2019 Honda Civic Electrical Problems

The vehicle's smart entry door handle system was continuously drawing power even when the vehicle was off. This resulted in repeated battery drain and battery replacement (approximately 4 times). The ongoing electrical load also resulted in alternator failure. Once the issue was diagnosed (performed by the dealer), expense was required to resolve the parts. The issue caused repeated no-start conditions and reliability/safety concerns. This took a year to resolve and appears to be a common concern based off online posts. I am submitting this complaint now for documentation and potential reimbursement/recall creation as it is likely that others have had this same issue.

NHTSA ID

11741455

Incident

Jan 2, 2023

I believe it is the Electric Steering Gearbox is the problem I had the vehicle inspected for this but I was told it needed alignment which was also done last month the problem got worse this is a safety problem for especially the driver having to grip the steering wheel to stay in a lane I have yet to have the gearbox inspected

NHTSA ID

11738970

Incident

May 19, 2026

While the vehicle is powered on, rapid or quick input to the steering wheel will cause sudden loss of power. The electrical system and engine will power off. I am experiencing issues with my infotainment screen and my window switches as a result of continued power loss. I am able to reproduce the problem any time I turn the steering wheel quickly. The vehicle has gone in for its state mandatory inspection at the dealer, but not for the steering. There is no warning light prior to the sudden power loss, but my car's electrical system has to re-initialize. The battery is brand new and does not show signs of low voltage while idle. The vehicle will power off while driving, reversing and in neutral.

NHTSA ID

11697994

Incident

Nov 6, 2025

While driving the dash showed a "12 volt battery charging system problem." Continued to drive to a safe location roughly a mile down the road and while enroute all the error lights illuminated and proceeded to state "Tire Pressure Monitor Problem" "Brake System Problem" "Brake Hold System Problem" "Power Steering Problem" and a couple others I don't recall. I lost my power steering while driving and my wipers proceeded to stop working, in a downpour. Contacted AAA who came and ran diagnostics which showed the alternator was dead. I then had to have my vehicle towed instead of driving it to work.

NHTSA ID

11665531

Incident

Jun 7, 2025

Steering began to "stick", especially at highway speeds and when trying to keep car centered in lane, causing frequent overcorrection and difficulty maintaining lane control. No warning lights, messages, etc. Dealership confirmed and the diagnosis was that the motor powering electric power steering was faulty and steering rack needed to be replaced. First noticed the issue during summer of 2024, became progressively worse, dealership diagnosed and repaired in May 2025.

NHTSA ID

11663608

Incident

Apr 26, 2025

See attached document for complaint.

NHTSA ID

11644116

Incident

Sep 19, 2024

Reported CRUNCHING, CLICKING, GRINDING IN FRONT STEERING COMPONENTS. STEERING WHEEL LOCKS UP WHEN CAR IS IN MOTION. Failed components identified and reported to Honda Manufacturing Corportation. Waiting on a Formal Response.

NHTSA ID

11625565

Incident

Sep 23, 2024

Car smells like rotten eggs and now wont start. Also, the brake light keeps flashing on the dash. It started flashing twice while driving and now it flashes when you try to start it.

NHTSA ID

11616597

Incident

Sep 20, 2024

My car started sounding its alarm at 2:30am on its own. After shutting the alarm off and letting it run, I turned it off and entered my house. It repeated five minutes later. I went to drive the car later that day and the battery was inoperable and the acid has neutralized or evaporated. I replaced the battery and the issues continued. Dealer said is was a fuse box issues. Due to cost, I brought the car home. Consulted another mechanic and it is an issue with the Body Control Module. It takes multiple tries to start the car, the fob doesn't lock the car, and it will go into accessory mode by itself.

NHTSA ID

11603440

Incident

May 4, 2024

During warming months, especially when driving at highway speeds, the steering becomes "sticky" and creaks when turning the wheel left and right. This issue has been noted in the 11th generation civics with a recall issued, as well as 2016-2018 Civics. The 2019 also suffers from this same issue but no recall has been issued to date. This problem creates an unsafe driving environment where I feel like I could lose control of my vehicle on the highway. I have brought it to the attention of my local dealership many times with no resolve. They suggested an EPS steering rack placement with an out-of-warranty repair (Almost $3500). Communication with Corporate Honda found no sufficient proof there is an issue repairable due to manufacturer defects.

NHTSA ID

11589491

Incident

May 19, 2024

Vehicle fails to start randomly in the morning Everything powers up and the screen lights up, but the car doesn't power up fully Maybe fuel pump issue

NHTSA ID

11561938

Incident

Dec 26, 2023

The contact owns a 2019 Honda Civic. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the center console power independently disconnected. The contact stated that the failure had been reoccurring since June 2019. The contact stated that the vehicle had been taken to the dealer three times previously and the failure was diagnosed. The computer system and the center console were replaced. The contact was also advised not to connect the cellphone to the center console. The failure reoccurred. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer however, the dealer was unable to duplicate the failure. The contact was informed that the failure was unresolvable. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 7,475.

NHTSA ID

11560885

Incident

Jun 17, 2019

Mileage

7,475 mi

The contact owns a 2019 Honda Civic. The contact stated that while using the ignition key, the vehicle would not immediately start. Eventually the failure progressed, and the vehicle was not able to be started. The battery was replaced and the next day the failure reoccurred. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer who diagnosed that the starter was faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 29,000.

NHTSA ID

11550959

Incident

Oct 5, 2023

Mileage

29,000 mi

The Honda touchscreen doesn’t work (but the camera does). I can’t access the radio, A/C, maps, phone, air bags, tire pressure, etc. This makes me uncomfortable driving without vehicle safety access.

