10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
1 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
3 / 0
Average Mileage:
67,728 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2009 Honda Civic engine problems

engine problem

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2009 Honda Civic Owner Comments (Page 1 of 2)

problem #24

Sep 242022

Civic

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

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 have driven and continue to drive. Now with this honda it has happened 3 times.

- Wakefield, RI, USA

problem #23

May 162022

Civic

  • miles
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 :(

- Santa Cruz , CA, USA

problem #22

Jul 192019

Civic

  • miles
Honda Civic cracked motor block is leaking antifreeze that the car occupants unknowingly are inhaling. I ended up in Mission Viejo Hospital. For kidney and heart problems. I would inhale antifreeze three to four hours a day driving back and forth to work. This is a health crisis because it's deadly. How many elderly, pregnant women and small children or subjected to these poisonous toxin. Needs to be addressed ASAP.

- San Juan Capistrano, CA, USA

problem #21

Dec 082020

Civic

  • 165,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

I started my vehicle up after work and it was idling rough but then stabilized so I payed it no mind. Soon as I merged onto the highway when my check engine light started to flash. I immediately loss power and the vehicle started to decelerate. I turned on my hazards, pressed on the pedal to accelerate but the vehicle was bogging and wouldn't accelerate pass 50mph. I safely got off on the next exit and shut off the vehicle. I turned the vehicle back on and made it home safely. This is the second time this happened. I changed multiple parts on the vehicle since then, yet it continues to happen. I took the vehicle to the dealership and they could not figure it out.

- Chula Vista, CA, USA

problem #20

Sep 032019

Civic

  • 154,000 miles
Driving down the road and the car just shut off = car engine block burned up ther was no fluid in the engine VIN: 2hg vehicle mileage: 153,684 description: Warranty extension: Engine block supersedes 10-048, dated December 18, 2013, to revise the information highlighted in yellow. Affected vehicles year model trim VIN range 2006'08 Civic all all vins beginning with 1hg or 2hg ' check eligibility with a in VIN status inquiry. 2009 Civic all all vins beginning with 1hg, 19X, and 2hg ' check eligibility with a in VIN status inquiry. Their own internal finding about defective motors. We understand that were a small percentage, but that not does negate us having a big issue. We are being penalized for something that the Honda knows to be a issue.

- Dale City, VA, USA

problem #19

Sep 062019

Civic

  • miles
After numerous visits to ocean Honda of burlingame to discuss that the car I purchased was never actually completely "properly certified" as was discussed; and the fact that I brought it in numerous times. - I have had no cooperation. Please verify with lisa mendez who just verified to sales mgr van that the car has been probelematic since purchase and should be traded out. I do not feel and have not felt I'm driving a completely safe or dependable car. Most recent visit to discuss issues was 09/06/19 and I had been there already 3 times within the previous 2 weeks for continuing issues with lights coming on after I had service and after I had asked if there was anything needed. I was told I was all good !!... now just spent $460 to find out that I need $1700 work and there are recalls I wasn't notified about. There is previous documented complaint I filed on this car a long while back. I have been trying to get them to take it back since I got it due to one thing or another. Just doesn't feel stable or secure. They should take it back and deal with it themselves. Initial complaint logged was due to a replaced seal of some sort that they broke and replaced again, I was driving and it started making a burning smell. They replaced again, but still seems not right and engine hazard lights come on -- and they clear them and tell me its ok.... does not feel ok, and was not ok. I am not waiting for an accident to happen however my numerous visits and pleas to exchange and take back the car have gone upon deaf ears and they (sales) have now become rude. I feel like dropping off the car to them and giving them the keys and they can deal with it however I'm so upset that I "must have a car" so I am trying to find a new car now and having no lock since my credit is ruined.

