Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (battery, alternator, wiring, ignition, instrument cluster, infotainment).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2018 Honda Civic owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact owns a 2018 Honda Civic. The contact stated that when attempting to make a right turn at approximately 25 -30 mph, the vehicle failed to successfully turn right. The vehicle continued in a forward motion until it crashed into a nearby sign. The air bag did not deploy. There were no injuries. Medical attention was received and confirmed that no injuries occurred. The sign was damaged. There was no police report. The vehicle was towed to the dealer who diagnosed that there was an electrical failure. The vehicle had been repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 51,128.
The contact owns a 2018 Honda Civic Sedan. The contact stated that when the vehicle was parked, on several occasions while attempting to start the vehicle, the vehicle failed to respond. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer however, the failure could not be duplicated. The contact was informed by the local dealer that the failure was not related to NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V858000 (Fuel System, Gasoline); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 45,000.
Car has power steering issue most noticeable at highway speeds, matching the description of the EPS defect on 2018 Civics (NHTSA ID: 18V663000 ) but my VIN was not included in the recall, despite showing the exact same problem. The steering sticks and has resistance to small adjustments, especially trying to go straight in a lane, & snapping side to side or pulling in opposite direction instead of smoothly turning, intensity varies. There is an audible "clicking" or resistance sound when turning. It's getting increasingly worse overtime, and is a safety issue. Matches testimonials of many other owners of 2018 Civics online. Ive had 3 independent engineers diagnose this issue as a power steering rack problem matching the recall - I have documentation from 2 attached below, the 3rd was an in-person recommendation, document was not provided. …
Last week my body control module (bcm) malfunctioned in my car. I was first alerted to this from a car alarm going off. I tried my key fob and nothing happened. Despite nothing happening I walk outside to find it is actually coming from my car and none of the key fob buttons are working.(I have 2 I tried) I was completely locked out of my car and even the physical key was not opening the door. Yet for some reason the trunk was unlocked.(not able to enter car through here.) Looking inside the care to my amazement it was turned on in accessory mode despite me having absolutely no contact with the key except hours prior but the vehicle was properly shut off at that time. The safety concerns posed by this is that this could happen at any point potentially locking a pet, a child, or myself into my car with no means of escape. …
My AC system in my 2018 Honda has now failed twice under 80000 miles. The first time the compressor and condenser were leaking and failed around 50000 miles which the dealership said was due to a new refrigerant that Honda had started using for this generation of civics. Following this repair, Honda extended the warranty for these components of the AC system. Early in July 2024, I had the same issues with my AC blowing hot air only and making hissing and banging noises on the passenger side at around 75000 miles. Took this to the dealership and they again said that the compressor and condenser were leaking and had failed but also that the evaporator valve was leaking and failed due to the compressor and condenser issues. However, Honda has not extended their warranty for these parts and this would be an out of pocket cost. …
Honda Civic 2018 EX keyless with BCM failure. Alarm won't deactivate, engine won't shut off. Only solution is battery disconnection. Issue reported in 2016+ models, Honda charges $1,000+. Full Complaint: My 2018 Honda Civic EX keyless has a serious electrical problem. The alarm activates and cannot be turned off with the key fob. I have to use the physical key to silence the horn, but the vehicle stays in accessory mode. If I start the car, I cannot turn off the engine. The only way is by disconnecting the battery cables, which is very dangerous since the ignition stays hot and could cause an electrical short. Honda knows about this defect but has not issued a recall. They are charging customers $1,000+ to replace the BCM. This problem has been reported in multiple Honda models from 2016 and newer, including the Honda Civic. …
After less than 4 years, the dashboard Infotainment Screen stopped working and went blank/dark. I checked all connections and fuses with no luck. After a trip to the Honda Dealer, they quoted $1200.00 to replace the Infotainment screen. I do not have the money to replace this part. This part failed in less than 4 years time. As a result, I have no access to the back up camera, tire inflation calibration, or radio controls and other functions displayed on this screen. This is causing a safety hazard while driving and undue driver distraction while driving while trying to access information usually displayed on the screen. I checked the internet regarding this issue, and there is wide spread data that this is a common issue with Honda, including several law firm class action lawsuits. I believe there should be a Safety Recall for Honda to replace this part.
The contact owns a 2018 Honda Civic. The contact stated that while parking the vehicle at the residence, the vehicle started losing electrical power. The instrument cluster lights became dim, and the infotainment system turned off. The contact stated that she parked and turned off the vehicle. The contact stated that the failure recurred several times while driving and turning the steering wheel. Additionally, the steering wheel became difficult to steer. The "Power Steering Failure" and "Brake System Failure" messages were displayed. An unknown dealer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the VIN was not included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 18V663000 (Steering). The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.
1) Caused by faulty Body Control Module (BCM). 2) Can't enter car, key fob won't unlock car. Dashboard is illuminated when car is off, I can see it through my window. 3) Alarm horn went on when car is off. 4) Turn on my car, multiple errors, go to drive the car thinking I need to reset it from battery change. Shut off my car, but go to turn it back on. Car cranks but won't turn on, shows multiple errors on dash. 5) Dash shows "keyless start system problem" and car won't turn off. When pushing button to turn off car, head lights and a/c turn off but the engine still runs, push/start button flashes. Disconnected battery, still runs. Had to pull fuel or ECU fuse to stop the car running. 6) Can't reliably get my car to start. Issue is intermittent.
Rear window wiper failed to operate when transmission put in reverse. Should have operated automatically. Rear window wiper failed to respond to switch position when selected to on. Scan tool shows body control module receiving switch input but no output to wiper motor. Rear window washer comes on without switch being moved to on position when car is turned on and will not turn off unless car is turned off or fuse is pulled. Unable to control wiper washer system. No warning lights noted and no faults found during scanning. There has been recalls on other model's of this year and brand of car for defective body control module. Rear wiper motor and switch stalk were replaced with known good parts, no fix.
Electrical complaints in other Civic years
Frequently asked questions
How common are electrical problems on the 2018 Honda Civic?
NHTSA has 61 complaints about the electrical system of the 2018 Honda Civic, 8% of the model year's 749 complaints. The component named most often is wiring (1 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2018 Honda Civic electrical problems?
No. NHTSA lists no electrical system recall for the 2018 Honda Civic, though it has 6 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 2018 Honda Civic electrical problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 12,000 miles, and 75% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 2 crashes, 1 fire and 2 injuries to electrical system 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.