2008 Honda Civic Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 52about this part
- Share
- 6%of 916 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 35,000miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 52 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2008 Honda Civic, 6% of the 916 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 35,000 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.
“Problem happened when car is down shifting when coming to a stop. Early in the morning, when stopping at our stop sign the car will begin to down shift then the motor begins to rev up to 4000 rpms with nothing on the gas pedal. This has happened only 4 times in the 2 yrs we have owned the car and I was unable to reproduce the trouble to the Honda repair man.”
NHTSA complaint #10313988, filed 2010-02, 19,000 miles“Shifting from 2nd to 3rd gear grinds and sometimes 3rd gear pops out when shifting at fast speeds, obviously while rolling. I went to the o'hare Honda dealership in des plaines, il where I purchased my car brand new with an extended warranty, and they would not do anything to repair it. I asked, what if the matter turns into a dangerous accident? They couldn't give me an answer. Please help me.”
NHTSA complaint #10487237, filed 2012-12, 46,000 miles“In august 2010 I took my 2008 Honda Civic hybrid to the dealer for routine maintenance. The dealer performed a purported software update on the battery system without notifying me until afterwards. Immediately upon leaving the dealer, I noticed a profound reduction in power and acceleration. …”
NHTSA complaint #10354345, filed 2010-09, 13,500 miles“I exited freeway and was waiting at a red signal light when the engine on its own speeded up to 3000+ RPM. It held at this elevated RPM for about a minute while the car remained stopped (foot brake was holding). The engine dropped back down to idle on its own. Headlights and occupant heater was on with fan at lowest setting. Radio was on. Floor mat was not out of place. My foot position remained unchanged except for applying extra force during the elevated RPM event.”
NHTSA complaint #10488869, filed 2012-12, 78,478 miles“My Honda Civic 2008 gets stuck on gear. I stop and then it will switch gears but it will not rev past 2rpm which can make me crash. Honda has not made a recall for this but they should as many people have complained about this on 8thcivic forums and other places. So basically the car bucks forward and the transmission jerks hard and so it will go back to normal you have to turn the car on or off. Imagine im on the highway and it happens.”
NHTSA complaint #10346025, filed 2010-07, 10,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10054346Jul 31, 2013Honda: due to a clicking or clacking noise, while turning either left or right, the cause of the noise is under investigation. Model 2006-2012 civic.
- 10052468Jun 5, 2013Honda: a clicking or clacking noise is heard when turning either left or right, in some vehicles. Models 2006-2012 civic.
- 10024631Jul 15, 2011Harsh transmission engagement after auto idle stop. (hybrid only) *nj updated 7/29/11.
- 10038365Jul 12, 2011Honda: the clutch pedal pops or squeaks when it is pressed. There is insufficient clearance of the master cylinder. *rm updated 7/29/11.
- 10040464May 13, 2011Honda: repeatedly shifting between r and d at high wheel speed when stuck in snow can cause transmission damage.
- 10026087Jul 18, 2008Honda: transmission grinds when shifting into 3rd gear, pops out of 3rd gear, or is hard to shift into 3rd gear. *pe updated 4/8/11.
Transmission and drivetrain: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 2 | 6% |
| 2025 | 6 | 8% |
| 2024 | 6 | 5% |
| 2023 | 8 | 3% |
| 2022 | 10 | 1% |
| 2021 | 2 | 1% |
| 2020 | 32 | 14% |
| 2019 | 13 | 3% |
| 2018 | 14 | 2% |
| 2017 | 29 | 5% |
| 2016 | 36 | 3% |
| 2015 | 177 | 46% |
| 2014 | 98 | 33% |
| 2013 | 22 | 7% |
| 2012 | 49 | 11% |
| 2011 | 4 | 2% |
| 2010 | 12 | 3% |
| 2009 | 23 | 6% |
| 2008 | 52 | 6% |
| 2007 | 104 | 9% |
| 2006 | 76 | 5% |
| 2005 | 36 | 11% |
| 2004 | 56 | 16% |
| 2003 | 101 | 20% |
| 2002 | 185 | 26% |
| 2001 | 403 | 37% |
| 2000 | 30 | 10% |
| 1999 | 35 | 10% |
| 1998 | 49 | 11% |
| 1997 | 25 | 7% |
| 1996 | 25 | 8% |
| 1995 | 14 | 7% |
| 1994 | 8 | 6% |
| 1993 | 9 | 6% |
| 1992 | 5 | 5% |
| 1991 | 6 | 5% |
| 1990 | 6 | 7% |
| 1989 | 2 | 3% |
| 1988 | 1 | 2% |
| 1987 | 2 | 5% |
| 1986 | 5 | 14% |
| 1984 | 1 | 20% |
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 complaintsElectrical system
51 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 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