MYRModel Year Report

2009 Honda Civic

● Typical for this model
2009 Honda Civic
BUILT 2026-09-02

This year's complaint volume is within 30% of this model's typical year.

This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.

How is this computed?

COMPLAINTS PER YEAR

Complaints per year, Honda Civic Bar chart of distinct NHTSA complaints filed per model year, 2009 highlighted. 1981: 1 complaints 1981 1982: 1 complaints 1983: 9 complaints 1984: 5 complaints 1985: 15 complaints 1986: 35 complaints 1987: 39 complaints 1987 1988: 48 complaints 1989: 69 complaints 1990: 92 complaints 1991: 111 complaints 1992: 100 complaints 1993: 155 complaints 1993 1994: 161 complaints 1995: 199 complaints 1996: 305 complaints 1997: 373 complaints 1998: 435 complaints 1999: 338 complaints 1999 2000: 287 complaints 2001: 1079 complaints 2002: 702 complaints 2003: 499 complaints 2004: 350 complaints 2005: 314 complaints 2005 2006: 1402 complaints 2007: 1204 complaints 2008: 916 complaints 2009: 395 complaints 2009 2010: 396 complaints 2011: 168 complaints 2011 2012: 454 complaints 2013: 317 complaints 2014: 290 complaints 2015: 377 complaints 2016: 1075 complaints 2017: 584 complaints 2017 2018: 736 complaints 2019: 424 complaints 2020: 221 complaints 2021: 140 complaints 2022: 881 complaints 2023: 252 complaints 2023 2024: 119 complaints 2025: 68 complaints 2026: 27 complaints 2026
2009: 395 complaints
View as data table
YearComplaints
19800
19811
19821
19839
19845
198515
198635
198739
198848
198969
199092
1991111
1992100
1993155
1994161
1995199
1996305
1997373
1998435
1999338
2000287
20011079
2002702
2003499
2004350
2005314
20061402
20071204
2008916
2009395
2010396
2011168
2012454
2013317
2014290
2015377
20161075
2017584
2018736
2019424
2020221
2021140
2022881
2023252
2024119
202568
202627

KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS

Percentages can add to more than 100% -- a complaint can name more than one system.

AIR BAGS 25%

25% of complaints: air bags — 97 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing side/window and frontal.

CRASH FIRE INJURY DEATH
Show complaint excerpts

I WAS DRIVING MY CAR IN WET CONDITIONS WHEN MY CAR SKIDDED ONTO A CURB. MY EXPLOSIVES WENT OFF IN MY AIRBAGS, HOWEVER, MY AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. CURRENTLY MY AIR BAG LIGHT IS ON.

NHTSA ODI report, 20171111

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2009 HONDA CIVIC. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY DURING A CRASH. THE VEHICLE WAS IMPACTED FROM THE REAR AND WAS PUSHED FORWARD INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS DEEMED DESTROYED FROM THE CRASH.

NHTSA ODI report, 20120327

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 HONDA CIVIC. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 5 MPH, THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED WITHOUT BEING INVOLVED IN A CRASH AND WITHOUT WARNING.

NHTSA ODI report, 20120316

SERVICE BRAKES 13%

13% of complaints: service brakes — 51 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing hydraulic and electric.

CRASH FIRE INJURY
Show complaint excerpts

MY WIFE WAS DRIVING A 2009 HONDA CIVIC (PURCHASED NEW ALL REPAIRS/SERVICING SINCE PURCHASE MADE BY THE DEALER AT READING PIAZZA HONDA) WITH MY 13 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER ON A 2 LANE HIGHWAY AT APPROXIMATELY 8:45 PM MAY-16-2012, NO OTHER VEHICLES WERE ON...

NHTSA ODI report, 20120520

STRUCTURE 11%

11% of complaints: structure — 45 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing body and sun visor.

CRASH INJURY
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 9%

9% of complaints: electrical system — 36 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing 12v/24v/48v battery and horn.

CRASH FIRE INJURY
Show complaint excerpts

While driving, the hood prop rod dislodged from its securing clip and fell onto the positive terminal of the battery. This caused an electrical short, which led to the rod heating up rapidly and igniting a fire under the hood.

NHTSA ODI report, 20250630

Also filed under EXTERIOR LIGHTING and UNKNOWN OR OTHER

SUSPENSION 8%

8% of complaints: suspension — 32 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing rear and front.

CRASH
Show complaint excerpts

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 HONDA CIVIC. WHILE DRIVING 10 MPH, THE CONTACT STRUCK ANOTHER VEHICLE ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE.

