2009 Honda Civic Problems, Recalls & Reliability
Verdict
CautionComplaint Index
65/100
#8 most-complained of 21 Civic years
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
The 2009 Honda Civic has 395 owner complaints and 8 safety recalls on file with NHTSA. Its Complaint Index is 65 out of 100 — #8 highest of 21 Civic model years (verdict: Caution). The most reported problem area is airbags (95 complaints, 24% of the total). Complaints report 42 crashes, 6 fires, 39 injuries, and 1 death.
- Complaints
- 395
- Recalls
- 8
- Crashes / fires
- 42 / 6
- Injuries / deaths
- 39 / 1
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 28.5
- 24.5 city / 35 hwy
Top 2009 Honda Civic problems
NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Airbags95 (24%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires56 (14%)
- Structure & Body55 (14%)
- Engine54 (14%)
- Brakes52 (13%)
- Electrical System43 (11%)
- Other42 (11%)
- Visibility & Wipers28 (7%)
- Transmission & Powertrain23 (6%)
- Steering13 (3%)
2009 Honda Civic recalls
8 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 18V268000Apr 26, 2018Airbags1,335 vehicles
Air bags:frontal:passenger side:inflator module
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2003-2012 Honda Accord and Pilot, 2010 Accord Crosstour, 2001-2011 Civic, 2002-2011 CR-V, 2003-2004, 2006-2008 and 2011 Element, 2007 and 2009-2013 Fit, 2010-2012 Insight, 2002-2004 Odyssey, and 2012 Ridgeline vehicles. The front passenger air bag may have been installed incorrectly during replacement.
Risk: An incorrectly installed air bag may deploy improperly in the event of a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and, if necessary, replace the passenger frontal air bag module assembly, free of charge. The recall began June 22, 2018. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are K1P, and M1O.
2009 Honda Civic fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 24.5 MPG
- Highway
- 35 MPG
- Combined
- 28.5 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $2,250
- 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 years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2009 Honda Civic a reliable year?
- Judged by NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2009 Honda Civic ranks #8 of 21 among Civic model years (Complaint Index 65/100, verdict: Caution). It has 395 complaints and 8 recalls on file. This reflects reported safety-related problems, not an overall reliability rating.
- What are the most common problems with the 2009 Honda Civic?
- The most reported problem areas are airbags (95 complaints), suspension, wheels & tires (56 complaints), and structure & body (55 complaints). The median mileage at the time of failure in complaints that report it is 31,015 miles.
- Does the 2009 Honda Civic have any recalls?
- Yes — NHTSA lists 8 recall campaigns for the 2009 Honda Civic, most recently reported 2019, covering airbags and fuel system.
- What is the fuel economy of the 2009 Honda Civic?
- EPA rates the 2009 Honda Civic at 28.5 MPG combined (24.5 city / 35 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $2,250. Where several configurations exist, the median is shown.