2008 Honda Civic Problems
What owners have reported about the 2008 Honda Civic, which problems come up most, at what mileage, and which recalls to check.
From NHTSA owner complaints and recalls. Updated Oct 17, 2026.
Is the 2008 Honda Civic a good year?
It's one of the worst years for the Civic. Owners have filed 916 complaints with NHTSA, the 2nd most of 19 Civic model years. The most reported problems involve the engine, airbags and wipers and visibility.
916 complaints 7 recalls, 1 fire risk 2nd worst of 19 Civic years
Top 2008 Honda Civic problems
Engine problems
207 complaints (23%) name the engine, most often the engine and cooling system.
Airbag problems
177 complaints (19%) name the airbags, most often the frontal and side / window.
Wiper and visibility problems
133 complaints (14%) name the wipers and visibility, most often the defroster / defogger / HVAC system and power window devices and controls.
Suspension problems
99 complaints (11%) name the suspension, most often the rear and front.
Which parts fail most
Share of complaints that name each system. One complaint can name several.
Mileage when it failed
Each dot is a complaint that gave a mileage (676 of 916). The amber line is the middle value, about 50,000 miles.
When problems were reported
Complaints by the year the problem happened.
2008 Honda Civic recalls
Inflator module
The vehicles are equipped with passenger frontal air bag inflators assembled as a recall remedy part or replacement service part, that may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling. An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. Honda's numbers for this recall are F5F and Q5E.
Recall 19V502000 · Jun 2019Inflator module
Can stallThe front passenger air bag inflator may have been installed incorrectly during replacement. 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.
Fix: 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. Honda's numbers for this recall are M4O, P4R, T4Q, and W4P.
Recall 19V378000 · May 2019Inflator module
Can stallThe front passenger air bag may have been installed incorrectly during replacement. An incorrectly installed air bag may deploy improperly in the event of a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
Fix: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and, if necessary, replace the passenger frontal air bag module assembly, free of charge. Honda's numbers for this recall are K1P, and M1O.
Recall 18V268000 · Apr 2018Inflator module
Can stallOne dealership may have incorrectly installed the replacement air bag inflators. 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.
Fix: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag module assembly, free of charge. Honda's numbers for this recall are O07, Y0A, N06, G05, M04, Y01, and O09.
Recall 17V545000 · Aug 2017Inflator module
S. Virgin Islands, or "Zone A." Additionally, if not included in "Zone A" above, Honda is recalling certain 2009 Acura TSX, Honda Fit and Pilot, 2008-2009 Honda Accord, 2006-2009 Civic, Civic Hybrid and Civic NGV, and 2007-2009 Honda CR-V vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia, or "Zone B." Additionally, if not included in "Zone B" above, Honda is recalling certain 2008 Honda Accord, 2006-2008 Honda Civic, Civic Hybrid and Civic NGV and 2007-2008 Honda CR-V vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, and Wyoming. These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules used as original equipment or replacement equipment. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the front air bags, these inflators may rupture due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling. An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger side air bag inflator, free of charge. Honda's numbers for this recall are KE1 and KE2.
Recall 17V030000 · Jan 2017Inflator module
S. Virgin Islands, or "Zone A." Additionally, unless already included in "Zone A" above, Honda is recalling certain model year 2008 Honda Accord, 2006-2008 Civic, Civic Hybrid and Civic GX, and 2007-2008 CR-V vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia, or "Zone B." Vehicles not originally sold or ever registered in either Zones A or B are not subject to this safety recall. These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules, and used as original equipment or replacement equipment. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the front air bags, these inflators may rupture due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling. An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the inflator, free of charge. Honda's numbers for this recall is KA4, KA5, KA6, and KA7.
Recall 16V346000 · May 2016Hoses, lines / piping, and fittings
Fire riskA bracket that covers the fuel hose connector is secured with a bolt and nut, but during assembly the nut was not installed. 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.
Fix: Dealers will install a nut on the fuel feed hose bracket.
Recall 08V535000 · Oct 2008Get an email when your 2008 Honda Civic gets a new recall
We check NHTSA every month. If a new recall or safety investigation covers the 2008 Honda Civic, you'll hear about it the same week.
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Civic years to avoid
Total NHTSA complaints by model year. Newer years have had less time on the road, so their totals will keep climbing. See the full comparison.
2008 Honda Civic problems by system
Common questions
Is the 2008 Honda Civic a reliable year?
It's one of the worst years for the Civic. Owners have filed 916 complaints with NHTSA, the 2nd most of 19 Civic model years. The most reported problems involve the engine, airbags and wipers and visibility.
What are the most common 2008 Honda Civic problems?
Owners most often report problems with the engine, airbags, wipers and visibility and suspension. 207 complaints (23%) name the engine, most often the engine and cooling system.
At what mileage do 2008 Honda Civic engine problems start?
Reported mileage ranged widely, but most complaints fell between about 55,000–123,000 miles, with a middle value near 99,000 miles.
How many recalls does the 2008 Honda Civic have?
7. Inflator module (19V502000); Inflator module (19V378000); Inflator module (18V268000). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see if the work was done.
Should I buy a used 2008 Honda Civic?
Ask for service records covering the engine, confirm the recall work was done, and compare with the 2026, 2025 and 2024 models, which have the fewest complaints.
Source: NHTSA complaints and recalls databases. Complaints are unverified owner reports. Counts include each complaint once per model year.