Total Complaints
396 filings
HONDA CIVIC · model year
396 NHTSA complaints, 91 crash reports, and 15 active recalls for this specific cohort.
NHTSA overall rating
Not crash-tested
New Car Assessment Program
The 2005HONDACIVIC carries 396 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 91 crashes, 12 fires, 88 injuries, and 3 fatalities. No NCAP 5-star crash-test rating is available for this model year in the federal database.
Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 2005 CIVIC is air bags with 112 filings, followed by vehicle speed control (23) and electrical system (21). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability. This model year has 15 active recall campaigns, which means the manufacturer is obligated to remedy the covered defect at no charge for the life of the vehicle, the full NHTSA campaign numbers are listed below.
NHTSA currently has 3 investigation files overlapping the 2005 CIVIC. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page, a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.
Total Complaints
396 filings
Crashes Reported
91 reports
Source
NHTSA ODI
Federal complaints database
Above median complaint volume, review patterns below.
| Component | Count |
|---|---|
| AIR BAGS | 112 |
| VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL | 23 |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 21 |
| POWER TRAIN | 18 |
| STRUCTURE:BODY | 18 |
| SEAT BELTS | 16 |
| ENGINE | 14 |
| AIR BAGS:FRONTAL | 12 |
| UNKNOWN OR OTHER | 12 |
| POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION | 11 |
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC | 7 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING | 7 |
| WHEELS | 7 |
| FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE | 6 |
| FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM | 6 |
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain model year 2001-2007 Accord, 2001-2005 Civic, 2001-2004 Honda Civic GX, 2003-2005 Honda Civic Hybrid, 2002-2006 CR-V, 2003-2011 Element, 2002-2004 Odyssey, 2003-2008 Pilot, 2006 Ridgeline, 2003 Acura 3.2CL, 2003-2006 Acura MDX, and 2002-2003 Acur
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2003-2006 Acura MDX, 2005-2012 RL, 2003-2007 Honda Accord, 2001-2005 Civic, 2003-2005 Civic Hybrid, 2001-2005 Civic GX NGV, 2002-2006 CR-V, 2003-2011 Element, 2007-2008 Fit, 2002-2004 Odyssey, 2003-2008 Pilot, and 2006-2014 Ridgeline vehicles.
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2003 Acura 3.2CL, 2002-2003 3.2TL, 2003-2006 MDX, 2001-2007 Honda Accord, 2001-2005 Civic, 2003-2005 Civic Hybrid, 2001-2005 Civic GX NGV, 2002-2006 CR-V, 2003-2011 Element, 2002-2004 Odyssey, 2003-2008 Pilot and 2006 Ridgeline vehicles. The
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2003-2012 Honda Accord and Pilot, 2010 Accord Crosstour, 2001-2011 Civic, 2002-2011 CR-V, 2003-2004, 2006-2008 and 2011 Element, 2007 and 2009-2013 Fit, 2010-2012 Insight, 2002-2004 Odyssey, and 2012 Ridgeline vehicles. The front passenger air b
AIR BAGS
American Honda Motor Company, Inc.'s (Honda) is conducting a limited regional recall for certain model year 2003-2005 Accord, Civic, CR-V, Pilot and Acura MDX, model year 2003-2004 Odyssey and Element, and model year 2005 Acura RL, and 2006 Honda Ridgeline vehicles originally sold, or ever registere
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:ANCHORAGE
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, SOME FRONT SEAT BELT ANCHORS MAY HAVE BEEN INSTALLED WITH AN INCORRECT WASHER, WHICH COULD RESTRICT ANCHOR MOVEMENT. AS A RESULT, THE SEAT BELT MAY BE IMPROPERLY POSITIONED FOR CERTAIN OCCUPANTS.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
CERTAIN EAGLE EYES AND SONAR HEADLIGHTS AND CORNER LIGHTS SOLD AS AFTERMARKET FOR USE ON 1988-2005 HONDA CIVIC, 1990-2005 HONDA ACCORD, AND 1990-2001 ACURA INTEGRA PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. HEADLIGHTS AND CORNER LIGHTS THAT ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDE
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
CERTAIN TRADESONIC COMBINATION LAMPS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LISTED PASSENGER VEHICLES. COMBINATION LAMPS NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain model year 2001-2005 Honda Civic vehicles manufactured March 21, 2000, to January 20, 2005, 2001-2004 Honda Civic GX vehicles manufactured June 14, 2000, to August 19, 2004, 2003-2005 Honda Civic Hybrid vehicles manufactured February 24, 2002, to
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
CERTAIN ANZO COMBINATION HEADLAMP ASSEMBLIES SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS WHICH FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPME
VISIBILITY:GLASS, SIDE/REAR
CERTAIN CURVED TEMPERED REPLACEMENT GLASS MANUFACTURED BY HANGZHOU SAFETY GLASS LTD AND SUPPLIED TO SAFELITE BY AUTO TEMP INC., IDENTIFIED AS DOT-430, AND SOLD FOR USE ON CERTAIN DOMESTIC AND FOREIGN VEHICLES MAY NOT BREAK INTO SMALL PIECES AS EXPECTED OF TEMPERED GLASS AND FAILS TO CONFORM TO FEDER
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
