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.
The contact owns a 2008 Honda Civic. The contact took the vehicle to an independent mechanic who stated that the there was coolant leaking into the engine. The contact took the vehicle to the dealer because it was under warranty, but the dealer stated that there were no leaks. The leak caused the vehicle to over heat several times. The failure mileage was 38,000 and the current mileage was 47,000.
2008 Honda Civic. Consumer states problem with the engine and brakes the consumer stated the air conditioner was not working properly for 20 -30 minutes at a time while driving. The ac knob was turned on, but the blower was not working. When the consumer returned to the dealer, she was informed dye had been placed in the ac system and to return in 3 weeks to see if there were any leaks. The consumer returned 3 weeks later and no leaks were found. The dealer advised the consumer that nothing could be done unless ac/heater blower was not working at the time. In December 2009, while it was raining, the windshield became fogged, because the blower was not working. The consumer was able to get to the dealer in time for them to witness, that the ac/ heater blower was not working, but as the technician went to drive the vehicle into the service bay, it began working again. On one occasion when the consumer arrived at the dealer, the blower was not working, but when the door was closed, it began working again. The consumer believed there is a wiring problem. The consumer also stated the engine would surge when the brake was applied.
2008 Honda Civic hybrid ima dash light and engine light come on at approximately 31,000 miles. I was driving and all of the sudden the integrated motor assist light on the dash and the engine light came on. I stopped and read that this indicated a problem with the integrated motor assist and that performance would be affected which it was. Acceleration was sluggish and slow from a stand still. I took it to the dealership immediately and was asked if I had received a recall notice which I said I had not. They said they were aware of the problem and that it required a software upgrade. I left the car for about 30 minutes and when I returned they said that they flashed the computer and did an upgrade. After this there were no more problems. I have looked at NHTSA and Honda site and there is no mention of this problem or a recall listed on any site. I just wanted to let you know that this may be a problem. Thank you.
Have a 08 Civic hybrid with 89K miles. Got the recent battery software upgrade several weeks ago. Have had a sudden drop in battery charge down to one or two bars, both before and after the upgrade. Recovery usually fairly quick, driving on the interstate, 72 mph, all of a sudden dash went dark and engine stopped. No warnings or lights beforehand. Coasted to the side of the road. Able to restart immediately. Happened twice more over the next 30 minutes. These times put the car in neutral and restarted as I coasted. Tank about 1/3 full with shell gas. Filled the tank with off brand gas and drove the rest of the way ok. Took it to Honda dealer. They checked engine (no codes) and electrical system. Nothing found. Have to drive this car every weekend for 400 mile round trip. Concerned about upcoming weekend.
The contact owns a 2008 Honda Civic ex (N/a). The contact was traveling 45 mph and attempted to accelerate when the vehicle suddenly began losing power. The check engine light illuminated so the contact pulled over to the shoulder and turned the vehicle off. The vehicle was then towed to an authorized dealer and the contact was informed the bottom of the engine had a crack. The service manager then called back and stated that there was a problem with the headers and the radiator was melted because the vehicle had overheated. The failure mileage and current mileages were approximately 32,000.
- Washingtonville, NY, USA
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Honda software update on my 2008 Civic has made my car lethargic to drive. It is now dangerous to drive in normal traffic. Gas mileage has dropped from ~40mpg to ~35 forcing me to stop more often to fill up and costing me lots more money to drive.
In August 2010 I took my 2008 Honda Civic hybrid to the dealer for routine maintenance. The dealer performed a purported software update on the battery system without notifying me until afterwards. Immediately upon leaving the dealer, I noticed a profound reduction in power and acceleration. On the freeway portion of the drive home, I was almost rear-ended twice as I drove in the slow lane up a minor grade where the vehicle could not accelerate over 40 miles per hour (with the pedal fully depressed in the passing gear)-- prior to this date I had driven my vehicle for its prior 20 months of ownership up that same grade at 70mph. Additionally, prior to this date I had never even utilized the "S" gear on my transmission. Ever since Honda's software update my car has become a severely underpowered accident waiting to happen. I am reduced to driving in the slow lane on the freeway with vehicles flashing me as they approach a 40-45 mph vehicle at 60-70 mph from behind. I have called the Honda service departments at several local dealers regarding this problem, and get a universal response- "wait for your system to adjust to the software update" or "you need to adjust your driving". what the heck does this mean? I drove the vehicle fine for 20 months prior to the software update and now it drives like a 20 year old 4 cylinder engine with 2 bad pistons. The decreased power and acceleration are a dangerous accident in the making. I am fearful of being rear ended. This is an every day problem that was caused by this "software update" and I suspect that it is happening to every 2006-2008 Honda Civic hybrid that goes to the dealer for this software update. An additional consequence of this alleged "software update" is a profound drop in gas mileage from approximately 37 combined mpg prior to "update" to 29-30 post "update". I have never lodged a complaint with any organization before, but like I've previously stated, this "update" is a danger to the public.