NHTSA ODI report, 20090212

SAFETY TIMELINE

R 20081013 — fuel system, gasoline

HONDA IS RECALLING 128 MY 2008-2009 CIVIC SEDANS. A BRACKET THAT COVERS THE FUEL HOSE CONNECTOR IS SECURED WITH A BOLT AND NUT, BUT DURING ASSEMBLY THE NUT WAS NOT INSTALLED.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NUT ON THE FUEL FEED HOSE BRACKET. THE RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 13, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT HONDA AT 1-800-999-1009.

Campaign 08V535000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20161115 — air bags

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain model year 2009-2011 Acura TSX, 2011 TSX Wagon, 2010-2011 Acura ZDX, 2008-2011 Honda Accord, 2010-2011 Accord Crosstour, 2006-2011 Civic, Civic Hybrid, and Civic GX, 2007-2011 CR-V, 2010-2011 FCX...

Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the inflator, free of charge. The recall began March 2017. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall is KA4, KA5, KA6, and KA7.

Campaign 16V346000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20170222 — air bags

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2009-2012 Acura TSX, 2011-2012 Acura TSX Wagon, 2010-2012 Acura ZDX, 2008-2012 Honda Accord, 2010-2012 Honda Accord Crosstour and Honda Insight, 2009-2012 Honda Fit, 2009-2012 Pilot, 2007-2011...

Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger side air bag inflator, free of charge. The manufacturer has mailed an interim notification, and will send a second notification when parts are available.

Campaign 17V030000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20171030 — air bags

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2008-2012 Accord, 2010-2012 Accord Crosstour, 2006-2011 Civic, 2007-2011 CR-V, 2009-2012 Fit and Pilot, 2010-2012 Insight, and 2009-2012 Acura TSX vehicles that received replacement passenger...

Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag module assembly, free of charge. The recall began October 30, 2017. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138.

Campaign 17V545000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20180216 — air bags

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2010-2013 Acura TSX, ZDX, Honda Accord Crosstour, Fit, Insight and Pilot vehicles, 2011-13 Acura TSX Sportswagon, 2010-2012 Honda Accord,, 2010-2011 Honda Civic, Civic NGV, Civic Hybrid and CR-V...

Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began February 16, 2018. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138.

Campaign 18V042000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20180622 — air bags

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2003-2012 Honda Accord and Pilot, 2010 Accord Crosstour, 2001-2011 Civic, 2002-2011 CR-V, 2003-2004, 2006-2008 and 2011 Element, 2007 and 2009-2013 Fit, 2010-2012 Insight, 2002-2004 Odyssey, and...

Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and, if necessary, replace the passenger frontal air bag module assembly, free of charge. The recall began June 22, 2018. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138.

Campaign 18V268000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20190705 — air bags

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2009-2014 Acura TSX, 2011-2013 TSX Sport Wagon, and 2010-2012 ZDX and 2008-2012 Honda Accord, 2010-2011 Accord Crosstour, 2006-2011 Civic, Civic Hybrid and Civic NGV, 2012-2014 Crosstour,...

Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the inflator installation and, if necessary, replace the passenger frontal air bag module assembly, free of charge. The recall began July 5, 2019.

Campaign 19V378000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20190812 — air bags

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2009-2014 Acura TSX, 2011-2014 TSX Sport Wagon, 2010-2013 ZDX, 2008-2012 Honda Accord, 2010-2011 Accord Crosstour, 2006-2011 Civic and Civic Hybrid, 2008-2010 Civic GX NGV, 2012-2015 Crosstour,...

Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began August 12, 2019. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138.

Campaign 19V502000 — check if this car was fixed

BUY-SMART CHECKLIST

2009 Honda Civic — pre-purchase inspection

  • Test/inspect for air bags issues (97 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for service brakes issues (51 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for structure issues (45 reports on file for this year).
  • Verify recall 08V535000 (fuel system, gasoline) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 16V346000 (air bags) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 17V030000 (air bags) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 17V545000 (air bags) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 18V042000 (air bags) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 18V268000 (air bags) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 19V378000 (air bags) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 19V502000 (air bags) has been completed.
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL

BEST YEARS

▲ 1986 ▲ 1987 ▲ 1988

WORST YEARS

■ 2006 ■ 2007 ■ 2001

See all years ranked →

FAQ

Is the 2009 Honda Civic reliable?

Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2009 Honda Civic is rated "typical".

What are the most common problems with the 2009 Honda Civic?

The most-reported component is air bags, accounting for 25% of complaints on file.

How many recalls does the 2009 Honda Civic have?

8 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-09-01 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.