Last updated: 2026-10-10
Honda Civic Steering Problems
Sticky steering is the main Honda Civic complaint: the wheel catches near center, then jerks free. Some owners report full lockups.
- Owner complaints
- 1,539
- Share of all complaints
- 55%
- Crash / fire / injury reports
- 58 / 0 / 25
- Related recalls
- 3
Civic steering complaints by model year
The 2022 model year stands far above the rest, with 790 steering complaints and the highest rate per vehicle sold. The 2018 and 2023 years follow with 253 and 252. The 2019 and 2024 years sit in the middle, and 2020 and 2021 have fewer. The 2025 and 2026 years show very little, but they have had the least time on the road to collect complaints, so low counts there say little about quality. Recalls on 2022 to 2025 cars address steering, which is worth knowing for any of those years.
- 2018253 · 7.8/10k sold
- 201988 · 2.7/10k sold
- 202025 · 1/10k sold
- 202149 · 1.9/10k sold
- 2022790 · 59/10k sold
- 2023252 · 12.6/10k sold
- 202468 · 2.8/10k sold
- 202513 · 0.5/10k sold
- 20261
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA under steering. Newer model years have had less time to collect complaints.
What goes wrong
Steering is the largest complaint area on the Civic, making up more than half of all owner complaints. The usual story is a wheel that sticks near center. It feels notchy or heavy, resists small lane corrections, then breaks free and jerks the car, so drivers overcorrect. Owners say it shows up most at highway speeds, often after 10 to 30 minutes of driving. Some report a full lockup instead, with no warning light.
The safety risk is real. Every model year from 2018 to 2025 has at least one crash report, and 2022 alone has 27 crashes and 9 injuries. Owners describe hitting barriers, curbs, poles, and trees after the wheel would not turn or locked. No fire reports appear. Some cars become undrivable: one 2018 owner could turn the wheel only about 10 degrees each way. In some 2022 reports, dealers could not reproduce the fault, which leaves owners driving a car they do not trust.
Symptoms owners report
Wheel sticks near center
The wheel catches on small corrections, then releases suddenly. The car darts sideways and drivers overcorrect. Owners call it notchy, heavy, or sticky. It is worst at highway speeds, in rain or cold weather, and after the car has been driven a while.
Sudden stiffness or lockup
Without warning, the wheel goes very heavy or will not turn at all. Owners in 2022 reports cite speeds from 30 to 56 mph. Many say no warning lights came on. Several crashes began this way.
Pulling or veering on its own
The car drifts or yanks to one side without driver input. Some owners say the wheel then fights their correction. A few link it to lane assist or driver-assist features, though that is the owner's account.
Seizing in turns or parking
The wheel locks mid-turn, so the car keeps going the way it was already pointed. Owners describe this when turning left into a lot, rounding a curve, or backing into a space. Several of these filings involve crashes.
Clicking, popping, creaking
Noises come from the steering in low-speed turns. A clicking sound appears in older-year reports, and 2025 owners describe clicking, popping, or creaking early on. Dealer parts swaps, such as strut bearings, do not always stop it.
When the problems start
Mileage varies by model year. Owners of 2018 cars report onset between about 30,000 and 89,000 miles, and 2021 reports cluster between about 28,500 and 50,981. Newer cars show it far sooner: roughly 4,000 to 11,000 miles on 2023 cars, 3,000 to 5,700 on 2024 cars, and as early as 1,400 miles on a 2025. One 2023 owner crashed at only 561 miles.
Repairs and recalls
Dealers most often blame the steering rack or gearbox. Owners of older cars report quotes of about $4,000 to $5,400, and one 2018 owner was quoted as high as $6500. Three federal recalls cover steering. 18V663000 covers 2018 cars, and the remedy is a new steering gearbox. 24V744000 covers 2022 to 2025 cars, with a worm gear spring replacement and added grease. 23V704000 covers 2022 to 2024 cars that got a replacement rack, and dealers inspect and replace it as needed. All are free. Owners report parts shortages, long waits, and paying for crash repairs themselves.
| Model years | Campaign | Problem |
|---|---|---|
| 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025 | 24V744000 | 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… |
| 2022, 2023, 2024 | 23V704000 | 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… |
| 2018 | 18V663000 | 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… |
Checking a used Civic for steering problems
- Run the VIN through federal recall records and confirm every steering recall on that car shows as completed.
- Drive at least 20 to 30 minutes, including highway speed, so the car is warm. Make small lane corrections and feel for the wheel catching.
- Ask whether the steering rack or gearbox was ever replaced, and get the repair paperwork.
- Turn the wheel lock to lock in a parking lot and listen for clicking, popping, or creaking.
- Walk away from any car whose wheel sticks, goes heavy, or releases suddenly during the test drive.
- Budget for a possible rack or gearbox repair on 2018 to 2021 cars, since owners report four-figure quotes once warranty ends.
3 steering recalls cover the Honda Civic. A VIN check shows whether the car you're looking at had its recall work done, plus accident and title history.
Honda Civic Steering Problems: common questions
- Which Honda Civic years have the most steering problems?
- The 2022 model year has the most steering complaints by a wide margin, with 790 filings and 27 crashes. The 2018 and 2023 years come next, with 253 and 252. Newer years show fewer, but they have had less time to collect complaints, so that does not make them safer.
- Is it safe to drive a Civic with sticky steering?
- Owner reports say no. The wheel can release suddenly or lock, and crashes with injuries are on record. Many owners saw no warning light beforehand. If your wheel sticks, have it inspected before driving at highway speed, and ask the dealer about open recalls.
- Is there a recall for Honda Civic steering?
- Yes, three. Recall 18V663000 covers 2018 Civics, 24V744000 covers 2022 to 2025 models, and 23V704000 covers 2022 to 2024 cars that received a replacement steering rack. Repairs are free. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the work was done.
- Does the recall cover 2019, 2020, and 2021 Civics?
- Not according to the recall lines listed here. They name 2018 and 2022 through 2025 only. Owners of 2019 to 2021 cars report sticky steering, and one 2021 owner notes that 2021 VINs are not covered. Dealer quotes for those years run into the thousands.
- How much does a Civic steering repair cost?
- Owners report dealer quotes of about $4,250 to almost $5,000 for a 2019, $4,000 to $5,400 for a 2021, and up to $6500 for a 2018. Recall repairs on covered cars are free, but owners report long waits for parts.
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