RoadVitals

2005 Honda Civic Engine Problems

Owner-reported complaints naming the engine system, filed with NHTSA

Data refreshed

Engine reportsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
32
Latest Sep 4, 2025
Share of all reportsThis category as a share of every owner report on file for this model year. One report can name more than one component, so the categories overlap.
10%
of 314 total
Crash or fire reportedReports in this category whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. The reporter's own answer on the NHTSA form, not a verified finding.
4
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
0

What this page shows

Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 2005 Honda Civic submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 32 reports on file name it.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

Owner reports naming engine

The 25 most recent of 32, in the owner's own words

Engine
Filed Sep 4, 2025

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
Driver assistanceEnginePowertrain (other)
Filed Aug 21, 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
Body & structureElectricalEngine
Filed Dec 4, 2021

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
Engine
Filed Dec 16, 2020

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
Engine
Filed Aug 2, 2020

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
AirbagsEngine
Filed Mar 2, 2020

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 HONDA CIVIC SEDAN. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH THE VEHICLE STALLED WITH THE AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT PULLED OFF OF THE ROADWAY AND ATTEMPTED TO ACTIVATE THE HAZZARD LIGHT. THE HAZZARD LIGHT WAS INOPERABLE. THE CONTACT OPENED THE HOOD AND THE HOOD LATCH FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE RESIDENCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. NEITHER THE DEALER NOR THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 12,500.

NHTSA ID
11315600
Incident
Feb 29, 2020
Mileage
125,000 mi
Engine
Filed Dec 13, 2019

OVERHEATING LEAD TO CRACKED BLOCK AND EVENTUALLY COMPLETE ENGINE FAILURE. STARTING 2006-? THERE HAS BEEN A RECALL ON THESE ENGINES. AFTER LOOKING AT MANY HONDA CIVICS FOR SALE THIS SEEMS TO BE COMMON PROBLEM SPANNING MORE YEARS. I BELIEVE THE RECALL SHOULD BE EXPANDED.

NHTSA ID
11288846
Incident
Dec 6, 2019
Mileage
100,000 mi
Engine
Filed Oct 20, 2018

I PAID $4,200 IN A CASHIERS CHECK 9/12/2018 FOR A CAR. OWNER TOLD ME IT HAD BEEN TESTED AND LOOKED OVER BY HIS MECHANICS AND THAT IF ANY PROBLEMS WITH THE ENGINE OR TRANSMISSION OCCURRED THAT IT WAS UNDER A GUARANTEE. THE FOLLOWING DAY, 9/13/2018, I HEARD STRANGE SOUNDS FROM ENGINE AND CAR FREQUENTLY JERKED FORWARD. TOOK IT TO SOUTH TACOMA HONDA TO INSPECT VEHICLE FOR $143.13. WAS TOLD VALVES NEED TO BE ADJUSTED AND WOULD COST NEARLY $500. WENT TO DEALERSHIP AND THE MANAGER NAMED CHOCOLATE. TOLD ME TO TAKE CAR TO 161 GARAGE TO GET FIXED OVER WEEKEND. THAT MONDAY WAS TOLD THEY COULDN'T COMPLETE JOB AND TO HAVE HONDA COMPLETE JOB. CHOCOLATE RELUCTANTLY AGREED TO GET CAR TO HONDA TO HAVE THEM ADJUST THE VALVES AND HE WOULD PAY FOR IT WHEN IT WAS FINISHED. HE DID NOT SHOW BACK UP AND BOTH MYSELF AND THE HONDA SERVICE REPS HAD TO CALL HIM FOR PAYMENT. WORKED OUT PAYMENT IN THE MORNING IF HIS DEALERSHIP AGREED. HONDA REP CALLED DEALERSHIP ASKING REPEATEDLY FOR AN OWNER OR MANAGER AND NEVER GOT STRAIGHT ANSWER. WHEN EXPLAINING MY SITUATION AND INQUIRING AUTHORIZATION FOR PAYMENT FROM CHOCOLATE, PERSON ON PHONE FROM THE DEALERSHIP BEGAN BAD MOUTHING THEIR OWN EMPLOYEE SAYING HE WAS A NOBODY AND ADMITTED THEY LIED ABOUT THE CONDITION OF THE CAR TELLING THE HONDA REP 'SO WHAT.' WAS ABLE TO TAKE CAR BUT WAS TOLD ME TO RETURN IF THE PAYMENT WAS NOT MADE THE NEXT MORNING. THAT MORNING, 9/18/2018, MY GIRLFRIEND AGREED TO DRIVE ME TO WORK AND GO BACK IN IF HONDA CALLED. BUT CAR DIED ON THE FREEWAY NEARLY CAUSING ACCIDENT AND WAS HARD TO BRAKE. WE WERE LUCKY WE HAD BEEN CLOSE TO SHOULDER SO I COULD VEER AWAY FROM CARS AND OFF THE ROAD. WE HAD TO GET IT OFF THE FREEWAY AND HAVE IT TOWED TO THE HONDA IN RENTON COSTING ANOTHER $15. THEN $148.50 INSPECTION FEE FROM HONDA RENTON AFTER SERVICE REPS FOUND MAJOR ENGINE ISSUES WITH CYLINDER 3 CAUSING THE VALVES TO COME LOOSE OVERNIGHT.

