What 253 owners told NHTSA about the 2023 Honda Civic Hatchback

Premature Head Gasket Failure at 75,000 miles

NHTSA ODI 11742830

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 issue has since returned. ive informed honda and they state it's my alignment.

NHTSA ODI 11738321

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 warnings appeared at 5PM when I was leaving work as soon as I started the car. Every light in the car went off. The vehicle was brought to the Honda Dealership in Lawrence, KS. They showed that the head gasket blew. The Vehicle is available for inspection upon request at the Honda Dealership in Lawrence, Kansas.

NHTSA ODI 11734647

The contact owns a 2023 Honda Civic. The contact stated that there was a lot of play in the steering wheel while driving. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, and the VIN was included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V704000 (Steering). During the visit, it was determined that the steering rack did not need to be replaced. The recall was marked closed and the contact noticed that there was still a lot of play in the steering rack. The vehicle was returned to the dealer to be diagnosed, and it was determined that the steering rack had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired because the VIN was no longer under recall. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was approximately 800.

NHTSA ODI 11731499

I bought a 2023 Honda Civic Sport from Carvana four months ago. Ever since I bought the car I have been experiencing sticky steering and rattling in the front of my car. It is constant, and even worse at high speeds. I had it diagnosed at Honda, and the Power Steering Rack needs replaced. As far as I can tell from all of my research online this is a KNOWN issue with my vehicle, but there is no recall on the issue yet. My vehicle is out of warranty, and the dealer wants to charge me $4000 for the new part. That’s an astronomical amount of money for someone to pay, when 1.6 Million vehicles are experiencing the same issue. I don’t have $4k laying around to just drop to replace my steering rack. There is also an ongoing lawsuit against Honda, for the issues with their steering racks. Every mechanic I have spoken to, says the steering rack should not need replaced on a 2023, with only 66,000 miles.

NHTSA ODI 11731682

My vehicle's Maintenance Minder system—the sole official schedule for maintenance per the Owner's Manual (Pages 649-658)—was corrupted by an authorized Honda dealer. The Service Advisor stated that sometimes technicians reset all the Maintenance Minder codes rather than just the applicable ones. Honda Corporate admitted this is a possibility when I followed up after the service. They stated that resetting all the codes rather than the ones that apply, can affect when and how future Maintenance Minder Codes appear. Honda provided contradictory information: first stating that the Maintenance Minder state cannot be reconstructed to accurately alert the owner to future necessary maintenance, then subsequently stating that reconstruction is possible if 'deemed necessary.' This leaves the owner with a corrupted safety maintenance system, with the remedy apparently contingent on Honda's discretion rather than the owner's right to accurate maintenance alerts. Without accurate alerts, critical maintenance items (brake fluid, coolant, transmission fluid) may not be serviced at proper intervals, increasing risk of component failure. Attached: Service invoice (RO #189526, 04/03/26) showing dealer added unscheduled Coolant Flush (Item 5) to my B1 request and reset ALL codes. Manual (pp. 649-658) confirms Item 5 is a separate sub-item triggered only by the system, not mileage. Honda Corporate emails admit resetting all codes corrupts future alert accuracy but offered contradictory remedies (first 'cannot fix,' then 'if deemed necessary'). This systemic failure—dealers bypassing the algorithm and Honda failing to enforce corrections—leaves owners with corrupted safety maintenance data, risking missed critical service intervals.

NHTSA ODI 11730282

Clutch began to slip at 20,000 miles. This caused unrepairable damage to the flywheel. This put my safety at risk as clutches wearing out could cause the car to slip out of gear and/or damage the maneuverability of the vehicle. This problem was fixed by the dealer, but they blamed me for the damage and claimed clutch is a wear component. I was charged $3,000 for the clutch and an additional $2,000 for the flywheel. I have seen many reports online of people with the same car (2023 Civic Sport Touring Manual) with the same issues. All people have been ignored by Honda corporate, citing user error. This has not been inspected by the manufacturerer as I am aware No messages of the problem, other than the cruise control stopping under load.

NHTSA ODI 11728288

The contact owns a 2023 Honda Civic Hatchback. The contact stated that while driving at undisclosed speeds, the steering wheel was jumping uncontrollably. The steering wheel was difficult to maneuver. The maintenance light was illuminated. The contact had received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V744000 (Steering). An appointment was scheduled with the local dealer, and the contact was informed that parts were not yet available for the recall repair. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 17,000.

NHTSA ODI 11715243

Phantom braking when there is no cars or anything on the road. The car would immediately brake out no where. It could cause an accident randomly braking when using cruise control.

