Service Bulletin - There is a pop or clunk from the front suspension area when driving over bumps. This usually occurs after completing a tight (full lock) turn.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2009 Honda Civic suspension problems
moderate 25 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $900 · see suspension across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
25
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$900
1crash
When does it fail?
Of the 25 suspension 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 25 suspension 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 suspension complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 13 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 suspension 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.
HONDA: WHEN MAKE TIGHT TURN, WOULD HEAR OR FEEL A POPPING OR CLUNKING NOISE, AFTER DRIVING OVER BUMPS, COMING FROM THE FRONT SUSPENSION.
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 has a well-documented rear suspension defect that Honda is not fixing. Owners consistently report severe cupping and uneven wear on rear tires starting as early as 15,000 miles. The complaint is always the same: Honda issued a Technical Service Bulletin (TSB) for the 2006–2007 models addressing rear upper control arm problems, but the 2009 still suffers the same failure. Dealers acknowledge the control arm issue when forced to by persistent owners but refuse to replace the arms under warranty—no recall, no fix.
One owner had a rear lower control arm snap at 65 mph on the highway, leaving the bumper inches from the pavement. Several owners report replacing tires twice or more by 40,000 miles, with some needing rubber annually. When pushed, Honda or dealers occasionally split the cost of replacement tires (covering one or two out of four), but the underlying suspension defect remains.
Beyond the rear-tire problem, owners report front-end noises—creaking, squeaking, clicking, popping—at low mileage, sometimes before 6,000 miles. Front struts have also failed prematurely in at least one documented case. One owner's rear wheel bearing developed loud noise. Dealers are typically dismissive, blaming tire wear or alignment, even when the vehicle exhibits the same cupping pattern as the TSB-covered 2006–2007 generation.
Same Honda Civic suspension reports on nearby years: 2006 · 2007 · 2008 · 2010
Failure modes owners describe
Rear upper control arm defect causing tire cupping and premature wear
Rear upper control arms are reported as defective, causing severe cupping and rapid, uneven tire wear on both rear tires. Owners report needing tire replacement every 10,000–20,000 miles or sooner. Honda has issued a TSB for 2006–2007 Civics with the same failure but has not recalled or fixed the problem on 2009 models despite admitting to the control arm issue in some cases.
When: Typically 15,000–40,000 miles; some owners report vibration immediately upon purchase or within first 5 months of ownership
Symptoms owners cite: Severe cupping on rear tires, often in a diagonal pattern; Excessive vibration and road noise from rear end; Rapid, uneven tire wear on rear tires; Flat spots on rear tires; Tires balding prematurely despite regular rotation
Repairs/costs cited: Honda dealers acknowledge the control arm issue in some cases but refuse to replace the arms under warranty, citing lack of a recall. One independent mechanic quoted $842.29 for control arm replacement and alignment. Honda and dealers have offered partial reimbursement for tire replacement (covering 1–2 of 4 tires) in some complaints after owners pushed back, but the underlying suspension defect remains unfixed.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Honda has issued a TSB for 2006–2007 models but has not issued a recall for 2009 Civics. In some cases, American Honda agreed to pay for two tires and the dealership agreed to pay for one; however, the control arms themselves were not replaced. Dealers consistently told owners the problem was not covered under warranty or that there was no TSB or recall for 2009 models.
Rear lower control arm snapping
A rear lower control arm snapped while the vehicle was being driven straight on the highway at 65 mph. This failure left the rear bumper nearly touching the ground, creating a serious safety hazard and indicating that the control arm had likely been compromised by the underlying suspension design defect that causes tire wear.
When: Mileage not specified in complaint; occurred after years of abnormal tire wear attributed to control arm issues
Symptoms owners cite: Rear lower control arm fracture while driving at highway speed; Rear bumper drooping and nearly contacting the ground; Long preceding history of shaking, loud buzzing, and tire wear
Repairs/costs cited: Not specified; owner reported significant difficulty towing due to structural misalignment caused by the snapped arm.
Front suspension noises and defects
Multiple owners report creaking, squeaking, clicking, and popping noises emanating from the front suspension or front wheel areas, suggesting defective ball joints, bushings, or struts. One complaint documents both front-end suspension defects on both passenger and driver sides diagnosed by a dealer but not repaired. Another reports a broken right bushing on the suspension system.
When: As early as 5,971 miles for one complaint; others not specified
Symptoms owners cite: Creaking or squeaking from front wheel areas; Clicking and popping noise from under the hood at highway speeds; Squeaking sound when turning; Broken suspension bushing (right side reported)
Repairs/costs cited: One dealer diagnosed defective front-end suspension on both sides but did not repair. No repair costs provided in narratives.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer was notified in at least one case but no action was taken.
Front wheel separation
One report of a front wheel detaching from the vehicle after a low-speed collision (10 mph), leaving the entire front end non-functional. While the collision itself was the trigger, the ease of wheel separation raises questions about suspension or wheel hub integrity.
When: 45 miles on odometer (essentially a new vehicle)
Symptoms owners cite: Complete front wheel detachment after low-speed collision; Entire front end came off vehicle
Repairs/costs cited: Vehicle required towing; repair status not specified in complaint.
Front strut premature failure
One owner reports having to replace front struts three times since purchasing the car new, indicating premature strut failure or a design defect leading to rapid strut wear.
When: Not specified; only stated as recurring throughout ownership
Symptoms owners cite: Repeated front strut failure requiring replacement three times
Repairs/costs cited: Three strut replacements required; costs not provided.
Rear wheel bearing noise
One owner reports loud noise from rear wheel bearings while driving, raising concerns about bearing failure and the safety risk if the bearing were to seize during operation.
When: Not specified
Symptoms owners cite: Loud noise from rear wheel bearings while driving
Repairs/costs cited: Not specified
Synthesized from 25 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 2 most recent
I was driving down the road at approximately 35 miles per hour in town when the driver side sun visor fell in my view. It would not stay up. It split into two pieces that would not go back together. I went to the Honda dealership to get 2 new rear tires because the car keeps eating up the rear tires for some strange reason. I asked the dealership about this visor and a possible recall at that…
Have had to replace front struts three times since purchasing the car new.
Had suspension 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 suspension problem on the 2009 Honda Civic?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 25 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $900 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the suspension typically fail?
Across the 21 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most suspension failures cluster between 20,560 and 36,000 miles, with the median around 25,970. A quarter of owners report trouble before 20,560; a quarter make it past 36,000. 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 $900 for suspension 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 suspension?
No active recalls currently cover suspension 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.