NHTSA ID
11141609
Incident
Sep 12, 2018
Mileage
80,600 mi
Engine
Filed Dec 13, 2015

K20A3 CAMSHAFT LOBES HAVE PITS/GALLING ON THEM. THEY MAKE A LOUD TICKING/TAPPING NOISE. POSSIBLE DECREASE IN GAS MILEAGE, POOR PERFORMANCE, AND RELIABILITY ISSUE. IF LEFT UNINTENDED COULD CAUSE FURTHER DAMAGE TO ENGINE. COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE K20A3 ENGINES MANUFACTURE DEFECT. HONDA SHOULD ADDRESS THIS.

NHTSA ID
10809900
Incident
Dec 13, 2015
Engine
Filed Dec 7, 2015

I WAS ON MY WAY TO SCHOOL , I HAD DRIVEN ABOUT 18 MILES FROM HOME AND HEARD A SCRUBBING SOUND THEN NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM FRONT OF MY CAR. I IMMEDIATELY PULLED OFF THE ROAD AND TURNED ENGINE OFF. A CITY POLICEMAN STOPPED AND TOLD ME THE NAME OF A WRECKER SERVICE NEARBY. THE CAR WAS TOWED TO A GARAGE WHERE IT WAS PUT UP ON A LIFT . THE MECHANIC NOTED A PIECE OF METAL BULGING FROM THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE BLOCK LOOKING FROM UNDER THE CAR AND TOWARD THE FRONT..THERE WAS OIL SPLATTERS FROM THAT AREA ALSO. THE PIECE OF METAL CAME FROM BETWEEN THE BLOCK AND THE AIR CONDITIONER. THERE HAD TO HAVE BEEN A DEFECT IN THE BLOCK FOR IT TO BREAK A PIECE OF THE BLOCK OFF IN THIS MANNER. THE PIECE WAS ABOUT 2 INCHES WIDE BY 4 INCHES LONG. WE HAVE PICTURES TO SHOW WHAT WAS FOUND. THERE WERE TWO MECHANIC WITNESSES PLUS A POLICEMAN THAT SAW THE DAMAGE.THE CAR WAS NOT RUNNING HOT NOR LOW IN OIL. THE BLOCK JUST A DEFECT. IF I HAD BEEN ON THE INTERSTATE THERE COULD HAVE BEEN A SEVERE ACCIDENT DUE TO THE CAR COMING TO A SUDDEN STOP.

