STEERING WHEEL IS NOTCHY, WHEN I DRIVE THE STEERING WHEEL STICKS AND THERE DOESN'T WANT TO TURN MAKING THE CAR WEAVE. ALSO WHEN IT'S IN PARK AND YOU TRY TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL SLOWLY IT SHAKES AND JITTERS. CAR FEELS VERY UNSAFE WHILE DRIVING
2016 Honda Civic
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
More warning signs than most Civic years
Owner complaints for the 2016 Honda Civic are substantially higher than the model-year median of 183.5.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Civic years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
494 reports with mileage · 586 unknown
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
- Steering. Review the 444 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Electrical System. Review the 119 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Engine. Review the 95 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Steering complaints
444 reportsSTEERING ISSUE- ONCE WARMED UP AND AT HIGHER SPEEDS (NOTICED ON HIGHWAY) CAR PULL LEFT AND RIGHT. MUST USE FORCE TO CORRECT MERGING OF THE CAR. RESPONSE TIME IS LOW WHEN YOU TRY TO CORRECT THE CAR BACK INTO YOUR LANE. ALMOST FEELS LIKE THE WHEEL IS STICKING. CAR ONLY HAS 34K MILES- NO REPORTED ACCIDENTS. NO DAMAGE TO STEERING TH…
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STEERING ISSUE- ONCE WARMED UP AND AT HIGHER SPEEDS (NOTICED ON HIGHWAY) CAR PULL LEFT AND RIGHT. MUST USE FORCE TO CORRECT MERGING OF THE CAR. RESPONSE TIME IS LOW WHEN YOU TRY TO CORRECT THE CAR BACK INTO YOUR LANE. ALMOST FEELS LIKE THE WHEEL IS STICKING. CAR ONLY HAS 34K MILES- NO REPORTED ACCIDENTS. NO DAMAGE TO STEERING THAT I CAN SEE. MANY SITES HAVE SIMILAR COMPLAINTS THAT WERE FOUND BY A SEARCH
STEERING BECOMES VERY RESISTANT TO INPUT AT HIGHWAY SPEED (60MPH +) REQUIRING CONSIDERABLE FORCE TO OVERCOME OFTEN RESULTING IN OVER CORRECTION. HAS BEEN HAPPENING INTERMITANTLY SINCE PASSING THE 50000 MILE MARKER.
I HAVE A 2016 HONDA CIVIC AND ABOUT 4 MONTHS AGO, WHILE DRIVING I NOTICED MOSTLY ON THE INTERSTATE, THAT MY STEERING WHEEL WOULD GET "STICKY". I HAD TAKEN MY CAR IN FOR AN OIL CHANGE AND I ADDRESSED MY CONCERN TO THE MECHANIC. WHEN I CAME BACK HE TOLD ME HIM AND ALL OF HIS TECHNICIANS DROVE THE CAR AND NO ONE HAD A CLUE AS TO WH…
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I HAVE A 2016 HONDA CIVIC AND ABOUT 4 MONTHS AGO, WHILE DRIVING I NOTICED MOSTLY ON THE INTERSTATE, THAT MY STEERING WHEEL WOULD GET "STICKY". I HAD TAKEN MY CAR IN FOR AN OIL CHANGE AND I ADDRESSED MY CONCERN TO THE MECHANIC. WHEN I CAME BACK HE TOLD ME HIM AND ALL OF HIS TECHNICIANS DROVE THE CAR AND NO ONE HAD A CLUE AS TO WHAT I WAS TALKING ABOUT. OVER TIME IT HAS GOTTEN WORSE. IT HAPPENS AFTER DRIVING AT INTERSTATE SPEED FOR ABOUT 20 MINUTES. ONLY WHEN THE STEERING WHEEL IS POSITIONED 100% STRAIGHT. WHEN YOU PULL TO ONE SIDE, AND IT NEVER MATTERS LEFT OR RIGHT BECAUSE IT'S BOTH SIDES, IT'S LIKE ITS STUCK OR PULLING AGAINST YOU, LIKE A RESISTANCE. THEN IT SUDDENLY LET'S GO AND IT JERKS. AND THEN IT'S BACK THE OTHER WAY. SO YOU'RE FIGHTING THE STEERING WHEEL THE WHOLE TIME DRIVING WHILE YOU'RE JERKING BACK AND FORTH SIDE TO SIDE ALL OVER THE LANE. AND IT DOESN'T HAVE TO BE JUST INTERSTATE. DUE TO