NHTSA ID

11540967

Incident

Jan 23, 2023

The car has been stalling to start for the last week. On 7/15/23 I parked my vehicle, all windows were up, I turned the vehicle off, got out and locked the doors, walked away and all of my windows went down half way and the sunroof opened, it has been stalling to speed up like it does usually. 12/19/2023 American Honda Motor Co., Inc. (Honda) is recalling certain 2017-2020 model year Honda vehicles (NHTSA #23V-858). The fuel pump impeller was improperly moulded, resulting in low density impellers.

NHTSA ID

11532865

Incident

Jul 11, 2023

The contact owns a 2019 Honda Civic. The contact stated that the vehicle stalled after start-up. Additionally, all the windows and sunroof inadvertently opened while the vehicle was parked and shut off. The contact related the failure to a faulty electrical system; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 74,000.

NHTSA ID

11532340

Incident

Jul 10, 2023

Mileage

74,000 mi

I have noticed steering wheel stiffness/notchiness when traveling at varying road speeds. The issue is present when turning the wheel left and it takes more force than usual to return the wheel back to the normal position with audible clicks/groans heard when turning/returning the wheel to neutral. During highway driving, it takes more effort than usual to maintain the vehicle within the lane, like the car is fighting against you. I brought the car into the dealership while still in warranty and the vehicle was misdiagnosed as a sway bar coupler link issue. Having completed their repair recommendations, the issue still persisted and I brought the car back for further evaluation. The car is now out of warranty, and the dealership is stating it is an electric issue with the EPS. The way the part is engineered, the entire EPS rack must be replaced which would cost me upwards of $4200. I will be in contact with corporate Honda in regards to this, as the issue was brought to their attention while the car was under warranty, misdiagnosed, and now I am expected to pay out of pocket for the repair out of warranty. This issue has only gotten worse as time progressed and I am becoming increasingly concerned about my safety and anyone who drives my vehicle due to a manufacturer defect. Research online through the NHTSA website as well as other Honda Civic Forums show hundreds, if not thousands of other Civic owners experiencing the same issue I am and being expected to pay out of pocket for this manufacturer defect. I urge the NHTSA to take action and demand Honda to recall this product as it clearly stems from an engineering fault, not the consumer, and poses a massive safety risk to anyone driving a 2016-2021 Honda Civic.

NHTSA ID

11529908

Incident

Sep 10, 2022

The car won't start after I've driven it and it won't turn over it shakes and acts as if out of gas or a loose connection??electric..I have to wait for 20 min.before it will start.,and I'm able to drive it.other sites I've punched my vin number at states Honda has a fuel pump recall for my car and other sites says it don't.??

NHTSA ID

11529672

Incident

May 18, 2023

All the car has problems all dash warning coming up from nowhere it’s no safety the other day I was driving 55 mph power steering lock brake failure very un safety and if you Google the problem I’m not the only customer with this issue it’s a loooot of people having this issues

NHTSA ID

11508202

Incident

Feb 20, 2023

It showing multiple warning lights on the dashboard but everything was fine

NHTSA ID

11501129

Incident

Jan 1, 2023

Faulty software in Body Control Module (BCM) causing numerous problems with multiple vehicle components including battery, namely: electrical (key fob and headlights) malfunctions, illumination of several warning dash display lights, repeated parasitic battery draining, and security system problems (car alarm activation). Please see attached letter to manufacturer American Honda Motor Co. for additional information.

NHTSA ID

11495677

Incident

Oct 17, 2022

My camera that is supposed to assist in turning and seeing my blind spot is always malfunctioning in my new 2019 civic. Honda says they can’t do anything about that. I’ve already had to put new tires on my car - which I suspect didn’t have new tires on it when I purchased my new car. Replace the battery, and my electronic features (radio screen and windows) like to stop working and go black - including my side camera that’s meant to assist in lane changes. Additionally, my car melted in the sun. This has been a known issue with Honda since 2011 and they haven’t addressed that issue or gave any warnings. My tires, and camera for blind spots is a safety issue and the fact that my car is unreliable and melting(!) is troublesome and a safety problem.

NHTSA ID

11475829

Incident

Mar 8, 2022

When selecting Reverse, the rearview camera usually displays quickly, but sometimes takes several seconds to display, or doesn't display at all (the screen remains black). This detracts from my ability to reverse safely. The radio / vehicle information display usually responds quickly to a button press, but sometimes can take several seconds to respond. Since I don't anticipate the delay, I tend to continue watching the screen while I'm waiting for it to react, instead of paying attention to the road. Especially while driving at highway speeds, these intermittent, variable delays can take my attention away from the road for a dangerous amount of time before I realize I'm not watching the road as I should be. Since the rearview camera uses the radio display, I think these issues may be related. This has been going on since the car was new.

NHTSA ID

11464214

Incident

May 11, 2022

The contact owns a 2019 Honda Civic. The contact stated that the Forward Collision Avoidance System would inadvertently activate intermittently without a vehicle nearby. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer to be diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 10,000.

NHTSA ID

11462028

Incident

Jan 25, 2022

Mileage

10,000 mi

The starter was having trouble igniting the engine upon startup. The engine would crank but would not finish with starting up. I did this three or four times. Upon removing the key from the ignition and putting it back in the ignition and starting it up the car started up normally. The issue seems to be with either the ignition system or fuel system, which is available for inspection upon request. The car could suddenly stop without warning on the road and endanger the safety of myself or other drivers. The problem was previously acknowledged by NHTSA in two separate campaign numbers in May 2020 (20V314000) and March 2021 (21V215000) and this particular Civic was serviced in 2021in accordance with that recall and confirmed by the dealer. There were no warning lamps, messages, or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure.

NHTSA ID

11461707

Incident

Apr 21, 2022