NHTSA has received 334 owner complaints about the 2023 Honda Civic, or 88.1 per year on the road — far more complaints than typical (complaint index 2.18, where 1.00 is the average of all tracked vehicles). Among the 92 model-year 2023 vehicles we track, it ranks #78 of 92 by complaints per year (#1 = fewest). Against other Honda models its rate is 23% higher; against other Compact cars it is 301% higher.
Counts are normalized by time on the road, not by sales volume: a popular model generates more reports than a rare one, and complaints are not verified individually. How we count
Complaints filed between 2023-01-24 and 2026-10-09. Median delay from incident to filing: 14 days.
334Complaints
88.1Complaints per year on the road
2.18Complaint index vs. all tracked vehicles
4Recalls
6.0%Share involving a crash or fire
37Last 12 months
Analysis
The previous model year (2022) drew 200.3 complaints per year, more than this one. The following model year (2024) drew 50.9 per year, fewer than this one. In its first two years on the road the 2023 model collected 270 complaints, 225% higher than the average vehicle of the same model year.
The most common problem area is Steering (75.4% of complaints), followed by Electrical (4.2%) and Brakes (3.6%). Steering complaints are 11.8 times as common here as across all tracked vehicles. 20 reports (6.0%) describe a crash or fire; owners mention 12 injuries and 0 deaths.
Half of the reported incidents happened within 11 months of the model year's start; the busiest period was the first year (56% of incidents). In the last 12 months 37 new complaints were filed, versus 40 in the 12 months before — down 8%.
NHTSA lists 4 safety recalls for this model year. 2 NHTSA investigations cover this model year; the most recent is “Momentary Increased Steering Effort” (engineering analysis, opened 2023-11-29, closed 2025-01-28).
Complaint index
vs. all tracked vehicles2.18
vs. other Honda models1.23
vs. other 2023 models2.09
vs. other Compact cars4.01
Complaints in first 2 years on the road · vs. same-year average (270)3.25
During a controlled low-speed autocross event (~55 mph entry), I applied the brake pedal firmly to decelerate for an upcoming turn. The vehicle failed to decelerate at anywhere near its rated capability.
Electrical · 2026-08-31 · ODI 11761048 · Crash
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 steering wheel became sticky sometimes and hard to control and the steering wheel sometimes notches while driving on straight road at 60 mph make it hard to keep the car straight sometimes. The steering sometimes feel difficult to turn
Steering · 2026-10-09 · ODI 11770253
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.
Steering · 2026-10-08 · ODI 11769903
My car displays: Auto Idle Stop System Problem. See Your Dealer
Unspecified or other · 2026-09-23 · ODI 11766414
Excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA, trimmed for length. The ODI number is NHTSA's record identifier.
Summary: 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.
Summary: 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 Campaign 23V704000 · 2023-10-19
Summary: 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.
Summary: 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.
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 steerin…
Momentary Increased Steering EffortClosed
PE23005 · preliminary evaluation · STEERING · Opened 2023-03-17 · Closed 2023-11-30 · Model years: 2022, 2023
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 …
