Severe Issues

2009 HONDA CIVIC Problems

Real NHTSA owner complaints for the 2009 Honda Civic. This model year has 393 NHTSA complaints β€” top issue: Airbag Malfunctions.

393
Complaints
42
Crashes
6
Fires
39
Injuries
1
Deaths
8
Recalls

Before you buy β€” check the actual VIN

This page shows the model year's reputation. The VIN tells you about the specific car β€” accidents, title issues, odometer rollbacks, and open recalls.

Worst 2009 Honda Civic Problems

Top 3 most-reported issues with average mileage at failure.

#1
95
complaints

Airbag Malfunctions

Crash-related:25
Fires:2
Injuries:27
#2
51
complaints

Brake System

Crash-related:8
Fires:1
Injuries:8
#3
44
complaints

Structural Problems

Crash-related:4
Injuries:2

Considering a 2009 Honda Civic?

This page shows the model year's reputation. The VIN tells you about this specific car β€” accidents, title issues, odometer fraud. Full report just $4.99 (vs. Carfax $44.99).

All Problems by Category

Every NHTSA complaint category for the 2009 Honda Civic. A single complaint may appear in multiple categories.

ComponentComplaintsCrashesFiresAvg MileageVolume
Airbag Malfunctions95252β€”
Brake System5181β€”
Structural Problems444β€”β€”
Engine Problems3941β€”
Uncategorized Issues36β€”1β€”
Electrical Faults3512β€”
Suspension Failures311β€”β€”
Tire Issues2611β€”
Hydraulic242β€”β€”
Transmission / Drivetrain233β€”β€”
Visibility18β€”β€”β€”
Unintended Acceleration179β€”β€”
Steering Defects132β€”β€”
Visibility/Wiper11β€”β€”β€”
Headlight/Taillight Failures10β€”1β€”
Wheel Issues10β€”β€”β€”
Seat-Related Issues9β€”β€”β€”
Fuel/Propulsion System7β€”β€”β€”
Equipment6β€”β€”β€”
Seat Belt Issues522β€”
Electric41β€”β€”
Fuel System41β€”β€”
Other31β€”β€”
Door Lock Issues2β€”β€”β€”
Air2β€”β€”β€”
Electronic Stability Control (Esc)1β€”β€”β€”
Equipment Adaptive/Mobility1β€”β€”β€”
Gasoline1β€”β€”β€”

Source: NHTSA Complaints Database. Complaint counts may exceed total complaints because one report can span multiple categories.

Search Owner Complaints

Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 2009 Honda Civic. Type a keyword (e.g. β€œtransmission”, β€œstalling”, β€œbrakes”) to filter.

πŸ”

Showing 393 most recent complaints

Structural ProblemsNov 19, 2025

See attached document for complaint.

Structural ProblemsSep 18, 2025

The contact owns a 2009 Honda Civic. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked and being inspected, the contact became aware that the driver’s and passenger’s side sun visors were split. No warning light was illuminated. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle …

Steering DefectsJul 15, 2025

The contact owns a 2009 Honda Civic. The contact stated that while driving on several occasions at undisclosed speeds, the steering wheel became stiff. The contact stated that the steering wheel difficult to turn. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was n…

Electrical FaultsJul 12, 2025

There are hacks to cars that can control the computers remotely, possibly from devices such as programmable thingy remote control devices that can be programmed with different fuctions, or direct open door remote entry hacks into the vehicle port that remote control the cars func…

Electrical FaultsπŸ”₯ FireJun 30, 2025

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. The fire damaged the headlight assembly and the surro…

Airbag MalfunctionsDec 28, 2024

There is a recall for the engines and air bags on theys cars handa said so.

Electrical FaultsMar 24, 2024

The vehicle will shut off in traffic without any warning from the cars system. Unknown if there is any interference being caused by internal or external.

Steering DefectsJan 24, 2024

The contact owns a 2009 Honda Civic. The contact stated that on several occasions while making left or right turns, there was an abnormal clicking and clacking sound coming from the front of the vehicle and the steering column. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagn…

Structural ProblemsJul 6, 2023

Pain on my Honda Civic 2009 Is peeling very badly. I read that it was manufacture defect and I would like to have it fixed. It started about two years ago.

