2005 Honda Civic Owner Complaints

Pushrods going through engine and shredding bottom half of motor. I know many 05 Honda civic owners who have had the same issues

NHTSA ID

11685092

Incident

Sep 1, 2025

The air bag light came on in April of 2022 indicating that the air bag will not deploy in the event of a car accident. We took the car to the Honda dealership and the mechanic diagnosed it as a bad seat-belt tensioner and confirmed that the part is under warranty by American Honda. The dealership requested the part from American Honda and they have failed to provide the part to the dealership stating that is is not available. They have given us ETAs for the part but it has never arrived. We requested a rental car to drive while waiting for the part but were denied by both American Honda and the dealership. American Honda's response is that the car just should not be driven. We cannot sell the car while this light in on but need to continue to drive the car for work. The air bag light remains on and still will not deploy if an accident were to occur causing a significant safety risk. We have not involved police or insurance representatives or any other outside parties aside from American Honda and the dealership. We spoke with a representative,at American Honda today who again confirmed that they do not have the part, do not have an ETA on the part and will not pay for a safe vehicle to drive. Considering the amount of time that has elapsed, they are clearly in violation of their warranty.

NHTSA ID

11569546

Incident

Apr 23, 2022

Hagerstown Honda is 80 plus miles away from my house. My ignition failed which is a very common problem in that generation of all Honda vehicles. My ignition failed and I had it replaced by a local mechanic with genuine Honda parts. All dealerships including Honda run a monopoly on reprogramming ignition. The local mechanic taped the old key under the dash to get the car started. Not long after my hybrid battery failed and I had it replaced at Hagerstown Honda. I told them to reprogram the ignition. They said they would do it and never did it. Not long after the car refused to start and I found out from the local mechanic that Hagerstown Honda never reprogrammed the ignition. Car has sat in my driveway for years with me renewing tags. Honda started calling me and sending me letters via USPS about thd airbag. I told them to not call me anymore. My father had the same problem with his 2004 Honda Accord. Honda stalked and harassed us for years, supposedly on behalf of your agency. Honda has violated FCC regulations. I wrote a letter to Maryland state and they forwarded it to Honda serving as a cease and disist. They haven't complied. I sent a copy a complaint to your agency which was forwarded to Honda and they decided to stalk and harass me through email. I've had to unsubscribe twice. The car has been sitting so long the frame is probably totaled. I want a new car or money in the equivalent to a new car and compensated for the harassment.

NHTSA ID

11537380

Incident

Apr 27, 2009

- Sensor in seatbelt, causing airbags not to deploy (airbag light is on) -Since the airbags will not deploy, this is a danger -The dealer, Avalon Honda, confirmed that replacement of this part is warrantied for life by Honda. They are willing to replace it at no cost but the part has been on "Critical Back Order" status since the problem emerged for us (November 2022). Avalon Honda has not been able to get the part (for the driver's side seatbelt) and my daughter's safety is at risk. Honda warranties this for life BECAUSE it is a safety issue. I've been more than patient and now need help getting Honda to move. -Yes there is a warning light, the airbag light is on. It first appeared in November of 2022. In February Avalon Honda obtained the part "through other means" for the passenger side seatbelt despite the "critical back order" excuse from Honda. Since February I have been waiting for the OTHER (driver's side) seatbelt sensor to be replaced. I was told in February that the part would be available at the end of April. That time has come and gone and I now need help to force Honda to act. -Part number is 04816-S5D-A02ZC

NHTSA ID

11522672

Incident

May 11, 2023

I took my car to Balise Honda in West Warwick, RI for the recall Tikata air bags. The light went off after repaired. However light then came on for Code 9-3. Seatbelt driver. A part for metal part of belt has been ordered a month ago and can't get answer and I am now due for Inspection and will face suspension of my regestration and will have no use of car.

