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2005 Honda Civic

Trims, performance, features, fuel economy, safety and known problems — with the pros and cons against similar 2005 models.

Honda Civic
Pictured: Honda Civic e-HEV Sport (XI) – f 30062024. Photo: © M 93, CC BY-SA 3.0 de, via Wikimedia Commons
Class
Compact Cars
Body styles
2dr Coupe FWD DX/LX/SI, 4dr Sedan FWD DX, 4dr Sedan FWD LX, 4dr Sedan FWD SI
Engines
1.3L 4-cyl, 1.7L 4-cyl, 2.0L 4-cyl
Horsepower
85–127 hp
Transmission
CVT, 4-speed automatic
Drivetrain
Front-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Hybrid, Regular Gasoline, CNG
MPG (best)
41 combined · 39 city / 45 hwy
Length
174.8 in
Curb weight
2,463–2,732 lb
NHTSA rating
Not rated
Recalls
8 campaigns

Pros & cons

What's good

  • Excellent fuel economyUp to 41 MPG combined — 76% better than the average 2005 compact car (23.3 MPG).
  • Hybrid version availableOffered as a hybrid as well as gas.

Watch out for

  • Many owner complaints136 complaints filed with NHTSA versus about 20 for similar models — most often about the air bags.
  • 8 recallsMore than similar models (about 0). Confirm repairs with the VIN.

Calculated from EPA, NHTSA and vPIC data against 25 similar 2005 models — not a review. How we calculate this →

Overview

The 2005 Honda Civic is a compact car offered with 3 engines (1.3L 4-cyl, 1.7L 4-cyl and 2.0L 4-cyl), including a hybrid version and front-wheel drive.

It measures about 175 inches long and 67 inches wide on a 103-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 2,513 lb (2dr Coupe FWD DX/LX/SI).

EPA rates its most efficient version at 41 MPG combined (39 city / 45 highway), 76% better than the 2005 compact car average of 23.3 MPG, for an estimated $1,650 a year in fuel.

It has 8 recall campaigns on file and owners have filed 136 complaints with NHTSA since 2015, most often about the air bags.

Trims, performance & features

Engine85 hp1.3L 4-cyl hybrid
Engine115–127 hp1.7L 4-cyl
TransmissionCVT · 4-speed automatic

Trims

HybridDX-VPLXEX

Built in: Suzuka, Mie · Alliston, Ontario · East Liberty, Ohio

NHTSA vPIC, as reported by the manufacturer for 5 2005 Civic configurations; may not list every trim. How we calculate this →

Dimensions & weight

BodyLengthWidthHeightWheelbaseTrack F / RCurb weightWeight F/R
2dr Coupe FWD DX/LX/SI174.8 in66.9 in55.1 in103.1 in57.9 / 57.9 in2,513 lb60/40
4dr Sedan FWD DX174.8 in67.7 in56.7 in103.1 in57.9 / 57.9 in2,463 lb60/40
4dr Sedan FWD LX174.8 in67.7 in56.7 in103.1 in57.9 / 57.9 in2,564 lb60/40
4dr Sedan FWD SI174.8 in67.7 in56.7 in103.1 in57.9 / 57.9 in2,617 lb60/40
Hybrid 4dr Sedan FWD174.8 in67.7 in56.3 in103.1 in57.9 / 57.9 in2,732 lb60/40

Transport Canada CVS (Open Government Licence – Canada), Canadian-market figures.

Will it fit your garage? Check with your measurements →

Engines, MPG & running costs

VersionEngineTransmissionDriveCity / Hwy / Combvs. classFuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
Civic Hybrid Hybrid1.3L 4-cylAutomatic (variable gear ratios)Front-Wheel Drive39 / 42 / 41+76%$1,650217
Civic Hybrid Hybrid1.3L 4-cylManual 5-spdFront-Wheel Drive38 / 45 / 41+76%$1,650217
Civic Hybrid Hybrid1.3L 4-cylAutomatic (variable gear ratios)Front-Wheel Drive39 / 43 / 40+72%$1,700222
Civic Hybrid Hybrid1.3L 4-cylManual 5-spdFront-Wheel Drive37 / 45 / 40+72%$1,700222
Civic1.7L 4-cylManual 5-spdFront-Wheel Drive31 / 39 / 34+46%$1,950261
Civic1.7L 4-cylAutomatic (variable gear ratios)Front-Wheel Drive29 / 36 / 32+37%$2,100278
Civic1.7L 4-cylAutomatic 4-spdFront-Wheel Drive26 / 35 / 30+29%$2,250296
Civic1.7L 4-cylManual 5-spdFront-Wheel Drive27 / 34 / 30+29%$2,250296
Civic1.7L 4-cylManual 5-spdFront-Wheel Drive27 / 34 / 30+29%$2,250296
Civic1.7L 4-cylAutomatic 4-spdFront-Wheel Drive25 / 34 / 29+24%$2,300306
Civic CNG CNG1.7L 4-cylAutomatic (variable gear ratios)Front-Wheel Drive26 / 31 / 28+20%$1,650251
Civic2.0L 4-cylManual 5-spdFront-Wheel Drive22 / 28 / 25+7%$2,700355
Save $3,750Fuel over 5 years vs. average new car
23.3 MPG2005 Compact Cars average

