2009 HONDA CIVIC Complaints and Recall Information
The 2009 HONDA CIVIC has 6 complaints and 7 recalls filed with NHTSA. Owners most frequently report issues related to the hood prop rod dislodging and causing fires under the hood, as well as stiff steering wheels that are difficult to turn while driving. There are also concerns about possible remote hacking of vehicle control systems.
- Hood prop rod fire hazard. The hood prop rod dislodges from its clip and falls onto the positive battery terminal, causing an electrical short that heats the rod rapidly and ignites a fire under the hood. This fire damages the headlight assembly and trim panel. No warning lights appear before failure. The clip design or failure is suspected as the cause.
- Steering wheel stiffness. The steering wheel becomes stiff and hard to turn while driving, reported at 115,000 miles. The vehicle was not repaired or diagnosed for this issue.
- Remote hacking risk. Reports suggest possible remote control hacks using programmable devices or open vehicle ports that control car functions without authorization.
There are 7 recalls affecting the 2009 Honda Civic. The majority concern the passenger frontal air bag inflator module. These recalls address inflator rupture risks due to propellant degradation or incorrect installation which may cause serious injury or death in crashes. Other affected systems primarily involve air bag safety components.
- Passenger air bag inflator rupture. (NHTSA 19V502000, 9555 vehicles) The inflator may explode after exposure to humidity and temperature changes, sending metal fragments into occupants. Honda will replace the inflator free of charge. No "Do Not Drive" advisory.
- Incorrect air bag inflator installation. (NHTSA 19V378000, 19138 vehicles) Front passenger air bag inflator may have been installed incorrectly during replacement, risking air bag non-deployment in a crash. Dealers will inspect and replace the module if needed at no charge.
- Air bag inflator propellant degradation. (NHTSA 18V042000, 691726 vehicles) Inflators assembled as original or replacement parts can degrade and rupture, causing metal shrapnel injury. Honda will replace the inflators free of charge.
- Incorrect passenger air bag installation. (NHTSA 18V268000, 1335 vehicles) Some passenger air bags may have been installed incorrectly during replacement and could deploy improperly. Inspections and replacements will be done by dealers without charge.
- Passenger air bag inflator rupture risk. (NHTSA 16V346000, 2719386 vehicles) Inflators may rupture due to propellant degradation in certain climate zones, risking metal fragment injury. Owners will be notified for free inflator replacement.
- Passenger air bag inflator rupture risk in various zones. (NHTSA 17V030000, 977708 vehicles) Similar to other inflator recalls, with replacements planned after initial interim notification. No drive or park outside advisories issued.
- Incorrect replacement inflator installation. (NHTSA 17V545000, 3257 vehicles) Some dealers incorrectly installed replacement passenger frontal air bag inflators, risking improper air bag deployment. Dealers will replace the module free of charge.
Owners facing repeated repairs relating to fire hazards, steering control loss, or unresolved air bag recalls may want to explore their rights under state lemon laws. Those dealing with ongoing safety defects or multiple recalls should consider consulting qualified legal counsel to understand their options.
2009 HONDA CIVIC Summary
2009
Model Year
6
Total Complaints
7
Total Recalls
4422105
Vehicles Affected
Recalls
2009 HONDA CIVIC
19138 vehicles affected
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
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.
Risk: An incorrectly installed air bag inflator may not properly deploy the passenger frontal air bag in the event of a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
2009 HONDA CIVIC
9555 vehicles affected
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
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.
Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
2009 HONDA CIVIC
691726 vehicles affected
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2010-2013 Acura TSX, ZDX, Honda Accord Crosstour, Fit, Insight and Pilot vehicles, 2011-13 Acura TSX Sportswagon, 2010-2012 Honda Accord,, 2010-2011 Honda Civic, Civic NGV, Civic Hybrid and CR-V vehicles and 2013 Honda FCX Clarity and Fit EV vehicles ever registered in the states of Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands or "Zone A." Additionally, Honda is recalling certain 2010-2012 Acura TSX, Honda Accord, Accord Crosstour, Fit and Pilot, 2010-2011 Honda Civic, Civic NGV, Civic Hybrid and CR-V, and 2010 Acura ZDX and Honda Insight vehicles ever registered in the states of Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia or "Zone B." Unless included in Zones A or B above, Honda is recalling certain 2009 Acura TSX, Honda Accord, Civic, Civic NGV, Civic Hybrid, CR-V, Fit, and Pilot vehicles ever registered in the states of Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, and Wyoming or "Zone C." These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the frontal air bag modules, and used as original equipment or replacement equipment (such as after a vehicle crash necessitating replacement of the original air bags), may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to higher absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.
Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
2009 HONDA CIVIC
1335 vehicles affected
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
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.
Risk: An incorrectly installed air bag may deploy improperly in the event of a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
2009 HONDA CIVIC
3257 vehicles affected
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2008-2012 Accord, 2010-2012 Accord Crosstour, 2006-2011 Civic, 2007-2011 CR-V, 2009-2012 Fit and Pilot, 2010-2012 Insight, and 2009-2012 Acura TSX vehicles that received replacement passenger frontal air bag inflators. One dealership may have incorrectly installed the replacement air bag inflators.
Risk: In the event of a crash, an incorrectly installed passenger frontal air bag inflator may deploy the air bag improperly, increasing the risk of injury.
