The Lemon Index2008 Honda Civic.
The 2008 Honda Civic is about average by owner complaints: 362 complaints in its first 3 years and a Lemon Index of 108, where 100 is the average car. Owners complain most about visibility, it has 7 recalls, and it gets 24 to 42 mpg combined. The best Honda Civic year is 2011.
Before you buy. What matters most for this car.
How serious. Out of 987 owner complaints, owners reported:
Older model year: fewer owners filed complaints back then, so treat the score as rough.
Every Honda Civic year. 2008 is highlighted. Lower is better.
What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.
Share of this year's owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not the share of cars that break. One complaint can name more than one area.
When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.
Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 23K to 96K miles on the car (735 complaints listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
- airbags complaints mostly came at 46K–120K miles
- engine complaints mostly came at 78K–133K miles
- visibility complaints mostly came at 25K–55K miles
Recalls 7
- airbags 2019
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 …
- airbags 2019
The front passenger air bag inflator may have been installed incorrectly during replacement.
- airbags 2018
The front passenger air bag may have been installed incorrectly during replacement.
Show all 7 recalls
- airbags 2017
One dealership may have incorrectly installed the replacement air bag inflators.
- airbags 2017
An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
- airbags 2016
An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
- fuel system, gasoline 2008
HONDA IS RECALLING 128 MY 2008-2009 CIVIC SEDANS.
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.
Problems Honda told dealers about
Honda sent dealers 81 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- Install crankshaft pulley correctly to prevent oil pump damage
- See document search button for owner letter
- Engineering request for investigation
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Government investigations
- ClosedPedestrian alert sounds2023
NHTSA looks into a problem when enough owners report it. Many end in a recall.
Safety
Crash stars (older test): front ★★★★★ · side ★★★★☆ · rollover ★★★★☆
Fuel cost and engines
About $1550–3300 a year in fuel (EPA estimate). Engines: 1.3L 4-cyl, 1.8L 4-cyl, 2.0L 4-cyl.
In owners' words
Faulty rear upper arms in the 2008 Honda Civic hybrid causing rear tires to become severely cupped. I spoke to Honda corporate manager who said that they do not care about the tires.
2008 Honda Civic owner · NHTSA complaint 10303210
More owner reports
I have a 2008 Honda Civic. The sun visor passenger side has cracked and failed. It is a known defect at Honda, but they refuse to issue a recall or replace it for free.
NHTSA complaint 10353098
2008 Honda Civic coupe sun visor driver side just split and dropped down blocking the view just like that while driving. Have to use the hand to hold up the visor.
NHTSA complaint 10410241
Quick answers
Is the 2008 Honda Civic reliable?
About average by government complaints. It drew about the average number of complaints filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 108; 100 is average, lower is better). The best Honda Civic year by this measure is 2011.
What are the most common 2008 Honda Civic problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are visibility (26%), suspension (20%) and engine (11%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2008 Honda Civic have?
7 safety recalls (latest: airbags). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2008 Honda Civic get?
24 to 42 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
At what mileage do 2008 Honda Civic problems start?
Half of the owners who gave a mileage reported the problem between 23,000 and 96,000 miles. The middle report was at 51,000 miles, from 735 complaints.
Does the 2008 Honda Civic have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 9% of its owner complaints.
How much does the 2008 Honda Civic cost in fuel a year?
About $1550 to $3300 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2008 Honda Civic have?
1.3L 4-cyl, 1.8L 4-cyl, 2.0L 4-cyl.
What Honda Civic year is better than the 2008?
By owner complaints per car sold, the best recent years are 2011, 2013 and 2015.
Lemon Index = safety complaints filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) in a car's first 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model year. 100 is average; lower is better. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works