My 2018 Honda Civic LX continues to experience serious safety and drivability issues after the fuel pump recall repair was completed by a Honda dealership. The vehicle intermittently shuts off while stopped, including at drive-throughs and stoplights. When pressing the accelerator, it sometimes hesitates or fails to respond, with the RPMs not increasing as expected. It may then suddenly jerk or surge forward. I have also experienced hesitation and struggling when turning after coming to a stop. During these incidents, dashboard warning lights have illuminated, including the check-engine, electric power steering, traction control/stability, and brake system lights. These issues put my safety and the safety of others at risk because the vehicle can unexpectedly lose power in traffic, fail to accelerate when needed, or suddenly surge forward. This creates a collision risk for surrounding vehicles and pedestrians, especially at intersections and in stop-and-go traffic. The fuel pump recall repair was completed, but the symptoms have continued. The dealership has not resolved the problem. Whether the malfunction was reproduced or confirmed during inspection is UNKNOWN. The exact failed component is UNKNOWN. The fuel delivery system, fuel pump, throttle body, accelerator control system, engine management system, and related electrical components may require investigation. The vehicle and components should be available for inspection upon request. Some symptoms existed before the recall repair and have continued afterward. I am requesting an investigation into whether the recall repair adequately addressed the safety issue or whether an additional defect remains.
Honda Civic hesitation problems
121 of the 16,054 owner complaints about the Honda Civic describe hesitation when accelerating, most of them for the 2018 model year.
- owner complaints
- 121
- worst model year
- 2018
- typical repair cost reported
- $2,652
- typical mileage
- 68,000
By model year
Often reported together
Stalling 21Jerking 14Transmission failure 12CVT failure 10Check engine light 10Shudder 8Loss of power 6Fuel pump 5
Trouble codes mentioned
P0304 1P0302 1
What owners say
The contact owns a 2015 Honda Civic. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle hesitated while depressing the accelerator pedal. There was no warning light illuminated. An independent mechanic diagnosed the vehicle with transmission failure. The contact associated the failure with the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 15V574000 (Power Train); however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but provided no assistance. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 147,366.
Reported this to the dealer in June 2025 a month after I bought the car. Dealer checked the car & couldn't find a problem causing this. Problem continues & is getting worse. I believe problem with CVT - vehicle jerks, hesitates and shudders in low speeds upon deceleration and acceleration. Not a smooth ride at all. I had an older Civic with CVT and husband has a 2022 Civic with CVT and never had or have this issue. Will take to the dealer again.
My vehicle is currently experiencing severe performance defects that directly mimic the documented failures associated with the defective, improperly molded fuel pump impellers. Specifically, I have experienced the following symptoms: Engine Stalling: The vehicle has lost engine power or stalled unexpectedly while in motion, creating an immediate and severe traffic hazard. Hard Starting / No-Start Condition: The engine frequently takes multiple crank cycles to start or fails to start entirely, despite a fully functional and recently tested 12V battery.Erratic Power Delivery: I have noticed severe engine hesitation and a loss of acceleration power while driving at highway speeds.I understand that American Honda has recalled over one million vehicles globally for this exact Denso fuel pump defect. Despite my vehicle exhibiting all classic symptoms of a failing, low-density fuel pump impeller, my specific VIN is currently not showing as "active" or "eligible" on the manufacturer's lookup tool.Because a sudden loss of engine power while driving significantly increases the risk of a crash or injury, this represents a critical safety issue. I request that American Honda corporate reviews this data, coordinates a diagnostic review with an authorized dealership without a diagnostic fee liability to myself, and covers the complete cost of a replacement fuel pump assembly under the safety recall countermeasure guidelines.Thank you for your immediate attention to this safety hazard.
Steering feels catchy or like it is hesitating
The contact owns a 2009 Honda Civic. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle hesitated and lost motive power, and the vehicle to shut off while accelerating. The contact associated the failure with the fuel pump. The dealer was notified of the failure; however, the vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 123,000.
UNKNOWN component/system issue; entirety of vehicle is available for inspection. Problem has been reproduced by independent service center. Vehicle has been inspected by independent service center and local Honda dealership. No warning lamps/messages or stores codes. 1. Vehicle shakes at idle; periodically jerks and lurches when driving (RPMs, current gear are not relevant, no correlation). 2. When letting off the gas to “coast,” vehicle drops in speed abruptly as if the brakes are being applied which results in a “jolt.” The consequence is the vehicle essentially braking without signal; gas pedal must be engaged at all times unless intending to brake. 3. Vehicle hesitates significantly when accelerating. Even at >80% compression of the gas pedal, the speed of the vehicle will not increase. Only at full compression will the vehicle shift gears and begin to gain in speed yet accompanied by rough shuttering and loud, “airy” sounding rev. This is outside of the operational characteristics expected with the CVT transmission. Moderate to severe safety concern. Notes: Oil and transmission fluid have been drained and replaced at the dealership both less than 3k miles ago. Spark plugs and ignition coils have all been replaced with Honda parts less than 1k miles ago.
