Dealer message - Beginning September 26, 2017, the 2006-2011 Civic Engine Block (part number 10002-RNA-A50 and 10002- RNE-A01) warranty claim submission will enforce proper engine ordering through iN.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2009 Honda Civic engine problems
severe 26 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $3,100 · see engine across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
26
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$3,100
2crashes
1fire
1injury
When does it fail?
Of the 26 engine complaints filed for the 2009 Honda Civic, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 0-25,000 mi.
0-25k
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
What stands out
Owners have filed 26 engine complaints with NHTSA against this vehicle, but no formal recall covers the issue — the federal record reflects what manufacturers have admitted, not everything owners are reporting.
No new NHTSA engine complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 11 years — the issue may be aging out of the active population.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering engine on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
Dealer message - Beginning September 26, 2017, the 2006-2011 Civic Engine Block (part number 10002-RNA-A50 and 10002- RNE-A01) warranty claim submission will enforce proper engine ordering through iN.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Dealer message - Beginning August 29, 2017, the 2006-2011 Civic Engine Block (part number 10002-RNA-A50 and 10002- RNE-A01) warranty claim submission will require proper engine ordering through iN. On July 19, 2017, a new applica??on was added to assist your dealership with this new process, which is similar to the current IMA ba??ery, audio, and A/T ordering. Without proper engine block ordering through iN, warranty claims will not be accepted.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Service bulletin - On some 2006 - 08 and early production 2009 Civics, the engine (cylinder) block may leak engine coolant, resulting in engine overheating. To increase customer confidence, American Honda is extending the warranty of the engine block to 10 years from the original date of purchase, with no mileage limit.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Service bulletin - On some 2006-08 and early production 2009 Civics, the engine (cylinder) block may leak engine coolant, resulting in engine overheating. To increase customer confidence, American Honda is extending the warranty of the engine block to 10 years from the original date of purchase, with no mileage limit.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
The 2009 Civic engine generates the most serious complaints around cracked engine blocks. Multiple owners describe the block cracking near the water pump, causing coolant leaks, overheating, and eventually complete engine failure at 138,000 to 153,000 miles. Honda issued Service Bulletin 10-048 extending warranty to 10 years for 2006–2009 Civics with this defect, but owners report being denied coverage because their VIN doesn't match eligibility criteria—despite having the exact same year and problem. One owner faced a $5,500 repair; another was turned away just seven months past the 10-year mark. One owner reports inhaling antifreeze fumes daily from a coolant leak, resulting in hospitalization for kidney and heart problems.
Intermittent starting problems plague some examples, especially in cold weather. Vehicles crank for 5–15 seconds before starting on the second or third try. Dealerships have replaced batteries, starters, and alternators without finding the root cause. Honda's own data recorder confirmed 8-second cranking times but called this normal.
Unintended high-RPM acceleration occurs without warning—engines suddenly rev to 4,000–6,000 RPM while stopped or creeping. One car attempted to accelerate while the driver had their foot on the brake. Dealerships cannot find a fault code or cause. Hybrid models report rapid battery discharge events ("recall" behavior) where battery drops from near-full to near-empty, killing acceleration power during highway merging.
Other chronic issues include oil leaks at the filter that persist despite repeated filter changes, A/C condenser damage from rocks striking the grille (owners call it a design flaw), and engine mount breakage causing vibration.
Same Honda Civic engine reports on nearby years: 2006 · 2007 · 2008 · 2010 · 2011
Failure modes owners describe
Cracked Engine Block
Engine block develops cracks, typically near the water pump or radiator area, causing coolant leaks. The crack can lead to engine overheating, loss of coolant, and eventual engine failure. Several owners cite Honda Service Bulletin 10-048 (warranty extension for 2006–2009 Civics) but report being denied coverage despite matching vehicle year and problem description.
When: 144,000–153,000 miles; one owner reports at approximately 3,000 km (new vehicle)
Symptoms owners cite: Steam coming from engine; Overheating without warning; Coolant leaks visible under vehicle; Engine rattling and running poorly after coolant loss; Unable to drive above 50 mph; Engine block burned up; Antifreeze odor from engine
Repairs/costs cited: One owner cited $5,500 repair cost for engine block replacement. Honda bulletin 10-048 covers new engine block installation at Honda's expense for eligible VINs (2006–2009 Civics), but eligibility determination has excluded several owners despite matching year and symptoms.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Honda Service Bulletin 10-048 extended warranty program (10-year coverage for 2006–2009 Civics with cracked engine blocks); however, multiple owners report VIN-specific eligibility denials. Dealers state vehicle out of warranty or VIN does not match recall criteria.
