Problems · by component

2008 Honda Civic Hybrid vehicle speed control problems

35 owner complaints to NHTSA about the 2008 Honda Civic Hybrid cite vehicle speed control, 4% of all 980 complaints for this model year.

Complaints
35
4% of all complaints
Crashes
7
Reported by owners
Fires
1
Reported by owners
Injuries
1
Reported by owners
01 —Owner reports

What owners say about the vehicle speed control

Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first
“What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? Engine, steering. Purchased the car from a certified dealership in January 2026. After 3 months of driving, the car began exhibiting performance issues. During a normal acceleration pattern, the car would go into a ‘limp mode’ where all dashboard lights would turn on and the car’s performance became severely limited. Acceleration is barely possible when this happens and the car must be turned off and restarted in order to get the car out of ‘limp mode,’ which is a MAJOR safety concern communicated to Honda. It is also of major concern that every time there is a performance issue, every light illuminates, not allowing the driver to diagnose and safely operate the vehicle without Honda assistance with diagnosis. Honda scans revealed P3004 engines misfire code- recommendations included replacing a spark plug. I replaced all four spark plugs and performance returned to normal. Steering recall (Recall Campaign SJS- 2022-25 Civic EPS Grbx Safe ) was also repaired on 6/24/2026- the car was exhibiting steering tightness and locking behaviors which were resolved after this…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jul 17, 2026Steering, Vehicle speed control, EngineODI 11751178
“COOLANT LEAKS ARE COMING FROM ENGINE BLOCK. THE LEAK CAUSES COOLANT TO DRAIN AWAY, LEADING TO OVERHEATING OR TOTAL ENGINE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WILL NOT ACCELERATE, AND SHUTS OFF IN TRAFFIC. HONDA FAILED TO ALERT ALL OWNERS STARTING IN 2010. TO DATE A RECALL STILL HAS NOT BEEN MADE ON MY VEHICLE FOR TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN 10-048. PLEASE SEE THE FOLLOWING LINKS: HTTPS://WWW.CONSUMERREPORTS.ORG/CRO/NEWS/2014/03/FREE-ENGINE-REPLACEMENT-FOR-2006-2009-HONDA-CIVICS/INDEX.HTM *TR”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled May 12, 2020Vehicle speed control, EngineODI 11324230
“TAKATA RECALL. YES THEY ARE SAYING THEY CAN'T DO THE RECALL RIGHT NOW OR ARE WAITING FOR PARTS AS DANGEROUS TIME IS PASSING. ALSO THIS IS MY SECOND HONDA CIVIC 2007 AND 2008 WHERE THE CRUISE CONTROL ACTIVATOR BUTTON HAS FAILED @50,000 MILES. IS THIS NOT A HAZARD AS A PERSON PLAYS WITH THE BROKE EQUIPMENT WHILE DRIVING. *TR”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Nov 28, 2016Air bags, Vehicle speed controlODI 10928198
“I WAS DRIVING AROUND 3:00 PM WHEN THE CAR SUDDENLY ACCELERATED ON ITS OWN. I SLAMMED ON THE BRAKES, BUT THE CAR CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE. I MANAGED TO PUT IT IN NEUTRAL AND CONTINUED TO APPLY THE BRAKES. IN THE THREE WEEKS PRIOR TO THIS EVENT, THE ENGINE REVVED AS IF THE ACCELERATOR HAD BEEN FLOORED AFTER I PUT IT IN PARK AFTER DRIVING HOME FROM WORK (IT NEVER HAPPENED AFTER THE DRIVE TO WORK WHICH WAS IN LESS TRAFFIC AND TOOK LESS TIME). IT DID NOT HAPPEN EVERY TIME. MY WIFE WAS WITH ME ON ONE OCCASION AND EXPERIENCED IT ALSO.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jun 7, 2016Vehicle speed controlCrash reportedODI 10872985
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 HONDA CIVIC HYBRID. WHILE DRIVING AT 55 MPH, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED BUT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE. THE INTEGRATED MOTOR ASSIST BATTERY DEPLETED FROM FULL TO ONLY TWO BARS IN A MATTER OF SECONDS. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE COMPLETELY RECHARGED IN APPROXIMATELY TWO MINUTES. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHO WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE OR REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 126,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Dec 28, 2015Electrical system, Vehicle speed controlODI 10816544
“OCCASIONALLY, WHEN "CRUISE" OPTION IS TURNED ON (BUT NOT ENGAGED OR "SET"), MY HONDA CIVIC ACTS AS IF THE CRUISE CONTROL IS ENGAGED. THAT IS, WHEN I REMOVE MY FOOT FROM THE GAS PEDAL, THE EXPECTED DECELERATION DOES NOT HAPPEN. THE CAR CONTINUES TO TRAVEL AT THE SAME SPEED. ONLY WHEN THE BRAKES ARE APPLIED, THE CAR STARTS TO SLOW DOWN. THIS MIMICS THE EXPECTED BEHAVIOR OF THE CAR WHEN CRUISE CONTROL IS ENGAGED EVEN WHEN CRUISE OPTION IS NOT USED. IN FACT, ON SOME OCCASIONS, THE CAR JERKS A BIT WHEN I LIFT MY FOOT OFF THE GAS PEDAL JUST LIKE WHEN THE CRUISE CONTROL IS ENGAGED. *TR”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Nov 25, 2014Vehicle speed controlODI 10660874

Showing 6 of 35 reports. Read every report on NHTSA.gov.

Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 9, 2026NHTSA vehicle page

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.