaints describe a serious outcome, most often loss of braking. In 7 complaints, the problem came back after a repair. Median mileage when it started: about 23,000 miles.
Interior trim: parts breaking or coming apart
35 complaints (8%)
Parts breaking or coming apart, shattering or cracking and a feature that stopped working. 7 of these 35 complaints describe a serious outcome, most often loss of visibility. In 4 complaints, the problem came back after a repair. Median mileage when it started: about 52,000 miles.
Paint and rust: peeling
34 complaints (8%)
Peeling, damage and fading. In 4 complaints, the problem came back after a repair. Median mileage when it started: about 60,000 miles.
Uneven tire wear: early wear
28 complaints (7%)
Early wear and a failure. In 6 complaints, the problem came back after a repair. Median mileage when it started: about 25,000 miles.
Airbags: no deployment in a crash
25 complaints (6%)
No deployment in a crash, deployment with no crash and incomplete inflation. Median mileage when it started: about 70,000 miles.
Hybrid battery failure
17 complaints (4%)
A failure that needed a new part, a feature that stopped working and will not hold charge. 6 of these 17 complaints describe a serious outcome, most often stalling or losing power while driving. In 9 complaints, the problem came back after a repair. Median mileage when it started: about 24,000 miles.
Tires: early wear
16 complaints (4%)
Early wear, a leak and parts breaking or coming apart. 1 of these 16 complaints describes a serious outcome: loss of steering control. In 4 complaints, the problem came back after a repair. Median mileage when it started: about 21,000 miles.
Unintended acceleration (cause not stated)
14 complaints (3%)
Sudden acceleration. 13 of these 14 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 12,000 miles.
Airbag warning light
12 complaints (3%)
Warning lights, the system acting on its own and a stored fault code. 1 of these 12 complaints describes a serious outcome: an airbag problem. Median mileage when it started: about 85,000 miles.
Hybrid system (inverter, motor, IPU): warning lights
11 complaints (3%)
Warning lights, a feature that stopped working and sudden acceleration. 2 of these 11 complaints describe a serious outcome, most often sudden acceleration or braking. In 4 complaints, the problem came back after a repair. Median mileage when it started: about 13,000 miles.
Engine failure: shattering or cracking
10 complaints (2%)
Shattering or cracking and stalling. 8 of these 10 complaints describe a serious outcome, most often stalling or losing power while driving. Median mileage when it started: about 122,000 miles.
Side or curtain airbags: no deployment in a crash
10 complaints (2%)
No deployment in a crash, a stored fault code and deployment with no crash. 2 of these 10 complaints describe a serious outcome, most often an airbag problem. Median mileage when it started: about 84,000 miles.
Engine: surging
8 complaints (2%)
Surging and rough running or misfires. 5 of these 8 complaints describe a serious outcome, most often a crash. Median mileage when it started: about 24,000 miles.
Fuel economy: high fuel use
8 complaints (2%)
High fuel use. Median mileage when it started: about 13,000 miles.
Noise (cause not stated)
8 complaints (2%)
Unusual noises. Median mileage when it started: about 15,000 miles.

