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Honda Civic HybridModel year report

2009 Honda Civic Hybrid Problems

Complaints
28filed with NHTSA
Median mileage
52,000miles, 21 complaints with mileage
Recalls
5campaigns 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
42 mpgcombined, 1.3L 4-cyl · hybrid FWD · 40 city / 45 hwy

Sources: NHTSA records for the 2009 Honda Civic Hybrid (complaints, recalls, investigations), NHTSA crash tests, EPA fuel economy. Report an error

NHTSA recorded 28 consumer complaints for the 2009 Honda Civic Hybrid. The part named most often is electrical system, with 10 complaints (36% of the total), followed by transmission and drivetrain (6) and air bags (5). 21 of the complaints include a mileage, and 38% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 52,000 miles. Of all complaints, 1 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns and 18 technical service bulletins for this model year. Electrical system complaints overlap with 7 technical service bulletins filed under the same part.

Not compared (fewer than 3 comparable model years). 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: Other or unknown (1), Seats (1), Vehicle speed control (1), Wheels (1).

Example complaints

Electrical system: “As with most of the complaints on this site, the vehicle battery had to be replaced after the ima light came on. It historically flickered on and off and we thought initially nothing of it. We then did some research online only to find out that Honda has ignored the complaints about this issue, & instead have had their dealerships decide on whether to replace or not. Initially the dealership told my wife & I that it would cost $4.5k+ to replace the battery, because it was no longer a warrantable item. There was no mention of anything Honda was doing to rectify this issue. …”

NHTSA complaint #10507075, filed 2013-04, 130,000 miles

Transmission and drivetrain: “Noticed about a week ago that there was a whining noise coming from the engine while in gear. It doesn't make the noise in park or neutral or when at a stop and the engine shuts off. Took it to dch Honda in temecula,ca and after an hour they called me and told me my transmission is bad and it will cost me $5250 to get a new one installed. I had the ima battery replaced last year with less than 40k miles on the car. Still only get 38 mpg avg. On highway.”

NHTSA complaint #10479998, filed 2012-10, 66,245 miles

Air bags: “Entered the vehicle, closed the door, turned on the ignition, started connecting my phone to the phone charger and the side airbags (curtain airbags) deployed while the vehicle was in park. Vehicle was not involved in an accident nor had any damage on the body. I have filed a claim with the insurance company, geico and the vehicle is being towed to the closest Honda dealer to examine the data event recorder to review the computer for defects. …”

NHTSA complaint #10661889, filed 2014-12, 76,000 miles

Suspension: “Like others with this problem we noticed a noise from the tires when we were on a newly paved road on an extended trip. When we returned home, I was told by the dealer that the rear tires were cupped and the car would need an alignment. We ended up replacing all 4 tires with 20000 miles on them...a lot sooner than anticipated. Researching the problem I saw there was a correction for 2008 civics, but not for 2009. Either the problem was not corrected, or we were unfortunate to purchase a 2009 early in the production run that was not corrected. …”

NHTSA complaint #10732301, filed 2015-07, 13,900 miles

Mileage when problems were reported

38% of the 21 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 22,023 and 76,000 miles.

0%0–1029%10–2510%25–5033%50–755%75–10019%100–1505%150+
Share of complaints by mileage when the problem was reported, in thousands of miles (21 complaints with mileage). Red bars: under 50,000 miles. Bucket widths differ. Median: 52,000 miles.

Complaints by year filed

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

20129201320142015201620172018
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.

Crash test ratings

NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2009 Honda Civic Hybrid. Frontal results are shown driver / passenger; rollover shows the star rating and NHTSA's estimated risk of rolling over in a single-vehicle crash.

VersionOverallFrontalSideSide poleRollover
Civic Hybrid · sedan FWDnot rated5 / 5———

Ratings before the 2011 model year come from an older, less demanding test and are not comparable with ratings for 2011 and later.

Source: NHTSA New Car Assessment Program (5-Star Safety Ratings), nhtsa.gov/ratings.

Fuel economy and running cost

EPA ratings for each 2009 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 · hybridCVT404542$1,600

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 2009 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. 18 on record; the latest 10 are shown.

See all 18 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 2009 Honda Civic Hybrid have?

NHTSA recorded 28 consumer complaints for the 2009 Honda Civic Hybrid as of Nov 1, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

What part of the 2009 Honda Civic Hybrid is reported most often?

Electrical system is named most often, in 10 complaints (36% of the total), followed by transmission and drivetrain with 6.

Has the 2009 Honda Civic Hybrid been recalled?

NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What gas mileage does the 2009 Honda Civic Hybrid get?

The EPA rates the 2009 Honda Civic Hybrid (Civic Hybrid, 1.3L 4-cyl · hybrid) at 42 mpg combined, 40 city and 45 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $1,600 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.

At what mileage are problems with the 2009 Honda Civic Hybrid reported?

Among the 21 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 52,000 miles and the middle half falls between 22,023 and 76,000 miles; 38% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.

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. Crash ratings are from NHTSA’s New Car Assessment Program. 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.