When driving on local streets under 40mph steering sticks in position and has to be forcefully recentered. It also makes a clunking sound when turning the steering wheel at low speeds. At highway speeds when making slight adjustments steering wheel sticks, causing me to overcorrect which in turn jerks the car back and forth. This issue starts after driving the car for about 10-15mins. I have…
2019 Honda Civic steering problems
moderate Owners of the 2019 Honda Civic have filed 80 NHTSA complaints about the steering, typically surfacing around 57,219 miles at roughly $700 to repair (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. See steering across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
80
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$700
| Model year | steering complaints |
|---|---|
| 2015 Civic | 20 |
| 2016 Civic | 431 |
| 2017 Civic | 165 |
| 2018 Civic | 224 |
| 2019 Civic (this page) | 80 |
| 2020 Civic | 27 |
| 2021 Civic | 56 |
| 2022 Civic | 728 |
2crashes
What stands out
Owners have filed 80 steering complaints with NHTSA against this vehicle, but no formal recall covers the issue — the federal record reflects what manufacturers have admitted, not everything owners are reporting.
Steering accounts for 23% of all owner complaints filed against this vehicle, across 12 categories tracked.
The failure pattern owners describe
2019 Civic owners describe persistent steering problems affecting vehicle control. The most common complaint is "sticky" steering—a stiff, notchy feeling especially noticeable above 40 mph that requires excessive force to turn the wheel, then overcorrects when it finally breaks free. Owners report difficulty keeping the car centered in its lane and describe this as progressively worsening from roughly 50k miles onward.
Several owners confirmed this pattern with Honda dealerships or independent mechanics. One technician noted it on his tech-line forums as a recurring issue. Another independent shop reportedly receives ~5 orders per month for replacement rack-and-pinion assemblies. Dealerships quote $3,000–$4,250 for EPS rack replacement, citing manufacturing defect but denying warranty coverage beyond 36k miles.
A smaller number of owners experienced outright rack failure—sudden inability to turn the steering wheel, sometimes with clicking or locking. One owner's steering locked at 35 mph, causing a collision; insurance called it pre-existing despite no prior damage.
One case involved rodent-chewed wire harnesses in the steering sub-harness, with a service advisor stating Honda uses soy-based insulation attractive to rodents. Another owner lost power steering intermittently at various speeds; dealership guessed battery, charging $385, but the problem recurred within hours at highway speed.
No warning lights precede most sticky-steering failures. Honda has recalled 2022–2023 Civics for the same symptom, but refuses to extend coverage to the 2019 model year despite multiple owner complaints documenting identical conditions.
Same Honda Civic steering reports on nearby years: 2017 · 2018 · 2020 · 2021 · 2022
Failure modes owners describe
Sticky/Sticking Steering — Highway & Variable Speed
Steering wheel sticks or feels notchy/jerky when driving straight or making small corrections, especially at highway speeds (40+ mph). Requires excessive force to turn, causing overcorrection and lane drift when steering finally releases. No warning lights in most cases. Owners report the issue worsens over time and with engine warmth.
When: Onset varies: 30k–80k miles; some report it beginning around 50k miles and progressively worsening
Symptoms owners cite: Steering wheel sticks when driving straight at highway speeds; Requires excessive force to turn wheel off center; Jerky, notchy, or 'rut-like' steering feel; Overcorrection when steering finally releases; Difficulty keeping vehicle centered in lane; Worsens when engine is warm; More pronounced at speeds above 40–50 mph
Repairs/costs cited: Dealerships recommend replacing electric power steering (EPS) rack/gearbox. Quoted repair costs $3,000–$4,250. Some owners report warranty denial due to mileage (>36k miles typically out of warranty).
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No recall issued for 2019 model year. Honda has issued recalls for 2022–2023 Civics with similar symptoms. Dealerships refer owners to Technical Service Bulletins (TSB) but deny warranty coverage. Some owners report Honda refusing to acknowledge the issue.
Steering Rack/Pinion Failure — Sudden Loss of Turning Ability
Steering rack or pinion fails suddenly, making the wheel difficult or impossible to turn. In some cases, steering locks up completely. Occurs without warning lights. One incident resulted in loss of control and vehicle collision.
When: Failure mileage: 25k–109k miles; one failure at ~71.9k miles while vehicle was in Honda service 3 months prior with no steering issue detected
Symptoms owners cite: Steering wheel locked or extremely difficult to turn; Loss of power steering functionality; Steering wheel spinning uncontrollably in one direction; Clicking/clunking noise when turning; Loose feeling in steering wheel
Repairs/costs cited: Requires replacement of entire rack and pinion or EPS rack assembly. One independent mechanic reported aftermarket parts distributor receiving ~5 orders per month for this part.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Honda confirmed one failure was 'pre-existing damage' despite no prior damage being noted. Out-of-warranty repairs denied. One owner reported Honda refusing to provide assistance despite multiple contacts.