NHTSA ID

11519558

Incident

Mar 28, 2023

185/70 R14 88T SL BSW Tire blew out while driving on the highway. Caused the vehicle to come to a stop and the vehicle was rear-ended. The driver lost consciousness and was taken to the ER. Injuries included TBI and multiple lacerations (possibly due to airbag deployment issues). Collision report not included here.

NHTSA ID

11497821

Incident

Nov 5, 2022

I purchased this car from a Honda dealership used for over 7 thousand dollars in 2021 it's a 2005 car with known issues. I drove it for less than 2 months before it overheated without an indication by the gauge that it was overheating and blew a head gasket. It was acting funny before it happened I brought it back to the dealership a couple times they charged me several hundred dollars to do nothing besides diagnosed it and told me nothing was wrong with it. Obviously there's plenty wrong with a car I'm just finding out that the battery is probably going to die really soon and I had to pay a mechanic to put another engine in it and paid another 2 thousand dollars. Now the transmission is completely gone and I have to figure out how to come up with more money to fix it while I'm out of work because of this I should have done better research before I bought this car but why aren't there any lemon laws for used cars just purchased from dealerships in a lot of states Florida only has one if it's a brand new car very unhelpful and unfortunate for me right now that a multi billion dollar company can do this to me and leave me broke without a car and out of work knowing they sold me a car that was going to have multiple failures really soon luckily I wasn't on the highway when my engine died or after I replaced the engine and the transmission died or it could have been dangerous my advice is don't trust anyone and good luck in this country with transportation gas is $4 a gallon only reason I bought this car and it was a bad idea to say the least I thought buying from a dealership wouldn't leave me completely broke and broken down . Oh and the cruise control malfunctioned once scared me to death on the highway almost caused me to crash into the car ahead of me.

NHTSA ID

11480383

Incident

Sep 2, 2021

The car runs good but will not stay in 2nd gear this is the 2nd manual transmission the factory did the same then tran#2 did the same now had replaced for 3rd time and this one's doing the same thing.

NHTSA ID

11476246

Incident

Jun 30, 2022

This car had not been driven or started in 36 hours. it was sitting at the end of my driveway . there were no vehicles near it or close to any traffic. i noticed a black smoke coming from rear seat/trunk area of drivers side. This is where the batteries were located..I called fire dept. It suddenly burst into flames. The car burned up. The fire was so hot the doors blew open. Glass exploded and shattered. Tires Burned. This car was just sitting there! I would drive this car short distances a few times a week. I didnt see any light indicators on dash that alerted me to any problems.I notified Honda but they were not interested in inspecting it.

NHTSA ID

11476234

Incident

Jul 4, 2022

In 2019 Honda came out to fix the air bag recall. I never had problems with the air bag light coming on until after they fixed the air bag. The air bag light stays on all the time along with a check engine light. Also I’ve had to replace the whole transmission in 2019. In 2018 my engine cracked and I had to replace it with another engine. Currently the rack and pion went bad. The vehicle will at times steer on its own and sometimes the steering wheel won’t turn. I’ve spent thousands of dollars over the past few years. I do not believe Honda put in the air bags correctly. I barely had driven my car anywhere and I should not be having these types of problems. It’s a safety hazard.

NHTSA ID

11475190

Incident

Jul 1, 2019

Takata recall. The contact owns a 2005 Honda Civic. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V370000 (Air Bags) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect. The contact has stated that they were not aware they the vehicle had previously been in a crash or that it was missing an airbag at the time of purchase.