NHTSA ID
10808872
Incident
Dec 4, 2015
Mileage
185 mi
Engine
Filed Aug 6, 2015

AFTER DRIVING ABOUT 20 MILES IN WARM DAY FROM SAN MATEO TO SAN FRANCISCO VIA I-101 THEN I-280 WITH A/C ON. THE VEHICLE CAME TO A TRAFFIC JAM ON HIGHWAY EXIT IN SF, THE SPEED WAS AT 30 MPH OR LESS AND THE ENGINE TEMPERATURE INCREASED TO THE HIGHEST LEVEL AND THE ENGINE HAD WATER BOILING SOUND AND RADIATOR FAN DID NOT CAME ON AFTER STOPPED ON A CITY STREET. THEN 2ND INCIDENT HAPPEN ON JULY 25 2015, AGAIN DRIVING FROM SAN MATEO I-101 > 92 > 238 > I-580 TO DUBLIN WITH WEATHER TEMPERATURE AT 90+ WITH A/C ON WHEN THE VEHICLE REACH TO SLOW SPEED AT FREEWAY EXT RAMP. THE ENGINE TEMPERATURE INCREASED TO THE HIGHEST LEVEL. ONCE THE CAR STOPPED AT A CITY STREET THE ENGINE HAD BOILING WATER SOUND AND RADIATOR FAN DID NOT CAME ON. COOLANT IS FULL AS WELL AS THE RESERVE RESERVOIR . ON AUG 3 SAME THING HAPPENS AFTER REPLACING ENGINE THERMOSTAT AND RADIATOR FAN SWITCH. DRIVEN FROM MOUNTAIN VIEW VIA I-280 TO SAN CARLOS WITH A/C ON. THE ENGINE TEMPERATURE RAISED TO THE HIGHEST LEVEL AND WATER BOILING SOUND CAME FROM ENGINE. AGAIN, COOLANT IS FULL AS WELL AS THE RESERVOIR.

NHTSA ID
10746630
Incident
Apr 24, 2015
Mileage
99,745 mi
Engine
Filed Jul 23, 2015

ORIGINAL OEM SPARK PLUG CRACKED AND PIECES FELL INTO THE CYLINDER. THE CAR HAD A SEVER MISFIRE, LOSS OF POWER AND I HAD TO IMMEDIATELY PULL OFF OF THE ROAD. THE HONDA DEALERSHIP THE CAR WAS TOWED TO SAID THE CYLINDER WAS DAMAGED AND THE ENGINE SHOULD BE REPLACED. HONDA OF AMERICA BASICALLY SAID THAT THE CAR WAS OUT OF WARRANTY AND THAT THEY DID NOT WARRANTY THEIR ENGINES PAST 3 YEARS 36,000 MILES. EVEN THOUGH THE SPARK PLUG WAS WELL UNDER IT'S RECOMMENDED REPLACEMENT TIME, IT FAILED AND CREATED A DANGEROUS SITUATION.

NHTSA ID
10736076
Incident
Jul 9, 2014
Mileage
85,000 mi
EnginePowertrain (other)
Filed Apr 28, 2015

MY TRANSMISSION IS SLIPPING AND BARLEY SHIFTING INTO 2ND GEAR TO 3RD IT HAS 95000 MILES ON IT AND THE TRANSMISSION IS BAD ALL 2000 TO 2005 HONDAS HAVE BAD TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS BUT THEY NEVER RECALLED IT WHY????? NOW I HAD TO REPLACE THE HEAD GASKET BECAUSE IT WAS BLOWN AT 75000 MILES THATS TO EARLY FOR THAT TO BE HAPPENING I SPENT 2000 GRAND ON IT ALREADY WHY DIDN'T THEY RECALL THIS???? *TR

NHTSA ID
10713476
Incident
May 13, 2014
Mileage
80,000 mi
EngineFuel system
Filed Sep 10, 2014

I HAVE A CRACKED EXHAUST MANIFOLD, I UNDERSTAND SEVERAL OTHER PEOPLE HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM. NEED TO HAVE A RECALL. *TR

NHTSA ID
10632170
Incident
Sep 1, 2014
Mileage
131,000 mi
Engine
Filed May 15, 2014
Fire reported

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 HONDA CIVIC. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING, SMOKE WAS SEEN FROM UNDER THE HOOD OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STOPPED THE VEHICLE AND DISCOVERED THAT THE ENGINE HAD OVERHEATED. THE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED BY A MECHANIC NOR WAS THE VEHICLE REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE DEFECT. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 107,387.

