2008 Honda Civic Hybrid Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 3about this part
- Share
- 5%of 64 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 50,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 3 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2008 Honda Civic Hybrid, 5% of the 64 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 50,000 miles.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“Upon receiving the 'mandatory' ima recall issued by Honda, I noticed my Honda Civic Hybrid (2008) acted very differently when it came to accelerating from a stop, particularly on a hill. From a stop it takes several seconds before the car will move forward at a reasonable speed (which it did not do prior to the update). Prior to the update, the car would accelerate like a normal car with the ima kicking in to assist the car forward. Post update it's like the gas engine wants the ima to engage but the new firmware won't allow it to. …”
NHTSA complaint #10451804, filed 2012-03, 41,232 miles“This problem has existed for several months. The problem is that the car suddenly does not have power when starting from a stopped condition. At the same time the indicated drive battery level drops and the dashboard indicates the gas motor is charging the battery. After maybe 30 seconds the reduction of power is less. There seems to be some reduction in power until the drive battery is mostly charged. During this time it appears that the electric assist is not working. Have also observed during this several month period the gas mileage is reduced. …”
NHTSA complaint #10627890, filed 2014-08, 69,000 miles“My 2008 Honda Civic Hybrid was reprogrammed in 2010 due to problems with the hybrid battery system. It was a mandatory reprogram that has resulted in a significant decrease in the utilization of the integrated motor assist (ima) hybrid system. This decrease in use has had the direct effect of reducing power of the vehicle when starting from a stop, and poses a safety threat when maneuvering at intersections and in traffic. In some instances, the vehicle will accelerate very slowly regardless of the amount of pressure applied to the accelerator. …”
NHTSA complaint #10447759, filed 2012-02, 50,000 milesTransmission and drivetrain: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2015 | 1 | 20% |
| 2014 | 1 | 20% |
| 2013 | 1 | 11% |
| 2012 | 3 | 25% |
| 2010 | 1 | 8% |
| 2009 | 6 | 21% |
| 2008 | 3 | 5% |
| 2007 | 10 | 16% |
| 2006 | 13 | 24% |
| 2005 | 21 | 44% |
| 2004 | 18 | 51% |
| 2003 | 26 | 51% |
Other parts of the 2008 Honda Civic Hybrid
19 complaintsFuel system
19 complaintsAir bags
11 complaintsEngine cooling
9 complaintsVehicle speed control
6 complaintsEngine
4 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
3 complaintsBrakes
2 complaintsElectronic stability control
2 complaintsBody and structure
2 complaintsWheels
2 complaintsEquipment
1 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2008 Honda Civic Hybrid
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Nov 1, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology