Coolant Leaking and Engine Overheating on Honda Civic

Submitted by casey40510 · May 29, 2025
Published by RepairPal

Problem overview

The 1990-2005 Honda Civic commonly have issues with radiator leaks due to normal operation. The leak usually starts small with the engine running slightly warmer than normal, but may/will eventually cause:

  • Coolant puddling under vehicle
  • Engine overheating
  • Unexplained coolant loss (only at first)
  • Vehicle in “limp mode”; loss of power
  • Cylinder head or head gasket failure

The coolant leaking can have a severe effect on your vehicle if left in disrepair. If the radiator is diagnosed as the leaky part, it will need to be replaced, or resealed if that is an option.

Note: coolant is toxic to animals, but tastes sweet. Any coolant spills should be cleaned to protect animals and children.

55 people reported this problem
9 comments
Schedule Repair

Search for another problem

RepairPal Car Genius

Ask our experts about your Honda.

RepairPal Car Genius™ is a free resource for vehicle owners seeking advice on maintenance, auto repair, shop inquiries, estimates, and finding a trustworthy repair shop in your area.

 Auto Repair Expert Auto Repair Expert

Call us at 877-913-1554

Available 9am – 6pm ET Monday through Friday

Call Our Experts