RoadVitals

2018 Honda Civic Owner Complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers, shown in full

Data refreshed

Complaints on fileComplaints 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.
725
+11 complaints in 30 days
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
30
Filed in the last 12 monthsReports filed with NHTSA in the trailing 365 days. Recent volume reflects attention and vehicle age as much as anything else.
110
Reports on file since Nov 29, 2017

What this page shows

Our database holds 725 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2018 Honda Civic. Each one is a report filed by an owner or driver and published by NHTSA without most of them being verified. A complaint is not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. Narratives are shown exactly as filed.

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

Complaints, most recent first

Showing 1–25 of 725 · page 1 of 29

Visibility
Filed Aug 11, 2026

Honda has known about an issue with their 2016-2020 vehicles where the evaporator stops working. They continued to use the same part for the AC and because the evaporator does not work any longer, the windshield doesn’t correctly defog and it obstructs my vision.

NHTSA ID
11756214
Incident
May 1, 2026
Filed Jul 30, 2026

AC system has engineering problem. It uses new regfirgirant type and it corrodes the shaft seal and the compressor and also the Evaporator core. Honda has an extended warranty on shaft seal and the compressor leak but not on Evaporator. But overall system is an issue. My shaft seal and the compressor were replaced under the extended warranty in 2024 but again the same thing happend and now Evaporator core is also needing the replacement. The cost of that part replacement is close to 2600 dollars. This is a theft and you should hold Honda responsible for this faulty Ac system and its engineering.

NHTSA ID
11753877
Incident
Jul 22, 2026
Filed Jul 30, 2026

Evaporator failure in Honda Civic 2018, causing upwards of $2,000 for repair. This is a major safety issue that in extreme heat (such as california weather) can cause driver fatigue, and electrical failure from overheating as well. I personally was not covered under the Honda extended warranty for the condenser seal replacement because my evaporator was also not working. Especially as someone who is working in my car most of the time, driving between facilities, I need to have functioning air conditioning for my own safety. Multiple times now I have experienced nausea and fatigue while driving, with no remedy other than parking at a store and sitting in the AC until I could cool off. This is not right, and Honda is not being helpful with solving this issue that should be covered. I first discovered this in early 2025, got it fixed through an extended warranty, and now my AC has failed again because of the evaporator failure. No warning lights, problem has been confirmed by a dealer.

NHTSA ID
11753849
Incident
Feb 1, 2025
Steering
Filed Jul 30, 2026

Steering catches and sticks while driving and you have to tug to get it to release to get control back. This has happened several times that has caused me to almost wreck numerous times. I do not feel safe driving it but it is my only vehicle. Dealership said it is more than likely the epf system, or the electrical steering system that is faulty.

NHTSA ID
11753786
Incident
Jul 29, 2026
Visibility
Filed Jul 28, 2026

So my 2018 Honda Civic has been affected by the known AC condenser leaks and compressor shaft seal leaks, that Honda has provided an extended warranty for. However they have also found a massive leak at the evaporator. To which Honda has not provided an extended warranty for. This is a huge concern because I am unable to defog my windows without AC and makes it very difficult to see while driving in conditions that my window my fog up. I have not been in an accident currently, but I see this as a massive problem for myself and other Honda owners. Customer service has just formally denied my claim for a curtesy repair for the evaporator. It is very disheartening and Honda should be held responsible.

NHTSA ID
11753377
Incident
Jul 28, 2026
Steering
Filed Jul 28, 2026

Steering sticks when driving in straight line for extended time. Requires extra effort to make small adjustments Also becomes jerky when making adjustments

NHTSA ID
11753208
Incident
Jul 28, 2026
Steering
Filed Jul 25, 2026

Internal failure of the gearbox as diagnosed by the Honda dealer. Repair completed July 24, 2026. Car has less than 36,000 miles. Steering was binding and sticking. Unable to steer vehicle properly.

NHTSA ID
11752789
Incident
Mar 3, 2026
Steering
Filed Jul 24, 2026

‘Sticky’ steering has developed over the last few thousand miles driving this vehicle. It began with the car resisting turning when driving straight. More force than expected is necessary to turn the car and it is unpredictable for when it occurs, which raises a major safety concern. When I discussed this issue with Honda they said it’s likely the whole rack and pinion and they knew it was such because many other drivers of this car had the same issue. There is clearly a fault with this part in the car failing, thus causing many drivers of this car to have to get this repair. Over the past few years, this part has been on back order due to the frequency of this part failing. The fact that Honda is aware of the issue and has done countless replacements of this part indicates there is a substantial fault with a critical part of the car for safe driving. This car has been in no accidents or hit/run over anything that would warrant the rack and pinion to fail. Something like a tie rod or control arm is a more typical replacement, but the whole steering rack failing is questionable for the integrity of the part.

NHTSA ID
11752739
Incident
Jul 6, 2026
Steering
Filed Jul 22, 2026

Steering wheel started notching after taking left turns. The wheel would not smoothly return to center and would stick which would lead me to over correcting the steering wheel to get it unstuck. This often made it extremely difficult to stay in the lane and take tight turns. The problem started when I would go above 60 mph, but it started occurring more frequently as I continued to use my car. Additionally, the notching would become more intense if I used my car multiple times a day. I took it to get diagnosed at Honda and they confirmed that there was an issue with the sensor in the gear box assembly that caused it to malfunction while I was driving. They recommended that I replace my gear box assembly and get an alignment performed. This problem seems similar to the recall posted in Service Bulletin 18-102, however, the dealership could not confirm if it was related since the part in my car did not match the effected parts included in the bulletin.

NHTSA ID
11752180
Incident
Jul 8, 2026
Filed Jul 21, 2026

Honda refused to cover failed AC evaporator under extended warranty or goodwill warranty. They cover the compressor and condenser but not the evaporator. This is the 4th time my AC has gone out on my 2018 Civic. There is a film on the inside of my windshield and I am also concerned about what I may have been breathing in while the AC is on. I have read that issues with your condenser can cause issues with your evaporator. I don't understand why the evaporator isn't covered. I have all the receipts from the prior repairs.

NHTSA ID
11751845
Incident
Jun 1, 2026
Steering
Filed Jul 17, 2026

Steering wheel sticks with minor adjustments makes it dangerous when driving . Research shows it's already a recall on other years of the same model.

NHTSA ID
11751112
Incident
Jul 16, 2026
Steering
Filed Jul 15, 2026

Steering wheel at speeds usually above 25mph causes the steering wheel to feel stuck. This is a big safety issue as this causes over correction, leading me to steer into other lanes. No warnings, ect. I just purchased the vehicle last weekend so I have not had a chance to get it into the shop just yet but after researching this seems to be a common problem. This is a road hazard that can absolutely cause accidents. From my understanding there has been a recall issued on newer models but not on the 10th gen civics. This needs addressed and a recall absolutely should be issued.

NHTSA ID
11750633
Incident
Jul 15, 2026
Steering
Filed Jul 13, 2026

When driving my 2018 Honda Civic, the steering wheel exhibits a distinct "sticky," "notchy," or "binding" sensation, making small, incremental lane adjustments difficult. While trying to make minor steering corrections, the steering wheel feels locked or caught in place. I have to apply intentional, extra physical force to overcome this resistance and break the steering wheel free. Once it breaks free, the car will sometimes over-correct, causing a sudden jerk or weaving motion within the lane. This requires constant, stressful micro-corrections to keep the vehicle centered. This issue worsens as the vehicle warms up or during warmer ambient outdoor temperatures. The binding feeling makes it incredibly difficult to maintain a smooth, safe line of travel and creates an immediate accident hazard due to the potential for over-steering into adjacent lanes or off the road.This behavior is identical to the "sticky steering" defect described in NHTSA Campaign 24V767 for newer Civic models, so I believe the steering gearbox defect or a similar component failure spans into the 2018 model year as well.

NHTSA ID
11750126
Incident
Aug 1, 2025
Steering
Filed Jul 13, 2026

This is a huge issue across the board with Honda vehicles regarding sticky/notchy steering when exceeding speeds of 50 mph. There should be a recall on the 10th generation Honda Civics because the steering wheel sticks and causes overcorrection to unlock the steering wheel, creating a huge safety risk for the driver, passengers, and everyone else on the roadways, which could cause serious accidents and probably already has. The Honda dealerships don't care about these problems and are trying to capitalize on thousands of dollars from consumers instead of creating a recall and fixing this very dangerous known steering issue. Please help with this safety issue as there are a lot of unsafe Hondas traveling on the roads each day.

NHTSA ID
11750038
Incident
May 4, 2026
Fuel system
Filed Jul 13, 2026

My 1.5L turbo had the error message "Emissions System Problem" appear on the dash. When I went to AutoZone for them to run their diagnostic, it threw error code P219E which is indicative of a sticking-open fuel injector-pushing raw fuel through the engine and venting toxic vapors directly into my climate control system. Premature fuel injector failure is a known issue on Honda's 1.5L engines, but they have failed to address the issue related to the fuel injectors for these vehicles, presenting a serious safety hazard for drivers of their vehicles.

NHTSA ID
11750006
Incident
Jul 8, 2026
Steering
Filed Jul 11, 2026

Steering sticks requires, force to turn wheel at times. This is an ongoing problem, not a one time occurrence.

