2019 Honda Civic

COMPONENT: Electric power steering (EPS) rack and pinion assembly. WHAT HAPPENED: The steering on my 2019 Civic EX binds and catches. Returning the wheel toward center after a left turn, the steering does not return smoothly — it hangs up, then releases suddenly, with an audible clicking noise. The condition is worse after the vehicle has been driven and has warmed up. It occurs at parking lot speeds and at highway speeds during small lane-keeping corrections. It is also reproducible with the vehicle stationary and the engine running. SAFETY RISK: When the steering binds, more force is required to move the wheel. When it releases, the wheel moves further than intended, causing overcorrection that must then be corrected back. On the highway this makes it difficult to hold a consistent lane position. There has been no warning lamp and no diagnostic trouble code at any point. CONFIRMED BY DEALER: An authorized Honda dealer reproduced the condition. Their technician documented that with the engine running and the wheel turned to full left lock, the wheel binds and will not return until physically touched. A master technician at the same dealer confirmed the binding and the clicking noise and identified the power steering rack as the failing component. The dealer noted that this condition is discussed on Honda's internal technical line under the description of Civic steering feeling sticky and pulling in either direction. Their inspection found no other damage or worn suspension or steering components. QUOTED REPAIR: The dealer quoted approximately $5,068 to replace the steering rack assembly. The vehicle is out of warranty. ADDITIONAL NOTE: Honda has issued a recall for the same sticky steering condition on 2022-2025 model year vehicles, attributed to excessive friction from the worm wheel inside the steering gearbox. No equivalent action covers 2016-2021 vehicles, which use a comparable EPS design and generate similar owner complaints. The component is available

NHTSA ID

11756053

Incident

Aug 10, 2026

I was in a multi-directional wreck and the driver seat belt didn’t engage/lock holding me in place. I was able to move around enough that I broke the console and hit other areas that should have been out of reach if I had been held in my seat.

NHTSA ID

11755845

Incident

Jul 30, 2026

While pulling into a parking lot at approximately 10–15 mph around sunset, the vehicle suddenly and unexpectedly engaged the brakes without any input from me. The abrupt braking caused all of my personal belongings inside the vehicle to be thrown forward. After pausing briefly to assess the situation, I cautiously applied light pressure to the accelerator. The vehicle responded, allowing me to slowly proceed and safely pull into a nearby parking space.

NHTSA ID

11754242

Incident

Aug 1, 2026

AC unit blows hot air only on the left side. Temp in IL is over 90 degrees F. Yes, it has been confirmed by the dealer, but they are saying they are not liable if I pay for them to conduct the service and they cannot fix it. No, but the manufacturer had issues with the a/c compressor and condenser and for this specific 2019 Honda Civic. Those were recently replaced, but now I am still having A/C issues. No warnings. It appeared June 9th. My husband and I bought the same exact vehicle at the same exact location on the same exact date and BOTH vehicles are having this same exact issue only one week apart. Mine occurred on 6/9/2026 and his first occurrence started 7/12/2026.

NHTSA ID

11753128

Incident

Jun 9, 2026

In June 2026, the HVAC system in my 2019 Honda Civic 2.0L failed because the evaporator core developed a premature leak or crack. AutoNation Honda O’Hare inspected the vehicle and diagnosed the evaporator core as the failed component. The vehicle is available for inspection upon request. This failure creates a serious visibility hazard. During rain and humid conditions, the windshield and side windows fog rapidly. Because the air-conditioning system can no longer adequately remove moisture from the cabin air, the defrost and defog functions do not clear the glass effectively. This can severely obstruct my view of the road, nearby vehicles, pedestrians, and other hazards while driving. I have also noticed a persistent chemical odor coming from the vents. Because the evaporator core is located inside the HVAC housing, I am concerned that refrigerant, compressor oil, or other HVAC residue may be entering the passenger compartment. This creates a potential exposure concern, especially when the vehicle is operated with the windows closed. I received no specific dashboard warning that the evaporator core was failing. The first noticeable symptoms were reduced cooling, ineffective windshield defogging, and the chemical odor from the vents. Honda has extended warranty coverage for certain air-conditioning condenser and compressor failures affecting this generation of Civic, but it does not cover the evaporator core. I contacted Honda and requested goodwill assistance with the costly repair. Honda refused to provide any goodwill discount despite the known pattern of air-conditioning failures and the safety consequences of losing effective windshield dehumidification. I request that NHTSA investigate evaporator-core failures in 10th-generation Honda Civics and determine whether a safety recall or expanded manufacturer remedy is warranted.