Transmission / DrivetrainMay 17, 2023

My clutch pedal bracket is poorly made after doing research I realized this is a common issue with these cars, the pedal brackets can break while driving and cause an accident if you are stuck in a gear and can’t get out of it

Unintended AccelerationπŸ’₯ CrashApr 22, 2023

Car accelerated into a garage door unintentionally. The brakes did not work. The problem has not been reproduced. The car was taken to a honda dealer twice before the accident for the same reasons of sudden unintentional acceleration. The vehicle has been totaled and has not been…

Brake SystemπŸ’₯ CrashApr 21, 2023

The contact's mother owned a 2009 Honda Civic. The contact stated that while driving approximately 5 mph, the brake pedal was depressed but the vehicle unintentionally accelerated. The front of the vehicle collided with a garage door. The garage door was damaged. The air bags did…

Airbag MalfunctionsπŸ’₯ CrashMar 28, 2023

No codes on the dash, police said the airbags malfunctioned. Car hit an embankment on the front right side then the car flipped over. The steering wheel did not deploy. All of the side airbags, both bottom and top side airbags came out still folded and did not inflate. Car is…

Airbag MalfunctionsπŸ’₯ CrashJan 11, 2023

My husband made a left turn from a center lane and didn't see a vehicle coming at us because of the blind spot. We hit the other vehicle on the front right side. The airbags deployed and the side airbag exploded and burned my right arm badly. I now have injury scars from the pass…

Airbag MalfunctionsπŸ’₯ CrashNov 25, 2022

The contact was a former police officer who had been tasked with investigating a vehicle crash that involved a 2009 Honda Civic. The contact stated that while the owner was driving at a yet-to-be-determined rate of speed, he hit a dip in the road which sent the vehicle airborne a…

Uncategorized IssuesOct 31, 2022

I have the same problem with the readiness codes on my 2009 Honda Civic 4DSD during my inspection this week, October 2022. This also happened in 2019 and I drove the vehicle between 250-300 miles before the codes reset. This time I have driven the vehicle the same amount and the …

Brake SystemSep 24, 2022

3 times my fooit has sliped off the brake pedal and on to the gas pedal. In all cases i was able to go back to the break pedal and stop. it seems the break pedal is slipery. In all cases the car lurched foward. This has never happened in any of the other cars that i…

Uncategorized IssuesMay 16, 2022

I am the second owner of this car when I bought it had 40k it's at 92k ..I have had to replace the engine mounts 2x now 3 if you consider the mounts on car when was manufactured :(

Seat Belt IssuesApr 18, 2022

When removing my 4 day old infant (in her brand new car seat), I noticed the seat belt was very loose. I securely fastened her in before leaving to visit family for Easter. When I lifted the car seat, the seat belt buckle was laying in the base. The strap securing the seat buckle…

Uncategorized IssuesApr 5, 2022

The Navigation system's clock automatically resets to Jan 1st 2002 4:00 o'clock and when you try to manually change the clock settings, it just immediately goes back to 12:00. This seems to have effected tons of Civic with the navigation system since Jan 2022.

Page 1 of 20

Source: NHTSA Complaints Database. Real owner reports for the 2009 Honda Civic.

Recalls for 2009 Honda Civic

8 campaigns

NHTSA recall campaigns for the 2009 Honda Civic. Recalls are free to fix at any authorized dealer. Run a VIN check below to see if your specific vehicle has open recalls.

18V268000Invalid Date
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

19V502000Invalid Date
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

19V378000Invalid Date
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

17V545000Invalid Date
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

18V042000Sep 1, 2018
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

17V030000Oct 1, 2017
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

16V346000Invalid Date
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

08V535000Invalid Date
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS

2009 Honda Civic β€” FAQ

Answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this specific model year.

Is the 2009 Honda Civic reliable?β–Ύ

Severe Issues. The 2009 Honda Civic has 393 NHTSA owner complaints, 42 crash-related, and 8 recall campaigns. The most reported issue is Airbag Malfunctions (95 complaints). Source: NHTSA via VinSpector AI.

What are the most common problems with the 2009 Honda Civic?β–Ύ

#1: Airbag Malfunctions (95 complaints). #2: Brake System (51 complaints). #3: Structural Problems (44 complaints)

At what mileage do problems start on the 2009 Honda Civic?β–Ύ

Mileage data is not available or insufficient for this model year.

How safe is the 2009 Honda Civic?β–Ύ

The 2009 Honda Civic has 42 crash-related complaints and 6 fire reports out of 393 total NHTSA complaints. 39 injuries were reported. For NCAP lab crash test star ratings, visit nhtsa.gov/ratings.

Does the 2009 Honda Civic have any recalls?β–Ύ

Yes β€” 8 NHTSA recall campaigns affect the 2009 Honda Civic. The largest issue: AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE. Check nhtsa.gov/recalls or run a VIN check to see if your specific vehicle has open recalls.

Should I buy a 2009 Honda Civic?β–Ύ

The 2009 Honda Civic has severe issues β€” review the top problems before buying. Pay particular attention to Airbag Malfunctions issues. Always run a VIN check on the specific car you're considering to check for accident history, open recalls, and title brands.

Source: NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) complaint and recall databases, aggregated by VinSpector AI.

Wider context: See the full Honda Civic reliability report with year-by-year comparison.

Check Your Specific 2009 Honda Civic

Real owner complaints tell you about the model. The VIN tells you about your specific car β€” accidents, title issues, odometer fraud. Full report just $4.99.