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Honda Civic HybridModel year report

2005 Honda Civic Hybrid Problems

Complaints
48filed with NHTSA
Median mileage
96,500miles, 42 complaints with mileage
Recalls
6campaigns on record
Trend
StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA crash rating
—overall rating starts with 2011 models
EPA fuel economy
41 mpgcombined, 1.3L 4-cyl · hybrid FWD · 39 city / 42 hwy

Sources: NHTSA records for the 2005 Honda Civic Hybrid (complaints, recalls, investigations), EPA fuel economy. Report an error

NHTSA recorded 48 consumer complaints for the 2005 Honda Civic Hybrid. The part named most often is transmission and drivetrain, with 21 complaints (44% of the total), followed by air bags (15) and electrical system (11). 42 of the complaints include a mileage, and 12% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 96,500 miles. Of all complaints, 7 involved a crash, 6 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 6 recall campaigns and 43 technical service bulletins for this model year. Transmission and drivetrain complaints overlap with 1 technical service bulletin filed under the same part. Air bags complaints overlap with 6 recall campaigns covering the inflator module and 37 technical service bulletins filed under the same part.

Not compared (before 2008). Model years 2008–2023 of the same vehicle that have at least 25 complaints are compared, and a model needs at least 3 of them.

Which parts are reported most

Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.

Also reported: Exterior lighting (1), Seat belts (1), Steering (1), Suspension (1).

Example complaints

Transmission and drivetrain: “Transmission is juddering when accelerating from a stop. I'm only 10,000 miles over the 105,000 extended transmission warranty (they know the transmissions are broken), and I have an extremely extensive service record with the dealer. They refuse to work with me on the issue. A recall should be issued on the CVT transmission and starter clutch, and the warranty should be extended to 200,000 miles.”

NHTSA complaint #10427937, filed 2011-09, 115,000 miles

Air bags: “I had hit a pole and the airbag on the passenger seat went off and not my air bag as in the drivers seat I had hit my head on the steering wheel but no serious injuries but still I want to sue Honda due to the fact my air nah didn't go off when you should have.”

NHTSA complaint #10593859, filed 2014-05, 160,000 miles

Electrical system: “On 26 february 2013, Honda of poway, ca performed california department of motor vehicles (dmv) mandated service #r83 required to register my car for the 2013 year. The mandated service was a software upgrade for my vehicle's ima battery. The vehicle was driven directly home from the dealership approximately 20 miles. On 28 february 2013, I had driven approximately 20 miles when the ima and check engine lights came on. …”

NHTSA complaint #10500823, filed 2013-02, 122,000 miles

Other or unknown: “My 2005 Honda Civic Hybrid has experienced the judder/shudder problem for years, and still Honda dealerships say there is no fix. There are a few complaints on this website, but there are thousands on the internet. This is a real issue that Honda has avoided. I had full confidence in Honda's safety until owning this vehicle. I am waiting for the day my car doesn't accelerate from a stop, and it causes an accident with major injury. Honda will have a bigger problem on its hands if that happens.”

NHTSA complaint #10726770, filed 2015-06, 45,000 miles

Mileage when problems were reported

12% of the 42 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 68,000 and 150,000 miles.

0%0–102%10–2510%25–5019%50–7524%75–10019%100–15026%150+
Share of complaints by mileage when the problem was reported, in thousands of miles (42 complaints with mileage). Red bars: under 50,000 miles. Bucket widths differ. Median: 96,500 miles.

Complaints by year filed

Trend: stable. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.

20112012201320141420152016201720182019
Complaints by year the complaint was filed with NHTSA. Red bars: the last 3 full calendar years used for the trend. The current year (2026) is partial.

Fuel economy and running cost

EPA ratings for each 2005 Honda Civic Hybrid version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).

VersionEngineTransmissionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yr
Civic Hybrid FWD1.3L 4-cyl · hybridCVT394241$1,650
Civic Hybrid FWD1.3L 4-cyl · hybrid5-speed manual384541$1,650
Civic Hybrid FWD1.3L 4-cyl · hybridCVT394340$1,700
Civic Hybrid FWD1.3L 4-cyl · hybrid5-speed manual374540$1,700

Source: U.S. EPA and Department of Energy, fueleconomy.gov. Ratings are for comparing vehicles; real-world mileage varies with driving and conditions.

Recalls and investigations

Recall details for the 2005 Honda Civic Hybrid → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls

Technical service bulletins

TSBs are manufacturer notes to dealers about known repair procedures. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault. 43 on record; the latest 10 are shown.

See all 43 bulletins →

Other model years of the Honda Civic Hybrid

YearComplaintsMedian miRecallsCrash ★MPGScore (50 = typical)Trend
20258—2———Too new
20155117,7290544—Not enough data
2014540,0000544—Not enough data
2013933,0000544—Not enough data
20121243,2141544—Not enough data
20101237,5006—42—Not enough data
20092852,0005—42Not compared (fewer than 3 comparable model years)Stable
20086470,7504—42Not compared (fewer than 3 comparable model years)Falling
20076477,0005—42Not compared (before 2008)Stable
200655105,6187—42Not compared (before 2008)Falling
20054896,5006—41Not compared (before 2008)Stable
200435123,0006—41Not compared (before 2008)Stable
200351126,1026—41Not compared (before 2008)Stable

All Honda Civic Hybrid model years · Best and worst years by complaints

Frequently asked questions

How many NHTSA complaints does the 2005 Honda Civic Hybrid have?

NHTSA recorded 48 consumer complaints for the 2005 Honda Civic Hybrid as of Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

What part of the 2005 Honda Civic Hybrid is reported most often?

Transmission and drivetrain is named most often, in 21 complaints (44% of the total), followed by air bags with 15.

Has the 2005 Honda Civic Hybrid been recalled?

NHTSA lists 6 recall campaigns for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What gas mileage does the 2005 Honda Civic Hybrid get?

The EPA rates the 2005 Honda Civic Hybrid (Civic Hybrid, 1.3L 4-cyl · hybrid) at 41 mpg combined, 39 city and 42 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $1,650 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.

At what mileage are problems with the 2005 Honda Civic Hybrid reported?

Among the 42 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 96,500 miles and the middle half falls between 68,000 and 150,000 miles; 12% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Fuel economy is from the EPA and DOE (fueleconomy.gov).

Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.