2021 Honda Civic steering problems

Updated from NHTSA data · How we count

65 owners have reported steering problems with the 2021 Honda Civic, 45% of all complaints about this model year. The typical problem appeared around 36,000 mi.

Steering complaints
65
Crashes
1
Fires
0
Injuries
0
Related recalls
0
Median mileage
36,000 mi

Specific components reported

Steering covers: Power steering, steering column and wheel, loss of steering assist.

ComponentComplaints
Steering64
Steering:electric power assist system1

Steering complaints across Honda Civic years

1200523200732200921201124172013812201538316020173051082019306520217311922023612920257
Steering complaints by model year. The 2021 is highlighted.

Mileage when the problem appeared

Under 10k210k–30k430k–60k160k–100k100k–150k150k+
Complaints that list mileage, grouped by odometer reading.

Related recalls

No recalls on file.

What owners say

  1. Filed Sep 28, 2026UTSteering
    When it is warm and humid, at highway speeds and slight turns, the steering sticks and the wheel does not recenter on its own. All driver assist features are off when this occurs. It takes additional force to unstick and causes overcorrection in the steering. Symptoms are consistent with the 11th gen civic recalls, yet mine is a 2021 and no recall yet. This is very scary and dangerous at highway speeds, a crash waiting to happen. Issues started before my 3 year/36k mile…
    NHTSA complaint #11767602 · source
  2. Filed Sep 20, 2026CAElectrical SystemSteering
    On September 17, 2026 at approximately 8:00 a.m. I was driving my 2021 Honda civic Lx with my children in the vehicle when multiple warning lights and system malfunction messages suddenly appeared on the dash board. The vehicle appeared to experience an electrical malfunction/ reset while still driving and I suddenly lost normal power- steering assistance. The steering wheel became extremely difficult to turn and control while the vehicle was moving.I was able to call for…
    NHTSA complaint #11765597 · source
  3. Filed Sep 4, 2026NJSteering
    While I am driving there is a stickiness in my steering wheel and it causes me to overcorrect my steering and becomes an issue. Feels dangerous to me. This has gotten worse over time.
    NHTSA complaint #11762215 · source
  4. Filed Aug 25, 202658,000 miRISteering
    The contact owns a 2021 Honda Civic. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the contact experienced an intermittent failure, and the steering wheel became very firm and became difficult to turn. During the failure, the power steering became inoperable, causing several malfunctions, and several warning lights were simultaneously illuminated on the instrument panel. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer, and the technician diagnosed the vehicle…
    NHTSA complaint #11759478 · source
  5. Filed Aug 5, 2026TXSteering
    Sticky steering, especially when it’s hot or humid. The issue has been going on since the car was at 60k miles, taken in multiple times and they don’t see and issue. It’s at 117k now issue still present. Same issue as the 2022-25 that got a recall
    NHTSA complaint #11754981 · source
  6. Filed Jul 29, 2026LASteering
    Steering locks up at highway speeds. This vehicle has only 36,526 miles on the odometer. This is a serious safety issue and could easily cause a high speed crash. The dealer has road tested and confirms the problem. The dealer states the electric steering box is at fault. We are having the electric steering box replaced by the dealer.
    NHTSA complaint #11753496 · source
  7. Filed Jul 27, 2026SCSteering
    Vehicle: 2021 Honda Civic Hatchback Current Mileage: ~24,400 miles Component: Steering / Electronic Power Steering (EPS) Gearbox / Steering Rack Summary of Issue: Vehicle is experiencing severe "sticky steering" (mechanical binding) in the Electronic Power Steering (EPS) assembly while driving, most noticeably at highway speeds. The steering wheel feels stuck when trying to make minor lane adjustments, requiring noticeable extra force to break free, which causes the vehicle…
    NHTSA complaint #11753123 · source
  8. Filed Jul 24, 202615,000 miFLSteering
    The contact owns a 2021 Honda Civic. The contact stated that while driving on several occasions at various speeds, the steering wheel became firm and was sticking while driving. The contact used excessive force to turn the steering wheel while driving. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 15,000.
    NHTSA complaint #11752576 · source
  9. Filed Jul 13, 202636,000 miRISteering
    The contact owns a 2021 Honda Civic. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, there was an abnormal clicking sound coming from the vehicle, and the steering wheel was sticking. The contact stated that the steering wheel was continuously turned while attempting to prevent it from sticking. No warning lights were illuminated. The contact stated that the failure was a persistent failure. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed with a…
    NHTSA complaint #11749998 · source
  10. Filed May 25, 2026NCSteering
    Vehicle: 2021 Honda Civic Mileage: Approximately 58,000 miles Over the past couple of months, I have experienced a steering issue that appears to be worsening. While driving at highway speeds, the steering wheel intermittently feels as though it “sticks” or catches near center, requiring constant small corrections to maintain a straight path. The steering does not feel smooth or normal and creates difficulty maintaining lane position comfortably. I have also noticed similar…
    NHTSA complaint #11739931 · source
  11. Filed May 19, 2026NJSteering
    Steering rack binds and requires extra effort to return to center. Specifically for me, when proceeding on a long curve that requires me to turn my steering wheel left more than like 40 degrees the steering will "stick" in place and won't automatically return to center when releasing the wheel requiring me manually start returning the wheel to center before it will auto center. It happens after having driven for about 20 or more minutes. It happens at smaller degrees when…
    NHTSA complaint #11738707 · source
  12. Filed May 11, 2026ALSteering
    At speeds between 40 and 70 my 2021 Honda Civic EX Hatchback steering feels sticky when making small adjustments. There is a slight resistant in steering when a slight correction is needed. Once that resistant is overcome, the steering wheel jerks in the direction of the correction potentially causing an over correction. This is a safety problem and can cause an accident. I am not seeing any warning lights or warning noises.
    NHTSA complaint #11736942 · source

Other 2021 Honda Civic problem areas

  • Driver Assistance & Safety Tech (38)
  • Brakes (18)
  • Electrical System (18)
  • Other / Unknown (12)
  • Airbags (9)
  • Engine (6)
  • Acceleration & Cruise Control (6)
  • Fuel, Hybrid & EV Propulsion (4)
  • Seats & Seat Belts (4)
  • Suspension (3)
  • Visibility & Wipers (3)
  • Wheels & Tires (3)
  • Lighting (2)
  • Transmission & Drivetrain (2)

Back to all 2021 Honda Civic problems →

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Office of Defects Investigation public data. Complaints are submitted by owners and are not verified by NHTSA or by us; a complaint does not prove a defect exists. View this vehicle on NHTSA.gov Methodology