BEING A SINGLE MOM AND NOT HAVING THE "TIME OFF WORK" AS WELL AS NO ONE BELIEVING ME, HERE I AM ABOUT 4 MONTHS LATER AND IT'S SO MUCH WORSE. IT'S ALSO SUMMER NOW WHICH I NOTICE IT'S ALSO AT ITS WORST WHEN ITS BLAZING TEMPERATURES. IT'S GOTTEN SO BAD THAT I CAN ACTUALLY HEAR A NOISE NOW WHEN IT DOES IT. I'VE LOOKED THIS UP BECAUSE I FELT LIKE PEOPLE THOUGHT I WAS CRAZY AND WITH THE AMOUNT OF PEOPLE REPORTING THIS SAFETY ISSUE, I CAN'T FIGURE HOW THIS HASN'T BEEN A RECALL. I UNDERSTAND THINGS ON VEHICLES NEED TO BE REPLACED AFTER A WHILE. THEY NEED MAINTENANCE AND THEY COST MONEY. BUT FOR THIS WIDESPREAD ISSUE ON THE SAME CAR AND NOTHING IS BEING DONE?! I BOUGHT A HONDA FOR THE NAME, FOR THE QUALITY, AND FOR THE CUSTOMER SERVICE, BUT AT THIS POINT, THAT IT'S BEING LOOKED OVER, I'M ON THE VERGE OF TRADING IT IN FOR SOMETHING OTHER THAN A HONDA.
STICKING STERING WHEEL. MY STEERING "STICKS" AFTER I'VE BEEN DRIVING FOR ABOUT 20-30 MINS AT AROUND 40/45+ MPH WHEN TEMPERATURE IS ABOVE 70F. TAKE YOUR HAND OFF THE WHEEL ON A SLIGHT CURVE AND IT STAYS WITH THE CURVE. TRYING TO DO A SLIGHT CORRECTION WHEN IT'S LIKE THIS AND IT LITERALLY STICKING IN PLACE FOR A SEC THEN ALLOWS TH…
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STICKING STERING WHEEL. MY STEERING "STICKS" AFTER I'VE BEEN DRIVING FOR ABOUT 20-30 MINS AT AROUND 40/45+ MPH WHEN TEMPERATURE IS ABOVE 70F. TAKE YOUR HAND OFF THE WHEEL ON A SLIGHT CURVE AND IT STAYS WITH THE CURVE. TRYING TO DO A SLIGHT CORRECTION WHEN IT'S LIKE THIS AND IT LITERALLY STICKING IN PLACE FOR A SEC THEN ALLOWS THE WHEEL TO TURN MORE FREELY.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 HONDA CIVIC. WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO TURN AND SEIZED. THE CONTACT CALLED RICK CASE HONDA (LOCATED AT 15700 RICK CASE HONDA WAY, DAVIE, FL 33331, (954) 388-1035) AND NOTIFIED THEM OF THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR RE…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 HONDA CIVIC. WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO TURN AND SEIZED. THE CONTACT CALLED RICK CASE HONDA (LOCATED AT 15700 RICK CASE HONDA WAY, DAVIE, FL 33331, (954) 388-1035) AND NOTIFIED THEM OF THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 46,000.
SO I JUST BOUGHT A 2016 HONDA CIVIC LX 2.0 USED TODAY WITH 26,000 MILES. THE DEALERSHIP WAS A LITTLE OVER AN HOUR AWAY AND ABOUT 30 MINUTES INTO MY DRIVE HOME I NOTICED THE STEERING FELT LIKE IT WAS STICKING ON THE HIGHWAY AT AROUND 65MPH. IT FELT NOTCHY AND STICKY LIKE I HAD TO USE A LITTLE FORCE TO START BEING ABLE TO STEE…
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SO I JUST BOUGHT A 2016 HONDA CIVIC LX 2.0 USED TODAY WITH 26,000 MILES. THE DEALERSHIP WAS A LITTLE OVER AN HOUR AWAY AND ABOUT 30 MINUTES INTO MY DRIVE HOME I NOTICED THE STEERING FELT LIKE IT WAS STICKING ON THE HIGHWAY AT AROUND 65MPH. IT FELT NOTCHY AND STICKY LIKE I HAD TO USE A LITTLE FORCE TO START BEING ABLE TO STEER AGAIN. WHICH CAUSES YOU TO OVERCORRECT A BIT. THIS IS A HUGE SAFETY CONCERN ON THE HIGHWAY. I LOOKED IT UP AND THERE'S LIKE THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE TALKING ABOUT THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM.. THE SOLUTION SEEMS TO BE A NEW STEERING RACK ASSEMBLY...
