2018 Honda CIVIC problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
737 owner complaints analyzed
6 distinct recall campaigns
32,508 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2018 model year. Data snapshot: . 208 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Steering is the most frequently named component, appearing in 309 of 737 complaints (41.9%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Steering behavior | 306 | 41.5% |
| Fuel system concerns | 54 | 7.3% |
| Engine operation | 52 | 7.1% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 39 | 5.3% |
| Transmission and shifting | 38 | 5.2% |
| Braking behavior | 38 | 5.2% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Steering | 309 |
| Unknown Or Other | 125 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 93 |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 80 |
| Electrical System | 59 |
| Engine | 57 |
| Air Bags | 22 |
| Structure:Body | 21 |
Steering: 309; Unknown Or Other: 125; Fuel System, Gasoline: 93; Fuel/Propulsion System: 80; Electrical System: 59; Engine: 57; Air Bags: 22; Structure:Body: 21
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 87 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 44 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 37 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 18 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 16 |
| 150,000 and above | 6 |
Under 25,000: 87; 25,000 to 49,999: 44; 50,000 to 74,999: 37; 75,000 to 99,999: 18; 100,000 to 149,999: 16; 150,000 and above: 6
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (87). 529 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2017 | 1 |
| 2018 | 26 |
| 2019 | 41 |
| 2020 | 39 |
| 2021 | 52 |
| 2022 | 48 |
| 2023 | 90 |
| 2024 | 230 |
| 2025 | 117 |
| 2026 | 93 |
2017: 1; 2018: 26; 2019: 41; 2020: 39; 2021: 52; 2022: 48; 2023: 90; 2024: 230; 2025: 117; 2026: 93
Pattern summary
Steering leads the component reports. Steering behavior appears in 306 complaint narratives. Fuel system concerns appears in 54 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 52 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 11051247 · 2017-11-29 (November 29, 2017)
THE ISSUE IS WITH THE "ROAD DEPARTURE MITIGATION" (RDM)SYSTEM. THE SYSTEM MAY HAVE BEEN WORKING AS DESIGNED: BUT IF SO IT CREATED A CORRECTION THAT MAY HAVE RESULTED IN A SERIOUS ACCIDENT. THE ISSUE OCCURRED AT A POINT WHERE THE ROAD ABRUPTLY CHANGES FROM A SINGLE LANE TO A THREE-LANE ROAD. THE THREE-LANE ROAD HAS A SOLID DIVIDER BETWEEN THE THREE WEST-BOUND LANES AND THE THREE-EAST BOUND LANES. THE NORMAL PROCEDURE IS TO ENTER THE THREE-LANE GOING STRAIGHT AHEAD AND THEN MOVE TO THE RIGHT AS DESIRED TO GET INTO THE MIDDLE OR RIGHT-HAND LAN…
Owner-reported narrative. 400 miles reported. Look up ODI 11051247 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11141567 · 2018-10-20 (October 20, 2018)
WAS DRIVING ON A SIDE STREET (SPEED LIMIT 35) WHEN SUDDENLY NEITHER THE BRAKES NOR STEERING WORKED. IT WAS ALMOST LIKE I WAS HYDROPLANING, BUT THE ROADS WERE NOT WET AND IT WASN'T RACING. I HAD NO CONTROL OF THE CAR. FINALLY THE STEERING REENGAGED AND I WAS ABLE TO SWERVE THE CAR SO I DIDN'T HIT ANOTHER CAR. FORTUNATELY I WAS ON A SIDE ROAD AND NOT GOING VERY FAST.
Owner-reported narrative. 2,300 miles reported. Look up ODI 11141567 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11150028 · 2018-11-08 (November 8, 2018)
AT 2025 MILES MY 2018 CIVICTHAT I HAD FOR 2ISH MONTHS STARTED SMELLING LIKE FUEL IN THE CAB. SO I LOOKED IT UP AND THE EARTH DREAMS MOTOR IS HAVING OIL DILUTION PROBLEMS AND IT IS BECOMING MORE COMMON. SO I CHECKED MY OIL AND FOUND MY CAR A QUART OVERFULL WITH FUEL IN MY OIL. I THEN HAD IT TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP WHERE THEY GAVE IT A FREE OIL CHANGE AND SAID THAT THERE IS NO FIX ANDIT IS NORMAL. THE OIL VISCOSITY WILL DETERIORATE EVENTUAL LEAVING ME WITHA KNOCK OR DISABLED ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. IT IS AN ISSUE THAT CAN CAUSE A CRASH OR SICKNE…
Owner-reported narrative. 2,025 miles reported. Look up ODI 11150028 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11154111 · 2018-11-26 (November 26, 2018)
AT 4400 MILES ON THE 2018 CIVIC HATCHBACK 1.5 L (APPROX 4 MOS) THE VEHICLE LOST POWER MOMENTARILY WHILE ACCELERATING AT ABOUT 30 MPH AND HAD A STRONG GAS SMELL IN THE CABIN. A CHECK OF THE OIL SHOWED THAT IT WAS EXTREMELY OVERFILLED WHEN PREVIOUS CHECKS DID NOT. HONDA DEALER (IDE HONDA, ROCHESTER, NY) REPLACED THE OIL AND OFFERED NO CORRECTIVE ACTION OR INFORMATION.