Intermittent Starting Failure
Engine fails to start on first attempt; vehicle cranks for 5–15 seconds before starting on second or third try. Problem is intermittent and difficult to reproduce. Occurs at low mileage and early in vehicle ownership. One owner mentions possible causes: OEM battery with insufficient cold-cranking amps, fuel relay, or cam/crank sensor.
When: 3,000 km (brand new, 3 months old); 55,000 miles; within first 30,000 miles in cold weather (50°F and below)
Symptoms owners cite: Intermittent failure to start on first attempt; Extended cranking duration (5–15 seconds) before engine catches; Problem occurs more in cold weather; Repeated starting attempts needed
Repairs/costs cited: Dealers have replaced battery and checked starter, alternator, and fuel pump without resolving the issue. Honda installed a computer recorder on one vehicle to capture the fault but determined the extended cranking (8 seconds) as normal. No permanent repair identified across multiple dealership visits.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Honda Canada installed a data recorder to capture fault data; analysis concluded 5–8 second cranking is normal. Head office informed owner that delayed starting is normal for the vehicle. No recall or TSB cited.
Unintended High-RPM Engine Acceleration
Engine suddenly revs to 4,000–6,000 RPM without driver input while vehicle is stopped or moving slowly, with or without foot on brake. Vehicle may attempt to accelerate uncontrollably. Incidents last seconds to minutes before returning to normal idle. Multiple owners report this problem online; dealerships cannot identify root cause.
When: At low mileage (11,000 miles reported); no mileage specified in other cases
Symptoms owners cite: Sudden RPM spike to 4,000–6,000 without driver acceleration input; Unintended acceleration while stopped at light or sign; Vehicle veering or attempting to accelerate despite brake applied; Engine continues to rev in park; Problem resolves when engine restarted or after 10 seconds
Repairs/costs cited: No repairs identified; dealerships unable to find cause or fault code.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealerships unable to diagnose; owners report 50+ similar cases online with no dealer-identified fix.
Oil Leak at Oil Filter
Persistent oil leaks originating from the oil filter area after oil changes. Oil pools and drips from underbody, coating suspension and components. Dealership service department cannot identify root cause beyond 'leaking filter' and recommends repeated filter changes until leak stops. One owner required four dealership visits; leak recurred at a different dealership.
When: Post-oil change; recurring issue across multiple service visits
Symptoms owners cite: Heavy oil leaking from filter area after oil change; Oil pooling in driveway; Oil covering suspension and underbody components; Oil present despite new filter installation
Repairs/costs cited: Dealerships charged $100 diagnostic fee and recommended repeated filter changes. No permanent solution identified. One owner's car leaked heavily again at a different dealership after being brought in for scheduled service.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: None cited; dealerships offer no structural fix, only repeated filter replacement.
Hybrid Battery Rapid Discharge ('Recall' Events)
Hybrid system experiences sudden battery discharge, dropping from 8–10 bars to 1 bar within minutes or hours. Called 'recall' or recalibration by owner. Initially happened every other week; frequency increased to every 3–4 days (especially with A/C on), then every 100 miles. When in discharge state, car loses responsiveness and acceleration power, creating safety hazard during merging or turning. Fuel economy drops 6–10 mpg. Dealer performed software update but did not resolve issue.
When: Summer months (A/C usage); recurring throughout vehicle ownership
Symptoms owners cite: Battery charge drops from nearly full to near zero suddenly; Loss of hybrid motor assist during acceleration; Reduced responsiveness and inability to accelerate; RPMs climb to 4,000–5,000 without proportional power gain; Dramatic fuel economy loss (6–10 mpg drop); IMA and Check Engine lights illuminate after blown fuse event
Codes mentioned: Blown fuse #22 (A/C Electric Drive)
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer performed three software updates; fuse #22 replaced after IMA and Check Engine lights came on. Dealer checked A/C current draw and claimed all was fine, but problem persists.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealer installed three software updates; replaced fuse #22. Dealer stated rapid charge drop is 'completely normal' even when occurring every 100 miles and impacting fuel economy by 6–10 mpg. No further fix offered.
Engine Failure at Highway Speed
Engine suddenly loses power and stops completely while driving at highway speed in extremely cold weather (-20°F). Engine light blinks three times before complete shutdown. Oil appears burned (dipstick completely charred black). Owner had just changed oil 10 days prior. Problem occurred at 55,000 miles after 5 years of ownership.
When: 55,000 miles; 5 years after purchase; cold weather (-20°F)
Symptoms owners cite: Loss of throttle response at highway speed; Engine light blinking three times; Complete engine shutdown on highway; Burned oil (dipstick charred black); No warning before failure
Repairs/costs cited: Vehicle towed; owner notes Honda has internal bulletin about this defect affecting small percentage of engines.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Honda customer service denied coverage under bulletin, stating vehicle not eligible. Owner notes Honda acknowledges the issue but refuses responsibility.