Show 36 more problems

Frontal airbags: no deployment in a crash
7 complaints (2%)
No deployment in a crash, injurious deployment force and deployment with no crash. 1 of these 7 complaints describes a serious outcome: an airbag problem. Median mileage when it started: about 84,000 miles.
Car not starting (cause not stated)
7 complaints (2%)
The car not starting and hard starting. 5 of these 7 complaints describe a serious outcome, most often a car that would not start. In 3 complaints, the dealer could not find or fix the problem. Median mileage when it started: about 8,000 miles.
Engine mounts: parts breaking or coming apart
6 complaints (1%)
Parts breaking or coming apart and a failure. Median mileage when it started: about 56,000 miles.
Seat belts: not releasing
6 complaints (1%)
Not releasing, the system not working when needed and smoke or a burning smell. 1 of these 6 complaints describes a serious outcome: an airbag problem. Median mileage when it started: about 45,000 miles.
Steering failure
6 complaints (1%)
A failure, loose / excessive play and unusual noises. Median mileage when it started: about 31,000 miles.
Tire pressure monitoring: warning lights
6 complaints (1%)
Warning lights. Median mileage when it started: about 79,000 miles.
Ball joints and control arms failure
5 complaints (1%)
A failure, parts breaking or coming apart and unusual noises. 1 of these 5 complaints describes a serious outcome: a tow. Median mileage when it started: about 36,000 miles.
CV axles: parts breaking or coming apart
5 complaints (1%)
Parts breaking or coming apart, a failure and sticking or stiffness. 3 of these 5 complaints describe a serious outcome, most often a tow. Median mileage when it started: about 42,000 miles.
A/C condenser: damage
4 complaints (under 1%)
Damage and a leak. Median mileage when it started: about 14,000 miles.
Door latches: parts breaking or coming apart
4 complaints (under 1%)
Parts breaking or coming apart, not opening or unlocking and a failure that needed a new part. Median mileage when it started: about 45,000 miles.
Ignition or push-button start: locking up
4 complaints (under 1%)
Locking up, a failure that needed a new part and early wear. 1 of these 4 complaints describes a serious outcome. Median mileage when it started: about 80,000 miles.
Stall (cause not stated)
4 complaints (under 1%)
Stalling. All 4 describe a serious outcome, most often stalling or losing power while driving. In 3 complaints, the dealer could not find or fix the problem. Median mileage when it started: about 55,000 miles.
Transmission: vibration or shudder
4 complaints (under 1%)
Vibration or shudder, harsh or delayed shifts and failure or loss of drive. 2 of these 4 complaints describe a serious outcome, most often loss of braking. Median mileage when it started: about 14,000 miles.
Exterior trim: parts breaking or coming apart
3 complaints (under 1%)
Parts breaking or coming apart and damage. Median mileage when it started: about 65,000 miles.
Headlights: dim illumination
3 complaints (under 1%)
Dim illumination and fogging. Median mileage when it started: about 38,000 miles.
Struts or shocks failure
3 complaints (under 1%)
A failure that needed a new part. Median mileage when it started: about 8,000 miles.
Taillights or brake lights: stopped working
3 complaints (under 1%)
A feature that stopped working and problems that come and go.
12V battery: the car not starting
2 complaints (under 1%)
The car not starting and warning lights. 1 of these 2 complaints describes a serious outcome: stalling or losing power while driving.
A/C compressor: overheating
2 complaints (under 1%)
Overheating.
ABS: locking up
2 complaints (under 1%)
Locking up and loss of braking. 1 of these 2 complaints describes a serious outcome: loss of braking.
EVAP system: fault code
2 complaints (under 1%)
A stored fault code and sticking or stiffness.
Body seals (water leak): sticking or stiffness
2 complaints (under 1%)
Sticking or stiffness and water leaking in.
Brake calipers: sticking or stiffness
2 complaints (under 1%)
Sticking or stiffness and damage.
Brake power assist: a hard pedal or less assist
2 complaints (under 1%)
A hard pedal or less assist. 1 of these 2 complaints describes a serious outcome: loss of braking.
Fuel leak
2 complaints (under 1%)
A leak.
Screen and audio: overheating
2 complaints (under 1%)
Overheating.
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.
Manual transmission or clutch: harsh or delayed shifts
2 complaints (under 1%)
Harsh or delayed shifts.
A/C relay: sticking or stiffness
2 complaints (under 1%)
Sticking or stiffness and a failure that needed a new part.
Rear suspension failure
2 complaints (under 1%)
A failure.
Vehicle fire (cause not stated)
2 complaints (under 1%)
A fire. Both describe a serious outcome, most often a fire.
Door lock actuators: stopped working
2 complaints (under 1%)
A feature that stopped working.
Shifter or park: overheating
2 complaints (under 1%)
Overheating and the car rolling away. 1 of these 2 complaints describes a serious outcome: sudden acceleration or braking.
Wheel bearings failure
2 complaints (under 1%)
A failure that needed a new part and unusual noises.
Windshield: fogging / icing
2 complaints (under 1%)
Fogging / icing and optical distortion.
Wiring, fuses or body control module failure
2 complaints (under 1%)
A failure that needed a new part and problems that come and go. 1 of these 2 complaints describes a serious outcome: stalling or losing power while driving.