- San Mateo, CA, USA

problem #18

Apr 242019

Civic

  • 138,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The car overheated on the freeway with leaking coolant at about 138K miles. It was found that it is a cracked engine block near the waterpump. This is a know issue with the VIN number at Honda. We are just outside the 10 yr mark by 7 months (purchased used 1 wk outside of the 10 yr mark).

- Forest Lake, MN, USA

problem #17

Dec 272018

Civic

  • 133,000 miles
Crack in engine block - driving on highway, came to stoplight and noticed steam coming from engine and overheated. Stopped to look under hood, smelled of coolant. Checked hoses, clamps, radiator.... everything looked fine. Bought a gallon of coolant, poured directly into radiator. It needed the whole gallon. It did not overheat after refilling coolant, but the next day the engine started rattling and running poorly. I could not drive over 50mph. I took to Honda dealer, they said it is crack in engine block, known problem with '06-'09 Honda but out of warranty, so they will not replace engine.

- Boyertown, PA, USA

problem #16

Feb 202018

Civic

  • 144,000 miles
The contact owns a 2009 Honda Civic. The contact noticed a leak from the radiator. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that there was a crack in the engine. The independent mechanic referred the contact to 1st Honda of simi valley (2203 first St, simi valley, ca 93065, 805-433-9526) where it was diagnosed that there was an engine crack and stated that the vehicle was out of warranty. There was no warning indicator illuminated. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and stated that the vehicle was out of warranty. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 144,000.

- Simi Valley, CA, USA

problem #15

May 062014

Civic 4-cyl

  • miles
2009 Honda Civic. Consumer writes in regards to engine block crack on vehicle. The consumer stated the vehicle should be repaired under warranty. Updated 10/24/2017

- Downers Grove, IL, USA

problem #14

Aug 202017

Civic 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 109,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The contact owns a 2009 Honda Civic. While driving, the vehicle suddenly shut off. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who replaced the ignition switch, but the failure continued. The mechanic also diagnosed that the engine block was cracked and was leaking coolant. The vehicle was not repaired. The local dealer (Honda super store of lisle, illionis) and the manufacturer were notified of the failures. The failure mileage was 109,000. Updated 10/26/17 the consumer stated several cylinders were damaged as a result of the engine crack.

- Downers Grove, IL, USA

problem #13

Aug 182017

Civic

  • 107,000 miles
Developed a cracked engine block, Honda service people showed the crack and told us to call Honda. Honda bulletin 10-048 listed extended warranty of 10 years for 2006-2009 Honda Civics. Spoke with a Honda representative initially who told us that repair would be covered. Honda dealership took a few days to look into the issue and told us we did not have the correct VIN number for the repair. Our Honda is the same make model and year of cars affected, has the same problem many many other Honda drivers have faced. Yet, our Honda will not be covered by the extended warranty. Frustrated owner that has corporate owners doing as little as possible to address big issues

- Canton, OH, USA

problem #12

Apr 202017

Civic

  • 111,600 miles
Our 2009 Honda Civic si I purchased with my son began overheating on the highway on his way to work. We immediately took it to our regular mechanic & they thought it was a water pump issue, but upon further inspection discovered the engine block was cracked & leaking coolant. He also found for us, an american Honda service bulletin that says Honda Civics, years 2006-2009, are eligible for a new installed engine block at Honda's expense, if your VIN shows as eligible. We had it towed to brookdale Honda, our regular dealer & repair shop where we have purchased 5 vehicles. They too, thought it was the water pump so we had that repaired at a cost of $730. We picked it up on Saturday April 22, 2017, only to have the same issue that night again on the way home from work. Temperature was getting extremely hot, leaking coolant, & the engine was smelling. We brought it back to the dealer again on Monday April 24th, & it was not inspected until Tuesday April 25. My service advisor called & asked me what the problem was...I told him the same thing as before, temperature gauge getting very hot/leaking coolant/engine smelling. I mentioned that our mechanic said to look for an engine block leak in the same location as the cracked engine block shows in the 10-048 Honda extended warranty S.B. campaign picture shows. Sure enough, he looks there and calls me to say what I already knew. However the VIN number does not match the recall warranty so they said they can't help me with this $5500 repair. We still owe $10,500 on the vehicle & its now worthless or we drive an unsafe vehicle anyway & get stranded on the highway or in an accident because the car catches on fire from overheating. Vehicle was in motion when overheating/leaking coolant occurred. How can our vehicle be excluded when this is dangerous & still happening to Honda Civic owners all over with 10 yr warranty & they said no.

