2018 Honda Civic

The Electronic Power Steering (EPS) gearbox assembly exhibits a severe binding, catching, and sticky sensation at highway speeds after the vehicle warms up. The steering wheel gets stuck in the center position, requiring constant physical force to break it free to maintain the lane. This results in continuous overcorrection, vehicle weaving, and an inability to track straight, which is easily mistaken for poor road or wind conditions but creates a severe lane-drift safety hazard. The issue does not trigger any warning lights or diagnostic trouble codes. Coggin Honda diagnosed the failed unit and found that Honda has revised this specific steering rack part number (53650TBAA03) three separate times (from ending in A00 to the current A03), demonstrating engineering awareness of a component defect that closely mirrors the newer 2022–2025 Honda steering recalls. Note that this vehicle's odometer reads 30,532 miles and this steering issue was felt for some time now and has gotten worse over the years. The problem was officially diagnosed on 6/3/2026.

The steering wheel is sticky when resetting position after turning left. This is a major safety issue as it requires force to get the steering out of that locked up position. This forces overcorrection and the car sways everytime. I can confirm 100s of people with civics have this issue on Reddit, YouTube and other Honda forums however the recall only applied to 2022 and above (known issue but somehow recall didn’t apply to pre 2022 cars). This is a major flaw from a reputed company that sells 100s of thousands of cars. If I can see so many complaints online, I can imagine how many common people (elderly and disabled included) that don’t report and are especially at high risk of this. I sincerely request further investigation and enforcing better safety practices in this situation. Thank you very much.

For a few years now, my 2018 Honda Civic with less than 50,000 miles has had sticky/notchy steering. The dealer told me the steering rack needs to be replaced for over $4000, but that they didn't want to repair it because a Honda tech was coming to look at these issues. They indicated that they seem to think this should be a recall situation. I have seen many people with the same exact issue, and even similar recalls by Honda that ignore the 2018 10th generation. This needs to be investigated and it seems clear a recall should be issued. It makes it difficult to drive without wobbling back and forth across the lane, especially at high speed. It is dangerous and needs to be addressed by Honda. It's not simply "bad luck" that many people have the same exact issue at such low mileage.

While driving the vehicle on a long straight road the steering would bind while driving straight. When moving the steering wheel to make any slight adjustments it'd stick and force me to over or understeer left or right of center making the vehicle very unsafe to drive and hold a straight course on the highway. I've only noticed this happening at highway speeds. It was very scary to drive because it'd happen every 10 to 15 seconds while trying to get it into a center position(which was impossible) on a very straight road causing the vehicle to essentially be swerving from one side of the lane to the other for the last couple of hours of a 3+ hour drive. I hope Honda does the right thing in recognizing how dangerous an issue this is and doesn't wait until too many people die or have accidents due this common vehicle issue preventing it from being able to be driven straight.

The contact owns a 2018 Honda. The contact stated that while driving the steering wheel became "sticky" making it stiff. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the steering gear needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 30,000.

For the past year anytime I drive my vehicle above 40mph I notice the steering feels “sticky” and often you have to use additional effort to turn the wheel which cause the wheel to jerk to whatever side you attempting to turn the wheel. Apparently this is common on the same year civic but the dealership stated my vehicle VIN is not included on the list of vehicles that need the repair. The vehicle feels unsafe to drive as it is hard to maintain in the lane and shift lanes.

I have recently purchased a 2018 Honda Civic LX at 39k miles and now at 42k miles and only six months of owning the vehicle I am experiencing the sticky steering at 35mph or faster due to the worm gear in the EPS Gearbox assembly in 18V-663, NHTSA Recall 18V-663, however my VIN was not listed as eligible. I was able to have the fuel pump recall replaced immediately after I purchased it in September of 2025. But now find myself with the plagued steering issue that notches at center when you try to lane correct or bend into a turn. It is alarming and while manageable at slower speeds in town, I intended to use this car to teach my daughter to drive. I am concerned for the safety and chance of over correcting while driving already hazardous winter conditions in northern Maine that this poses a legitimate risk at highway speeds. Thank you taking my report with consideration. Please take care.