10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
2 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
1 / 0
Average Mileage:
52,666 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.

2008 Honda Civic steering problems

steering problem

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2008 Honda Civic Owner Comments

problem #20

Jun 182022

Civic

  • miles

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

Air bags: ?passive restraint system items and devices that protect occupants in a crash such as front, side, side curtain air bag light stayed on after taken to a recall devices that may present a safety hazard. Body: Windshield panel flew away, failure or detachment body and frame components flew away all body pain pilled away with no reason, and other structural components like inside of car sieling cover pilling off like that may present a safety hazard. Steering: devices and systems used to control vehicle direction to the driver's intent such steering rack/box leaking, hydraulic power steering pumps problem like alot noise and hoses leaking that may present a safety hazard.

- Hempstead, NY, USA

problem #19

Mar 062019

Civic

  • 313,617 miles
On 3/6/19 I was driving home on I-95 North when, without warning, my Civic redlined and overheated. I had the car towed to rockingham Honda in rockingham, nh and the mechanic, dan, diagnosed my car with a cracked engine block. After some research it was discovered that '06-'09 Honda had faulty engines knowingly installed which resulted in Honda of America issuing a warranty extension for 10 years for this cracked engine block error. I purchased this vehicle on 8/14/15 completely unaware of the faulty engine, the extended warranty, or the cost it would be to me. I contacted Honda of America on 3/7/19 to inquire about the warranty and the complimentary replacement/repairs for their poor craftsmanship. I was informed that the warranty expired and does not apply to me since I am not the original owner of the car. Turns out Honda only sent out one notice of the warranty extension and it went to the first owners of the Honda who purchased the cars off a dealership lot. Secondhand owners, like me, had no chance of even knowing there was a recall or opportunity to get this "time bomb" of a repair fixed until it's too late. After a month of having no car and communicating with Honda of America and the mechanic, rockingham Honda quoted the repair to cost $5,600 (which is twice the amount of what kelley blue book values the car to be worth). Honda of America said that since I have no record of getting the car serviced at any of their locations that it's "not they're problem" the warranty expired and I had no knowledge of the offer. There are thousands of people who bought '06-'09 used Honda, are driving a with a faulty engine, completely unaware of the danger and damages they are about to incur due to Honda's inability to follow up with their product.

- Haverhill, MA, USA

problem #18

Dec 272015

Civic

  • 109,000 miles
The contact owned a 2008 Honda Civic. While driving 30 mph in inclement weather, the wheels and the steering column seized. As a result, the contact crashed into a guardrail. The air bags failed to deploy. The vehicle was destroyed and towed to a salvage yard. A police report was filed and there were no injuries. The manufacturer was notified. The failure mileage was approximately 109,000.

- North Andover, MA, USA

problem #17

Jun 182010

Civic 4-cyl

  • 1,500 miles

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

Honda: When make tight turn, left or right would hear or feel a popping or clunking noise, after driving over bumps, coming from the front suspension.

- Memphis, TN, USA

problem #16

Mar 232014

Civic

  • 110,000 miles
The steering wheel began to pull my car to the left side. The steering wheel did not respond to the direction right and felt as if it had gone "limp". the front of the car hit the left center median guardrail. I suffered herniated discs and lumbar back injury. The drivers airbag never deployed resulting in my head hitting the steering wheel. I suffered a concussion and cervical neck injury. There were no other cars involved and no weather conditions. Also I was going below the speed limit. I called Honda and they said they could not explain nor help me with the airbag not deploying and the concussion I suffered. They also could not help me regarding the steering wheel pulling left then "going limp". I am still seeing a neurologist and physical therapist for my lumbar and cervical injuries, and neurological signs and symptoms.

- Goshen, NY, USA

problem #15

Apr 052014

Civic

  • miles
The car steering wheel is locked. The car key fits into the ignition; however, there is no steering. A representative from Honda immediately came to my place of residence and moved the car steering wheel with the key in the ignition but still the steering wheel is locked. He stated he had never seen anything like this. He stated that there are some pins in the steering wheel which makes the steering wheel lockup. I had previously driven the car in the morning and there were no problems. Concerns: Why does the car steering lock-up this because steering is vital to the movement of the car" has this experience occurred with another hondo Civics" next, with all the cover-up of defective parts in cars in the news, I am left wondering is this a concern that is known by the Honda company that has not been reported to the consumer. Finally, the overall safety of the car is a major concern because I have children and what if this is defective problems in which the consumer was never informed.

