Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (power steering, steering column, rack and pinion).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2001 Honda Civic owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
"Takata recall" I was on the freeway north in first lane, the vehicle was pulling heavy to the right. I remember going into a fishtail then to the right which was grassy and dirt . Slamming sideways up against a wall or fence ending up drivers side. Driver's side steering airbag did not deploy. Passenger side as I watch it pop out and smoking. Several people had stopped to give me assistance and advised me to turn the car off due to it smoking.
Steering: I was on the freeway northbound in slow lane, the vehicle was pulling heavy to the right. I remember going into a fishtail then to the right which was grassy and dirt . Slamming sideways up against a wall or fence ending up drivers side. My car was towed to performance towing in santa rosa,ca. I was unable to get it back, I was unable to pay for towing charges. Performance towing place a lien sale on it. Now I'm without a car in debt.
I had never had any problem like this with my car before this incident. I was driving by myself on a state highway just after dawn, at approximately 45 miles per hour, approaching a curve to the right. I had just executed a curve to the left and was straightening the wheel when the steering froze, and I was unable to straighten the wheel. Going off the road to the right, I bounced from side to side while crashing into a ditch. Two cars immediately stopped, I unfastened my seatbelt, took my keys out of the ignition, and turned everything off. Then the drivers helped me out through the driver's side window. Later when the tow truck arrived, the driver told me to steer the vehicle as he pulled it up out of the ditch toward his truck. I told him it was frozen, and I would not be able to steer it. However, when I turned the engine on, the steering column was no longer locked. …
Was driving on bluegrass parkway in kentucky. My check engine light came on. I hit a small bump in the road and both airbags deployed. I tried getting out of harms way. Then my engine cut off. I had no power steering and brakes it wouldn't stop the car. I went off the road and hit a tree causing severe damage to my car. Honda placed a recall in December 2011 but never contacted me of the recall. I was taken by ambulance to the nearest hospital. Suffered wrist and ankle damage so who is responsible????
I tried to Dodge the car in front of it, and failed to do so. I scratch the rear left bumper of the car in front of me, and I lost control of my car, then spin 540 degrees and hit the concrete wall of the interstate. I was wearing the seatbelt so it was OK but the front airbag should have deployed to protect me from certain injuries. I still feel some pain on my neck and my back 3 days after the incident.
"Takata recall" I totalled my car because the steering locked while I was driving. I lost control and flipped it. I was stuck in the seat belt because it would not release. I have airbag dermatitis from the airbag chemicals.
My mother is a victim of sudden acceleration incident from a Honda Civic 2001. She was driving the vehicle on a small street and had placed it in park. Then, she placed the gear back into drive and before tapping the gas pedal the car surged forward in high acceleration and went out of control. She applied the brakes a few times but it failed to stop the car. The steering was also out of control and the car continued to accelerate about 30-40 MPH for an entire block and finally, crashed into a tree totaling the vehicle. She was taken away by ambulance. As a result of the crash, she suffered from a broken ankle and heel, deep gash to the knee, severe chest pain (from airbag) and heart contusion. She spent over a week in the hospital and is still in the process of recovering.
Vehicle was broadsided while making a slow left hand turn, the steering column locked up. No injuries, vehicle was totalled. While making a left turn, an oncoming vehicle hit the passenger side rear quarter panel. Because the vehicle couln't be controlled, it slid head on into a telephone pole, deploying the air bags and totalling the vehicle. The ignition key is stuck in the ignition.
Failure - have began to notice on my 2001 Honda Civic that I can not release key from the ignition. Just had a transmission put in the car at over 207,[redacted] miles. This is becoming a problem because I have to back up and pull forward just to get the steering wheel straighten - then pull the key out.
While traveling approximately 25 to 30 MPH and making a turn, engine stalled and caused steering column to lock up. This problem did not result in a crash or injuries. Dealership examined vehicle for engine stalling, but has failed to remedy the problem. While driving, consumer heard a metal to metal sound coming from right wheel well. Consumer was told computer was not set properly according to the VIN code, this was a service bulletin, dealer stated this could be why stalling was occurring, 4 fuses blew and now dealer replaced fuse box, dealer thinks this May be a reason why the vehicle stalled also, dealer also states that he does not know why the fuses blew to begin with, the blown fuse caused moonroof to be inoperable. Vents loose. Trunk release inoperable. Springs squeak and were replaced. Defective weld in the passenger side door rusted. Vehicle experiences rough idle. …
Steering complaints in other Civic years
Frequently asked questions
How common are steering problems on the 2001 Honda Civic?
NHTSA has 20 complaints about the steering of the 2001 Honda Civic, 2% of the model year's 1,079 complaints. The component named most often is steering wheel/handle bar (3 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2001 Honda Civic steering problems?
No. NHTSA lists no steering recall for the 2001 Honda Civic, though it has 14 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2001 Honda Civic steering problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 145,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 8 crashes, 0 fires and 7 injuries to steering problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.