RoadVitals

2009 Honda Civic Powertrain (other) Problems

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

Data refreshed

Powertrain (other) 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.
17
Latest Dec 8, 2020
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.
4%
of 395 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.
3
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
3

What this page shows

Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 2009 Honda Civic submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 17 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 powertrain

Shown in the owner’s own words, exactly as filed

EngineFuel systemPowertrain (other)
Filed Dec 8, 2020

I STARTED MY VEHICLE UP AFTER WORK AND IT WAS IDLING ROUGH BUT THEN STABILIZED SO I PAYED IT NO MIND. SOON AS I MERGED ONTO THE HIGHWAY WHEN MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT STARTED TO FLASH. I IMMEDIATELY LOSS POWER AND THE VEHICLE STARTED TO DECELERATE. I TURNED ON MY HAZARDS, PRESSED ON THE PEDAL TO ACCELERATE BUT THE VEHICLE WAS BOGGING AND WOULDN'T ACCELERATE PASS 50MPH. I SAFELY GOT OFF ON THE NEXT EXIT AND SHUT OFF THE VEHICLE. I TURNED THE VEHICLE BACK ON AND MADE IT HOME SAFELY. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME THIS HAPPENED. I CHANGED MULTIPLE PARTS ON THE VEHICLE SINCE THEN, YET IT CONTINUES TO HAPPEN. I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY COULD NOT FIGURE IT OUT.

NHTSA ID
11378565
Incident
Dec 8, 2020
Mileage
165,000 mi
Powertrain (other)
Filed May 8, 2020

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS 2009 HONDA CIVIC. THE CONTACT STATED THE IGNITION LOCK SWITCH WAS DEFECTIVE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE PARKED ON AN INCLINE, THE VEHICLE ROLLED BACKWARDS. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO MCGRATH HONDA OF ST CHARLES (1411 E MAIN ST, ST. CHARLES, IL 60174) HOWEVER, A DIAGNOSTIC TEST WAS NOT PERFORMED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE HOWEVER, NO ASSISTANCE WAS PROVIDED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000. INVALID VIN.

NHTSA ID
11323897
Incident
May 5, 2020
Mileage
90,000 mi
Powertrain (other)
Filed Aug 14, 2019

THE IGNITION AND LOCK COMPONENTS HAVE WORN OUT.THE DRIVER'S SIDE IS COMPLETELY BROKEN AND THE IGNITION IS HAVING PROBLEMS. THE CAR ONLY HAS 70,000 MILES ON IT. THIS IS NOT STANDARD HONDA WORKMANSHIP, AND THE DEALER SUGGESTS HAVING THE ENTIRE CAR REKEYED WHICH COSTS ABOUT THE SAME AS THE CAR IS WORTH. THIS IS DEFINITELY AN ISSUE WITH A FAULTY COMPONENT TO BEGIN WITH.

NHTSA ID
11243975
Incident
Jun 5, 2019
Powertrain (other)
Filed May 29, 2017

DROVE 50 MILES FROM MONTCLAIR CA (HOME) TO UCI MEDICAL CENTER ORANGE CA, ON HIGHWAYS 60 AND 57. MY WIFE, A STROKE PATIENT HAD AN APPOINTMENT WITH THE UCI NEUROLOGIST. WHEN ARRIVED AT THE INDOOR PARKING ENTRANCE, I MADE A LEFT TURN SLOWLY TO ENTER THE INDOOR PARKING FACILITY OF THE MEDICAL CENTER. SUDDENLY, THE LEFT AXLE SHATTERED AND THE CAR CAME TO SUDDEN HALT. BALL BEARINGS AND PIECES OF METAL WERE ON THE FLOOR. TOWED TO HARDING HONDA, ANAHEIM, CA FACILITY. THEY REPLACED AXLE. ON TEST DRIVE, MECHANIC REPORTED NOISE IN THE RIGHT HAND AXLE AS WELL. FEARING IT MIGHT BREAK ON HIGHWAY, I HAD IT REPLACED ALSO. I BELIEVE THIS PROBLEM TO BE A SERIOUS SAFETY RISK. IF IT HAD HAPPENED ON HIGHWAY, IT WOULD HAVE CAUSED A MULTIPLE VEHICLE ACCIDENT. MY CAR WAS DRIVEN ONLY 54157 MILES AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT.