DOPE, INC. IS RECALLING 42,540 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling specific 2003 Acura 3.2CL, 2013-2016 ILX, 2013-2014 ILX Hybrid, 2003-2006 MDX, 2007-2016 RDX, 2002-2003 3.2TL, 2004-2006, and 2009-2014 TL, 2010-2013 ZDX and 2001-2007 and 2009 Honda Accord, 2001-2005 Civic, 2003-2005 Civic Hybrid, 2001-2005 Civic GX NGV
AIR BAGS
American Honda Motor Co. (Honda) is recalling certain model year 2001-2005 Honda Civic, 2003-2004 Civic CNG and Element, 2002-2005 CR-V, 2002-2004 Odyssey, 2003-2005 Accord, Pilot, Civic Hybrid, and Acura MDX, 2005 Acura RL and 2006 Honda Ridgeline vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in ge
FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY
ON CERTAIN COMPRESSED NATURAL GAS (CNG) VEHICLES, IN THE EVENT OF A SEVERE INTERIOR FIRE IN THE AREA OF THE REAR SEAT, THE CNG TANK MAY BE HEATED UNEVENLY, PREVENTING THE PRESSURE RELIEF DEVICE FROM VENTING THE CONTENTS OF THE TANK AS DESIGNED.
Pushrods going through engine and shredding bottom half of motor. I know many 05 Honda civic owners who have had the same issues
The air bag light came on in April of 2022 indicating that the air bag will not deploy in the event of a car accident. We took the car to the Honda dealership and the mechanic diagnosed it as a bad seat-belt tensioner and confirmed that the part is under warranty by American Honda. The dealership requested the part from American Honda and they have failed to provide the part to the dealership stating that is is not available. They have given us ETAs for the part but it has never arrived. We requested a rental car to drive while waiting for the part but were denied by both American Honda and the dealership. American Honda's response is that the car just should not be driven. We cannot sell the car while this light in on but need to continue to drive the car for work. The air bag light remains on and still will not deploy if an accident were to occur causing a significant safety risk. We have not involved police or insurance representatives or any other outside parties aside from America
The air bag light came on in April of 2022 indicating that the air bag will not deploy in the event of a car accident. We took the car to the Honda dealership and the mechanic diagnosed it as a bad seat-belt tensioner and confirmed that the part is under warranty by American Honda. The dealership requested the part from American Honda and they have failed to provide the part to the dealership stating that is is not available. They have given us ETAs for the part but it has never arrived. We requested a rental car to drive while waiting for the part but were denied by both American Honda and the dealership. American Honda's response is that the car just should not be driven. We cannot sell the car while this light in on but need to continue to drive the car for work. The air bag light remains on and still will not deploy if an accident were to occur causing a significant safety risk. We have not involved police or insurance representatives or any other outside parties aside from America
Hagerstown Honda is 80 plus miles away from my house. My ignition failed which is a very common problem in that generation of all Honda vehicles. My ignition failed and I had it replaced by a local mechanic with genuine Honda parts. All dealerships including Honda run a monopoly on reprogramming ignition. The local mechanic taped the old key under the dash to get the car started. Not long after my hybrid battery failed and I had it replaced at Hagerstown Honda. I told them to reprogram the ignition. They said they would do it and never did it. Not long after the car refused to start and I found out from the local mechanic that Hagerstown Honda never reprogrammed the ignition. Car has sat in my driveway for years with me renewing tags. Honda started calling me and sending me letters via USPS about thd airbag. I told them to not call me anymore. My father had the same problem with his 2004 Honda Accord. Honda stalked and harassed us for years, supposedly on behalf of your agency. Honda h
- Sensor in seatbelt, causing airbags not to deploy (airbag light is on) -Since the airbags will not deploy, this is a danger -The dealer, Avalon Honda, confirmed that replacement of this part is warrantied for life by Honda. They are willing to replace it at no cost but the part has been on "Critical Back Order" status since the problem emerged for us (November 2022). Avalon Honda has not been able to get the part (for the driver's side seatbelt) and my daughter's safety is at risk. Honda warranties this for life BECAUSE it is a safety issue. I've been more than patient and now need help getting Honda to move. -Yes there is a warning light, the airbag light is on. It first appeared in November of 2022. In February Avalon Honda obtained the part "through other means" for the passenger side seatbelt despite the "critical back order" excuse from Honda. Since February I have been waiting for the OTHER (driver's side) seatbelt sensor to be replaced. I was told in February that the