NHTSA ID
10588725
Incident
May 15, 2014
Mileage
107,387 mi
Engine
Filed Feb 15, 2013

VEHICLE BLEW A HEAD GASKET AND OVER HEATED. PROBLEM BECAME PROGRESSIVELY WORSE, AND I HAVE BEEN ADVISED BY RICK MARICHETTI AUTO THAT THIS PROBLEM IS COMMON WITH THE HONDA CIVIC EX 1.7 LITER ENGINE, AND THE SOURCE OF THE PROBLEM IS A MULTILAYER HEAD GASKET THAT HONDA USES. THIS VEHICLE SHOULD BE RECALLED, AND HONDA SHOULD BE REQUIRED TO INSTALL NEW HEAD GASKETS THAT ARE NOT MULTILAYER. IN MY CASE, THE HEAD GASKET CREATED A SERIOUS ROAD HAZARD AND IT WAS DIFFICULT TO FIND A PLACE TO PULL OVER. AND THE PROBLEM HAPPENED WITH LITTLE NOTICE AT APPROXIMATELY 4300 FEET, WITH SNOW AND FREEZING COLD WEATHER. I HAD TO PAY ALMOST $800 TO HAVE THE VEHICLE FIXED, WITH NO GUARANTY THE PROBLEM WON'T HAPPEN AGAIN. HONDA SHOULD HAVE RECALLED THE HEAD GASKETS A LONG TIME AGO. *TR

NHTSA ID
10498203
Incident
Dec 26, 2012
Mileage
85,800 mi
EnginePowertrain (other)
Filed Nov 29, 2011

COOLANT KEEPS LEAKING. WENT ONLINE AND FOUND NUMEROUS OTHER OWNERS REPORTING THE SAME PROBLEM. MY MECHANIC CAN'T SEEM TO FIX THE PROBLEM NEITHER CAN ANY OF THE OTHER OWNERS ONLINE MECHANICS. REPLACED THE RADIATOR AND CAP, WATER PUMP, HEAD GASKET, ETC... BUT IT STILL LEAKS. CAN YOU PLEASE LOOK INTO THIS. THERE ARE A LOT OF PEOPLE ONLINE REPORTING THE SAME PROBLEM BUT THERE'S NO BULLETIN NUMBER IN YOUR DATABASE FOR THE 2005 HONDA CIVIC COOLING SYSTEM. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME AND HAVE A NICE DAY. *TR *KB

NHTSA ID
10437769
Incident
Oct 3, 2011
Mileage
125,000 mi
ElectricalEngineFuel system
Filed Oct 25, 2011
Fire reported

I WOULD DRIVE ON THE FREEWAY AND MY TEMPERATURE GAUGE WOULD FLUCTUATE AND RETURN TO NORMAL. I INVESTIGATED THE MATTER ONLINE AND FOUND OTHER OWNERS OF THE SAME CAR HAD THE SAME PROBLEMS WITH THE THERMOSTAT NEEDING TO BE REPLACED SO I INTENDED TO BUY A NEW ONE. THEN WHEN I WOULD HIT BUMPS IN THE ROAD MY ELECTRONICS WOULD MALFUNCTION. THE RADIO (NOT CD) WOULD TURN OFF. I WOULD HAVE TO TURN IN BACK ON. THEN ON 10/23/2011 I MERGED ONTO THE FREEWAY TRAVELING AT APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH AND ACCELERATING NORMALLY. THERE WAS TRAFFIC SO I COULD NOT ACCELERATE VERY FAST. THAT IS WHEN MY ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS BEGAN TO COMPLETELY FAIL. THE DASH ALARMS WOULD BLINK ON AND OFF, MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT NEVER CAME ON. THE CAR JERKED FORWARD A FEW TIMES. I FELT CLICKING IN THE PEDDLES AND STEERING COLUMN. AT ONCE ALL THE ELECTRICAL AND ENGINE SHUT OFF. I HAD NO GAUGES, NO ELECTRICAL, AND NO POWER OF ANY KIND. THAT'S WHEN I PULLED OVER TO THE SHOULDER OF THE FREEWAY. I NOTICED SMOKE RISING FROM THE HOOD. THEN IT GREW INTO A FIRE. I IMMEDIATELY TRIED TO ESCAPE THE CABIN OF THE CAR. I COULDN'T EXIT FROM THE DRIVER SIDE BECAUSE OF TRAFFIC. I CLIMBED OVER TO THE PASSENGER SIDE. AT THIS TIME THE FIRE HAD ENGULFED THE ENGINE AREA AND WAS COMING INTO THE CABIN. I EXITED THE PASSENGER SIDE DOOR AND RAN FROM THE VEHICLE AS IT WAS BURNING. THE ENTIRE CAR BECAME ENGULFED WITH FIRE. NOTHING WAS LEFT OF IT WHEN THE FIRE DEPARTMENT CAME. IT WAS COMPLETELY CONSUMED BY THE FIRE. I'M REALLY AT A LOSS AS TO WHY IT WOULD DO THIS? I TOOK REALLY GOOD CARE OF MY CAR. I HAVE PAPERS THAT PROVE I JUST RECENTLY HAD THE NECESSARY MAINTENANCE ON IT. THIS NEVER SHOULD HAVE HAPPENED. *TT