We only received one warning the engine overheated for no reason then we found out we had a defective engine from Honda in a 2008 Civic. The engine was replaced but they know they have a defective engine block in the Honda Civic 2008, 2007, and 2006 so how do we know if we did or did not receive another block with the same problem. This could overheat and cause a fire. We were not given a new warranty on the replaced engine. We were not reimbursed on expenses to rent a car, and fly back to pick up car and towing.
The vehicle will sometimes not start when turning the key the first time. The vehicle makes a very weak attempt to start (20% of normal.). then on the second attempt turning the key the vehicle will start. I have reported this to Honda and they have no idea what to do.
On January 23, 2010, I was involved in a single automobile accident, on highway 111, in indian wells, ca. Roads were wet that day. I recall my vehicle hydro-planing and spinning out of control. That is the last I recall, as I believe I was knocked unconscious, I awoke minutes later to find myself still in the drivers seat, to find my back seat engulfed in flames. I managed to free myself from my seat belt and get out through the drivers side window. As managed to get on my feet I walked away from the vehicle just in time for it to explode.. O my next concern is as doing some research after the accident, I came across some interesting information regarding a recall on that type of vehicle. I purchased my vehicle in June 2008, and recall letters were sent out on October 2008. I never received such a letter. I am concerned to what caused my vehicle to catch fire and explode. I contacted a Honda mtg. Company, and spoke to a case manager and opened a claim. On March 31, 2010, I received a phone call from him, and he said that there was no recall on such vehicle. My personal opinion, he came to that conclusion based on a list of VIN numbers., no investigation was done as far as checking the vehicle or taking the time to find out if my vehicle was just one that was bypassed and not put on the VIN list. I personally do not feel that they put much effort in finding out why my vehicle exploded. I am now stuck with a balance, medical bills, and no vehicle. Please help me in this matter, for I feel this matter was not taken seriously.
The contact owns a 2008 Honda Civic LX. While approaching a traffic light at speeds of 45 mph on normal road conditions, a strong odor of coolant circulated inside of the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer for inspection. The failure was contributed to a cracked engine block. There were no recalls on the vehicle pertaining to the failure. No repairs were made. The failure mileage was 106,000.
2008 Honda Civic. Will not start when turning over on the first attempt. Will crank, but does not start up. Then will start on second attempt, but does not start clean (putters). Seems to be a defect in ignition or relay of starting vehicle.
The contact owns 2008 Honda Civic LX. While driving between 10-15 mph the engine began to rev. Afterwards when attempting to decelerate he had to increase his stopping distances. The failures occurred intermittently. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer on three separate occasions for the identical failures. The technician was unable to duplicate the failures. No repairs were made. The failure mileage was 5,170. The current mileage was 5,515.
My 2008 Civic ex-L ac condenser was damaged by a road debris\pebble. The dealer tells me that it's not covered under warranty, cost $750. Honda tells me to report it to my insurance. Why should I, after deductible, I'll only save $250 which I'll lose when my premium goes up.this is not right! Honda\dealer should inform this flaw to the customer and provide suggestion on how to help prevent this such as a deflector. One like a windshield deflector or something. If this component has to be in the front of the car by design, why wouldn't they design it to be more durable? I'm so upset at Honda. After repair I'll be driving while worrying about small objects on the road which I shouldn't have to. And the sad part is that according to what I read on forums, so many other Honda owners people have experienced this.
I just purchased fully a 2008 Honda Civic from Honda of bowie in bowie Maryland on Aug 22, 2008. I went to charlotte, nc for the holidays. After parking the car I had to move it 5 feet. I did not drive the car for 3 days thereafter. I proceeded to start the car on the 3rd day and it would not start. I let the car sit and then tried to start it again. The lights started to dim and it would not start. I called bowie and talked to bill. He instructed me to called Honda in charlotte and have it towed and Honda would "eat the cost". I did as instructed. I towed it and the service rep tried to start it and said this may be serious. The mechanic put the pedal to the floor, a cloud of black foul-smelling odor came out and the car started up. I called bowie on January 2, 2009, no one was available, they say, to speak with me, and Mr. Williamson would not call me back. I was told that this incident was not covered under the warranty. This was purchased as a brand new car. I do not fill safe in this car!!! I am in the process of trying to obtain my money back from this dealer. I am a young woman that travels alot and because I, as a young woman on the road, was not able to diagnosis my car with dimming lights and not starting up, I had to pay the towing which was suppose to be under the warranty. There needs to be an investigation to see whether any other "08 Civic from Honda of bowie has had this problem. If not, I am reporting the first.
Small pebble hit condenser on my 2008 Honda Civic while driving unbeknownst to me. The dealer says it has caused a small hole in condenser and has to be replaced. On examination damage is not readily noticeable. The car is only 3 mos. Old. I feel this is a design flaw, and have noted that many others have complained about the same problem, so it quite common. I think Honda should address the problem and fix it, and have it covered by warranty.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Lathonia, GA, USA