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2008 Honda Civic steering problems

24 complaints (3% of all complaints for this car). Typical mileage when it fails: 40,000. 2 crashes reported.

owner complaints
24
of this car's complaints
3%
typical mileage
40,000
crashes
2
recalls
0

Which part fails

  • Rack and pinion
    1
  • Hydraulic power assist system
    1

At what mileage

Complaints by mileage at the time of the problem.

0k-25k
25k-50k
50k-75k
75k-100k
100k-125k
125k-150k
150k-175k
175k-200k
200k+

Honda Civic steering problems in other years

19901995200020052010201520202026

Specific symptoms reported on the 2008 Honda Civic steering

Phrases found in the owners' own descriptions, so one complaint can mention several symptoms.

Pulling 7Power steering loss 5Steering lock-up 5

Related recalls

No recalls on record for this model year.

What 2008 Honda Civic owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

Filed Jul 17, 2026 · Acceleration, Engine · TX

What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? Engine, steering. Purchased the car from a certified dealership in January 2026. After 3 months of driving, the car began exhibiting performance issues. During a normal acceleration pattern, the car would go into a ‘limp mode’ where all dashboard lights would turn on and the car’s performance became severely limited. Acceleration is barely possible when this happens and the car must be turned off and restarted in order to get the car out of ‘limp mode,’ which is a MAJOR safety concern communicated to Honda. It is also of major concern that every time there is a performance issue, every light illuminates, not allowing the driver to diagnose and safely operate the vehicle without Honda assistance with diagnosis. Honda scans revealed P3004 engines misfire code- recommendations included replacing a spark plug. I replaced all four spark plugs and performance returned to normal. Steering recall (Recall Campaign SJS- 2022-25 Civic EPS Grbx Safe ) was also repaired on 6/24/2026- the car was exhibiting steering tightness and locking behaviors which were resolved after this repair. On 7/9, the car was traveling at 70mph when all dashboard lights came on once again. The car did not exhibit performance degradation at this time and was immediately taken for additional engine scan, which provided new code P0299 Turbocharger Underboost problem. Honda reported this code was not present during the scans on 6/24/2026. Dashboard warning lights disappeared on 6/25/2026. On 7/16/2026, the car began exhibiting major steering wheel locking and tightness, much worse than before the steering recall was fixed. I am unsure if it is related to the Turboboost issue. The car also began exhibiting engine performance issues again, rendering the car unsafe to operate until taken back to Honda for further diagnostics.

Filed Aug 1, 2025 · Steering · WI

Electronic steering pulls hard to the left and is more difficult to turn right.

Filed Jun 18, 2022 · Airbags, Body · NY

Air bags: Â passive restraint system items and devices that protect occupants in a crash such as front, side, side curtain air bag light stayed on after taken to a recall devices that may present a safety hazard. Body: Windshield panel flew away ,failure or detachment body and frame components flew away all body pain pilled away with no reason, and other structural components like inside of car sieling cover pilling off like that may present a safety hazard. Steering: devices and systems used to control vehicle direction to the driver's intent such steering rack/box leaking, hydraulic power steering pumps problem like alot noise and hoses leaking that may present a safety hazard.

Filed Apr 1, 2019 · Engine, Steering · 313,617 miles · MA

On 3/6/19 I was driving home on I-95 north when, without warning, my civic redlined and overheated. I had the car towed to rockingham honda in rockingham, nh and the mechanic, dan, diagnosed my car with a cracked engine block. After some research it was discovered that '06-'09 hondas had faulty engines knowingly installed which resulted in honda of america issuing a warranty extension for 10 years for this cracked engine block error. I purchased this vehicle on 8/14/15 completely unaware of the faulty engine, the extended warranty, or the cost it would be to me. I contacted honda of america on 3/7/19 to inquire about the warranty and the complimentary replacement/repairs for their poor craftsmanship. I was informed that the warranty expired and does not apply to me since I am not the original owner of the car. Turns out honda only sent out one notice of the warranty extension and it went to the first owners of the hondas who purchased the cars off a dealership lot. Secondhand owners, like me, had no chance of even knowing there was a recall or opportunity to get this "time bomb" of a repair fixed until it's too late. After a month of having no car and communicating with honda of america and the mechanic, rockingham honda quoted the repair to cost $5,600 (which is twice the amount of what kelley blue book values the car to be worth). Honda of america said that since I have no record of getting the car serviced at any of their locations that it's "not they're problem" the warranty expired and I had no knowledge of the offer. There are thousands of people who bought '06-'09 used hondas, are driving a with a faulty engine, completely unaware of the danger and damages they are about to incur due to honda's inability to follow up with their product.

Filed Jan 6, 2016 · Airbags, Steering · 109,000 miles · MA · crash

Tl* the contact owned a 2008 honda civic. While driving 30 MPH in inclement weather, the wheels and the steering column seized. As a result, the contact crashed into a guardrail. The air bags failed to deploy. The vehicle was destroyed and towed to a salvage yard. A police report was filed and there were no injuries. The manufacturer was notified. The failure mileage was approximately 109,000.

