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 jerking problems
589 of the 16,050 owner complaints about the Honda Civic describe jerking or lurching, most of them for the 2022 model year.
- owner complaints
- 589
- worst model year
- 2022
- typical repair cost reported
- $3,700
- typical mileage
- 50,000
By model year
Often reported together
Lane assist 32Stalling 27Transmission failure 22Check engine light 19Hesitation 14Slipping 12CVT failure 12Sudden acceleration 11
Trouble codes mentioned
U0416 1P07AF 1P0370 1
What owners say
Although my particular VIN number is showing no recall, the steering is sticking at any speed the car is traveling, whether traveling straight or making a turn. When trying to turn the wheel it is causing resistance and requiring me to jerk the steering wheel to free it temporarily to make the turn. Once the turn is made the steering wheel locks back up again.
It was diagnosed by my mechanic as needing a new rack and pinion but my situation matches other safety reports made from what I've been reading about. The steering is very notchy, and jerky; especially, when I am steering to the left the wheel pulls and sticks. I have to jerk the wheel back a little bit to get it to go back to the 12:00 position. When I am driving on the highway I have to make little adjustments in order to keep the car where it's supposed to be, and although nothing has happened, thankfully, in terms of an accident, there have been a couple of moments where I really had to jerk the wheel in order to get it to stay in the lane and it was a really dangerous situation. The car has also been making horrible creaking noises that are similar to the other ones I have read about. No warning lights came on or have come on at all.
The wheel becomes sticky/ jerky when driving at speeds over 40 mph and causes overcorrecting. It is worse around bends and makes holding the wheel straight difficult. The stickness is consistently present when on the highways making it incredibly dangerous to drive at these higher speeds as I am constantly having to overcorrect the wheel. The dealer and an independent service center have both said they have been able to reproduce the sticky steering and that it is the steering rack. There is not any warning on my dashboard to indicate this part is failing which is also problematic as I should be made aware before my steering wheel completely freezes when driving at high speeds.
Power steering rack needs replacement. No damage cause by myself. Later models of the same vehicle have recalls on the power steering rack. The steering wheel will “stick” when driving and i’ll have to use excessive force to turn the wheel even just slightly causing the vehicle to jerk around.
This car had a previous safety recall for steering components "sticking", creating an unsafe driving situation. The recall was performed, however the problem still persists and the steering is still unsafe, sticking, and jerks left to right. This possesses an actual risk of motor vehicular crash, injury, or death. Regardless of how careful of a driver you are, the steering will veer unexpectedly.
Steering wheel feels jerky at high speeds. There is a clicking noise and the steering wheel jerks slightly assess when I turn a hard right.
Car steering gets stuck/jerks and cannot stay straight, wheels jerk aggressively from left to right in speeds up to 50 on the highway during rain.
The vehicle is experiencing a severe and dangerous “sticky” and “notchy” steering sensation specifically at highway speeds (above 40-50mph). While traveling in a straight line, the steering wheel momentarily binds or catches. To make minor lane adjustment, I must apply sudden force to “break” the wheel free from this sticky spot. This causes the car to abruptly jerk or overcorrect creating an immediate crash hazard. This issue matches the exact mechanical failure described in the federal safety agency Campaign 24V‑744 for newer Honda vehicles (faulty EPS gearbox manufacturing causing high friction). Although my 2017 Civic is experiencing the identical defect and is currently unsafe to drive, Honda states my specific VIN is not covered under an active recall. The mileage is 99,180 miles.
I purchased this car used about a year ago from the Honda dealership, since then I have noticed very tight steering when driving straight, people behind me say I look like I’m swerving back-and-forth. Also, when taking slight turns like an on-ramp the wheel completely sticks in that direction, and I have to jerk it back into position. Very concerning since I drive this car with my family and children in it. Luckily I have not gotten into an accident yet, but I’m afraid it will happen if I don’t get this repaired.
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 jerking
Which Honda Civic years have jerking or lurching problems?
The model years with the most reports are 2022 (110 complaints), 2016 (109 complaints) and 2018 (74 complaints).
How much does it cost to fix jerking or lurching on the Honda Civic?
Owners who mentioned a price put the repair at about $3,700 (median of 35 complaints that include a dollar amount). Costs vary with mileage, warranty and where the work is done.
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