2009 Honda Civic Problems
What owners have reported about the 2009 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 2009 Honda Civic a good year?
It's about average for this model. Owners have filed 395 complaints with NHTSA, the 9th most of 19 Civic model years. The most reported problems involve the airbags, brakes and body and structure.
395 complaints 8 recalls, 1 fire risk 9th worst of 19 Civic years
Top 2009 Honda Civic problems
Airbag problems
95 complaints (24%) name the airbags, most often the frontal and side / window.
Brake problems
51 complaints (13%) name the brakes, most often the rotor.
Body problems
45 complaints (11%) name the body and structure, most often the body and sun visor.
Engine problems
39 complaints (10%) name the engine, most often the engine and cooling system.
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 (258 of 395). The amber line is the middle value, about 32,000 miles.
When problems were reported
Complaints by the year the problem happened.
2009 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
S. Virgin Islands or "Zone A." Additionally, Honda is recalling certain 2010-2012 Acura TSX, Honda Accord, Accord Crosstour, Fit and Pilot, 2010-2011 Honda Civic, Civic NGV, Civic Hybrid and CR-V, and 2010 Acura ZDX and Honda Insight vehicles ever registered in the states of 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." Unless included in Zones A or B above, Honda is recalling certain 2009 Acura TSX, Honda Accord, Civic, Civic NGV, Civic Hybrid, CR-V, Fit, and Pilot vehicles ever registered in the states of 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 or "Zone C." These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the frontal air bag modules, and used as original equipment or replacement equipment (such as after a vehicle crash necessitating replacement of the original air bags), may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to higher 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 B0K and L0J.
Recall 18V042000 · Jan 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 2009 Honda Civic gets a new recall
We check NHTSA every month. If a new recall or safety investigation covers the 2009 Honda Civic, you'll hear about it the same week.
One email per new recall. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.
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.
Common questions
Is the 2009 Honda Civic a reliable year?
It's about average for this model. Owners have filed 395 complaints with NHTSA, the 9th most of 19 Civic model years. The most reported problems involve the airbags, brakes and body and structure.
What are the most common 2009 Honda Civic problems?
Owners most often report problems with the airbags, brakes, body and structure and engine. 95 complaints (24%) name the airbags, most often the frontal and side / window.
At what mileage do 2009 Honda Civic airbags problems start?
Reported mileage ranged widely, but most complaints fell between about 48,000–100,000 miles, with a middle value near 76,000 miles.
How many recalls does the 2009 Honda Civic have?
8. 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 2009 Honda Civic?
Ask for service records covering the airbags, 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.