RoadVitals

2001 Honda Civic Steering Problems

Owner-reported complaints naming the steering system, filed with NHTSA

Data refreshed

Steering reportsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
20
Latest Jul 20, 2017
Share of all reportsThis category as a share of every owner report on file for this model year. One report can name more than one component, so the categories overlap.
2%
of 1,079 total
Crash or fire reportedReports in this category whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. The reporter's own answer on the NHTSA form, not a verified finding.
8
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
7

What this page shows

Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 2001 Honda Civic submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 20 reports on file name it.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

Owner reports naming steering

Shown in the owner’s own words, exactly as filed

AirbagsInterior & seatsSteering
Filed Jul 20, 2017

THE WAS JUST PARK AND WHEN I PUT THE IGNITION KEY ON THE STEERING WHEEL AND KEY IGNITION DIDN'T WANT TO START

NHTSA ID
11006676
Incident
Jul 20, 2017
Steering
Filed Jul 23, 2016
Crash reported1 injury reported

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.

NHTSA ID
10887965
Incident
Mar 18, 2016
Mileage
145,000 mi
AirbagsSteering
Filed Jul 23, 2016
Crash reported1 injury reported

"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.

NHTSA ID
10887962
Incident
Mar 18, 2016
Mileage
145,000 mi
AirbagsSeat beltsSteering
Filed Nov 22, 2015
Crash reported1 injury reported

"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.

NHTSA ID
10795297
Incident
Nov 2, 2015
Steering
Filed Nov 13, 2014
Crash reported1 injury reported

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. I DO NOT KNOW WHY IT FROZE. I DO NOT KNOW IF THE ENGINE STOPPED RUNNING, BUT I DON'T THINK SO BECAUSE I REMEMBER TURNING THE KEY OFF RIGHT AWAY BECAUSE OF FEAR OF FIRE. I DID NOT GO TO THE HOSPITAL BUT CALLED MY CHIROPRACTOR AND BEGAN TREATMENT THAT AFTERNOON. *TR

NHTSA ID
10654894
Incident
Nov 5, 2014
Mileage
130,000 mi
Body & structureOther / unspecifiedSteering
Filed Aug 6, 2012
Crash reported1 injury reported

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. *TR

NHTSA ID
10469390
Incident
Aug 4, 2012
Mileage
105,000 mi
AirbagsEngineSteering
Filed Mar 5, 2012
Crash reported1 injury reported

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???? *TR

NHTSA ID
10450393
Incident
Mar 4, 2012
Mileage
157,361 mi
Steering
Filed Jan 1, 2011

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,XXX 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. *TR

NHTSA ID
10373682
Incident
Dec 28, 2010
Mileage
207,000 mi
AirbagsBrakesDriver assistance+2 more
Filed Dec 8, 2010
Crash reported1 injury reported

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. *TR

NHTSA ID
10369576
Incident
Nov 21, 2010
Steering
Filed Jun 30, 2006

RACK AND PINION LEAK, REPEATED REPAIRS DON'T WORK. *NM

NHTSA ID
10161152
Incident
Aug 1, 2005
Mileage
50,000 mi
AirbagsElectricalSteering+2 more
Filed May 8, 2006

MY 2001 HONDA CIVIC EX SRS LIGHT CAME UP LAST WEEK. THIS CAR HAD LOT OF ISSUES SINCE I BOUGHT IN 2000 DECEMBER 1. RADIO REPLACED 1 MONTH AFTER PURCHASE. 2. RIGHT FRONT SIDE WHEEL BEARING WAS REPLACED WITHIN 6 MONTHS UNDER WARRANTY. IT FAILED AGAIN IN 2005. I HAD IT REPLACED AGAIN IN 2005 FOR $500. 3. SIDE AIRBAG LIGHT RESET WITHIN 2 YEARS. IT CAME BACK AGAIN IN 2000. THE DEALER DOESN'T KNOW WHAT IS CAUSING THE PROBLEM. ITS GOING TO COST ME $600 TO REPLACE THE SENSOR. 4. FRONT SIDE WINDOWS GET STUCK AND DON'T ROLL UP PROPERLY IN COLD WEATHER. IN 2003 DEALER REPLACED THE MOTOR FOR $600 BUT STILL DOESN'T WORK. 5. REPLACED FRONT STRUTS IN 2006 6. POWER STEERING PUMP FAILED IN 2006 WILL COST ME $500 TO REPLACE. 7. SRS LIGHT CAME UP AND STAYS ON IN 2006. DON'T KNOW WHAT IT WILL TAKE TO GET THIS REPAIRED. OVERALL I THINK 2001 CIVIC IS A PIECE OF JUNK. *JB

NHTSA ID
10156963
Incident
May 5, 2006
EngineFuel systemSteering+1 more
Filed Nov 22, 2004

THE VEHICLE GAS GAUGE FLUCTUATED BETWEEN HALF A TANK AND A FOURTH OF A TANK WITHIN SHORT PERIODS OF TIME AND DID NOT REALLY MOVE DURING LONG DISTANCE TRIPS. *TC THE FRONT SHOCK MADE NOISES, THE FRONT SPRING WAS WEAK, THERE WAS A NOISE COMING FROM THE POWER STEERING PUMP, AND A TICKING NOISE IN THE ENGINE. *SC *JB

