Diagsheet

2018 Honda Civic · symptom sheet

Steering sticks, feels notchy or jerks

  • 237owner reports
  • 50,000median miles
  • $4,000median quote
  • 0involved a crash

Newest report Sep 5, 2026 · checked Sep 9, 2026

310 of the 737 complaints on this car are about the steering system. 237 of those describe sticky steering, which makes it the most reported problem on the 2018 Civic.

Tick what matches of 237 reports

203
89
110
25
30
48

What got replaced

Owners who name the part that was replaced mention the steering rack (87 reports) and the column (3 reports).

Recalls and investigations

One recall on the steering system covers the 2018 model year. A recall on the same system isn't always the same failure, so read the defect text.

18V-663Sep 27, 2018
Steering:Electric Power Assist System

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 secured, allowing the magnet to become dislodged. During a full lock turn, the dislodged magnet may cause steering assist to be applied in the opposite direction.

Risk and remedy
Risk: The unintended steering input reduces vehicle maneuverability and increases the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the steering gearbox assembly, free of charge. The recall began November 9, 2018. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are C2N, P2O.

NHTSA investigations into the steering system on the Civic

EA23-003opened Nov 29, 2023
Steering · model years 2022 to 2024

Momentary increased steering effort. Closed jan 28, 2025, led to recall 24V-744.

NHTSA summary
On November 29, 2023, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened this Engineering Analysis (EA23003) to assess allegations of momentary increase in steering effort in model years (MY) 2022-2023 Honda Civic, 2023MY Honda CR-V, and 2023MY Acura Integra vehicles (subject vehicles). The complaints received by ODI alleged that the subject vehicles experienced a momentary increase in required steering effort (described as “sticky steering”) occurring mostly at highway speeds after driving for an extended amount of time; these complaints could not be duplicated during dealer service technicians’ quick test drives. The complaints had been received over the previous two years with most occurring with low vehicle mileage. The steering gear of these vehicles is aided by an electrical power assist unit. This power assist unit inputs force on the steering rack via a worm gear and worm wheel assembly. During PE23005, Honda stated this condition of momentary increase in steering effort occurs due to two factors within this power assist unit. First, during manufacturing, the steering worm wheel goes through annealing and component conditioning processes. These processes cause internal stress and strain within the steering worm wheel. This strain is slowly released over the first few months of the vehicle life. Over time, the released strain causes deformation of the teeth on the worm wheel, causing the worm gear to catch on the worm wheel. This catching results in the dri
PE23-005opened Mar 17, 2023
Steering · model years 2022 to 2023

Momentary increased steering effort. Closed nov 30, 2023.

NHTSA summary
On March 17, 2023, The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened Preliminary Evaluation (PE23-005) to access the alleged defect of momentary increase in steering effort in model years (MY) 2022 and 2023 Honda Civic vehicles. The complaints report that the momentary increase in steering effort (described as "sticky steering") occurs mostly at highway speeds after driving for a certain amount of time. The reports have been received over the past 2 years with most occurring with low vehicle mileage. The steering gear contains a unit that includes a worm gear and a worm wheel. Honda stated this condition of momentary increase in steering effort occurs due to two factors within this unit. During manufacturing, the worm wheel goes through annealing and component conditioning processes. These processes caused internal stress and strain within the worm wheel. This strain was slowly released over the first few months of the vehicle life. Over time, the released strain caused the deformation of the teeth on the worm wheel, causing the worm gear to catch on the worm wheel. This results in the consumer’s momentary increased in steering effort. Also, the manufacturing process did not guarantee consistent grease application and therefore, some vehicles within the scope received too little grease which contributes to the momentary increase in steering effort. Analysis of all relevant data indicates that the subject condition occurs early in the vehicle’s life primarily in winter mont
PE94-055opened Jul 20, 1994
Steering · model years 1993

Alleged steering lockup. Closed dec 30, 1994.

NHTSA summary
There is no summary currently available

None of these investigations covers the 2018 model year.

What owners paid

42 of the 237 reports quote a price. Each dot is one quote. The middle half runs $3,500 to $4,300.

$3,500$4,000$4,300
$0k$2k$4k$6k$8k

When it happens

The middle half of failures fell between 34,300 and 74,850 miles, from the 65 reports that gave a mileage.

119
120
421
922
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6624
5825
5626

What owners wrote

“Internal failure of the gearbox as diagnosed by the Honda dealer. Repair completed July 24, 2026. Car has less than 36,000 miles. Steering was binding and sticking. Unable to steer vehicle properly.”

Filed Jul 25, 2026 · 36,000 miles

“At approximately 25k miles, the steering became "sticky" at all operating speeds. Extra effort was required to maneuver the vehicle or to simply keep it within the travel lane. The car was not safely operable prior to repair. A local dealership replaced the steering rack and pinion (at my cost). Issue was resolved.”

Filed Feb 22, 2025 · 25,000 miles

“Steering sticks when driving, causes over correction, and unsafe driving. Purchased the car used with 41k miles on it and just thought it was misaligned, but new tires and alignment done and issue is still VERY present. Honda needs to recall all vehicles affected and make this right because a 4k repair bill for their issue is just insane!”

Filed Jul 11, 2024 · 41,000 miles

“Daughters steering wheel sticks and is jerky while driving down the road. I took it to my honda dealer and it got diagnosed with faulty rack and pinion. This car is a 2018 honda civic with only 27k miles...no way these parts should fail that quickly and the part is backordered (which tells me others are having same issue). Cost estimate is $4200 to replace. Ridiculous!!”

Filed Jul 24, 2023 · 27,000 miles

Should you keep driving it?

This page can't tell you that. 0 of 237 reports involved a crash. Owners who file are the ones who had a bad experience, and nobody checks their reports. If the problem affects steering, braking, power or a fire risk, treat it as a safety fault and have it inspected before a long or high-speed drive.

File your own report with NHTSA. Complaint counts are how a problem gets an investigation.

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