2007 Honda Civic Review: Expensive Car With Engine Issues And A Short Life Expectancy

2007 is a bad year for the Civic with cracking engine blocks, and a short lifespan of 200,000 miles. At $2,937 – 7,430, it’s not worth risking the money on costly failures.

2007 Honda Civic: Key Points

• Reliability ratings are poor, with serious engine problems including cracked blocks. Avoid 2006 through 2009 Civics, and go with a 2010 or newer.
• The base engine has good efficiency, and there’s a more powerful version in the Si.
• Fuel economy is great, at up to 30 MPG.
• Safety ratings are okay, getting 4 out of 5 stars in government crash tests.
• We don’t recommend the 2007 Honda Civic, ranking 8^th out of 25 compact cars based on owner reviews. The 2007 model still has significant mechanical problems, making it one to avoid.

Top Critic Reviews

• Consumer Reports found the Civic to be nimble with road noise, and has lower than average owner satisfaction ratings.
• Edmunds rates the Civic at 4.5 out of 5 with wonderful comfort and safety, however there are some bad design choices.
• Kelley Blue Book gives the Civic a 4.5 out of 5 with a high resale value, but there is a low quality interior.

What Problems Does the 2007 Honda Civic Have?

The Honda Civic has some serious problems including engine failures, tires that wear out fast, and paint issues. Major engine improvements show up for the 2010 model year, making the extra $1,000 well worth the cost.

Cracked engine blocks are a widespread and costly problem happening at about 84,000 miles. Civics from 2006 through 2009 have engine defects causing failures at record numbers, so Honda issued an 8 year warranty. A replacement costs around $3,000.

Excessive and uneven tire wear is another common complaint every 50,000 miles. Tires wear out fast because of a rear suspension issue, and there’s a class action suit. If your car is outside the settlement timeframe, then replacing the suspension components costs about $500.

Peeling and cracking paint is another frequent issue on cars with 70,000 miles. The paint is a weak spot and fails when exposed to excessive sunlight. Repainting the affected panels fixes the problem, costing about $1,000 per panel.

There are 9 recalls, only somewhat more than other compact cars from 2007. The recalls include a rear wheel speed sensor, steering column, fuel tank, thermal insulator, and several for air bags. Most serious is the speed sensor, since a failure can cause the wheel to fall off.

How Much is the 2007 Honda Civic Worth?

Blue book values range from $2,937 – 7,430, making the Civic more expensive than other compact cars, including the Sentra and Cobalt. When new, the price range was $14,810 to $24,590. Depreciation is average, losing around 12% of its current value per year.

How Long Will the 2007 Honda Civic Last?

A well cared for Civic will last around 200,000 miles, this is 100,000 miles less than a Corolla or Yaris. The regular annual maintenance costs are affordable for a compact car at $320 per year, according to Repair Pal.

As a 2007 Civic ages and reaches over 100,000 miles, there are some maintenance items owners should prepare to address. They include alternators for $600, tie rods costing $150, and brake master cylinders which cost around $400.

What Are the Models & Specs?

DX is the entry-level model with:

• 15-Inch Steel Wheels
• Cloth Seating
• Power Windows

LX is a step up, adding features including:

• 16-Inch Steel Wheels
• Keyless Entry
• Cruise Control
• Air Conditioning

EX adds more premium touches, such as:

• 16-Inch Alloy Wheels
• Premium Cloth Seating
• Moonroof
• Folding Rear Seat

Si is a sport-focused model with:

• 17-Inch Alloy Wheels
• More Powerful 4-Cylinder Engine
• Rear Spoiler
• Sport Suspension

What Technology & Safety Features Are Included?

Technology found in the 2006 Honda Civic is very basic for a compact car, and the DX model doesn’t even have a stereo.

• Standard technology in the LX model includes an AM/FM/CD stereo system with 3.5mm AUX jack and 4 speakers.
• Optional upgrades for the EX model include satellite radio, a 7-inch navigation system, and a premium 6-speaker stereo system.
• Standard safety features include air bags, anti-lock brakes. Stability control is only available on the Si model.

What Engine Options are Available?

The entry-level Honda Civic models have average performance for a compact car. Upgrading to the Si model gets you some excellent performance, only taking 6.5 seconds to go from 0 to 60 miles per hour.

• The base motor offers reasonable power from the 1.8L 4-cylinder engine with 140 horsepower.

• A larger 0L 4-cylinder is in the Si model with 197 horsepower.

What Color Options are Available?

How Big is the Civic?

The 2007 Honda Civic is a compact car available as a coupe or sedan, similar in size to the Jetta and Focus. Adults fit easily in the back seats of the sedan with a lot of legroom, but the coupe is cramped. Three suitcases fit in the 12 cubic feet of room in the trunk.

How Does the 2007 Honda Civic Compare to Other Cars?

One of the highest-rated competitors is the more expensive Toyota Corolla. The Corolla stands out with considerably better reliability, but the Civic is sportier and more responsive. For the 2007 model, the Corolla is a better choice, and the Civic is more reliable for 2010 and newer.

Another rival is the more affordable Nissan Sentra. The Sentra has better technology, but the Civic is more comfortable. For the 2007 model year the Sentra and Civic are both bad choices, with a lot of mechanical problems.

Final Verdict: Is the 2007 Honda Civic a Good Car?

No, the Civic gets an average rating of 4.3 out of 5 based on 472 verified owner reviews, having too many reported engine problems.

Some downsides include engines cracking abruptly, and technology that is difficult to use. Where the Civic stands out is with low ownership costs and good performance figures.

Overall, 2007 is a year buyers should avoid. Engine improvements show up for the 2010 model year and the price difference of only $1,000 is worth the cost.