2018 Honda Civic

I’m having a problem with my steering, the steering wheel is sticky and jerky feeling when driving, the wheel more often on highway driving will get stuck to one side causing you to have to yank and jerk it to dislodge it. I checked with a few local mechanics and do not see anything with tie rods or anything and point to the steering rack, I did some research online and saw multiple others having similar issues due to faulty steering rack magnets.

When driving at least 45 mph+, the steering wheel "sticks" in a certain position. When trying to turn the opposite way, it takes more effort than normal, and it over corrects itself to a point of serious concern. I am afraid of my daughter's safety, as this is her car, and if she over corrects too much, it jerks in a way that would be in risk of an accident. This problem has gradually increased in seriousness overtime as it is getting worse. I have contacted two different Honda dealerships. One dealership said it was an electric power steering rack and they refuse to fix for free, even though Honda put out a recall for this same issue in 2023-2024 Honda civics. Under the lemon law act, Honda is required to fix repairs if it is a manufacturing defect. This sticky wheel issue is not a owner or driver's fault. This is a manufacturing defect that I was quoted to pay $3,760.72 to fix. The other Honda dealership said that it was a manufacturing defect in the steering gearbox and that the service representative would contact a Honda Representative to discuss the repair. When the service dealership representative called me back, they said the Honda representative would not cover the cost. I am very frustrated as I see many other 2018 Honda owners having the same issue, this is manufacturing defect, and Honda has refused to put out a recall.

Two components failed safety inspection: 1. replace steering wheel assembly. Steering gear is faulty. 2. Alignment- 4 wheel alignment- required with steering gear replacement. Yes, available for inspection upon request. Diagnostics ran 12/9/2024. This is a repeat problem as this occurred in 1/2023, as well. Safety concern: I am a single mom and three instances while my child was in the vehicle the car has self corrected it’s steering towards other vehicles in traffic. Yes, problem has been reproduced. Both codes received from service center 12/2/2024 and diagnostics ran by dealer 12/9/2024 (first available appointment.) Honda dealership has diagnosed (can provide documentation) and Honda Corp has been made aware of this 12/3/2024 initial contact to NHTSA & Honda Corp with suspected issue and called both 12/9/2024 with confirmation upon receipt of diagnostics. This occurred in January 2023 and the entire steering system was replaced. Upon replacement the issue has not acted up again until around 11/29/24. The replacement did not make a full two years before reoccurring failure.

The contact owns a 2018 Honda Civic. The contact stated that when purchasing the vehicle, while test-driving the vehicle, the contact became aware of an issue with the steering wheel. The contact stated that the steering wheel was shaking and jerking abnormally, and the steering wheel would self-correct. The contact reached out to the Hyundai of Wesley Chapel where the vehicle was purchased, and the contact was referred to Honda of Bay County where the entire steering system was replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, after two years the failure recurred. No warning lights were illuminated. The local dealer was not contacted after the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact referenced NHTSA Campaign Number: 18V663000 (STEERING) as a possible remedy for the failure. The manufacturer was not notified of the recent failure. The approximate failure mileage was 78,000.

I previously submitted a report to your agency on May 31, 2024 regarding my 2018 Honda Civic Sedan (VIN# provided) relating to what has been widely called a "sticky" steering action. After having one of their dealerships confirming there is a problem with my steering, I wrote Honda America on June 1, 2024 and advised them of that problem and requested my vehicle be added to a recall program that has included other Honda Civic's in the same manufacturing date range as my vehicle. Honda refused. To further confirm and document that my vehicle suffers from this problem, I took my vehicle to another local Honda dealer, who also confirmed my vehicle suffers from this problem. By letter of October 30, 2024 I again wrote Honda America and appealed for them to repair this dangerous steering problem. I must continue to drive this vehicle with this serious problem, and I am writing this to document my communications with Honda, and hope that your agency will intervene with Honda to add my vehicle to a recall program. To be clear, the internet is full of owners of the same year and make of my vehicle who are having the same problem with their steering. Thank You

Steering wheel is sticking when trying to make subtle adjustments staying inside the lane. This makes it harder to keep the vehicle inside the lane without jerking the car. There is already a recall out for more recent Honda models regarding this sticking steering issue, but the steering problem is also present in my 2018 model. The sticking steering wheel can cause an accident. There are no warning lights coming up at this time.

The steering has suffered from a sticky or notched feeling off an on for the last 3 years. It seems to happen whenever the car is warm/in hot weather. It feels like the steering gets stuck in place, so you can't smoothly make adjustments. It's worst when you're driving straight or in gradual sloping turns in warm weather. It feels like it sort of clicks out of the rut it's stuck in, generally only to get stuck feeling again immediately. I just gifted the car to my son, and I'm concerned that this will continue to be a problem, since it's never cleared up while I've owned the vehicle. I am the original owner. The mileage is currently 56,220. If I had to guess, the problem has been occurring probably for the last 20K miles? I have asked 2 different Honda Dealerships in the DFW area (Honda Grapevine and Vandergriff Honda) to see if they could figure it out, and both times, they said they couldn't replicate the problem. I saw the recall affecting newer models of these cars and it exactly matches the problem my Honda has been having.

The contact owns a 2018 Honda Civic. The contact stated that occasionally while driving at various speeds, the steering wheel was sticking. No warning lights were illuminated. The contact stated that the failure was persistent. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer to be diagnosed; however, the dealer found no cause for the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 6,000.

On hot, very humid days, typically 80 degrees or hotter, the steering will lock in position which requires a very strong turn of the steering wheel to get it to turn again. This action causes the car to swerve and into other lanes of traffic causing a major safety concern. This problem has been discussed with a Honda quality assurance representative with no resolution. This has not been reproduced by a service center as it is an intermittent issue and the car has not been inspected by the manufacturer as they did not seem concerned about the problem. No warning lights are displayed before, during or after the problem.