NHTSA ID

11465453

Incident

Oct 5, 2015

My mother in law was driving on a 5 lane highway and pulled out of a driveway onto the road and was attempting to make a right merge to make a right turn traveling about 10-15 mph as she was engaged in a left hand entry onto road and was about 90% complete in her maneuver and was tboned in driver side fender and door by a 2017 Mercedes’ cls at 60 mph. She was unconscious and pulled from vehicle with unknown but assumed head trauma determined later to be left frontal, right frontal, left temporal expanding hematomas in the brain, fractures of c4-c7 vertebrae, rib fractures L#3-6, #10-12, R#3, sacrum, and pelvis. 250ml R hemothorax, 1250ml L hemothorax, 250 ml hemoperitoneum, laceration of left diaphragm leaflet with herniation of left kidney into chest cavity, contusions of chest, abdomen, R arm, L arm, R leg and L leg. She died as a result of the injuries received in accident less than 24 hours later and never regained consciousness since impact. Cause of death was blunt force trauma due to MVA. She was a restrained driver in 2 vehicle MVA and police reports indicate that none of her air bags deployed upon or after impact. Other driver sustained fractured ankle with all air bags deployed. Vehicle collision occurred in state of Georgia susceptible to high humidity and high ambient temperatures. Bystanders pulled my mother in law from the vehicle as she was unconscious because there was reported fire and smoke from underneath the drivers seat that the bystanders deemed it necessary to extricate her from the vehicle prior to EMS, fire or police arrival. I suspect that the airbags SHOULD have deployed at this severe of g-force and trajectory impact. Ironic NONE of the airbags opened. Maybe she would be alive if at least one opened and did it’s job. Accident occurred on 2/9/22 and vehicle was totaled and donated to local governmental agency for fire rescue training. No other passengers were involved other than 2 drivers. Impact recorded on cctv by nearby business.

NHTSA ID

11463305

Incident

Feb 9, 2022

Hood safety latches both failed, causing hood to slam into windshield breaking windshield & denting hood. Various electrical issue, battery issue. Alternator issues that haven been tested to be working but don't work in car. Coolant system loses pressure & over heats, no leaks, no blown head gaskets. Battery, starter & alternator all good but car will not start. Everything has power but will not turn over. Over 3,000 dollars I have spent fixing numerous factory issues that have broken or simply failed. 400$ for need windshield & dent removal from defective locking device. Soon as I fix something on my car, something else breaks. 2005 civic 1.7l automatic 126,700 miles. I have roughly 50K miles less on original engine than most & I've been having issue since I bought it at 121,100 miles. Nothing but pouring money into a car that should run with zero problems.

NHTSA ID

11442677

Incident

Nov 14, 2021

The contact's grandson owns a 2005 Honda Civic. The contact stated her grandson was driving at approximately 70 mph when he dozed off and crashed into another vehicle. The contact and her husband were driving in front of the grandson's vehicle and the contact's husband witnessed the collision from his rearview mirror. The air bags did not deploy. The contact's grandson later went to the hospital for injuries sustained from the seat belt digging into his chest and had a cut on his arm. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to a tow yard, then to an independent mechanic. The vehicle was not repaired and remained at the mechanics. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 45,000. Invalid VIN.

NHTSA ID

11436479

Incident

Sep 10, 2021

Mileage

45,000 mi

Air bag light came on due to cable reel (clockspring) failure. I called Honda and they said I would have to pay for repair and dealer said $450 cost. I bought cable reel at NAPA auto parts for $146 and installed it myself but air bag light stays on. I researched technical service bulletins and find updates to vehicle software to resolve the air bag indicator staying on even when reset. I called Honda again and they said air bags covered until 2022 but I would have to pay a dealer to evaluate the system. I repaired the cable reel at my cost and my labor and I think Honda since air bag related should cover the repair of the cable reel and update the vehicle firmware and if needed replace the air bag under the 20 year safety related federal law. Considering the history of air bag issues I would think Honda would offer to have my vehicle inspected at no cost to me and refund what I have receipts for.

NHTSA ID

11431689

Incident

Aug 23, 2021

The contact owns a 2005 Honda Civic. The contact stated while driving 50 mph, the accelerator pedal was depressed and ceased with the RPM level rising. The vehicle then loss motive power. The contact was awaiting a tow to the dealer. The dealer was made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 73,361.

NHTSA ID

11424667

Incident

Jul 13, 2021

Mileage

73,361 mi

The contact owns a 2005 Honda Civic. The contact stated that the air bag warning light was illuminated. Upon investigation, the contact associated the failure with NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V501000 (Air Bags) however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 130,000.

