HondaCivic2009Overview/honda/civic/2009/base/

2009 Honda Civic

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2009 Civic.

Body PASSENGER CAR

The 2009 Honda Civic is a passenger car that utilizes the standard 3.4 quarts of 0W-20 API viscosity oil for its engine maintenance. According to owner complaint data spanning from 1990 to 2022, the 2009 model year recorded 395 total owner complaints, with air bags representing the most frequently reported issue among its eight recalls. Compared to the model's highest complaint year of 2006 (1,402 complaints) and its lowest at 1990 (102 complaints), the 2009 Civic falls in the middle range of the model's reliability history, suggesting moderate but not exceptional dependability during this production year.

Model year202620242023202220212020201820172009

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Engine oil capacity3.4 qtOEM · verified
Engine oil type0W-20 APIOEM · verified
Lug nut torque80 ft-lbsOEM · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 51R U.S. · 310 U.S. CCA battery. Note the factory serpentine belt is now discontinued — plan on a superseded or quality aftermarket equivalent, which the part pages below list where known. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.

Battery groupBCI 51R U.S. · 310 U.S. CCAOEM · verified
Tire sizeP195-65R15OEM · verified
Wheel / rimN/A inOEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Serpentine belt56992RNAA04 discontinued

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length174.8 in
Overall width68.9 in
Overall height53.5 in
Wheelbase104.3 in
Curb weight2597 lb
Track (front / rear)59.1 / 59.4 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)60/40

Performance & power Independent road tests

0–60 mph, quarter-mile, horsepower and torque from independent road tests.

Independent road tests for the Civic of this era, listed by trim and engine — this page spans more than one engine, so no single horsepower figure is shown.

6.6–9.8 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 6.60 sec — 2009 Si Sedan
YearTrim / engine0–60¼ mileHPDrivetrain
2009Si Sedan 2.0L I-46.60 sec15.00 sec197 hpFWD
2009Si Sedan 2.0L I-46.70 sec15.10 sec197 hpFWD
2009LX-S Sedan 1.8L I-49.80 sec17.60 sec140 hpFWD
2008EX Sedan 1.8L I-49.40 sec17.10 sec140 hpFWD
2007Si Sedan 2.0L I-46.30 sec14.80 sec197 hpFWD
2007Si Sedan 2.0L I-46.80 sec15.10 sec197 hpFWD
2007LX Sedan 1.8L I-49.60 sec17.30 sec140 hpFWD
2006Si Coupe 2.0L I-46.30 sec14.90 sec197 hpFWD

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine holds 3.4 qt of 0W-20 API engine oil, DOT 3 brake fluid. Torque lug nuts to 80 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-3-4-2. Note the cylinder-head bolts finish on a torque angle (torque-to-yield) — they stretch permanently and should be replaced, not reused, during any head service.

Lubricants & capacities

Automatic Transmission FluidATF
Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity2.5-3.0
Brake FluidDOT 3
Engine Oil0W-20 · API
Engine Oil Capacity3.4 qt
Engine Oil5W-20 · API
Engine Oil Capacity4 qt
Engine Oil5W-30 · API

Engine torques

Camshaft Bearing/Carrier Cap Bolts or Studs8mm Bolts: 16 ft-lbs, 6mm Bolts: 9 ft-lbs
Engine Flywheel Bolts33 ft-lbs
Engine Flywheel BoltsAT: 54 ft-lbs, MT: 86 ft-lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts17 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts33 ft-lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine Boltsin two steps: 17 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts33 ft-lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts16 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts80 ft-lbs
Automatic Transmission Drain Plug33.0-36.0 ft-lbs
Front Wheel Hub134 ft-lbs
Front Wheel Hub181 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order1-3-4-2
Curb Idle Speed (No Load)820 rpm
Curb Idle Speed Variance (No Load)50 rpm
Curb Idle Speed (No Load)670 rpm
Curb Idle Speed Variance (No Load)50 rpm
Curb Idle Speed (Secondary Under Load)710 rpm
Curb Idle Speed Variance (Secondary Under Load)50 rpm
Curb Idle Speed (No Load)750 rpm

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR134a
Refrigerant Capacity.80-.98 lbs
Oil TypePAG
RefrigerantR134a
Refrigerant Capacity0.83-0.95 lbs
Oil TypeSE-10Y or equivalent
Oil Capacity4.33-4.67 oz
Standard BCI Group Number51R U.S.

