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 2009 Honda Civic owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
Car accelerated into a garage door unintentionally. The brakes did not work. The problem has not been reproduced. The car was taken to a honda dealer twice before the accident for the same reasons of sudden unintentional acceleration. The vehicle has been totaled and has not been inspected by anyone. There were no warning indicators that I am aware of.
Honda Civic cracked motor block is leaking antifreeze that the car occupants unknowingly are inhaling. I ended up in Mission Viejo Hospital. For kidney and heart problems. I would inhale antifreeze three to four hours a day driving back and forth to work. This is a health crisis because it's deadly. How many elderly, pregnant women and small children or subjected to these poisonous toxin. Needs to be addressed ASAP.
3 times my fooit has sliped off the brake pedal and on to the gas pedal. In all cases i was able to go back to the break pedal and stop. it seems the break pedal is slipery. In all cases the car lurched foward. This has never happened in any of the other cars that i have driven and continue to drive. Now with this honda it has happened 3 times.
My wife was driving a 2009 Honda Civic (purchased new all repairs/servicing since purchase made by the dealer at reading piazza Honda) with my 13 year old daughter on a 2 lane highway at approximately 8:45 pm May-16-2012, no other vehicles were on the road at the time in her front or rear view when suddenly she reported that the engine unexpectedly revved up to high RPM's, where she states that she lost the ability to steer the 2009 Honda Civic, she tried to apply the brakes as soon as she realized the steering control was not working,however; the brakes did not work either. Her vehicle careened to the left side of the road hitting the median divider then the car careened to the right hitting the guard rail at which point the side airbag deployed and the motor shut off. Thankfully they are both alive. My daughter stated that she felt someone was pushing the vehicle from behind suddenly. …
I was driving my 2009 manual Honda Civic with a 55K on it and the temp outside was -20 f, on the high way at about 75 MPH, nothing was abnormal on my dashboard and the car was on the 5 th transmission the car suddenly stopped responding to my acceleration and the engine light blinked three times before my engine completely stopped, it was freezing outside and there was a froth bite warning. I parked safely on the side thanks god there were no much of a traffic on the high way otherwise it would have been disastrous. I checked my battery and nothing was wrong with it, so I checked my oil which I just changed 10 days ago, I found out that my oil checking stick is completely burnt and the remains was black. At this time I was sure that it something bad. I towed the car to the mechanic and arrived safely to my home. …
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.
Driving down the road and the car just shut off = car engine block burned up ther was no fluid in the engine VIN: 2hg vehicle mileage: 153,684 description: warranty extension: engine block supersedes 10-048, dated December 18, 2013, to revise the information highlighted in yellow. Affected vehicles year model trim VIN range 2006'08 Civic all all vins beginning with 1hg or 2hg ' check eligibility with a in VIN status inquiry. 2009 Civic all all vins beginning with 1hg, 19x, and 2hg ' check eligibility with a in VIN status inquiry. Their own internal finding about defective motors. We understand that were a small percentage, but that not does negate us having a big issue. We are being penalized for something that the Honda knows to be a issue.
Developed a cracked engine block, Honda service people showed the crack and told us to call Honda. Honda bulletin 10-048 listed extended warranty of 10 years for 2006-2009 Honda civics. Spoke with a Honda representative initially who told us that repair would be covered. Honda dealership took a few days to look into the issue and told us we did not have the correct VIN number for the repair. Our Honda is the same make model and year of cars affected, has the same problem many many other Honda drivers have faced. Yet, our Honda will not be covered by the extended warranty. Frustrated owner that has corporate owners doing as little as possible to address big issues
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.
Tl* the contact owns a 2009 Honda Civic. The contact noticed a leak from the radiator. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that there was a crack in the engine. The independent mechanic referred the contact to 1st Honda of simi valley (2203 first st, simi valley, ca 93065, [phone]) where it was diagnosed that there was an engine crack and stated that the vehicle was out of warranty. There was no warning indicator illuminated. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and stated that the vehicle was out of warranty. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 144,000.
Engine complaints in other Civic years
Frequently asked questions
How common are engine problems on the 2009 Honda Civic?
NHTSA has 39 complaints about the engine & cooling of the 2009 Honda Civic, 10% of the model year's 396 complaints. The component named most often is engine (2 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2009 Honda Civic engine problems?
No. NHTSA lists no engine & cooling recall for the 2009 Honda Civic, though it has 8 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 2009 Honda Civic engine problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 47,000 miles, and 25% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 4 crashes, 1 fire and 4 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.