10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
1 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
2,684 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

The NHTSA is the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints can be spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem. See the Back button — blue bar at the very top of the page — to explore more.

Get notified about new defects, investigations, recalls & lawsuits for the 2021 Honda Civic:

Unsubscribe any time. We don't sell/share your email.

Get free help with your lemon!
close ad
problem #27

Mar 062025

Civic

  • miles
Sticky steering due to faulty eps gearbox. Recall is for 2022-2025 but many 2021 are affected. Steering is stiff and difficult, constant corrections being made just trying to steer straight, steering wheel does not want to return to zero position after taking a curve. Steering gets worse when it's cold out or after some rain due to the moisture.

- Crystal Lake, IL, USA

problem #26

Mar 032025

Civic

  • miles
The steering system in my 2021 Honda Civic appears to be malfunctioning, causing the steering wheel to feel "sticky" when making small adjustments while driving on the highway. This issue is most noticeable at speeds between 45-70 mph, where the steering momentarily resists movement before suddenly adjusting, making it difficult to maintain smooth lane control. The steering system appears to be the affected component. The Issue seems to be with the EPS not having enough grease which there is a recall for 2022-2025 models. This problem puts my safety and the safety of others at risk because it reduces my ability to make precise steering corrections, especially at highway speeds. The delayed response in the steering makes the vehicle feel unstable, increasing the potential for unintended lane deviations or overcorrections. There were no warning lights, messages, or prior symptoms before this issue began occurring.

- San Antonio, TX, USA

problem #25

Feb 262025

Civic

  • miles
after prolonged driving steering becomes "sticky", steering wheel will jerk when steering, causing over correction on straights and turns

- Winder, GA, USA

problem #24

Jan 232025

Civic

  • miles
Noticed steering wheel -??sticks-?? when lightly turning to the left. I have to use significantly more force to move the steering wheel past this stick compared to the rest of its travel.

- Webster, TX, USA

problem #23

Feb 132025

Civic

  • miles
Similar to the recall made for Honda civics years 2022-2024 for difficulty steering due to improperly produced steering gearbox, in experiencing difficulty steering. In particular, it is felt as a sticky feeling when making left turns. When making slight left turns, the steering wheel will remain -??stuck-?? in a turned position unless forced to realign straight. The sticky wheel and extra effort to stay aligned in lanes increased risk to crashes and accidents. Many people online have expressed issues in this generation of civics (10th gen 2016-2021) but since it is not a recall, it is costly to diagnose or fix even though a recall was made for those made after.

- Waipahu, HI, USA

problem #22

Dec 312024

Civic

  • miles
Steering is becoming sticky while on roadway. Seems like it is developing hard spots.

- Villa Rica, GA, USA

problem #21

Oct 282024

Civic

  • miles
The steering has recently started sticking at random times while gradually turning left at around 55 mph. When it unsticks on its own it-??s a slight jerk back to the right. In at aid if it doesn-??t correct on its own I would have no choice but to go into the other lane and possibly hit oncoming traffic. This could absolutely cause an accident. The vehicle has not been inspected or taken to the dealership. There are no warnings indicated before the event takes place.

- Zanesville , OH, USA

problem #20

May 292024

Civic

  • miles
The steering wheel occasionally sticks and requires me to keep tugging at it to unstick it, then readjust the wheel again to straighten my car up on the road. On highway road trips I've taken (6 or so hours one way), it is an almost constant tug of the wheel for the whole drive. It happens both while driving straight and when going around curves.

- Bellevue, NE, USA

problem #19

Mar 012024

Civic

  • miles
While driving the steering wheel sticks occasionally and, without warning causes me to over-react and jerk the steering wheel.

- Woodsboro, TX, USA

problem #18

Sep 062024

Civic

  • miles
I have a 2021 Honda Civic Ex with 55, 000 miles on the odometer. The steering sticks at highway speeds and when correcting jerks to break free of the stickiness. Have taken it to the dealership and told the steering box is malfunctioning and would be $4,000 to replace. I work in the automotive industry and recognize this as a manufacture defect that Honda is aware of due to the current lawsuits against the company for this issue in 2022-2024 Honda Civics.

- Spring Hill, TN, USA

problem #17

Jul 172024

Civic

  • miles
Steering can stick and cause a momentary increase in steering effort that could potentially cause overcorrection and an increased risk of a crash. The issue seems to occur after long bouts of highway driving and in warmer weather. My steering rack was just replaced under warranty -- but the issue is identical to what you are investigating here: [XXX]. I have read of many others with 2016-2021 Civic with this issue as well. I really believe you need to expand it to more model years, it is VERY dangerous to drive when it is happening. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

- Papillion, Ne, NE, USA

problem #16

May 012024

Civic

  • miles
The steering system "sticks" when driving at highway speed. Minor course corrections require excessive driver input and once the resistance is overcome, overcorrection results in undesired swerving of the vehicle. This has the potential to cause loss of control of the vehicle. This vehicle has not been in an accident. The local Honda dealership has examined the vehicle and recommended replacement of the electronic power steering rack.