NHTSA ID

11424393

Incident

Jun 28, 2021

Mileage

130,000 mi

THE MANUFACTURER FAILED OR WASN'T ABLE TO REMEDY THE SAFETY RECALL ON MY VEHICLE IN A TIMELY MANNER

NHTSA ID

11406820

Incident

Apr 6, 2021

I WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT WHERE I HYDROPLANED AND WENT HEAD ON WITH A TREE YET MY AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY

NHTSA ID

11404339

Incident

Mar 17, 2021

Mileage

245,000 mi

THE AIR BAG WHITE HAS BEEN ON FOR SO LONG AND I DIDN'T KNOW THERE WAS A RECALL I SIDESWIPED A CAR IT WAS NOT MY FAULT THE OTHER NIGHT AND THE AIRBAG DIDN'T DEPLOY AND I BUMPED MY HEAD

NHTSA ID

11398317

Incident

Feb 11, 2021

Mileage

161,000 mi

YELLOW WARNING LIGHT ON DASH. DIAGNOSTIC REPORTS FROM AUTOZONE INDICATED MISFIRE CODES OF 1, 3, 4, AND RANDOM MISFIRE. RADIATOR FLUID STARTED TO GO DOWN IN ENGINE WITHOUT DRAWING RADIATOR FLUID FROM THE RESERVOIR FOLLOWING A ROUTINE CHANGING OF THE ENGINE BELT IN JUNE 2020. MECHANIC FAILED TO REFILL THE RADIATOR RESERVOIR, BUT MECHANIC AND HONDA DEALERSHIP REPORT THIS WOULD NOT HAVE CAUSED A HEAD GASKET FAILURE. A SIMILAR PROBLEM OCCURRED WHEN THE CAR HAD 88,000 MILES ON IT, AND A MECHANIC IN SILICON VALLEY FAILED TO REHOOK UP THE RADIATOR RESERVOIR WHILE WORKING ON THE SRS. AFTER DRIVING 699 MILES TO PORTLAND, OR, THE CAR OVERHEATED ON A CITY STREET, WAS IMMEDIATELY STOPPED, AND TOWED TO A GARAGE. THE GARAGE FOUND RADIATOR FLUID TO BE LOW IN THE RADIATOR, REFILLED IT, LET IT IDLE FOR TWO HOURS, AND THE CAR WAS THEN DRIVEN TO SEATTLE, AND IMMEDIATELY TO THE BAY AREA AFTER THAT. WHILE CROSSING THE CALIFORNIA BORDER IN THE MOUNTAINS AND SNOW, THE HEAD GASKET COMPLETELY FAILED, AND THE CAR WAS NO LONGER DRIVEABLE. STATE PATROL GAVE ME A RIDE TO YREKA WHERE I PURCHASED A GALLON OF RADIATOR FLUID FROM BAXTER AUTO PARTS, AND LIMPED BACK TO THE BAY AREA TO HAVE A HEAD GASKET DONE AT THE COLLEGE OF ALAMEDA. THE MECHANIC WHO DID THE SRS REPORTS THE HOSE NOT BEING HOOKED UP WOULD NOT HAVE CAUSED THIS PROBLEM, AND THAT THIS CAR WAS MORE PRONE TO HEAD GASKET FAILURE. THE FACT THAT BOTH HEAD GASKETS FAILED WITH THE RESERVOIR NOT BEING HOOKED UP OR OPERABLE RAISES A NUMBER OF QUESTIONS. I HAVE REPORTED THE PROBLEM TO HONDA AMERICA, BUT HONDA SAYS THEY HAVE NO FURTHER INFORMATION, NOR HAS A RECALL BEEN FILED. RESEARCH SUGGEST THAT HONDA CIVIC ENGINES FROM 2001-2005 HAVE A MUCH HIGHER INCIDENCE OF HEAD GASKET FAILURES, AND I AM WONDERING WHY HONDA HASN'T RECALLED THE HEAD GASKET?

