2018 Honda Civic: problems, recalls and reliability
6 recalls and 733 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is steering (45% of complaints); the 2020 model year looks more trouble-free.
Data updated weekly · 29 new complaints in the last 90 days · latest recall May 2026
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 733 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“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”Owner report · Steering · Aug 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.”Owner report · Steering · Jul 2026
“Steering sticks when driving in straight line for extended time. Requires extra effort to make small adjustments Also becomes jerky when making adjustments”Owner report · Steering · Jul 2026
Show 7 more owner reports
“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.”Owner report · Unknown Or Other · Jul 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.”Owner report · Steering · Jul 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.”Owner report · Steering · Jul 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.”Owner report · Fuel/Propulsion System · Jul 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.”Owner report · Steering · Jun 2026
“while driving, the steering sticks and has gotten worse over the past 2 weeks. took to a Honda Dealer and they diagnosed the Electronic Power Steering Rack needs replaced/gear box, $3500-5000 estimated. Then told us if we continue to drive it we could wreck and end up in a ditch. Our teen drives this car and now we are without a car and out $22,000, which we paid 2 yrs ago for the used car. We are asking the car be covered in the recall 18-102 for repairs. Otherwise I go to the news and internet. This was inspected by a Honda Dealer, noted now in the paperwork. No other warnings present.”Owner report · Steering · Jun 2026
“My steering wheel sticks. It stick's when I'm going fast and slow and turning. It pulls me to the left and right and feels like it's taking over. I have to correct it and I'm worried I'm going to wreck. I'm going to a Honda dealer To be diagnosed June 23.”Owner report · Steering · Jun 2026
When filing, owners marked a crash in 26 of these complaints and injuries in 23 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 6 campaigns
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2017-2018 Honda Civic and CR-V vehicles. The magnet that controls the torque sensor output signal for the electronic power steering system may not be properly secured, allowing the magnet to become dislodged. During a full lock turn, the dislodged magnet may cause steering assist to be applied in the opposite direction.
Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the steering gearbox assembly, free of charge. The recall began November 9, 2018. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are C2N, P2O.
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2017-2018 Honda Civic Hatchback and Civic Type R vehicles. The owners guide in these vehicles may not have been included or if included, the owner's guide may not have been properly provided required information. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 225, "Child Restraint Anchorage Systems."
Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the owners information kit, free of charge. The recall began January 9, 2019. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's number for this recall is O3A.
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2018-2021, 2023 Acura TLX, 2019-2024 RDX, 2017-2020, 2022-2026 MDX, 2017-2021, 2023, 2025 Honda Ridgeline, 2017-2022 Pilot, 2019-2021 Passport, 2018-2026 Odyssey, 2019-2022 Insight, 2019-2021 HR-V, 2018-2020 Fit, 2020-2022 CR-V Hybrid, 2017-2022 CR-V, 2017-2018, 2021 Civic Type R, 2017-2021 Civic hatchback, 2016-2020 Civic coupe, 2016-2022 Civic, 2017-2022 Accord Hybrid, and 2016-2022 Accord vehicles. The front passenger seat weight sensor may crack and short circuit, which can cause the air bags to deploy unintentionally during a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the seat weight sensors, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 7, 2026. Owners may contact Honda's customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are BOL, WO9, OOA, WOM, XOH, NOC, POD, BOE, UOF, POB, EOG, AOI, QO8, TOJ, DO7, and SOK. This recall expands previous NHTSA recall number 24V064. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will be searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning May 29, 2026.
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Acura NSX, 2019 Acura RDX, RLX and RLX Sport Hybrid, 2018-2019 Honda Accord, Civic Hatchback, Civic Type R and HR-V, 2019-2020 Insight and 2019 Fit vehicles. The low-pressure fuel pump inside the fuel tank may fail.
Remedy: Honda will notify owners and dealers will replace the fuel pump assembly, free of charge. The recall began July 22, 2020. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138.
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2018 Honda Civic vehicles. The manufacturing date area of the certification labels may have random characters which can affect the owner's ability to determine if a safety recall includes their vehicle.
Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the certification label, free of charge. The recall began August 7, 2018. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's number for this recall is U23.
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2013-2023 Honda Accord, Civic Coupe, Civic Sedan, Civic Hatchback, Civic Type R, CR-V, HR-V, Ridgeline, Odyssey, Acura ILX, MDX, MDX Hybrid, RDX, RLX, TLX, 2019-2022 Honda Insight, Passport, 2020 Honda CR-V Hybrid, 2018-2019 Honda Clarity PHEV, Fit, and 2015-2020 Honda Accord Hybrid, Pilot, Acura NSX vehicles. The fuel pump inside the fuel tank may fail.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the fuel pump module, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed September 6, 2024. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are KGC and KGD. This recall is an expansion of NHTSA recall numbers 21V-215 and 20V-314.
Trouble codes owners mention
OBD-II codes that appear in NHTSA complaints about this car.
Specifications
Factory options offered for the 2018 model year, decoded from the NHTSA vPIC database. Individual vehicles have one of each.
How other years compare
Check your exact Civic by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 2018 Honda Civic reliable?
NHTSA has 733 owner complaints and 6 recall campaigns on record for the 2018 Honda Civic. The most complained-about area is steering (45% of complaints).
At what mileage do 2018 Honda Civic problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 35,298 miles or less.
Does the 2018 Honda Civic have open recalls?
6 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning steering:electric power assist system. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.