- Sensor in seatbelt, causing airbags not to deploy (airbag light is on) -Since the airbags will not deploy, this is a danger -The dealer, Avalon Honda, confirmed that replacement of this part is warrantied for life by Honda. They are willing to replace it at no cost but the part has been on "Critical Back Order" status since the problem emerged for us (November 2022). Avalon Honda has not been able to get the part (for the driver's side seatbelt) and my daughter's safety is at risk. Honda warranties this for life BECAUSE it is a safety issue. I've been more than patient and now need help getting Honda to move. -Yes there is a warning light, the airbag light is on. It first appeared in November of 2022. In February Avalon Honda obtained the part "through other means" for the passenger side seatbelt despite the "critical back order" excuse from Honda. Since February I have been waiting for the OTHER (driver's side) seatbelt sensor to be replaced. I was told in February that the
I took my car to Balise Honda in West Warwick, RI for the recall Tikata air bags. The light went off after repaired. However light then came on for Code 9-3. Seatbelt driver. A part for metal part of belt has been ordered a month ago and can't get answer and I am now due for Inspection and will face suspension of my regestration and will have no use of car.
I took my car to Balise Honda in West Warwick, RI for the recall Tikata air bags. The light went off after repaired. However light then came on for Code 9-3. Seatbelt driver. A part for metal part of belt has been ordered a month ago and can't get answer and I am now due for Inspection and will face suspension of my regestration and will have no use of car.
185/70 R14 88T SL BSW Tire blew out while driving on the highway. Caused the vehicle to come to a stop and the vehicle was rear-ended. The driver lost consciousness and was taken to the ER. Injuries included TBI and multiple lacerations (possibly due to airbag deployment issues). Collision report not included here.
I purchased this car from a Honda dealership used for over 7 thousand dollars in 2021 it's a 2005 car with known issues. I drove it for less than 2 months before it overheated without an indication by the gauge that it was overheating and blew a head gasket. It was acting funny before it happened I brought it back to the dealership a couple times they charged me several hundred dollars to do nothing besides diagnosed it and told me nothing was wrong with it. Obviously there's plenty wrong with a car I'm just finding out that the battery is probably going to die really soon and I had to pay a mechanic to put another engine in it and paid another 2 thousand dollars. Now the transmission is completely gone and I have to figure out how to come up with more money to fix it while I'm out of work because of this I should have done better research before I bought this car but why aren't there any lemon laws for used cars just purchased from dealerships in a lot of states Florida only has one i
I purchased this car from a Honda dealership used for over 7 thousand dollars in 2021 it's a 2005 car with known issues. I drove it for less than 2 months before it overheated without an indication by the gauge that it was overheating and blew a head gasket. It was acting funny before it happened I brought it back to the dealership a couple times they charged me several hundred dollars to do nothing besides diagnosed it and told me nothing was wrong with it. Obviously there's plenty wrong with a car I'm just finding out that the battery is probably going to die really soon and I had to pay a mechanic to put another engine in it and paid another 2 thousand dollars. Now the transmission is completely gone and I have to figure out how to come up with more money to fix it while I'm out of work because of this I should have done better research before I bought this car but why aren't there any lemon laws for used cars just purchased from dealerships in a lot of states Florida only has one i
I purchased this car from a Honda dealership used for over 7 thousand dollars in 2021 it's a 2005 car with known issues. I drove it for less than 2 months before it overheated without an indication by the gauge that it was overheating and blew a head gasket. It was acting funny before it happened I brought it back to the dealership a couple times they charged me several hundred dollars to do nothing besides diagnosed it and told me nothing was wrong with it. Obviously there's plenty wrong with a car I'm just finding out that the battery is probably going to die really soon and I had to pay a mechanic to put another engine in it and paid another 2 thousand dollars. Now the transmission is completely gone and I have to figure out how to come up with more money to fix it while I'm out of work because of this I should have done better research before I bought this car but why aren't there any lemon laws for used cars just purchased from dealerships in a lot of states Florida only has one i
The car runs good but will not stay in 2nd gear this is the 2nd manual transmission the factory did the same then tran#2 did the same now had replaced for 3rd time and this one's doing the same thing.