Filed Dec 24, 2014 · Brakes, Steering · 1,500 miles · TN

Honda: when make tight turn, left or right would hear or feel a popping or clunking noise, after driving over bumps, coming from the front suspension. *pe

Filed Jun 4, 2014 · Airbags, Body · 110,000 miles · NY · crash · 1 injury

The steering wheel began to pull my car to the left side. The steering wheel did not respond to the direction right and felt as if it had gone "limp". The front of the car hit the left center median guardrail. I suffered herniated discs and lumbar back injury. The drivers airbag never deployed resulting in my head hitting the steering wheel. I suffered a concussion and cervical neck injury. There were no other cars involved and no weather conditions. Also I was going below the speed limit. I called honda and they said they could not explain nor help me with the airbag not deploying and the concussion I suffered. They also could not help me regarding the steering wheel pulling left then "going limp". I am still seeing a neurologist and physical therapist for my lumbar and cervical injuries, and neurological signs and symptoms.

Filed Apr 5, 2014 · Steering · CA

The car steering wheel is locked. The car key fits into the ignition; however, there is no steering. A representative from honda immediately came to my place of residence and moved the car steering wheel with the key in the ignition but still the steering wheel is locked. He stated he had never seen anything like this. He stated that there are some pins in the steering wheel which makes the steering wheel lockup. I had previously driven the car in the morning and there were no problems. Concerns: why does the car steering lock-up this because steering is vital to the movement of the car? Has this experience occurred with another hondo civics? Next, with all the cover-up of defective parts in cars in the news, I am left wondering is this a concern that is known by the honda company that has not been reported to the consumer. Finally, the overall safety of the car is a major concern because I have children and what if this is defective problems in which the consumer was never informed.

Filed Feb 20, 2014 · Steering · NC

Tl- the contact owns a 2008 honda civic. The contact stated that while the vehicle was in a parked/ idle position, the vehicle will shake violently. The engine light is now illuminating on his dashboard. The contact took his vehicle to be diagnosed. The dealer stated the spark plugs would need to be replaced. However, the failure persisted. The manufacture was not contacted. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 115,000. The current mileage was 123,460 miles. Az

Filed Aug 10, 2013 · Steering · 52,000 miles · TN

In july 2012, I started noticing a clicking noise when I would turn left or right. A friend of mine whose husband owns a garage told me they had received a service bulletin about this same thing. It was dated july 16, 2009, serv. Bull. # 262286. (steering gearbox mounting bolts not torqued correctly). I called honda's cust. Ser. #. She informed me I could take it to my honda dealership and they would inspect it for me for 75.00 I asked her since there was a service bulletin they had sent out to garages, why I had to pay a fee? She said that was protocol. I asked that if it was the same problem as on the service bulletin if I would be reimbursed. She would not say yes, only saying, "possibly." I decided not to go that route. My friend's husband told me to bring my car in and they would look at the mounting bolts to see if they were torqued correctly (for free). This was the service bulletin issue, and sounded like the problem I was having. He inspected it and said they were torqued correctly, but it is still making the noise a year later. It is usually when I turn sharply left or right. My concern I expressed to my friend's husband who looked at my car was that I didn't want the problem to be tearing something else up, and I didn't want something to fall out as I was going down the road, or for my steering mechanism to fail as I was driving. He assured me all of this was ok, but I still wonder?? Shouldn't honda repair issues free of charge, that they put on service bulletins? This is a defect in honda's manufacturing, not through anything I have done. I feel that honda should inspect my vehicle free of charge and if this service bulletin issue is the problem, then they should repair it free of charge as well. I would appreciate any assistance you can give me on this matter.

Questions about the 2008 Honda Civic steering

Does the 2008 Honda Civic have steering problems?

Owners have filed 24 complaints about the steering of the 2008 Honda Civic, 3% of all its complaints.

At what mileage do 2008 Honda Civic steering problems start?

The typical (median) mileage in owner complaints is 40,000 miles.

Was there a recall on the 2008 Honda Civic steering?

There is no recall for this problem on this model year.

What year does the Honda Civic have bad steering?

The Honda Civic model years with the most steering complaints are 2022 (734 complaints), 2016 (446 complaints) and 2018 (316 complaints).

Is there a class action lawsuit over the Honda Civic?

Yes. Class action says Honda and Acura keyless entry makes cars easy to steal and asks for theft protection (November 12, 2026).

Other 2008 Honda Civic problems

Engine 207Airbags 177Visibility 133Suspension 99Body 85Transmission 52Electrical 51Brakes 42Tires 30Acceleration 29Wheels 24Fuel system 15Seat belts 9Seats 7Lights 6Driver assistance 4Locks 4

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