NHTSA ODI 11712093

NHTSA SAFETY COMPLAINT – VEHICLE DEFECT Vehicle Information Year: 2023 Make: Honda Model: Civic Component: Steering System Recall Received: Yes – January 2024 Description of the Problem In January 2024 I received a manufacturer recall notice regarding a steering defect on my 2023 Honda Civic. Prior to and after the recall notice, I experienced repeated steering failures including the steering wheel becoming loose, binding, locking during turns, and causing the vehicle to move in the opposite direction of steering input. I reported these issues numerous times to Anderson Honda. Despite being placed on a waiting list for over one year, no effective repair was completed until April 2025. After the recall repair was performed in April 2025, the steering defect continued. The steering wheel still becomes loose, binds during turns, and intermittently locks, causing unpredictable directional control. Incident Resulting From Defect On August 10, 2025, the unresolved steering defect caused a motor vehicle accident when the steering wheel locked and pulled the vehicle in the wrong direction during a turn. I sustained injuries to my neck, head, and back. My insurance carrier (GEICO) paid approximately $11,000 for vehicle body damage repairs related to this crash. Current Status / Ongoing Safety Risk As of January 2026, the steering defect has not been resolved and continues to occur. On January 14, 2026, the steering wheel again abruptly bound and shifted left while turning, this time with my son present in the vehicle, placing us in immediate danger. Honda Corporate has been notified and a case is currently open; however, no permanent repair has been completed and the vehicle remains unsafe to operate. Why This Is a Safety Concern This defect causes sudden loss of steering control and unpredictable vehicle direction. This presents a serious and ongoing risk of collision, injury, or death to myself, my passengers, and other motorists.

NHTSA ODI 11711139

This is to bring attention to the hazards associated with the LED car lights in new cars. You must be aware of complaints that these car headlights are beyond too bright and pose risk to drivers at night. I specifically try not to drive at night because of this hazard. These light are blinding when viewed from oncoming traffic. This is a hazard and must be addressed.

NHTSA ODI 11711266

Less than 10k miles on 2023 the original tire exploded

NHTSA ODI 11710223

I am reporting repeated electronic safety system malfunctions in my 2023 Honda Civic Sport sedan that occurred while driving at highway speeds and present a serious safety concern. In June 2025, while driving at highway speed, multiple warning lights and messages suddenly appeared, including: Brake System Warning, Road Departure Mitigation System Warning, Parking Brake/Brake Hold Warning, and Adaptive Cruise Control Warning. These warnings appeared simultaneously without prior notice, raising concern about whether the braking and safety systems were functioning properly while the vehicle was in motion. I took the vehicle to a Honda dealership for diagnosis. The dealer did not identify a specific electronic or mechanical defect and instead claimed the issue was caused by liquid spilled near the electronic parking brake switch. I was told the repair was not covered under warranty and paid approximately $600 out of pocket. No evidence was provided explaining how this would cause failures across multiple safety systems. In January 2026, the same group of warning lights appeared again under similar conditions while driving at highway speed. This recurrence strongly suggests the issue was not caused by driver error but may be related to an intermittent electronic, sensor, or control system defect. I have a scheduled dealer appointment tomorrow to address this second occurrence of electronic malfunctioning. Because these warnings involve critical braking and collision mitigation systems and occurred while the vehicle was in motion, they present a potential safety risk. I am submitting this complaint so NHTSA can document and evaluate whether this represents a broader safety defect.

NHTSA ODI 11709763

I have taken my car to Honda Bob Boyte in Brandon, three times for the same reason, all the lights are coming on and I have a video as well. But the services department states unable to find the reason. That's dangerous in opinion to be driving and it's telling I have a type. of brake. malfunction. My service advisor is great, I just need my car fixed.

NHTSA ODI 11706521

The contact owns a 2023 Honda Civic. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the steering wheel seized. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact stated that the steering wheel was stiff and unexpectedly swerved from left to right. The contact previously received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V704000 (Steering). The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the worm gear spring had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired, and grease was added to the worm gear replacement. The dealer informed the contact that the power steering rack had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 57,000.

NHTSA ODI 11705429

There is a recall regarding my Honda 2023 that has not been fixed and I did not know about.

NHTSA ODI 11695517

I have received 2 recalls regarding my steering rack. I did have the gear box worm wheel spring replaced but that did not solve the problem my steering was sticking, hard to turn , clunking it would veer off to the right. I took it back to Honda dealer and was told it was dangerous to drive my whole power steering rack needed to be be replaced but Honda said it was not part of the recall I had to pay for the repair. They did give me a discount but my car experienced all the system under the recall to replace the power steering. My Honda is a 2023 and I had to pay over $2000 to have fixed. I would like to know why my car is not included in this recall.