EPS Harness Rodent Damage — Chewed Wiring
Rodents chew through steering system wire harnesses, causing multiple electrical failures including loss of power steering, dashboard warning lights for multiple systems, and steering angle sensor malfunction. One owner reports a dealership service advisor stating Honda uses soy-based insulation on wires, which rodents find attractive.
When: Two occurrences: June 8, 2021 and July 8, 2021 (same vehicle); failure mileage not stated
Symptoms owners cite: Power steering failure with multiple warning lights: EPS, VSA, LKAS, ACC, ABS, brake system warnings; Loss of power steering functionality; Multiple fault codes triggered simultaneously
Codes mentioned: C1420 (main torque sensor), C1421-14 (steering angle malfunction)
Repairs/costs cited: Steering torque sensor sub-harness replaced (first visit). Wire harness and steering angle sensor replaced; steering angle sensor calibrated (second visit). Owner reports possessing the replaced harness. Service advisor confirmed soy-based wire insulation is a known issue; another customer at same dealer group had harness eaten by rodents four times.
Multiple Electrical & Steering Failures — Intermittent Power Steering Loss
Vehicle experiences intermittent power steering loss alongside check engine and battery warning lights at various speeds. In one case, battery replacement was attempted but did not resolve the steering issue. Another case reports steering functionality returning to normal independently, suggesting intermittent electrical fault.
When: Failures occurring at ~30k miles and 50 mph operation; incidents occurred at different times of day
Symptoms owners cite: Intermittent power steering loss; Steering functionality returns to normal independently; Check engine warning light illumination; Battery warning light illumination; Loss of steering at various speeds
Repairs/costs cited: One dealership replaced battery ($385) based on suspected failure, but issue recurred within 24 hours of driving. Second failure occurred at 50 mph on main road.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealership attempted repair (battery replacement) without proper diagnosis; owner notes dealership was 'guessing.'
Misaligned Steering / Crooked Wheel — Aftermarket Suspension Interference
One 2019 Civic Si purchased used was found to have pre-installed aftermarket suspension modifications that prevent proper rear alignment, creating unsafe handling conditions. Vehicle cannot be aligned due to these modifications. Dealer concealed this information and prior damage history (roof, front, rear damage from prior accidents and auction sales).
When: Issue noted at time of sale; Honda technician confirmed misalignment could not be corrected due to aftermarket modifications
Symptoms owners cite: Inability to achieve proper alignment; Unpredictable handling; Risk of tire failure; Risk of loss of control
Repairs/costs cited: Certified Honda technician confirmed vehicle could not be aligned. Aftermarket suspension parts would require replacement to restore proper alignment geometry.
Synthesized from 80 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 6 most recent
The steering is "sticky" leading to ever-changing steering effort. At times, so much force has to be applied that overcorrection occurs. It decreases the safety margin when driving and applying corrective steering to prevent lane departure or collision. Luckily, I have not had any accidents occur yet. Still, I can easily imagine that it contributes to a collision if and when the margin for an…
I just purchased my used 2019 Honda Civic LX a few weeks ago. Online forums warned me of a "sticking" steering wheel and I've noticed they're right. It occurs most often (or is most noticeable) when traveling straight at highway speeds. It seems that the steering wheel "sticks" when no turning input is given for a short time. Eventually, when a steering correction to the left or right is needed…
Some how my steering wheel is crooked, so while going straight, my wheel is around 2 or 3 inches to the left. If I turn it all the way, in either direction the wheel will click, click, click back, moving back the opposite direction with every click. I've changed both front CV axles, sway bar links, brakes, all 4 tires, bought 2 rims so far. Still having issues. Also makes a cluck sound while…
I was pulling into a gas station when errors started scrolling on the dash, pretty much all of the driver assist options were failing then the power steering error came up and it was almost impossible for me to turn the wheel, luckily I was going slow. Had it towed to a service station and they could not even find out what the codes that were reported meant. So I had it towed to the Honda…
I was driving straight going 35mph on a 2 lane rd when my steering wheel starting making a weird noise & almost was shaking. The steering wheel then locked up to the left & wouldn’t move. This caused my driver side tire to go into the curb, & at this point my steering wheel was spinning in circles & all I could do was brake. After bumping off the curb I then was thrusted back over to the right…
Had steering trouble with your 2019 Honda Civic?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the steering problem on the 2019 Honda Civic?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 80 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $700 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the steering typically fail?
Across the 12 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most steering failures cluster between 25,000 and 71,900 miles, with the median around 57,219. A quarter of owners report trouble before 25,000; a quarter make it past 71,900. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $700 for steering repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to steering?
No active recalls currently cover steering issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2019/Honda/Civic.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.