NHTSA ID

11383776

Incident

Jun 30, 2020

Mileage

200,000 mi

SPEEDOMETER NOT FUNCTIONING. TRIED RESETTING, BUT TO NO AVAIL. ALL OTHER GAUGES WORK. DIFFERENT GAUGE CLUSTER WORKS FINE

NHTSA ID

11355196

Incident

Feb 16, 2018

Mileage

165,000 mi

WAS RECENTLY TBONED AT A RED LIGHT, DRIVER DOOR, PASSENGER DOOR AND FRAME DENTED IN. I WAS SPUN AROUND THREE TIMES BEFORE COMING TO A STOP. FRONT DRIVER AIRBAG AND PASSENGER AIRBAG FAILED TO DEPLOY. WINDOW WON'T ROLL FULLY DOWN, DRIVER AND PASSENGER STICK AND HARD TO OPEN, LOCK MAKES A BUZZING SOUND, SEATBELT NOW STUCK AND SEATBELT INDICATOR DINGS EVEN WHEN FASTENED.

NHTSA ID

11354527

Incident

Aug 30, 2020

Mileage

233,000 mi

RECENTLY I'VE BEEN SMELLING GAS FUMES FROM UNDER MY CAR EVERY TIME I HAVE THE DOOR OPEN AND IT SEEMS LIKE IT'S COMING FROM UNDER THE CAR. BUT I NOTICED A FEW DAYS AGO THAT IT'S GETTING WORSE BECAUSE I COULD SMELL IT INSIDE THE CABIN OF MY CAR. LAST NIGHT I HAVE THE WINDOWS CLOSED AND AS I OPENED MY DOOR TODAY SEPTEMBER THE 11TH 2020, THE ODOR WAS SO STRONG FUMES OF FUEL. CAN'T THIS BE ONE OF THE REASON FOR A CAR TO GET A RECALL? EXPOSED FUEL INSIDE THE CABIN IS DANGEROUS, ISN'T IT? LUCKILY, MY AIR CONDITIONING IS NOT WORKING RIGHT NOW OR ELSE I WOULD HAVE MY WINDOWS ROLLED UP AND IF I SMOKE A CIGARETTE, THE CAR MIGHT BLOW UP. IT SEEMS LIKE IT HAPPENS TO HONDA A LOT BECAUSE MOST HONDA BETWEEN 2001 TO 2005 VERSION SEEM TO BE AFFECTED BY THIS. ESPECIALLY WATCHING YOUTUBE, THERE'S A LOT OF COMPLAINTS AND THEY ARE SHOWING HOW COMMON THIS IS FOR HONDA CIVIC. WHAT DOES IT TAKE FOR THIS TO BE A PART BEING RECALLED? MY CONCERN IS THAT THIS IS DANGEROUS! IS THIS JUST PART OF MAINTENANCE EVEN IT'S A DANGEROUS SITUATION? OR ISN'T IT A FLAW OF THE PARTS BEING USE? I'M NOT MECHANICALLY INCLINED AND I DON'T HAVE THE MONEY TO FORK 300 TO 500 DOLLARS TO PAY THE MECHANIC TO REPAIR THIS, EVEN THOUGH I REALLY FEEL THAT THIS SHOULD BE RECALLED BECAUSE I KNOW THAT IT'S DANGEROUS. ONE SPARK CAN BLOW UP MY CAR AND I HAPPEN TO BE DRIVING WITH PASSENGERS OR EVEN JUST MYSELF.

NHTSA ID

11354463

Incident

Sep 11, 2020

Mileage

20 mi

IT STARTED OVER HEATING FIXED WATER PUMP ALTERNATOR BATTERY ALMOST EVERYTHING STILL OVER HEATS THEN I DROVE IT JUST FINE PARKED IT WENT BACK LATER TO DRIVE AND IT WON'T START

NHTSA ID

11342758

Incident

Jun 29, 2020

Mileage

200,000 mi