Problems · NHTSA complaints

2018 Honda Civic problems

Owners filed 602 complaints about the 2018 Honda Civic with NHTSA between Nov 2017 and Oct 2026. The most-cited component is steering (225).

Complaints
602
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
26
Reported by owners
Fires
4
Reported by owners
Injuries
21
People reported injured
Deaths
1
Reported to NHTSA
01 —By component

Complaints by component

One complaint can cite several components
  1. Steering225
  2. Fuel system, gasoline89
  3. Fuel/propulsion system70
  4. Engine51
  5. Electrical system51
  6. Air bags20
  7. Structure19
  8. Service brakes17
  9. Power train15
  10. Visibility/wiper8
  11. Wheels8
  12. Forward collision avoidance7
  13. Visibility6
  14. Seats6

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 3, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
02 —Trend

When complaints were filed

Does it get worse with age? Complaints per calendar year filed
View as table
Model yearComplaints filed per calendar year
20171
201826
201941
202039
202151
202246
202392
2024224
202579
20263

Mileage at failure isn’t a structured field in NHTSA complaint data, so we don’t chart it. Some owners mention it in their reports below.

03 —Owner reports

Top problems in owners’ words

Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first

Steering

225 reports9 crashes1 related recall
“On Thursday [XXX] I left San Marcos, CA and drove north to meet with my future father-in-law who lives in Shady Canyon, located in Irvine, CA. My car, a 2018 Honda Civic Type R, performed normally on the way to his house, without any warning lamps, messages, etc shown. The tires had regular pressure and all maintenance on the vehicle was current. Upon leaving my friend's house, I drove 1/4 mile down the road and stopped at a 3way stop sign before turning left through a gate which has an electronic arm--once a vehicle is sensed, the arm is raised and the vehicle continues forward. As I proceeded to the gate, the car accelerated, the steering froze, and I could not steer the car away from the oncoming gate. I slammed on the brakes and the brakes were non responsive although I applied immediate, hard pressure on the pedal. This is a performance car with very strong brakes capable of stopping it in a very short distance. Within a split second, my right front bumper slammed into a post right of the gate, and both front air bags and the side airbags deployed, and vehicle's momentum was stopped. I was unhurt other than a small scratch on my finger. Within minutes, the…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 9, 2026Steering, Service brakesCrash reportedODI 11755767

Fuel system, gasoline

89 reports2 crashes2 related recalls
“The contact owns a 2018 Honda Civic. The contact stated that she was informed at the State inspection that the vehicle had failed inspection due to the recall of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V858000(Fuel System, Gasoline); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. Several unknown dealers were contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jun 12, 2025Fuel system, gasolineODI 11666529

Fuel/propulsion system

70 reports1 crash
“I own a 2018 Honda Civic that is subject to an open fuel pump recall. My vehicle suddenly became completely inoperable. When attempting to start the car, all of the dashboard lights come on, but the engine will not start or crank. The vehicle has power but will not turn over at all. This failure happened without any prior warning. I contacted Nalley Honda in Union City, GA, and they confirmed that the issue is related to the fuel pump recall. However, they refused to provide towing for the vehicle and told me the earliest appointment available would be over a week out, despite the vehicle being undrivable due to this known safety defect. This situation puts my safety and my family’s safety at risk, as I am now stranded without reliable transportation because of a manufacturer defect. The problem has been acknowledged by the dealership but has not been resolved because of their refusal to assist with towing or provide a timely repair. There were no warning lights or error messages prior to the failure—this happened suddenly. I am requesting that the NHTSA investigate this issue further, as it presents a serious safety concern. I also want to report that Honda…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jun 28, 2025Unknown or other, Fuel/propulsion systemODI 11669881

Engine

51 reports1 crash1 fire
“It is a common issue on the Honda Civic Type R from 2017 to 2021 in which water will leak through the hood scoop causing water to drip onto cylinder 4 causing a misfire. Misfire No. 4 Cylinder (DTC P0304). There is a TSB for it under 25-062 for this same issue. Water could enter the hood scoop and accumulate down inside the no. 4 spark plug hole. This can corrode the ignition coil, plug tube, and spark plug, leading to a misfire to the no. 4 cylinder. If a misfire is detected, DTC P0304 is stored. The only warning signs will be the check engine light once the coil pack goes bad in which mosts cases there is corrosion on the plug tube and the spark plug from the water accumulating. There is lost of power and can happen during drives.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled May 28, 2026EngineODI 11740562

Electrical system

51 reports2 crashes1 fire
“The electric power steering (EPS) system failed/malfunctioned this past week. When going over 35 mph my steering wheel would become "knotchy/jerky" and lock up and be difficult to turn. As a result, I took it to Honda to which they stated my whole rack and pinion needed total replacement. No warning signs, messages, icons, or lights came on in my car.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 5, 2025Steering, Electrical systemODI 11678465

Air bags

20 reports7 crashes1 related recall
“This was such a strange occurance. After pulling off from a stop sign attempting a right turn, my vehicle stalled, readjusted, then stalled again. I was driving on a cobblestone road while it was raining, but did not find any issues with vision or traction. However, during this process, my passenger airbag deployed out of nowhere causing me to immediately stop the car to see if I had hit something. There was nothing under or beside my car indicating any significant impact that would have caused this to happen. There were no other cars, or any pedestrians involved, nor any debris or blockade in the road so I did not file a police report or contact my insurace. My sister was in the passenger seat, and my 3 children in the back. No one sustained any injuries, but the entire incident was extremely startling, shocking, and confusing. There is no damage on my car that suggests I hit something, but I have no idea what could have caused an airbag to deploy, and why only that one? Being that I was pulling off on a turn, I was not going fast enough for me to think that the cobblestone could have set off a "pothole like" effect to the sensors. After research revealed…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Nov 11, 2024Power train, Air bags, Fuel/propulsion systemODI 11624600
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 3, 2026

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.