CSR

Honda · NHTSA safety record

2018 Honda Civic

Every safety complaint, recall and defect investigation the US government holds on this vehicle.

729

Complaints

26

Crashes

4

Fires

23

Injuries

1

Deaths

Owners of the 2018 Honda Civic have filed 729 safety complaints with NHTSA between November 2017 and August 2026. The most complained-about system is the steering, named in 306 of them (42%). The typical failure was reported at 32,508 miles, the median across the 208 complaints that gave an odometer reading.

Complaints fell 49% year on year: 111 in the twelve months to 2026-Q1, against 218 in the twelve before.

NHTSA has issued 6 recalls covering this vehicle.

Recalls (6)

AIR BAGS:SENSOR:OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION:FRONT PASSENGER

26V332000 · May 21, 2026

The defect
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2018-2021, 2023 Acura TLX, 2019-2024 RDX, 2017-2020, 2022-2026 MDX, 2017-2021, 2023, 2025 Honda Ridgeline, 2017-2022 Pilot, 2019-2021 Passport, 2018-2026 Odyssey, 2019-2022 Insight, 2019-2021 HR-V, 2018-2020 Fit, 2020-2022 CR-V Hybrid, 2017-2022 CR-V, 2017-2018, 2021 Civic Type R, 2017-2021 Civic hatchback, 2016-2020 Civic coupe, 2016-2022 Civic, 2017-2022 Accord Hybrid, and 2016-2022 Accord vehicles. The front passenger seat weight sensor may crack and short circuit, which can cause the air bags to deploy unintentionally during a crash.
The risk
Air bags that deploy unintentionally during a crash increase the risk of injury.
The remedy
Dealers will replace the seat weight sensors, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 7, 2026. Owners may contact Honda's customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are BOL, WO9, OOA, WOM, XOH, NOC, POD, BOE, UOF, POB, EOG, AOI, QO8, TOJ, DO7, and SOK. This recall expands previous NHTSA recall number 24V064. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will be searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning May 29, 2026.

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) · up to 98,892 vehicles across all model years covered

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP

23V858000 · December 18, 2023

The defect
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2013-2023 Honda Accord, Civic Coupe, Civic Sedan, Civic Hatchback, Civic Type R, CR-V, HR-V, Ridgeline, Odyssey, Acura ILX, MDX, MDX Hybrid, RDX, RLX, TLX, 2019-2022 Honda Insight, Passport, 2020 Honda CR-V Hybrid, 2018-2019 Honda Clarity PHEV, Fit, and 2015-2020 Honda Accord Hybrid, Pilot, Acura NSX vehicles. The fuel pump inside the fuel tank may fail.
The risk
Fuel pump failure can cause an engine stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.
The remedy
Dealers will replace the fuel pump module, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed September 6, 2024. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are KGC and KGD. This recall is an expansion of NHTSA recall numbers 21V-215 and 20V-314.

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) · up to 2,490,460 vehicles across all model years covered

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP

20V314000 · May 28, 2020

The defect
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Acura NSX, 2019 Acura RDX, RLX and RLX Sport Hybrid, 2018-2019 Honda Accord, Civic Hatchback, Civic Type R and HR-V, 2019-2020 Insight and 2019 Fit vehicles. The low-pressure fuel pump inside the fuel tank may fail.
The risk
If the fuel pump fails, the engine can stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.
The remedy
Honda will notify owners and dealers will replace the fuel pump assembly, free of charge. The recall began July 22, 2020. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138.

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) · up to 135,995 vehicles across all model years covered

EQUIPMENT:OTHER:OWNERS/SERVICE/OTHER MANUAL

18V817000 · November 16, 2018

The defect
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2017-2018 Honda Civic Hatchback and Civic Type R vehicles. The owners guide in these vehicles may not have been included or if included, the owner's guide may not have been properly provided required information. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 225, "Child Restraint Anchorage Systems."
The risk
If the information is missing or improper, it can increase the risk of injury or a crash.
The remedy
Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the owners information kit, free of charge. The recall began January 9, 2019. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's number for this recall is O3A.

