THE BRACKET THE HOLDS THE ALTERNATOR AND IS CONNECTED TO THE ENGINE BLOCK SNAPPED WHILE I WAS DRIVING ON A CITY STREET. I LOST POWER STEERING AND THE BELT CAME OFF. THE ALTERNATOR WAS JUST DANGLING. FROM WHAT I UNDERSTAND, THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM WITH THIS MODEL VEHICLE AND IT SEEMS TO BE A SERIOUS DESIGN FLAW.
2008 honda Civic body problems
moderate 70 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $1,500
Complaints
70
Recalls
0
Crashes
0
Avg fix
$1,500
What owners are reporting 2 most recent
CLEAR COAT BEGAN CRACKING, HAD IT REDONE BY THE DEALERSHIP. NOW THE PAINT ON THE HOOD IS CHIPPING ABNORMALLY FAST, AND THE RIGHT FRONT FENDER HAD TO BE REDONE (12/15/14) SINCE THE CLEAR COAT WAS FLAKING OFF. I TAKE GREAT CARE OF MY CAR, BUT FIND MYSELF HIGHLY DISCOURAGED TO CONTINUE DOING SO GIVEN THAT I CANNOT AFFORD A NEW CAR AND I'M FIGHTING A LOSING BATTLE WITH BOTH RUST AND CHIPS. I DON'T …
Common questions
How serious is the body problem on the 2008 honda Civic?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 70 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $1,500 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the body typically fail?
Mileage data is limited for this issue. Owners report failures across a wide range, suggesting cause is more about driving conditions and maintenance than mileage alone.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $1,500 for body repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to body?
No active recalls currently cover body issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Other problem areas on this vehicle
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities.
Repair cost estimates are independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area.
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