STEERING WHEEL STICKS (RESISTANCE TO TURNING) WHEN CAR IS WARMED UP. MOST NOTABLE AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS.
WHEN DRIVING THE STEERING WHEEL STARTS TO GET A STICKING FEELING WHEN TRYING TO MAKE SMALL MOVEMENTS. THIS CAUSES YOU TO OVERCORRECT YOUR STEERING AND IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE BECAUSE YOU CAN POTENTIALLY RUN INTO ANOTHER PERSON OR OBJECT. YOU FEEL A CLICKING IN THE STEERING WHEEL AND IT IS MOST NOTABLE AT HIGHER SPEEDS. THE PRO…
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WHEN DRIVING THE STEERING WHEEL STARTS TO GET A STICKING FEELING WHEN TRYING TO MAKE SMALL MOVEMENTS. THIS CAUSES YOU TO OVERCORRECT YOUR STEERING AND IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE BECAUSE YOU CAN POTENTIALLY RUN INTO ANOTHER PERSON OR OBJECT. YOU FEEL A CLICKING IN THE STEERING WHEEL AND IT IS MOST NOTABLE AT HIGHER SPEEDS. THE PROBLEM SEEMS TO WORSEN THE MORE YOU DRIVE. MY CAR ONLY HAVE 32000 MILES ON IT.
WHEN TEMPERATURE SPIKES HIT THE AREA I LIVE IN THE STEERING SEEMS TO STICK SLIGHTLY WHEN DRIVING.
Official recalls
526V332000 · Air Bags:sensor:occupant Classification:front Passenger
May 21, 2026
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 & remedy
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 were mailed July 7, 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.
23V858000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:fuel Pump
Dec 18, 2023
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 & remedy
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.
16V725000 · Parking Brake
Oct 11, 2016
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain model year 2016 Honda Civic two door and four door 1.5L turbo and 2.0L vehicles. The electric parking brake (EPB) may not engage if it is applied immediately after turning the ignition off.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: If the EPB is not applied, the vehicle may roll away, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will update the vehicle's software to allow the EPB to engage immediately after the ignition is turned off, free of charge. The recall began on November 8, 2016. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's number for this recall is KC6.
16V526000 · Exterior Lighting
Jul 11, 2016
American Honda Motor Co. (Honda) is recalling certain model year 2016 Civic 2-Door vehicles manufactured February 23, 2016, through May 20, 2016. The affected vehicles may have a damaged LED side marker light circuit board inside the taillight assembly, making the marker light inoperable. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Assoc. Equipment."
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: If a side marker light does not function, vehicle visibility can be decreased to other drivers, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will inspect both the taillight assemblies, replacing them as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on August 31, 2016. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's number for this recall is KB8.
16V074000 · Engine And Engine Cooling:engine
Feb 9, 2016
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain model year 2016 Civic vehicles manufactured September 22, 2015, to February 3, 2016 and equipped with 2.0L engines. The affected vehicles have engines with piston assemblies that may have been manufactured without a piston wrist pin circlip or with an incorrectly installed piston wrist pin circlip.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: If a circlip is missing or incorrectly installed, the piston wrist pin may not be secure and may drift and damage the engine cylinder causing the engine to seize, and increasing the risk of a crash or a fire.
Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and replace the piston assemblies and damaged engine components, as necessary, free of charge. Parts are expected to be available in the Summer of 2016. Owners were mailed an interim notification beginning March 31, 2016, and will be mailed a second notice when parts are available. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's number for this recall is JX9.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
0No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.
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