2005 Honda Civic: common problems and reliability

The 2005 Honda Civic has 362 owner-filed NHTSA complaints and 15 recalls on record. The most-reported areas are air bags and power train. Owners most often flag engine block cracking (non-si engines, 2006-2008): frequency: very frequent.

Safety record for the 2005 model year

362
Owner complaints
15
Recalls
81
Crash reports
9
Fire reports

Source: NHTSA complaints and recalls filed for 2005 Honda Civic vehicles (US, public record).

Is 2005 a good year for the Civic?

Across the 21 Civic model years we track, complaint volume runs from 256 (2024) to 2,866 (2006). With 362 complaints, the 2005 Civic sits belowthe model's median of 849.

These are raw NHTSA complaint totals, not adjusted for how many cars sold or how long each model year has been on the road. Older and higher-selling years accumulate more complaints.

Where owners report problems

air bags
142
power train
57
electrical system
37
vehicle speed control
29
structure
27

Recalls affecting the 2005 Civic

air bags:frontal:driver side:inflator module

Campaign 19V182000

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 20

air bags:frontal:passenger side:inflator module

Campaign 19V501000

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, 2007-20

air bags:frontal:driver side:inflator module

Campaign 19V499000

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 E

air bags

Campaign 14V700000

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

What owners report on the 8th generation Civic

Owners generally view the 8th generation Civic as a highly reliable, economical, and fun-to-drive car, with many reporting high mileage (250k-650k) with proper maintenance. The Si trim is praised for its high-revving K20 engine and engaging driving experience,

  • Engine block cracking (non-Si engines, 2006-2008): Frequency: very frequent
  • Clear coat and paint failure: Frequency: very frequent
  • Engine mount degradation causing vibration: Frequency: recurrent
  • 2nd and 3rd gear grind/pop-out on manual transmissions: Frequency: recurrent
  • AC compressor failure: Frequency: recurrent

Owner insights for the 8th generation Civic. Read the full 8th generation owner report.

Typical used price

Used Civic listings typically run $16,723–$27,952 across 2014 to 2026 model years.

Other Civic model years

Compare every Civic year side by side to see how 2005 ranks against the rest.

Compare the Civic against its rivals