2023 Honda Civic problems, complaints & recalls
Updated from NHTSA data · How we count
Owners have filed 256 complaints with NHTSA about the 2023 Honda Civic, most often about steering. There are 4 recalls for this model year.
- Complaints
- 256
- Recalls
- 4
- Crashes
- 19
- Fires
- 0
- Injuries
- 12
- Median mileage
- 10,000 mi at time of problem
Key facts
- Steering is the most-reported problem area, named in 192 of 256 complaints (75%).
- Driver Assistance & Safety Tech (30) and electrical system (16) follow.
- Half of the complaints that list mileage happened before 10,000 mi.
- Owners reported 19 crashes, 0 fires and 12 injuries.
- The 2023 Honda Civic has 4 recalls on file.
- NHTSA has opened 2 defect investigations covering this vehicle.
- It ranks 8th of 22 Honda Civic model years by our severity-weighted complaint score (1st = worst).
- That is 71% fewer complaints than the 2022 model year (883).
2023 Honda Civic problems by category
- Steering · 8 crashes192 complaints
- Driver Assistance & Safety Tech · 6 crashes30 complaints
- Electrical System · 1 crash16 complaints
- Other / Unknown · 2 crashes15 complaints
- Brakes · 4 crashes14 complaints
- Wheels & Tires · 1 crash9 complaints
- Airbags · 7 crashes8 complaints
- Engine8 complaints
- Transmission & Drivetrain · 1 crash6 complaints
- Suspension5 complaints
- Seats & Seat Belts · 1 crash4 complaints
- Body & Structure4 complaints
- Acceleration & Cruise Control · 1 crash4 complaints
- Lighting4 complaints
- Fuel, Hybrid & EV Propulsion2 complaints
A complaint can mention more than one problem area, so categories add up to more than the total.
Most-reported components
| Component (as filed with NHTSA) | Complaints |
|---|---|
| Steering | 192 |
| Electrical system | 16 |
| Lane departure: assist | 15 |
| Unknown or other | 15 |
| Service brakes | 14 |
| Forward collision avoidance: automatic emergency braking | 10 |
| Forward collision avoidance: warnings | 9 |
| Lane departure: warning | 9 |
When problems happen (mileage)
2023 Honda Civic recalls (4)
- SEATS:CRITICAL FASTENERS
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2023-2024 Honda Accord, Accord Hybrid, Civic Sedan, Civic Hatchback, Pilot, and 2024 HR-V, Acura Integra and Acura Integra Type S vehicles. The driver's seat cushion frame may not have been tightened properly, which can result in an unsecured seat. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 207, "Seating Systems."
Risk: An unsecured driver's seat may not adequately restrain the driver during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the driver's seat cushion frame, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 6, 2025. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138.
- STEERING
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2023-2025 Acura Integra, Civic Type R, CR-V Hybrid, CR-V, HR-V, 2022-2025 Civic, Civic Hatchback, 2024-2025 Acura Integra Type S, 2025 CR-V Fuel Cell EV, Civic Hybrid, and Civic Hatchback Hybrid vehicles. The steering gearbox assembly may have been manufactured incorrectly, which can cause excessive internal friction and lead to difficulty steering the vehicle.
Risk: Difficulty steering can increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the worm gear spring and redistribute or add grease as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed November 18, 2024. Owners may contact Honda Customer Service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are SJS, MJU, QJT and VJV.
- STEERING:RACK AND PINION
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2022-2024 Civic 4-door and Civic 5-door vehicles that received a replacement power steering rack as part of a service repair. The steering rack may have been incorrectly assembled, which can allow the tire to chafe against the lower suspension or tie rod end, possibly resulting in tire damage.
Risk: A damaged tire can fail and increase the risk of a crash or injury.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the electric power steering rack, as necessary, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed January 16, 2024. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's number for this recall is YFW.
- SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE
Honda (America Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2023 Civic, Acura RDX, Acura Integra, and 2022 Honda Accord vehicles. A ball valve in the vehicle stability assist (VSA) modulator may leak brake fluid, which can result in unintended vehicle movement when the brake hold feature is engaged or an unexpected increase in brake pedal travel.
Risk: Unintended vehicle movement or an unexpected increase in brake pedal travel can increase the risk of a crash or injury.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the VSA modulator, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 24, 2023. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are OEJ, XEK, AEY, XEX and OEW.