NHTSA ID
10992048
Incident
Mar 10, 2017
Mileage
54,157 mi
Body & structureEnginePowertrain (other)
Filed Aug 6, 2016

I BROUGHT A HONDA CIVIC 2009 IN 2012,APRIL 12. THE HONDA WAS SUPPOSED TO BE SOLD WITH A POWER TRAIN WARRANTY TO BRING CAR UP TO DATE FOR 36000 MILES/3 YR. HONDA DID NOT OFFER AN EXTENDED WARRANTY FOR THESE PURPOSES. THEY CALLED A YEAR LATER TO SEE IF WE WOULD THEN EXTEND THE VEHICLE TO 120 MILES. WE HAD ALREADY PURCHASED AN ADDITIONAL WARRANTY CALLED ASSURANCE PAY TO PAYLINK APPROX 112.00 MO. WE WERE ONE PAYMENT TO THE LAST AND HONDA FINALLY CALLED , WE PURCHASED THEIR WARRANTY TOO. THE CAR SHOULD HAVE BEEN AUTOMATIC FROM THE SALE DATE. DOOR LOCKS AND IGNITION/CYLINDER WORK AND OTHER REPAIRS SUCH AS BREAK WORK HAVE BEEN PERFORMED ON VEHICLE SINCE. I AM REPORTING UNFAIR SELLING PRACTICES. DETAILS AND REPAIR WORK WILL BE SUBMITTED UPON REQUEST. THUS VEHICLE SAFETY ISSUES UPON PURCHASE.

NHTSA ID
10893679
Incident
Apr 12, 2012
Mileage
36,000 mi
Powertrain (other)SteeringSuspension
Filed Jun 21, 2015

THERE IS A LOUD CLICKING NOISE THAT HAS BEEN CONSISTENT SINCE THE CAR WAS PURCHASED USED IN 2013. THE NOISE HAPPENS WHEN CORNERING OR TURNING AT LOW SPEEDS.

NHTSA ID
10726430
Incident
Feb 15, 2013
Mileage
89,500 mi
Driver assistancePowertrain (other)
Filed Jul 18, 2014
Crash reported1 injury reported

WHILE PULLING INTO A PARKING SPACE WITH FOOT ON THE BRAKE PEDAL, THE VEHICLE VIOLENTLY LUNGED FORWARD INTO A BLOCK WALL. THE DRIVER WAS UNABLE TO STOP THE VEHICLE BY APPLYING THE BRAKES. THE DRIVER WAS HOSPITALIZED FOR 2 DAYS. *TR

NHTSA ID
10614618
Incident
Mar 17, 2014
Mileage
7,000 mi
Powertrain (other)
Filed Mar 14, 2014

RIGHT DRIVE SHAFT POPPED OUT FROM THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL AFTER SWITCHING GEAR FROM R TO D WHILE THE DRIVER WAS TRYING TO GET OUT OF THE DRIVE WAY. THE CAR WENT INTO ROLL IN PARK SITUATION. THE CAR IS AT RELATIVE LOW MILEAGE AND HAVE NO PREVIOUS ACCIDENT. A FAULTY DRIVE SHAFT ASSEMBLY COULD BE REALLY DANGEROUS IF THE INCIDENT WAS HAPPENED ON THE ROAD. *TR

NHTSA ID
10569305
Incident
Mar 9, 2014
Mileage
42,100 mi
EnginePowertrain (other)
Filed Aug 12, 2013