Reported Once (45)

Show the 45 problems reported once

A/C: stopped working
Airbag inflator (rupture risk or Takata): parts breaking or coming apart
Battery drain: draining the battery
Check engine light (cause not stated)
Control module (unspecified) failure
Cooling system: a leak
Engine oil leak
Engine sensors or computer: slow throttle closing
Exhaust or catalytic converter: fault code
Exterior lights: stopped working
Fuel gauge or level sensor: wrong readings
Fuel pump: a loss of power
Fuel system: a bad smell
Horn: stopped working
Passenger airbag sensor failure
A/C compressor switch failure
A/C hoses: a leak
Airbag cable reel or clockspring: warning lights
Airbag sensor: no deployment in a crash
Belt tensioner bolt: parts breaking or coming apart
Cabin chemical exposure (cause not stated)
Cruise control: sudden acceleration
Cruise control switch: stopped working
Floor mat: damage
Front suspension: unusual noises
Headlight reminder chime: stopped working
Hood prop rod or retaining clip: parts breaking or coming apart
Hybrid battery monitor module: works on and off
Hybrid system relay failure
Right front seal failure
Seal (location not stated) (cause not stated)
Side window attachment: parts breaking or coming apart
Side window glass: shattering or cracking
Suspension bushing: parts breaking or coming apart
Tire valve stem: parts breaking or coming apart
Vehicle jack failure
Window weatherstripping: damage
Parking brake: the car rolling away
Phone and navigation: wrong readings
Poor acceleration (cause not stated)
Seats: parts breaking or coming apart
Starter failure
Transmission computer: failure or loss of drive
Unexplained crash (cause not stated)
Windshield wipers: works on and off

How the 2009 Honda Civic Compares With Other Years

The other Civic years of the 8th generation, 2006 to 2011, 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
2012	Excellent	84	0.27×	9.7	4	Steering: loss of steering control
2011	Excellent	82	0.29×	10.5	9	Brakes: early wear
2010	Excellent	82	0.30×	13.7	8	Brakes: early wear
2009 This year	Excellent	83	0.32×	13.3	8	Brakes: early wear
2008	Good	73	0.61×	24.7	7	Interior trim: parts breaking or coming apart
2007	Good	72	0.82×	35.0	10	Uneven tire wear: early wear
2006	Caution	68	1.1×	41.1	15	Engine failure: shattering or cracking
2005	Good	78	0.37×	11.5	10	Airbag warning light

See every Civic year

2009 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 19V502000 Recall report (PDF)Owner letter (PDF)Issued Jun 27, 2019. By the fourth quarter of 2020, 36% of the cars in this recall had been fixed.
Air bags: inflator module
An incorrectly installed air bag inflator may not properly deploy the passenger frontal air bag in the event of a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
NHTSA 19V378000 Recall report (PDF)Owner letter (PDF)Issued May 16, 2019. By the fourth 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
An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
NHTSA 18V042000 Recall report (PDF)Owner letter (PDF)Issued Jan 9, 2018. By the second quarter of 2019, 72% of the cars in this recall had been fixed.
Air bags: inflator module
In the event of a crash, an incorrectly installed passenger frontal air bag inflator may deploy the air bag improperly, increasing the risk of injury.
NHTSA 17V545000 Recall report (PDF)Owner letter (PDF)Issued Aug 31, 2017. By the first quarter of 2019, 94% of the cars in this recall had been fixed.
Air bags: inflator module
An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
NHTSA 17V030000 Recall report (PDF)Owner letter (PDF)Issued Jan 10, 2017. By the second quarter of 2018, 70% of the cars in this recall had been fixed.

Show 2 more recalls

Air bags: inflator module
An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
NHTSA 16V346000 Recall report (PDF)Owner letter (PDF)Issued May 24, 2016. By the first quarter of 2018, 64% of the cars in this recall had been fixed.
Fuel system, gasoline: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
In the event of a crash, the bracket may become loose which could result in damage to the fuel hose connector. A damaged connector could lead to a fuel leak and increases the risk of a fire.
NHTSA 08V535000 Owner letter (PDF)Issued Oct 14, 2008.

