2018 Honda Civic
Common Problems
Ranked from 262 federal NHTSA complaints and 5 recalls. Every problem links to the complaint IDs behind it.
43 Common Problems
Ordered by how often owners reported each one to NHTSA. The bar shows how common a problem is relative to the most-reported on this vehicle. Expand any problem to see the federal complaint IDs.
- 1
Steering Wheel Sticking and Locking
59complaintsHigh severitySteeringThe steering wheel locks up and becomes difficult to turn, especially at higher speeds.
$200–$1,500est. power-steering / eps repair · 1–6 hrs laborGet local quotesRelated recall: 18V663000
- 2
Fuel System Recall Issues
45complaintsMedium severityFuel systemRecall repairs for fuel system issues are delayed, with parts not yet available and exceeding a reasonable timeframe.
Related recalls: 20V314000, 23V858000
- 3
Steering Wheel Sticking at Highway Speeds
30complaintsHigh severitySteeringThe steering wheel becomes stuck and requires extra force to turn, especially at highway speeds.
$200–$1,500est. power-steering / eps repair · 1–6 hrs laborGet local quotesRelated recall: 18V663000
- 4
Air Conditioning Failure
29complaintsMedium severityOtherThe air conditioning system fails to provide cold air, resulting in warm air being blown into the cabin.
$800–$1,600est. a/c compressor replacement · 3–6 hrs laborGet local quotesRelated recalls: 18V421000, 18V817000
- 5
Power Steering Failure
17complaintsHigh severitySteeringThe power steering system fails, causing difficulty in steering and a jerky ride.
$200–$1,500est. power-steering / eps repair · 1–6 hrs laborGet local quotesRelated recall: 18V663000
- 6
Electrical System Issues
15complaintsMedium severityElectricalThe infotainment system and related electrical components fail, leading to issues such as a blank or dark dashboard screen and malfunctioning features like the backup camera.
- 7
Unresolved Steering Issues
13complaintsMedium severitySteeringSteering wheel sticking and oversteering persist despite multiple attempts to diagnose and repair the issue.
Related recall: 18V663000
- 8
Steering System Notchiness and Jerkiness
12complaintsMedium severitySteeringThe steering wheel becomes notchy and jerky, especially at low speeds or when making minor adjustments, requiring more force to steer.
Related recall: 18V663000
- 9
Steering Wheel Jerkiness and Overcorrection
12complaintsHigh severitySteeringThe steering wheel jerks and overcorrects when making minor adjustments, leading to difficulty in maintaining lane control and potential loss of control.
Related recall: 18V663000
- 10
Fuel System Issues Leading to Engine Stall
9complaintsMedium severityFuel systemThe fuel system malfunctions leading to engine stalling, particularly at low speeds or during acceleration.
$150–$1,200est. stalling / shutdown diagnosis + repair · 1–5 hrs laborGet local quotesRelated recalls: 20V314000, 23V858000
- 11
Check Engine Light and Unexplained Stall
8complaintsMedium severityFuel systemThe check engine light illuminates and the vehicle stalls unexpectedly, often due to unresolved issues in the fuel system.
$150–$1,200est. stalling / shutdown diagnosis + repair · 1–5 hrs laborGet local quotesRelated recalls: 20V314000, 23V858000
- 13
Fuel Pump Failure During Driving
7complaintsHigh severityFuel systemThe fuel pump fails while driving, leading to reduced engine performance or stalling.
$500–$1,100est. fuel pump replacement · 2–5 hrs laborGet local quotesRelated recalls: 20V314000, 23V858000
- 14
Fuel System Recall Delayed Repair
7complaintsMedium severityFuel systemDelayed repair of fuel system recall issues, leading to ongoing safety concerns and unresolved problems.
Related recalls: 20V314000, 23V858000
- 15
Power Steering System Malfunction
7complaintsMedium severityElectricalThe power steering system malfunctions, leading to difficulty in steering and occasional locking of the steering wheel.
$200–$1,500est. power-steering / eps repair · 1–6 hrs laborGet local quotes - 16
Steering Wheel Clicking Noise
7complaintsLow severitySteeringThe steering wheel produces a clicking noise when turned, indicating potential issues with the steering mechanism.
Related recall: 18V663000
- 17
Air Bag Deployment Without Impact
6complaintsSafety riskElectricalThe air bags deploy unexpectedly without any collision or impact, posing a safety risk.
- 18
Air Conditioning Malfunction
6complaintsMedium severityOtherThe air conditioning system stops functioning, leading to no cold air being blown into the cabin.
$800–$1,600est. a/c compressor replacement · 3–6 hrs laborGet local quotesRelated recalls: 18V421000, 18V817000
- 19
Steering Gearbox Issues
5complaintsMedium severitySteeringThe steering gearbox fails to return to the center position, causing the steering wheel to stick and require excessive force to turn.
$200–$2,500est. drivetrain diagnosis + repair · 1–8 hrs laborGet local quotesRelated recall: 18V663000
- 20
Engine Misfire and Stall
4complaintsHigh severityEngineEngine misfires and stalls while driving, particularly on highways, requiring immediate attention to prevent accidents.
$200–$900est. ignition service (coils/plugs) · 1–4 hrs laborGet local quotes - 21
Fuel Injectors Failure
4complaintsMedium severityFuel systemFuel injectors fail, causing engine stalling, unsteady acceleration, and loss of power, posing a driving hazard.
$300–$1,200est. fuel injector replacement · 1–5 hrs laborGet local quotesRelated recalls: 20V314000, 23V858000
- 22
Lane Departure and Steering Issues
4complaintsMedium severitySteeringSteering wheel shakes and jerks abnormally, causing lane departure and self-correction issues.