WHILE DRIVING A CHATTER STARTED UNDER THE HOOD. DROVE IT TO OUR MECHANIC (1 TO 2 MILES AWAY) AND HE SAID THE STEEL BOLT BROKE THAT HOLDS THE BELT TENSIONER TO THE ALUMINUM ENGINE. HAD IT FIXED AND THE SAME THING HAPPENED ON AUGUST 8, 2013 WHILE DRIVING. THIS TIME THE CAR SHUT DOWN COMPLETELY AND I WAS ABLE TO SAFELY STOP IT AND CALL FOR A TOW. TOOK IT TO THE MECHANIC AGAIN AND HE SAID UPON TALKING TO HONDA DEALERS, THIS HAPPENED IN 2006 AND 2007 AND THERE WAS A RECALL FOR THIS PROBLEM. THERE IS NO RECALL YET FOR THIS PROBLEM FOR A 2009 HONDA CIVIC AND NO PERMANENT FIX. I AM CONCERNED THAT THE CAR JUST QUITS WHILE IN MOTION, THE POWER STEERING IS GONE AND THE BRAKE ASSIST IS GONE, WHICH PUTS LIFE AT RISK. CAN THIS BE LOOKED INTO? *TR

NHTSA ID
10534839
Incident
Jun 17, 2013
Mileage
47,000 mi
Powertrain (other)
Filed Dec 30, 2010

I HAVE A 2009 HONDA CIVIC HYBRID. AFTER HAVING THE VEHICLE FOR LESS THAN 1 YEAR I NOTICED THAT THE BATTERY BEGAN TO SUDDENLY DROP IT'S STATE OF CHARGE (SOC) DURING THE FIRST FEW MILES OF DRIVING AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED FOR SEVERAL HOURS. ON SUSTAINED TRIPS THE VEHICLE WILL SUDDENLY DROP ITS CHARGE ABOUT EVERY 20 MINUTES. THE SAFETY ISSUE IS THAT WHEN THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY LOSES IT'S STATE OF CHARGE (SOC) THERE IS A SIGNIFICANT LOSS OF ACCELERATION. IF THE SUDDEN LOSS OF SOC OCCURS AT A TIME WHEN YOU ARE PULLING OUT INTO TRAFFIC, YOU FIND YOURSELF BEING UNABLE TO ACCELERATE TO AVOID THE ONCOMING TRAFFIC. ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS I HAVE PULLED OUT INTO TRAFFIC WITH THE SOC READING 75% OR HIGHER, ONLY TO FIND THAT "AT THAT EXACT MOMENT", THE VEHICLE DECIDED TO DUMP ITS CHARGE. ON SEVERAL OF THOSE OCCASIONS I WAS NEARLY RUN INTO BY THE ONCOMING TRAFFIC. HONDA REPLACED THE BATTERY IN MARCH 2010 AND THE PROBLEM WENT AWAY, BUT AFTER 6 MONTHS WITH THE NEW BATTERY, THE PROBLEM RETURNED. HONDA REFUSES TO REPLACE THE SECOND BATTERY, INSISTING THAT THE VEHICLE IS OPERATING NORMALLY. *TR

NHTSA ID
10373460
Incident
Dec 15, 2010
Mileage
9,000 mi
Powertrain (other)
Filed Oct 26, 2010

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 HONDA CIVIC. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH, HE HEARD A CLANKING NOISE AND NOTICED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT MOVE FORWARD. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALERSHIP WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE DRIVER SIDE AXLE EXPLODED AND HAD TO BE REPLACED AT HIS EXPENSE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 31,000.

NHTSA ID
10362404
Incident
Oct 21, 2010
Mileage
31,000 mi
BrakesDriver assistancePowertrain (other)+1 more
Filed Oct 19, 2010
Crash reported2 injuries reported