EPA estimates; "vs. class" is combined MPG against the 2005 EPA class average. How we calculate this →

Safety ratings & technology

NHTSA has not published 5-Star ratings for the 2005 Honda Civic under the current (2011+) test program.

Similar 2005 compact cars

ModelBest MPG / rangeNHTSA overallRecalls
2005 Honda Civic (this car)41 MPGNot rated8
2005 Toyota Corolla31 MPGNot rated7
2005 Toyota Prius46 MPGNot rated3
2005 Mazda 327 MPGNot rated0
2005 Volkswagen Golf/GTI35 MPGNot rated0
2005 Hyundai Elantra26 MPGNot rated0
2005 Ford Focus26 MPGNot rated0

Recalls (8)

Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module · Jun 27, 2019

NHTSA campaign 19V501000 · 1,657,752 vehicles

Problem
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. The vehicles are equipped with passenger frontal air bag inflators assembled as a recall remedy part or replacement service part, that may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.
Risk
An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix
Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal airbag inflator, free of charge. The recall began August 12, 2019. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are E5D and X5C.
Air Bags › Frontal › Driver Side › Inflator Module · Jun 27, 2019

NHTSA campaign 19V499000 · 3,947 vehicles

Problem
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. These vehicles are equipped with driver frontal air bag inflators assembled as a recall remedy part or replacement service part, that may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.
Risk
An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix
Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began August 12, 2019. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are Q5A and Y58.
Air Bags › Frontal › Driver Side › Inflator Module · Mar 6, 2019

NHTSA campaign 19V182000 · 1,101,534 vehicles

Problem
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, 2002-2007 and 2010-2011 CR-V, 2003-2011 Element, 2007 Fit, 2002-2004 Odyssey, 2003-2008 Pilot, and 2006-2014 Ridgeline vehicles. The affected vehicles received a replacement driver air bag inflator as part of a previous Takata inflator recall remedy or a replacement driver air bag module containing the same inflator type as a service part. Due to a manufacturing error, in the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver frontal air bag, these inflators may explode.
Risk
An explosion of an inflator within the driver frontal air bag module may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver, front seat passenger or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix
Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's air bag inflator with an alternate inflator, free of charge. The recall began April 10, 2019. Honda owners may contact customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's number for this recall is O41. Acura owners may contact customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Acura's number for this recall is U40.
Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module · Apr 26, 2018

NHTSA campaign 18V268000 · 1,335 vehicles

Problem
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 bag may have been installed incorrectly during replacement.
Risk
An incorrectly installed air bag may deploy improperly in the event of a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
Fix
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 may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are K1P, and M1O.
Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module · Jun 15, 2015

NHTSA campaign 15V370000 · 3,498,481 vehicles

Problem
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 January 18, 2005, 2003-2007 Honda Accord vehicles manufactured February 21, 2002, to August 28, 2007, 2002-2004 Honda CR-V vehicles, 2002-2003 Honda Odyssey vehicles manufactured June 19, 2001, to July 12, 2003, 2003 Acura MDX vehicles manufactured September 19, 2002, to June 19, 2003, 2003 Honda Element vehicles manufactured June 25, 2002, to July 31, 2003, and 2003 Honda Pilot vehicles manufactured November 26, 2001, to August 21, 2003. The affected vehicles have a passenger side frontal air bag that may be susceptible to moisture intrusion which, over time, could cause the inflator to rupture upon its deployment.
Risk
In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the passenger seat occupant or other occupants possibly causing serious injury or death.
Fix
Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began on July 1, 2015. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are JU4, JU5, JU6, and JU7. Note: Vehicles that have already received a replacement passenger air bag inflator as part of the recall remedy for an earlier campaign such as 14V353 or 14V700 (Honda recall numbers S95, JH6, JH7, JH8, JH9, JJ0, JJ1, JJ2, JJ6, JM5 and JM6) are not included in this recall. However, this recall does supersede 13V132 and 14V349. Note: On December 18, 2015 Honda informed NHTSA of an expansion of this recall to include certain model year 2004 Honda CR-V vehicles in addition to additional model year 2003 CR-V vehicles.
Air Bags › Frontal › Driver Side › Inflator Module · May 28, 2015