2009 HONDA CIVIC
977708 vehicles affected
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2009-2012 Acura TSX, 2011-2012 Acura TSX Wagon, 2010-2012 Acura ZDX, 2008-2012 Honda Accord, 2010-2012 Honda Accord Crosstour and Honda Insight, 2009-2012 Honda Fit, 2009-2012 Pilot, 2007-2011 Honda CR-V, 2012 Honda FCX Clarity and 2006-2011 Honda Civic, Civic Hybrid, Civic NGV vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands, or "Zone A." Additionally, if not included in "Zone A" above, Honda is recalling certain 2009 Acura TSX, Honda Fit and Pilot, 2008-2009 Honda Accord, 2006-2009 Civic, Civic Hybrid and Civic NGV, and 2007-2009 Honda CR-V vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia, or "Zone B." Additionally, if not included in "Zone B" above, Honda is recalling certain 2008 Honda Accord, 2006-2008 Honda Civic, Civic Hybrid and Civic NGV and 2007-2008 Honda CR-V vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, and Wyoming. These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules used as original equipment or replacement equipment. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the front air bags, these inflators may rupture due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.
Risk: An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
2009 HONDA CIVIC
2719386 vehicles affected
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain model year 2009-2011 Acura TSX, 2011 TSX Wagon, 2010-2011 Acura ZDX, 2008-2011 Honda Accord, 2010-2011 Accord Crosstour, 2006-2011 Civic, Civic Hybrid, and Civic GX, 2007-2011 CR-V, 2010-2011 FCX Clarity and Insight, and 2009-2011 Fit, and Pilot vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands, or "Zone A." Additionally, unless already included in "Zone A" above, Honda is recalling certain model year 2008 Honda Accord, 2006-2008 Civic, Civic Hybrid and Civic GX, and 2007-2008 CR-V vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia, or "Zone B." Vehicles not originally sold or ever registered in either Zones A or B are not subject to this safety recall. These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules, and used as original equipment or replacement equipment. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the front air bags, these inflators may rupture due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.
Risk: An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Complaints
2009 HONDA CIVIC
ID: 2109765STEERING
The contact owns a 2009 Honda Civic. The contact stated that while driving on several occasions at undisclosed speeds, the steering wheel became stiff. The contact stated that the steering wheel difficult to turn. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 115, 000.
2009 HONDA CIVIC
ID: 2108852UNKNOWN OR OTHER
There are hacks to cars that can control the computers remotely, possibly from devices such as programmable thingy remote control devices that can be programmed with different fuctions, or direct open door remote entry hacks into the vehicle port that remote control the cars functions.
2009 HONDA CIVIC
ID: 2108851ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
There are hacks to cars that can control the computers remotely, possibly from devices such as programmable thingy remote control devices that can be programmed with different fuctions, or direct open door remote entry hacks into the vehicle port that remote control the cars functions.
2009 HONDA CIVIC
ID: 2105039UNKNOWN OR OTHER
While driving, the hood prop rod dislodged from its securing clip and fell onto the positive terminal of the battery. This caused an electrical short, which led to the rod heating up rapidly and igniting a fire under the hood. The fire damaged the headlight assembly and the surrounding trim panel, though the wiring fortunately did not catch fire. A nearby police officer was able to extinguish the fire before it spread further. This incident posed a serious safety risk and could have resulted in more extensive damage or injury. There were no warning lights or symptoms before the failure. The issue appears to stem from the design or failure of the clip that holds the hood prop rod in place. The vehicle has not been modified and was being driven under normal conditions. A local auto body shop inspected the vehicle afterward and confirmed that the loose prop rod made contact with the battery terminal, creating a serious fire hazard. They advised reporting this as a safety issue. The manufacturer has not yet inspected the vehicle. The incident was witnessed by a police officer, and the damage was evaluated by an independent repair shop following the fire.
2009 HONDA CIVIC
ID: 2105038EXTERIOR LIGHTING
While driving, the hood prop rod dislodged from its securing clip and fell onto the positive terminal of the battery. This caused an electrical short, which led to the rod heating up rapidly and igniting a fire under the hood. The fire damaged the headlight assembly and the surrounding trim panel, though the wiring fortunately did not catch fire. A nearby police officer was able to extinguish the fire before it spread further. This incident posed a serious safety risk and could have resulted in more extensive damage or injury. There were no warning lights or symptoms before the failure. The issue appears to stem from the design or failure of the clip that holds the hood prop rod in place. The vehicle has not been modified and was being driven under normal conditions. A local auto body shop inspected the vehicle afterward and confirmed that the loose prop rod made contact with the battery terminal, creating a serious fire hazard. They advised reporting this as a safety issue. The manufacturer has not yet inspected the vehicle. The incident was witnessed by a police officer, and the damage was evaluated by an independent repair shop following the fire.
2009 HONDA CIVIC
ID: 2105037ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
While driving, the hood prop rod dislodged from its securing clip and fell onto the positive terminal of the battery. This caused an electrical short, which led to the rod heating up rapidly and igniting a fire under the hood. The fire damaged the headlight assembly and the surrounding trim panel, though the wiring fortunately did not catch fire. A nearby police officer was able to extinguish the fire before it spread further. This incident posed a serious safety risk and could have resulted in more extensive damage or injury. There were no warning lights or symptoms before the failure. The issue appears to stem from the design or failure of the clip that holds the hood prop rod in place. The vehicle has not been modified and was being driven under normal conditions. A local auto body shop inspected the vehicle afterward and confirmed that the loose prop rod made contact with the battery terminal, creating a serious fire hazard. They advised reporting this as a safety issue. The manufacturer has not yet inspected the vehicle. The incident was witnessed by a police officer, and the damage was evaluated by an independent repair shop following the fire.