Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (engine, cooling system, oil leaks, timing chain, exhaust).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2008 Honda Civic owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact owns a 2008 Honda Civic. The contact stated while driving 30 MPH, there was smoke coming from underneath the hood, and the vehicle was overheating. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact pulled into a gas station, where her son added coolant to the vehicle. The contact was able to drive to her destination. Additionally, the contact stated that upon parking the vehicle, she noticed a trail of coolant in the driveway and there was no coolant in the reservoir. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed that the engine block was cracked, and coolant was leaking through the crack. The mechanic determined that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was then towed to another independent mechanic, for second opinion, and the same determination was provided. The vehicle was not repaired. An unknown dealer was notified of the failure. …
The contact owns a 2008 Honda Civic. The contact stated while driving 55 MPH, he noticed a strong coolant odor and that the temperature gauge was showing that the engine was overheating. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact veered to the side of the road. Upon inspecting the vehicle, the contact noticed that coolant was leaking into the engine compartment. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed that the engine block was fractured, and that the engine needed to be replaced. The dealer sent a diagnostic report to the manufacturer; however, the manufacturer declined to cover the repair and informed the dealer that an extended warranty coverage notice for the engine, was previously sent to the contact. The contact stated that he had not received the notice. The contact followed up with the manufacturer, but no assistance was provided. …
The contact owns a 2008 Honda Civic. The contact stated while driving 20 MPH, the vehicle started to overheat. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact pulled into the gas station and allowed the vehicle to cool down. The contact then refilled coolant in the vehicle. The contact was able to continue driving. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the part of the engine block located between with the alternator and the exhaust had fractured. The contact then contacted the dealer who informed him that the engine needed to be replaced per the instructions on Honda Technical Service Bulletin Number: 10-048. However, the dealer advised the contact that the 10 year extended warranty had expired and he had to pay out-of-pocket for the repair. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but provided no assistance. …
The contact owns a 2008 Honda Civic. The contact stated while driving 45 MPH, the vehicle started overheating. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact pulled to the side of the road, where she noticed that coolant was leaking onto the ground. The vehicle was towed to the residence. The vehicle was then towed to Firestone, where it was diagnosed that there was a crack in the engine block, and that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that she would be charged a fee for the repair. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 134,000.
The contact owns a 2008 Honda Civic. The contact stated while driving 45 MPH, he saw steam exiting the hood and the temperature gauge started rising. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact was able to park at a nearby parking lot. The contact opened the hood and noticed steam coming from the front engine block. The contact also saw coolant leaking from the vehicle. The contact allowed the engine cool down before driving to his residence. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. A dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 114,044.
The contact owns a 2008 Honda Civic. The contact stated while driving at an unknown speed, the vehicle stalled without warning. The contact was able to restart the vehicle however, after driving mile, the vehicle stalled again. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the head gasket was blown and the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer was notified of the failure, but the contact was informed that there were no recalls associated with the VIN. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 200,000.
The contact owns a 2008 Honda Civic. The contact stated that she had noticed fluid leaking from her engine after her daughter parked the vehicle. Upon inspection, the contact discovered a crack on the engine block. The manufacturer was initially notified about the failure and referred the contact to the dealer. The dealer then gave the contact an estimate for a diagnostic to repair the vehicle. The vehicle had yet to be repaired and remained in the possession of the dealer. The failure mileage was approximately 68,000.
The contact owns a 2008 Honda Civic. The contact stated while entering the vehicle, the contact discovered a coolant leak underneath the vehicle onto the ground. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed with a crack in the engine block. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but provided no assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 144,000.
The contact owns a 2008 Honda Civic. The contact stated that coolant was leaking underneath the vehicle. The contact examined the vehicle and noticed that the engine block was fractured. The vehicle was not diagnosed. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 114,000.
My car overheated last week and now has a cracked engine. Yes, my car is available for inspection but my car will be repaired in a couple days. My safety was put at risk since my car gave me no warning signs of overheating. I had absolutely no problems with this car beforehand and out of nowhere my engine cracked and my car overheated. I was lucky that my car didn't start steaming and breaking down. The problem has not been confirmed by a dealer, I am trying to work that out with them since this years model has a recall for overheating. It has been, however, confirmed by my mechanic that my mileage is extremely low for this to happen and to call Honda for reimbursement. The vehicle has been inspected by my local mechanic. …
Engine complaints in other Civic years
Frequently asked questions
How common are engine problems on the 2008 Honda Civic?
NHTSA has 207 complaints about the engine & cooling of the 2008 Honda Civic, 23% of the model year's 916 complaints. The component named most often is engine (9 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2008 Honda Civic engine problems?
No. NHTSA lists no engine & cooling recall for the 2008 Honda Civic, though it has 7 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2008 Honda Civic engine problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 99,000 miles, and 6% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 3 crashes, 3 fires and 2 injuries to engine & cooling problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.