- Ramsey, MN, USA

problem #11

Oct 122016

Civic

  • miles
The contact owns a 2009 Honda Civic. The contact stated that the vehicle leaked water and caused the engine to overheat without warning. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who stated that the failure was not covered under a recall. The failure recurred. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure was not repaired. The failure mileage was unknown.

- Selma, AL, USA

problem #10

Apr 122012

Civic 4-cyl

  • 36,000 miles
I brought a Honda Civic 2009 in 2012, April 12. The Honda was supposed to be sold with a power train warranty to bring car up to date for 36000 miles/3 yr. Honda did not offer an extended warranty for these purposes. They called a year later to see if we would then extend the vehicle to 120 miles. We had already purchased an additional warranty called assurance pay to paylink approx $112 mo. We were one payment to the last and Honda finally called, we purchased their warranty too. The car should have been automatic from the sale date. Door locks and ignition/cylinder work and other repairs such as break work have been performed on vehicle since. I am reporting unfair selling practices. Details and repair work will be submitted upon request. Thus vehicle safety issues upon purchase.

- Hampton, VA, USA

problem #9

Feb 022011

Civic

  • 38,868 miles
Front right motor mount is broke, was vibration when you put it in reverse. Now it has a vibration all the time.

- Piedmont, AL, USA

problem #8

Dec 092015

Civic

  • 150,000 miles
Interior center led brake light failed, right side engine mount failed, atomic blue paint on roof and edges of rear fenders around trunk faded and chalky.

- San Jose, CA, USA

problem #7

Oct 152015

Civic

  • 42,000 miles
Clear coat on paint failed after 3 years. Sun visors failed after 4 years and 35K miles. Motor mounts failed at 5 years and 42K miles.

- Texarkana, TX, USA

problem #6

Feb 202015

Civic

  • 53,000 miles
I was driving my 2009 manual Honda Civic with a 55K on it and the temp outside was -20 F, on the high way at about 75 mph, nothing was abnormal on my dashboard and the car was on the 5 th transmission the car suddenly stopped responding to my acceleration and the engine light blinked three times before my engine completely stopped, it was freezing outside and there was a froth bite warning. I parked safely on the side thanks god there were no much of a traffic on the high way otherwise it would have been disastrous. I checked my battery and nothing was wrong with it, so I checked my oil which I just changed 10 days ago, I found out that my oil checking stick is completely burnt and the remains was black. At this time I was sure that it something bad. I towed the car to the mechanic and arrived safely to my home. I checked online on my warranty and recalls or bulletins, I found out that Honda has this problem and I called the Honda customer service and they told me sorry your car is not covered under this bulletin, an unresponsible car manufacturer who produced an engine that fails in 5 years after 55K and doesn't claim responsibility, no comment!!!!!. as if safety is the last thing that matters for those companies, putting me and my family at risk and claiming no responsibly for their product.

- Novi, MI, USA

problem #5

Dec 132014

Civic

  • 74,000 miles
Stopped at an stop light in town when vehicle RPM suddenly went to 5900 RPM and vehicle attempted to accelerate. Had foot on brake and was able to stop. Put vehicle in park but RPM stayed around 5900-6000. Turned off ignition and restarted. Vehicle drove normally. Took vehicle to dealer who could not find a problem. There are over 50 cases of this same behavior reported online, in all cases the dealer could not find a problem.

- Canton, GA, USA

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