MY 2009 (AUTOMATIC) HONDA CIVIC EX SLIPPED INTO NEUTRAL FOUR DURING THE NIGHT. FOR THE FIRST THREE TIMES, THE DRIVER WOULD ALLOW THE RPM'S TO DROP CAUSING US TO SIT IN TRAFFIC FOR AN UNDEFINED PERIOD OF TIME BEFORE RETURNING THE CAR TO THE DRIVE POSITION. ON THE FOURTH TIME THIS HAPPENED, DRIVER AND I WERE IN A LARGE PARKING LOT MAKING A RIGHT TURN WITH A BUILDING ABOUT A FOOTBALL FIELD AWAY. ABOUT HALFWAY THROUGH THE TURN, THE CAR WAS PLACED BACK INTO DRIVE FROM NEUTRAL AND IT BEGAN TO DRIVE ITSELF. AS THE CAR ACCELERATED FASTER AND FASTER THE DRIVER TRIED TO SLAM ON THE BRAKES MANY TIMES WITHOUT THE PEDAL EVEN BUDGING OR THE CAR SLOWING DOWN IN THE SLIGHTEST WAY. WHEN WE TRIED TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL IT LOCKED UP IN A STRAIGHT AWAY POSITION, CAUSING THE CAR TO HIT AT LEAST TWO LARGE CURBED MEDIANS AND GO AIRBORNE EACH TIME. DRIVER AND I BRACED OURSELVES AS THE BUILDING CAME CLOSER. WE THEN HIT THE THIRD AND FINAL CURB, THE CAR WENT AIRBORNE AGAIN SLAMMING INTO THE BUILDING AT ABOUT SIX FEET HIGH ON THE WALL. ALL AIRBAGS DEPLOYED, THE PASSENGER WINDOW SHATTERED AND WINDSHIELD CRACKED. IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE CRASH I PROCEEDED TO PLACE THE CAR INTO PARK WHEN THE SHIFTER ITSELF CAME OUT. THE CAR WAS STILL TRYING TO DRIVE ITSELF THROUGH THE BUILDING WHEN WE CRASHED. THE CIVIC WAS CONSIDERED TOTALED AND THE INSURANCE COMPANY IS FURTHER INVESTIGATING WHY THIS HAPPENED. *TR

NHTSA ID
10361287
Incident
Sep 8, 2010
Mileage
21,605 mi
ElectricalEngineFuel system+1 more
Filed Aug 9, 2010

I CURRENTLY AM THE LESSEE OF A 2009 HONDA CIVIC HYBRID STARTING THIS JANUARY, THE HYBRID BATTERY CHARGE LEVEL GOES FROM ALMOST FULL (8-10 OUT OF 10 BARS) TO VIRTUALLY ZERO (1 BAR) EVERY OTHER WEEK (THE TECHNICAL TERM FOR THIS IS A "RECALL" OR RECALIBRATING). THIS SUMMER, IT STARTED HAPPENING EVERY 3-4 DAYS, AND WHENEVER I HAD THE A/C ON. THEN, IT STARTED TO HAPPEN EVERY 100 MILES (WHICH MADE IT VERY PREDICTABLE). THE PROBLEM IS THAT WHEN IN THE 'RECALL' STATE, THE CAR IS ALMOST UNRESPONSIVE AND DOES NOT ACCELERATE MUCH, IF AT ALL. THIS POSES A SAFETY HAZARD ESPECIALLY WHEN MAKING LEFT TURNS WHEN THE ONCOMING TRAFFIC HAS A BLIND SPOT, OR IS COMING AROUND A CORNER. IT ALSO IMPACTS FUEL EFFICIENCY SUBSTANTIALLY. I HAVE SEEN ABOUT A 7 MILE-PER-GALLON DROP IN FUEL ECONOMY. I TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALER WHO TOLD ME THAT THERE WERE NO CODES IN THE SYSTEM BUT THERE WERE 3 SOFTWARE UPDATES, SO THEY INSTALLED THOSE AND THAT IF I STILL HAD THE PROBLEM, TO COME BACK. I STILL HAVE THE PROBLEM SO I SCHEDULE THE APPOINTMENT AND I TAKE THE MECHANIC FOR A TEST DRIVE AND HE SEES THE CHARGE DROP RAPIDLY AND STATES THAT IT'S COMPLETELY NORMAL. I ARGUE THAT IS HAPPENS TOO OFTEN AND HE STILL SAYS "IT'S FINE." ABOUT 3 WEEKS LATER THE IMA LIGHT AND 'CHECK ENGINE' LIGHT COME ON. TURNS OUT, IT WAS A BLOWN FUSE (FOR THE A/C ELECTRIC DRIVE, FUSE #22) SO THEY REPLACE IT, AND TELL ME THAT THEY CHECKED THE CURRENT DRAW ON THE A/C JUST TO BE SAFE AND CLAIMED EVERYTHING WAS FINE. NOW, ABOUT 2 WEEKS LATER, EVERY TIME I START THE CAR IT DOES A RECALL. THIS IS BEYOND ANNOYING AND NOW I'M STARTING TO SEE DROPS OF ABOUT 10 MPG BECAUSE OF THIS PROBLEM, AS OPPOSED TO THE PREVIOUS 6 OR 7. I'M THINKING THAT HONDA KNOWS THAT THEIR NIMH BATTERY CELLS ARE PRONE TO PREMATURE FAILURE AND WILL NOT DO ANYTHING TO FIX THE ISSUE. *TR

