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 2012 Honda Civic owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact owns a 2012 Honda Civic. The contact stated that while driving approximately 5 MPH, the emergency steering warning light illuminated, and the steering wheel seized. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, then to the dealer. Initially, the dealer could not replicate the failure but later diagnosed the vehicle with steering column failure. The vehicle was not repaired and remained at the dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 72,500.
The power steering light will come on and the cars power steering no longer works. I was driving down the road approximately 60 mph and the power steering light came on and I could barely turn the steering wheel. I was able to stop and shut the care off and restart and the power steering worked again. On future drives the power steering intermittently will go out forcing me to stop and shut the car off and restart. I took vehicle to Honda dealer and the dealership and I was informed I needed to replace the EPS control unit, which I did. The vehicle was clear of any problems a a while but the same issue is now happening again. Went back to dealer and they reset code 51-04 and said they could not find any problem. Less than an hour after leaving the dealer, the same problem was there again: loss of power steering. This is so dangerous. …
EPS warning light came on while I was pulling into a local gas station. When I came out and started vehicle, wheel would not turn. Realized with EPS assist off it reverts to manual steering and, with great difficulty, made it to garage. Rack and pinion replaced ($1514.77). Now EPS warning light still continues to come on randomly with sudden loss of steering, once at 70 mph on interstate and another at 35 mph on secondary road. This is EXTREMELY dangerous. If you turn car off and wait 10-15 minutes the system resets and steering works perfectly (until it doesn't).I refuse to drive it now and, since it is an older car with high mileage, it would be cost prohibitive. Even if I could find a buyer, I can't in good conscience sell it to someone and worry about their safety. Other potential repairs could be EPS motor, steering sensors, bad wiring, computer issues, etc.
When my car reaches speeds above 60mph the steering is difficult to control (a lot of Play in the steering wheel). I took my vehicle in to a Monrovia, CA Honda Dealer in May 2024 to fix the issue. The dealer replaced the bushings but did not fix the steering issue. This vehicle feels dangerous. I noticed on the internet there are a lot of mechanics talking about steering issues in the model years that my car is under. I am frustrated that the Honda dealers don't seem to want to fix this issue. I've already paid a great deal of money in up keep and the problem has not been corrected. I have had no warning lamps or signs of leaks just a lot of play in the steering wheel and lack of control.I don't feel safe on the highway in this vehicle.
The EPS Electric Power Steering failed on the vehicle with no warning. At 35-40 MPH the EPS warning light came on and the car could not be turned in any direction. The car was wrestled off to the side of the road. It was turned off for several minutes and turned back on. Problem persisted. Turned off ignition for 10 minutes and the warning light went out and steering came back. Thank God there was no accident. This is beyond dangerous. Honda needs to step up to the plate and recall these vehicles with defective steering. Somebody is going to die. Now my daughter is afraid to drive the vehicle. We need to get it to the shop.
Power Steering suddenly failed after I stopped for a stop sign. The EPS light was not on prior to stopping but came on after the steering failed. Managed to get to the nearest Honda Dealer and was told they wouldn't touch it. Managed to get to a local repair shop who looked up the issue and reset some code(s). They told me it could happen again at any time. This is an extremely dangerous problem that could cause serious damage or death if it occurred while driving. I can't understand why Honda hasn't figured out a solution and issued a recall.
On or about August 2021, I drove my 2012 Civic to a store, and park. Leaving the location minutes later, I started the car and noticed I could not turn the wheel to back out. A dash light came on indicating a power steering system issue. I turned car off and tried again with the same results. Not able to drive, I left the car parked and returned the next morning to possibly have it towed. I started the car to check it, and the issue was gone. A mechanic checked the fuse and told me he "reset it." The problem has not returned to date.
Intermittent power steering loss. Vehicle would lose power steering sometimes while driving and other times at startup. Very random. For months nothing would happen until all of a sudden eps warning light would come on and power steering wouldn't engage right away. Now it is permanently on and the power steering does not work at all. This issue started around 65k and complete power steering loss happened at 80k. Definitely scary to think you might lose power steering all of a sudden.
The contact owns a 2012 Honda Civic. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the steering wheel seized. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact stated that the steering wheel became difficult to turn. The dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was not available.
When leaving my parking space, my steering wheel locked and I was unable to turn the vehicle. If I had needed to maneuver my vehicle, I would not have been able to do so. The dashboard indicated that the power steering needed to be inspected.
Related recalls
Steering › Column
Honda is recalling certain model year 2012 Civic passenger vehicles, manufactured from October 26, 2012, through October 30, 2012. These vehicles were assembled with the incorrect steering column assembly.
Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and replace the steering column, as necessary, free of charge. The safety recall began on December 10, 2012. Owners may contact Honda at 1-800-999-1009.
Steering complaints in other Civic years
Frequently asked questions
How common are steering problems on the 2012 Honda Civic?
NHTSA has 74 complaints about the steering of the 2012 Honda Civic, 16% of the model year's 456 complaints. The component named most often is steering wheel/handle bar (1 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2012 Honda Civic steering problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 12V-548 (column, Nov 21, 2012). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2012 Honda Civic steering problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 60,000 miles, and 20% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 3 crashes, 0 fires and 1 injury 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.