The Lemon Index2009 Honda Civic.
The 2009 Honda Civic is better than average by owner complaints: 174 complaints in its first 3 years and a Lemon Index of 81, where 100 is the average car. Owners complain most about electrical, it has 8 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 426 owner complaints, owners reported:
Older model year: fewer owners filed complaints back then, so treat the score as rough.
Every Honda Civic year. 2009 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 13K to 68K miles on the car (290 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–103K miles
- electrical complaints mostly came at 9K–56K miles
- body structure complaints mostly came at 40K–103K miles
Recalls 8
- 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 8 recalls
- airbags 2018
An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
- 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 70 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- On some model vehicles, there is an alternator/starter tester (ast) module capable of testing
- When make tight turn, would hear or feel a popping or clunking noise, after driving over…
- Service Bulletin - There is a pop or clunk from the front suspension area when driving over bumps
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
My 2009 Honda Civic lx is having a hard time starting.
2009 Honda Civic owner · NHTSA complaint 10398708
More owner reports
2009 Honda Civic hybrid. Consumer states air condition failure and problem with indicator lights
NHTSA complaint 10424809
I was backing up and my brakes failed. I had to use the emergency brake to stop the vehicle.
NHTSA complaint 10359469
Quick answers
Is the 2009 Honda Civic reliable?
Yes, better than average by government complaints. It drew 1.2× fewer complaints than average filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 81; 100 is average, lower is better). The best Honda Civic year by this measure is 2011.
What are the most common 2009 Honda Civic problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are electrical (18%), brakes (14%) and suspension (13%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2009 Honda Civic have?
8 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 2009 Honda Civic get?
24 to 42 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
At what mileage do 2009 Honda Civic problems start?
Half of the owners who gave a mileage reported the problem between 13,500 and 68,200 miles. The middle report was at 32,600 miles, from 290 complaints.
Does the 2009 Honda Civic have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 10% of its owner complaints.
How much does the 2009 Honda Civic cost in fuel a year?
About $1550 to $3300 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2009 Honda Civic have?
1.3L 4-cyl, 1.8L 4-cyl, 2.0L 4-cyl.
What Honda Civic year is better than the 2009?
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