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Research · Subcompact Cars · 2 NHTSA variants

2009 Honda CivicRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 8 safety recalls and 398 owner complaints for the 2009 Honda Civic. Most complaints involve air bags (96) and structure (46). The EPA rates it 24–29 mpg combined.

Check a VINAdd to my garage
Combined MPG
24–29mpg
EPA · 4 versions
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
8campaigns
Latest Jun 2019
Owner complaints
398
Top: air bags
Fuel cost / yr
$1,650est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

8 NHTSA campaigns · applies to some vehicles, check your VIN

Air bags: inflator module

Free remedy

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.

Air bagsReported Jun 27, 2019NHTSA 19V502000

Air bags: inflator module

Free remedy

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.

Air bagsReported May 16, 2019NHTSA 19V378000

Air bags: inflator module

Free remedy

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.

Air bagsReported Apr 26, 2018NHTSA 18V268000
See all 8 recalls with remedies
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 6, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

398 complaints filed with NHTSA · Oct 2008 – Oct 2026
  1. Air bags96
  2. Structure46
  3. Electrical system36
  4. Suspension31
  5. Engine27
  6. Tires26
  7. Service brakes, hydraulic24
  8. Power train23
  9. Service brakes21

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

By model year

Complaints for each Civic model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
1996314
1997383
1998450
1999348
2000297
20011,089
2002717
2003525
2004351
2005316
20061,411
20071,212
2008923
2009398
2010400
2011170
2012462
2013320
2014293
2015389
20161,083
2017608
2018602
2019460
2020240
2021162
2022962
2023338
2024144
202588
202632
Crashes reported
42
Fires reported
6
Injuries reported
39
Deaths reported
1
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 6, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Air bags

96 reports25 crashes2 fires
“No codes on the dash, police said the airbags malfunctioned. Car hit an embankment on the front right side then the car flipped over. The steering wheel did not deploy. All of the side airbags, both bottom and top side airbags came out still folded and did not inflate. Car is currently with State Farm insurance at their garage.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Mar 28, 2023Air bagsCrash reportedODI 11514335

Structure

46 reports4 crashes
“The contact owns a 2009 Honda Civic. The contact stated that the sun visor split over and blocked his driving view. The contact stated that the failure was related to TSB Technical Service Bulletin 11-031. The local dealer was contacted, where it was diagnosed that the sun visor needed to be replaced. The contact had a paperclip holding the sun visor. vehicle that was not repaired. The contact stated that the sun visor was previously repaired, but the failure recurred. The manufacturer was contacted, who opened a case. The failure mileage was approximately 100,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jun 3, 2026StructureODI 11741877

Electrical system

36 reports1 crash2 fires
“The contact purchased a 2009 Honda Civic. It was discovered that there was a mileage discrepancy. The vehicle was a dealer sale. At the time of purchase, the vehicle mileage was 23,000 and at the time of registration, it was discovered that the mileage was 213,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 14, 2026Electrical systemODI 11771210
All 2009 Civic problemsSend a problem to a mechanic on findmechanic.ai
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 6, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

4 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Subcompact Cars
Engines
1.8L 4-cyl · 1.8L 4-cyl cng · 2.0L 4-cyl
Transmissions
Automatic 5-spd · Manual 5-spd · Manual 6-spd
Drive
Front-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Regular Gasoline · Natural Gas · Premium Gasoline

Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.

Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 6, 2026EPA listing
05 —Fuel economy

EPA fuel economy by version

City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
VersionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
Civic
Auto 5-spd, 4 cyl, 1.8 L · Front-Wheel Drive
253629$2,200306
Civic
Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 1.8 L · Front-Wheel Drive
263429$2,200306
Civic CNG
Auto 5-spd, 4 cyl, 1.8 L · Front-Wheel Drive
243628$1,650251
Civic
Man 6-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L · Front-Wheel Drive
212924$3,300370
  • Civic
    Auto 5-spd, 4 cyl, 1.8 L
    25 city · 36 hwy · $2,200/yr
    29
    mpg comb.
  • Civic
    Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 1.8 L
    26 city · 34 hwy · $2,200/yr
    29
    mpg comb.
  • Civic CNG
    Auto 5-spd, 4 cyl, 1.8 L
    24 city · 36 hwy · $1,650/yr
    28
    mpg comb.
  • Civic
    Man 6-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L
    21 city · 29 hwy · $3,300/yr
    24
    mpg comb.
Estimate your fuel costCost of ownership
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 6, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

3 tested variants
NHTSA has not published 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2009 Honda Civic as of Nov 6, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Nov 6, 2026Vehicle 5110Vehicle 5108Vehicle 5107
07 —Maintenance

Maintenance basics

General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
ItemMilesTimeNote
Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi6–12 monthsFollow the oil-life monitor if fitted
Tire rotation5,000–7,500 miEvery oil changeCheck pressure monthly
Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi1–2 yearsSooner in dusty areas
Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi1–2 years
Brake fluid—2–3 yearsAbsorbs moisture over time
Coolant60,000–100,000 mi5–10 yearsLong-life coolants last longer
Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi—Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end
12V battery—3–5 yearsHeat shortens battery life
  • Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi
    6–12 months
  • Tire rotation5,000–7,500 mi
    Every oil change
  • Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Brake fluid—
    2–3 years
  • Coolant60,000–100,000 mi
    5–10 years
  • Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi
    —
  • 12V battery—
    3–5 years
Typical intervals for modern cars. Severe service (towing, short trips, extreme heat or cold) shortens them.
09 —FAQ

2009 Civic questions

How many recalls does the 2009 Honda Civic have?

8 safety recalls as of Nov 6, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.

What are the most common 2009 Honda Civic problems?

Owners filed 398 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are air bags (96), structure (46), electrical system (36). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2009 Honda Civic get?

The EPA rates the 2009 Honda Civic at 24–29 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (4 versions rated).

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 6, 2026