2008 Honda Civic Hybrid Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Avoid The 2008 Honda Civic Hybrid ranks worst of 12 model years, with a complaint index of 100 and 64 complaints tied to electrical, fuel system, and engine problems. NHTSA lists 4 recalls, all for airbag inflators, and this year is rated Avoid.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 100/100
- #1 of 12 Civic Hybrid years
- Verdict
- Avoid
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 64
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 4
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 5
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 0
- Injuries
- 3
- Top issue
- Electrical System
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 42
- 40 city / 45 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 3 / 1
Top 2008 Honda Civic Hybrid problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Electrical System19 (30%)
- Fuel System19 (30%)
- Engine17 (27%)
- Airbags11 (17%)
- Structure & Body4 (6%)
- Brakes3 (5%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires3 (5%)
- Transmission & Powertrain3 (5%)
- Visibility & Wipers3 (5%)
- Other2 (3%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Engine shuts off or loses power unexpectedly while stopped or moving, sometimes leading to a rear-end or front-end collision.
- Airbags failed to deploy in some crashes, including driver-side inflators.
- Owners report a mandatory IMA (hybrid battery) software reprogram in 2010 that reduced acceleration power, especially from a stop or on hills.
- Fuel tank filler tube leaks gasoline near the connection point, sometimes requiring full tank replacement.
- Corrosion around tire pressure monitor sensors causes slow air leaks from the wheels.
- Sudden unintended engine revving reported after parking, with acceleration continuing despite braking.
2008 Honda Civic Hybrid recalls
4 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 19V502000Jun 27, 2019Airbags9,555 vehicles
Air bags:frontal:passenger side:inflator module
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2009-2014 Acura TSX, 2011-2014 TSX Sport Wagon, 2010-2013 ZDX, 2008-2012 Honda Accord, 2010-2011 Accord Crosstour, 2006-2011 Civic and Civic Hybrid, 2008-2010 Civic GX NGV, 2012-2015 Crosstour, 2007-2011 CR-V, 2009-2013 Fit, 2014 Fit EV, 2010-2014 Insight, and 2009-2015 Pilot vehicles. The vehicles are equipped with passenger frontal air bag inflators assembled as a recall remedy part or replacement service part, that may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.
Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began August 12, 2019. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are F5F and Q5E.
- NHTSA 19V378000May 16, 2019Airbags19,138 vehicles
Air bags:frontal:passenger side:inflator module
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2009-2014 Acura TSX, 2011-2013 TSX Sport Wagon, and 2010-2012 ZDX and 2008-2012 Honda Accord, 2010-2011 Accord Crosstour, 2006-2011 Civic, Civic Hybrid and Civic NGV, 2012-2014 Crosstour, 2007-2011 CR-V, 2009-2013 Fit, 2010-2013 Insight, and 2009-2015 Pilot vehicles. The front passenger air bag inflator may have been installed incorrectly during replacement.
Risk: An incorrectly installed air bag inflator may not properly deploy the passenger frontal air bag in the event of a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the inflator installation and, if necessary, replace the passenger frontal air bag module assembly, free of charge. The recall began July 5, 2019. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are M4O, P4R, T4Q, and W4P.
- NHTSA 17V030000Jan 10, 2017Airbags977,708 vehicles
Air bags:frontal:passenger side:inflator module
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2009-2012 Acura TSX, 2011-2012 Acura TSX Wagon, 2010-2012 Acura ZDX, 2008-2012 Honda Accord, 2010-2012 Honda Accord Crosstour and Honda Insight, 2009-2012 Honda Fit, 2009-2012 Pilot, 2007-2011 Honda CR-V, 2012 Honda FCX Clarity and 2006-2011 Honda Civic, Civic Hybrid, Civic NGV vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands, or "Zone A." Additionally, if not included in "Zone A" above, Honda is recalling certain 2009 Acura TSX, Honda Fit and Pilot, 2008-2009 Honda Accord, 2006-2009 Civic, Civic Hybrid and Civic NGV, and 2007-2009 Honda CR-V vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia, or "Zone B." Additionally, if not included in "Zone B" above, Honda is recalling certain 2008 Honda Accord, 2006-2008 Honda Civic, Civic Hybrid and Civic NGV and 2007-2008 Honda CR-V vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, and Wyoming. These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules used as original equipment or replacement equipment. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the front air bags, these inflators may rupture due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.
Risk: An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger side air bag inflator, free of charge. The manufacturer has mailed an interim notification, and will send a second notification when parts are available. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are KE1 and KE2.
2008 Honda Civic Hybrid fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 40 MPG
- Highway
- 45 MPG
- Combined
- 42 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $1,550
- 15,000 mi/yr
- Fuel
- Regular
- Current regular gas
- $4.32/gal
- national avg.
EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.
2008 compared with other Civic Hybrid years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2008 Honda Civic Hybrid reliable?
- Compared to other Civic Hybrid model years, 2008 ranks worst, with a complaint index of 100 and 64 complaints, mostly involving the electrical system, fuel system, and engine.
- What problems does the 2008 Honda Civic Hybrid have?
- NHTSA complaint data shows electrical issues (30% of complaints), fuel system issues (30%), and engine issues (27%) as the top problem areas, with a median mileage at failure of 70,750 miles.
- Does the 2008 Honda Civic Hybrid have a recall?
- Yes. NHTSA lists 4 recalls for the 2008 Civic Hybrid, all related to replacing or inspecting airbag inflators.
- What year Honda Civic Hybrid should I avoid?
- The 2008 model year has the highest complaint index (100) and is rated Avoid, along with 2005 and 2007, which also carry Avoid verdicts.
- What is the best year for the Honda Civic Hybrid?
- Based on complaint data, 2013 and 2015 have the lowest complaint indexes (18 and 9) and carry Best verdicts among Civic Hybrid years.