NHTSA ID
10103958
Incident
Nov 1, 2004
Steering
Filed Apr 27, 2004

WHILE DRIVING AND MAKING A LEFT TURN THE STEERING COLUMN LOCKED UP. CONSUMER APPLIED THE BRAKES, WAS ABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, AND PULLED OVER. THEN, CONSUMER TURNED OFF THE VEHICLE, BUT WAS UNABLE TO START IT. CONSUMER HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION, AND MECHANIC REPLACED THE SHAFT INSIDE OF THE STEERING COLUMN. *AK

NHTSA ID
10071700
Incident
Apr 27, 2004
Steering
Filed Apr 27, 2004

WHILE DRIVING AND MAKING A LEFT TURN STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP. CONSUMER APPLIED THE BRAKES, AND TRIED TO UNLOCK IT. CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, AND PULLED OVER. CONSUMER TURNED OFF THE VEHICLE AND RESTARTED IT. CONSUMER HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION, AND MECHANIC REPLACED THE SHAFT INSIDE OF THE STEERING COLUMN. *AK

NHTSA ID
10071697
Incident
Apr 27, 2004
AirbagsBody & structureDriver assistance+6 more
Filed Mar 27, 2003

THE AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE DASH BOARD, THE DEALER REPLACED THE PART, HOWEVER THE LIGHT ILLUMINATED AGAIN. *JB THE OCCUPANCY POSITION DETECTOR SYSTEM WAS REPLACED, THE REAR DEFROSTER AND CRUISE CONTROL WAS INOPERATIVE, THERE WAS A LOUD CLUNK NOISE WHILE DRIVING AND ON TURNS, THE RADIO WAS INOPERATIVE, THE BACK WINDOW WAS REPLACED ALONG WITH THE ANTENNA, THE FOG LIGHT SWITCH WAS LOOSE, THE BRAKE LIGHT HAD GONE OUT, THERE WAS A RATTLE IN THE REAR SEAT, THE FUEL CAP WAS LOOSE, THERE WAS A VIBRATION IN THE STEERING WHEEL, AND THE TRUNK LID DID NOT CLOSE. SCC

NHTSA ID
10014597
Incident
Jan 15, 2002
Body & structureElectricalSeat belts+3 more
Filed Nov 21, 2002

WIND NOISE CAN BE HEARD INSIDE THE VEHICLE, THE DEALER RESEALED THE WINDSHIELD MOLDING, NOISE WHILE BRAKING, FAULTY ECM FUSE CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO STALL WHILE STOPPED, RATTLE IN DASH, DEALER REPLACED THE FELT TAPE BETWEEN THE AIR DUCTS AND VENTS, CD PLAYER SKIPS AND WAS REPLACED, FAULTY FRONT SPRING CAUSED NOISE IN THE FRONT END, BOTH LEFT DOORS LEAK, THE DRIVERS SEAT IS LOOSE AT THE TRACK, A RIPPED SEAL CAUSED THE SUNROOF TO LEAK, STEERING WHEEL NOT CENTERED. MR *NLM

NHTSA ID
568341
Incident
Apr 1, 2001
ElectricalSteering
Filed Jul 11, 2002
Crash reported

VEHICLE WAS BROADSIDED WHILE MAKING A SLOW LEFT HAND TURN, THE STEERING COLUMN LOCKED UP. NO INJURIES, VEHICLE WAS TOTALLED. *AK 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. *SCC

NHTSA ID
8013778
Incident
Jul 3, 2002
Body & structureElectricalEngine+5 more
Filed Aug 15, 2001

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. *AK 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. DRIVER SIDE TWEETER CRACKING. DRIVER SIDE MUD FLAP LOOSE. PASSENGER KICK PANEL UNEVEN. FUEL GAUGE ERRATIC. *SLC

NHTSA ID
894399
Incident
Jul 24, 2001
Steering
Filed Jul 9, 2001

VEHICLE WAS TAKING IN FOR A SQUEALING SOUND COMING FROM FRONT END. DEALER REPLACED FLUID AT 300 MILES. NOISE CAME BACK, AND THE DEALER REPLACED POWER STEERING PUMP AT 3,000 MILES. AS VEHICLE REACHED 4,500 MILES, NOISE WAS BACK. VEHICLE COULD LOSE POWER STEERING WHICH WOULD AFFECT CONSUMER'S DRIVING ABILITY. DEALER WILL NOT GIVE CONSUMER A LOANER UNTIL WORK WAS DONE ON VEHICLE. SERVICE TECHNICIAN ADVISED CONSUMER NOT PLACE VEHICLE IN DRIVEWAY BECAUSE IT WAS LEAKING.*AK

NHTSA ID
892240
Incident
Mar 26, 2001
EngineSteering
Filed Mar 29, 2001

THERE WASN'T A STEERING LOCK WHEN DRIVER TURNED STEERING COLUMN FOR SECURITY REASON. DEALERSHIP WAS AWARE OF PROBLEM.*AK CONSUMER STATES PROBLEM STILL HAS NOT BEEN FIXED. HUMMING NOISES AND ROUGH IDLING ALSO OCCUR. *SLC

NHTSA ID
884634
Incident
Mar 28, 2001

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.

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Elsewhere on this vehicle

Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .