2018 Honda Civic Steering Problems

I purchased this car used about a year ago from the Honda dealership, since then I have noticed very tight steering when driving straight, people behind me say I look like I’m swerving back-and-forth. Also, when taking slight turns like an on-ramp the wheel completely sticks in that direction, and I have to jerk it back into position. Very concerning since I drive this car with my family and children in it. Luckily I have not gotten into an accident yet, but I’m afraid it will happen if I don’t get this repaired.

NHTSA ID

11765775

Incident

Jun 1, 2025

The contact owns a 2018 Honda Civic. The contact stated that while driving and making turns on several occasions, the vehicle overcorrected. The contact stated that the steering wheel needed to be yanked while turning to steer the vehicle correctly and avoid driving off the road. The vehicle was steered to the side of the road and restarted, but the failure persisted. The vehicle was taken to a dealer, where it was diagnosed that the electronic rack had failed, causing the steering wheel to stick, and the gearbox assembly needed to be replaced. The vehicle was taken to another dealer, where it was diagnosed that the steering rack and pinion had failed and needed to be replaced. The contact associated the failure with NHTSA Campaign Number: 18V663000 (Steering). The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 111,700.

NHTSA ID

11764781

Incident

Apr 1, 2025

Mileage

117,000 mi

I own a 2018 Honda Civic Sedan LX and am experiencing a steering problem where the steering wheel feels sticky and notchy instead of turning smoothly. The problem affects the steering and creates a potential safety concern because it can make the vehicle more difficult to steer smoothly and predictably. I took the vehicle to DCH Kay Honda, an authorized Honda dealership, for inspection. The dealer confirmed that the steering gearbox needs to be replaced and stated that the internals of the electric steering motor are binding, which is causing the sticky/notchy steering feel. The dealer provided a repair estimate of $4,133.54. Honda previously issued Recall 18-102 for a steering-related problem affecting certain 2018 Honda Civics. Honda has confirmed that my VIN is not included in that recall. However, my vehicle has now been diagnosed by a Honda dealer with a steering gearbox problem involving binding in the electric steering motor. Honda Customer Service reviewed the dealership's findings and offered goodwill assistance, but Honda has not included my vehicle in the recall or any other applicable safety campaign. I am requesting that NHTSA investigate this steering problem and determine whether the same or a related steering defect may be affecting 2018 Honda Civics outside the VIN range currently covered by Recall 18-102. I am concerned that a steering component binding while the vehicle is being driven could create a serious safety risk.

NHTSA ID

11762308

Incident

Jul 21, 2026

2018 Honda Civic is having the same issue as Honda noted on a safety notice below: [XXX] My steering wheel clicks when turning, often sticks, and can be heard if standing outside the vehicle. The dealer ship which sold me this car is Dick Brooks Honda in Greer, SC. I went to them about the issue and they refuse to help. I had 2 private mechanics look at the car and both mechanics agree it is the same issue as the one listing in this media release. I am more than happy to have a member of NHTSA see, drive, and observe the vehicle. This is dangerous and Honda nor their dealership are doing anything about it. One of the Mechanics I took the car to called Honda and they did nothing to address the issue. Dealership offered to fix it for $5873. This is a safety issue that I guess affects more than just my care and I would like some help please in getting this recalled and fixed. Thank you so much! INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ID

11758748

Incident

Aug 17, 2026

The steering wheel was sticking when the wheel was turned. Problem for several months, progressively got worse. Checked for a recall and spoke to a Honda representative and was told my car was not manufactured at the facility that had the recalls for the Honda civic 2018 models. I had to pay $4578.90 out of pocket to have the same trouble as the other recalled models.

NHTSA ID

11758269

Incident

Jun 29, 2026

When driving at faster speeds on the highway, the steering gets kind of sticky - it sticks, then when you slightly move it - it jerks to over correct. I have talked to a few people, and they think it's a mechanical issue with the Electronic Power Steering, EPS, rack. The people I mentioned said its a widely documented defect, and Honda should do a recall to fix the issue - but I ran the search and saw nothing, so I wanted to reach out. I have a 2018 Honda Civic Ex-T, and have about 70,000 miles. This has happened for about a year now, and my wife keeps telling me to report it as it's not safe.

NHTSA ID

11757618

Incident

Aug 15, 2026

2018 Honda Civics have a steering defect. This was recalled in 202q2 to 2023 in NHTSA Campaign Number 23V704. This is the exact problem I experience in my vehicle. The steering wheel gets sticky at freeway speeds, and it feels unsafe. As of now no recall exists. Drivers experience a momentary "sticky", "notchy", or catching feel in the steering wheel. This requires unexpected extra force to overcome and can lead to jerky or delayed steering corrections

NHTSA ID

11757256

Incident

Aug 5, 2026

Vehicle: 2018 Honda Civic EX Sedan VIN: [XXX] Mileage: Approximately 150,000 miles Component: Steering / Electric Power Steering (EPS) I am reporting a potentially serious steering safety issue with my 2018 Honda Civic EX sedan. The steering wheel has developed a sticky/notchy feeling when turning to the right. When making a right-hand turn, the steering does not feel smooth and at times feels as though something is holding or resisting the steering wheel while it is turned. The steering feels normal when turning left. The problem occurs at both low and high speeds, but it becomes significantly more noticeable at higher speeds. It is especially noticeable when taking highway exit ramps or other longer right-hand curves where I have to maintain the steering wheel in a right-turn position. During these situations, the steering can feel like it is resisting my steering input rather than moving smoothly. Normal right-hand turns at lower speeds also exhibit the problem, although it is less noticeable. The left side does not exhibit the same behavior. This is concerning because the steering behavior is inconsistent between left and right turns and becomes more pronounced at highway speeds. A steering system that sticks or resists steering input during a highway curve could cause the driver to make an unexpected additional steering input or overcorrect, potentially increasing the risk of losing control of the vehicle. The vehicle currently has approximately 150,000 miles. I have checked the vehicle’s VIN for open recalls and there are currently no unrepaired recalls associated with the VIN. I am reporting this issue because I believe the steering behavior may represent a safety defect, particularly given that the problem occurs during normal driving and becomes more pronounced at highway speeds. I am requesting that NHTSA review this complaint for possible similar steering/EPS issues affecting other 2018 Honda Civic vehicles. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(

NHTSA ID

11756894

Incident

Aug 14, 2026

There has been a recall in a certain number of honda civic vehicles due to this issue and mine was not recalled as well. While driving for more than 5 minutes, the wheel starts to stiffen making it harder to turn and drive straight. The car wobbles when the wheel isn't being turned and jerks itself either left or right depending on which side of the road I am traveling on. This started back in 2021 and it wasnt as bad but now I am experiencing the wheel sticking in one place and having to nearly turn it for it not go off road.

NHTSA ID

11756880

Incident

Jan 20, 2021

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

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

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

‘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 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

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 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

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

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

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

The steering get sticky when on highway speeds

NHTSA ID

11748667

Incident

Jul 5, 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

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

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

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

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