The car runs good but will not stay in 2nd gear this is the 2nd manual transmission the factory did the same then tran#2 did the same now had replaced for 3rd time and this one's doing the same thing.
This car had not been driven or started in 36 hours. it was sitting at the end of my driveway . there were no vehicles near it or close to any traffic. i noticed a black smoke coming from rear seat/trunk area of drivers side. This is where the batteries were located..I called fire dept. It suddenly burst into flames. The car burned up. The fire was so hot the doors blew open. Glass exploded and shattered. Tires Burned. This car was just sitting there! I would drive this car short distances a few times a week. I didnt see any light indicators on dash that alerted me to any problems.I notified Honda but they were not interested in inspecting it.
In 2019 Honda came out to fix the air bag recall. I never had problems with the air bag light coming on until after they fixed the air bag. The air bag light stays on all the time along with a check engine light. Also Iâve had to replace the whole transmission in 2019. In 2018 my engine cracked and I had to replace it with another engine. Currently the rack and pion went bad. The vehicle will at times steer on its own and sometimes the steering wheel wonât turn. Iâve spent thousands of dollars over the past few years. I do not believe Honda put in the air bags correctly. I barely had driven my car anywhere and I should not be having these types of problems. Itâs a safety hazard.
In 2019 Honda came out to fix the air bag recall. I never had problems with the air bag light coming on until after they fixed the air bag. The air bag light stays on all the time along with a check engine light. Also Iâve had to replace the whole transmission in 2019. In 2018 my engine cracked and I had to replace it with another engine. Currently the rack and pion went bad. The vehicle will at times steer on its own and sometimes the steering wheel wonât turn. Iâve spent thousands of dollars over the past few years. I do not believe Honda put in the air bags correctly. I barely had driven my car anywhere and I should not be having these types of problems. Itâs a safety hazard.
In 2019 Honda came out to fix the air bag recall. I never had problems with the air bag light coming on until after they fixed the air bag. The air bag light stays on all the time along with a check engine light. Also Iâve had to replace the whole transmission in 2019. In 2018 my engine cracked and I had to replace it with another engine. Currently the rack and pion went bad. The vehicle will at times steer on its own and sometimes the steering wheel wonât turn. Iâve spent thousands of dollars over the past few years. I do not believe Honda put in the air bags correctly. I barely had driven my car anywhere and I should not be having these types of problems. Itâs a safety hazard.
Takata recall. The contact owns a 2005 Honda Civic. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V370000 (Air Bags) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect. The contact has stated that they were not aware they the vehicle had previously been in a crash or that it was missing an airbag at the time of purchase.
My mother in law was driving on a 5 lane highway and pulled out of a driveway onto the road and was attempting to make a right merge to make a right turn traveling about 10-15 mph as she was engaged in a left hand entry onto road and was about 90% complete in her maneuver and was tboned in driver side fender and door by a 2017 Mercedesâ cls at 60 mph. She was unconscious and pulled from vehicle with unknown but assumed head trauma determined later to be left frontal, right frontal, left temporal expanding hematomas in the brain, fractures of c4-c7 vertebrae, rib fractures L#3-6, #10-12, R#3, sacrum, and pelvis. 250ml R hemothorax, 1250ml L hemothorax, 250 ml hemoperitoneum, laceration of left diaphragm leaflet with herniation of left kidney into chest cavity, contusions of chest, abdomen, R arm, L arm, R leg and L leg. She died as a result of the injuries received in accident less than 24 hours later and never regained consciousness since impact. Cause of death was blunt force traum
Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.
Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.