- Pasadena, CA, USA

problem #14

Feb 172014

Civic

  • miles

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

TL- the contact owns a 2008 Honda Civic. The contact stated that while the vehicle was in a parked/ idle position, the vehicle will shake violently. The engine light is now illuminating on his dashboard. The contact took his vehicle to be diagnosed. The dealer stated the spark plugs would need to be replaced. However, the failure persisted. The manufacture was not contacted. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 115,000. The current mileage was 123,460 miles.

- Greenville, NC, USA

problem #13

Jul 102012

Civic 4-cyl

  • 52,000 miles
In July 2012, I started noticing a clicking noise when I would turn left or right. A friend of mine whose husband owns a garage told me they had received a service bulletin about this same thing. It was dated July 16, 2009, serv. Bull. # 262286. (steering gearbox mounting bolts not torqued correctly). I called Honda's cust. Ser. #. she informed me I could take it to my Honda dealership and they would inspect it for me for $75 I asked her since there was a service bulletin they had sent out to garages, why I had to pay a fee? she said that was protocol. I asked that if it was the same problem as on the service bulletin if I would be reimbursed. She would not say yes, only saying, "possibly." I decided not to go that route. My friend's husband told me to bring my car in and they would look at the mounting bolts to see if they were torqued correctly (for free). This was the service bulletin issue, and sounded like the problem I was having. He inspected it and said they were torqued correctly, but it is still making the noise a year later. It is usually when I turn sharply left or right. My concern I expressed to my friend's husband who looked at my car was that I didn't want the problem to be tearing something else up, and I didn't want something to fall out as I was going down the road, or for my steering mechanism to fail as I was driving. He assured me all of this was ok, but I still wonder"? shouldn't Honda repair issues free of charge, that they put on service bulletins" this is a defect in Honda's manufacturing, not through anything I have done. I feel that Honda should inspect my vehicle free of charge and if this service bulletin issue is the problem, then they should repair it free of charge as well. I would appreciate any assistance you can give me on this matter.

- Munford, TN, USA

problem #12

Feb 152013

Civic

  • 30,000 miles
The contact owns a 2008 Honda Civic. The contact stated that while stopped, there was a banging noise heard from the steering wheel. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for diagnosis. The technician stated that the steering rack would have to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was not further repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 30,000.

- Saunderstown, RI, USA

problem #11

Jan 042013

Civic

  • 80,000 miles
I was turning on from a left lane into a left lane separated by a cement divider; the car went over the cement divider and almost overturned. At night with normal lighting and normal speed. I have had another incident 3 months prior making a right turn. I noticed carefully by comparison of the exact position of similar make sedan cars; this car has the mirror attached to the door panels and presents a hazard (has 2 blind spots) making it especially dangerous at night with low beam lights and old painted divider lines. It needs immediate action and recall so the dealers can reposition the mirrors.

- Austin, TX, USA

problem #10

Jun 202012

Civic 4-cyl

  • 57,000 miles

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

Car started at usual time around 8 am and started vibrating. A very loud exhaust noise started to begin and the car began shaking. The vibrating noise was so loud and everyone in the car could feel the vibration. The front steering wheel as well as the seats were also shaking. Vibrating continued throughout the day and was gone at times when this first began but as days went by it became louder and more obvious by others outside of the car. The car now continues to vibrate not only in the morning but at all times of the day. It shakes at park, drive, and reverse. Car is very uncomfortable to drive and the noise can become very distracting. The car also vibrates so much during these times that I am afraid that something will happen on the highway and am worried about this. Honda dealer will not cover this under power train warranty because the car is now passed the warranty for power train which is 5 year/60,000 miles. Please look into this matter. It seems very common as I researched online and many people are having this issue on their Honda's which most seem after the 2005 models, more common around 2007 + 2008 models.

- Ludlow, MA, USA

problem #9

Sep 122011

Civic

  • 50,000 miles
First thing this morning I tried to set my cruise control at 65 mph, but it didn't work. The speed of the car kept decreasing, despite several attempts to set the cruise. I turned off the cruise and tried to press the gas pedal to drive, and the same problem occurred. In addition, as I tried to increase my speed, the car made a loud humming sound and the rpms on the dash began to increase. Then an indicator light turned on; after driving for a few minutes, more indicator lights came on, my brake stopped working completely, and my steering wheel locked. My gas pedal also stopped working completely. At this point, as I was going uphill I lost complete control of the car and put the car in park because that was the only way I could stop the car. Smoke began coming from the hood. I had the car towed to the midas in salt lake city at 875 East 2100 South. The service people told me the cars engine had heated so that it melted the equipment under the hood. Later, after a discussion with the Honda corporate office, I found out a recall had been issued in August 2010 for a problem with the engine blocks of 2006, 2008, and some 2009 Civics. The Honda representative said a letter had been sent to Civic owners. However, my experience today showed me the seriousness of this problem. I could have a life-threatening accident today, and when the issue is so grave Honda should call car owners to alert them to the recall. A letter sent out one time is not enough. The midas service representatives told me they had absolutely no information about this recall in their database, which proves how poorly this entire matter has been handled. There are many families out there driving these Civics. Get your cars checked out, and let Honda know that they must take better care and full responsibility for their customers!

