VehicleVerdict

2018 Honda Civic problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 854 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 3.6 times the median Civic year — the 2018 model ranks #8 of 54 Civic years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list. Reports tied to this model year include one death and 27 injuries, per the complaint records themselves.

Steering leads the complaint categories with 291 reports (34% of the total). In government crash testing it earned 5 of 5 NCAP stars overall.

854

NHTSA complaints

6

Recalls

0

Investigations

41

Crash-involved

4

Fires reported

27

Injuries

1

Deaths

5

NCAP overall · of 5 stars

How does 2018 compare to other Civic years?

Civic NHTSA complaints by model year, 2018 highlighted1,709 complaints1973: 0 complaints1974: 0 complaints1975: 0 complaints1976: 0 complaints1977: 0 complaints1978: 0 complaints1979: 1 complaints1980: 0 complaints1981: 1 complaints1982: 1 complaints1983: 10 complaints1984: 7 complaints1985: 17 complaints1986: 54 complaints1987: 41 complaints1988: 51 complaints1989: 88 complaints1990: 110 complaints1991: 143 complaints1992: 113 complaints1993: 178 complaints1994: 171 complaints1995: 252 complaints1996: 383 complaints1997: 452 complaints1998: 502 complaints1999: 404 complaints2000: 351 complaints2001: 1,357 complaints2002: 876 complaints2003: 619 complaints2004: 424 complaints2005: 396 complaints2006: 1,709 complaints2007: 1,465 complaints2008: 1,079 complaints2009: 499 complaints2010: 489 complaints2011: 221 complaints2012: 620 complaints2013: 436 complaints2014: 384 complaints2015: 485 complaints2016: 1,348 complaints2017: 756 complaints2018: 854 complaints2019: 519 complaints2020: 288 complaints2021: 197 complaints2022: 1,150 complaints2023: 327 complaints2024: 163 complaints2025: 113 complaints2026: 40 complaints
Civic NHTSA complaints by model year, 2018 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Civic years to avoid →

What are the most common 2018 Honda Civic problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Steering29134%
Fuel System17320%
Other11714%
Electrical System658%
Engine577%
Brakes263%
Airbags223%
Body & Structure212%
Driver Assistance192%
Visibility & Wipers142%
Transmission142%
Tires & Wheels111%
Seats81%
Speed Control51%
Suspension40%
Lighting30%
Seat Belts30%
Climate Control (A/C & Heat)10%

Does the 2018 Honda Civic have recalls?

6 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

26V332000AirbagsMay 21, 2026 · 98,892 units

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.

Consequence

Air bags that deploy unintentionally during a crash increase the risk of injury.

Remedy

Dealers will replace the seat weight sensors, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed July 6, 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.

23V858000Fuel SystemDecember 18, 2023 · 2,490,460 units

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.

Consequence

Fuel pump failure can cause an engine stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.

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.

20V314000Fuel SystemMay 28, 2020 · 135,995 units

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.

Consequence

If the fuel pump fails, the engine can stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.

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.

18V817000OtherNovember 16, 2018 · 7,016 units

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."

Consequence

If the information is missing or improper, it can increase the risk of injury or a crash.

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.

18V663000SteeringSeptember 27, 2018 · 54 units

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.

Consequence

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

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.

18V421000OtherJune 20, 2018 · 13 units

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.

Consequence

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.

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.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“Car suddenly lost power steering and resulted in the car swerving and losing control causing the car to turn in opposite direction of travel. The car crashed into the wire guard rail on interstate 40. No waring lamps were on the dash at the time of incident. Allstate reported to me 4 recalls with…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Steering · December 8, 2022 · crash

“HAD TO HAVE TO MANY OIL CHANGES, ALMOST ONE A MONTH , NOT GOOD ON THE MILAGE THEN A CAMRY MAYBE WOULD HOLD OFF THAT MANY CHANGES.”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Fuel System · May 5, 2018 · crash

“2018 HONDA CIVIC PARKED ON AN INCLINE. AFTER EXITING THE VEHICLE AND GOING INSIDE HOME, SPONTANEOUSLY ROLLED DOWN HILL AND CRASHED INTO A TREE. THE VEHICLE WAS IN PARK AND DID NOT ROLL IMMEDIATELY. THIS HAPPEN SOMETIME AFTER ENTERING THE RESIDENCE. IN RESEARCHING ONLINE I HAVE FOUND THIS HAS…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Other · March 4, 2019 · crash

“HAD TO HAVE TO MANY OIL CHANGES, ALMOST ONE A MONTH , NOT GOOD ON THE MILAGE THEN A CAMRY MAYBE WOULD HOLD OFF THAT MANY CHANGES.”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · May 5, 2018 · crash

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 HONDA CIVIC. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN DRIVING AT 45 MPH, THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE STALLED AND SMOKE EMITTED FROM UNDER THE HOOD. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO SERVICE CENTER AT HOLMAN HONDA LOCATED AT 12 EAST SUNRISE BLVD, FORT LAUDERDALE,…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · February 25, 2021 · fire

2018 Honda Civic — common questions

Is the 2018 Honda Civic reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 854 complaints put the 2018 model at #8 of 54 Civic years. It is one of the Civic years to avoid.

What are the most common 2018 Civic problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are steering (291 complaints), fuel system (173 complaints), other (117 complaints).

Does the 2018 Honda Civic have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 6 recall campaigns affecting the 2018 Honda Civic. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Which Honda Civic years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Civic years to avoid are 2006, 2007, 2001, 2016, 2022, 2008, 2002, 2018, 2017, 2012, 2003, 2019, 1998, 2009, 2010, 2015, 1997, 2013, 2004, 1999, 2005, 2014, 1996. The cleanest record among Civic years belongs to 1980.

How safe is the 2018 Honda Civic?

In NHTSA's NCAP crash testing, the 2018 Honda Civic earned an overall rating of 5 out of 5 stars.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.