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) · up to 7,016 vehicles across all model years covered

STEERING:ELECTRIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM

18V663000 · September 27, 2018

The defect
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.
The risk
The unintended steering input reduces vehicle maneuverability and increases the risk of a crash.
The 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.

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) · up to 54 vehicles across all model years covered

EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS

18V421000 · June 20, 2018

The defect
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2018 Honda Civic vehicles. The manufacturing date area of the certification labels may have random characters which can affect the owner's ability to determine if a safety recall includes their vehicle.
The risk
If the owner is not able to verify if their vehicle is involved in safety recall, it can increase the risk of injury or crash.
The remedy
Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the certification label, free of charge. The recall began August 7, 2018. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's number for this recall is U23.

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) · up to 13 vehicles across all model years covered

What owners report

Complaints naming each system. One complaint can name several, so these add up to more than 729.

STEERING 306 42%
UNKNOWN OR OTHER 122 17%
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE 94 13%
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM 80 11%
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 59 8%
ENGINE 57 8%
AIR BAGS 22 3%
STRUCTURE 21 3%
SERVICE BRAKES 18 2%
POWER TRAIN 14 2%
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE 10 1%
VISIBILITY/WIPER 10 1%

When the complaints arrived

By the year NHTSA received them, which is not the year the failures happened. They peaked in 2024 at 230.

2017 2024 2026
2017 to 2026, the last of them a part year

In owners' own words

Quoted from NHTSA's complaint file. These are unverified accounts by the people who filed them, not findings of fault.

SEAT BELTS

1 death · 1 injured · crash · towed · 15,251 miles

MAKING A LEFT TURN AT ABOUT 15 TO 20 MPH WHEN OTHER CAR TRYING BEAT THE LIGHT DOING ABOUT 50 MPH RESULTING ME HITTING HIM BROADSIDE. THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED PROPERLY BUT THE SEAT BELT FAILED. THE SEAT BELT RIPPED OUT OF FLOOR OF THE CAR INCLUDING THE BOLT THAT IS SUPPOSED TO HOLD IT IN PLACE. AS ARESULR I WAS INJURED WITH A FRACTURED STERNUM AND RIB.

NHTSA complaint 11309495. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

ENGINE

2 injured · crash · towed · 60,000 miles

The contact owns a 2018 Honda Civic. The contact stated while driving on a decline of a public garage road and depressing the brake pedal, the vehicle stalled. The contact continuously depressed the brake pedal, but the vehicle failed to respond, and the power steering became inoperable. The vehicle rolled at approximately 20-30 MPH and crashed into the wall of the garage. The wall sustained minor damage. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact stated that messages advising of engine system failure, supplementary restraint system failure, and electric power steering failure were displayed on the vehicle mobile app. The front driver's side and passenger's side air bags deployed.

NHTSA complaint 11633908, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

SEATS

1 injured · crash · towed · 5,300 miles

ON SEPTEMBER 15 2018 I WAS INVOLVED IN A SOLO VEHICLE CRASH I FELL ASLEEP AND HIT A PARKED VEHICLE DIRECTLY FROM BEHIND RESULTING IN ME BEING PROPELLED FORWARD INTO THE AIR BAG THAN PUSHED BACK BY THE AIRBAG IN THE SEAT...I WAS WEARING MY SEATBELT BUT THE SEAT BRACKET BENT FORWARD DURING COLLISION PUSHING ME INTO AIRBAG CAUSING SERIOUS CHEST CONTUSIONS AND INFLAMMATION OF LOWER BACK. AFTER THE CRASH SEAT COULD NOT BE MOVED FORWARD OR BACKWARD AS THE BRACKET WAS BADLY BENT. I WAS ABLE TO GET PICTURES OF MY VEHICLE FROM THE OUTSIDE AND WASH GOING TO RETURN TO PULL VEHICLE FROM TOW BUT HONDA PULLED IT OUT BEFORE I COULD AND ARE IN POSSESSION OF THE VEHICLE.