Owner-reported narrative. 4,400 miles reported. Look up ODI 11154111 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11150772 · 2018-11-10 (November 10, 2018)
CHANGED OIL AT 40 % LIFE AND FOUND GASOLINE IN OIL NOT SURE HOW MUCH BUT VERY STRONG ODER.
Owner-reported narrative. 19,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11150772 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11110782 · 2018-07-11 (July 11, 2018)
(4 COMPLAINTS, ALL POSSIBLY ELECTRICAL) 1) KEY NOT DETECTED IN VEH ERROR, WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE, I HAVE THE KEY NOT CONNECTED TO ANYTHING AND NO LONGER IN A POUCH, MY CAR BEEPS AND SAYS "KEY NOT DETECTED IN THE VEHICLE) THIS HAS HAPPENED WHILE DRIVING ON THE STREET AND FREEWAY. IT IS A RANDOM OCCURRENCE BUT HAPPENS ON A DAILY BASIS. 2) BLUETOOTH IS NOT CLEAR ON THE PERSON SPEAKING TO ME'S SIDE. OTHER PERSON STATES AS WELL AS HONDA TECH LINE STATES IT IS UNCLEAR, MUFFLED, AND LOUD INTERFERENCE WITH MY VOICE HAPPENS WHILE USING BLUTOOTH. …
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11110782 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11149961 · 2018-11-07 (November 7, 2018)
THE ENGINE WIRING HARNESS COVER COMPOSITION IS ATTRACTIVE TO RODENTS. SQUIRRELS CHEWED INTO THE HARNESS LEADING TO LOSS OF ACCELERATION. THE ENTIRE HARNESS NEEDS REPLACING DUE TO THE SOY BASED WIRE COATING. THE FAILURE WAS FIRST NOTICED WHILE AT SPEED (APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH IN CITY TRAFFIC. SUBSEQUENT ATTEMPTS AT STARTING THE VEHICLE RESULTED IN ROUGH IDLE AND DANGEROUS HESITATION WHEN MERGING. LOCAL DEALER ADVISES THIS IS A COMMON ISSUE AFFECTING THE UK ASSEMBLED CIVIC HATCH BACK. ESTIMATE FOR REPLACEMENT IS $900.00 AS THIS IS NOT COVER…
Owner-reported narrative. 5,600 miles reported. Look up ODI 11149961 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11121665 · 2018-08-22 (August 22, 2018)
ON THE AFTERNOON OF 8/21/2018, I WAS DRIVING MY 2018 HONDA CIVIC (MANUAL TRANSMISSION) TO PICK UP MY SON FROM ELEMENTARY SCHOOL. AS I WAS MOVING THROUGH THE CAR RIDER LINE (WHICH IS ON A DOWNHILL SLOPE), I TURNED ON THE BRAKE HOLD ASSIST FEATURE SO THAT I WOULD NOT HAVE TO CONSTANTLY PRESS THE BRAKE PEDAL AS I'M WAITING IN LINE. AS MY SON IS ENTERING THE REAR PASSENGER DOOR, THE CAR STARTS ROLLING FORWARD. AS I TURN FORWARD AND SLAM ON THE BRAKES, THERE IS A YOUNG BOY AN INCH AWAY FROM MY BUMPER. THEN LIGHTS APPEAR ON MY DASH DISPLAY INDICA…
Owner-reported narrative. 3,139 miles reported. Look up ODI 11121665 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11163068 · 2018-12-22 (December 22, 2018)
HONDA CIVIC 2018 MANUAL TRANSMISSION. BUMPING THE KEYCHAIN WITH MY KNEE CAN ROTATE THE KEY IN THE IGNITION TURNING OFF THE CAR WHILE DRIVING. I HAVE A STANDARD SIZE KEY RING WITH A COUPLE CAR KEYS AND WORK/HOME KEYS. THEY DON'T HANG DOWN VERY FAR BUT DO SO FAR ENOUGH TO CONTACT MY KNEE WHEN DRIVING. WHEN IN MOTION, AS I SHIFT AND TAKE MY FOOT OFF THE GAS MY KNEE PUSHES ON THE KEYS. ON THREE OCCASIONS, ALL ON CITY STREETS SO FAR, THIS PUSH HAS BEEN ENOUGH TO ROTATE THE KEY IN THE IGNITION AND TURN OFF THE CAR.
Owner-reported narrative. 4,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11163068 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11112528 · 2018-07-20 (July 20, 2018)
I PURCHASED MY CAR FROM WALDORF HONDA ON FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 23, 2018. APPROXIMATELY 2 MONTHS AFTER PURCHASE, I BEGAN HAVING TROUBLE WITH THE VEHICLE. ON APRIL 13, 2018, THE RED BRAKE LIGHT BEGAN TO FLASH AS I WAS DRIVING. IN ADDITION, THE BRAKE SYSTEM (ABS) YELLOW INDICATOR ILLUMINATED.
Owner-reported narrative. 2,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11112528 at NHTSA ↗