2008 Honda Civic MPG
Across its 3 EPA-rated gasoline versions, the 2008 Honda Civic returns 21–26 mpg city, 29–36 highway and 24–29 combined.
The most efficient pairs the 1.8-liter 4-cylinder engine with an automatic transmission and front-wheel drive, at 29 mpg combined. The thirstiest version uses the 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine with a manual transmission and front-wheel drive and is rated 24 mpg combined. The EPA also rated hybrid and natural-gas versions, the best at 42 mpg combined.
| Version | Engine | Transmission | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Civic Hybrid | 1.3 L 4-cyl hybrid | Automatic (variable gear ratios) | Front-Wheel Drive | 40 | 45 | 42 | Regular · 212 g CO₂/mi |
| Civic | 1.8 L 4-cyl | Automatic 5-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 25 | 36 | 29 | Regular · 306 g CO₂/mi |
| Civic | 1.8 L 4-cyl | Manual 5-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 26 | 34 | 29 | Regular · 306 g CO₂/mi |
| Civic CNG | 1.8 L 4-cyl | Automatic 5-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 24 | 36 | 28 | CNG · 251 g CO₂/mi |
| Civic | 2.0 L 4-cyl | Manual 6-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 21 | 29 | 24 | Premium · 370 g CO₂/mi |
2008 Honda Civic fuel cost per year
Driving 15,000 miles a year on regular gasoline at the September 2026 U.S. average of $4.36 a gallon, the 2008 Honda Civic costs about $2,250 a year to fuel in its most efficient form (29 mpg combined), or roughly 15 cents a mile.
This is an estimate from EPA combined mpg and the EIA national average price; your cost depends on how and where you drive and on local prices.
2008 Honda Civic specs
2008 Honda Civic buyers could choose between 3 engines, according to EPA records: 1.8 L 4-cyl, 1.3 L 4-cyl hybrid and 2.0 L 4-cyl. It came with continuously variable (CVT), automatic and manual transmissions, with front-wheel drive. The EPA classes it as a subcompact car.
| Engine size (L) | Cylinders | Transmissions | Drive | Versions |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.8 L | 4 | Automatic 5-spd; Manual 5-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 3 |
| 1.3 L hybrid | 4 | Automatic (variable gear ratios) | Front-Wheel Drive | 1 |
| 2.0 L | 4 | Manual 6-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 1 |
2008 Honda Civic problems
Owners have filed 987 complaints about the 2008 Honda Civic with NHTSA, the U.S. vehicle-safety agency, as of October 2026.
Air bags are the most-reported area (16% of component mentions), followed by engine (14%) and visibility (10%).
Spread over its time on sale, that is 52 complaints a year: more than the 2009 (24 a year).
That ranks 7th of 17 Honda Civic model years (2008–2024), counting from the most complaints per year.
Of the 987, 67 mention a crash, 6 a fire and 41 an injury.
| Component | Mentions | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Air bags | 192 | 16% |
| Engine | 162 | 14% |
| Visibility | 113 | 10% |
| Suspension | 101 | 9% |
| Structure | 89 | 8% |
| Electrical system | 70 | 6% |
| Engine and engine cooling | 65 | 5% |
| Unknown or other | 58 | 5% |
| Power train | 56 | 5% |
| Vehicle speed control | 35 | 3% |
| Tires | 30 | 3% |
| Wheels | 28 | 2% |
| Steering | 25 | 2% |
| Visibility/wiper | 24 | 2% |
| Hydraulic service brakes | 22 | 2% |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 20 | 2% |
| Equipment | 17 | 1% |
| Service brakes | 17 | 1% |
| Gasoline fuel system | 12 | 1% |
| Seat belts | 9 | <1% |
| Seats | 8 | <1% |
| Electronic stability control (esc) | 6 | <1% |
| Exterior lighting | 6 | <1% |
| Latches/locks/linkages | 5 | <1% |
| Electric service brakes | 4 | <1% |
| Equipment adaptive/mobility | 3 | <1% |
| Parking brake | 3 | <1% |
| Other fuel system | 1 | <1% |
| Hybrid propulsion system | 1 | <1% |
What owners told NHTSA
The contact owns a 2008 Honda Civic. The contact stated that the vehicle was serviced by a dealer under an unknown NHTSA Campaign Number related to the airbags. …
What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? Engine, steering. Purchased the car from a certified dealership in January 2026. After 3 months of driving, the car began exhibiting performance issues. …
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 HONDA CIVIC. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE COATING ON THE FRONT WINDSHIELD CREATED A GLARE ON THE WINDOW DURING NIGHT WHEN THE HEADLIGHTS OF OTHER VEHICLES REFLECTED OFF THE WINDSHIELD. …
2008 Honda Civic recalls
NHTSA lists 7 recall campaigns for the 2008 Honda Civic.
The most recent, campaign 19V502000 from June 2019, concerns air bags.
Air bags account for 6 of the 7 campaigns, more than any other area.
| Campaign | Reported | Component | Civic years covered |
|---|---|---|---|
| 19V502000 | June 27, 2019 | Air bags | 2008–2011 |
| 19V378000 | May 16, 2019 | Air bags | 2008–2011 |
| 18V268000 | April 26, 2018 | Air bags | 2008–2011 |
| 17V545000 | August 31, 2017 | Air bags | 2008–2011 |
| 17V030000 | January 10, 2017 | Air bags | 2008–2011 |
| 16V346000 | May 24, 2016 | Air bags | 2008–2011 |
| 08V535000 | October 14, 2008 | Gasoline fuel system | 2008–2009 |
Safety ratings
NHTSA has not published 5-star crash ratings for the 2008 Honda Civic.
Compared with other years
Complaints per year on sale divide each model year's NHTSA complaints by the years since it went on sale, so older and newer Honda Civics can be compared fairly.
| Year | Best mpg | Complaints | Per year on sale | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 42 | 987 | 52 | 7 |
| 2009 | 42 | 426 | 24 | 8 |
| 2010 | 42 | 412 | 24 | 8 |
| 2011 | 41 | 171 | 11 | 9 |
Every Honda Civic model year compared →
FAQ
Is the 2008 Civic a good car?
We don't rate cars, but the official data gives a picture. The 2008 Honda Civic has 52 NHTSA complaints per year on sale (7th most of 17 model years), 7 recall campaigns and up to 42 mpg combined from the EPA.
What are common 2008 Civic problems?
The components owners report most to NHTSA are air bags (192), engine (162) and visibility (113). Complaints are unverified owner reports.
How many recalls does the 2008 Civic have?
NHTSA lists 7 recall campaigns. To see whether a recall is still open on a specific car, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2008 Civic get?
The EPA rates the gasoline versions at 24–29 mpg combined (21–26 city, 29–36 highway). The hybrid and natural-gas versions reach up to 42 mpg combined.
How much does it cost to fuel a 2008 Civic per year?
About $2,250 a year for 15,000 miles in its most efficient form, using EPA mpg and the September 2026 U.S. average regular gasoline price of $4.36 a gallon (EIA).