NHTSA ODI 11694612

On August 5, 2025, my 2023 Honda Civic Sport (VIN: [XXX] ) was involved in a minor collision at approximately 5–10 mph. The vehicle sustained only cosmetic damage—no intrusion into the engine bay, and no damage to wheels, tires, or suspension. However, the Honda dealership diagnosed the brake master cylinder and brake booster as “broken due to impact.” These components were replaced, and the repair cost was billed to my insurance company. This diagnosis is highly questionable given the nature of the impact and the lack of visible or structural damage to braking components. I have since learned that 2020–2022 Honda Civic models were subject to a recall related to premature failure of the brake master cylinder and booster. Although my car is a 2023 model, the failure of these components under such minor impact conditions suggests that the same or similar defective parts may have been used. If this is the case, it presents a significant safety risk. I am requesting that NHTSA investigate whether: 1. The 2023 model brake components are affected by similar defects as earlier model years. 2. This incident is part of a broader pattern that warrants further manufacturer investigation or recall. Please investigate this issue for the safety of other Honda Civic owners. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ODI 11689989

Gentlemen: On August 11, 2025, the 2023 Honda Civic, VIN # [XXX] , was involved in an accident on the Miami/Gainesville Highway, resulting in a side impact with a truck. Fortunately, nothing serious happened to the health of my son, who was driving the vehicle. However, I am writing to you, motivated by the fact that I notified Honda USA approximately a month ago of the following information, and I have not received a response. I consider it important that the vehicle be inspected because the airbags never operated despite the serious collision. This can be verified by inspecting the vehicle, which was a total loss, Progressive Insurance Company case # 25-759026303. I believe it is my duty to notify you of this situation and find out what happened to prevent further harm. Today I spoke with Honda USA via the chat on their website, and the response was that the case still doesn't have a manager assigned to service it. I think that's irresponsible. Thank you for your efforts in this regard. I remain at your service. Sincerely, [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ODI 11689447

when driving the steering gets stuck and have to abruptly jerk the steering wheel to get it unstuck, this is related to Recall Number23V-704 and Honda is refusing to replace the steering rack and pinnion as resomended by my local honda dealer.

NHTSA ODI 11686510

The contact owns a 2023 Honda Civic. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the front driver's side seat was shaking, and the recliner was wobbly. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer, and it was determined that the front driver’s side seat was not installed properly. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure reoccurred. The contact stated that the front driver’s side seat was repaired on three separate occasions; however, the failure reoccurred. In addition, the contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V859000 (Seats); however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 14,000.

NHTSA ODI 11681293

I am the owner of a 2023 Honda Civic Sport equipped with a CVT transmission (Honda M-CVT). While the transmission has not yet failed outright, I am reporting a serious safety and consumer risk created by the design and business model surrounding these units. Honda CVTs are sealed, non-serviceable by design. Dealerships and third parties are unable to replace individual internal components or inspect wear inside the CVT without replacing the entire unit. The fact that Honda refuses to sell parts for these CVTs essentially makes them disposable powertrains. This creates a dangerous precedent ans owners cannot plan for long-term ownership or safety. CVTs in these cars often fail outside of warranty with no prior warning, and consumers are left without options other than full replacement, which many cannot afford. I am reporting this as a safety issue because when these CVTs degrade, they: Hesitate when accelerating from a stop (which has happened to me) Cause unpredictable power delivery Create unsafe situations during merging or turning Honda’s refusal to allow proactive service or repair (such as belt inspection or internal cleaning) forces owners to operate on faith, which is not acceptable for a mission-critical safety component like a transmission. This is compounded by the fact that these CVTs are installed across Honda’s most affordable trims, affecting working-class people disproportionately. Dealerships confirm no individual repair options exist. The issue is “normal” until failure. Transmission fluid changes are the only service allowed. Occasional hesitation and inconsistent acceleration. No dashboard warning lights have been triggered. This is a case of planned obsolescence leading to unavoidable safety risk. This design forces cars to enter the used market with a major mechanical failure already ticking down. This is a case of planned obsolescence leading to unavoidable safety risk.

NHTSA ODI 11674373

On over a dozen occasions my vehicle’s check engine light randomly comes on and then my car stalls out while driving and begins decelerating quickly. It is very dangerous and scary when this has happened on the freeway or in places where there is nowhere to pull off the road. My Honda Civic is less than 2 years old and has already been in the service department at Honda for a combined total of more than 30 days. Honda keeps trying to replace things but the issue keeps happening and they haven’t been able to properly diagnose or fix the problem. It is unsafe to drive this car and Honda has been unable to fix it. I bought this car brand new with 0 miles and the issues started early on before I reached 20,000 miles. I attached one of the most recent invoices from Honda where they noted the fuel injectors failing and codes of misfires in all cylinders. They most recently tried replacing the fuel injector but it still hasn’t fixed the problem. This car is unsafe to drive and has been in the shop multiple times for more than 30 days for the same issue that they can’t seem to fix.

NHTSA ODI 11672601

When raining and I back up, the camera becomes covered with water and I am unable to see what is behind me. I also had my driver window shatter while I was driving for no apparent reason. This was very upsetting.

NHTSA ODI 11672605

I had checked in the Blue Book for resente repair in my used car It statement of previous repairs on the fron vender and tires. my concern is That it was not disclosure statement to me When I had asked they dealership sales person.. that they where a minor repairs caused by the previous owner hitting a rabbit.

NHTSA ODI 11668413