10 of the
499 complaints about the 2009 Honda Civic are about the
lighting — 2% of everything
reported for this model year.
Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before
35,000 miles.
While driving, the hood prop rod dislodged from its securing clip and fell onto the positive terminal of the battery. This caused an electrical short, which led to the rod heating up rapidly and igniting a fire under the hood. The fire damaged the headlight assembly and the surrounding trim panel, though the wiring fortunately did not catch fire. A nearby police officer was able to extinguish the fire before it spread further. This incident posed a serious safety risk and could have resulted in more extensive damage or injury. There were no warning lights or symptoms before the failure. The issue appears to stem from the design or failure of the clip that holds the hood prop rod in place. The vehicle has not been modified and was being driven under normal conditions. A local auto body shop inspected the vehicle afterward and confirmed that the loose prop rod made contact with the battery terminal, creating a serious fire hazard. They advised reporting this as a safety issue. The manufacturer has not yet inspected the vehicle. The incident was witnessed by a police officer, and the damage was evaluated by an independent repair shop following the fire.
NHTSA complaint #11670398 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 65,000 milesSaint Simons Island, GA
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
TPMS WARNING LIGHT CONSTANTLY ON WHILE IGNITION IS ON REGARDLESS OF AIR PRESSURE IN TIRES. DEALER ESTIMATED $200 TO REPAIR. NOT REPAIRED DUE TO EXCESSIVE COST.
NHTSA complaint #10954492 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Tigard, OR
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
INSANE AMOUNT OF CLEAR COAT PEELING IS HAPPENING THIS YEAR. ROOF HAS SOCCER BALL SIZE OF CLEAR COAT DAMAGE. HOOD HAS SPIDER WEB ALL OVER THE PLACE.
NHTSA complaint #10836248 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 150,000 milesSAN Jose, CA
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
INTERIOR CENTER LED BRAKE LIGHT FAILED, RIGHT SIDE ENGINE MOUNT FAILED, ATOMIC BLUE PAINT ON ROOF AND EDGES OF REAR FENDERS AROUND TRUNK FADED AND CHALKY.
NHTSA complaint #10809356 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Westlake Village, CA
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
THE CENTER (INTERIOR) BRAKE LIGHT WORKS INTERMITTENTLY. MANY OTHERS HAVE HAD SAME PROBLEM. ONLY AFFECTS EX MODEL LED LIGHT ASSEMBLY. IT IS UNSAFE AND COSTLY FIX. IT SHOULD BE RECALLED.
NHTSA complaint #10789067 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 15,000 milesSelden, NY
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 HONDA CIVIC. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HEADLIGHTS ON THE VEHICLE WERE NOT EMITTING ENOUGH LIGHT WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE HEADLIGHTS WERE REPLACED WITH BRIGHTER BULBS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 15,000. UPDATED 04/03/15
NHTSA complaint #10684245 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 44,000 milesSandy, UT
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
THE CENTER 3RD BRAKE LIGHT STOPPED WORKING. SINCE IT'S AN LED ARRAY AND NOT A NORMAL LIGHT BULB IT COSTS OVER $200 TO REPLACE. ALSO, IT CAN ONLY BE REPLACED BY THE DEALER. FROM SEARCHING THE INTERNET THIS IS APPARENTLY A VERY COMMON PROBLEM WITH THESE VEHICLES. AN LED ARRAY SHOULD NOT FAIL. BECAUSE THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE HONDA SHOULD ISSUE A RECALL TO REPLACE THE DEFECTIVE UNITS.
NHTSA complaint #10537881 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
LOS Angeles, CA
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 HONDA CIVIC. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HEADLIGHTS FOGGED UP AND REDUCED VISIBILITY. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND WAS TOLD THAT THE HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLIES WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 38,000.
NHTSA complaint #10515998 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 26,000 milesRochester, NY
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
THIS IS HAPPENING RIGHT NOW, AGAIN.. 2012, NOT JUST IN 2010 TIRES ARE ABNORMALLY WEARING EXTREMELY FAST. ABOUT EVERY YEAR SOMEONE IS TELLING ME I NEED NEW TIRES BECAUSE THEY ARE 'CHOPPED' AND WEARING REALLY FAST. THIS LEAD ME TO THE INTERNET TO DO RESEARCH AND FOUND IT IS COMMON WITH THE 2006-2009 CIVICS. SOMETHING ABOUT THE CONTROL ARMS NOT WORKING PROPERLY, IN TURN CAUSING THIS PROBLEM AND A WHOLE LOT OF OTHERS LIKE SUSPENSION. I CANNOT AFFORD AND SHOULDN'T HAVE TO PUT NEW TIRES ON MY NEW CAR EVERY YEAR OR 20000 MILES. I AM SO FRUSTRATED AND AT A LOSS OF WHAT TO DO. I HAVE A CALL INTO HONDA BUT HAVEN'T HEARD BACK, I CAN ONLY IMAGE WHAT THEY'RE GOING TO SAY. THE OTHER FAILURE IS MY 'HEADLIGHTS ARE STILL ON' INDICATOR NOISE STOPPED WORKING A YEAR AFTER I BOUGHT THE CAR BRAND NEW. UGH, SO FRUSTRATING.
NHTSA complaint #10473254 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 9,000 milesRedding, PA
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TURN SIGNAL
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 HONDA CIVIC. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT LEFT TURN SIGNAL WAS INOPERABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL REPAIR FACILITY WHERE THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED THAT A BULB COULD NOT BE INSTALLED INTO THE VEHICLE AND THERE WAS NOT A HOUSING UNIT FOR A BULB. THE DEALER ADVISED THE CONTACT TO BRING THE VEHICLE IN FOR DIAGNOSIS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE DID NOT FEEL COMFORTABLE DRIVING THE VEHICLE WITHOUT A LEFT TURN SIGNAL BULB. THE VEHICLE AS NEITHER DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 9,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 10,000.
NHTSA complaint #10349982 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.