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.

Warranty extensionHonda 12-049
Hood and front fender paint cracking
The problem:
The factory paint on the hood and the front edge of the fenders can crack.
The fix:
A Honda dealer repairs the cracked paint for free.
Who qualifies:
The cracking must come from the factory paint process, not bird droppings or tree sap. Cars repainted after a crash or other repair are not covered. Coverage passes to later owners. Salvage or branded titles are not covered.
Coverage:
7 years from the original purchase date, with no mileage limit.
Honda's bulletin (PDF)
Warranty extensionHonda 14-034
Paint cracking, chalking or clouding
The problem:
The factory paint can crack or look chalky or cloudy on the hood and front fender edges. The roof, trunk and doors can look chalky or cloudy.
The fix:
A Honda dealer repairs the affected painted panels for free.
Who qualifies:
A Honda dealer inspection must find cracked, chalky or cloudy factory paint. Honda must approve each paint repair first. Rock chips, scratches, sap and bird droppings are not covered. Salvage or branded titles are not covered.
Coverage:
7 years from the original purchase date, with no mileage limit.
Honda's bulletin (PDF)
Warranty extensionHonda 14-058
Electric power steering (heavy steering, warning light)
The problem:
The electric power steering can stop helping, so the steering feels heavy or hard to turn. The power steering warning light comes on.
The fix:
A Honda dealer replaces the electric power steering control unit for free.
Who qualifies:
The power steering warning light must be on with a listed steering fault stored. Cars with a salvage or branded title are not covered. The VIN must show as eligible.
Coverage:
10 years or 150,000 miles from the original purchase date, whichever comes first.
Honda's bulletin (PDF)
Warranty extensionHonda 15-006
Hybrid (IMA) battery
The problem:
The hybrid battery can wear out too early and hold less charge.
The fix:
A Honda dealer replaces the hybrid battery modules for free.
Who qualifies:
A Honda dealer must find a hybrid battery problem. The junction board is not covered. Cars that already had 10 years or 150,000 miles of battery coverage get nothing extra. The VIN must show as eligible.
Coverage:
10 years or 150,000 miles from the original purchase date, whichever comes first.
Honda's bulletin (PDF)
Customer support programHonda 18-052, 18-055 and 20-016
Front passenger's airbag inflator
3 programs with the same terms. Which one applies depends on the VIN.
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:
18-052: Covered until January 31, 2027.
18-055: Covered until January 31, 2028.
20-016: Covered until January 31, 2030.
Bulletin 18-052 (PDF)Bulletin 18-055 (PDF)Bulletin 20-016 (PDF)
Customer support programHonda 18-066Ended
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 June 30, 2026.
Honda's bulletin (PDF)

NHTSA Investigations

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

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 2009 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 2009 Civic ratings on NHTSA.gov.

GX (CNG) 4-door, 2-door, 4-door and Hybrid 4-door, all with side airbags

OverallNot rated

Frontal crashNot rated

Driver seat5/5

Passenger seat5/5

Side crashNot rated

Front seat4/5

Rear seat5/5

RolloverNot rated

Check Before You Buy

A checklist for the 2009 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 19V502000
Air bags: inflator module NHTSA 19V378000
Air bags: inflator module NHTSA 18V268000
Air bags: inflator module NHTSA 18V042000
Air bags: inflator module NHTSA 17V545000
Look up the VIN at NHTSA to see all 8 recalls and which are still open.

Ask a Honda Dealer

Ask whether each of these warranty extensions applies to this VIN, and whether the work was done.

12-049: hood and front fender paint cracking
14-034: paint cracking, chalking or clouding
14-058: electric power steering (heavy steering, warning light)
15-006: hybrid (IMA) battery

On the Test Drive

Brake firmly from a moderate speed. A soft, hard or pulsing pedal, or a brake warning light, is a warning sign.
Check the paint and the underbody for rust or peeling clear coat.
Look for uneven tire wear and listen for clunks or humming that changes with speed.

Ask the Seller

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

Brakes
Interior trim or dashboard
Paint and rust
Also ask for the service records, especially oil 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.