2005 Honda Civic Engine cooling Problems
- Complaints
- 19about this part
- Share
- 6%of 316 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 81,522miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 19 complaints about the engine cooling of the 2005 Honda Civic, 6% of the 316 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 81,522 miles. 2 of these say a crash was involved and 2 a fire, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“My transmission is slipping and barley shifting into 2nd gear to 3rd it has 95000 miles on it and the transmission is bad all 2000 to 2005 hondas have bad transmission problems but they never recalled it why????? Now I had to replace the head gasket because it was blown at 75000 miles thats to early for that to be happening I spent 2000 grand on it already why didn't they recall this????”
NHTSA complaint #10713476, filed 2015-04, 80,000 miles“After about 75,000 miles on my 2005 Honda Civic, I began to notice I got a headache and upset stomach while driving the car. The local Honda dealer discovered a cracked exhaust manifold, and indicated the possibility of carbon monoxide entering the cabin during vehicle operation. I have not yet repaired the condition since the repair cost is very high, about $1000. I have since heard that this is a common problem with this vehicle, and not a result of age or abuse.”
NHTSA complaint #10264105, filed 2009-04, 75,000 miles“At only 4 years of age, my Honda Civic hybrid needs a new catalytic converter and in searching the internet, coming across hundreds and hundreds of posts on various web sites, it seems that a lot of people are replacing their Honda Civic catalytic converters before the car turns 5 years old. This is a very expensive part, over $1200 to replace, so why isn't there a recall on this part. If it is not replaced in cars, I am told that the car emits bad gases in the air. …”
NHTSA complaint #10268709, filed 2009-05, 126,000 miles“I was driving my 2005 Honda Civic home on a saturday night when all of a sudden the car just went dead, I drifted to the shoulder of the road and sat for about 10 minutes, then I tried to start the car it started, about 4 miles down the road and the car went dead again, this happened 4 time in a matter of about 15 miles. I drove the car to the dealership. Monday morning they called and said they could not find anything wrong.”
NHTSA complaint #10168535, filed 2006-09, 20,518 miles“I would drive on the freeway and my temperature gauge would fluctuate and return to normal. I investigated the matter online and found other owners of the same car had the same problems with the thermostat needing to be replaced so I intended to buy a new one. Then when I would hit bumps in the road my electronics would malfunction. The radio (not cd) would turn off. I would have to turn in back on. Then on 10/23/2011 I merged onto the freeway traveling at approximately 45 MPH and accelerating normally. There was traffic so I could not accelerate very fast. …”
NHTSA complaint #10432763, filed 2011-10, 155,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10021327Oct 11, 2011Honda: ecm update to prevent momentary engine stall during gear shifts. *kb updated 11/1/11.
- 10039526Jul 21, 2011Honda: the engine stalls very briefly when shifting gears and then it restarts. Little change in driveablity occurs. 2004-2005 civic hybrid.
- 10021129Oct 16, 2006Stalls with electrical load after body shop repair. Dtc p1588 and/or p1589 stored. P1163 and/or surge, jerks, bucks between 20-60 mph. Tire pressure monitoring system dtc 32, 34…
- 10018251Nov 16, 2005P0497, low purge flow or internal vacuum leak.
- 10016778Aug 16, 2005Engine oil leak(s) - dealer visit request.
- 10018015Jul 1, 2005Engine won't start at all; engine intermittently starts. Check immobilizer system status with the hds. Honda. Servicenews.
- 10018178Jun 16, 2005Engine oil leaks.
- 10016305May 16, 2005Engine-alternator/no or low output.
- 10016295May 16, 2005Engine-cranks won't start, immobilizer light flashes.
- 10015300Feb 16, 2005Dealer request visit for any adverse engine condition with the alternator (no or low output) that is the root cause.
Engine cooling: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 1 | 1% |
| 2019 | 1 | 0% |
| 2017 | 5 | 1% |
| 2016 | 4 | 0% |
| 2015 | 1 | 0% |
| 2014 | 3 | 1% |
| 2013 | 1 | 0% |
| 2012 | 4 | 1% |
| 2011 | 4 | 2% |
| 2010 | 10 | 3% |
| 2009 | 12 | 3% |
| 2008 | 55 | 6% |
| 2007 | 74 | 6% |
| 2006 | 151 | 11% |
| 2005 | 19 | 6% |
| 2004 | 16 | 5% |
| 2003 | 37 | 7% |
| 2002 | 31 | 4% |
| 2001 | 64 | 6% |
| 2000 | 47 | 16% |
| 1999 | 30 | 9% |
| 1998 | 53 | 12% |
| 1997 | 25 | 7% |
| 1996 | 27 | 9% |
| 1995 | 7 | 4% |
| 1994 | 9 | 7% |
| 1993 | 13 | 9% |
| 1992 | 6 | 6% |
| 1991 | 5 | 5% |
| 1990 | 6 | 7% |
| 1989 | 8 | 12% |
| 1988 | 4 | 9% |
| 1987 | 1 | 3% |
| 1986 | 3 | 9% |
| 1985 | 2 | 13% |
| 1984 | 1 | 20% |
Other parts of the 2005 Honda Civic
129 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
36 complaintsElectrical system
26 complaintsBody and structure
25 complaintsVehicle speed control
25 complaintsSeat belts
21 complaintsBrakes
16 complaintsEngine
14 complaintsFuel system
12 complaintsOther or unknown
12 complaintsSuspension
8 complaintsTires
8 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2005 Honda Civic
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 28, 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