Related recall: 18V663000
- 23
Power Steering Issues at High Speeds
4complaintsHigh severitySteeringAt high speeds, the power steering becomes stiff and requires excessive force, leading to oversteering and loss of control.
$200–$1,500est. power-steering / eps repair · 1–6 hrs laborGet local quotesRelated recall: 18V663000
- 24
Steering Gear Failure
4complaintsHigh severitySteeringSteering gear fails, causing the steering wheel to become stuck, jerky, and difficult to control, leading to loss of control.
$200–$2,500est. drivetrain diagnosis + repair · 1–8 hrs laborGet local quotesRelated recall: 18V663000
- 25
Steering Rack Malfunction
4complaintsHigh severitySteeringThe electronic power steering rack malfunctions, causing the steering to become unresponsive or stuck.
$900–$2,000est. steering rack replacement · 4–8 hrs laborGet local quotesRelated recall: 18V663000
- 26
Sunroof Malfunction
4complaintsMedium severityOtherThe sunroof suddenly explodes without warning, causing glass to shatter inside the vehicle.
Related recalls: 18V421000, 18V817000
- 27
Air Conditioning Issues
3complaintsLow severityOtherProblems with the air conditioning system, including failure to cool properly and leaks, affecting comfort and safety.
$800–$1,600est. a/c compressor replacement · 3–6 hrs laborGet local quotesRelated recalls: 18V421000, 18V817000
- 28
Electrical System Failure
3complaintsMedium severityElectricalThe electrical system has intermittent issues such as warning lights flashing, loss of power steering, and rodent damage to wiring harnesses.
- 29
Engine Stall and Check Engine Light
3complaintsHigh severityEngineThe engine stalls unexpectedly, accompanied by a flashing check engine light and loss of power during acceleration.
$150–$1,200est. stalling / shutdown diagnosis + repair · 1–5 hrs laborGet local quotes - 30
Vehicle Stall During Driving
3complaintsMedium severityFuel systemThe vehicle stalls during driving, often at low speeds, without any warning lights illuminating.
$150–$1,200est. stalling / shutdown diagnosis + repair · 1–5 hrs laborGet local quotesRelated recalls: 20V314000, 23V858000
- 31
Airbag Deployment Failure
2complaintsSafety riskElectricalThe airbags fail to deploy during a collision, increasing injury risk.
- 32
Air Bag Deployment Malfunction
2complaintsHigh severityElectricalAir bags deployed without collision or apparent cause, posing a safety risk.
- 33
Automatic Emergency Braking Malfunction
2complaintsMedium severityOtherThe automatic emergency braking system engages unexpectedly, posing a risk of rear-ending other vehicles.
Related recalls: 18V421000, 18V817000
- 34
Brake Issues Leading to Loss of Control
2complaintsHigh severityBrakesBrakes fail to respond as intended, causing unintended acceleration and loss of control, increasing crash risk.
$150–$1,000est. brake system diagnosis + repair · 1–4 hrs laborGet local quotes - 35
Engine Oil Dilution
2complaintsHigh severityFuel systemEngine oil is being diluted with fuel, leading to potential engine wear and reduced longevity.
Related recalls: 20V314000, 23V858000
- 36
Fuel Leaking into Engine Oil
2complaintsHigh severityOtherFuel is leaking into the engine oil, causing the oil to thin and affecting the engine performance.
$300–$1,200est. fuel line/tank repair · 2–6 hrs laborGet local quotesRelated recalls: 18V421000, 18V817000
- 37
Fuel System Failure During Start-Up
2complaintsMedium severityFuel systemThe vehicle experiences difficulty starting, with occasional hesitation and misfires.
Related recalls: 20V314000, 23V858000
- 38
Service Brakes Malfunction
2complaintsHigh severityBrakesService brakes fail to operate correctly, causing unintended acceleration and loss of control, increasing crash risk.
$150–$1,000est. brake system diagnosis + repair · 1–4 hrs laborGet local quotes - 39
Steering Gearbox Malfunction
2complaintsHigh severitySteeringThe electronic steering gearbox malfunctions, causing the steering wheel to pull to one side and requiring constant correction.
$200–$2,500est. drivetrain diagnosis + repair · 1–8 hrs laborGet local quotesRelated recall: 18V663000
- 40
Steering Wheel Lock-up
2complaintsHigh severitySteeringThe steering wheel becomes difficult to steer or locks up while driving.
$200–$1,500est. power-steering / eps repair · 1–6 hrs laborGet local quotesRelated recall: 18V663000
- 41
Structural Damage
2complaintsHigh severityOtherStructural components such as bumpers and grilles have been damaged in collisions, compromising the vehicle's integrity.
Related recalls: 18V421000, 18V817000
- 42
Tire Issues
2complaintsMedium severityOtherTires have developed bubbles and blowouts, leading to loss of control and potential accidents.
Related recalls: 18V421000, 18V817000
- 43
Unreliable Forward Collision Avoidance Systems
2complaintsMedium severityOtherForward collision avoidance systems fail or stop working, leaving drivers without critical safety features, increasing crash risk.
Related recalls: 18V421000, 18V817000
Other years & sources
Data source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) owner complaints and recalls. Problems are clustered and ranked from the complaint record; occurrence counts reflect corroborating complaints, not total incidence. Vehicle image is illustrative. Repair-cost figures are typical U.S. independent-shop ranges (parts + labor) for the class of repair shown — actual quotes vary by region, engine, and diagnosis; always confirm with a local shop.