- Benton, AR, USA

problem #15

May 222024

Civic

  • miles
Steering wheel catches and I have had to replace a strut due to the car wearing out my tire. I have kept proper maintenance and align my wheels regularly. This is a manufacturer defect not yet recalled. I've seen multiple people with this issue claiming it may ve the LKAS system or steering worm or steering component issue. This needs to be recalled as it will cause death in the right circumstances. Honda do better. Your reputation is degrading.

- Hollywood, AL, USA

problem #14

Oct 012023

Civic

  • miles
Issue Description: -While traveling in a straight line, particularly at speeds above 45 mph, the steering wheel exhibits a sticky behavior. If left untouched for a few seconds, the wheel becomes difficult to turn, requiring significant force to break it free from the straight line. This resistance is felt both while driving straight and during turns, resulting in noticeable sticking and jerking. Details: -Lane keep assist and driver assist features are turned off. -When driving straight and not touching the wheel for a few seconds, attempting to make a minor correction causes the wheel to stick. This requires applying considerable pressure to free the wheel, often leading to over-correction. -In turns, if the wheel is held in a steady position for more than a second, it sticks and must be forcibly moved out of the turn. Once unstuck, the steering feels normal again. -The issue is most prominent at speeds above 45 mph affecting both slight left and right adjustments. -Potential causes include the steering rack/pinion assembly (EPS gearbox) and the possible need for additional lubricant/grease. Symptoms: -Sticking and jerking of the steering wheel during slight adjustments. -Increased resistance when attempting to correct the wheel after it remains in one position for a few seconds. -Inspection and repair of the steering rack/pinion assembly, with consideration for additional lubrication or grease application. -Further evaluation of steering wheel, steering column, column lock, steering rack/box, linkages, hydraulic power steering pumps and hoses, electrical power steering motors, actuators, wiring and related sensors, electronic control units and software needed to determine if other components contribute to the sticky steering issue.

- Tampa, FL, USA

problem #13

Mar 252024

Civic

  • 54,000 miles
The contact owns a 2021 Honda Civic. The contact stated that while turning the steering wheel to the left or the right, excessive effort was needed to maneuver the vehicle. The failure became persistent and made it extremely difficult for the contact to operate the vehicle. There were no warning lights. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and the contact was informed that the rack and pinion had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure, and it was confirmed that the VIN was not included in a recall. The failure mileage was approximately 54,000.

- Acworth, GA, USA

problem #12

Mar 292024

Civic

  • miles
Purchased a brand new 2021 Honda Civic Sedan in June of 2021. When I turn the steering wheel to the left to make a turn or turn the steering wheel to the left going around a curve or just turning into a parking space the steering wheel sticks for a second and then jerks back to the right while making a popping / clicking sound. My car will not stay in a straight path while driving on the road. The Honda service department has claimed to not -??duplicate-?? the problem, but based on my complaints, Honda services stated -??it-??s probably the steering rack failure -??. A problem of this magnitude should not be occurring on my Civic with only 50,981 miles. This is a serious safety problem.

- Murfreesboro , TN, USA

problem #11

Mar 082024

Civic

  • miles
While driving up to about 50-60 miles I will begin to experience a sticky sensation in the steering wheel. The best way to explain it is essentially when taking a slight turn to merge into another lane there is resistance and or the feeling that might feel "sticky" like something is preventing it smoothly transitioning.

- Cleveland, OH, USA

problem #10

Dec 012023

Civic

  • miles
Steering wheel gets -??stuck-?? and have to jerk steering wheel either left or right to unstick it before it just gets stuck again. Doesn-??t matter if I-??m turning or going straight, it gets stuck.

- Maple Hill, NC, USA

problem #9

Nov 132023

Civic

  • miles
This vehicle has started to randomly start pulling to the left or right as it's moving at a high rate of speed. It was diagnosed by the dealer to need the steering rack replaced. This is the same issue the 2022-2024 Honda Civic are being recalled for. The dealership stated that they have seen a lot of 2021 model coming in for this same issue so I am concerned it could involve the 2021 models as well. It has become very dangerous to drive.

- Humble, TX, USA

problem #8

Jun 142023

Civic

  • 18,480 miles
The contact owns a 2021 Honda Civic. The contact stated that while driving, the Apple's car play screen went blank. While merging into the left lane, the Automatic Emergency Braking feature engaged. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who reset the battery but was unable to duplicate the failure. Upon leaving the dealer and driving 25 MPH, the steering wheel was tight, and the vehicle continued to drift towards the left. The brakes, adaptive cruise control, and stability control warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken back to the local dealer but was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 18,480.

- East Los Angeles, CA, USA

Read the next 7 complaints »