NHTSA campaign 15V320000 · 6,281,043 vehicles

Problem
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 Acura 3.2TL vehicles. The affected vehicles are equipped with a dual-stage driver frontal air bag that may be susceptible to moisture intrusion and other factors, including manufacturing variability that, over time, could cause the inflator to rupture.
Risk
In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix
Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began on July 1, 2015. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Owners may contact Acura customer service at 1-800-382-2238, select option 4. Note: Vehicles that have had their driver frontal air bag replaced previously as part of a recall remedy prior to September 12, 2014 need to have their air bag replaced under this recall as well. Vehicles that, on or after September 12, 2014, received a remedy for a prior driver frontal air bag inflator recall already received an inflator of a different design, and therefore are not included in this recall and do not require additional servicing. Note: This recall fully supersedes recalls 08V-593, 09V-259, 10V-041, 11V-260, 14V-351 and 15V-153. Honda's numbers for this recall are JQ9, JR0, JR1, JR2, JR3, JR4, JR5, JR6, JR7, and JR8.
Air Bags · Nov 4, 2014

NHTSA campaign 14V700000

Problem
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 geographic locations associated with high absolute humidity. Specifically, vehicles sold, or ever registered, in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands, Saipan, Guam, and American Samoa are addressed by this recall. Upon deployment of the passenger side frontal air bag, excessive internal pressure may cause the inflator to rupture.
Risk
In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger’s frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants potentially resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix
Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger side air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began January 26, 2015. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-800-999-1009.
Air Bags · Jun 20, 2014

NHTSA campaign 14V353000 · 133,207 vehicles

Problem
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 registered in California, and equipped with Takata-brand air bag inflators. Upon deployment of the passenger side frontal air bag, excessive internal pressure may cause the inflator to rupture.
Risk
In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger’s frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants potentially resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix
Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the inflators in all affected vehicles, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin during August 2014. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-800-999-1009.
Check your VIN for open recalls at NHTSA ↗

Not every 2005 Honda Civic is affected — only a VIN check confirms your car.

Owner-reported problems

136Complaints to NHTSA since 2015
26Involved a crash
2Involved a fire
19Injuries reported
122,520 miTypical mileage at failure
Air Bags86
Unknown Or Other16
Structure › Body14
Electrical System13
Engine12
Seat Belts11
Power Train8
Vehicle Speed Control5
Complaints received per month (last 24 months with reports)
19/08: 219/09: 119/12: 120/03: 120/08: 120/09: 320/12: 121/03: 221/04: 121/07: 221/09: 121/10: 121/12: 122/05: 222/07: 322/08: 122/12: 123/04: 123/05: 123/08: 124/02: 125/09: 126/09: 126/10: 119/0820/0320/1221/0721/1222/0823/0525/09max 3

Unverified owner reports; best-sellers collect more.

Used 2005 Honda Civic buyer's checklist

  1. Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 8 recalls this year — ask for proof of repairs.
  2. Air Bags — 86 owner reports. Confirm the airbag warning light turns off after start-up and any airbag recall was completed.
  3. Structure › Body — 14 owner reports. Open and close every door, the hood and tailgate; look for rust or misaligned panels.
  4. Electrical System — 13 owner reports. Test every window, lock, light, screen and USB port; check the battery age.
  5. Mileage to watch. Owners typically reported problems around 122,520 miles; ask what was repaired near that point.
  6. Hybrid system. Check for hybrid-system warning lights and ask whether the high-voltage battery has been replaced or is still under warranty.
  7. Before you pay: service records, a history report and an independent inspection.

Generated by DecodedCars from NHTSA recalls and owner complaints for the 2005 Honda Civic. Not a substitute for a professional inspection.

Other Civic years

Compare all years →
YearMPG (best)LengthOverallRecallsComplaints
2026 Civic49183.9 inNot rated132
2025 Civic49183.9 inNot rated2106
2024 Civic36183.9 inNot rated3142
2023 Civic36183.9 inNot rated5336
2022 Civic36183.9 in★★★★★4961
2021 Civic36178 in★★★★★4161
2020 Civic36178 in★★★★★5237
2019 Civic36178 in★★★★★4459
2018 Civic36178 in★★★★★6756
2017 Civic36178 in★★★★★6606
2016 Civic35182.3 inNot rated51,083
2015 Civic44178 inNot rated1394

Sources: EPA, NHTSA, Transport Canada, Wikimedia Commons. Not affiliated with NHTSA, the EPA or Honda. How we calculate this →