Honda Civic steering problems, 2016–2026
2,316 of the 4,836 complaints owners filed with NHTSA about the Honda Civic 2016–2026 name the steering (NHTSA’s “Steering” heading — the steering column, rack, pump and power assist). The loudest years: 2022 (802), 2016 (445), 2018 (313). Filed under the same heading across these years: 3 recall campaigns, 2 NHTSA investigations. Every figure is a linked federal record; none is a failure rate, none a repair cost, and none a verdict on one car.
Honda Civic steering problems by model year
Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer communicationsOne row per model year on file, newest first. A year marked in depth has its own page: the complaints, the owners’ words and every document under this heading for that year.
| Model year | Complaints naming the steering | Share of the year’s | Typically at | On file under the heading | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 6 | 21% | — | 1 recall | the year → |
| 2025 | 37 | 37% | — | 1 recall | the year → |
| 2024 in depth | 74 | 52% | 11k | 10 TSBs · 2 recalls · 1 investigation | the record → |
| 2023 in depth | 259 | 78% | 13k | 10 TSBs · 2 recalls · 2 investigations | the record → |
| 2022 in depth | 802 | 84% | 27k | 8 TSBs · 2 recalls · 2 investigations | the record → |
| 2021 | 67 | 42% | — | — | the year → |
| 2020 | 29 | 13% | — | — | the year → |
| 2019 | 111 | 25% | 57k | — | the year → |
| 2018 in depth | 313 | 42% | 51k | 1 recall | the record → |
| 2017 in depth | 173 | 29% | 47k | 1 recall | the record → |
| 2016 | 445 | 41% | 40k | — | the year → |
Two things the counts carry that are not the car: how many of each year were sold, and how long each has been on the road — an older year out-counts a newer one before anything is wrong with it. The share column is the honest comparison across years: what part of that year’s complaints named the steering. Nothing here is a rate.
When the steering complaints were filed, and at what mileage
Source: NHTSA complaint databaseFiled per calendar year, every model year together: 2015: 1 · 2016: 2 · 2017: 8 · 2018: 18 · 2019: 57 · 2020: 59 · 2021: 63 · 2022: 128 · 2023: 702 · 2024: 686 · 2025: 336 · 2026: 256
Across the model years, half of the 338 owners who gave an odometer reading reported the steering problem between 19,000 and 57,000 miles. A median of reports, not the life of a part.
In owners’ own words
Source: NHTSA complaint databaseFiled with NHTSA by the people who own these cars, about the steering, from the model years with the most to say. Quoted as written, with anything identifying removed; unverified reports — what was said, not a finding that it was true.
The contact owns a 2022 Honda Civic Hatchback. The contact stated while driving 30 MPH, the steering wheel seized and was pulling to the left into another lane, requiring the contact to use excessive force to steer the vehicle back into the intended lane. There was no warning light illuminated.
The contact owns a 2022 Honda Civic Hatchback. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V744000 (Steering); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the steering wheel was pulling to the right. The local dealer was contacted.
Steering wheel sticks when trying to make small adjustments. Must apply added pressure to get past the stick. Happens intermittently, especially when driven for longer times and when the weather is hot. Taken to dealer several times but told they cannot duplicate problem
The steering sticks when driving. When driving, even just on a straight path, you have make steering adjustments to keep the car in the lane. The steering will stick and when it "breaks loose,", the car overcompensates and jerks. This makes it difficult to keep the car in the lane and on the road.
I just got this car in November 2020 (I’m the second owner and it was originally a lease). It only has 27,400 miles on it. Within the past week I’ve started feeling and hearing a clicking and jerking in the steering wheel when I turn/correct instead of a smooth transition.
What is on file about the steering, across the years
Source: NHTSA recalls, investigations and manufacturer communicationsRecall campaigns filed under this heading, any model year
- 24V744000 HighOct 3, 2024 · 1,693,199 vehicles
- Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2023-2025 Acura Integra, Civic Type R, CR-V Hybrid, CR-V, HR-V, 2022-2025 Civic, Civic Hatchback, 2024-2025 Acura Integra Type S, 2025 CR-V Fuel Cell EV, Civic Hybrid, and Civic Hatchback Hybrid vehicles. The steering gearbox assembly may have been manufactured incorrectly, which can cause excessive internal friction and lead to difficulty steering the vehicle.
- 23V704000 HighOct 19, 2023 · 264,567 vehicles
- Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2022-2024 Civic 4-door and Civic 5-door vehicles that received a replacement power steering rack as part of a service repair. The steering rack may have been incorrectly assembled, which can allow the tire to chafe against the lower suspension or tie rod end, possibly resulting in tire damage.
- 18V663000 CriticalSep 27, 2018 · 54 vehicles
- 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.
NHTSA investigations
- EA23003 Momentary Increased Steering Effortopened Nov 29, 2023 · closed Jan 28, 2025
- On November 29, 2023, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened this Engineering Analysis (EA23003) to assess allegations of momentary increase in steering effort in model years (MY) 2022-2023 Honda Civic, 2023MY Honda CR-V, and 2023MY Acura Integra vehicles (subject vehicles). The complaints received by ODI alleged that the subject vehicles experienced a momentary increase in required steerin…
- PE23005 Momentary Increased Steering Effortopened Mar 17, 2023 · closed Nov 30, 2023
- On March 17, 2023, The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened Preliminary Evaluation (PE23-005) to access the alleged defect of momentary increase in steering effort in model years (MY) 2022 and 2023 Honda Civic vehicles. The complaints report that the momentary increase in steering effort (described as "sticky steering") occurs mostly at highway speeds after driving for a certain amount of …
Other systems with a record on the Honda Civic
Source: the same files- automatic emergency braking problems
- fuel system problems
- electrical problems
- engine problems
- visibility and wiper problems
Every system, every model year: Honda Civic problems by year →
Common questions
Source: NHTSA complaint database, recalls and manufacturer communicationsWhich Honda Civic years have the most steering complaints?
2022, 802; 2016, 445; 2018, 313. Raw counts, and an older year has had longer to collect them; by share of each year's own complaints the loudest is the 2022 (84%).
Is there a recall for the steering on the Honda Civic?
Yes — 3 campaigns are filed under this heading across these model years: 24V744000 (2026), 23V704000 (2024), 18V663000 (2018). A recall is matched by VIN, and applies to specific years; check yours at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
When do steering problems show up on the Honda Civic?
Owners who gave an odometer reading reported it at a median of 36,000 miles across the model years; half of them between 19,000 and 57,000. That is when reports cluster, not the life of a part.
What does NHTSA's "Steering" heading cover?
The steering column, rack, pump and power assist. Owners choose the heading when they file, so it says which area of the vehicle the complaint is about, not which part failed.