2009 Honda Civic Hybrid Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Caution The 2009 Honda Civic Hybrid has a complaint index of 55 and ranks 6th worst out of 12 model years, earning a Caution verdict. NHTSA lists 28 complaints, 5 recalls, and 1 injury, with Electrical System issues (IMA battery) making up 39% of complaints.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 55/100
- #6 of 12 Civic Hybrid years
- Verdict
- Caution
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 28
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 5
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 0
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 0
- Injuries
- 1
- Top issue
- Electrical System
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 42
- 40 city / 45 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 1 / 0
Top 2009 Honda Civic Hybrid problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Electrical System11 (39%)
- Engine6 (21%)
- Transmission & Powertrain6 (21%)
- Airbags5 (18%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires5 (18%)
- Visibility & Wipers3 (11%)
- Structure & Body2 (7%)
- Fuel System1 (4%)
- Other1 (4%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- IMA hybrid battery deteriorates and triggers a warning light, causing hesitant or slow acceleration, especially in hot weather.
- Software updates from the dealer sometimes fail to fix the battery problem, and acceleration weakness returns within a few miles.
- Rear tires wear unevenly and prematurely due to a suspension issue, even after a dealer alignment.
- A whining noise from the engine while in gear turned out to be a transmission problem in one case.
- Side curtain airbags deployed unexpectedly while the vehicle was parked and not in a crash.
- Sun visors cracked and some door locks failed to engage at driving speed.
2009 Honda Civic Hybrid recalls
5 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 18V042000Jan 9, 2018Airbags691,726 vehicles
Air bags:frontal:passenger side:inflator module
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2010-2013 Acura TSX, ZDX, Honda Accord Crosstour, Fit, Insight and Pilot vehicles, 2011-13 Acura TSX Sportswagon, 2010-2012 Honda Accord,, 2010-2011 Honda Civic, Civic NGV, Civic Hybrid and CR-V vehicles and 2013 Honda FCX Clarity and Fit EV vehicles ever registered in the states of 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, Honda is recalling certain 2010-2012 Acura TSX, Honda Accord, Accord Crosstour, Fit and Pilot, 2010-2011 Honda Civic, Civic NGV, Civic Hybrid and CR-V, and 2010 Acura ZDX and Honda Insight vehicles ever registered in the states of 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." Unless included in Zones A or B above, Honda is recalling certain 2009 Acura TSX, Honda Accord, Civic, Civic NGV, Civic Hybrid, CR-V, Fit, and Pilot vehicles ever registered in the states of 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 or "Zone C." These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the frontal air bag modules, and used as original equipment or replacement equipment (such as after a vehicle crash necessitating replacement of the original air bags), may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to higher 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 February 16, 2018. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are B0K and L0J.
2009 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.
2009 compared with other Civic Hybrid years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2009 Honda Civic Hybrid reliable?
- Compared to other Civic Hybrid model years, 2009 ranks 6th worst out of 12 with a complaint index of 55 and a Caution verdict. It has fewer complaints than the 2007 and 2008 model years but more than the 2010 and later years.
- What is the biggest problem with the 2009 Honda Civic Hybrid?
- Electrical System complaints, mostly involving the IMA hybrid battery, account for 39% of all complaints, with a median failure mileage of 45,000 miles.
- Does the 2009 Honda Civic Hybrid have any recalls?
- NHTSA lists 5 recalls for the 2009 Civic Hybrid, all related to airbag inflators, spanning campaigns from 2016 through 2019. None are do-not-drive recalls.
- How does the 2009 Civic Hybrid compare to the 2013 model?
- The 2013 Civic Hybrid has a much lower complaint index of 18 and a Best verdict, versus a complaint index of 55 and Caution for 2009.
- What is the median mileage for complaints on the 2009 Civic Hybrid?
- Across all reported problems, the median mileage at failure was 52,000 miles, though Electrical System complaints had a lower median of 45,000 miles.