NHTSA complaint 11150366. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

AIR BAGS

1 injured · crash · towed · 16,000 miles

ON APRIL 20, 2019 MY HONDA CIVIC HATCHBACK WAS HIT ON THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE. ONLY THE PASSAGER AIRBAG DEPLOYED

NHTSA complaint 11203621. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

STEERING
2018 Honda Civics have a steering defect. This was recalled in 202q2 to 2023 in NHTSA Campaign Number 23V704. This is the exact problem I experience in my vehicle. The steering wheel gets sticky at freeway speeds, and it feels unsafe. As of now no recall exists. Drivers experience a momentary "sticky", "notchy", or catching feel in the steering wheel. This requires unexpected extra force to overcome and can lead to jerky or delayed steering corrections

NHTSA complaint 11757256. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
There has been a recall in a certain number of honda civic vehicles due to this issue and mine was not recalled as well. While driving for more than 5 minutes, the wheel starts to stiffen making it harder to turn and drive straight. The car wobbles when the wheel isn't being turned and jerks itself either left or right depending on which side of the road I am traveling on. This started back in 2021 and it wasnt as bad but now I am experiencing the wheel sticking in one place and having to nearly turn it for it not go off road.

NHTSA complaint 11756880. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

STEERING
Vehicle: 2018 Honda Civic EX Sedan VIN: [XXX] Mileage: Approximately 150,000 miles Component: Steering / Electric Power Steering (EPS) I am reporting a potentially serious steering safety issue with my 2018 Honda Civic EX sedan. The steering wheel has developed a sticky/notchy feeling when turning to the right. When making a right-hand turn, the steering does not feel smooth and at times feels as though something is holding or resisting the steering wheel while it is turned. The steering feels normal when turning left. The problem occurs at both low and high speeds, but it becomes significantly more noticeable at higher speeds. It is especially noticeable when taking highway exit ramps or

NHTSA complaint 11756894, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER
This is a 2018 Honda Civic with only 30,000 miles on it. The a/c system has now broken down for the 7th time. I am [XXX] old this has caused me to be stranded and has also caused me to become dizzy, nauseous and have blurry vision because I cannot tolerate the summer heat without air conditioning. I have tried to have it repaired 7 times & the dealership even though Honda has "warrantied" it has also forced me to pay over $1400 for a faulty system they never actually fix. It is absolutely a safety hazard for me and also elder abuse. I have ALL the invoices but it's too many to send. I can send the 3 from the FIRST year it started. But it's happened EVERY SUMMER since! INFORMATION REDACTED

NHTSA complaint 11757002, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

VISIBILITY/WIPER
Honda has known about an issue with their 2016-2020 vehicles where the evaporator stops working. They continued to use the same part for the AC and because the evaporator does not work any longer, the windshield doesn’t correctly defog and it obstructs my vision.

NHTSA complaint 11756214. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

STEERING
Steering catches and sticks while driving and you have to tug to get it to release to get control back. This has happened several times that has caused me to almost wreck numerous times. I do not feel safe driving it but it is my only vehicle. Dealership said it is more than likely the epf system, or the electrical steering system that is faulty.

NHTSA complaint 11753786. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

Compare

Other years of the Honda Civic

Model year Complaints Recalls Deaths
2025 67 2
2024 116 3
2023 251 4
2022 879 4
2021 139 4
2020 220 5
2019 417 4
2017 579 6
2016 1,072 5
2015 377 1
2014 290 2
2013 316 0
2012 454 3
2011 168 9
2010 396 8 47

Other 2018 Honda models

Every Honda on this site — 187 vehicles, 362 recall campaigns and 10 open investigation s.

If this is your car and a dealer keeps failing to fix it, your state's lemon law may require the manufacturer to replace it or buy it back. What each state asks for , read from the statutes.

Where these numbers come from

A complaint is one owner's account and has not been verified by NHTSA or by us. A vehicle with more complaints is not necessarily worse: models that sold in larger numbers collect more of them. How this is counted.

Compiled and maintained by
Independent developer and analyst