Service checks

Pressure Test14-18 psi
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief14-18 psi
Thermostat Opening Temperature169-176 °F
Pressure Test14-18 psi
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief14-18 psi
Thermostat Opening Temperature186-194 °F
Regulated Fuel System Pressure (With Vacuum)48.0-55.0 psi
Regulated Fuel System Pressure (With Vacuum)55.0

Brakes

Torque Caliper to Bracket25 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle79 ft-lbs
Torque Caliper to Bracket17 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle54 ft-lbs
Torque Caliper to Bracket37 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle79 ft-lbs
Minimum Pad ThicknessFront: 0.063; Rear: 0.060 in
Minimum Shoe Thickness0.079 in

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
17 ft. lbs., Step 2: 907 ft. lbs
Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
114 ft. lbs., Step 2: 9014 ft. lbs
Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
127 ft. lbs., 9027 ft. lbs
Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
151 ft. lbs., step 2: 9051 ft. lbs
Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
136 ft. lbs., step 2: 9036 ft. lbs
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 3 stages

Prep Measure the diameter of each cylinder head bolt at point A and point B. Point A = 45.00 mm from thread end and point B = 50.00 mm from thread end. If either diameter is less than 11.3 mm (0.445 in), Do not reuse old bolts. Use new bolts coated with clean engine oil. Tighten all bolts to finger tight then continue on with the following procedure.

122.0.0 ft. lbs.
290 degrees90 degrees
390 degrees90 degrees
Main Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
118 ft. lbs., Step 2: 4018 ft. lbs
Main Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
118 ft. lbs., Step 2: 5718 ft. lbs

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

At 160,000 miUniversal Vehicle Operation (inspect idle speed)

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

The 2009 Honda Civic sits in a sharp downward arc of federal complaints after the 2006–2008 peak: owner complaints fell from 1,402 in 2006, to 1,203 in 2007, 915 in 2008, and 395 in 2009, then continued lower to 396 in 2010 and 168 in 2011. Recalls stayed modest and flat across that same window—8 in 2009 versus 7 in 2008 and 8 in 2010—so the year is defined mainly by the collapse in complaint volume rather than by any spike in safety actions. The leading 2009 complaint categories were Air Bags (80), Structure (30), Unknown or Other (21), and Electrical System (21), though the federal data does not specify root causes; the year also recorded 42 crash-related complaints and 6 fire-related complaints. Because 2009 lands on the declining side of the curve with far lower complaints and TSBs (65) than 2006–2008, it looks like a comparatively safer used-car bet in this data set, provided a pre-purchase inspection confirms the individual vehicle's history.

8
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
65
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
0
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
395
Owner complaints
42 involved a crash · 6 a fire

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 395 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Air Bags80
Structure30
Unknown Or Other21
Electrical System21
Service Brakes, Hydraulic20
Suspension17
Visibility17
Service Brakes15

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 8 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

18V268000Air Bags:Frontal:Passenger Side:Inflator ModuleReported 26/04/2018

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… Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and, if necessary, replace the passenger frontal air bag module assembly, free of charge. The recall began June 22, 2018. Owners…

19V502000Air Bags:Frontal:Passenger Side:Inflator ModuleReported 27/06/2019

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2009-2014 Acura TSX, 2011-2014 TSX Sport Wagon, 2010-2013 ZDX, 2008-2012 Honda Accord, 2010-2011 Accord Crosstour, 2006-2011 Civic and Civic Hybrid, 2008-2010 Civic… Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began August 12, 2019. Owners may contact Honda customer…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 65 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
A18-0662026-06-30Air BagsService Bulletin - Warranty Extension: Customer Support Program For Front Passenger's…
A07-0782026-01-27SuspensionService Bulletin - There is a pop or clunk from the front suspension area when driving…
A21120B2023-06-13Electrical SystemService News - The navigation clock and date are incorrect. This is due to a limited GPS…
A21120B2022-01-29Electrical SystemServiceNews Article - The clock shows the incorrect time. This issue is due to a limited…
A11-0642020-12-22StructureService Bulletin - There's a gap between the A-pillar trim and the headliner. The…

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420
Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1
P0300
Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected
P0171
System too lean — Bank 1
P0455
Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak
P0128
Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature
P0442
Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN
Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific Civic. OEM
Build data
Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.
Recalls
Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 2009 Civic take?

3.4 qt of 0W-20 API, per the factory manual.

Does the 2009 Civic have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 8 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.