NHTSA ID
10432763
Incident
Oct 23, 2011
Mileage
155,000 mi
ElectricalEnginePowertrain (other)+1 more
Filed Aug 9, 2011

2005 HONDA CIVIC HYBRID: ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND HAS BEEN DETERMINED THAT THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER NEEDS REPLACING ALONG WITH THE CO2 SENSORS, COST $2000.00. WHAT CAUSES A CAT CONV TO GO BAD? HONDA COULD NOT PROVIDE THIS INFORMATION AND REFUSED TO LOOK INTO ANY SERVICE BULLETINS OR RECALLS. THIS VEHICLE IS ONLY 6 YEARS OLD, 83045 MILES. WE HAVE HAD NUMEROUS ISSUES WITH THIS VEHICLE, INCLUDING THE CLUTCH, REPLACEMENT OF HYBRID BATTERY, SEAT BELTS AND NOW THIS. *TR

NHTSA ID
10418143
Incident
Aug 8, 2011
Mileage
83,045 mi
EngineFuel systemInterior & seats
Filed Aug 2, 2010

2005 HONDA CIVIC EX AUTOMATIC CHOKE COMES ON EVERY TIME YOU START THE CAR --EVEN IF YOU DON'T NEED IT. AFTER IT COMES ON, YOU CAN'T SHUT IT OFF MANUALLY. NOT ONLY DOES THE CHOKE NEEDLESSLY COME ON, BUT IT COMES ON AT AN RPM THAT IS TOO HIGH. IT NEEDLESSLY BURNS FUEL, BUT ALSO PRESENTS A SAFETY PROBLEM AND CAUSES YOU TO LOOSE CONTROL OF THE CAR. HONDA IS REFUSING TO FIX THE PROBLEM. THE SOLUTION IS THAT THE CHOKE NEEDS TO BE MODIFIED IN THREE WAYS: 1) MANUALLY CHOKE SHUT OFF (WITH HANDLE, ACCELERATOR PEDAL, OR BUTTON), 2) 5TH GEAR DOESN'T DROP RPM SUFFICIENTLY AND CAR DOESN'T GET GOOD GAS MILEAGE, 3) VTECH ENGINE NEEDS TO BE MADE INTO A VTECH-E, SO THAT THE ENGINE GETS BETTER FUEL ECONOMY AT THE SLOWER SPEEDS AND MEET BOTH THE PUBLIC'S AND FEDERAL MILEAGE EXPECTATIONS. HONDA OFFERS VTECH-E, BUT THEY ONLY PROVIDE THIS ENGINE SERIES TO THOSE WHO CHOOSE TO BUY THE DOUBLE OVERHEAD CAM, SUCH AS THAT FOUND IN THE CIVIC SI OR IN SOME ACCORDS. THE SEATS IN THE 2005 HONDA CIVIC EX ARE DANGEROUSLY UNCOMFORTABLE AND POORLY DESIGNED. HONDA GIVES YOU NOTHING MORE THAN A BLOCK OF RUBBER TO SIT ON, WHICH CAUSES SKIN IRRITATION DUE TO A LACK OF HEAT DISSIPATION WITHIN 20 MINUTES OF DRIVING. IN ADDITION, THE FRONT SEATS ARE TOO FAR FORWARD AND SOMEONE OVER 5'9" IS GOING TO HAVE DIFFICULTY CONTROLLING THE CAR -- PARTICULARLY WITH A MANUAL TRANSMISSION. THE LACK OF SPRINGS IN THE FRONT AND REAR SEATS POTENTIALLY CAUSES SPINAL INJURIES, DUE TO ROAD SHOCKS NOT BEING ABSORBED, FOR PEOPLE THAT DRIVE THE VEHICLE ON A DAILY BASIS. A CUSTOM UPHOLSTERY SHOP ADVISES ME THEY CAN'T UNBOLT THE SEATS BECAUSE THE AIRBAGS WILL GO OFF BECAUSE THE AIRBAGS HAVE DISTANCE SENSING. NOT ONLY IS THIS LUDICROUS, BUT OFFERS NO CONSUMER SAFETY. A QUICK REVIEW OF THE 2001 HONDA CIVIC EX WITH THE 2005 HONDA CIVIC EX SE REVEALS THAT THE 2001 IS SIGNIFICANTLY SAFER TO OPERATE THAN THE 2005 CIVIC . THE 2001 CIVIC HAS FOUR AIR BAGS IN THE FRONT, INCLUDING SIDE AIRBAGS IN BOTH DOORS. *TR