NHTSA ID
11749741
Incident
May 1, 2026
Filed Jul 9, 2026

On 07/08/2026, the Infotainment system on my 2018 Honda Civic EX failed throughout the entire day into the morning of 07/09/2026. The screen became pixelated and would then turn black, not allowing me to see the screen at all. No matter how many times I attempted to reboot the unit or restart the vehicle, the issue did not resolve. Although this is not an urgent safety issue since it is related to the radio unit, this screen does display other components that are critically related to safety, such as the backup camera and passenger’s side blind spot camera. While being unable to see the screen, these added safety features are not available to the driver because they are not functional. Being that the vehicle is not equipped with backup/blind spot sensors as most other modern vehicles are, a driver would be dependent on these cameras to avoid a crash. I then serviced the vehicle at Planet Honda on Route 22 in Union, New Jersey, where the technicians completed a full diagnostic inspection. After running several electrical codes, technicians found no mechanical/electrical issue with my vehicle that would cause the system to fail. The service advisor stated that this is a common issue among many Honda owners and the issue lies within the system itself. Unfortunately the only fix would be to replace the entire unit totaling almost $2,700.00. If this is a common issue with other Honda vehicles, why has Honda not addressed this? My brother also owns a CRV and has noted that he has similar issues with his display. The entertainment system of the vehicle contains everything related to the vehicle, between camera views, settings, etc. If it is failing for many Honda owners and the only remedy is an expensive replacement, Honda should be held responsible. I cannot afford to pay almost $3,000.00 for something so essential.

NHTSA ID
11749387
Incident
Jul 8, 2026
Steering
Filed Jul 6, 2026

The steering get sticky when on highway speeds

NHTSA ID
11748667
Incident
Jul 5, 2026
Steering
Filed Jul 3, 2026

After car warms up ,steering wheel is hard to turn When turning wheel at speed , it feels like it is stuck Requiring more force to turn which in turn causes over correction. Wheel does not turn smoothly. It feels like it is stuck in a notch that requires extra force to move it out of notch making it difficult to do small adjustments to stay in lane

NHTSA ID
11748116
Incident
Apr 14, 2026
Fuel system
Filed Jul 2, 2026

My vehicle is currently experiencing severe performance defects that directly mimic the documented failures associated with the defective, improperly molded fuel pump impellers. Specifically, I have experienced the following symptoms: Engine Stalling: The vehicle has lost engine power or stalled unexpectedly while in motion, creating an immediate and severe traffic hazard. Hard Starting / No-Start Condition: The engine frequently takes multiple crank cycles to start or fails to start entirely, despite a fully functional and recently tested 12V battery.Erratic Power Delivery: I have noticed severe engine hesitation and a loss of acceleration power while driving at highway speeds.I understand that American Honda has recalled over one million vehicles globally for this exact Denso fuel pump defect. Despite my vehicle exhibiting all classic symptoms of a failing, low-density fuel pump impeller, my specific VIN is currently not showing as "active" or "eligible" on the manufacturer's lookup tool.Because a sudden loss of engine power while driving significantly increases the risk of a crash or injury, this represents a critical safety issue. I request that American Honda corporate reviews this data, coordinates a diagnostic review with an authorized dealership without a diagnostic fee liability to myself, and covers the complete cost of a replacement fuel pump assembly under the safety recall countermeasure guidelines.Thank you for your immediate attention to this safety hazard.

NHTSA ID
11747864
Incident
Jun 28, 2026
Steering
Filed Jun 26, 2026

Steering rack failed The car when driving steering wheel gets stuck and you have to turn it and it will jerk loose and the car jerks.very unsafe due to the car can lose control. Yes confirmed at Ryan Honda at monroe LA No warning. A month ago it started

NHTSA ID
11746733
Incident
May 16, 2026
Steering
Filed Jun 24, 2026

When driving, initial steering input requires excessive torque to initiate direction, causing oversteer which has to be readjusted with opposite input. I consider this a safety concern.

NHTSA ID
11746196
Incident
Jun 23, 2026
Steering
Filed Jun 23, 2026

I am experiencing an intermittent "sticky" and stiff steering sensation while driving my 2018 Honda Civic EX-T at highway speeds (between 60–70 mph). While attempting to maintain a straight line on the freeway, the steering wheel resists minor, smooth adjustments and feels briefly locked or stuck. When I apply extra physical force to override the resistance, the steering suddenly releases, which frequently causes the vehicle to over-correct and drift in the lane, creating a major safety hazard. Additionally, the steering column has recently started making an audible clanking sound during operation. A licensed mechanic performed a full visual inspection and a wheel alignment, confirming that all physical suspension, tires, and mechanical steering components are tight and structurally healthy. This is an internal electronic or mechanical defect within the Electronic Power Steering (EPS) rack assembly itself, identical to the steering defect already recalled on 2022–2025 Honda models.

NHTSA ID
11746078
Incident
Jun 23, 2026
Steering
Filed Jun 23, 2026

My 2018 Honda Civic is experiencing dangerous steering wheel sticking/binding while driving at highway speeds, accompanied by heavy creaking at full turn. My VIN is not included in the existing electronic steering rack recall, but the vehicle is exhibiting the exact mechanical failure symptoms described in Campaign 18V663000

NHTSA ID
11746071
Incident
May 5, 2026
Steering
Filed Jun 22, 2026

Steering becomes stiff and requires higher force to make minor corrections. Most notable at highway speeds. No EPS warning lights, car has been aligned, brakes and suspension checked. Vehicle has between 59,000 and 60,000 miles on odometer. Dealer diagnosed as worn out steering system, coded as internal failure.

NHTSA ID
11745644
Incident
Jun 5, 2026

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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