NHTSA defect investigations
Momentary Increased Steering Effort
On November 29, 2023, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened this Engineering Analysis (EA23003) to assess allegations of momentary increase in steering effort in model years (MY) 2022-2023 Honda Civic, 2023MY Honda CR-V, and 2023MY Acura Integra vehicles (subject vehicles). The complaints received by ODI alleged that the subject vehicles experienced a momentary increase in required steering effort (described as “sticky steering”) occurring mostly at highway speeds after driving for an extended amount of time; these complaints could not be duplicated during dealer service technicians’ qu…
- PE23005Opened Mar 17, 2023Closed Nov 30, 2023
Momentary Increased Steering Effort
On March 17, 2023, The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened Preliminary Evaluation (PE23-005) to access the alleged defect of momentary increase in steering effort in model years (MY) 2022 and 2023 Honda Civic vehicles. The complaints report that the momentary increase in steering effort (described as "sticky steering") occurs mostly at highway speeds after driving for a certain amount of time. The reports have been received over the past 2 years with most occurring with low vehicle mileage. The steering gear contains a unit that includes a worm gear and a worm wheel. Honda stated this…
Recent 2023 Honda Civic complaints
Excerpts of the newest owner complaints, lightly cleaned of personal details. Complaints are unverified owner reports.
- Filed Oct 8, 2026SCSteering
This car had a previous safety recall for steering components "sticking", creating an unsafe driving situation. The recall was performed, however the problem still persists and the steering is still unsafe, sticking, and jerks left to right. This possesses an actual risk of motor vehicular crash, injury, or death. Regardless of how careful of a driver you are, the steering will veer unexpectedly.
NHTSA complaint #11769903 · source - Filed Sep 15, 2026KSBrakesDriver Assistance & Safety TechElectrical System
I have a christmas tree of lights on my dashboard, I cant use my cruise control or lane assist features. I took my car to a Honda dealership to have a diagnostic done and found that the EPB on the left rear brake was bad. I changed it out and had the computer reset to find that the car is still having issues and now I'm being told to change out the ABS wheel speed sensor that connects to the EPB. When looking online this is a commonly known issue with the 2022 and 2023 Civic…
NHTSA complaint #11764579 · source - Filed Sep 15, 2026TXBody & Structure
Report: Peeling white pearl paint on my Honda civic. The car is 3 years old and already on the hood peeling off. I-Car certified body shop looked at the car and immediately said factory defect upon testing. They have told me no primer for paint to adhere to... will force me to repaint entire hood and front bumper. Honda has unjustifiably denied warranty coverage even with paper work proof from that shop (breach of warranty legally) though the car is under 36k miles. Will…
NHTSA complaint #11764575 · source - Filed Aug 27, 2026ILDriver Assistance & Safety Tech
The front camera is inoperative. None of the safety features like automatic emergency braking are working. Dealer inspected and said needs a new camera which they can order.
NHTSA complaint #11760179 · source - Filed Jul 20, 2026SDLightingOther / UnknownSuspension
Following a drivetrain repair at Gary Yeomans Honda, the vehicle was returned to me in an unsafe driving condition. Specifically, the technician left unsecured heavy metal tools (a pry bar and screwdriver) loose in the engine bay, failed to torque a structural fastener, and rendered the rear brake light completely non-functional while incorrectly marking it as operational on the inspection sheet. Additionally, the inspection sheet indicated a red-flag warning to 'inspect…
NHTSA complaint #11751684 · source - Filed Jul 20, 2026DECrashAirbags
During a collision on July 7, the airbag initiated but did not deploy. The car is available for inspection upon request. The safety of the driver was put at risk because the airbag did not deploy when intiated. The driver is not injured, but the car cannot be driven due to the airbag posing a risk to the driver. No one has inspected the vehicle. A call was made to Honda Headquarters on Friday, July 10 to report the critical safety and restraint system failure. The car was…
NHTSA complaint #11751487 · source - Filed May 16, 2026CASteering
steering feels sticky & i have to apply force just to keep the steering wheel centered when traveling at a high rate of speed as it feels as if the steering wheel is stuck causing me to over correct my steering. when driving through a curve, my steering wheel gets stuck and i can let go of the wheel and it will remain in place. this happens every single time i drive. i have taken my car to the dealership when the recall came out and it was "fixed" temporarily however the…
NHTSA complaint #11738321 · source - Filed Apr 29, 2026KSTransmission & Drivetrain
The headgasket failed prematurely at 76,000 miles causing coolant to begin leaking out of the vehicle. The safety of myself and others is put at risk because a head gasket blowing caused the car to lose power on the way home from work which has caused me to have to slow down and not be able to start again. This causes other vehicles to have to break or go around me on the highway. The car is a 2023 Honda Civic. This premature head gasket failure is a known issue. The…
NHTSA complaint #11734647 · source
Compare the 2023 Honda Civic with another vehicle →
Other 2023 Honda models
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Office of Defects Investigation public data, as of Oct 11, 2026. 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