Engine Block Overheating and Failure
Engine overheats suddenly while driving, with coolant leak and strong coolant odor. In one case, overheating led to rapid fire engulfment. Another owner reports inhaling antifreeze fumes for hours daily during commute due to chronic coolant leak from cracked block, resulting in hospitalization for kidney and heart problems.
When: 138,000 miles; during highway driving
Symptoms owners cite: Temperature gauge rising to extremely hot; Coolant leaks and puddles; Strong coolant/antifreeze odor from engine; Loss of coolant requiring refilling; Heat under seat (in fire case); Vehicle engulfing in flames within 3–5 minutes; Antifreeze fumes inhaled during commute causing health issues
Repairs/costs cited: One case resulted in vehicle fire; another required hospitalization for kidney and heart problems due to antifreeze inhalation.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Failure not covered under recall; vehicle out of warranty. No assistance offered.
Air Conditioning Condenser Damage (Rock Strike)
Rock comes through front grille, striking and damaging A/C condenser within months of purchase. Problem recurs seasonally. Multiple owners report same issue; dealerships confirm seeing this frequently. Owners cite Internet searches revealing this problem is common for 2009 Civic but rare for other manufacturers, suggesting design flaw in grille. Honda changed grille design on Odyssey to prevent similar issue.
When: 6 months after purchase; recurring seasonally (once annually)
Symptoms owners cite: A/C blows warm air; Rock impact damage to condenser visible; Problem recurs next season despite dealer repair
Repairs/costs cited: $700 repair cost cited for condenser replacement. One owner spent 1.5 years attempting to resolve via dealership.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealers deny warranty coverage, citing rock strike as external damage not covered. Dealership confirms seeing this problem frequently on 2009 Civics.
Engine Mount Failure
Engine mount breaks, causing vibration when shifting to reverse, which progresses to constant vibration in all gears. Discovered during routine inspection at 69,000 miles.
When: 69,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Vibration when shifting into reverse; Vibration present in all gears after initial occurrence
Repairs/costs cited: Replacement needed; no repair cost specified.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Vehicle not included in any recalls. Manufacturer referred owner back to dealer for repair; no assistance offered.
Broken Engine Wishbone (Lower Engine Support)
Lower engine support wishbone breaks during normal low-speed acceleration from a stop, making a loud boom sound. Vehicle was only 4 months old at time of failure.
When: 4 months after purchase; low mileage
Symptoms owners cite: Loud boom or cracking sound from engine area; Breakage of wishbone that holds lower engine
Repairs/costs cited: Repair required; vehicle also needed two new tires, alignment, cabin filter, brake fluid flush, and power steering rack.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: None; dealership performed inspection, but used-car dealership had not inspected vehicle before sale.
Synthesized from 26 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 4 most recent
While trying to pull into an isle of a parking lot for the purpose of finding a parking space, the engine suddenly accelerated on its own and out of control spinning around, jumping a curb and crashing into a tree, and four other automobiles parked on the parking lot causing property damage to five automobiles including my automobile. *tr
Tl* the contact owns a 2009 Honda civic. The contact stated that the vehicle leaked water and caused the engine to overheat without warning. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who stated that the failure was not covered under a recall. The failure recurred. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure was not repaired. The failure mileage was unknown.
Stopped at an stop light in town when vehicle RPM suddenly went to 5900 RPM and vehicle attempted to accelerate. Had foot on brake and was able to stop. Put vehicle in park but RPM stayed around 5900-6000. Turned off ignition and restarted. Vehicle drove normally. Took vehicle to dealer who could not find a problem. There are over 50 cases of this same behavior reported online, in all cases the…
2009 Honda civic 4 door sedan, bought brand new ? Within the first 30,000 miles, the car began to have intermittent problems with starting in lower temperature weather (50 and below). Car engine will crank and fail to turn over if left in colder temperature for more than 12 hours, I have installed a new battery and the problem has persisted. Brought the car into the dealer and the starter,…
Had engine trouble with your 2009 Honda Civic?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the engine problem on the 2009 Honda Civic?
It's a meaningful issue. 26 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $3,100.
At what mileage does the engine typically fail?
Across the 21 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most engine failures cluster between 14,500 and 107,000 miles, with the median around 38,868. A quarter of owners report trouble before 14,500; a quarter make it past 107,000. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $3,100 for engine 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 engine?
No active recalls currently cover engine 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.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2009/Honda/Civic.
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. Some links on this page are affiliate links.