NHTSA ID
10348354
Incident
Jan 17, 2010
Mileage
6,750 mi
Powertrain (other)
Filed Apr 7, 2010

CHECK ENGINE AND CHECK IMA LIGHT ILLUMINATED. IMA BATTERY DROPPED TO LOWEST POWER LEVEL. BATTERY LEVEL STAYED LOW AND BOTH LIGHTS REMAINED ON 2 DAYS. DEALER PERFORMED AN UPDATE TO IMA FIRMWARE AND LIGHTS WENT OFF HOWEVER BATTERY PERFORMS RECALL CHECK AT LEAST TWICE DAILY. MPG HAVE DROPPED 6 MPG IN THE WEEK FOLLOWING THE CHECK IMA ERROR. DEALER NOW STATES THERE IS NO ISSUE. I STILL HAVE NO ASSIST POWER FROM BATTERY AND VEHICLE IS IN CONSTANT CHARGE MODE. *TR

NHTSA ID
10324204
Incident
Mar 31, 2009
Mileage
22,010 mi
ElectricalOther / unspecifiedPowertrain (other)
Filed Feb 10, 2010

HELLO, I HAVE A 2009 HONDA CIVIC. EVRY TIME I DRIVE IT FOR MORE THEN AN HOUR OR SO, THE GEAR SHIFT BASE WHERE THE N,RF ETC IS WRITTEN, GETS HOT. ALSO, THE INSTRUMENT PANEL WHERE THE CD PLAYER IS GETS REALLY HOT. THE DEALER TELLS ME IT IS OK, THERE IS NO PROBLEM. I FIND IT HARD TO BELIEVE AS I DON'T WANT TO BE ON THE HWY WITH MY FAMILY AND THE CAR CATCHES ON FIR OR SOMETHING. HOW COULD THIS BE NORMAL. PLEASE HELP. *TR

NHTSA ID
10308399
Incident
Dec 1, 2009
Powertrain (other)
Filed Nov 1, 2009

CAR HAS INTERMITTENT HESITATION AFTER COMING TO A COMPLETE STOP, PROBLEM APPEARS MORE OFTEN IN 90 + DEGREE WEATHER, WHICH IS COMMON IN MY HOME STATE OF FLORIDA. DEALER CHECKED CAR AND WAS UNABLE TO FIND A PROBLEM. PROBLEM IS STILL THERE, AND CAN BE A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE IF THE CAR WERE TO HESITATE AT THE WRONG MOMENT. PROBLEM HAS BEEN PRESENT FOR MONTHS NOW, THIS IS A 2009 HONDA CIVIC 4 DOOR SEDAN (EX-L NAVI MODEL). *TR

NHTSA ID
10290525
Incident
Oct 28, 2009
Mileage
9,000 mi
Fuel systemPowertrain (other)
Filed May 27, 2009
Crash reported

SUDDEN ACCELERATION SURGE, TO THE POINT OF HAVING TO COMPLETELY HOLD THE BRAKE WITH BOTH FEET. AT ONE POINT, AFTER PUTTING CAR INTO NEUTRAL, THE ENGINE REVVED TO 7000 RPM BEFORE OWNER COULD TURN CAR OFF. THE INITIAL SURGING RESULTED IN THE OWNER'S WIFE HITTING HER PASSENGER MIRROR AGAINST ANOTHER VEHICLE WHEN THE ENGINE SURGED WHILE IN REVERSE. THERE WAS NO CATEGORY FOR THE VEHICLE ECU, WHICH IS QUITE SUSPECT AT THIS POINT. *TR

NHTSA ID
10270142
Incident
May 23, 2009
Mileage
8,003 mi

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.

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Elsewhere on this vehicle

Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .