For a few years now, my 2018 Honda Civic with less than 50,000 miles has had sticky/notchy steering. The dealer told me the steering rack needs to be replaced for over $4000, but that they didn't want to repair it because a Honda tech was coming to look at these issues. They indicated that they seem to think this should be a recall situation. I have seen many people with the same exact issue, and even similar recalls by Honda that ignore the 2018 10th generation. This needs to be investigated and it seems clear a recall should be issued. It makes it difficult to drive without wobbling back and forth across the lane, especially at high speed. It is dangerous and needs to be addressed by Honda. It's not simply "bad luck" that many people have the same exact issue at such low mileage.
2018 Honda Civic steering complaints
Page 3 of 12: complaints 41 to 70 of 316, newest first, as owners wrote them.
While driving the vehicle on a long straight road the steering would bind while driving straight. When moving the steering wheel to make any slight adjustments it'd stick and force me to over or understeer left or right of center making the vehicle very unsafe to drive and hold a straight course on the highway. I've only noticed this happening at highway speeds. It was very scary to drive because it'd happen every 10 to 15 seconds while trying to get it into a center position(which was impossible) on a very straight road causing the vehicle to essentially be swerving from one side of the lane to the other for the last couple of hours of a 3+ hour drive. I hope Honda does the right thing in recognizing how dangerous an issue this is and doesn't wait until too many people die or have accidents due this common vehicle issue preventing it from being able to be driven straight.
The contact owns a 2018 Honda. The contact stated that while driving the steering wheel became "sticky" making it stiff. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the steering gear needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 30,000.
For the past year anytime I drive my vehicle above 40mph I notice the steering feels “sticky” and often you have to use additional effort to turn the wheel which cause the wheel to jerk to whatever side you attempting to turn the wheel. Apparently this is common on the same year civic but the dealership stated my vehicle VIN is not included on the list of vehicles that need the repair. The vehicle feels unsafe to drive as it is hard to maintain in the lane and shift lanes.
I have recently purchased a 2018 Honda Civic LX at 39k miles and now at 42k miles and only six months of owning the vehicle I am experiencing the sticky steering at 35mph or faster due to the worm gear in the EPS Gearbox assembly in 18V‑663, the federal safety agency Recall 18V‑663, however my VIN was not listed as eligible. I was able to have the fuel pump recall replaced immediately after I purchased it in September of 2025. But now find myself with the plagued steering issue that notches at center when you try to lane correct or bend into a turn. It is alarming and while manageable at slower speeds in town, I intended to use this car to teach my daughter to drive. I am concerned for the safety and chance of over correcting while driving already hazardous winter conditions in northern Maine that this poses a legitimate risk at highway speeds. Thank you taking my report with consideration. Please take care.
Steering wheel feels sticky when making slight adjustments to the left or right, causing me to have to overcorrect to shift.
The contact owns a 2018 Honda Civic. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds and making a left or right turn, the steering wheel was sticking. No warning lights were illuminated. The contact related the failure to the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 18V663000 (Steering). The vehicle was taken to the local dealer and test-driven. The dealer informed the contact that the steering wheel was pulling, and that the failure was associated with the steering rack. Additionally, the dealer diagnosed the vehicle and determined that the steering rack was rusted. The dealer recommended that the steering rack be replaced, and an alignment was performed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and declined to cover the repair because the VIN was not under recall. The failure mileage was approximately 100,000.
The vehicle steering wheel sticks when turning, makes a noise, sometimes it doesn’t. Feels like when turning the steering wheel is like stuck and doesn’t return to the straight position. It happens only in one direction, turning right. This has been happening for at least 5 years. Took it to the dealer at least 3 times. They changed left side ball joint, in warranty. But still doing it. After the third time i gave up. Last year a mechanic outside the dealer changed the left cv axle, nothing changed. Changed sway bars, shock absorbers, still doing it. Today went to a different shop, they say is the rack and pinion or EPS?. I have been having this problem for a really long time, even before the warranty was over.
The contact owns a 2018 Honda Civic. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle, the steering wheel was firm and was sticking while turning. The contact referenced the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 18V663000 (STEERING); however, the VIN was not included in the recall repair. The vehicle was driven to the dealer, where it was confirmed that the VIN was not included in the recall. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 59,700.
The vehicle experienced a failure of the steering system, specifically the steering gearbox. The steering intermittently sticks, binds, and resists input, followed by sudden release, causing unpredictable response and difficulty maintaining control. The vehicle also pulls unexpectedly, creating a serious safety hazard, especially at highway speeds. The vehicle is unsafe to operate and is currently at a dealership for inspection. Prior to failure, symptoms included increasing steering resistance, inconsistent feel, and intermittent sticking, which worsened over time until the vehicle became undrivable. The issue has been diagnosed and confirmed by an authorized dealership, which determined the steering gearbox requires replacement. The dealership indicated the failure was not due to misuse, damage, or lack of maintenance. There are similar steering-related failures reported in comparable vehicles; however, this vehicle is excluded based on VIN eligibility. Despite similar failure, no recall coverage has been provided. This failure creates a high risk of loss of control and potential crash, with no warning lights or alerts prior to failure. The estimated repair cost exceeds $4,300 including parts and labor. The manufacturer has been contacted, but no resolution has been provided. This failure occurred during normal operation and was not caused by driver input or external damage. The sudden loss and return of steering control creates a dangerous condition that could result in a crash without warning. Given similar reported issues, this warrants investigation into a potential safety defect.
Steering is sticky during highway driving, causing a lack of confidence and a tendency to overcorrect. It makes the driving experience less secure and more open to harm.
I have noticed a slight resistance or “sticky” feeling in the steering, especially when driving at highway speeds or while making gentle turns. The steering does not always feel smooth when making small corrections near the center or during curves. At times, the steering wheel feels like it briefly resists movement and then releases, requiring a small additional input to continue turning smoothly. This has occurred intermittently and is more noticeable during continuous driving. The vehicle remains controllable, but the steering does not always return as smoothly as expected, which can affect driving comfort and precision.
Problem presented in April 2026 at 34,300 miles on odometer. The vehicle steering sticks or locks at the 12 o'clock position at highway speeds. A high degree of effort is required to overcome the steering stiction resistance to make small steering adjustments to maintain vehicle course. This anomaly results in overshooting the desired steering adjustment which could potentially cause a accident such as a sideswipe crash or loss of control leaving the roadway. There have been no dashboard warning indicators. The local Honda dealer inspected the car and stated that the steering gearbox needed to be replaced at an estimated cost of $4,025.
What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? Steering wheel is constantly getting stuck, then unstuck. Vehicle can be inspected upon request. How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? my safety was questionable on highways when trying to switch lanes or on long turns. Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center? Dealer confirmed but they are not sure why its happening. Has the vehicle or component been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives or others? No, no accident reported on my vehicle as of yet. Were there any warning lamps, messages or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure, and when did they first appear? No Car wheel sticks on long turns or when im switching lanes or just trying to straighten the steering wheel. It is so strange. Just sticks and unsticks but HARD enough to make the car jerk.
The contact owns a 2018 Honda Civic. The contact stated that while driving and turning the steering wheel, the steering was sticking and turned in the opposite direction, reducing the maneuverability of the vehicle. The contact was able to turn the steering wheel to the intended direction. There was no warning light illuminated. The dealer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the VIN was not included in the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 18V663000 (Steering). The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 100,000.
When driving in highway or street, the steering feels very stiff. It’s difficult to turn and, especially hard when driving in the highway making small adjustments. When turning left and holding corners the wheel likes to bounce. Took it in the dealership and diagnosed to be the steering rack assembly, and want to charge me 5500 for it. I just bought the vehicle not even 3 days old and I have to spend an extra 5 grand to ensure I’m safe when I’m driving and it’s not right. This is dangerous because if I can’t control the wheel I can lose control and hit someone else. There were no warnings, which was why I purchased the vehicle. The dealership at Honda confirmed my suspicions and diagnosed it as a bad steering rack assembly, and is charging a lump some of money for the fix. The car only had 47000 miles and this should not be an issue I should be dealing with. Honda needs to resolve this as it’s very dangerous to be driving like this especially on a vehicle with very low miles.
The steering is often "notchy", especially in warmer weather. When trying to make small steering adjustments while driving the wheel will resist changes until turned hard enough that it jerks suddenly. This issue makes driving in a lane next to another car uncomfortable as the driver is never confident that the wheel will actually turn, especially on the highway or at high speeds. The issue on this particular vehicle has not been reproduce by a service center because the vehicle is out of warranty. However, this issue is widely reported online and Honda has taken no action to rectify this safety issue. There are no warning lamps or other warnings provided by the car. The issue has consistently been happening for over 3 years.
The contact owns a 2018 Honda Civic. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the steering wheel failed to turn in the intended direction. There was an abnormal clicking sound coming from the steering wheel. No warning lights were illuminated. In addition, the contact stated that the failure had occurred while making a right turn. The contact stated that excessive force was needed to turn the steering wheel. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or the dealer. The contact stated that the failure was a known failure with the vehicle. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but provided no assistance. The contact was advised to contact the federal safety agency Hotline to report the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 142,000.