I bought a 2026 honda civic. About two days after receiving the car while driving the car I felt a shaking while driving mostly around 30-40 MPH. ALSO when I put my foot on the gas sometimes there is a hesitation before I start to move and when I do start moving it’s like getting launched on a rocket. Many times while driving I get a shutter, the whole car would lerch forward even while driving it felt like the car was lerching forward. I brought the car to the dealer and had them look at the car, I explained everything I was feeling. They had the car for HOURS and when I got the car back they said they had two different mechanics look at the car and they said they test drove it and couldn’t replicate the problem. But when I got in the car just after the test drove it, I ABSOLUTELY STILL HAD THE PROBLEM. I brought the car back to the dealer a couple of weeks later and talked to the assistant service manager and he said that could be that the transmission is learning how I drive. I feel honda is covering up a problem with the cvt transmission. There is so much information online about problems with the CVT transmission and honda just tells me it’s normal for the car to act that way. I DO NOT FEEL SAFE DRIVING THIS CAR. I was hoping that your department could please investigate this situation.
2025 Honda Civic Hatchback experiencing dangerous mechanical binding, sticking, and notching in the steering column. The defect is strictly thermal, escalating significantly in extreme Arizona heat and/ or after driving for a prolonged duration. This requires excessive driver effort to break the steering wheel free from center, risking over-correction and loss of vehicle control. Additionally, vehicle experiences intermittent powertrain jerking and hesitation during low-speed acceleration. Under active factory warranty, the vehicle was towed to a local Honda dealership. The Service Director initially pushed back significantly, attempting to dismiss the safety keywords and label a major steering defect as a vague 'multi-system failure' on the printed Repair Order. After consumer refusal to accept the vehicle, the Service Director capitulated, personally authorizing a Repair Order explicitly documenting in handwriting: 'Also Steering Sticky while CAR in motion. Also vehicle jerky at low Speeds.' The Service Director physically signed next to these terms. The Service Director explicitly acknowledged that the symptoms sound like the federal safety agency recall 24V‑744, but stated they must put up to 300 miles on the vehicle to 'replicate' the issue before replacing the steering rack due to fear of corporate financial chargebacks, actively attempting to force a consumer to keep an unsafe vehicle unless able to replicate.
Rpm slighting rising at low mph and it hesitates/jerks a bit
Related recalls
Power train: driveline: driveshaft
- What is wrong
- Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2017 Honda Civic Sedan and Coupe vehicles. The right halfshaft may have been improperly heat treated, reducing its strength.
- Risk
- The improper heat treatment can result in the halfshaft breaking, preventing the engine from moving the vehicle, and can allow a possible roll away situation if the parking brake is not engaged. This can increase the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Honda will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the halfshaft's serial number, replacing it as necessary and aligning the front wheels, free of charge. The recall began December 8, 2017. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1‑888‑234‑2138. Honda's number for this recall is K0E.
Recall number 17V706000 · Recall details
Power train: automatic transmission: control module (TCM/PCM/tecm)
- What is wrong
- Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain model year 2014-2015 Civic vehicles manufactured January 16, 2014, to November 6, 2014 and 2015 Fit vehicles manufactured March 12, 2014, to May 12, 2015. The software settings that control the transmission operation may result in damage to the transmission drive pulley shaft.
- Risk
- If the transmission drive pulley shaft is damaged, it may break, and the vehicle may lose acceleration or the front wheels may lock up while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Honda will notify owners, and dealers will update the software for the transmission, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin October 30, 2015. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1‑888‑234‑2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are JU2 (Civic) and JU3(Fit).
Recall number 15V574000 · Recall details
Power train: driveline: driveshaft
- What is wrong
- Honda is recalling certain model year 2012 honda civic vehicles. During assembly, the process required to seat the drivers side driveshaft and set the retaining clip was not completed. As a result, the driveshaft may separate.
- Risk
- If this occurs, the vehicle will have a loss of drive power and may roll away if the parking brake has not been set when the gear selector has been placed in the park position, increasing the risk of crash or pedestrian injury.
- Remedy
- Honda will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the driver's side driveshaft and install a new driveshaft as needed, free of charge. The safety recall began on June 21. 2012. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1‑800‑999‑1009.
Recall number 12V256000 · Recall details
Power train: automatic transmission
- What is wrong
- A retaining clip that connects the transmission shift cable to the shift lever actuating rod can have insufficient retention pressure and may eventually come off after repeated shift lever operation. If this happens, the position of the shift lever may not match the actual transmission gear position.
- Risk
- This could result in unanticipated vehicle movement and accident.
- Remedy
- Dealers will install an improved retaining clip.
Recall number 94V063000 · Recall details
Power train: automatic transmission
- What is wrong
- Due to an improperly machined internal shaft in the transmission, the pawl mechanisim may not fully engage when transmission is in the park position.
- Risk
- Vehicle could roll while the transmission is in the parkposition and a crash could result.
- Remedy
- Install an improved parking pawl shaft.
Recall number 90V163000 · Recall details
Questions about the Honda Civic hesitation
Which Honda Civic years have hesitation when accelerating problems?
The model years with the most reports are 2018 (16 complaints), 2003 (12 complaints) and 2001 (10 complaints).
How much does it cost to fix hesitation when accelerating on the Honda Civic?
Owners who mentioned a price put the repair at about $2,652 (median of 11 complaints that include a dollar amount). Costs vary with mileage, warranty and where the work is done.
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