- Midvale, UT, USA

problem #8

Aug 072011

Civic 4-cyl

  • 40,000 miles
There is a recall for belt auto tensioner on a 2006 Honda Civics which usually leads to power steering failure. I own a 2008 Honda Civic(which is the same model). As checked an my recent visit, I was notified by my dealer that I will be leading to the same problem. Although a 2008 model is not covered, it should be covered because this is a safety issue.

- Hudson, FL, USA

problem #7

Aug 012009

Civic 4-cyl

  • 16,000 miles
Front suspension steering there is a clunking or snapping sound when turning or making a U turn left. Took it to the Honda dealer and there was no cause for the noise. The dealer replaced the entire left front assembly; left drive shaft, cv joint, hub and bearings. Then the dealer checked the rack and pinion and found that they were not torqued correctly and was reset to factory specs. Well one year later the clunking and snapping sound slowly returned. And while making slow left turns. It happens on and off. Now its passed warranty.

- Monrovia, CA, USA

problem #6

Jun 232011

Civic

  • 91,000 miles
The contact owns a 2008 Honda Civic. The contact stated that while turning right at approximately 5 mph, the steering wheel locked and would not turn. The vehicle was carefully driven home where it was parked. An independent mechanic examined the vehicle and informed the contact that the rack and pinion needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 91,000.

- Colonia, NJ, USA

problem #5

Jul 042010

Civic

  • 50,000 miles
Leading up to the failure, it was necessary ziggle the steering wheel in order to turn the key and start the car. On July 4, 2010 the ignition totally seized - stranding the driver. It was necessary to tow the car to a dealership. Honda advised the car was just out of warranty. The following parts were replaced at a cost of $1026: Ignition switch, dummy sidewinder and the lock assembly / steering. In a letter to Honda we stated that the part hadn't been reasonably durable and that the warranty didn't apply. The car ignition failed long before it should have. Honda agreed to pay $653 towards repairs in response to our letter.

- Troy, 00, USA

problem #4

Jan 022010

Civic

  • 25,000 miles
The contact owns a 2008 Honda Civic. While the contact was driving approximately between 55-60 mph, the vehicle began to vibrate and shake with a roaring noise coming from the front end of the vehicle. The vibrating motion caused a loud rattling sound inside of the vehicle. The failure occurrences contributed to excessive wear on all four tires. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer for inspection and the technician informed that the diagnostic testing charge was $100. The vehicle had not been diagnosed or repaired at the time of the complaint. The failure continued to progress. The failure mileage was 25,000.

- Clifton, NJ, USA

problem #3

Feb 012010

Civic

  • 500 miles
The contact owns a 2008 Honda Civic. While traveling 20 mph the vehicle had suddenly shut off without warning locking the steering wheel. The vehicle was towed to the dealership where the main fuse and battery were replaced; the dealership also stated that the failure occurs whenever water enters the vehicle. While still at the dealership the contact informed the dealership that she noticed a clanking sound coming from the steering wheel, the dealership replaced the steering gear box, steering rack, and right drive shaft. A few months after having the steering wheel repairs the failure recurred, the vehicle was taken back to the dealership where the failure was repaired. The contact then took the vehicle in for routine maintenance and informed the dealership that she could still notice the clanking sound; the dealer informed the contact that the failure could not be duplicated. The VIN was not available. The approximate failure mileage was 500 and the current mileage was 20000.

- Los Angeles, CA, USA

problem #2

Jun 252009

Civic

  • 22,000 miles
About brakes in Honda Civic ex 2D coupe. Heavy pulsation when braking and squeak noise even if drive in low speeds. It is happening < 10K and > 20 K. need Honda to care of this where are dealers are charging heavy some.

- Columbus, OH, USA

problem #1

Feb 102009

Civic

  • 5,700 miles
New 2008 Honda Civic LX. 5,700 miles power steering whining and intermittent loss. Pump replaced by dealer on warranty. 7,600 miles whining noise resumed. Back to dealer. P/S fluid found to be leaking from seals/boots on P/S rack. P/S rack replaced on warranty. Loaner vehicle provided. Good response by dealer (majestic, warwick, R.I.).

- Peace Dale, RI, USA

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