2018 Honda Civic Steering Problems
Owners have filed 314 complaints with NHTSA about steering problems on the 2018 Honda Civic, 42% of all complaints for this model year. Half of the reports with a mileage happened before 50,564 miles. The words owners use most often: “steering rack” (16% of reports).
- 314steering complaints
- 50,564median miles at failure
- 8mention a crash
- 0mention an injury
- 1related recalls
- $4,350typical repair cost reported by owners
- 70%of reports with a speed happened at 50+ mph
What owners describe
Phrases that appear unusually often in these complaints compared with complaints about other cars.
- Steering rack: mentioned in 49 of 314 complaints (16%)
- Wheel sticks: mentioned in 37 of 314 complaints (12%)
- Feels like: mentioned in 17 of 314 complaints (5%)
- Straight line: mentioned in 16 of 314 complaints (5%)
How much does it cost to fix?
Owners who wrote down what they paid or were quoted put the typical steering repair on the 2018 Honda Civic at $4,350, and half of them between $4,100 and $4,600.
Based on 33 NHTSA complaints about this problem alone that state a repair bill or quote (2021–2026), converted to 2026 dollars with the U.S. consumer price index. These are owners' own figures, not a quote: they include dealer quotes, and owners who file complaints often faced larger repairs, so they can run higher than typical shop prices. Prices vary by shop, region and warranty coverage. How we calculate this.
At what mileage do steering problems happen?
Based on 60 complaints that reported the odometer reading.
How serious are the reports?
Of 314 complaints, 8 mention a crash.
Honda Civic steering complaints by model year
| Model year | Steering complaints | Share of that year | Median miles |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 Civic | 7 | 23% | — |
| 2025 Civic | 31 | 41% | 20,450 |
| 2024 Civic | 61 | 49% | 10,900 |
| 2023 Civic | 192 | 74% | 10,000 |
| 2022 Civic | 733 | 83% | 26,264 |
| 2021 Civic | 65 | 45% | 36,000 |
| 2020 Civic | 31 | 14% | 30,388 |
| 2019 Civic | 110 | 25% | 57,219 |
| 2018 Civic | 314 | 42% | 50,564 |
| 2017 Civic | 174 | 29% | 46,000 |
| 2016 Civic | 446 | 41% | 39,000 |
| 2015 Civic | 21 | 6% | 12,125 |
| 2014 Civic | 15 | 5% | 46,000 |
| 2013 Civic | 38 | 12% | 25,000 |
| 2012 Civic | 74 | 16% | 60,000 |
| 2011 Civic | 4 | 2% | 82,500 |
| 2010 Civic | 19 | 5% | 41,000 |
| 2009 Civic | 13 | 3% | 58,000 |
| 2008 Civic | 24 | 3% | 40,000 |
| 2007 Civic | 26 | 2% | 48,791 |
| 2006 Civic | 44 | 3% | 44,456 |
| 2005 Civic | 7 | 2% | 30,750 |
| 2004 Civic | 6 | 2% | 60,380 |
| 2003 Civic | 15 | 3% | 66,000 |
| 2002 Civic | 23 | 3% | 65,000 |
| 2001 Civic | 20 | 2% | 145,000 |
| 2000 Civic | 6 | 2% | 80,122 |
| 1999 Civic | 2 | 1% | 210,000 |
| 1998 Civic | 7 | 2% | 93,321 |
| 1997 Civic | 5 | 1% | 1,003 |
| 1996 Civic | 6 | 2% | 74,300 |
| 1995 Civic | 9 | 5% | — |
When owners reported it
Related recalls (1)
Steering:electric power assist system
Problem: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2017-2018 Honda Civic and CR-V vehicles. The magnet that controls the torque sensor output signal for the electronic power steering system may not be properly secured, allowing the magnet to become dislodged. During a full lock turn, the dislodged magnet may cause steering assist to be applied in the opposite direction.
Risk: The unintended steering input reduces vehicle maneuverability and increases the risk of a crash.
Fix: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the steering gearbox assembly, free of charge. The recall began November 9, 2018. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are C2N, P2O.
What owners report
Short excerpts of recent complaints, with personal details removed. Full reports are on NHTSA.gov.
I am reporting a potentially serious steering safety problem with my 2018 Honda Civic, which currently has approximately 84,000 miles. While driving, the steering develops a sticking or notchy condition, particularly when making small steering corrections. The steering wheel resists movement and…
Car steering gets stuck/jerks and cannot stay straight, wheels jerk aggressively from left to right in speeds up to 50 on the highway during rain.
I purchased this car used about a year ago from the Honda dealership, since then I have noticed very tight steering when driving straight, people behind me say I look like Iâm swerving back-and-forth. Also, when taking slight turns like an on-ramp the wheel completely sticks in that direction…
Frequently asked questions
Do all 2018 Honda Civics have steering problems?
No. NHTSA has 314 owner complaints about steering for the 2018 Honda Civic (42% of the 745 complaints for this model year). Complaint data shows that the problem is reported, not how many of all cars sold are affected.
Was there a recall on the 2018 Honda Civic steering?
Yes: 1 safety recall list steering. Check your VIN on NHTSA.gov to see whether the fix was done on your car.
At what mileage do steering problems start?
The median reported mileage is 50,564 miles: half of the reports with a mileage came before that.
How much does it cost to fix steering problems on the 2018 Honda Civic?
Owners report a typical cost of $4,350 (half paid between $4,100 and $4,600), from 33 complaints that state a repair bill or quote, in 2026 dollars.
What do owners say about steering problems on the 2018 Honda Civic?
The most frequent phrase is “steering rack”, in 49 of 314 complaints, followed by “wheel sticks” (37).
Other 2018 Honda Civic problems
See all 2018 Honda Civic problems or steering problems across all Civic years.