NHTSA ID
10346948
Incident
Jul 13, 2010
Mileage
57,600 mi
Engine
Filed Feb 25, 2010

REPLACE CAT CONVERTER ON HONDA CIVIC HYBRID WHICH IS VERY EXPENSIVE NOT COVERED BY WARRANTY. *TR

NHTSA ID
10314394
Incident
Jan 29, 2010
Mileage
88,000 mi
Engine
Filed Feb 25, 2010

THE NEED TO REPLACE 2 CATALYTIC CONVERTER DUE TO AN ENGINE LIGHT ERROR VEH CODE P2000 CAT EFFICIENCY. *TR

NHTSA ID
10314258
Incident
Feb 25, 2010
Mileage
88,000 mi
Engine
Filed May 14, 2009

AT ONLY 4 YEARS OF AGE, MY HONDA CIVIC HYBRID NEEDS A NEW CATALYTIC CONVERTER AND IN SEARCHING THE INTERNET, COMING ACROSS HUNDREDS AND HUNDREDS OF POSTS ON VARIOUS WEB SITES, IT SEEMS THAT A LOT OF PEOPLE ARE REPLACING THEIR HONDA CIVIC CATALYTIC CONVERTERS BEFORE THE CAR TURNS 5 YEARS OLD. THIS IS A VERY EXPENSIVE PART, OVER $1200 TO REPLACE, SO WHY ISN'T THERE A RECALL ON THIS PART. IF IT IS NOT REPLACED IN CARS, I AM TOLD THAT THE CAR EMITS BAD GASES IN THE AIR. I LIVE IN A COUNTY WHERE EMISSIONS IS NOT PART OF THE INSPECTION, SO I WANT IT REPLACED, BUT CAN'T AFFORD IT AND DON'T HAVE TO REPLACE IT. WITH THAT MANY GOING BAD, CAN'T THERE BE A RECALL SO THESE CARS DO NOT EMIT BAD GASES IN THE AIR??? *TR

NHTSA ID
10268709
Incident
May 13, 2009
Mileage
126,000 mi
Engine
Filed Apr 3, 2009

AFTER ABOUT 75,000 MILES ON MY 2005 HONDA CIVIC, I BEGAN TO NOTICE I GOT A HEADACHE AND UPSET STOMACH WHILE DRIVING THE CAR. THE LOCAL HONDA DEALER DISCOVERED A CRACKED EXHAUST MANIFOLD, AND INDICATED THE POSSIBILITY OF CARBON MONOXIDE ENTERING THE CABIN DURING VEHICLE OPERATION. I HAVE NOT YET REPAIRED THE CONDITION SINCE THE REPAIR COST IS VERY HIGH, ABOUT $1000. I HAVE SINCE HEARD THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS VEHICLE, AND NOT A RESULT OF AGE OR ABUSE. *TR

NHTSA ID
10264105
Incident
Oct 5, 2008
Mileage
75,000 mi
Engine
Filed Jul 30, 2008

AIR CONDITIONER CONDENSER IS NOT PROTECTED AND THE DEALER SAID EVEN SMALLEST PEBBLE CAN PUNCTURE. *TR

NHTSA ID
10236418
Incident
Jul 26, 2008
Mileage
32,500 mi

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