2012 Honda Civic Steering Problems
NHTSA lists 74 steering complaints for the 2012 Honda Civic, 16% of its 455 total complaints. Owners most often report sudden loss of power steering assist, sometimes with a warning light, at a median 60,000 miles. One related recall covers an incorrect steering column on some units.
- Steering complaints
- 74
- 16% of 455
- Crashes reported
- 3
- Fires reported
- 0
- Injuries reported
- 1
- Median mileage
- 60,000 mi
- Related recalls
- 1
Typical steering symptoms owners report
- Power steering assist cuts out suddenly while driving or turning, sometimes requiring the engine to be restarted to restore it.
- A power steering warning light comes on intermittently, often paired with the steering suddenly becoming very hard to turn.
- Some owners report the steering wheel locking up or becoming impossible to turn when backing out of a parking spot.
- Loss of power steering assist has been reported during rain, occurring repeatedly for the same vehicle.
- One owner reports a loud clanking noise when turning the wheel, which the dealer linked to the electronic steering fluid despite the car using an electric system.
- In one case power steering failure was reported alongside a crash and injury while driving.
When 2012 Honda Civic steering complaints were filed
First complaint Nov 23, 2011, latest Jan 2, 2026.
Steering recalls for the 2012 Honda Civic
- NHTSA 12V548000Nov 21, 2012Steering157 vehicles
Steering:column
Honda is recalling certain model year 2012 Civic passenger vehicles, manufactured from October 26, 2012, through October 30, 2012. These vehicles were assembled with the incorrect steering column assembly.
Risk: The steering column may not have proper energy absorbing characteristics, which could increase the risk of injury during a vehicle crash.
Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and replace the steering column, as necessary, free of charge. The safety recall began on December 10, 2012. Owners may contact Honda at 1-800-999-1009.
Steering complaints by Civic model year
Raw complaint counts per model year; newer years have had less time to accumulate complaints.
Frequently asked questions
- How common are steering complaints on the 2012 Honda Civic?
- NHTSA lists 74 steering complaints for the 2012 Civic, which is 16% of the 455 total complaints filed for that model year.
- Is there a steering recall for the 2012 Honda Civic?
- Yes. Recall 12V548000 covers 2012 Civic vehicles built from October 26 through October 30, 2012, that were assembled with an incorrect steering column assembly. Honda dealers inspect and replace the column free of charge.
- At what mileage do steering problems usually appear on the 2012 Civic?
- NHTSA data shows a median mileage of 60,000 miles at the time of the reported steering failure.
- Have steering problems led to crashes on the 2012 Civic?
- NHTSA records 3 crashes and 1 injury tied to steering complaints for the 2012 Civic, out of 74 total steering complaints.
- Is the 2012 Civic worse than other years for steering issues?
- Its 16% share of complaints tied to steering is lower than several later years, such as 2022 at 83% and 2023 at 75%, though it is higher than 2011 at 2% and 2014 at 5%.