2008 Honda Civic Electrical system Problems
- Complaints
- 51about this part
- Share
- 6%of 916 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 33,500miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 51 complaints about the electrical system of the 2008 Honda Civic, 6% of the 916 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 33,500 miles. 3 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“When I turned my headlights on, my dashlights go completely off, leaving me with no lights on the interior dashboard; fuel, speed, etc., all lights gone. When I turn my headlights off, the dashlights come back on. There was no accident and this car is way under mileage for its year; I worked at home.”
NHTSA complaint #10764002, filed 2015-09, 65,000 miles“I own a 2008 Honda Civic, six months. I have been having problem with the ignition system. In the morning, when I try to start, no connection or sometimes, just a little crank. I have to try a few times to get it to work. I took to Honda of conyers in georgia. They have it there overnight and they cant find anything. It first started in december 2008.”
NHTSA complaint #10257785, filed 2009-02, 4,867 miles“The front of hood and fender area . Paint is chipping away. It is called crow's feet. Lines and chips along with cracks are very visible to the naked eye. Honda has a TSB about it, since a lot of people have the same issue but they only claim to take responsibility of the vehicle that have protection plan. When I bought the vehicle they never offered me, nor speak of protection plan. So what can I do?”
NHTSA complaint #10479388, filed 2012-10, 62,000 miles“2008 Honda Civic. Horn does not always sound. Sometimes works with first attempt,but sometimes takes as many as 12 or more attempts. Have taken to dealer various times. They have not diagnosed nor repaired the problem. What happens when a child runs in front of my moving car and I cannot sound the horn-as an example?”
NHTSA complaint #10327781, filed 2010-04, 48,000 miles“On very cold mornings, when I try to start my car it does not start. I will have to turn the switch a few times before it will start. There is no clicking sound or any sound as to indicate the engine is trying to start. After a few times of turning the switch the car starts. This has happen approx. 4 times over the past 4 months.”
NHTSA complaint #10261516, filed 2009-03, 16,230 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10237952Jun 13, 2023Service News - The navigation clock and date are incorrect. This is due to a limited GPS receiver Capacity resulting in a rollover of the internal chip memory; the rollover…
- 10206994Jan 29, 2022ServiceNews Article - The clock shows the incorrect time. This issue is due to a limited GPS receiver capacity resulting in "rollover" of the internal chip memory; the "rollover"…
- 10107355Jul 10, 2015"background american honda is extending the warranty coverage on the ima battery module for some 200308 civic hybrids an additional 12 months or 12,000 miles, whichever comes…
- 10040484Jan 18, 2014Honda: there are new battery software and hardware updates. *rm updated 3/06/12. *pe updated 02/26/2014
- 10040487Apr 24, 2012Honda: hybrid vehicle battery exchange information. *rm updated 5/2/12
- 10043248Jan 12, 2012Honda: on some model vehicles, there is an alternator/starter tester (ast) module capable of testing alternators, installed on gr8 diagnostic battery station.
- 10037712Dec 1, 2010Honda service campaign: see document search button for owner letter. The battery may pre-maturely fail and it is a software problem.
- 10026884Aug 6, 2008Honda: hybrid batteries can be affected and damaged by excessively high temperatures.
Electrical system: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 5 | 16% |
| 2025 | 6 | 8% |
| 2024 | 8 | 6% |
| 2023 | 17 | 7% |
| 2022 | 38 | 4% |
| 2021 | 18 | 12% |
| 2020 | 37 | 16% |
| 2019 | 37 | 8% |
| 2018 | 61 | 8% |
| 2017 | 103 | 17% |
| 2016 | 119 | 11% |
| 2015 | 28 | 7% |
| 2014 | 39 | 13% |
| 2013 | 39 | 12% |
| 2012 | 60 | 13% |
| 2011 | 16 | 9% |
| 2010 | 23 | 6% |
| 2009 | 36 | 9% |
| 2008 | 51 | 6% |
| 2007 | 67 | 6% |
| 2006 | 100 | 7% |
| 2005 | 26 | 8% |
| 2004 | 32 | 9% |
| 2003 | 51 | 10% |
| 2002 | 49 | 7% |
| 2001 | 59 | 5% |
| 2000 | 38 | 13% |
| 1999 | 118 | 35% |
| 1998 | 88 | 20% |
| 1997 | 30 | 8% |
| 1996 | 17 | 6% |
| 1995 | 12 | 6% |
| 1994 | 2 | 1% |
| 1993 | 25 | 17% |
| 1992 | 28 | 29% |
| 1991 | 22 | 20% |
| 1990 | 18 | 20% |
| 1989 | 11 | 16% |
| 1988 | 7 | 15% |
| 1986 | 4 | 11% |
Other parts of the 2008 Honda Civic
177 complaintsEngine
156 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
133 complaintsSuspension
99 complaintsBody and structure
85 complaintsEngine cooling
55 complaintsOther or unknown
54 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
52 complaintsBrakes
42 complaintsTires
30 complaintsVehicle speed control
29 complaintsSteering
24 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2008 Honda Civic
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 30, 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