NHTSA ID

11752656

Incident

Jul 1, 2026

My 2019 Honda Civic has been driven for only 35, 775 miles. The steering has become "sticky" or "notchy" and poses a safety risk since it seems to get stuck particularly when making left turns. The dealership's service center has diagnosed the problem as internal failure of the rack steering gearbox causing binding and stickiness in the steering feel. No warning messages were indicated. The problem was first noticed in late 2025. There have been numerous steering complaints reported by other 2019 Honda Civic owners, yet Honda has not issued a recall for this year and model. I have contacted the Honda Customer Service Center about this issue. I have been assigned a case manager and am waiting for a response to my request for compensation.

NHTSA ID

11751969

Incident

Dec 1, 2025

The biggest concern that I have is what I have learned is referred to as “Sticky steering” when I'm driving especially 55mph. It's almost like it catches or hangs up on something before making a small correction. The with the steering wheel doesn't settle back in the center of the lane as it should. It tends to drift toward the left side. I try and correct it but it's a constant back and forth fighting the steering wheel just to stay in my lane. I'm afraid not only is it seriously dangerous but it may appear as if I am driving erratically. It seems to be getting progressively worse. I must always have both hands on the wheel constantly making corrections just to keep the car within the lane I am in. On the same subject I have noticed is that there is a popping or clicking noise whenever I try and correct it or turn the wheel especially towards the right. I've searched for any recalls and discovered that it is a consistent issue with newer models. What I don't understand is why Honda hasn't addressed this if the problem is serious enough to issue a recall in the 2022 and 2023 civics why would they not investigate the same issues in earlier models such as my 2019. This is not just a inconvenience it is a major safety concern. I hope Honda will take this seriously before someone gets hurt.

NHTSA ID

11751899

Incident

Dec 31, 1969

The Honda Sensing automated system suffered a phantom activation. It threw a visual brake warning, violently applied the brakes, and jerked the steering wheel causing a collision impact to other vehicles. This collision led to a major accident with an 18 wheeler and 6 additional cars. The car automated system has done this prior when there were no objects in front of the vehicle.

NHTSA ID

11750975

Incident

Jul 16, 2026

Service Bulletin - Oil leak at timing chain tensioner inspection cover due to possible insufficient sealant adhesion on inspection cover.

Dealer Message - American Honda Motor Co., Inc. (AHM) is searching for certain 2018-2020 Accords, 2016-2020 Civics, 2017-2020 CR-Vs, & 2018-2020 Odysseys that have been diagnosed to be in need of the low-pressure fuel pump, fuel strainer, fuel meter or fuel tank replacement.

Dealer Message - American Honda Motor Co., Inc. (AHM) is searching for certain 2018-2020 Accords, 2016-2020 Civics, 2017-2020 CR-Vs, & 2018-2020 Odysseys that have been diagnosed to be in need of the low-pressure fuel pump, fuel strainer, fuel meter or fuel tank replacement. If you have a vehicle that match the qualifiers listed below, AHM requests to have the photos of the lock ring & the low-pressure fuel pump flange taken & sent to TIS (click HERE for example photos).

Dealer Message - Dealer Message - American Honda Motor Co., Inc. (AHM) is searching for certain 2018-2020 Accords, 2016-2020 Civics, 2017-2020 CR-Vs, & 2018-2020 Odysseys that have been diagnosed to be in need of the low-pressure fuel pump, fuel strainer, fuel meter or fuel tank replacement.

Service Bulletin - Due to a new North America regulation which introduces a new refrigerant and oil requirement, the compressor shaft seal may leak. American Honda is extending the warranty on the A/C compressor shaft seal from the original 3 years to 10 years from the original date of purchase, with no mileage limitation. The new refrigerant and oil may cause swelling of the compressor shaft seal. The swelling may lead to abnormal wearing of the seal which may increase seal gaps around the compressor shaft allowing refrigerant to leak out.

Service Bulletin - American Honda is extending the warranty on the A/C condenser to 10 years from the original date of purchase with unlimited miles. This warranty extension only covers vehicles that have a defective A/C condenser from the factory. The A/C condenser was not manufactured to specification. As a result, corrosion may develop in the form of tiny holes in the condenser tube walls that allow the refrigerant to leak out.