Steering wheel gets stuck, Jerky. Steering is jerky when traveling in a straight line, at different speeds. For example when traveling at 45 mph in a straight line, if you need to make a slight correction to stay in your lane the steering wheel seems to lock causing you to exert more force to turn it and then it releases causing you to over correct. I know other owners that have the same problem. This in my opinion is a safety concern and should be investigated.
The contact owns a 2018 Honda Civic. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the steering wheel became firm and was sticking while driving forward. No warning light was illuminated. 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 59,000.
My 2018 Honda Civic started more than a year ago having STICKY STEERING. When looking online, it is a known problem with later Honda's, but the dealer will not help on a 2018 model. The issue was felt by the Honda dealer sitting still. Though their head mechanic said they could try an "experimental" gearbox lube for approx. $450. At 50 mph on curves the problem feels downright dangerous. Steering noticeably sticks, then lets loose under pressure. At freeway speeds getting difficult to keep car straight and is very tiring to drive. My worry is it's not going away and seems to getting worse.
My wheel is not stable when I drive, it sticks, but at the same time car attempt to go to one side and, when I try to re-take my lane, the wheel is not smooth to the point that requires extra force to come back, and I feel I am going to invade the other line, this gets worse in long drives and warmer weather. This feels at one point dangerous and not safe to drive, because I get tired trying to keep the car straight.
The steering issue in my 2018 Honda Civic has put my safety and that of others at severe risk by causing unpredictable sticky and jerky movements at highway speeds, potentially leading to loss of control and crashes—I’ve had to fight the wheel multiple times on LA freeways just to stay in my lane, and it’s only getting worse with heat buildup. The problem has not yet been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center, as I’m in the process of scheduling that amid Honda’s stonewalling, but it’s identical to widespread EPS failures reported in similar models. The vehicle has not been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance reps, or anyone else yet—Honda’s dodging responsibility despite knowing about these defects since 2016 per the Burgos v. Honda lawsuit. There were no warning lamps, messages, or other symptoms prior to the failure; it just started jerking out of nowhere during high-speed drives, first noticed today based on my best recollection. This is a blatant manufacturing flaw Honda’s covering up for older Civics while recalling newer ones for the same damn thing—force them to expand the recall before it kills someone. Approximate incident date: 03/02/2026. No crash occurred.
I have been having sticky steering on my vehicle which i have to over correct the steering while driving. I have had this checked on my vehicle since it was under warranty and dealer could find no issue .. BUT NOW they say they can notice a issues its a EPS steering gearbox issue which is a recall on ALOT OF VEHILCES except my year.
The electric power steering gets notchy and sticks instead of smooth turning. This causes the car to drift left and right in the lane. The hotter the day and longer the drive, the worse the problem gets.
The steering wheel is very sticky/notchy at highway speeds. Makes steering difficult especially with minor adjustments. Very unsafe as it can stick and cause you to drift if you’re not on top of the steering or even overcompensate
The contact owns a 2018 Honda Civic. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the steering wheel was sticky, making the vehicle difficult to maneuver. There was no warning light illuminated. Upon investigation, the contact discovered the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 18V663000 (Steering); however, the vehicle was not included in the recall. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and confirmed that the VIN was not included in the recall. The contact was also informed that there was a TSB on certain model vehicles related to the same failure; however, the vehicle was not included. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 44,000.
My vehicle has a jerk in the electronic power steering. The exact same year make and model vehicles already have a verified recall. I understand my vin number says my vehicle isn’t affected. But it’s having the exact same issue and its exact same year make and model. I do not have the 170.00 dollars to get it diagnosed and Honda is saying they will not upfront cover the cost the diagnose the exact same issue the other same year make and models are already verified to be having and have already been recalled.
Have the dangerous sticky steering while traveling down the road where steering wheel needs to be “broke free” to make minor corrections. Aware that there is a recall on certain years and models of the Honda’s for the electronic steering rack recall replacement, it isn’t covered on other select years. Honda has diagnosed yet another vehicle not covered by this recall (mine) and is now wanting me to pay $4500 out of pocket for a new steering rack
The steering wheel has been sticky on our 2018 Honda Civic. We took it to a Honda dealership for evaluation and they said it needs a Steering Gearbox Replacement. Other 2018 Honda Civics have had the same issue and a recall was issued but our particular vin number is not apart of this recall. The 2018 recall states: “Due to incorrect production of the steering gearbox torque sensor, the torque sensor magnet may shift from its normal position inside the gearbox. A shifted sensor magnet may cause the steering to move left or right unexpectedly, increasing the risk of a crash.” Because of this risk while driving, as well as it being the same issue that other cars with the same make and model were recalled, ours should also be recalled.
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