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 2018 Honda Civic owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact owned a 2018 Honda Civic. The contact stated that while in a drive-through line with the brake applied, the vehicle unintendedly accelerated. The vehicle then drove over the curb, veered to the left, crashed into another vehicle, a sign, and went over four lanes of traffic. The contact was unable to control the vehicle but was able to push the ignition button to stop the vehicle. There were no reported injuries, or air bag deployments. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to a towing lot. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 35,000. The vehicle was towed by the insurance company and deemed a total loss.
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. The contact stated that while driving at 60 mph, the power steering had failed and the vehicle was difficult to steer. The tire pressure monitoring, brake system, electronic power steering, and stability assist warning lights were illuminated. The contact was able to drive to her residence. The dealer was made aware of the failure and informed the contact to turn off the vehicle and turn it back on to correct the failure. The power steering was corrected after restarting the vehicle; however, the warning lights were still illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the dealer and diagnosed with lost communication with the steering angle sensor. The dealer calibrated the steering angle sensor and cleared the DTC, then test drove the vehicle. The failure recurred a week later with an additional unknown warning light. …
What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? The steering function failed. It is available for inspection upon request. How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? The steering wheel is very heavy to turn. I can turn it at most 10 degrees to the left and right. Basically, I couldn't make a left turn or right turn and could only go straight. The vehicle is not drivable. Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center? Yes. The problem persists and confirmed by my repair shop. Has the vehicle or component been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives or others? The vehicle has been inspected by the repair shop and a Statefarm representative. …
It was raining. I was driving on the highway at approximately 60-65 MPH range. I was coming out of a long gradual curve and the steering would not center. It started to have a slight fish tail feel. Normally I let off the throttle and it will level out. This time it acted like i had yanked the steering wheel to the right. I dont recall feeling pressure or resistance from the steering wheel reflecting from the tires actually being turned, but i cant confidently say there wasn't. Nonetheless, it caused me to spin into the ditch. If it would have decided to go the other direction I would have gone into the car next to me or oncoming traffic. It gradually started getting a loose feel on the highway up to that point. Prior to the accident, when in inclement weather she would have a fishtail feel coming out of turns (Sometimes while just traveling straight). …
The contact owns a 2018 Honda Civic. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the passenger's side headlight failed to illuminate intermittently and was dimmed. The contact stated that the passenger's side headlight bulb had previously been replaced several times; however, the failure persisted. Additionally, the contact stated that the steering wheel was loose while making a left turn and seized while making a right turn. No warning light was illuminated. The contact jerked the steering wheel to correct the failure. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the passenger's side headlight connector switch needed to be replaced. The dealer was unable to duplicate the steering failure. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 18V663000 (Steering) however, the VIN was not included in the recall. …
The contact owns a 2018 Honda Civic. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the steering wheel was jerking to the left or the right. Additionally, the contact stated that after making a turn, the steering wheel was sticking and failed to return to center, requiring the driver to forcefully return the steering wheel to the center. An unknown warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the EPS gearbox control unit assembly needed to be replaced, an alignment needed to be performed, and the steering angle neutral position learning procedure needed to be performed. The vehicle was also taken to Sons Honda (105 Sons Dr, McDonough, GA 30253), where the same assessment was made. The vehicle was not repaired. …
The contact's son owns a 2018 Honda Civic equipped with Hankook tires, Tire Line: Unknown, Tire Size: 215/55/R16, and DOT Number: 7R11BH3620. The contact stated while his son was driving at 50-55 MPH, the rear passenger's side tire blew up on its side. The contact's son veered to the side of the road. The contact's son was able to replace the tire with a spare tire with the assistance of AAA. The vehicle was then taken to the local dealer who replaced the spare tire with a new tire. The tire manufacturer was not notified of the failure. Additionally, the contact stated while his son was reversing in the driveway, the steering wheel locked inadvertently. The steering, the traction control, and the brake warning lights illuminated. The contact's son then parked the vehicle. The dealer and the manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. …
The contact owns a 2018 Honda Civic. The contact stated that while his daughter was driving at an undisclosed speed, she became aware that the electronic power steering was not functioning properly, observing that the steering wheel continuously jerked to the left. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed a failure with the steering rack and pinion. The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who confirmed the diagnosis, finding that the steering rack was binding and causing the steering wheel to jerk hard to the left. The vehicle was not repaired. After investigating the failure, the contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 18V663000 (Steering); but the VIN was not included. …
The contact's daughter owns a 2018 Honda Civic. The contact stated that while his daughter was driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle jerked abnormally while turning to the left or the right. The contact stated that on multiple occasions while making a left or a right turn, the steering wheel seized and required an aggressive turn of the steering wheel in the opposite direction to keep the vehicle straight. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the steering gear box assembly needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The contact referenced NHTSA Campaign Number: 18V663000 (Steering). The manufacturer was notified of the failure and offered to cover half the cost of the repair. The contact was informed that the VIN was not included in a recall. The failure mileage was approximately 89,000. The VIN was unavailable.
Related recalls
Steering › Electric power assist system
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.
Remedy: 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.
Steering complaints in other Civic years
Frequently asked questions
How common are steering problems on the 2018 Honda Civic?
NHTSA has 314 complaints about the steering of the 2018 Honda Civic, 42% of the model year's 749 complaints. The component named most often is rack and pinion (1 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2018 Honda Civic steering problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 18V-663 (electric power assist system, Sep 27, 2018). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2018 Honda Civic steering problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 51,000 miles, and 22% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 8 crashes, 0 fires and 0 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.